Aftershock Festival 2021 Performance Times Announced

Courtesy: Ashton-Magnuson Media

Organizers of the annual Aftershock Festival have announced the schedule for this year’s installment of the annual event.

Now in its ninth year, the festival is actually a rescheduled event from 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic caused the event to be re-scheduled last year. As with its 2019 edition, this year’s installment of the Aftershock Festival is officially sold out. It is scheduled to take place this weekend from Thursday to Sunday at Discovery Park in Sacramento, CA.

The festival grounds are located at 1600 Garden Highway. Sacramento, CA.

Attendees at this year’s festival will be required to follow strict COVID-19 guidelines. Those guidelines are noted here.

The 2021 edition of the Aftershock Festival is scheduled to open at 4:25 p.m. ET Thursday with a performance by Oxymorrons, on the Coors Light Stage. Fit For A King follows at 4:50 p.m. on the Jack Daniel’s Stage. Death Angel and Exodus will follow Oxymorrons at 5:25 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. respectively on the Coors Light Stage. Meanwhile back on the Jack Daniel’s Stage, Knocked Loose is scheduled to follow Fit For A King at 5:55 p.m.

From there, Anthrax, Testamentand Cypress Hill will keep the music going between the two stages. Cypress Hill’s performance on the Jack Daniel’s Stage at 8:50 p.m. will close out the evening’s activities.

Friday will see the festival expand to three stages, with music starting at 12:45 p.m. from Contracult Collective on the Coors Light Stage. Ayron Jones will take the stage first at 1:20 p.m. Friday on the Kolas Stage. Performances from acts, such as Crobot, Pop Evil, and Rancid and many others will keep things moving through the day. Metallica will headline Friday’s events beginning at 8:55 p.m.

Moving on to Saturday, American Teeth and The Black Moods will open the day’s schedule at 12:30 p.m. and 12:35 p.m. on the Coors Light Stage and Kolas Stage respectively. Also notable acts featured on the day are those, such as South of Eden, Another Day Dawns, and Atreyu, as well as Anti-Flag, Mudvayne, and Alien Weaponry. The original lineup of The Misfits rounds out the day at 9:10 p.m. on the Jack Daniel’s Stage.

Even as the weekend winds down Sunday, the music will not let up. Sunday’s schedule opens at 12:20 p.m. on the Jack Daniel’s Stage with a performance by Law. As the day continues, performances from the likes of From Ashes To New, Pennywise, Mastodon, and Rise Against are also scheduled. Metallica closes out the weekend’s festivities at 7:55 p.m. ET on the Kolas Stage.

Along with lots of music, this weekend’s festival will also feature just as much food, drink and entertainment. The full details on all of that are noted below.

Additional food & beverage, and other experiences onsite include:

·      Caduceus Wine Garden, highlighting Caduceus Cellars and Merkin Vineyards, owned by Arizona resident Maynard James Keenan, co-founder of international recording acts TOOL, A Perfect Circle, and PUSCIFER.

·      Coors Light Coldstream serving with frosty draft technology, complete with actual ice crystals

·      Deep Eddy Vodka -Deep Eddy’s Dive In Trailer is a place where people come together to enjoy good times that never seem to end. Where strangers are just friends you haven’t met yet. While at Aftershock stopby and see us at the Deep Eddy Dive In Tour and raise a glass to being back together!

·      Dr. Greenthumb’s – Founded by the Godfather of insane brains, B-Real of Cypress Hill 

·       Fxck Cancer / Dyin 2 Live Dreams Program

·       It’s Ronz World –  custom guitars, rock shop and art

·       Jack Daniel’s Mobile Distillery Tour Experience – Officially registered by the U.S. Government in 1866 and based in Lynchburg, Tenn., the Jack Daniel Distillery is the first registered distillery in the United States and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Cheers your friends make your own history at Aftershock when you rock out at the Jack Daniel’s Main Stage with Metallica!

·      KOLAS – Stop by the Loud Lounge to level up Aftershock vibes with t-shirt ripping, body art and more.  KOLAS will also provide dynamic delivery outside the festival grounds.  Stop by the KOLAS footprint all weekend long to learn more!

