Black Sabbath Announces Additional Dates For Its Farewell Tour

Posted on October 27, 2015 by philspicks

Courtesy: Republic Records/Live Nation

It looks like the end is not as close as was previously thought.

Black Sabbath has announced that because of the popularity of its career-ending tour it has extended the tour well into 2016. The band announced Monday that it has added yet another run of North American dates that will see the band performing well into next fall. The new schedule kicks off August 17th at Jones Beach Amphitheater in New York and includes dates in Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Toronto, Detroit, and Dallas. The whole thing winds down September 21st at Ak-Chin Pavilion in Phoenix, Arizona. Audiences can check out an updated video announcement about the additional dates online now via YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6lYClpPGLw&feature=youtu.be.

Courtesy: Republic Records/Live Nation

The band’s updated tour schedule is listed below complete with its newly announced North American Fall 206 dates.

BLACK SABBATH’s 2016 Tour Dates are as follows:

NORTH AMERICA

Wed	1/20	Omaha, NE	CenturyLink Center
Fri	1/22	Chicago, IL	United Center
Mon	1/25	Minneapolis, MN	Target Center
Wed	1/27	Winnipeg MN	MTS Centre
Sat	1/30	Edmonton, AB	Rexall Centre
Mon	2/1	Calgary, AB	Scotiabank Saddledome
Wed	2/3	Vancouver, BC	Rogers Arena
Sat	2/6	Tacoma, WA	Tacoma Dome
Tue	2/9	San Jose, CA	SAP Pavilion
Thu	2/11	Los Angeles, CA	The Forum
Sat	2/13	Las Vegas, NV	Mandalay Bay
Mon	2/15	Denver, CO	Pepsi Center
Wed	2/17	Kansas City, MO	Sprint Center
Fri	2/19	Detroit, MI	The Palace of Auburn Hills
Sun	2/21	Hamilton, ON	First Ontario Centre
Tue	2/23	Montreal, QC	Bell Centre
Thu	2/25	New York, NY	Madison Square Garden
Sat	2/27	New York, NY	Madison Square Garden

AUSTRALIA/NEW ZEALAND

Fri	4/15	Perth, AU	Perth Arena
Sun	4/17	Adelaide,AU	Entertainment Centre
Tue	4/19	Melbourne,AU	Rod Laver Arena
Sat	4/23	Sydney,AU	Allphones Arena
Mon	4/25	Brisbane, AU	Entertainment Centre
Thurs	4/28	Auckland,NZ	Vector Arena
Sat	4/30	Dunedin,NZ	Forsyth Barr Stadium

EUROPE

Wed	6/1	Budapest,Hungary	Groupama Arena
Wed	6/8	Berlin, Germany	Waldebuhne
**Sat	6/11	Donington, UK	Download
Mon	6/13	Verona, IT	Arena Di Verona
Wed	6/15	Zurich, Switzerland	Hallenstadon
**Fri	6/17	Dessel,Belgium	Grasspop
**Thu	6/23	Halden, Norway	Tons of Rock
**Sat	6/25	Copenhagen, DE	Copenhell
Tue	6/28	Vienna, Austria	Stadthalle
Thu	6/30	Prague, Czech Rep.	02 Arena
Sat	7/2	Krakow, Poland	Tauron Arena
Tue	7/5	Riga, Latvia	Riga Arena
**Thu	7/7	Helsinki, Finland	Monsters of Rock
**Sat	7/9	Stockholm, Sweden	Monsters of Rock
Tue	7/12	Moscow, Russia	Olympisky Arena

