Aftershock Festival 2023 Lineup Announced

Posted on March 15, 2023 by philspicks

Courtesy: Ashton-Magnuson Media

Aftershock Festival organizers have announced the lineup for the annual event, which is scheduled to be held Oct. 5-8 at Discovery Park in Sacramento, CA.

Guns N’ Roses, Korn, Tool, and Avenged Sevenfold have been announced as the headliners for this year’s festival. Also on the bill for the event are other equally well-known bands, such as Godsmack, Incubus, Pantera, Megadeth, Rancid, Queens of the Stone Age, The Cult, I Prevail, AFI, Dance Gavin Dance, 311, Turnstile, and Limp Bizkit.

This year’s event is being put on by Danny Wimmer Presents, and Danny Hayes, the company’s chief executive officer, said he is looking forward to this year’s festival.

“We are so excited for what will be the biggest Aftershock in the festival’s 11-year history,” Hayes said. “We are grateful for our partnership with the city and county of Sacramento and together we have built an amazing brand that showcases Sacramento to attendees from all over the globe.”

Avenged Sevenfold is scheduled to headline the festival’s first day. Other acts scheduled for Day One are the likes of: Pennywise, Beauty School Dropout, The Cult, AFI, and Incubus.

Tool is scheduled to headline Day Two, with the likes of Megadeth, Memphis May Fire, The Hu, Skillet, Limp Bizkit, and Coheed and Cambria joining the band and others on the day.

Korn will headline Day Three. Others on the day’s schedule include and are not limited to: Corey Taylor, Avatar, The Amity Affliction, Parkway Drive, and Babymetal.

Guns N’ Roses will close out the four-day festival. Leading up to the band’s performance, other acts, including and not limited to: Queens of the Stone Age, Rancid, I Prevail, Dance Gavin Dance, Daughtry, and Mayday Parade will also take the stage.

The full list of this year’s acts is noted below. Audiences can put down $10 now toward the price of the passes. Payments toward the price can be made from there between April and August. The down payment can be made here.

The full Aftershock 2023 lineup is as follows (subject to change):

Thursday, October 5: Avenged Sevenfold, Incubus, Turnstile, The Cult, AFI, Pennywise, Nothing But Thieves, L7, White Reaper, Senses Fail, Don Broco, The Bronx, Nothing, Nowhere., DeathByRomy, Beauty School Dropout, Bob Vylan, Holding Absence, Pinkshift, Thousand Below, Starbenders, SeeYouSpaceCowboy, Static Dress, Letdown.

Friday, October 6: Tool, Godsmack, Limp Bizkit, Megadeth, Coheed and Cambria, Skillet, Bad Omens, The Hu, Deafheaven, Memphis May Fire, Converge, Fire From the Gods, Polaris, Rain City Drive, Gideon, Currents, Varials, Strange Kids, Dragged Under, Tallah, HANABIE., Widow7, Death Valley Dreams

Saturday, October 7: Korn, Pantera, 311, Corey Taylor, Parkway Drive, Babymetal, Polyphia, Dethklok, Avatar, Fever 333, The Amity Affliction, Sleep Token, Escape the Fate, Boston Manor, Fame on Fire, Catch Your Breath, Ten56., Reddstar, Holy Wars, ’68, Ithaca, Devil’s Cut, Traitors, Fox Lake, All Waves, As You Were

Sunday, October 8: Guns N’ Roses, Queens of the Stone Age, Rancid, I Prevail, Dance Gavin Dance, Daughtry, Badflower, Billy Talent, Mayday Parade, Suicide Silence, Movements, Ayron Jones, You Me At Six, Dead Poet Society, Austin Meade, Alpha Wolf, Jehnny Beth, Redlight King, Tigercub, Call Me Karizma, Ryan Oakes, Gnome, Luna Aura, Asava

More information on the 2023 Aftershock 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.

Sonic Temple Organizers Announce Festival’s Band Lineup

Posted on January 11, 2023 by philspicks

The Sonic Temple Art & Music Festival will return this summer to Columbus, Ohio.

The festival’s return will come three years after it was put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Foo Fighters, Tool, Avenged Sevenfold and KISS will serve as headliners for the four-day festival, which is produced by Danny Wimmer Presents.

M. Shadows, Avenged Sevenfold front man, said he and his band mates are looking forward to taking part in the festival.

“We’ve always enjoyed playing Historic Crew Stadium in Columbus and are excited to be a part of this year’s Sonic Temple,” Shadows said. “It’ll be a blast to share the stage with Tool, Foo Fighters and others, we can’t wait to see and play for all of our amazing fans again.”

Danny Wimmer Presents founder Danny Wimmer shared Shadows’ excitement. He said the headliners will join more than 75 other bands for the festival, making this year’s edition of the festival its largest ever just in terms of band lineups.

