From Ashes To New Debuts New Album’s Fifth Single, Companion Video

Posted on May 21, 2023 by philspicks

From Ashes To New gave audiences yet another preview of its forthcoming album, Blackout, over the weekend in the form of ‘Armageddon.’

The band premiered the single and its companion video Friday. The premiere of the new single and video follow those of the album’s four current singles, ‘Until We Break (ft. Matty Mullins),’ ‘Nightmare,’ ‘Heartache,’ and ‘Hate Me Too.’

The heavy guitars and keyboards paired with the rapping in the song’s verses collectively make the song’s arrangement easily comparable to works from the likes of Falling in Reverse. The verses meanwhile are more comparable to works from the likes of Breaking Benjamin and various other similar melodic hard rock acts, such as Ovtlier and Three Days Grace. That combination of comparisons makes the song an easy fit for any active rock radio programmer’s play list. This even with the foul language in mind. Odds are edited copies of the song are available for radio airplay and streaming.

According to information provided about the song in a press release announcing the debut of the new single and video, the song’s lyrical theme “focuses on the current state of the world and how the fighting and the division is leading to some of the worst social times in recent history.”

The video for ‘Armageddon’ is a simple presentation. The band performs its new single on a sound stage dressed to look like a post apocalyptic setting, complete with a destroyed car and CG embers burning and floating in the air around the band.

In other news, From Ashes To New is in the midst of a tour supporting In This Moment and Motionless in White alongside Fit For A King. The “Dark Horizon Tour” launched April 14 in Jacksonville, FL. The tour’s next stop is scheduled for Monday in Baltimore, MD. The tour is scheduled to run through Aug. 19 in Albany, NY.

The tour’s current schedule is noted below. Tickets for the band’s tour are on sale here.

FROM ASHES TO NEW Tour Dates:

5/22 Baltimore, MD – Rams Head Live ^

5/24 Milwaukee, WI – Eagles Ballroom ^

5/27 Columbus, OH – Sonic Temple *

5/28 Detroit, MI – The Fillmore ^

7/8 Uncasville, CT – Mohegan Sun Arena &

7/9 Buffalo, NY – Buffalo RiverWorks &

7/11 Charleston, WV – Charleston Civic Center Coliseum &

7/15 Mansfield, OH – Inkcarceration Festival &

7/17 East Moline, IL – The Rust Belt &

7/18 Des Moines, IA – Wells Fargo Arena &

7/19 Sioux Falls, SD – Denny Sanford Premiere Center &

7/21 Casper, WY – Ford Wyoming Center &

7/22 Billings, MT – First Interstate Arena at MetraPark &

7/23 Missoula, MT – Big Sky Brewing Company &

7/26 Reno, NV – Grand Sierra Resort &

7/27 Paso Robles, CA – Vina Robles &

7/29 Flagstaff, AZ – Pepsi Amphitheater at Fort Tuthill Park &

7/30 Grand Junction, CO – Amphitheater at Las Colonias Park &

8/1 Wichita, KS – Hartman Arena &

8/2 Oklahoma City, OK – The Criterion &

8/4 Council Bluffs, IA – KIWR’s Rockfest – Westfair Amphitheater &

8/5 Camdenton, MO – Ozarks Amphitheater &

8/6 Little Rock, AR – Simmons Bank Arena &

8/8 Memphis, TN – The Soundstage at Graceland &

8/9 Mobile, AL – Mobile Civic Center Arena &

8/11 Huntsville, AL – Propst Arena &

8/12 Asheville, NC – Harrah’s Cherokee Center &

8/13 Corbin, KY – Corbin Arena &

8/15 Evansville, IN – Ford Center &

8/16 Fort Wayne, IN – Allen County War Memorial Expo Center &

8/18 Gilford, NH – Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion &

8/19 Albany, NY – MVP Arena &

# with Shinedown & Three Days Grace

* Festival Date

^ with Bullet For My Valentine

& with In This Moment, Motionless In White & Fit For A King

Blackout is scheduled for release July 28 through Better Noise Music. The album’s track listing is noted below:

BLACKOUT Track Listing:

1.Heartache

2. Nightmare

3. Hate Me Too

4. Hope You’re Happy

5. Barely Breathing

6. Dead To Me

7. Monster In Me

8. Echoes

9. Armageddon

10. Legacy

11. Until We Break (feat. Matty Mullins of Memphis Mayfire)

12. Broken By Design

According to information provided about Blackout, the album is meant to be a prequel of sorts to the band’s 2016 debut album, Day One. The new album is meant to reflect the mindset of the world during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the provided information. The album has produced the singles, ‘Until We Break (ft. Matty Mullins),’ ‘Nightmare,’ ‘Heartache,’ and ‘Hate Me Too.’

More information on From Ashes To New’s new live dates and album is available along with the band’s latest news at:

Website: https://fromashestonew.com

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/FromAshesToNew

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.

From Ashes To New Joins “The Dark Horizon Tour”; New Album Due Out This Summer

Posted on April 14, 2023 by philspicks

From Ashes To New will make its way across America this spring and summer in support of its latest album.

The band joined Fit For A King as support Friday for In This Moment and Motionless in White’s co-headlining tour, dubbed “The Dark Horizons Tour.” The tour is scheduled to run through Aug. 19 in Albany, NY and includes stops in cities nationwide, such as Asheville, NC; Casper, WY and Reno, NV.

Tickets for the band’s tour are on sale here. The tour’s schedule is noted below.