·      Mortus Viventi  – Live Tarot Card Readings

·       The Blackened Bar – Aftershock is proud to continue the collaboration with Metallica’s Blackened Whiskey. The pop-up will feature Blackened, a super-premium American whiskey blend, crafted by the late Master Distiller Dave Pickerell and finished in the earth-shattering music of Metallica. This exciting collaboration marks the latest in a long line of amplified guest experiences only available through Danny Wimmer Presents music festivals.

·       The Loud Lounge – Get heady and hang in the Loud Lounge with Kolas, Clown Cannabis, California’s Finest CBD, Heavy Grass, Dr. Greenthumb’s, Helpful Hemp and more. 

·       Take Me Home – not for profit, volunteer based foundation that has been saving the lives of homeless animals since 2001.

·       weedmaps – Located inside the Loud Lounge. Fans can learn about cannabis delivery by downloading the weedmaps app all weekend long. Stop by the booth for fun giveaways and prizes and if you forgot your clear bag, weedmaps has your back. 

Aftershock Festival is presented and produced by Danny Wimmer Presents. More information on the festival is available along with all of the festival’s latest news at:

Website: https://www.AftershockFestival.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AftershockFestival

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AftershockSac

To keep up with the latest entertainment news and reviews, go online to https://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it. Fans can always keep up with the latest entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Louder Than Life Lineup Finalized

Courtesy: Danny Wimmer Presents/Ashton-Magnuson Media

The 2021 Louder Than Life festival will go on.

The event’s organizers announced the lineup and performance times for the festival Tuesday through a news release. The event, now in its sixth year, has expanded to four days from three — Sept. 23-26 — and will feature performances from approximately 70 acts. Single-day and weekend tickets/passes are available here.

Metallica is one of the most notable acts for this year’s festival. The band is scheduled to perform two separate acts on two of the festival’s nights. Also scheduled to take one of the festival’s four stages at this year’s event are acts, such as Another Day Dawns, Disturbed, Korn, Mudvayne, Cypress Hill, and Pennywise.

Along with lots of music, this year’s festival will also feature lots of food and drunk. The Kroger Big Bourbon Bar is the most notable of the features of this year’s food and drink options. It will have more than a dozen hand-selected bourbons from top distilleries nationwide.

Food and drink from a variety and local and regional restaurants (all of which are noted below) will also be available for festival attendees.

502 Café, Angry Bird Grill, Bangarang Bahn Mi, Barrett’s BBQ, Barrett’s Burgers, Bistro Italiano, Blackbeard Espresso, Bru Bros Coffee, Burger Factory, Cheese Louise, Dank Nugs, Ehrler’s Ice Cream, Eli’s BBQ, Gary’s Philly Cheesesteaks, Gelato Gilberto, Hole Mole Tacos, Island Noodles, Jammin Concessions, Longshot Lobsta, Mac Attack, Merle’s Whiskey Kitchen, Mike’s Kentucky Kitchen, My Olympus Greek Food, Overloaded, Phat Daddy’s Creole, Pie Baby Wood Fired Pizza, Pizza Lupo, Potato Tornado, Ramiro’s Cantina, Shady Grove Wraps, Spicy Pie, Strawberry Field, The Cookie Lady, Tica’s Tacos, Tickle Pickle, and Tumbleweed.

Additional bourbon, food & beverage, and other experiences available onsite include:

·       Caduceus Wine Garden

·       The Blackened Bar

·       Jack Daniel’s No. 7 Sports Bar, where guests can enjoy NFL and college football games

·       Heavy Tiki Bar presented by Jim Beam

·       Budweiser Beer Garden

·       Jim Beam Garden

·       The Well– IV hydration, juice bar and overall wellness lounge to recharge all weekend long

·       Silver Dollar Hunter’s Club- featuring vintage bourbons dating as far back as the 1930s, as well as contemporary selections

·       Mortus Viventi – Live Tarot Card Readings

·       Jack’s Char Housepresented by Jack Daniel’s

·       Milagro Cantina Bar

·       Larceny Trailer Lounge

·       Tito’s Handmade Vodka VIP Airstream

·       The Speakeasy

·       Fxck Cancer / Dyin 2 Live Dreams Program

·       Pegasus Experiences – Louisville’s Finest Distillery Experiences

·       Take Me Home

·       The Music Experience

Louder Than Life is put on by Danny Wimmer Presents. The festival’s partners are noted below:

Bud Light, Bud Light Seltzer, Kroger, Marriott, Crowne Plaza, Jack Daniel’s, Jim Beam, Elijah Craig, Bulleit Bourbon, Angel’s Envy, Larceny, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Evan Williams, Milagro Tequila, Sailor Jerry, Pegasus, ESP, Mortus Viventi, The Music Experience, Louisville Tourism, Kentucky Venues, Ehrler’s Ice Cream, The Well, TickPick, Fxck Cancer, Revolver, Inked, Blackcraft, Fanatics, Headcount, TWOLA and Take Me Home.

Atreyu Debuts ‘Warrior’ Remix

Courtesy: Spinefarm Records

Atreyu premiered an updated take of its song ‘Warrior‘ this week.

The updated take features guest appearances by Travis Barker (Blink-182) and Zero 9:36. The original song is featured in Atreyu’s latest album, Baptize, which was released in June through Spinefarm Records.

The updated take of ‘Warrior’ does show some differences from its source material. For starters, the remix is shorter than the original take by less than only 20 seconds. The original runs approximately three minutes, five seconds while the remix runs two minutes, 48 seconds. The remix is shorter as it omits part of the breakdown and replaces it with some brief rapping from Zero 9:36 (a.k.a. Matthew Cullen). Other than that, the two arrangements are largely the same.

‘Warrior’ is just one of the songs that serves as a single for Baptize. The album has also produced the singles, ‘Save Us,’ ‘Underrated,’ and ‘Catastrophe.’

In other news, Atreyu has expanded its upcoming tour schedule. The band’s initial tour schedule was set to launch Nov. 9 in Dallas, TX with support from Tetrarch, Crown the Empire, Saul, and Defying Decay. Its new, updated schedule is set to launch Sept. 3 in Green Bay, WI with Nonpoint, Tetrarch, and Another Day Dawns.

Following its brief run with Nonpoint, Tetrarch, and Another Day Dawns, Atreyu now also has dates scheduled with Eighteen Visions, Dragged Under, and Dying Wish on Oct. 5 & 6 in Phoenix, AZ and Los Angeles, CA.

The band’s updated tour schedule is noted below. Tickets are available here.

ATREYU ON TOUR:
WITH NONPOINT, TETRARCH, + ANOTHER DAY DAWNS:

9/3 — Green Bay, WI — Epic Event Center

9/4 — Newport, KY — Ovation

9/5 — Madison, WI — The Sylvee

9/7 — Wichita, KS — Temple Live

9/8 — Fort Smith, AR — Temple Live

9/10 — Danville, VA — Blue Ridge Rock Fest

WITH EIGHTEEN VISIONS, DRAGGED UNDER, + DYING WISH:

10/5 — Phoenix, AZ — The Marquee

10/6 — Los Angeles, CA — 1720
 

WITH CROWN THE EMPIRE, TETRARCH, SAUL, + DEFYING DECAY:
11/9 — Dallas, TX  — Gas Monkey Bar And Grill 
11/10 — Houston, TX  — The Warehouse 
11/11 — New Orleans, LA  — Republic NOLA
11/13 — Daytona, FL  — Welcome to Rockville 
11/15 — Atlanta, GA  — The Masquerade
11/16 — Charlotte, NC  — The Underground
11/17 — Baltimore, MD  — Rams Head Live
11/19 — Pittsburgh, PA  — The Roxian
11/20 — Sayreville, NJ  — Starland Ballroom
11/21 — New York, NY  — Webster Hall
11/22 — Albany, NY  — Empire Live 
11/23 — Hartford, CT  — The Webster
11/24 — Worcester, MA  — The Palladium 
11/26 — Detroit, MI  — The Majestic
11/27 — Columbus, OH Newport Music Hall 
11/30 — Cleveland, OH  — The Agora 
12/1 — Grand Rapids, MI  — The Intersection 
12/2 — Joliet, IL  — The Forge
12/3 — Belvidere, IL  — The Apollo Theater AC
12/4 — Minneapolis, MN  — Skyway Theatre 
12/6 — Kansas City, MO  — The Truman
12/7 — Denver, CO  — The Summit 
12/9 — Salt Lake City, UT  — The Depot
12/10 — Boise, ID  — Knitting Factory
12/11 — Portland, OR  — Roseland
12/12 — Seattle, WA  — The Crocodile 
12/14 — Santa Cruz, CA  — The Catalyst
12/15 — San Diego, CA  — House of Blues 
12/16 — Santa Ana, CA  — The Observatory 