**Denotes festival appearance

NORTH AMERICA


Wed	8/17	Wantagh, NY	Nikon at Jones Beach Theater
Fri	8/19	Philadelphia, PA	Susquehanna Bank Center
Sun	8/21	Washington DC	Jiffy Lube Live
Tue	8/23	Holmdel, NJ	PNC Bank Arts Center
Thu	8/25	Boston, MA	Xfinity Center
Sat	8/27	Uncasville, CT	Mohegan Sun Arena
Mon	8/29	Toronto, ON	Molson Canadian Amphitheatre
Wed	8/31	Detroit, MI	DTE Energy Music Theater
Fri	9/2	Indianapolis, IN	Klipsch Music Center
Sun	9/4	Chicago, IL	Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
Wed	9/7	Dallas, TX	Gexa Energy Pavilion
Fri	9/9	Albuquerque, NM	Isleta Ampitheater
Sun	9/11	Salt Lake City, UT	USANA Ampitheater
Tue	9/13	Portland, OR	Sunlight Supply Arena
Thu	9/15	Oakland, CA	Oracle Arena
Sat	9/17	Las Vegas, NV	MGM Grand Garden Arena
Mon	9/19	Hollywood, CA	Hollywood Bowl
Wed	9/21	Phoenix, AZ	AK-Chin Pavilion

Information on tickets, VIP packages and more for the band’s upcoming North American dates is available online now at http://www.Livenation.com. More information on Black Sabbath, its upcoming tour dates, and more is available online now at:

Website: http://www.blacksabbath.com

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

Twitter: http://twitter.com/blacksabbath

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.

The End Is Coming…For Black Sabbath

Posted on September 3, 2015 by philspicks

Courtesy: Republic Records/Live Nation

The end is near. No, not armageddon. Legendary hard rock act Black Sabbath made the announcement today that Black Sabbath will embark on its farewell tour next year.
Black Sabbath–Ozzy Osbourne, Geezer Butler, and Tony Iommi–announced today that it will hit the road next January for its final tour. Audiences can see the announcement for themselves online now via Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYCvRV5ME3w&feature=youtu.be.

Courtesy: Republic Records/Live Nation

The band’s current schedule sees it opening its tour on January 20th in Omaha, Nebraska and running through February 25th at New York’s famed Madison Square Gardens. From there the band will take some time off to recharge before hitting the road again down under beginning April 15th in Perth, Australia. The band’s current slate of dates is listed below. It is only the current schedule. More dates will be announced next month.

Photo Credit: Mark Weiss

North American Tour Dates

1/20	Omaha, NE	CenturyLink Center
1/22	Chicago, IL	United Center
1/25	Minneapolis, MN	Target Center
1/28	Saskatoon, SK	Sasktel Centre
1/30	Edmonton, AB	Rexall Centre
2/1	Calgary, ON	Scotiabank Saddledome
2/3	Vancouver, BC	Rogers Arena
2/6	Tacoma, WA	Tacoma Dome
2/9	San Jose, CA	SAP Center
2/11	Los Angeles, CA	The Forum
2/13	Las Vegas, NV	Mandalay Bay Events Center
2/15	Denver, CO	Pepsi Center
2/17	Kansas City, MO	Sprint Center
2/19	Detroit, MI	The Palace of Auburn Hills
2/21	Hamilton, ON	FirstOntario Centre
2/23	Montreal, QB	Bell Centre
2/25	New York City, NY	Madison Square Garden

Australia/New Zealand Tour Dates

4/15	Perth	Perth Arena
4/17	Adelaide	Entertainment Centre
4/19	Melbourne	Rod Laver Arena
4/23	Sydney	Allphones Arena
4/25	Brisbane	Entertainment Centre
4/28	Auckland	Vector Arena
4/30	Dunedin	Forsyth Barr Stadium

Fans can get information on tickets, VIP packages, and more for the North American leg of the upcoming tour online now via Live Nation’s official website at http://www.Livenation.com. More information on Black Sabbath’s tour is available online now along with all of the band’s latest news at:

Website: http://www.blacksabbath.com

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

Twitter: http://twitter.com/blacksabbath

Black Sabbath Live Is 2013’s Last Great Live Recording

Posted on December 30, 2013 by philspicks

Courtesy: Universal Republic/Vertigo Records

It’s getting ever more expensive to attend a live concert nowadays. The cost of a pair of tickets alone can run a person well over a hundred dollars. Factor in the cost of gas, food, souvenirs, and potentially even lodging, and a person can spend quite a bit on just one concert. The cost of tickets alone is about to go up even more in 2014 for residents of one state thanks to a new tax law that will go into effect in 2014. Taking all of this into account, it becomes increasingly wise to just pick up a live recording of one’s favorite band, musician, or musical group. The question is which live releases are well worth the one-time cost for audiences that would rather save some money while enjoying a great concert? One recommendation is Black Sabbath’s new live Blu-ray and DVD, Black Sabbath Live..Gathered in their Masses. The first live recording from the band in many years, this live concert recording is one of the best live recordings of 2013. It is so worthwhile first and foremost because of its set list. The show’s set list more than lives up to the oft-used term, career-spanning. Just as important to note in this concert is the band’s very performance. While one band member is noticeably absent, he is replaced quite effectively by another individual. And his frenetic energy combined with that of the remaining original members exudes something almost magical. Last but not least important to consider in this concert is the audio and video mix. Both the audio and video are expertly mixed. The camera crews take viewers up close with the band throughout the near two-hour concert. It only adds to that magical sense, completing the overall presentation and making this new recording one that fans both of Black Sabbath and hard rock in general will enjoy time and again.

The term “career-defining” is far too often tossed around for live performances. Far too many of those recordings are in fact anything but career defining. In the case of Black Sabbath though, that term is more than deserved. The band includes nearly every one of the hits that have continued to make it the paramount band that it has remained for decades despite being inactive just as long. ‘War Pig’s’ opens the show as are the equally beloved ‘Iron Man’ and ‘Black Sabbath.’ It’s all bookended by another massive hit in ‘Paranoid.’ Those that are hoping for something more recent get that, too in the form of ‘Methademic’, ‘End of the Beginning’ and ‘God Is Dead?’ These songs comprise just part of the band’s extensive set list. There are plenty more songs included in this show that play into its success. Audiences will each have their favorites when they pick up the new recording for themselves on Blu-ray and DVD.

The set list chosen for this concert is part of the heart of the concert’s success. Just as important to the success of the recording is the band’s onstage presence. It’s incredible to think how many years had passed since Ozzy, Geezer, and Tony had performed together under the Black Sabbath moniker. Drummer Bill Ward was not on hand. Allegedly there are some hurt feelings between him and his now former band mates for some reason. That’s not what’s important here, though. Tommy Clufetos, who records and tours with Ozzy’s own band, handles drum duties on this concert. And he more than handles his appointed duties, too. He plays with the same intensity of a young John Bonham. That’s evident both in the case of his work with the rest of the band and on his solos. The rest of the band seems to feed off of Clufetos’ energy, too. That energy is evident throughout the band’s performance, too. The band may be years older, but they definitely got their audience just as energetic and excited. Home viewers will feel it, too. And that’s just one more aspect of this recording that makes it one of the year’s best.

The set list and stage presence of Ozzy and company are both extremely important in the overall enjoyment of Black Sabbath’s new live recording. There is still one more factor to consider in examining this recording. That factor is the recording’s combined audio and video mix. The audio and video mix of any live recording is its foundation. Far too often, people take this factor for granted. But there are those recordings that suffer in these areas because of someone that is either inexperienced or simply doesn’t care to do their job the right way. Luckily for Black Sabbath fans, that isn’t the case here. The video and audio were both expertly mixed. Even as large as the venue was, the audio is crisp and clear. The same can be said for the video mix. It works with the set list and the band’s overall stage show to make Black Sabbath Live…Gathered in Their Masses a recording that is just as worth the money as going to see Black Sabbath live if not more so. It is available now in stores and online.

More information on Black Sabbath and its tour schedule is available online at http://www.facebook.com/BlackSabbath and http://www.blacksabbath.com. 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.

Black Sabbath Members To Make Special Appearance At Grammy Museum

Posted on October 22, 2013 by philspicks

Courtesy: Universal Republic Records

Black Sabbath founding members Ozzy Osbourne and Geezer Butler are set to make a special appearance at the Los Angeles’ Grammy Museum next month. The special appearance is part of a promotional tour supporting the release of the band’s new live DVD, Black Sabbath Live…Gathered In Their Masses

Ozzy and Geezer will take part in a Q&A session and special early screening of the band’s new live DVD during its appearance. The whole thing will be held at the museum’s Clive Davis Theater. During the Q&A session, Ozzy and Geezer will share with fans their thoughts on the band’s reunion, a #1 album in 13 and the band’s hugely successful world tour among other topics. More information on the event is available online at http://www.grammymuseum.org.