FROM ASHES TO NEW Tour Dates:

4/14 Jacksonville, FL – Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena #

4/15 Orlando, FL – Amway Center #

4/17 Savannah, GA – Enmarket Arena #

4/19 Huntsville, Al – Von Braun Center #

4/21 Memphis, TN – FedEx Forum #

4/22 Baton Rouge, LA – Raising Cane’s River Center #

4/24 Tulsa, OK – BOK Center #

4/25 Lincoln, NE – Pinnacle Bank Arena #

4/27 Ft. Wayne, IN – Allen County War Memorial Coliseum #

4/29 Milwaukee, WI – Fiserv Forum #

4/30 Minneapolis, MN – Target Center #

5/3 Bozeman, MT – Brick Breeden Fieldhouse #

5/6 Spokane, WA – Spokane Arena #

5/7 Everett, WA – Angel of the Winds Arena #

5/9 Portland, OR – Moda Center #

5/19 Daytona Beach, FL – Welcome To Rockville*

5/21 Raleigh, NC – The Ritz ^

5/22 Baltimore, MD – Rams Head Live ^

5/24 Milwaukee, WI – Eagles Ballroom ^

5/27 Columbus, OH – Sonic Temple *

5/28 Detroit, MI – The Fillmore ^

7/8 Uncasville, CT – Mohegan Sun Arena &

7/9 Buffalo, NY – Buffalo RiverWorks &

7/11 Charleston, WV – Charleston Civic Center Coliseum &

7/15 Mansfield, OH – Inkcarceration Festival &

7/17 East Moline, IL – The Rust Belt &

7/18 Des Moines, IA – Wells Fargo Arena &

7/19 Sioux Falls, SD – Denny Sanford Premiere Center &

7/21 Casper, WY – Ford Wyoming Center &

7/22 Billings, MT – First Interstate Arena at MetraPark &

7/23 Missoula, MT – Big Sky Brewing Company &

7/26 Reno, NV – Grand Sierra Resort &

7/27 Paso Robles, CA – Vina Robles &

7/29 Flagstaff, AZ – Pepsi Amphitheater at Fort Tuthill Park &

7/30 Grand Junction, CO – Amphitheater at Las Colonias Park &

8/1 Wichita, KS – Hartman Arena &

8/2 Oklahoma City, OK – The Criterion &

8/4 Council Bluffs, IA – KIWR’s Rockfest – Westfair Amphitheater &

8/5 Camdenton, MO – Ozarks Amphitheater &

8/6 Little Rock, AR – Simmons Bank Arena &

8/8 Memphis, TN – The Soundstage at Graceland &

8/9 Mobile, AL – Mobile Civic Center Arena &

8/11 Huntsville, AL – Propst Arena &

8/12 Asheville, NC – Harrah’s Cherokee Center &

8/13 Corbin, KY – Corbin Arena &

8/15 Evansville, IN – Ford Center &

8/16 Fort Wayne, IN – Allen County War Memorial Expo Center &

8/18 Gilford, NH – Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion &

8/19 Albany, NY – MVP Arena &

# with Shinedown & Three Days Grace

* Festival Date

^ with Bullet For My Valentine

& with In This Moment, Motionless In White & Fit For A King

From Ashes To New’s run on “The Dark Horizons Tour” is in support of its forthcoming album, Blackout, which is scheduled for release July 28 through Better Noise Music. The album’s track listing is noted below:

BLACKOUT Track Listing:

1.Heartache

2. Nightmare

3. Hate Me Too

4. Hope You’re Happy

5. Barely Breathing

6. Dead To Me

7. Monster In Me

8. Echoes

9. Armageddon

10. Legacy

11. Until We Break (feat. Matty Mullins of Memphis Mayfire)

12. Broken By Design

More information on From Ashes To New’s new live dates and album is available along with the band’s latest news at:

Website: https://fromashestonew.com

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/FromAshesToNew

Nothing More Debuts ‘Spirits’ Lyric Video

Posted on June 27, 2022 by philspicks

Nothing More premiered the video for its latest single over the weekend.

The band debuted the lyric video for its new single, ‘Spirits‘ Friday. The song is the title track from its forthcoming eponymous album and the record’s third single behind ‘Tired Of Winning‘ and ‘Turn It Up Like (Stand In The Fire)‘. The album is now scheduled for release Oct. 14 through Better Noise Music.

The musical arrangement featured in the new single is a heavy, aggro-rock style composition. The heaviness of the instrumentation pairs with the almost Maynard James Kennan-esque vocals to make the whole engaging and entertaining.

The song’s lyrical theme, which front man Johnny Hawkins addressed, is engaging in its own right.

“Isn’t it interesting that we give the same name to something holy and something wholly intoxicating?,” he said. “The song ‘SPIRITS’ describes that very conundrum. When you drink liquor, it has been said that you are welcoming that pneuma (spirit) into your body. Most of us have seen and experienced how alcohol (or rather ‘al-ghawl,’ which means demon/spirit) can make us feel. It’s almost as if we turn into someone else when too much of the spirit has been consumed. Sometimes it’s eye opening and can lead to wondrous life-changing conversations or bonds that would never normally happen…and sometimes it can lead to the exact opposite. It may turn us into Dr. Hyde’s Jekyll and cause us to do or say horrific things we would never normally do sober. Spirits are both a little bit heavenly and a little bit sick.”

In other news, Nothing More also announced this week, a pending tour with In This Moment. The tour is scheduled to launch Aug. 26 and to run through Oct. 22. The tour includes a performance at the annual Blue Ridge Rock Festival, Louder Than Life festival, and Rocklahoma festival. The band recently wrapped another tour with Asking Alexandria June 19.

The tour’s schedule is noted below.