More information on Atreyu’s new ‘Warrior’ remix, new tour dates, and album is available online now along with all of the band’s latest news and more at:

Website: https://www.atreyofficial.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/atreyu

Twitter: https://twitter.com/atreyuofficial

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.

Another Day Dawns Premieres New Single, ‘Look At You’

Courtesy: Cosa Nostra PR

Hard rock band Another Day Dawns premiered is giving audiences their first preview of its next album this week.

The band debuted its new single, ‘Look At You‘ Friday. The song is the band’s first new music in almost a year, following the release of its single, ‘Never Okay.’ The song was featured on the band’s then latest record, its EP, Stranger.

The musical arrangement featured in ‘Look At You’ is a fiery composition. It is grounded in its vocals from front man Dakota Sean. Sean’s band mates strengthen that foundation even more through the precision in their hard rock style approach to their respective parts. The song’s musical energy seems to hint at a lyrical theme that centers on the all too familiar topic of relationships.

No information was provided about the song’s lyrical theme in the press release announcing the song’s premiere. However, in listening to the song, it would seem to be that the song’s subject is looking at someone following a breakup and telling that person that he/she does not want to return to that relationship because he/she sees how that other person really is and was all along. This is of course just this critic’s own interpretation and should not be taken as the only interpretation.

The band offered a brief discussion on the new song in a prepared statement.

“Our new single, ‘Look At You,’ is a very different approach from our last few singles,
 the statement reads. “We had tons of fun writing and working in this one, it’s kind of a newer sound that we all feel still fits what we as the band stand for.”

In other news, Another Day Dawns has a series of live dates planned for next month alongside Atreyu, Tetrarch, and Nonpoint. Those dates are noted below.

2021 Tour Dates

September 3 – Green Bay, WI – EPIC Event Center

September 4 – Newport, KY – PromoWest Pavilion at Ovation

September 5 – Madison, WI – The Sylvee

September 7 – Wichita, KS – TempleLive

September 8 – Fort Smith, AR – TempleLive

September 11 – Danville, VA – Blue Ridge Rock Festival

September 12 – Montclair, NJ – Wellmont Theater (*with Breaking Benjamin and Miss May I)

September 23 – Louisville, KY – Louder Than Life Festival

September 25 – Orlando, FL – Rebel Rock Festival

October 9 – Sacramento, CA – Aftershock Festival

More information on Another Day Dawns’ new single and tour dates is available online along with all of ADD’s latest news at:

Website: https://anotherdaydawns.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnotherDayDawns

Twitter: https://twitter.com/an0therdaydawns

To keep up with the latest entertainment reviews and news, go online to https://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest entertainment reviews and news in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Nonpoint Announces New Live Dates

Courtesy: O’Donnell Media Group

Nonpoint will head back out on the road later this summer for a full-length tour

The band made the announcement Friday. It will launch what it has dubbed the “I’m About to Explode Part I” Tour Sept. 11 in Easton, PA. The tour is scheduled to run through Oct. 10 in Tempe, AZ and features performances in cities nationwide, such as Jacksonville, NC; Green Bay WI and Destin, FL.

Front man Elias Soriano was upbeat as he talked during a recent interview, about getting back on the road.

“We’re coming out of the pandemic swinging!,” he said. “The bands and the shows will leave fans talking for weeks.. Production is new, show is BRAND NEW, deep cuts from our catalog and our most Ruthless Setlist ever. ITS ABOUT TO EXPLODE, Part 1 is the swing of the bat and first contact”

The band had previously announced a handful of live dates for this month and September, as well as the schedule for its 2022 appearance on the ShipRocked Cruise. It makes this announcement the band’s first big tour announcement of the year.

Dropout Kings, Saul, and Any Given Sunday will serve as support throughout much of the tour. Joining the band for other dates are the likes of Tetrach, Seether, Atreyu, and Plush.

