Sevendust is giving audiences another preview of its forthcoming album, Truth Killer.
The preview came Thursday in the form of the album’s second single, ‘Everything‘ and the song’s companion video. The song’s musical arrangement boasts comparison to works from early in the band’s catalog as well as more recent influence, what with drummer Morgan Rose’s familiar screaming vocals. The overall melodic hard rock sound and style for which Sevendust has come to be known is just as present as ever even with the song’s unique musical identity, making for even more engagement and entertainment.
No information was provided about the song’s lyrical theme in the news release announcing the premiere of the new single and its video. No lyrics are provided with the video, either, but the lyrics presented in the song are clearly a message of self-confidence and making a path for one’s own self rather than let others control a person. This is just this critic’s interpretation, as always.
The premiere of ‘Everything’ came less than a month after the band premiered the lead single from its new album, ‘Fence‘ and its companion video.
In other news, Sevendust has announced new tour dates in support of Truth Killer. The band’s new tour launched Thursday in Louisville, KY and is scheduled to run through Aug. 31. The band’s tour schedule is noted below and tickets are available here.
SEVENDUST 2023 Tour Dates: May 11 – Louisville, KY – The Louisville Palace * May 13 – Las Vegas, NV – Sick New World 2023 May 14 – Chattanooga, TN – The Signal * May 16 – Pensacola, FL – Pensacola Saenger Theatre * May 17 – New Orleans, LA – Fillmore New Orleans * May 19 – Dothan, AL – The Plant * May 20 – West Greenville, SC – The Foundry at Judson Mill # Aug 1 – Buffalo, NY – Outer Harbor Event Complex * Aug 2 – Asbury Park, NJ – Stone Pony Summer Stage * Aug 4 – Charles Town, WV – The Event Center at Hollywood Casino * Aug 5 – Grantville, PA – Hollywood Casino Outdoors * Aug 7 – Richmond, VA – Virginia Credit Union LIVE! * Aug 8 – Cleveland, OH – Jacobs Pavilion * Aug 10 – Quebec City, QC – Agora Port de Québec * Aug 12 – Mashantucket, CT – The Premier Theater (at Foxwoods Resort Casino) * Aug 13 – Johnstown, PA – 1st Summit Arena * Aug 17 – Fayetteville, AR – JJ’s Live * Aug 19 – Corpus Christi, TX – Concrete Street Amphitheater * Aug 20 – San Antonio, TX – Boeing Center at Tech Port * Aug 22 – Memphis, TN – Orpheum Theatre * Aug 23 – Cincinnati, OH – Andrew J Brady Music Center * Aug 25 – Grand Rapids, MI – GLC Live at 20 Monroe * Aug 26 – Milwaukee, WI – The Eagles Ballroom * Aug 28 – Fargo, ND – Outdoors at Fargo Brewing * Aug 29 – Minneapolis, MN – The Fillmore * Aug 31 – Council Bluffs, IA – Harrah’s Stir Concert Cove *
*Opening for Alter Bridge
More information on Sevendust’s new album, single, video, and tour is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:
Independent rock act Prey For Sunday debuted its latest single this week.
The band premiered its new single, ‘Tattoo Man’ Wednesday. The song’s musical arrangement immediately lends itself to comparison to works from the likes of Alter Bridge, Chris Cornell, and even Three Doors Down. That is evidenced especially through the vocal delivery sound and style of front man Tony Persico and the instrumentation in the song’s guitar and bass lines.
No information was provided about the song’s lyrical theme in the news release announcing the single’s premiere. In listening through the song, the theme comes across as centering on facing life’s obstacles. That is just this critic’s interpretation.
A video for Prey For Sunday’s new single is expected to debut May 17.
More information on Prey For Sunday’s new single is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:
Veteran hard rock band Sevendust is set to return this year with its 14th album.
The band is scheduled to release its new album, Truth Killer July 28 through Napalm Records. The release will be the first from the band for Napalm Records. In anticipation of the record’s release, the band premiered the album’s lead single, ‘Fence‘ and its companion video Wednesday.
The musical arrangement featured in Sevendust’s new single is everything that audiences have come to know from the band. That is evidenced through the arrangement’s heavy yet melodic hard rock approach and sound.
No information was provided about the song’s lyrical theme in the news release announcing the new album and single details. Lyrics were not provided with the song’s claymation style video, either. The lyrics are difficult to decipher sans lyrics to reference, too.
The video features Sevendust turning into a group of zombies after battling a group of zombies that was previously another band. The other band turned into zombies after one of its members drank some toxic waste-tainted beer. The visualization is pretty entertaining.