NOTHING MORE 2022 TOUR DATES

8/26 Evansville, IN @ Old National Events Plaza #

8/27 St. Louis, MO @ The Pageant #

8/28 Clive, IA @ Horizon Events Center #

8/30 Albuquerque, NM @ The Sunshine Theater *

9/1 Lubbock, TX @ Lonestar Events Center #

9/2 Dallas, TX @ Southside Ballroom #

9/3 Pryor, OK @ Rocklahoma

9/6 Atlanta, GA @ Tabernacle #

9/8 Alton, VA @ Blue Ridge Rock Festival

9/9 Charlotte, NC @ The Fillmore #

9/10 Myrtle Beach, SC @ House Of Blues #

9/12 Knoxville, TN @ The Concourse *

9/13 Silver Spring, MD @ The Fillmore #

9/14 Pittsburgh, PA @ Stage AE – Outdoor Stage #

9/15 Wallingford, CT @ Oakdale Theatre #

9/17 Boston, MA @ MGM Music Hall at Fenway #

9/18 Philadelphia, PA @ The Fillmore #

9/20 Columbus, OH @ Kemba Live #

9/21 Cleveland, OH @ The Agora #

9/22 Louisville, KY @ Louder Than Life Festival

9/27 Maplewood, MN @ Myth Live #

9/28 Grand Forks, ND @ Alerus Center #

9/30 Great Falls, MT @ Centene Stadium #

10/1 Spokane, WA @ The Podium #

10/3 Seattle, WA @ Paramount Theatre #

10/4 Portland, OR @ Arlene Schinitzer Concert Hall #

10/5 Reno, NV @ Grand Theatre #

10/7 Garden City, ID @ Revolution Concert House and Event Center #

10/8 Central Point, OR @ Bi-Mart Amphitheater #

10/11 San Diego, CA @ Observatory North Park #

10/12 Los Angeles, CA @ The Wiltern #

10/14 Las Vegas, NV @ House Of Blues #

10/15 Salt Lake City, UT @ The Complex #

10/16 Billings, MT @ Pub Station *

10/18 Omaha, NE @ The Admiral #

10/19 Kansas City, MO @ Midland Theatre #

10/21 Chicago, IL @ Radius #

10/22 Milwaukee, WI @ Eagles Ballroom #

# with In This Moment

* NOTHING MORE headlining

Spirits‘ track listing is noted below.

SPIRITS Track Listing

1. TURN IT UP LIKE (Stand In The Fire)

2. TIRED OF WINNING

3. SHIPS IN THE NIGHT

4. YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT LOVE MEANS

5. DON’T LOOK BACK

6. THE OTHER F WORD

7. FACE IT

8. BEST TIMES

9. DÉJÀ VU

10. DREAM WITH ME

11. NEVERLAND

12. VALHALLA (Too Young To See)

13. SPIRITS

More information on Nothing More’s new single, video, album, and tour is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:

Website: https://nothingmore.net

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/nothingmorerock

Louder Than Life Festival Lineup Announced

Posted on March 12, 2022 by philspicks

The Louder Than Life Festival will return to Louisville, KY this year with an expansive lineup of acts.

The festival, scheduled to take place Sept. 22-25 at the Highland Festival Grounds at KY Expo Center in Louisville, KY, will be headlined by Red Hot Chili Peppers, Nine Inch Nails, Slipknot, and KISS. The four-day festival will also feature performances from bands, such as Bloodywood, Anti-Flag, and Superbloom. The KY Expo Center is located at 937 Phillips Ln. in Louisville, KY.

The festival’s full lineup is noted below. Tickets are available here. Weekend general admission passes start at $249.50 plus fees. Weekend VIP passes start at $629.50 plus fees. A limited number of Weekend Top Shelf VIP passes is still available for $1,329.50 plus fees.

General admission single day passes start at $99.50 plus fees. Single day VIP passes start at $295.50 plus fees. Layaway options are available through March 31 for $10, with payments made through July.

A trailer for the forthcoming annual festival is streaming.

The current Louder Than Life lineup is as follows (subject to change):

Thursday, September 22: Nine Inch Nails, Bring Me The Horizon, Evanescence, Halestorm, Tenacious D, Yungblud, Highly Suspect, Ministry, Nothing More, Baroness, Spiritbox, Apocalyptica, Dorothy, Don Broco, New Years Day, Plush, Lilith Czar, Maggie Lindemann, Taipei Houston, The Dead Deads, Mothica, Superbloom, Eva Under Fire, Oxymorrons

Friday, September 23: Slipknot, Shinedown, Lamb Of God, Mastodon, In This Moment, Meshuggah, Clutch, Jinjer, GWAR, In Flames, Helmet, POORSTACY, Crown The Empire, DED, All Good Things, Amigo The Devil, Vended, Mike’s Dead, If I Die First, Orbit Culture, The Luka State, Ego Kill Talent, The Native Howl, Archetypes Collide

Saturday, September 24: KISS, Rob Zombie, Alice Cooper, Chevelle, Ghostemane, Jerry Cantrell, Dance Gavin Dance, Theory of a Deadman, Body Count, Sevendust, Mammoth WVH, We Came As Romans, Airbourne, Cherry Bombs, Ill Niño, Tetrarch, Nita Strauss, Against The Current, Wargasm, Trash Boat, Shaman’s Harvest, Solence, Dropout Kings, Bloodywood

Sunday, September 25: Red Hot Chili Peppers, Alice In Chains, Incubus, Papa Roach, The Pretty Reckless, Architects, Bad Religion, Action Bronson, The Struts, Jelly Roll, Dirty Honey, Anti-Flag, The Joy Formidable, Bayside, The Warning, Royal & The Serpent, caroles daughter, Radkey, The Mysterines, Crown Lands, AEIR, The Alive, As You Were

The Louder Than Life Festival is produced by Danny Wimmer Presents. The festival debuted in 2014 and expanded to four days in 2021.

More information on the 2022 Louder Than Life Festival is available along with all of the festival’s latest news at:

Website: https://www.LouderThanLifeFestival.com

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ltlfest

Slipknot Announces Knotfest Road Show Schedule

Posted on January 22, 2022 by philspicks

Slipknot will take its Knotfest music festival on the road this spring.

The band is scheduled to launch its “Knotfest Roadshow 2022 Tour” March 16. The tour’s first leg is scheduled to run through April 17 and will feature performances from In This Moment and Jinjer. The tour’s second leg is scheduled to launch May 18 and to run through June 18, and will feature performances from Cypress Hill and Ho99o9.