Black Sabbath Live…Gathered In Their Masses will be available on Tuesday, November 25^th. It will be available on DVD, Blu-ray, combo pack, and deluxe box set. The concert presented in the upcoming release was recorded April 29^th and May 1^st in Melbourne, Australia as the band kicked off its world tour in support of 13. The band is currently on the road, touring across South America and Mexico. Once that leg is done, the band will head overseas to tour Europe in November and December. A full listing of the band’s current tour dates and more is available online at http://www.blacksabbath.com, http://www.facebook.com/BlackSabbath, and http://twitter.com/OfficialSabbath. 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.

Black Sabbath Announces Title, Release Date For New Live DVD

Posted on September 14, 2013 by philspicks

Courtesy: Vertigo/Republic Records

Black Sabbath has officially announced that it will release a brand new live DVD this Fall. The band, which just finished off the American leg of its worldwide tour, will release its new live DVD, titled Black Sabbath: Live…Gathered in their Masses on November 26^th,. It will be released via Vertigo/Republic Records. The performance contained on the new live DVD was recorded between April 29^th and May 1^st, 2013 in Melbourne, Australia.

Having wrapped up the American leg of its tour, Black Sabbath is set to make its way to South American next. The South American and Mexican leg of the band’s tour kicks off Friday, October 4^th in Santiago, Chile. After wrapping its South American and Mexican tour, the band is expected to make its way across Europe through November and December. A full listing of the band’s upcoming tour dates is available online at http://www.facebook.com/BlackSabbath, http://www.blacksabbath.com, and http://twitter.comOfficialSabbath.

The band’s new release, 13, debuted at #1 in thirteen countries. That includes the United States. The album’s #1 debut marks the very first #1 in the U.S.

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, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks.wordpress.com.

Black Sabbath Celebrate New Release With Special Online Event

Posted on June 10, 2013 by philspicks

Courtesy: Universal Republic Records

Black Sabbath’s decades in the making album, 13 will finally see the light of day tomorrow, Tuesday, June 11^th. In celebration, the band—Ozzy Osbourne, Geezer Butler, Tony Iommi—will hold a special live Town Hall via Google+ Hangout. It will be streamed live on Google+ and YouTube. The Town Hall will also be broadcast live on Ozzy’s Boneyard on SiriusXM at 7:00pm EDT. The band will be joined by both Ozzy’s son Jack (who directed the clips to launch 13) and Rage Against The Machine drummer Brad Wilk (who covered the drums on the album) for the event. Osbourne and Butler will appear live at the Angel Orensanz Foundation for Contemporary Art while Tony Iommi will appear live from Birmingham, England. Jack Obsourne and Brad Wilk will be on hand live from Los Angeles for the presentation. Comedian Jim Norton will host the show. Norton is a co-host of the Opie and Anthony Show on SiriusXM, and is also a host on Ozzy’s Boneyard.

Viewers can tune in to the special event live on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/officialsabbath. Fans that have SiriusXM can tune in to the even on Ozzy’s Boneyard on channel 38 and through the SiriusXM Internet Radio app for smart phones and other connected devices. Audiences can also watch the event online at http://www.siriusxm.com

Black Sabbath fans can keep up with all of the latest from the band online at http://www.blacksabbath.com, http://www.facebook.com/BlackSabbath, http://twitter.com/OfficialBlackSabbath, http://instagram.com/officialblacksabbath, and http://google.com/+blacksabbath.

Sabbath’s “13” Well Worth The Wait

Posted on June 10, 2013 by philspicks

Courtesy: Universal Republic Records

It goes without saying after having listened to it that Black Sabbath’s 13 is one of the best hard rock/metal albums of 2013. This record has been decades in the making. And the wait was well worth it, even with someone other than Bill Ward on drums. Ozzy’s vocals and Tony Iommi’s guitar work are at their peak throughout this record. So many rock bands have tried hard to emulate Sabbath’s sound since its breakup so long ago. But few if any have managed to come close since then. So it is nice to have one of rock’s elite back (even if one member isn’t present) to reclaim its proper place in rock’s upper echelons.