Among the many other bands set to perform at this year’s festival are: Nothing More, Black Stone Cherry, and Pennywise.

The festival’s full lineup is noted below:

Thursday, May 25: Tool, Godsmack, Beartooth, Bullet For My Valentine, Pennywise, Bad Omens, Suicidal Tendencies, Fever 333, Anti-Flag, Joey Valence & Brae, Bones UK, Ho99o9, The Warning, Oxymorrons, Angel Du$t, Bloodywood, Wargasm, Malevolence, Bastardane, OTTTO

Friday, May 26: Avenged Sevenfold, Queens of the Stone Age, Chevelle, I Prevail, Knocked Loose, Sleeping With Sirens, Badflower, Dorothy, Black Stone Cherry, Converge, Born of Osiris, Band-Maid, Lilith Czar, Des Rocs, Mothica, Fame on Fire, Dayseeker, Vended, Mike’s Dead

Saturday, May 27: KISS, Rob Zombie, Falling in Reverse, Puscifer, Trivium, Black Veil Brides, Rival Sons, Yelawolf Presents: Sometimes Y, Avatar, Senses Fail, From Ashes To New, Giovannie & The Hired Guns, Brutus, Dead Poet Society, The Violent, Point North, Tallah, Varials, Tigercub, Capital Theatre

Sunday, May 28: Foo Fighters, Deftones, Sublime with Rome, Jawbreaker, The Pretty Reckless, Awolnation, Nothing More, Grandson, White Reaper, Filter, Ayron Jones, The Bronx, Poorstacy, Zero 9:36, New Years Day, Nova Twins, Bob Vylan, Aeir, Starcrawler

Pre-sales for the festival are open now. General admission sales start Friday.

More information on this year’s SOnic Temple festival is available at:

Website: https://sonictemplefestival.com

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/sonictemplefest

Counterpunch Tackles Religious Hypocrisy In New Single

Posted on April 13, 2022 by philspicks

Surf punk band Counterpunch debuted its new single, ‘Rewire‘ this week.

The band premiered the song, which is the title track from the group’s forthcoming album — due out June 17 through Thousand Islands Records — Tuesday. The song’s musical arrangement delivers a solid, up-tempo punk presentation that interestingly enough, lends itself to comparison to some of the older works from Avenged Sevenfold at the same time. That in itself will make this song engaging and entertaining for many audiences.

The song’s lyrical theme is a cry against the hypocrisy of the pious, self-righteous masses who fill the pews one day (or more a week), thinking themselves so perfect, and who are so quick to cast the first stone.

The band talked about that matter in a prepared statement.

“‘Rewire’ tackles the double standard people of faith create by showing face in a place of worship once a week and then acting like a piece of human garbage elsewhere,” the statement reads. “They scream outrage over everything they don’t agree with as ‘against God’s way’ while ignoring the teachings of their faith. Every religion at its core is about loving your fellow man and reverence toward whatever ‘god’ you happen to believe in. Whether they choose to follow through on what they are taught, however, is another story.”

Pre-orders for Counterpunch’s new album open April 20. The album’s track listing is noted below.

‘Rewire’ Track Listing:

1 – Into the Flood (Intro)

2 – Avarice

3- Calling All Scars

4- Waiting in the Wings

5- Judgement Day

6- Collateral Damage

7- Rewire

8- The Pendulum

9- Vanity

10- What’s Left to Save

11- Wish You Were Here

12- Paradise Lost

More information about Counterpunch’s new single, video and record is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:

Website: http://www.counterpunchrock.com

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

Twitter: http://twitter.com/counterpunchrok

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

‘Trivium Has Crafted One Of Its Best Albums And One Of The Year’s Top New Hard Rock & Metal Albums In ‘In The Court Of The Dragon’

Posted on October 20, 2021 by philspicks

Veteran metal act Trivium is a band whose members clearly do not let a lot of grass grow under their feet. A little more than a year after the band released its then most recent album, What The Dead Men Say, the band released another album, this time in the form of In The Court of the Dragon. Its release Oct. 8 came on the heels of an extensive tour with Lamb of God, Megadeth, and Hatebreed, and leading into upcoming shows on Slipknot’s annual Knotfest. One would think that with that tour and everything going on with the COVID-19 pandemic, the band would not have turned out this impressive record so soon, but somehow it managed to do just that. The album is a strong new return from the band, too. That is evidenced through its musical arrangements and lyrical themes alike. ‘Like a Sword Over Damocles,’ one of the album’s early entries, does well to prove that true. It will be discussed shortly. ‘The Shadow of the Abattior’ is another example of how this record’s musical and lyrical content make the album so interesting. It will be examined a little later. ‘The Phalanx,’ the album’s latest single and its finale, is one more way in which the album’s overall content shows the record’s strength. It will also be examined later. When this song and all of the others featured in this 52-minute record are considered together, they make In The Court of the Dragon one of the best of Trivium’s albums to date.