Front man Corey Taylor said the band is looking forward to getting the tour off the ground.

“Even with everything going on in the world right now, we’re still extremely excited to come back out in the states, with 2 different, exciting packages,” he said. “Whether it’s In This Moment and Jinjer, or Cypress and Ho99o9, we pride ourselves in bringing our fans the epicenter of our music and art. Come celebrate with us, and try to stay as safe as we will be.”

Shawn “Clown” Crahan echoed Taylor’s sentiments.

“It feels so good to get back out on the road with our Culture,” said Crahan. “Get ready for a brand new experience. See you soon.”

The schedule for the “Knotfest Roadshow 2022 Tour” is noted below. Tickets re available now.

Knotfest Roadshow 2022

LEG 1

Slipknot w/ In This Moment & Jinjer

Wed Mar 16 Fargo, ND FARGODOME

Fri Mar 18 Omaha, NE CHI Health Center

Sat Mar 19 Wichita, KS INTRUST Bank Arena

Tue Mar 22 Memphis, TN FedExForum

Wed Mar 23 Tulsa, OK BOK Center

Fri Mar 25 North Little Rock, AR Simmons Bank Arena

Sat Mar 26 Durant, OK Choctaw Grand Theater

Tue Mar 29 Birmingham, AL Legacy Arena at the BJCC

Wed Mar 30 N. Charleston, SC North Charleston Coliseum

Fri Apr 01 Greensboro, NC Greensboro Coliseum Complex

Sat Apr 02 Reading, PA Santander Arena

Mon Apr 04 Cleveland, OH Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse

Wed Apr 06 Green Bay, WI Resch Center

Thu Apr 07 Peoria, IL Peoria Civic Center

Sat Apr 09 Minneapolis, MN Target Center

Mon Apr 11 Winnipeg, MB Canada Life Centre

Tue Apr 12 Regina, SK Brandt Centre

Thu Apr 14 Saskatoon, SK SaskTel Centre

Fri Apr 15 Edmonton, AB Rogers Place

Sun Apr 17 Vancouver, BC Pepsi Live at Rogers Arena

LEG 2

Slipknot w/ Cypress Hill and Ho99o9

Wed May 18 University Park, PA Bryce Jordan Center

Fri May 20 Brooklyn, NY Barclays Center

Sat May 21 Providence, RI Dunkin’ Donuts Center

Sun May 22 Manchester, NH SNHU Arena

Tue May 24 Albany, NY MVP Arena

Thu May 26 Montreal, QC Bell Centre

Sat May 28 Québec, QC Videotron Centre

Sun May 29 Ottawa, ON Canadian Tire Centre

Mon May 30 Toronto, ON Budweiser Stage

Wed Jun 01 Cincinnati, OH Heritage Bank Center

Thu Jun 02 Grand Rapids, MI Van Andel Arena

Sat Jun 04 East Troy, WI Alpine Valley Music Theatre

Sun Jun 05 Moline, IL TaxSlayer Center

Tue Jun 07 Bonner Springs, KS Azura Amphitheater

Thu Jun 09 Colorado Springs, CO The Broadmoor World Arena

Sat Jun 11 Nampa, ID Ford Idaho Center

Mon Jun 13 Seattle, WA Climate Pledge Arena

Tue Jun 14 Ridgefield, WA RV Inn Style Resorts Amphitheater

Fri Jun 17 Las Vegas, NV MGM Garden Arena

Sat Jun 18 Chula Vista, CA North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre

More information on the “Knotfest Roadshow Tour 2022” is available along with all of the tour’s latest news at:

Website: https://knotfest.com

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/knotfest

ITM’s Seventh LP Not As Lucky As It Could Have Been

Posted on April 12, 2020 by philspicks

Courtesy: Atlantic/Roadrunner Records

Goth metal outfit In This Moment has, over the course of its life, proven to be a hit among the metal masses. The band has released six largely well-received and successful albums and toured with some of the biggest names in the rock and metal community. The band hoped to continue that success when it released its seventh album Mother on March 27. The result has been the exact opposite with this album, though. This 14-song record has proven to be the band’s most divisive record yet. The reason being the band has clearly gone in a starkly different direction this time out than the band’s previous works. That direction in question is what comes across as a much more mainstream direction. Gone are the shredding guitars and powerhouse vocals that came to be a trademark of the band’s past albums. They have been replaced by lots of electronics that at times lead to comparisons to work from the likes of Linkin Park at some points, to thoughts of Korn at others and even other well-known nu-metal acts at others still. It goes without saying in listening to this record that it is hardly the band’s best album, but at the same time, the band should be applauded for taking a risk and changing things up. The album is not a complete failure, though. Late in the record’s 54-minute run, the band gives audiences something at least slightly memorable in the form of ‘God is She.’ This work will be discussed shortly. ‘As Above So Below’ is another of the works that stands out in this record. It will be addressed a little later. ‘The In-Between’ is one more of the record’s most notable entries. It will also be addressed later. All three of the songs noted here are interesting work in their own right. When they are considered along with the rest of the album’s works, the end result becomes an album that while clearly not the band’s best work, is still worth at least one listen.

In This Moment’s latest full-length studio recording Mother is an intriguing new offering from the veteran goth-rock outfit. That is because stylistically speaking, it is such a stark departure from the band’s previously releases. Rather than being the decidedly loud, shredding work that those albums were, the band largely opts here for a darker, more brooding approach for the majority of the band’s now seventh album. While that approach makes up the majority of the album, the album does not stick to just that approach throughout. There are some heavier moments, such as in ‘God Is She,’ which comes late in the album’s run. The song’s arrangement does start with the noted brooding approach, but that approach is only used in the opening bars of the song. Roughly 35 seconds into the song, the song goes full goth-metal, with heavy, crunching guitars and eerie piano line. The addition of the more melodic sound of front woman Maria Brink’s vocal delivery rounds out the whole to make this arrangement stand out even more. The whole of the noted elements makes the song’s arrangement stand out as one of the album’s best compositions, if not the record’s best work.