In other news, Sevendust has announced a string of live dates in support of its new album. The upcoming tour, which will find the band opening for fellow Napalm labelmates Alter Bridge, is scheduled to launch April 22 in Orlando, FL and to run through May 20 in West Greenville, SC.
Tickets are available here. The tour’s schedule is noted below:
SEVENDUST 2023 Tour Dates April 22 – Orlando, FL – WJRR Earthday Birthday 2023 April 28 – Newark, NJ – WDHA’s Rock The Rock Fest May 6 – Greensboro, NC – Piedmont Hall * May 7 – North Myrtle Beach, SC – House of Blues Myrtle Beach * May 9 – Charlotte, NC – The Fillmore Charlotte * May 11 – Louisville, KY – The Louisville Palace * May 13 – Las Vegas, NV – Sick New World 2023 May 14 – Chattanooga, TN – The Signal * May 16 – Pensacola, FL – Pensacola Saenger Theatre * May 17 – New Orleans, LA – Fillmore New Orleans * May 19 – Dothan, AL – The Plant * May 20 – West Greenville, SC – The Foundry at Judson Mill #
* Opening for Alter Bridge # Headline show
More information on Sevendust’s new album, single, video, and tour is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:
Southern rocker Jason Charles Miller is set to debut his latest single next week.
‘The River‘ is scheduled for release Monday through Golden Robot Records. Miller co-wrote his new, forthcoming single with songwriter Bart Allman.
The premiere of Miller’s new single will come more than a month after the debut of his then latest single, ‘Chasing The Sun‘. Miller debuted that single’s video early this month.
The musical arrangement featured in ‘The River’ is a stark contrast to that featured in ‘Chasing The Sun.’ Where the arrangement presented in ‘Chasing The Sun’ is an upbeat southern rock song a la Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Marshall Tucker Band, and Shooter Jennings, ‘The River’ features an arrangement that is more in line with works from Alter Bridge. Even Miller’s own vocal delivery style and sound is similar to that of Alter Bridge front man Myles Kennedy in this case.
According to information provided in the news release announcing the coming debut of Miller’s new single, the song’s lyrical theme was inspired by the 1849 California Gold Rush and by the collected works of author J.R.R. Tolkien.
More information on Jason Charles Miller’s new single is available along with all of his latest news at:
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Independent hard rock act Antisaint is going to get some major exposure during this summer’s festival season.
The band has been added to the lineup for this year’s Download Festival. The announcement was made Friday. The 2023 Download Festival is scheduled to be held June 8-11 at Donington Park, UK.
The band joins the likes of Halestorm, Alter Bridge, Bad Wolves, Avatar, and The Warning as the newest acts to join the annual festival’s lineup. Antisaint is scheduled to perform June 10 at the festival, along with Clutch, Ice Nine Kills, Motionless in White and Metallica, among so many other major name acts.
Antisaint front man Matthew Whiteman said he was humbled as he talked about the announcement of the band joining the festival’s lineup.
“We’re beyond excited and grateful for the opportunity,” Whiteman said. “This is the kind of show you dream about and to be a part of it is a huge honour. “It’s crazy to see ANTISAINT’s name on the same poster with so many legendary bands that we grew up listening to and drawing influence from. To be included in the 20th Anniversary celebration of such a widely respected festival makes it that much better. It’s a privilege to be included this year!”
Antisaint’s upcoming performance at the Download Festival is in support of the re-issue of its 2021 album, Vaticinate, which was released last year.
More information on Antisaint’s upcoming performance at the 2023 Download Festival is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:
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Alter Bridge is continuing the push for its latest album, with a video for the record’s latest single and a new slate of live dates.
The band premiered the video for its new single, ‘Holiday’ Wednesday. The video features the new single playing over the visualization of the band on stage. A number of video effects, such as slow motion and quick edits are used to keep viewers engaged and entertained throughout the presentation.
The musical arrangement featured in the new single is a heavy composition that is equal parts guitar, drums, bass and vocals and continues the heavy trend of so much of the material featured in the band’s latest album, Pawns & Kings, which is available now through Napalm Records.
No information was provided about the song’s lyrical theme in the news release announcing the video’s premiere. Reading through the song’s lyrics, the song comes across as coming from the vantage point of someone who has reached that critical point of self-realization in life that it is past time for a change because of how much that person has been through. This is just this critic’s interpretation.
Courtesy: Napalm Records
In other news Alter Bridge is scheduled to launch the latest leg of its tour in support of Pawns & Kings next week in Tampa, FL. The latest leg of the tour is scheduled to run through April 1 in Highland, CA. It includes performances scheduled in cities nationwide, such as Boston, MA; Prior Lake, MN and Houston, TX.