Trivium’s recently released album, In The Court of the Dragon, is among the best of the band’s records to date. The band’s 10^th album, it offers much for audiences to appreciate through its musical and lyrical content alike. ‘Like A Sword Over Damocles,’ one of the album’s early entries, does well in itself to support the noted statement. The five-and-a-half minute song’s musical arrangement is a full-on modern metal opus that will appeal to even the most diehard metal purists. The opening riff and chants conjure thoughts of doom metal before things change and the arrangement turns more decidedly in a radio friendly direction. That is due in part to the melodic hard rock choruses, which are comparable to the choruses from so many Sevendust songs. Yes that’s quite a range, but it is definitely there, at least in the ears and mind of this critic. The whole is a fully immersive composition, complete with raging guitar solo, that will appeal to a wide range of audiences. The lyrical theme that accompanies the song’s musical arrangement makes for its own interest.

According to comments from guitarist Corey Beaulieu, the theme here is lifted from the original story of the Sword of Damocles, who traded places with King Donysius II of Syracuse. Damocles learned a valuable lesson about virtue in the end. Beaulieu said of his thought that stemmed from his research into the story, “What happens when the person who’s questioning you has your job and responsibility?” He added that bassist Paolo Gregoletto built on that concept and the pair came up with the final lyrical presentation. The influence of that story is evident throughout the song’s lyrical presentation. Just as interesting is that it is a story that even in this format, will resonate with any listener because such situation rises in the real world daily. Keeping that in mind, the lyrical theme and musical arrangement together make clear why ‘Like A Sword Over Damocles’ is a strong example of the power of this album’s overall content. It is just one of the ways in which the album’s strength is displayed. ‘The Shadow of the Abattoir’ does its own share to show why this album shines.

‘The Shadow of the Abattoir’ is, while not the album’s longest song, one of its longest. It clocks in at seven minutes, 12 seconds. Over the course of that time, the song takes listeners in a range of directions, opening with a classic metal style sound in its contemplative approach. Front man Matt Heafy’s vocal delivery is one of the most interesting points of the song’s musical arrangement. That is because the richness and bass in his voice sits somewhere between Metallica front man James Hetfield and Slipknot/Stone Sour front man Corey Taylor. Again, yes, it sounds like quite the range, but it is there, and it makes for reason enough to hear this song, too. When this is all considered against the song’s more fiery verses, the contrast between verse and chorus makes the song even more interesting in its musical side. It is just part of what makes the song stand out. The song’s lyrical content adds to the song’s interest, too.

It should be noted at this point that the band openly stated that the album’s lyrical content is based on mythologies that its members developed due to their own interest in literary mythology. That aside, the songs still manage to relate to audiences. This song’s lyrical content continues to prove that in its chorus as Heafy sings, “Don’t go searching for the battle/You won’t find any beasts to slay/You’ll rip yourself to pieces/You’ll drive yourself insane/In the shadow of the abattoir.” An abattoir being a slaughterhouse, one cannot help but wonder which myth led to this kind of content. That aside, the very message still connects with listeners. In this case, the message comes across as being that of not going to look for trouble, because when you go looking for it, you will find it, just not in the way you might think. You might find your own trouble in yourself. The verses seem to build on that message as each finds the subjects in bad situations because they apparently went looking for those situations so to speak. From the snow covering a path in the song’s lead verse, to people apparently succumbing to the sun and its heat in the song’s second verse, to a ship singing after going through dark waters in the third verse, these are all situations in which people found themselves in trouble because they put themselves in such situations. This is all just this critic’s interpretation. Hopefully it is somewhere in the proverbial ballpark. If so, then it further shows why the album’s overall content makes the record so worth hearing. It is hardly the last of the record’s most notable songs, too. ‘The Phalanx,’ which closes out the album, is one more way in which the record’s musical and lyrical content combines to show the LP’s strength.

The musical arrangement featured in ‘The Phalanx’ opens in a decidedly almost orchestral metal fashion before soon transitioning into a more pure metal approach. The seven minute, 16 second’s opening movement lends itself to comparisons to works from Megadeth and Avenged Sevenfold what with the guitars and vocal delivery style and sound. As the song progresses, it eventually returns to the more symphonic metal style approach and sound used in the arrangement’s opening bars, leading to something of an ABA pattern here. The whole of the composition is a powerful presentation that will engage and entertain audiences easily in its own right. When it is considered along with the song’s lyrical content, the whole becomes even more powerful.