The tour’s schedule is noted below. Tickets are available here. The announcement of the new tour comes more than two months after it premiered its latest single, ‘Ruthless.’ The band premiered the song’s video last month.

I’m About To Explode Tour Pt. 1 with special guests: Saul, Dropout Kings, & Any Given Sin

09.11.21 – One Centre Square – Easton, PA

09.12.21 – House of Independents – Asbury Park, NJ

09.14.21 – Wallys – Hampton Beach, NH

09.15.21 – Lost Horizon – Syracuse, NY

09.16.21 – Beachland Ballroom- Cleveland, OH

09.17.21 – Music Factory – Battle Creek, MI

09.19.21 – Emerson Theater – Indianapolis, IN

09.21.21 – Piere’s – Ft. Wayne, IN

09.22.21 – Rock City Bake Company – Charleston, WV

09.23.21 – Shagnastys Grubbery And Pour House – Huntsville, AL

09.24.21 – Amos – Charlotte, NC

09.28.21 – Capones – Johnson City, TN

09.29.21 – Hooligans – Jacksonville, NC

10.02.21 – Club LA – Destin, FL

Dates with Atreyu, Tetrarch & Another Day Dawns:

09.03.21 – Epic Event Center – Green Bay, WI

09.04.21 – Ovation – Newport, KY

09.05.21 – The Sylvee – Madison, WI

09.07.21 – Temple Live – Wichita, KS

09.08.21 – Temple Live – Fort Smith, AR

Dates with Seether & Plush:

09.30.21 – House of Blues – Mrytle Beach, SC

10.01.21 – Tabernacle – Atlanta, GA

10.10.21 – Marquee – Tempe, AZ

Nonpoint will be appearing at the following festivals:

09.10.21 – Blue Ridge Rock Fest – Danville, VA

09.18.21 – Fall Fling – Peoria, IL

09.25.21 – Rebel Rock – Orlando, FL

January 22-27, 2022 ShipRocked

More information on the band’s tour, the band’s new EP and more is available online now along with all of the band’s latest news at:

Website: https://www.nonpoint.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nonpointworld

Twitter: https://twitter.com/nonpoint

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Rock Super Group Takes Top Honors In Phil’s Picks’ 2020 Best New EPs

Courtesy: Wiretap Records

Another year has come and another year is almost gone.  Only a handful of weeks remain in this year, which means many record companies have already turned their focus to 2021.  Even with the record labels turning their attention to the new year, there is still work to be done this year.  The work in question is a look back at the best of the year’s new music.  For this critic, that look back starts at the smallest level, EPs.  Those who have followed this critic’s daily ramblings year in and year out know that the year-enders have always started with the smallest records, the EPs, and this year is no different.  This year has seen a variety of interesting EPs released from across the musical universe.  They include records released by labels and independently by the acts in question. 

Featured in this critic’s list of this year’s are new offerings from Hell or Highwater (which is fronted by Atreyu’s Brandon Saller), Another Day Dawns, and even independent artist Vast Caldera among others.  Topping this year’s list is an offering from the “super group” In Parallel.

As with every year past, this critic’s list features not 10, but 15 titles.  The top 10 titles are the primary titles, while the next five are honorable mention titles.  With everything noted, here with out any further ado, is Phil’s Picks Top 10 New EPs of 2020.

PHIL’S PICKS 2020 TOP 10 NEW EPs

1. In Parallel – Fashioner
2. Mark Morton – Ether
3. Killswitch Engage – Atonement II: B-Sides For Charity
4. Vast Caldera – Vast Caldera I
5. Another Day Dawns – Stranger
6. Hell or Highwater – Lost at Sonic Ranch
7. Stabbing Westward – Dead and Gone
8. Lord—Chaos Raining
9. KB & The Idyllwilde – I Just Wanna Love You, I Just Wanna Let You
10. The Run Around – Bombs Away
11. Morgan Rose – Controlled Chaos
12. Zero Theorum – The Killing: Part I
13. Hold On Hollywood – Love Stories
14. South of Eden – Talk
15. The Jacks – Remember You

Next up from Phil’s Picks is the list of the year’s top new independent albums.  This year has produced some impressive new independent albums.  Stay tuned for that.