The tour’s schedule is noted below. Tickets are available here.
ALTER BRIDGE North American Tour Dates: Jan 25 – TAMPA, FL – Seminole Hard Rock * (Low Ticket Alert) Jan 27 – ORLANDO, FL – Hard Rock Live * (Low Ticket Alert) Jan 28 – ATLANTA, GA – Coca Cola Roxy * Jan 30 – NASHVILLE, TN – Ryman Auditorium * (Sold Out) Feb 1 – MONTCLAIR, NJ – The Wellmont Theater * (Sold Out) Feb 2 – HUNTINGTON, NY – The Paramount * (Low Ticket Alert) Feb 4 – SILVER SPRING, MD – The Fillmore Silver Spring * (Sold Out) Feb 5 – PHILADELPHIA, PA – Franklin Music Hall * Feb 7 – WALLINGFORD, CT – The Dome at Toyota Oakdale Theatre * Feb 8 – BOSTON, MA – Roadrunner * Feb 10 – WATERLOO, NY – Del Lago Casino Resort (On sale soon) ^ Feb 11 – TORONTO, ON – HISTORY ^ (Sold Out) Feb 14 – DETROIT, MI – The Fillmore * Feb 15 – INDIANAPOLIS, IN – Murat Theatre at Old National Centre * Feb 17 – PRIOR LAKE, MN – Mystic Lake Casino Showroom * (Sold Out) Feb 18 – CHICAGO, IL – The Riviera Theatre * (Low Ticket Alert) Mar 10 – QUAPAW, OK – Downstream Casino Resort # Mar 11 – KANSAS CITY, MO – Arvest Bank Theatre at The Midland # Mar 14 – CHESTERFIELD, MO – The Factory # Mar 15 – OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – The Criterion # Mar 17 – HOUSTON, TX – 713 Music Hall # Mar 18 – DALLAS, TX – South Side Ballroom # Mar 20 – DENVER, CO – Mission Ballroom # Mar 21 – SALT LAKE CITY, UT – Union Event Center # Mar 23 – SEATTLE, WA – The Paramount Theatre # Mar 25 – AIRWAY HEIGHTS, WA – Northern Quest Resort & Casino ^ (Sold Out) Mar 26 – AIRWAY HEIGHTS, WA – Northern Quest Resort & Casino ^ Mar 28 – ANAHEIM, CA – House Of Blues # Mar 29 – TEMPE, AZ – Marquee Theatre # Mar 31 – RENO, NV – Silver Legacy’s Grande Expo Hall # Apr 1 – HIGHLAND, CA – Yaamava Theater at Yaamava Casino Resort ^
^ Alter Bridge – Mammoth WVH * Alter Bridge – Mammoth WVH – Red # Alter Bridge – Mammoth WVH – Pistols At Dawn
More information on Alter Bridge’s new single, video and tour is available along with all of Alter Bridge’s latest news at:
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Three is apparently a lucky number for hard rock band Alter Bridge. Ever since the release of the band’s debut album, One Day Remains in 2004, the band has allowed no more than three years to pass between each of its albums. This even as its members have kept themselves busy not only with the band but their many side projects. Front man Myles Kennedy has released a handful of albums alongside famed guitarist Slash and the Conspirators while guitarist Mark Tremonti has released five albums under his namesake solo project. Drummer Scott Phillips has even kept himself busy on the side with hard rock super group Projected, crafting three albums with band mates John Connolly and Vince Hornsby (both of Sevendust) and Eric Friedman (Tremonti touring band). Each album that Alter Bridge has released up to this point has proven quite the success even with that three year window passing between each album and each band member’s busy side schedule, too, showing that level of luck. Pawns & Kings, Alter Bridge’s seventh album, is no exception to that rule, either. The nearly hour-long album (it runs 55 minutes to be precise) succeeds equally through its musical and lyrical content thanks to its overwhelming heaviness.
For all of the heaviness, there is some more emotional content featured in the 10-song record’s body worth noting here, too. It comes halfway through the album in the form of ‘Stay.’ This song will be discussed shortly. ‘Season of Promise,’ which comes even later in the album’s run, is just as uplifting while being heavy and melodic in its own right. It will be examined a little later. For those looking for Alter Bridge’s heavier, more fiery side get plenty of that here, too along with equally accessible lyrical content in the form of ‘Silver Tongue,’ which comes early in the album’s run. When it is considered along with the other songs noted here they and the rest of the album’s entries make Pawns & Kings overall one more of the year’s top new hard rock and metal albums.