In the case of this song’s lyrical theme, it comes across as a story of a man who sees the fallacy of war. It would be interesting to know what myth the band came up with for this story and from what myth the band got its inspiration for the song. Regardless, the way in which the song’s subject makes his revelation clear is moving. Considering the mood that the song’s arrangement sets, that revelation gains even more power. The combination makes the song stand out that much more as a key example of how much this album has to offer audiences. When this song and the others examined here are considered along with the rest of the album’s entries, the whole shows that much more why In The Court of the Dragon successful. All in all the album proves to be, again, one of the band’s best records to date.

Trivium’s recently released 10^th album, In The Court of the Dragon is among the best of the band’s albums to date. Its strength comes through its musical and lyrical content alike. That is proven through all three of the songs examined here, one of which is among the album’s current singles. When it is considered along with the album’s other singles, the other songs examined here and the rest of the album’s works, the whole makes the album one of the best of this year’s new hard rock and metal albums.

In The Court of the Dragon is available now through Roadrunner Records. More information about Trivium’s new single, video and tour schedule is available along with all of Trivium’s latest news and more at:

Website: https://www.trivium.org

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TriviumOfficial

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.

Details Announced For Roadie Relief’s Latest Auction

Posted on April 3, 2021 by philspicks

An organization aimed at helping tour crews impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic will continue its efforts with another special event.

Roadie Relief is scheduled to hold its second music memorabilia April 14. The auction will feature items, such as a cymbal used at Rage Against The Machine’s last show and signed by the band’s drummer Brad Wilk; a signed skate deck and posters from 311, and Gibson Les Paul guitar used by Bon Jovi guitarist Phil X for sale. The full list of items that will go up for auction is available to see complete with pictures here.

KISS guitarist Tommy Thayer said in a prepared statement, road crews are crucial for the live music industry.

“Before I became the lead guitarist for KISS almost 20 years ago, I worked behind the scenes with Kiss on and off the road,” he said. “I have a unique perspective and appreciation for how hard our crew works day in and day out. I’ve been there.”

311 bassist Aaron “PNUT” Wills offered his own warm words about the work that roadies do for the live music industry.

“I’ve been a touring musician for over twenty eight years and roadies have made it possibly at every step of my career,” said Wills. “Roadies are free spirits who solve a myriad of problems daily while out on the road. I donated cause I love talking to awesome people and I thought it could motivate our audience to dig deep and help our industry get back on its feet.”

More information on Roadie Relief’s forthcoming auction is available along with all of its latest news at https://www.roadrierelief.org.

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

NeverWake Debuts ‘Trapped Inside’ Lyric Video

Posted on June 12, 2020 by philspicks

Courtesy: Melodic Revolution Records/O’Donnell Media Group

Independent hard rock band NeverWake debuted the video for its latest single this week.

The band debuted the lyric video for its new single ‘Trapped Inside‘ Friday. The video takes audiences on a through a house that serves as the top of a person’s body, its halls serving as the visualization for a person’s mind. As audiences are taken through those halls and even around the outside of the house, the lyrics continue to be presented.

Front man Johnn DiCarlo discussed the song’s lyrical theme in a recent interview.

“When dealing with anxiety and depression every single day, there are a lot of thoughts and emotions that keep you circling around and around, trapped in your head,” he said. “One thought makes you turn to another, which turns to another, etc. Pretty soon you’re full circle back where you started. It’s hard to break that cycle. With “Trapped Inside” we show those walls that keep us in place and we tear them the fuck down. The song is a rebellion against everything that keeps one inside their own head. This song stood out to each one of us because it has a lot of power, but it has a melodic way of ensnaring someone. It captures people in a way that they can relate. But when it gets to the bridge, people aren’t simply just relating to the concept, they’re a part of the rebellion.”

Along with crafting the song’s lyrics, DiCarlo also was the creative force behind the song’s lyric video. He also discussed the video’s creation.

“I don’t like classifying myself as just a musician,” he said. “No one is ever just one thing. I like to have my hands in a lot of different arts; I like to create. That’s why I decided to go full force in creating the art and lyric video for “Trapped Inside.” If creating music is therapeutic to me, creating a 3D world around a song is straight up medicine. I was able to take the concept of the song and push it so much further. In a way I feel like that’s what it may take nowadays. Whether we like it or not, we are getting out of the age of print. Album art only goes as far as what your spotify single picture looks like. To make this 3D world for this song helped me pair artwork back with music in a new way that can be appreciated by everyone in the new world.”

The musical arrangement featured in ‘Trapped Inside’ is a heavy, metalcore style composition that will appeal to fans of bands, such as In Flames, Killswitch Engage and Avenged Sevenfold with its clean vocals and screaming, and its heavy, melodic guitar lines and pummeling, precise time keeping.