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://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.

Another Day Dawns Addresses Mental Health Concerns In New Single, Video

Courtesy: TAG Publicity

Another Day Dawns debuted the video for its latest single over the weekend.

The band debuted the video for its new single ‘Never Okay‘ Friday. The song and its video are the fourth from the band’s recently released EP Stranger. The premiere of the single and its video follows that of the album’s other singles: ‘Forget Me Not,’ ‘Beautiful Suicide,’ and ‘Taste of Heaven.’

Stranger is available to stream and download in whole here.

Directed by Cryus Entezam, the ‘Never Okay’ video features the band in what is meant to reflect a group therapy session. Front man Dakota Sean is the one sharing his thoughts during the session in the otherwise empty, darkened warehouse setting.

The thoughts that he shares are the song’s lyrics, which he said in a prepared statement are meant to serve as a social commentary of sorts.

“I wanted to get the message out to people that everyone has their own daily struggles,” he said. “It’s something that needs to be addressed whether we see it or not. I think everyone should hear this. It’s okay to not be okay 100% of the time. I feel that’s what makes the people who are wanting to reach out for help or to talk to a really awkward spot because we put all the focus on that. It’s not ok to point at the fact at how weird they are or different they are, let alone ourselves. There’s gonna be days where we wish we didn’t wake up but we have to push through that mental block that keeps fighting us.”

“The message I wanted to get with this song is, you’re not alone,” he added. “Many of us hide our problems from society and I think that’s something we as people should help each other more with. Our minds can be a scary place sometimes and all we need is that little bit of comfort to feel alright “

More information on Another Day Dawns’ new single and video is available online along with all of the band’s latest news at:

Website: http://anotherdaydawns.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AnotherDayDawns

Twitter: http://twitter.com/an0therdaydawns

To keep up with the latest entertainment reviews and news, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest entertainment reviews and news in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Another Day Dawns Debuts ‘Forget Me Not’ Video

Courtesy: TAG Publicity

Another Day Dawns debuted the video for its latest single this week.

The band debuted the video for its new single ‘Forget Me Not‘ Friday.  The song is the third single from the band’s EP Stranger.  It was preceded by the releases of the singles ‘Beautiful Suicide‘ and ‘Taste of Heaven.’

Another Day Dawns’ new single boasts the same heaviness as that presented in the EP’s other singles and the EP’s other works.  That heaviness serves to help translate the song’s lyrical theme, which is centered on the two-way road that is every relationship.

Front man Dakota Sean talked about that matter in a recent interview.

“The song ‘Forget Me Not’ boils down to being in love with someone so much that you become crazy about it,” he said.  “You want to leave a memory or imprint in them so they don’t forget you. Stop loving you and all the things you did for them.”

‘Forget Me Not’ is available to stream and download here.

More information on the record is available online along with all of ADD’s latest news at:

 

 

 

Website: http://anotherdaydawns.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AnotherDayDawns

Twitter: http://twitter.com/an0therdaydawns

 

 

 

To keep up with the latest entertainment reviews and news, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest entertainment reviews and news in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

 

 

Another Day Dawns’ New EP Should Be No “Stranger” To Mainstream Rock Fans

Courtesy: TAG Publicity

Another year has officially dawned, and with it so will lots of new music for audiences.  While the year is still very young, some of the year’s most notable new music is sure to come from independent hard rock band Another Day Dawns.  The PA-based band is scheduled to release its new EP Stranger Jan. 31.  The five song record is anchored by its lead single ‘Taste of Heaven,’ which will easily appeal to fans of Seether.  It will be addressed shortly, as it is just one of the songs that stands out in this record.  Also of note in the EP is the song ‘Am I,’ which immediately precedes ‘Taste of Heaven.’  This work will be addressed a little later.   The deeply emotional ‘Never Okay,’ which is the record’s penultimate track, is another key addition to the EP.  When it is considered alongside ‘Am I,’ ‘Taste of Heaven’ and the record’s remaining trio of songs, the end result is a work that will ensure many positive new days will dawn for Another Day Dawns.