Pawns & Kings, the latest album from Alter Bridge, is another fine new offering from the hard rock outfit, which formed years ago from the ashes of Creed. The album’s success comes both through its musical and lyrical content. There is plenty of heaviness throughout the album’s musical content and just as much in the lyrical themes, too. There is also at least one softer moment that is heavy through its softness midway through the album in the form of ‘Stay.’ The song’s musical arrangement immediately lends itself to comparison to works that the former Creed band mates — Tremonti, Phillips, and bassist Brian Marshall — composed as members of Creed. In the same breath, listeners can also compare the almost power ballad-esque work to songs the musicians composed in Alter Bridge’s early days. The schmaltzy rock opus makes for a good breakpoint for the album, too, switching things up if only slightly so as to keep the album’s overall musical picture interesting.
Thanks to that radio ready power ballad sound and approach in the musical arrangement, the song’s uplifting lyrical theme about looking past life’s down times and keeping as positive an outlook as possible becomes all the more impacting. The theme is delivered clearly and simply as Kennedy sings in the song’s lead verse and chorus, “Hold your hands up high and throw them in the air/Show that you care too much to feel this way again/Things that cause you pain/Just throw them to the wind/Don’t turn away again/For I am always at your side/As I take another look around me/As I’m trying to be all I can be/Try to make me something more/And/Don’t wait/It won’t last forever/And allow your heart to heal/Just begin to heal.” This is that clear encouragement for people to push on through life’s difficult times because those bad times are only temporary. He continues the message in the song’s second verse, singing, “Make just one last wish/And shout it to the sky/The time/It is right to love/To feel/To light a fire/We’ll never know just when we’ll have the chance again/To see it to the end/So do your part and make it last.” Here again is that message furthered, encouraging people to make the most of each day and to take advantage of every chance to make life better. That overall positive message, paired with the song’s equally accessible musical arrangement makes it one of the album’s most notable entries and just one example of what makes Pawns & Kings stand out.
‘Season of Promise’ is another positive, notable addition to the album that shows the ability of its musical and lyrical themes to connect with audiences. That is due in part to its musical arrangement. The opening bars of its verses, with their steady guitar riffs, are comparable to works from Foo Fighters. As the verses progress though, the comparison to the more melodic works from Alter Bridge’s early days and even from the band members’ Creed catalog become more evident once again. That duality makes the overall arrangement quite the unique presentation in its own right that is another welcome change of pace from all of the heaviness that is spread across Pawns & Kings.
The foundation that the musical arrangement forms in ‘Season of Promise’ is strengthened through the lyrical theme that accompanies said content. In the case of this song, the lyrical theme is somewhat existential. Kennedy said in an interview with Apple Music, that the song’s theme is meant to deliver a message of appreciating the knowledge that each generation’s predecessor offers, because it is invaluable to the human race from one generation to the next. This is made clear as Kennedy sings in the song’s lead verse and chorus, “We gather to foster all the knowledge we have found/Passed down from a generation/Long forgotten now/Like dust from the stars/Scattered from afar/We wait for the harvest/In the season of promise/That was sown through the ages/That brings us to see/Everything that was started/By the dearly departed/May it live on forever/For the future to be/To bring about our destiny.” It leaves the interpretation to be that the “season of promise” would be the now, the current era; the season of what is possible in other words. He is saying that we are waiting for that knowledge to be passed on. It is an interesting poetic fashion to deliver that message which, honestly, is rare for any rock band to tackle in the best way possible. He furthers that message in the song’s second verse as he sings, “The wisdom of all we are/And all we’re meant to see/A truth that can get us by/If only we believe/It’s never that far.” Once again here is that message that the knowledge in question is closer than we think, and it is up to us to recognize it. This is a message that so many people need to hear, if not everyone. To that end, it and the song’s musical arrangement make it such a powerful addition to Pawns & Kings in its own right.
For those who want something heavier, musically, along with equally heavy lyrical content, that is presented here, too, in the form of ‘Silver Tongue,’ which comes early in the album’s run. The album’s third entry, it is a rich, fiery composition that is everything that fans of Alter Bridge’s heavier side have come to expect from the band. The richness of the overall instrumentation alongside Kennedy’s vocals will keep listeners fully engaged and entertained.