Right from the opening moments of the album’s opener, ‘End of the Beginning’, listeners know they are in for something special on this record. Geezer’s bass and Tony’s guitar work are pummeling along with Brad Wilk (Rage Against The Machine) on drums in the song’s opening moments before laying back to let Ozzy’s haunting vocals take the spotlight. Rick Rubin actually made the right choice bringing in Wilk to cover the drums in place of Bill Ward for this record. When the rest of the band comes back in, the combined wound will take audiences back to Black Sabbath’s glory days. Ozzy, Tony, and Geezer show that they are still the originators and have not lost a single step along the way. It’s like old times. As Ozzy sings here, “Don’t look back/Live for today/Tomorrow is too late.” It couldn’t have been better said considering this band’s history.

13 offers listeners plenty of heaviness. For all the heavy moments, worthy of raising the horns high, it also has a more subdued moment in the song, ‘Zeitgeist.’ This is such an interesting song in that it is a full-on acoustic opus. In lieu of drums, Wilk has opted instead for perhaps a pair of bongos. And Tony and Geezer have both gone acoustic, too. There is something about this combination (along with Ozzy’s vocals) that makes for a work that could easily be compared to the likes Pink Floyd, believe it or not. It is also the album’s shortest track. It clocks in at just over four and a half minutes long. In that short time, it makes for one of the album’s most interesting moments.

If any one song on this new album stands out more than the others, it is ‘Live Forever.’ This is the second shortest song on the record. It comes in at just under five minutes long. It’s also one of the album’s heaviest numbers. Yet again, it’s more proof that Ozzy and company haven’t lost any steam in the three decades plus since the band’s last album. Of course, having mega-producer Rick Rubin manning the boards doesn’t hurt, either. Rubin really brought out the best of the band on this track. Tony’s guitar solos are incredible to say the least. They are the sort of solos that will have young guitarists around the world trying to emulate him, putting their own takes on his work on YouTube. And yet again, Brad Wilk is just as impressive behind the kit. He shows here, and throughout the record just how versatile he is as a drummer, pounding out some impressive polyrhythmic patters without missing a second. And Ozzy sounds more in control of his vocals here than anywhere else on the album. That isn’t to say that he sounds bad anywhere else. The way that Ozzy laments in this song, “I don’t mind dying/Cause I’m already dead/Pray not for the living/I live in your head/Dying is easy/It’s living that’s hard/I’m losing the battle/Between Satan and God” could so easily be interpreted in direct relation to everything that Ozzy has gone through in recent years. Considering recent reports concerning his admission to having been addicted to certain substances over recent years, instead of staying clean, it sounds like a personal statement that he perhaps felt during that time. If so, it’s a powerful statement, especially with the song’s musical backing. Though interestingly enough, the rest of the song sounds like a tongue in cheek stab at the religious establishment, considering Ozzy is actually anything but the “Prince of Darkness” that he has been made out to be.

‘Live Forever’ is one of the best of the best on Black Sabbath’s new album, 13. It musical side and lyrical side together make it quite the interesting track. Though, it’s just one of eight total tracks on the band’s new album that any long-time Black Sabbath fan will enjoy. There are seven other tracks on this disc that any true metal and hard rock purist from which they can choose as their favorite. The album will be available in stores and online June 11^th via Republic Records. The band will tour in support of the album beginning July 25^th in The Woodlands, Texas. Fans can keep up with the band’s tour dates and more on its official Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/BlackSabbath and on its official website, http://www.blacksabbath.com.

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.

Black Sabbath To Premiere New Song On CSI Season Finale

Posted on May 11, 2013 by philspicks

Courtesy: CBS

Black Sabbath will premiere a new track from its decades in the making new album, 13 in a very special television appearance. The band will appear on the season finale of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation next week. The hit CBS show’s season finale will air this coming Wednesday, May 15^th at 10pm ET. Ozzy, Tommy, and Geezer will appear in the show in a special scene in which it will premiere the new song, ‘End of the Beginning.’