Up-and-coming independent hard rock band Another Day Dawns is on the verge of becoming one of mainstream rock’s next big names.  That is due to the group’s forthcoming EP Stranger.  The five-song record boasts a collective of compositions that immediately lend themselves to comparisons to songs from the likes of Seether and Three Days Grace.  The record’s lyrical content will generate just as much engagement and entertainment as its musical content.  The EP’s forthcoming lead single ‘Taste of Heaven,’ which is set for release Jan. 8, is just one of the songs that serves to support the noted statements.  The song’s mid-tempo, guitar-driven composition is full of catchy hooks and choruses throughout its nearly three-and-a-half-minute run time.  It is an arrangement that is a radio ready work, without any doubt.  While the song’s arrangement is a strong point to its overall body, it is just part of what makes the song stand out.  The song’s lyrical content adds its own touch to that body.

Front man Dakota Sean, whose vocal delivery sounds like a hybrid of Seether front man Shaun Morgan and Dope front man Edsel Dope – yes it sounds like a weird comparison, but it’s there, and even more interestingly, it works — sings in the song’s lead verse, “Should have been the same old story/Lovers fall in love/The end/But with you/Things aren’t boring/Didn’t see the trouble I stepped in/Red flags don’t lie/Like the devil in your eyes/But I let your sex control me/Hooked on all your alibis/Should have known right from the start/Should have known just who you are/You just want a taste of Heaven/Now I’m falling from the stars/As I’m calling out your name/I want you bad/But you won’t stay/You just want a taste of Heaven/Spit me out and walk away”  He continues in the song’s second verse, “Should have seen your colors changing/Like a mood ring with a curse/Slip you on and you’re an angel/Slip you off, it’s in reverse/No air/Can’t breathe/Still tied up in your sheets/Pray to God somebody saves me/you locked the door and threw away the key.”  The group returns to the chorus from there, eventually making its way to the song’s solid finale.  There is no doubt left in listeners’ minds as to the song’s theme in examining these lyrics.  The song’s subject is dealing with a love interest who has made his/her life anything but good.  In simple terms, it’s a breakup song that finds the song’s subject looking back on that now broken relationship.  The accessible lyrics make it easy for listeners to connect with that message, and in total, the song.  The composition’s equally accessible composition sits alongside those lyrics to make the song in whole a strong start for the EP.  They also serve to show in part why the EP is a work that could break ADD into the mainstream.

‘Taste of Heaven’ was a good choice for a lead single for Another Day Dawns’ new EP.  It is just one of the record’s most notable works, too.  ‘Am I,’ which immediately precedes ‘Taste of Heaven’ is notable in its own right.  The song’s melodic hard rock arrangement lends itself just as easily to comparisons to works from Three Days Grace and Seether as ‘Taste of Heaven.’  Making the musical arrangement stand out even more is that the composition bears its own unique identity separate from the rest of the record’s works.  It has the same feel as its counterparts, but still stands as its own unique work.  Lyrically speaking, the song comes across as another work that focuses on the matter of a broken relationship.  Yet even with that familiarity in mind, the band has managed to find a new way to present that theme.

Sean sings in the song’s lead verse, “Take my brain and wash away/All the blame you dump on me/All your lies are clear as day/They’re a coverup!/As I’m holding you like this/I can taste a stranger’s kiss/Your alibis are full of s***/Wasn’t I good enough?/This is our reckoning/I’m not that stupid/Am I, am I the one who’s bleeding/Am I, am I getting even/Go live your secret life you’re leading/Am I, am I the one who’s leaving?”  He continues in the song’s second verse, “Did I pick you ‘cause you’re bad/Like an echo from my past/We’re just like my mom and dad/There’s no happy ending/The truth is I’ve been had.”  The song turns back to its chorus from here as it makes its way to its finale.  The note here from the song’s subject of comparing his/her parents’ seemingly broken relationship to that of his/her relationship with his/her significant other makes for an interesting conversation point.  We all talk about getting into relationships with people who are like one of our parents or the other.  That seems to be what this subject is hinting at having possibly done here.  At the same time, the song’s subject is making note that what’s happened is the fault of that significant other, not himself/herself.    He/she realizes what has happened, but is still just angry about the situation, and justifiably so.  It is that beginning phase of realizing the relationship is over.  To that end, all of this taken into consideration makes the song that much more noteworthy.  That content set against the song’s musical content adds even more engagement and entertainment value to the song.  Together, the two elements make the song stand out against the rest of the EP’s songs that much more.