As much as the song’s musical arrangement does for its presentation, it is just one part of what makes the song stand out against its counterparts. The song’s lyrical content, set against that musical content, makes the song that much more engaging for listeners. Bring sings in the song’s lead verse, “I am the God and the devil around you/I am the heaven and the hell you crave/I am the queens and the kings that you bow to/I am the name written on your grave/I am the sun that you bask and feed on/I am the moon that you howl to/I am the daydream bringing faith and conviction/I am the nightmare that you’ve been crawling through/So watch as I set fire to everything/Watch as I burn down everything/Anything/Watch as I destroy you/Watch as I turn into God/Watch as she/Watch as she turns into me.” She continues in the song’s second verse, “I am the righteous/The touched and holy/I am the voodoo that you want to believe/I am the angels that hold and surround you/I am the demon you’re afraid to need/I am the temple that will bless and feed you/I’m the religion keeping you in chains/I am the cure that you pray will find you/I’m the disease running through your veins.” This comes across as a female empowerment piece, all things considered. The very note of “God is she – she is god” in the chorus refrain, along with all of the empowering other statements about burning it all down and essentially being the best and worst of all things, of being that which can give joy and which can give pain, is very powerful. There is a lot of metaphorical language here, but at least in this critic’s mind, the metaphors come across as the noted statements of giving women a certain strength. Going back to the song’s musical arrangement, the fire in that content couples with this seeming pro-female message to make this a work that lots of audiences will appreciate.

‘God Is She’ is just one of the works featured in this record that proves the album is worth hearing at least once. ‘As Above So Below’ is another of the album’s most notable works. The song’s musical arrangement boasts some of the fiery energy that made the band’s past works such appealing works, yet it goes in a decidedly different direction than those works this time out. This arrangement is far more accessible for mainstream audiences, with its electronic elements and up-tempo aggro-metal sound. The up-tempo arrangement boasts elements that make it comparable to songs from the likes of Linkin Park, Rob Zombie and even Sevendust. Yes, that sounds like quite an odd combination of sounds, but it works here. When it is considered alongside the song’s lyrical content, which presents a seeming social commentary, the song in whole becomes even more powerful.

Brink notes at one point in the song’s chorus refrain what is the most telling portion of the song, “As above, so below/What you reap is what you sow/What you give come back three fold/As above, so below.” That is pretty much the primary statement of this song. It is complimented in the song’s lead verse as Brink sings, “I won’t lie/It’s quite tempting/Your handouts and your bones/I wont’ lie/They’re quite empty/Your promises and your stones/If you sell, they’ll buy/Don’t feel, just sign/If you sell, they’ll buy/Don’t think, stay blind/Give me control/Sign on the dotted line/Give me the control/She whispered softly/Give me the control/You’re crawling inside my mind/Give me the control/Don’t you fight me.” She adds later in the second verse, “Watch me float away/I was never yours to save/It all comes back three fold/As above so below.” This comes across as a seeming message of a person getting what a person gives. That is illustrated in the statements about buying and selling, and doing things without thinking about the consequences. It’s as if Brink is making a statement that whether a person tries to lie to others or lets one’s self be lied to, the consequences will happen. Again, this is merely one interpretation. Hopefully it is close to being correct. The very fact that these lyrics can even generate discussion on such a topic (and discussions in general) shows the importance of said content. When that seeming message about being aware of the consequences of our actions is coupled with the song’s mainstream radio friendly arrangement, it proves in whole to be another key addition to Mother. It is not the last of the album’s most notable works. ‘The In-Between’ is one more of the songs featured in this album that shows it deserves to be heard at least once.

‘The In-Between’ is another nu-metal style opus that might surprise audiences. Once again, the comparison to works from Linkin Park is distinct. One could even argue that the song’s arrangement also boasts a comparison to works from Otep. This might turn off some audiences, while it might appeal to others, especially considering it is a direction that the band has not previously taken. Again, that the band was willing to take the risk to go in such direction is to be applauded, simply because it is not an approach that the band is known for taking. The emotional theme in the song’s lyrical content couples with the song’s aggressive musical content to strengthen its presentation even more.

Brink sings in the song’s lead verse, “My mother said that I was holy/My father said that I would burn/My mother said I was an angel/My father said that I would turn/So I believed these words and I turned on myself/’Cause maybe he’s right/maybe I’m worthless/Or maybe he’s wrong and my mother was right/I got a killer in me to give me purpose/Oh, I can feel a holy war/I can feel a holy war within/No, I can’t take a holy war/No, I can’t take a holy war again/Is this what you wanted/I’m gonna bring a little hell/I’m gonna bring a little heaven/You just keep wanting more/With your blood and your whore/I’m gonna bring a little hell/I’m gonna bring a little heaven/It’s a beautiful tragedy/You wanna be sick like me/’Cause I bring a little hell.” She continues in the song’s second verse, “I was told that I was nothing/yet I was told that I was so pure/And I was told that I was dirty/yet I was told I was the cure/I ask myself am I God or s***/Am I the high, the low/I’m f****** worth it/And I ask myself/Am I love or hate/You are the reason why I have and why I can’t quit.” There is little doubt as to what is being addressed here. This is someone who has gone through a difficult childhood, which is, of course, a familiar lyrical theme of so much rock music. That aside, it still hits hard here. That is especially the case as the theme is accompanied by the song’s musical content. The whole of those elements makes the song that much more notable. When it is considered with the other two works addressed here, the trio shows without doubt that while Mother may not be the *ahem* mother of all albums from In This Moment, it is not a total loss.