Fans can get a sneak peek of this Wednesday’s CSI Season Finale online at http://www.cbs.com/shows/csi/video/LPX7q6JTXac_TPAqPG5GeF5RcSTD0AVn/csi-behind-the-scenes-black-sabbath/. 13, due out June 11^th on Vertigo/Republic Records will mark the band’s first full length studio release since its 1978 album, Never Say Die.

Black Sabbath Reveals Dates For Full North American Tour Schedule

Posted on April 27, 2013 by philspicks

Courtesy: Universal Republic Records

The hatchet has largely been buried between the members of veteran hard rock band Black Sabbath. After over three decades of waiting, fans of this groundbreaking band will finally get to hear new music from the band this Summer. And in support of the new album, titled 13, Black Sabbath—Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, and Geezer Butler—will hit the road in support of the album with a full North American tour. Drummer Bill Ward will be replaced on the band’s upcoming tour with a replacement drummer. Tickets for the band’s upcoming tour will be available Friday, May 3^rd. Fans can get early access to the pre-sale tickets on May 2^nd when they RSVP at https://www.facebook.com/events/147056262140133/?context=create or at http://bit.ly/Sabbath_RSVP.

The band’s upcoming North American tour begins Thursday, July 25^th at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in Houston, TX. It spans nineteen dates that will take the band from the East Coast to the West and even into Canada. The full list of tour dates is available below.

DATE CITY VENUE

+Thu- Jul 25 Houston, TX Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion

+Sat-Jul 27 Austin, TX Frank Erwin Center

<Mon-Jul 29 Tampa, FL Live Nation Amphitheatre

+Wed-Jul 31 W. Palm Beach, FL Cruzan Amphitheatre

~Fri-Aug 02 Bristow, VA Jiffy Lube Live

*Sun-Aug 04 Holmdel, NJ PNC Bank Arts Center

+Tue-Aug 06 Detroit, MI DTE Energy Music Theatre

+Thu-Aug 08 Uncasville, CT Mohegan Sun Arena

+Sat-Aug 10 Philadelphia, PA Wells Fargo Center

^Mon-Aug 12 Boston, MA Comcast Center

*Wed-Aug 14 Toronto, ON Air Canada Centre

+Fri Aug 16 Tinley Park, IL First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre

+Sun-Aug 18 Indianapolis, IN Klipsch Music Center

+Thu-Aug 22 Vancouver, BC Rogers Arena

*Sat-Aug 24 Seattle, WA Gorge Amphitheatre

+Mon-Aug 26 San Francisco, CA Shoreline Amphitheatre at Mountain View

+Wed-Aug 28 Irvine, CA Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre

+Fri-Aug 30 Phoenix, AZ US Airways Center

+Sun-Sep 01 Las Vegas, NV MGM Grand Garden Arena

*Tue-Sep 03 Los Angeles, CA Los Angeles Sports Arena

*Previously announced date.

^On sale Friday, May 3

+On sale Saturday, May 4

~On sale, Friday May 10

<On sale, Saturday, May 11

>On sale TBD

Before the band hits the road and the album hits stores, fans can get a glimpse of what is to come now. The band has released 13’s lead single, ‘God is Dead?’, and fans can check it out now on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVfUimq2KeI.

To get more tour information and all of the latest news from Black Sabbath, fans can go online to the band’s official website, http://www.blacksabbath.com, its official Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/BlackSabbath, and via Twitter and Instagram at http://twitter.com/OfficialSabbath and http://instagram.com/officialsabbath.