While ‘Am I’ and ‘Taste of Heaven’ go a long way toward showing what makes Stranger a strong offering from Another Day Dawns, they are just a portion of the EP’s positive marks.  ‘Never Okay’ is quite notable in its own right.  The song’s musical  arrangement starts out with just one guitar and Sean’s vocals.  That flowing, subtle approach eventually gives way to a more powerful melodic hard rock ballad style approach roughly halfway through the song.  That eventual change works to illustrate the emotion in the song’s deeply emotional lyrical content.

The song’s lyrical content focuses on the feelings that many people feel every day, but would otherwise not talk about, whether it be due to the stigma of expressing said emotions or for another reason.  Sean sings in the song’s lead verse, “No one knows the other side/I buried it in my backyard/It’s buried six feet deep/No one knows how hard I tried to keep the smile/safe/It’s not so fun when everyone is kicking on your face/I’m never okay.”  He continues in the song’s second verse, “Everyone just stares at me/Not knowing where I’ve been/It’s just another day wearing someone else’s skin/I’ve buried them in the yard next to my old friends/And when I’m feeling bored again/I dress up and play pretend/I’m never okay.”  Yet again, this is lyrical content that is relatively accessible to audiences.  It is something to which so many listeners can certainly relate.  Talking about those feelings of depression and worthlessness is something that more people deal with around the world than many would like to admit.  To that end, that alone will make this song a favorite to many.  Those relatable lyrics set against the song’s equally strong musical content makes the song that much more powerful.  When the song is considered along with ‘Am I,’ ‘Taste of Heaven’ and the record’s other three entries, the whole of the EP becomes a work that, given the right support, could make Another Day Dawns one of the next big names in the mainstream rock realm.

Another Day Dawns’ new forthcoming EP Stranger is an important work for the independent hard rock band.  That is because from start to finish, it presents musical and lyrical content that is collectively accessible to the masses.  Every one of the record’s songs would fit easily into any mainstream rock radio programmer’s daily list.  The songs addressed here are proof of that.  All things considered, Stranger proves itself to be a record that should not be a stranger to any rock fan.  Stranger is scheduled for release Jan. 31.  More information on the record is available online along with all of ADD’s latest news at:

 

 

 

Website: http://anotherdaydawns.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AnotherDayDawns

Twitter: http://twitter.com/an0therdaydawns

 

 

 

To keep up with the latest entertainment reviews and news, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest entertainment reviews and news in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Another Day Dawns Premieres ‘Psycho’ Video

Courtesy: TAG Publicity

Independent hard rock band Another Day Dawns premiered its very first music video this week.

The band debuted the video for its new single ‘Psycho‘ on Tuesday.  The video opens with a series of exterior shots in a seemingly post-apocalyptic setting before moving to footage of the band performing its new single in a warehouse setting.  That footage is crossed with footage of front man Dakota Sean in different rooms, being seemingly tormented by an unidentified woman.

The presentation Sean being seemingly tormented by the woman crosses with the song’s lyrical content to lead one to believe the song, lyrically, focuses on a difficult relationship between a man and a woman.

In terms of the song’s musical arrangement, Sean’s vocal delivery couples with the driving, guitar-centered work, to make a whole that will appeal to fans of acts, such as Crossbreed and Orgy. Interestingly enough, Sean’s vocals in fact, sound very much like that of former Crossbreed front man James Rietz (and even like that of Puddle of Mudd front man Wes Scantlin).

‘Psycho’ is the latest single to be released from Another Day Dawns’ forthcoming EP A Different Life.  The four-song EP also features the songs ‘Rage,’ ‘All of Me’ and ‘The Broken.’

Another Day Dawns is currently scheduled to perform live this Saturday, Feb. 23 at the One Centre Square in Easton, PA.  The performance is part of the band’s promotion for A Different Life.

More information on that performance, the band’s EP, its new video and more is available online now at:

 

Website: http://www.anotherdaydawns.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AnotherDayDawns

Twitter: http://twitter.com/ADD_lehighton

 

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://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.