In This Moment’s latest full-length studio recording Mother is a work that is a loss at least for the moment for In This Moment, but not a total loss. It is a work that despite falling short in taking its risk, still has some positive points, as pointed out here. Keeping all of this in mind, the album will appeal to In This Moment’s most devoted fans. In the same vein, more casual fans will find it worth at least one listen. It is available now. More information on the album is available online along with all of In This Moment’s latest news and more at:

Website: http://www.inthismomentofficial.com

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

Twitter: http://twitter.com/OfficialITM

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Korn Unveils New Video; Announces New Tour Schedule

Posted on July 23, 2016 by philspicks

KORN pictured l to r is Reginald "Fieldy" Arvizu, Jonathan Davis, Brian "Head" Welch, Ray Luzier and James "Munky" Shaffer

Photo Credit: Dean Karr

Korn will release its new album this fall.

The band announced this week that it will release The Serenity of Suffering on Friday, October 21^st via Roadrunner Records. The record is the album’s twelfth full-length studio recording and features a guest appearance by Slipknot front man Corey Taylor. The record is the band’s third for Roadrunner Records. The band also released 2010’s Korn III – Remember Who You Are and 2011’s The Path of Totality via Roadrunner Records. Pre-orders for the album are open now here.

In anticipation of the album’s release the band has unveiled the video for the album’s lead single ‘Rotting in Vain’ this week via RollingStone.com. It features Son of Anarchy star Tommy Flanagan and can be viewed online now here. Front man Jonathan Davis explained the concept behind the song in a recent interview noting that it is “about being in that black place, being in situations that I don’t like in life–be it relationships, or feeling when you’re stuck and you’re just being abused or you don’t like where you’re at, and you just sit there and rot.” He went on to explain that the song came from the years that it takes to figure a way out while still battling those feelings. “It takes you years and years to figure out how to claw your way out. That’s where ‘Rotting in Vain’ came from. I’m just sitting there, fucking dying and letting it happen for years and years and not helping myself to get out of that place. That’s the vibe that inspired the song,” he said.

Korn is currently touring in support of its upcoming album. It launched a co-headlining tour this week alongside Rob Zombie. In This Moment is joining the bands as a special guest on the tour, which currently runs through September 3^rd. After that the band will take some time to rest before heading back out on the road again on September 24^th alongside Breaking Benjamin for another co-headlining tour dubbed the “Nocturnal Underground Tour.” Motionless in White and Silver Snakes will join the bands as special guests on the tour. Korn also has performances at the Louder Than Life Festival and Aftershock Festival scheduled for October. Those dates and Korn’s complete tour schedule are noted below.

KORN’s complete U.S. tour routing for 2016 is:

*Co-headlining with Rob Zombie*
Fri	7/22	Albuquerque, NM	Isleta Amphitheater
Sat	7/23	Phoenix, AZ	Ak-Chin Pavilion
Sun	7/24	Irvine, CA	Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre
Tue	7/26	Nampa (Boise), ID	Idaho Center Amphitheater
Wed	7/27	Auburn, WA	White River Amphitheatre
Fri	7/29	Mountain View, CA	Shoreline Amphitheatre
Sat	7/30	Las Vegas, NV	Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino
Tue	8/2	Austin, TX	Austin 360 Amphitheater
Wed	8/3	The Woodlands, TX	Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
Thu	8/4	Dallas, TX	Gexa Energy Pavilion
Sat	8/6	Noblesville, IN	Klipsch Music Center
Sun	8/7	Cincinnati, OH	Riverbend Music Center
Tue	8/9	Maryland Heights, MO	Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
Wed	8/10	Kansas City, MO	Cricket Wireless Amphitheater
Sat	8/20	Mt. Pleasant, MI	Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort (without Rob Zombie)
Sun	8/21	Clarkston, MI	DTE Energy Music Theatre
Tue	8/23	Toronto, ON	Molson Canadian Amphitheatre
Wed	8/24	Cuyahoga Falls, OH	Blossom Music Center
Thu	8/25	Burgettstown, PA	First Niagara Pavilion
Sat	8/27	Syracuse, NY	Lakeview Amphitheater
Sun	8/28	Boston, MA	Xfinity Center
Tue	8/30	Holmdel, NJ	PNC Bank Arts Center
Thu	9/1	Hartford, CT	Xfinity Theatre
Fri	9/2	Camden, NJ	BB&T Pavilion
Sat	9/3	Bristow, VA	Jiffy Lube Live
*Co-headlining with Breaking Benjamin*
Sat	9/24	Fargo, ND	Scheels Arena
Sun	9/25	Omaha, NE	Baxter Arena
Tue	9/27	Cedar Rapids, IA	US Cellular Center
Wed	9/28	Peoria, IL	Peoria Civic Center
*Festival Appearances*
Sat	10/1	Madison, WI	JJO Sonic Boom
Sun	10/2	Louisville, KY	Louder Than Life
*Co-headlining with Breaking Benjamin*
Wed	10/5	Charlotte, NC	PNC Music Pavilion
Fri	10/7	Pelham, AL	Oak Mountain Amphitheatre
Sat	10/8	Southaven, MS	Landers Center
Sun	10/9	Biloxi, MS	Mississippi Coast Coliseum
Tue	10/11	Tampa, FL	MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre at the FL State Fairgrounds
Wed	10/12	Jacksonville, FL	Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Coliseum
Thu	10/13	Alpharetta, GA	Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
Sat	10/15	Rogers, AR	Walmart AMP
Sun	10/16	Tulsa, OK	BOK Center
Tue	10/18	Topeka, KS	Landon Arena
Wed	10/19	Colorado Springs, CO	Colorado Springs World Arena
*Festival Appearance*
Sat	10/22	Sacramento, CA	Aftershock Festival

More information on Korn’s new album, tour schedule and more is available online now at:

Website: http://official.korn.com

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

Twitter: http://twitter.com/korn

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.

Cage9 Set To Enlighten Audiences With Its New Album, ‘Illuminator’

Posted on June 7, 2016 by philspicks

Cage9 has officially been released.