The debut of NeverWake’s new single comes on the heels of a month-long tour with The Veer Union. The band is working on a new EP. It is unknown if the as-yet-untitled record will feature the band’s new single.

Audiences can keep up with the latest developments on the band’s EP and all of its latest news at:

Website: http://www.neverwakemusic.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.como/neverwakemusic

Twitter: http://twitter.com/neverwakemusic

Bravo Delta’s Debut LP Might Be The Record That “Breaks” The Band Into The Mainstream

Posted on February 10, 2019 by philspicks

Courtesy: Bravo Delta Music/O’Donnell Music Group

Independent rock band Bravo Delta released its latest studio recording early this month. The 13-song, 42-minute Unbreakable is the band’s third overall studio recording but its very first full-length album, coming on the heels of its EPs Sunset Wasteland in 2012 and Shutdown Sequence in 2013. Considering that almost six years have passed since the band released its most recent studio recording, the band’s latest offering marks a good return for the band and a good way to start the year, too. That is because this record holds its own easily against its more well-known counterparts, such as Three Days Grace, Avenged Sevenfold and Breaking Benjamin at least in terms of its musical content. Its lyrical content helps validate it even more. Each statement is proven in part through the song ‘Dark Room,’ which will be discussed shortly. The collective that is ‘Lost At Sea’ and ‘Dreamless Sleep’ is another of the album’s featured moments that serves to show the strength of Unbreakable. It will be discussed a little later. Much the same can be said of the album’s opener/title track/lead single. It will also be discussed later. Each of the songs noted here is key in its own way to the whole of Unbreakable. When they are considered along with the remainder of the album’s songs, the end result is a record that given the right support, can easily make Bravo Delta famous.

Bravo Delta’s debut album Unbreakable is a work that, given the right support, could be the work that breaks the band into the mainstream. It is a record that will easily appeal to fans of bands, such as Avenged Sevenfold, Three Days Grace, Breaking Benjamin and other similar acts. This is proven in part through the song ‘Dark Room.’ The song’s musical arrangement is a heavy, down-tuned composition that sounds very much akin to so many works from the noted bands – especially from Breaking Benjamin, with its down-tuned bass, mid-tempo guitar line and soaring vocals from front man Brandon Davis. The song’s musical arrangement is just one part of what makes the song stand out. Its lyrical content follows the album’s central theme of overcoming life’s obstacles, which Davis discussed in a recent interview.

Davis said of the noted theme, “Being broken, disconnected, kicked to the ground…and still having the will to get up, fight and learn from it is the spirit of Unbreakable, and I think you can feel that in the music, the artwork and everything about this new album.” Again, the lyrical content at the center of ‘Dark Room’ follows that theme, as Davis sings, “I’m sitting in the dark room/Trying to find some air/asking myself questions/But I don’t seem to care/I’ve lost the taste for comfort/I’m wrapped up in this fear/To move would be a challenge/I need somebody here/Will you be there with me/Will you hear my call/Is anyone still breathing/Does anyone believe that we still care/Are any hearts still beating/I hope someone feels the same.” Here in this lead verse is someone looking at the world and feeling alone, asking for help. It is that very message of being broken, wanting to have that will to get up and fight. The theme continues in the song’s second verse, as Davis sings, “I’m told to take the white pill/I’m told there is no way/It’s not a switch you turn off/It might not go away/Alone I’ll stand beside me/Nobody else is there/A world of interaction/An empty space out there/Will you be there with me/Will you catch my fall/Is anyone still breathing/Does anyone believe that we still care/Are any hearts still beating/I hope someone feels the same.” He goes on in this second chorus to sing that “I choose to fight/to overcome” “when all is numb…” From there, the song proceeds into its bridge and finale, complete with bombastic guitar solo in the bridge that, again, conjures comparisons to works from the likes of Avenged Sevenfold and Breaking Benjamin. That noted lyrical content, again, plays right along with the album’s overall theme, clearly. This is someone in a very dark, difficult position, questioning if anyone in the world still cares about anything, but no matter what, refusing to become one of the masses, instead standing defiantly and proudly. The overall image from the musical and lyrical content is quite the “gloomcore” presence, yet is actually a very positive work. That is because the music illustrates the feeling of desperation within the song’s subject. Keeping all of this in mind, the song is a good example of what makes Unbreakable a good debut for Bravo Delta. It is just one of the songs that serves to show the album’s strength. The collective that is ‘Lost At Sea’ and ‘Dreamless Sleep’ is another way in which this record proves itself a solid start for Bravo Delta.