The lyrical theme that accompanies that musical heaviness is indeed heavy in its own right. Kennedy said of the song’s theme that it is about those people who have only the worst intentions in mind, getting people to do what they want with no concern about the fallout for themselves because they know they will not get in any trouble for their vile actions and words. If that sounds familiar, it should, considered a certain political and celebrity figure *coughs, Donald Trump* perfectly fits that bill, along with certain other well-known figures. The theme is delivered clearly as Kennedy sings in the song’s lead verse and chorus, “Sitting in my ivory tower/Invincible to fall/Some would say my final hour/As you scale the wall/Step inside/I dare you all/And breathe the lies/And heed the call/When this is all said and done/I will have my way/And you will take the blame/You’re over the line/Under the gun/I am the reason for what you’ve done/Tooth of a crime you can’t outrun/Under the spell of my silver tongue.” This, again, so perfectly fits the vile actions and words of Donald Trump even if Trump was not the direct target here. The message continues just as starkly in the song’s second verse as Kennedy sings, “I swear to God/I’ll find a way/To prove I still belong/I’d rather watch it burn away/Than say that I was wrong.” This is such a fully accessible theme that will resonate so easily in today’s world. The fire in the song’s arrangement does so well to help illustrate the dark sense in that person’s mind. The whole makes ‘Silver Tongue’ yet another important addition to Pawns & Kings. When it and the other songs examined here are considered together and along with the rest of the album’s entries, the whole makes Pans & Kings one more of this year’s top new hard rock and metal albums.
Pawns & Kings, the seventh album from Alter Bridge is another example of what makes this band one of the top names in the current age of hard rock and metal. This is proven through its musical and lyrical content alike, as has been evidenced here. When those songs are considered along with the rest of the album’s entries, the whole makes this album another powerful new offering from Alter Bridge that is also among the best of this year’s top new hard rock and metal metal albums.
Pawns & Kings is available now through Napalm Records. More information on the album is available along with all of Alter Bridge’s latest news at:
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More than four years after the release of its sophomore album, Ignite My Insanity, hard rock super group Projected returned last month with that record’s follow-up, Hypoxia. Released June 24 through Rat Pak Records (which released the band’s first two albums, too), the 13-song (14 in the expanded edition) is an intriguing new offering from the group, which is composed of Sevendust members John Connolly and Vince Hornsby, Alter Bridge drummer Scott Phillips, and Tremonti guitarist Eric Friedman. That is due in large part to its featured lyrical content, which will be discussed shortly. While the record’s lyrical content ensures listeners’ engagement and entertainment, its musical content is sadly imperfect. This will be discussed a little later. The record’s production works with the lyrical content and musical content together to make the record a presentation that while imperfect, is still worth hearing at least once.
Hypoxia, the third studio recording from hard rock super group Projected, is an interesting new offering from the quintet. Its interest comes in large part through its lyrical content. The album’s title track, which comes almost halfway through the record, does well to support that statement. The song is a social commentary about people’s divisive interactions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Connolly talked about the theme and how it related not only to the song but the album in whole, saying, “When the pandemic happened, everybody was on social media all of the time. People were going off on each other and the whole world got crazy. It was 100% hypoxia. Everyone was talking and nobody was listening. I had to get off socials awhile because it messes your mood up.”
This discussion is addressed directly in the album’s title track as Connolly sings, “Why is it every time that I hear you lie/You’ve got nothing to say to make your case/Why is it all the time that I hear you whine/You’ve got no one to blame/You’re sucking out the oxygen/You’re wasting all my oxygen/You’re sucking out the oxygen/You’re wasting all my oxygen/Talking to you makes my head go numb/Bring on your halfwit/Come on, come on with it/Hypoxia/Trying to deal with you makes me come undone/Here comes some bulls***/Come on, come on with it.” This is that back and forth that Connolly was addressing. The commentary continues in the song’s second verse as Connolly continues, “How do you find a way to spew meaningless hate/Youv’e got something to say every day/How can you live this way?” Again, this is that commentary. Just as Connolly said, this type of behavior really has happened ever since the pandemic happened and sadly is still happening to this day. To that end, this is a theme and commentary that is certain to resonate with plenty of audiences.
On another note, ‘Stain,’ which is another of the album’s singles, presents its own engaging lyrical content. In the case of this song, it comes across as being less about social media and more of a familiar commentary about someone who is in a rough place in life. A crossroads so to speak. This is inferred as Connolly sings in the song’s lead verse and chorus, “Love stains an everlasting hope/Hate burns a never-ending hole/Preacher man told me I should pray to God/But heaven seems such a long way to go/So I pray/If I had one last chance to change it/I’d give the world my best to save it/If I had no regrets to stain it/I’d give my everything to love again.” This simple verse pretty much comes right out and makes the inferred theme clear. This is someone who wants to believe people and be happy but finds it difficult to do so because those hopes and dreams have been damaged so much, clearly. The inferred theme is continued in the song’s second verse as Connolly sings, “Spit out just exactly what you want me to be/The road I travel’s getting darker day by day/I don’t want to hear your lies/Take everything I have to give/So I pray.” Yet again this is someone being at the pivotal moment, just wanting to know want someone(s) want him/her to be. This is a situation in which so many audiences have found and find themselves daily. To that point, it is a theme that will resonate just as much with so many listeners, further showing the importance of the record’s lyrical content.