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 keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Draiman, Device Far From Being Disturbed

Posted on April 18, 2013 by philspicks

Courtesy: Warner Brothers Records

David Draiman is one of the most well known vocalists in the rock community today. His animalistic sounding growls and seemingly Maynard James Keenan inspired vocal style make his a voice that is instantly noticeable when listeners hear it. The problem is that just as Keenan’s side project, A Perfect Circle, was instantly compared to Tool because of Keenan’s iconic vocal style, so has Draiman’s new side project, Device, been compared to Disturbed. While the first pair of tracks on Device’s self-titled debut do bear some semblance to material recorded by Disturbed, that similarity begins to fade early on. The album’s third song, ‘Vilify’ has more of a pure rock sound. Right from its opening verse, it impresses just as much lyrically as musically. Draiman sings defiantly as the song opens, “As you vilify/Every single move that I make/And try to bind me/In your insanity/You’ll come to know/That you never had control/from the onset/Go find another lapdog, f***er.” The defiance doesn’t stop here. The verbal assault against those who would run their mouths seemingly just to run their mouths runs nonstop through the song with full on intensity that is sure to get the blood and body flowing.

If there was still any question of comparison to Disturbed even in ‘Vilify’, then those comparisons will be erased even more in the album’s very next song, ‘Close My Eyes Forever.’ Some might cringe at this, but it almost comes across as a ballad style piece, especially with the addition of vocalist Lzzy Hale (Halestorm) give it even more of that sense. And if that’s not proof enough, one need only look at the song’s lyrical content as argument for that comparison. Lyrically speaking, it comes across as a song of lost love. Draiman and Hale sing here, “I know I’ve been so hard to you/I know I’ve told you lies/If I could have just one more wish/I’d wipe the cobwebs from my eyes.” This one song isn’t reason for anyone to worry, as it’s the only time through the course of the album’s ten tracks that the album’s intensity drops off.

The intensity built early on in Device’s self-titled debut picks back up not long after ‘Close My Eyes Forever.’ What’s more, as the intensity rebuilds through the album’s second half so does the separation of Device from Disturbed. It all starts on ‘Out of Line.’ This socio-political piece offers a solid mix of electronics and heavy, foot-stomping, head banging guitar breaks that would make any metal purist proud. And the inclusion of Serj Tankian’s (System of a Down) equally distinct vocal style adds even more musical flavor to this song. One can’t ignore the addition of Geezer Butler (Black Sabbath) on this track, either. The mix of music, star power, and lyrical heaviness makes it just one more of so many tracks from which listeners will be able to choose as a favorite. The intensity and separation from the band members’ primary bands builds even more in ‘Opinion.’ The guest guitar work of Tom Morello (Rage Against The Machine) is surprisingly unlike what Morello has recorded with his other side projects. And it definitely helps to maintain this song’s identity from anything even remotely related to Disturbed. It is one of those pieces that has to be heard to fully understand this.

If the guest appearances from Tom Morello, Geezer Butler, and Serj Tankian aren’t enough to convince listeners as to the identity of Device, then perhaps ‘War of Lies’ and the album’s closer, ‘Through It All’ will do the job. The heavy bass and vocals from Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple) mixed with Draiman’s vocals make this one of the album’s more surprisingly interesting songs. That’s because of the fact that the song starts off very slow and deliberate. But a little more than halfway through the song, it picks up, and carries the listener up to the song’s final fading moments. Those moments are just subtle enough to allow listeners to catch their breath after the musical rollercoaster on which they have just taken a ride. And having caught their breath, any listener that went into this album thinking it would be just another Disturbed record will have seen that that belief was in fact completely wrong. While it might have started out with some similarity to Disturbed, that similarity is soon erased, and a new band with a sound that bears only the slightest closeness to the prior arises. It definitely turns out to be a record that any fan of Disturbed and any hard rock fan in general will want to check out at least once.

Device is currently touring in support of its self-titled debut. Among some of its more notable scheduled concert dates are performances at the “Welcome to Rockville” Festival on April 28^th in Jacksonville Florida, the Carolina Rebellion Festival in Rockingham, North Carolina on May 4^th, and the famed Rock on the Range Festival in Columbus, Ohio on May 19^th. The band has even more dates that audiences can find out about when they “Like” Device on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/Devicetheband. Audiences will also find a link to download the band’s album via iTunes on the Facebook page. That link is http://smarturl.it/deviceitunes for those that may not be able to get to the band’s FB page.

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