The collective that is ‘Lost at Sea’ and ‘Dream less Sleep’ is an important part of Unbreakable as they are in fact one whole work, just divided into the three movements. The opus starts out with the familiar “gloomcore” sound already noted of ‘Dark Room.’ However, as the song progresses, however as it moves in to the second portion of ‘Lost at Sea,’ the vibe changes to a more AX7 type sound that wastes no time getting listeners to put their horns high in the air. The use of the harmonics and echo effects together in this full-on instrumental movement adds even more impact to the old school riffs. The opus’ final movement, which is also an instrumental work, puts the finishing touches to the whole as it fades away, closing out the song. The whole of the three movements together makes the overall composition a work that is one of this record’s highest points. That arrangement is just one part of what makes the song stand out. The lyrical content presented in the song’s first movement adds its own interest to the song.

Davis sings in the song’s lead verse, “Adrift/And half-asleep/But alive/the open water chills me/And I may not survive/the ocean floor is alive/I hear her calling my name/Well I’m lost at sea/She calls me in/Her voice it blinds my eyes/Haven’t slept for days/Now she’s close/I see her eyes beneath the waves/She’s bound to pull me in/My fears are growing like the rising tide/The ocean floor is alive/I hear her calling my name/When I’m lost at sea/She calls me in/Her voice it blinds my eyes/Beneath the crashing waves/I can hear her song/Draws me down beside her.” The aggression that builds from that point on comes sans lyrics, but once can infer that the fiery energy in the arrangement is the song’s subject is not giving up despite a desperate situation. The gradual reduction in the energy in the final movement seems to hint at perhaps success in that determination. Hopefully that is the case, considering that only the first movement of this work boasts any lyrics. Regardless, the energy in those instrumental movements and the feeling of desperation in the song’s lead movement definitely stands out collectively, and in turn proves to be another strong point for this album. It is not the last of the album’s strongest points, either. The record’s opener/title track/lead single is yet another of the album’s most notable works.

In terms of its musical content, ‘Unbreakable’ is just as radio ready as any of the other songs featured throughout the course of Unbreakable. Its driving guitar line and equally solid time keeping conjures thoughts of plenty of other more well-known hard rock acts. The energy in the arrangement helps to illustrate the urgency (of sorts) in the song’s lyrical content. The song’s lyrical content once again runs that same line of the album’s overall theme. This is proven as Davis sings, “True strength is found in time s we never thought we’d know/What defines us is how well we rise/After falling down/All that we take/Why can’t we live just to give it away/Long live the day/Long live the nights we are digging our graves/Unbreakable.” This is a direct, straight-forward message. He is saying here that we all have strength within ourselves, we just need to find it. He goes on to sing in the song’s second verse to sing, “We’ve been down and buried…you’re not alone/There’s others just like you/You will fight together/All that we take/Why can’t we live just to give it away/Long live the day/Long live the nights we are digging our graves.” Again, this is a message to listeners to not let themselves get down. Davis comes right out and tells listeners “you are not alone.” Yet again, there is that message of overcoming adversity and life’s obstacles in general. When one considers all of this along with the notes of the other songs discussed here — and those not directly discussed – the album in whole shows that it truly does follow that central theme of hope in dark and difficult times. The album’s arrangements couple with that message to make the album that much more accessible to a wide range of audiences. Overall, the accessibility of the record, thanks to its musical and lyrical content makes it a strong new effort from Bravo Delta, and a good start for the band in terms of full-length recordings.

Bravo Delta’s debut album (and third overall studio recording) Unbreakable is a good new effort from the up-and-coming Las Vegas-based band. That is due to a positive message of hope that is presented in a relatively accessible fashion through the record’s musical and lyrical content. That statement is supported through each of the songs examined in this review. The same can be said of the remaining 10 songs that make up the rest of the record. Simply put, from start to finish, the album holds its own against works from Bravo Delta’s more well-known counterparts. As a matter of fact, Unbreakable could be the record that, thanks to its overall content, breaks Bravo Delta into the mainstream. More information on Unbreakable is available online now along with all of the band’s latest news and more at:

Website: http://www.bravodeltamusic.com

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

Twitter: http://twitter.com/bravodeltamusic

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

You Can Join The Revolution Courtesy Of Phil’s Picks!

Posted on June 15, 2016 by philspicks

Courtesy: AEG Live

AEG Live is bringing another new music festival to audiences in the northeast.

This fall, AEG Live will debut the new music festival, the Revolution Rock Festival. The festival, fueled by Monster Energy, will be held Saturday, September 17^th outdoors at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, CT. And Phil’s Picks is giving YOU the readers the chance to win a pair of tickets to the one-day festival. All you have to do is message Phil’s Picks at http://www.facebook.com/philspicks, telling me who your favorite band on the bill is and favorite song from that band. On Friday, August 5th I will pull the lucky winner’s name. From there, the winner’s name will be sent to my contact, who will then put the winner’s name in him/her. Entrants should be reminded that this does not include travel, hotel, or food. This is only for admission to the festival. The lineup for the inaugural festival includes: Avenged Sevenfold, Slayer, Volbeat, Chevelle, Of Mice & Men, Anthrax, Ghost, Killswitch Engage, Sevendust, The Amity Affliction, KYNG, Nothing More, Twelve Foot Ninja, Crobot, and Devour The Day.