‘My Addiction’ is yet another example of that importance. As the song’s title indicates, it is a song about dealing with addiction. This is yet another familiar theme in so much rock and hard rock that encourages listeners to conquer their addictions. Connolly sings in the song’s lead verse, “Somehow I found what’s mine/I’m not a victim of it/I’m gonna rise above it/Some moments lost in time/I try to push on through it/And now I never lose it/Now I never lose it/I push through the end/Till I cross that line/Because when they bury me/Won’t lose this time…” The last two lines of the chorus are difficult to decipher sans lyrics, but more than enough of the verse and chorus is understandable that audiences can easily note that the song clearly is in fact that of conquering whatever addiction one has. The song’s brief second verse follows in similar fashion adding its own touch to the whole. In the end, Connolly sings, “I won’t let go” before singing again about pushing on through it all. The whole here is a powerful statement about determination to get through “this endless race.” It all collectively is just as certain to resonate with listeners. When it and the other themes examined here are considered along with the rest of the record’s lyrical content, the whole makes even clearer why the lyrical content featured in the album is so important to its presentation. It more than makes up for the slight shortcoming of the album’s musical content.
The arrangements that make up the record’s body are infectious. There is no denying that aspect. At the same time though, so much of what audiences get in this record is what listeners have gotten from Sevendust for so many years. There is even a clear Alter Bridge influence late in the record in the form of ‘My Addiction.’ From the heaviness and harmonies in the guitar and bass lines to the very specific vocal styling in each song, the whole of so much of this record really is nearly identical, again, to so much of what Sevendust has crafted in each of its albums. If any of the arrangements featured here were to be played on the radio without announcement from the on-air talent, audiences would very likely think this was content from Sevendust. Add in that this is hardly the first time that the band has taken this creative avenue just as in its existing catalog, and it hurts the record to a certain point that much more. That is not to say that the record’s musical content dooms it by any means but taking that safe route certainly did not do much to help the band grow in its latest outing.
While the album’s musical arrangements seem to counter a statement made by Connolly made during a recent interview that he felt the record showed evolution and growth from the band, the production of those arrangements helps to keep listeners engaged, even despite the overt familiarity. The production that went into the record ensured that as heavy as so much of the record is throughout, each musician’s performance is expertly balanced by that of his band mates. The richness of each performance comes together from one song to the next to make each composition so hard hitting and in turn enjoyable even despite being so overly familiar. To that end, it still manages to make the album mostly successful when considered with everything else. To that end, the album proves itself worth hearing at least once.
Hypoxia, the latest album from hard rock super group Projected, is an intriguing new offering from the group. The album’s interest comes in large part through its featured lyrical content, which is certain to resonate with audiences from one song to the next. From social commentaries to more personal stories and more, the themes here are content that is completely relatable. As much as the record’s lyrical content does to make it engaging and entertaining, the record’s musical content is a little more questionable. Once again audiences get musical arrangements throughout that really are overly familiar. For the most part what audiences get here are compositions that are more along the lines of content from Connolly and Hornsby’s main band, Sevendust, than anything that really takes any chances. In other words, it once again finds the group largely playing it safe. Yes, the arrangements are infectious and engaging, but it would have been nice to have heard something less familiar. The record’s production works with the arrangements to ensure each arrangement, even being so overly familiar, is still fully immersive. It does this by making sure the instrumentation is properly balanced in each work and that the vocals are just as clear as the instruments. It puts the finishing touch to the whole. Each item examined is important in its own way to the whole of the record. All things considered they make Hypoxia maybe not perfect but still worth hearing at least once.
Hypoxia is available now through Rat Pak Records. More information on the album is available along with all of the band’s latest news at https://www.facebook.com/ProjectedBand.
More than three years after the release of its then latest album, Living the Dream, the collective of Slash ft. Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators will release its new album next week. More specifically, it is scheduled for release Feb. 11 through Gibson Records. The aptly-titled album, 4, is the group’s fourth studio recording and has already produced three singles. It has also been promoted through plenty of recent TV appearances. Those performances and singles have helped audiences get a good idea of the 42-minute record’s overall picture, but they are just a glimpse of how much this record has to offer. Listening through the remainder of the album, audiences will find that its overall musical presentation has much to appreciate. It will be discussed shortly. The lyrical themes that accompany the record’s musical arrangements are of their own interest and will be discussed a little later. The record’s sequencing rounds out its most important elements and will also be discussed later. Each item noted is important in its own way to the whole of 4. All things considered, 4 proves itself to be among the best of the year’s new rock records so far.