One of the latest additions to Dave Ellefson’s EMP Label Group, the band released its new album Illuminator this past Friday, June 3^rd. The album was released via eOne in the United States and Triple Vision Entertainment in Japan. It is schedule for release later this year in Europe via SPV. The band unveiled the video for the album’s lead single ‘Everything You Love Will Someday Die’ earlier this spring. The video is streaming online now via YouTube. It features footage of the band’s members and fans singing the song.

Courtesy: EMP Label Group

Front man Evan Rodaniche discussed the video in a recent interview. He noted the song’s family roots in the interview and the video’s recording process. “This song is dedicated to my father, who passed away about a month ago after a two year battle with cancer,” he said. “But even when I first wrote these lyrics at the onset of his terminal diagnosis as a sort of comforting mantra, in the back of my mind I believed my dad was indestructible. I never thought I’d be adding an “in loving memory” dedication at the end of this video. But then he was gone. And that’s what this is all about. We spend our modern lives wrapped up in our first world problems, completely disconnected with the natural cycles of the planet around us.”

In discussing the video’s production, Rodaniche noted the cameras that were used and the band’s general approach to making the clip. We shot the video DIY with a couple Canon DSLR cameras, a black sheet in our rehearsal room and about forty non-actor friends, fans, and family who showed up one sunny Los Angeles afternoon in 2015 to mouth the lyrics to a song they’d never heard. We aimed to bring home the message that no matter who you are we’re all in this together.” He went on to not the song’s roots and sound in his discussion, too noting, “As for the song itself, it’s a little bit of old school thrash mixed with something more melodic and a little piano and acoustic guitar wankery to push it over the 6 minute epic-metal-song mark. (Yes, there’s a radio edit.) He linked this in to a discussion on [Dave] Ellefson discovering Cage 9 through ‘Everything You Love Will Someday Die.’ I was the 14 year old kid running around with a worn out cassette of Peace Sells in his Walkman, he said. “So having the dude that brought us pretty much THE most recognizable bass riff of my (and half the planet over 30’s) youth dig our band is a huge honor.” He went on further noting, “Cage 9 originated in Panama where I grew up playing in a band yet having pretty much never experienced famous bands performing live to learn from, not to mention any of our idols like Megadeth or Metallica. This definitely makes this chance to work with Dave in a mentor/label situation that much more amazing. Very excited to be releasing our new album Illuminator with EMP this summer.”

Ellefson shared his thoughts on the band and its song in a discussion of his own even echoing the Megadeth/Metallica influence in the band’s new single noted by Rodaniche. “Cage9 is definitely the real deal,” he said. When I first heard ‘Everything You Love Will One Day Die,’ it instantly struck me as the closest I’ve heard to a song with a true Metallica/Megadeth core, with the radio accessibility to really connect with a modern rock audience. And with the band’s history, and everything they’ve accomplished, they were a perfect fit for what we were doing at EMP.”

Since moving to Los Angeles the band has released a total of six albums and more than one hundred songs. One of those albums was completely in Spanish. The band has sold 25,000 copies of its albums worldwide in that time and played over 50 dates across America just last year. It has also toured Japan and Central America as direct opener for Ozzy Osbourne, Bad Religion, Seether, and In This Moment. The band has also shared stage time with the likes of Sevendust, Hellyeah, Karnivool, and others. Even Rodaniche himself spent some time in the past as a member of Powerman 5000. He also helped to co-write, record, and mix some of PM5K’s most recent albums. That isn’t Rodaniche’s only production credit. He also worked on ex-Flyleaf singer Lacey Sturm’s new album and work from Boy Hits Car, and others. As if all of this isn’t enough credit to Cage9, the band has also received glowing reviews from its much more well-known counterparts including: Pop Evil, Korn, Saving Abel, Asking Alexandria, Devil You Know, and 9Electric just to name a handful of acts.

More information on Cage9’s new album is available online now along with all of the band’s latest news and more at:

Website: http://www.cage9.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Cage9

Twitter: http://twitter.com/cage9

Nonpoint Premieres New Single; Announces Upcoming Tour Dates

Posted on May 12, 2016 by philspicks

Courtesy: Spinefarm Records

The wait is almost over, Nonpoint fans.

Nonpoint will release its new album The Poison Red via Spinefarm Records. In anticipation of the album’s release, the band has premiered the album’s lead single ‘Generation Idiot.’ Audiences can hear the song, which harkens back to its 2000 debut album Statement in terms of its musical arrangement, is streaming online now via Loudwire. The song’s lyrical content tackles internet trolls and fake friends, noting in whole the power of communication and connection, including music. In discussing the album in whole front man Elias Soriano noted that the song itself is just one of many deep stories told through the album. “This record tells a lot of stories,” he said. “Going from guts to glory. Chasing impossible dreams down the rabbit hole. Harsh and honest words with consequences attached. Uncovered rules for the weak, made by the wicked and heartless. Recalling fight or flight moments with a deep breath. And it all starts with a warning to all the world’s generations past, present and future to look up, look forward and live their lives loose from social media shackles, online bullying, the devaluation of art and music, and to not be absorbed by the dramatic, megalomaniacal side of politics. Life is right outside of your phone and newsfeed. Go live it and play this record while you do. It’ll all start to make sense.”

Fans can pre-order the band’s new album now online here. The album’s full track listing is noted below.

THE POISON RED TRACK LISTING:
1. “Generation Idiot”
2. “Foaming At the Mouth”
3. “Bottled Up Killer Bees”
4. “Rabbit Hole”
5. “Chasing White Rabbits”
6. “Standing In the Flesh”
7. “Divided.. Conquer Them”
8. “Radio Chorus”
9. “Spanish Radio Hour”
10. “El Diablo”
11. “No Running Allowed”
12. “Promises”
13. “Be Enough”
14. “My Last Dying Breath”

Nonpoint will hit the road this summer in support of The Poison Red beginning July 23^rd in Sharon, PA. It also will perform alongside In This Moment as it promotes its new record. The band’s current tour schedule is noted below.