General admission tickets for the Revolution Rock Festival are currently $59.50 each (plus fees). That puts the retail value of these two tickets at well over $100. After fees, the cost reaches close to $150 just for two. Considering that price, getting to see the festival for free is a big prize for two lucky people. For everyone else, tickets can be purchased online at http://www.RevolutionRockFestival.com. Revolution Rock Festival is produced by AEG Live, which also produces Rock on the Range, Monster Energy Carolina Rebellion Festival, Rocklahoma and many more. More information on the Revolution Rock Festival is available online now at:

Website: http://www.RevolutionRockFestival

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Revolutionrockfestival-1008445009270982/?fref=nf

Twitter: http://twitter.com/revrockfest

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online tohttp://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 athttps://philspicks.wordpress.com.

AEG Debuting Another New Rock Festival This Fall

Posted on June 7, 2016 by philspicks

Courtesy: AEG Live

AEG Live is bringing another new music festival to audiences in the northeast.

This fall, AEG Live will debut the new music festival, the Revolution Rock Festival. The festival, fueled by Monster Energy, will be held Saturday, September 17^th outdoors at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, CT. The lineup for the inaugural festival includes: Avenged Sevenfold, Slayer, Volbeat, Chevelle, Of Mice & Men, Anthrax, Ghost, Killswitch Engage, Sevendust, The Amity Affliction, KYNG, Nothing More, Twelve Foot Ninja, Crobot, and Devour The Day. Joe Litvag is Executive Producer of the Revolution Rock Festival for AEG Live. He discussed the work and planning put in to make the festival a reality in a recent interview, and the hopes for the festival’s future. “We’ve spent the better part of two years searching for the perfect location to create a festival that is just for the rabid rock fans of New England,” he said. “After seeing the incredible property and amenities offered at Foxwoods Resort Casino, I knew we had finally found a home. It’s really easy to get to from just about anywhere in the region, and the fans can make a whole weekend out of it with a top-notch resort, golf, spa, shopping, great restaurants, and of course the gaming. Our hope is that Revolution Rock Festival will become an institution for rock fans of the Northeast and will be thought of as ‘New England’s rock festival’ for years to come!”

Foxwoods President and CEO Felix Rappaport echoed Litvag’s sentiment in a statement regarding the new partnership between AEG Live and Foxwoods Resort Casino. “We are thrilled to be partnering with entertainment powerhouse AEG Live to bring the Revolution Rock Festival to Mashantucket and Foxwoods Resort Casino,” he said. “Foxwoods has been at the forefront of entertainment since we opened in 1992, and events like this festival will continue to make Foxwoods the market leader.”

Specially priced pre-sale tickets go on sale this Wednesday, June 8^th at 10am EDT. The pre-sale will run through this Friday, June 10^th at 9:59am EDT. They can be purchased online at http://www.RevolutionRockFestival.com. Organizers have made a password for the special pre-sale available online only through the festival’s social media pages. The public on-sale for tickets begins Friday, June 10^th at 10am EDT. Pricing for both pre-sale and public sale tickets is noted in full below.

Presale ticket prices are as follows (plus fees):
General Admission: $59.50
General Admission Ticket 4-Pack: $198.00

At the general onsale, tickets will be priced as follows:
General Admission: $79.50
General Admission Ticket 4-Pack: $269.50

A very limited number of Foxwoods Resort Casino VIP Hotel packages for two and four individuals will be available online with regular admission tickets. They will include: VIP Lounge Access, hotel stay for Friday and Saturday night, and a $25 merchandise voucher for each individual. More information on the VIP packages is available online at http://www.RevolutionRockFestival.com. An equally limited number of discounted ticket 4-packs will be available for active military personnel through the festival’s partner GovX.

Revolution Rock Festival is produced by AEG Live, which also produces Rock on the Range, Monster Energy Carolina Rebellion Festival, Rocklahoma and many more. More information on the Revolution Rock Festival is available online now at:

Website: http://www.RevolutionRockFestival

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Revolutionrockfestival-1008445009270982/?fref=nf

Twitter: http://twitter.com/revrockfest

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.

Houston Open Air Festival Lineup Announced

Posted on May 16, 2016 by philspicks

Courtesy: Ashton-Magnuson Media/Danny Wimmer Presents

The lineup for the 2016 Houston Open Air Festival has officially been announced.