Slash ft. Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators’ forthcoming album 4 is a strong new offering from the super group of sorts. That is due in part to its featured musical arrangements. The three singles that the album has produced have already done well to make that clear. ‘Call Off The Dogs,’ the group’s latest single for instance, clearly brings in Kennedy’s Alter Bridge influence with its rich, melodic guitar line alongside Kennedy’s own powerful vocals. At the same time, Slash’s performance incorporates his own rock leanings to make for an interesting combination of influences. The interest generated through that combination of sounds and stylistic approaches makes the song so rich and unique in the bigger picture of the album and in comparison to other rock compositions released so far this year.
The group offers more variance in the record’s musical side through its performance of ‘Actions Speak Louder Than Words.’ The song’s arrangement is a clear neo-classic rock style composition that also brings in the most subtle hint of stoner rock. The production that went into the song brought those influences out clearly, too. The result is a work that is fully immersive and that stands out so well from its counterparts in this record (and even in the band’s existing catalog).
Much earlier in the album (the record’s second song to be precise), audiences get a touch of stoner/hard rock leanings in ‘Whatever Gets You By.’ The rich, plodding guitar line and overall instrumentation used in the song’s verses conjures thoughts of The Toadies’ hit song ‘Possum Kingdom.’ That is not to say the two songs are identical by any means. It is just to say that stylistically speaking, the similarity is there. That is meant in the most complimentary fashion considering how enjoyable ‘Possum Kingdom’ is to this day. The contrast of the more melodic choruses is even similar between the songs. Again, ‘Whatever Gets You By’ is still its own work separate of ‘Possum Kingdom,’ so it is still so enjoyable in its own right even with the similarities in sound and style. It is just one more example of how much this record’s musical content does to make the album in whole successful. When it is considered along with the other songs examined here and with the rest of the album’s songs, the role that the album’s musical arrangements play becomes that much clearer and in turn more important.
While the musical arrangements featured in this album are unquestionably important to its overall presentation, they are just part of what makes the record engaging and entertaining. The record’s lyrical themes also play into its success. The lyrical themes featured throughout the album are largely accessible, though at some points, open for interpretation. Right from the album’s outset, audiences get a sociopolitical commentary in the lyrical content of ‘The River is Rising.’ Kennedy explained the song’s lyrical theme during a recent interview, explaining that it addresses how easily humans are brainwashed. That message is delivered in unique fashion as Kennedy sings in the song’s lead verse and chorus, “Another fool for rage/Another truth betrayed/Another lackey out of line/Torture and rip-apart/What was the pure of heart/Poison the well/And push the lie/All in the name of nothing/Have we been hypnotized/No doubt the end is coming/We’re out of time/Hang on/The river is rising/Hold strong/The tide is high/Will we drown in paradise?” That last line, asking, “Will we drown in paradise?” is telling. It is a cynical question that highlights the reality that we are in a bad state. It asks what is going to happen to society in what is supposed to be a wonderful situation, but is in reality anything but a utopia. Again, this is a great, unique way to deliver a familiar message. The second verse continues the noted message as Kennedy sings, “Another wicked scheme/Another static dream/Indoctrination for the blind.” This line plays with into the deliver of the song’s lead verse, furthering the message even more. The sense of frustration with everything going on that is established through these verses couples with the energy to really help make the song’s lyrical content that much more hard hitting. It is just one example of what makes the album’s lyrical content so important. ‘Fill My World’ is another example of that importance.
While lyrics were not available for this critic’s review of 4, enough of the content can be deciphered to infer that this song is another familiar work that centers on a broken relationship. This is made obvious early on as the subject sings about ‘Holding on that you’ll return to me”; this after already singing about wondering “if you really cared at all.” If this is not a direct reference to a breakup, then one can only guess at what is said reference. When this fully relatable theme pairs with the emotion in the song’s musical content, it makes that theme hit home even harder for audiences.
‘April Fool’ is yet another song whose lyrical theme proves relatively relatable from what can be deciphered sans lyrics. In the case of this song, it comes across as being sung from the standpoint of someone who has been wronged by another for too long and is fed up with the mistreatment. It does not have to necessarily, either. The subject comes right out in the song’s chorus and goes so far as to tell that other person, “The joke’s on you” because the subject won’t be that person’s fool anymore. The verses have mentions of being fed up with the inferred mistreatment, too. All things considered here, the whole again comes across as a fully relatable theme for any listener. When the high energy in the song’s musical arrangement pairs with the sense of frustration in the song’s seeming message, that lyrical theme gains even more power. When this theme is considered along with the others examined here and with the rest of the album’s lyrical content, that whole makes for even more engagement and entertainment. When it is considered along with the record’s overall musical content, the whole makes the album’s overall content reason enough for audiences to give this album a chance and then some. Keeping that in mind, there is still one more item to examine here. That item is the sequencing of that content.