More information on The Poison Red is available online now along with all of the latest updates on the band’s tour and news at:

Website: http://www.nonpoint.com

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

Twitter: http://twitter.com/nonpoint

Butcher Babies Complete Work On Second Album, Announce Upcoming Tour Dates

Posted on April 6, 2015 by philspicks

Butcher Babies is preparing to hit the road once again.

The band announced today that it will embark on an extensive spring/summer tour in support of its as-yet untitled upcoming sophomore album this week. The album was produced by former Machine Head bassist Logan Mader. The band’s new album is currently slated for release this fall via Century Media Records.

The first slate of tour dates on the band’s current schedule sees the band hitting the road alongside Upon A Burning Body beginning this Thursday, April 9th in Scottsdale, AZ and winding down next Friday, April 17th in Poughkeepsie, NY. It also includes stops in Colorado, New Mexico, Illinois, and Iowa. The complete schedule is listed below:

Courtesy: Street Smart Marketing/Century Media Records

BUTCHER BABIES w/Upon A Burning Body

April 9th, 2015 – Scottsdale, AZ @ Pub Rock Live

April 10th, 2015 – Albuquerque, NM @ Launchpad

April 11th, 2015 – Denver, CO @ Marquis Theatre

April 13th, 2015 – Sauget, IL @ Pop’s (No UABB)

April 14th, 2015 – Des Moines, IA @ Wooly’s

April 15th, 2015 – Bloomington, IL @ The Castle Theatre

April 17th, 2015 – Poughkeepsie, NY @ The Loft (No UABB)

Butcher Babies will waste no time after finishing up its tour with UABB finishes up next week. Beginning next Saturday, April 18th, both bands will join The Nearly Deads and headliners In This Moment for the “Black Widow Tour.” The tour is in support ITM’s upcoming hits compilation Rise of the Blood Legion: Greatest Hits (Chapter 1). That collection will be released May 5th via Century Media Records. The twenty-one date tour runs through May 26th and includes a stop at North Carolina’s annual hard rock festival the Carolina Rebellion Festival. Butcher Babies vocalist Heidi Shepherd discussed the band’s inclusion on the “Black Widow tour,” noting the band’s outlook at getting out on the road with the tour’s other bands saying, “This upcoming tour is really special to us. Not only do we get to see so many of our friends that we have accumulated around the country through our music, but it’s also our first chance to play some songs off of the new album. Our fans have been so patient waiting for new music. In true Butcher Babies fashion we never do anything half-assed, so it took a little while. Playing these songs on this tour will be a little treat for our dedicated fan base. Also, to be back out with In This Moment is a huge honor. They have been so supportive of us and they put on an incredible live show.”

She went on noting the band’s excitement at getting to see all of its fans at each show’s post-show meet-and-greet, stating, “To all the BUTCHER BABIES fans old and new, you’ve inspired us so much throughout the years. After every show, we do a free meet and greet at our merch booth. Be sure to come stop by and say hello. We would be honored to meet you.”

Guitarist Henry Flury shared Shepherd’s thoughts on getting to see the band’s fan base saying, Every time we pass through a city we see more and more faces screaming along to the lyrics to our songs. You guys have no idea how that makes us feel. Now we have a few new face melting surprises in store for you guys and we can’t wait to see you sweat it out with us in the pit!”

Co-vocalist Carla Hardy added her thoughts on the tour saying, “It is crazy to think that this will be our ninth big national tour since our first big tour in mid 2012. We feel like old road dogs now as we recognize all the truck stop showers and coffee shops all across the states. However, the best thing about touring is seeing all the familiar faces in the crowd. Our fans have become dear friends over the last few years and every night feels like a family reunion at our after show merch booth meet and greets.”

The complete “Black Widow Tour” schedule is listed below.

Courtesy: Street Smart Marketing/Century Media Records

BUTCHER BABIES w/In This Moment, Upon A Burning Body, The Nearly Deads

April 18th, 2015 – Montclair, NJ @ Wellmont Theatre

April 19th, 2015 – Rochester, NY @ Water Street Music Hall

April 21st, 2015 – Worcester, MA @ The Palladium

April 22nd, 2015 – Stroudsburg, PA @ Sherman Theater

April 23rd, 2015 – Baltimore, MD @ Rams Head Live

April 25th, 2015 – Fort Myers, FL @ Fort Rock

April 26th, 2015 – Jacksonville, FL @ Welcome To Rockville

April 28th, 2015 – Knoxville, TN @ The International

April 29th, 2015 – Chattanooga, TN @ Track 29

May 2nd, 2015 – Nashville, TN @ Cannery Ballroom

May 3rd, 2015 – Charlotte, NC @ Carolina Rebellion

May 5th, 2015 – Atlanta, GA @ Center Stage

May 7th, 2015 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Stage AE

May 9th, 2015 – Bangor, ME @ Rise Above Fest

May 12th, 2015 – Milwaukee, WI @ The Rave

May 14th, 2015 – Huntington, NY @ The Paramount

May 15th, 2015 – Niagara Falls, NY @ Rapids Theatre

May 16th, 2015 – Reading, PA @ Reverb

May 22nd, 2015 – Pryor, OK @ Rocklahoma

May 23rd, 2015 – Tyler, TX @ Click’s

May 26th, 2015 – Lubbock, TX @ Lonestar Amphitheater

Following the end of the “Black Widow Tour” Butcher Babies will take some well-deserved and much-needed time off before heading overseas for a handful of summer festivals beginning with the annual Download Festival on June 14th. The band’s summer festival schedule is listed below:

European Festivals

June 14th Download – UK

June 19th Graspop – Belgium

June 20th Hellfest – France

July 20th Metaldays – Slovenia

July 31st Wacken – Germany

More information on Butcher Babies’ upcoming tour is available online now along with all of the latest daily updates from the band at:

Website: http://www.ButcherBabiesOfficial.com

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

Twitter: http://twitter.com/ButcherBabies

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