Organizers with the Houston Open Air Festival have revealed the lineup for the 2016 Houston Open Air Festival. The lineup will feature 35 bands over two days. That list includes: Deftones, Slayer,Chevelle, The Cult, Ministry, Alter Bridge, Ghost, Anthrax, Pierce The Veil, Of Mice & Men, Sevendust, Baroness, Hellyeah, Chevy Metal, Buckcherry, Nothing More, The Amity Affliction, Max & Iggor Cavalera: Return To Roots, Avatar, letlive., Jim Breuer and the Loud & Rowdy, Texas Hippie Coalition, Young Guns, Starset, Sick Puppies, Skindred, Neck Deep, Sons Of Texas, KYNG, Twelve Foot Ninja, Gemini Syndrome, The Word Alive, Dinosaur Pile Up, September Mourning, and more. Avenged Sevenfold and Alice in Chains have been named as the festival’s headliners.

A rolling discounted Early Bird pre-sale for Weekend General Admission tickets begins this Tuesday, May 17^th at 12pm CDT/1pm EDT. A very limited quantity of tickets will be available during this pre-sale. They can be purchased online at http://www.HoustonOpenAir.com and will only be available while supplies last. Their prices are noted below.

Early Bird #1: $89.50

Early Bird #2: $99.50

VIP weekend tickets will also be available at a cost of $234.50.

Public on-sale tickets will go on sale Friday, May 20^th at 12pm CDT/1pm EDT. They will also be available for purchase online at http://www.HoustonOpenAir.com. Their prices are listed below.

Weekend GA: $109.50

Single-day GA: $69.50

Single-day VIP: $129.50

VIP Weekend: $234.50

VIP tickets include: VIP entrance lanes into venue, access to VIP-only area featuring dedicated bar, beverage and food options (for additional purchase), VIP-only viewing area of Main Stage, dedicated restroom facilities, and a VIP-only commemorative laminate.

A portion of all proceeds from ticket sales for the festival will go toward aiding the Greater Houston Storm Relief Fund. The Greater Houston Storm Relief Fund was established by Houston’s mayor Sylvester Turner in order to accept donations for flood relief in the Houston community. This includes aiding victims of the flooding that stemmed from recent storms that hit the region. More information on The Greater Houston Storm Relief Fund is available online at http://www.houstonrecovers.org. Danny Hayes, CEO of Danny Wimmer Presents, spoke with the media recently. He discussed the timing of the festival’s announcement in relation to the city’s recovery from said storms as well as the motivation for teaming with Mayor Turner in his recovery efforts. “Houston Open Air has been in the works for almost a year now,” he said. It’s awkward to announce a major music festival in a city that has experienced such recent hardship and, in fact, we delayed our announcements out of respect for what Houston has endured. But at the same time, our festivals are about highlighting the strengths (or sometimes the needs) of our host city. There’s no more important way to do that right now than to support Mayor Turner’s efforts to help Houston recover from this spring’s flooding and we will be incorporating this message throughout our launch campaign.”

Danny Wimmer is the founder of Danny Wimmer Presents. He shared his thoughts on the logistics of the concert’s location, its lineup, and more in his discussion with the press. “Houston is one of the country’s biggest rock markets and, when combined with the impressive food scene happening here, it’s a natural location for a DWP festival,” he said. “We’re thrilled to have such a diverse first-year lineup that includes Avenged Sevenfold, Alice In Chains and Chevelle. With the inclusion of an incredible food experience and the Jack Daniel’s Whiskey Row, we are kicking off a powerhouse experience that will live in the market for many years to come!”

The Houston Open Air Festival’s band lineup is just part of what audiences have to look forward to this year. There will also be a special food and drink experience for fans who attend. This includes the Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 Whiskey Row and a massive Gourmet Man Food Experience The brands featured in the Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 Whiskey Row include: Jack Daniel’s Black Label, Gentleman Jack, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Fire, Old Forester, and Woodford Reserve. The complete lineup and menus for the Gourmet Man Food experience will be announced soon.

Houston Open Air is produced by Danny Wimmer Presents, producer of: Louder Than Life, Chicago Open Air, Monster Energy Welcome To Rockville, Monster Energy Fort Rock, Monster Energy Aftershock, Monster Energy Carolina Rebellion, Northern Invasion, Monster Energy Rock Allegiance, Rock on the Range, and more. It is sponsored by: Monster Energy, Jack Daniel’s, El Jimador, Fxck Cancer’s Dyin2Live, NRG Park, and SoHo Concessions, and more to be announced soon.

NRG Park is the home of the NFL’s Houston Texans and the annual Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. It is located at One NRG Park in Houston, TX.

More information on the Houston Open Air Festival is available online now at:

Website: http://www.HoustonOpenAir.com

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

Twitter: http://twitter.com/HouOpenAir