The sequencing used in 4 is important because it takes into account, the diversity in the record’s overall content. At the same time, the energy in the songs’ arrangements remains relatively stable from beginning to end. From the neo-classic rock sounds and styles to the more borderline hard rock and stoner rock sounds and styles, each song is different from the last in its arrangement. That duality is enough to keep audiences engaged and entertained. Add in that the songs’ lyrical themes change just enough throughout, too, and the album gains even more appeal. The end result of the well thought out sequencing of all of this content is that it completes the picture painted here. When its positive impact is considered along with the record’s overall content, the whole makes 4 easily one of the best new rock records of the year so far.
Slash ft. Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators’ forthcoming album, 4, is another impressive new offering from the rock super group. That is proven through its musical and lyrical content alike. The arrangements offer audiences a variety of rock styles and sounds from one to the next. Along the way, each arrangement is fully accessible. The songs’ lyrical themes are just as accessible, offering audiences topics to which they will relate. The sequencing of that content puts the final touch to the record. It ensures that as the songs progress from start to end, the record’s energy remains stable even as the songs change. Each item examined plays its own important part to the whole of the album’s presentation. All things considered, they make 4 an impressive new addition to this year’s field of rock records.
4 is scheduled for release Feb.11 through Gibson Records. More information on Slash ft. Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators’ new album is available along with all of the group’s latest news at:
To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to https://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it. Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.
Audiences are getting another preview of 4, the next album from Slash ft. Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators.
The group debuted the record’s second single, ‘Fill My World‘ Friday. The song is the album’s second single behind ‘The River is Rising.’ The band premiered the song’s video Oct. 22.
The track listing for 4 is noted below.
The musical arrangement featured in ‘Fill My World’ is a neo-classic rock type composition. The steady time keeping and the vocals pair well with the bass line to make for even more enjoyment.
Slash talked about the song’s musical and lyrical content in a prepared statement.
“Musically, I came up with it at my studio,” he said. “It was just the opening riff, and then the underlying chord changes started to come out in my mind. I wasn’t sure if I was going to pursue it or not, but I had to record it and make a demo. I thought, I don’t know what the guys are going to think… Because it has a certain sentimental kind of feel to it. But I sent it to Myles, and he came back with these heartfelt lyrics. I thought it was about the loss we’ve all been suffering during this dark period, and then he told me it was about his dog. [laughs] I said, ‘Well, you know, everybody has had somebody that they love affected by this, so…”
Kennedy expanded on Slash’s comments.
“So, I have this little Shih Tzu named Mozart – he tries to act all tough, but he’s really not,” said Kennedy.” “And on one occasion we couldn’t get home, our flight was delayed and there was a really intense storm over our house. We have one of those little camera systems to keep an eye on the dog when we can’t be there, and we saw him just freaking out. It was heartbreaking to watch. It terrified the little guy. So, the narrative of the song is inspired by what I imagined he might have been thinking as it all went down. And his plea to us to come home.”
Added Kennedy, “When you listen to it, it could apply to a relationship between humans. But I thought it was interesting, at least for me, to sing it from Mozart’s perspective. And to be really honest, as I was singing the song in the studio, at one point you can hear my voice crack a little bit. It was getting to me. So, it’s definitely sung from the heart. And I’m man enough to admit it!”
The track listing for 4 is noted below.
1. “The River is Rising”
2. “Whatever Gets You By”
3. “C’est La Vie”
4. “The Path Less Followed”
5. “Actions Speak Louder Than Words”
6. “Spirit Love”
7. “Fill My World”
8. “April Fool”
9. “Call Off the Dogs”
10. “Fall Back to Earth”
In related news, Gibson will commemorate the release of 4, the band’s first record with Gibson Records, with the release of a first-ever, limited edition Slash Les Paul album 4 package on Feb. 11. Only 250 of these packages, which include a Slash Les Paul guitars will be available. They will be available here and through select Gibson dealers. Along with the guitar, the package also features a vinyl copy of the album, guitar pick, signed band picture, and album decal sticker.
In other news, the band is scheduled to launch a tour in support of its new album Feb. 8 in Portland, OR. The tour is scheduled to run through March 26 in Orlando, FL and features planned performances in cities nationwide, such as Milwaukee, WI; Seattle, WA and Waterloo, NY. Tickets and the tour’s schedule are available here.
More information on Slash ft. Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators’ new tour, single, video, and album is available along with all of the group’s latest news at:
To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to https://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it. Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.
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