Them Damn Kings Debuts ‘Throw It Away’ Video

Independent rock band Them Damn Kings debuted the video for its latest single this week.

The band, which features former Lacuna Coil drummer Ryan Blake Folden in its lineup, debuted the video for its new single ‘Throw It Away‘ Wednesday. the song is featured in the band’s forthcoming album Rise Up.

The video is a simple presentation, featuring the band members performing their respective parts to the song, with fade effects and other production thrown in for good measure.

Courtesy: TAG Publicity

The musical arrangement featured in the band’s new single is a heavy, guitar-driven work. It easily lends itself to comparisons to works from the likes of Black Label Society, Brand New Sin, and other similar heavy sludge metal style acts.

According to front man Jef Rhodes, the song’s lyrical theme “is about tossing away your fears in an abstract sort of way.”

‘Throw It Away’ will be available to stream and download Friday.

More information on Them Damn Kings’ new single, video, and album is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:

Website: http://themdamnkings.com

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

Twitter: http://twitter.com/themdamnkings

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.

Lacuna Coil Debuts ‘Reckless’ Video; Band To Launch Tour Sunday

Courtesy: Century Media Records

Lacuna Coil debuted the video for its latest single this week.

The band debuted the video for its new single ‘Reckless‘ Friday.  The video continues the story that was started in the video for this video’s predecessor, ‘Layers of Time.’  That song was the lead single from the band’s forthcoming album Black Anima, which is scheduled for release Oct.11 through Century Media Records.

Lacuna Coil vocalist Cristina Scabbia talked about the band’s new video in a recent interview.

“‘Reckless’ is the second track taken from our new album Black Anima, she said.  ‘We wanted the concept of the video for this song to be somehow related to ‘Layers of Time,’  That’s why we filmed both of them in the same location picked by Roberto Saku Cinardi.  We had the band’s performance at the core of the ‘Layers of Time’ video, while in ‘Reckless,’ the ideas of freedom and being true to yourself come to life through disturbing horror images to cause a reaction in the audience and actually represent the obscure atmosphere of our new record.  In ‘Reckless,’ Lacuna Coil became part and parcel of the nightmare and fears experienced by the little redheaded girl.  As usual, working with Saku in such a stunning location and with great actors that completely committed to the roles, has been absolutely inspiring.  It was definitely worth it and I hope you will like this video as much as I do.”

Pre-orders for Black Anima are open now.  The album will be available on CD, LP/CD combo pack, Ltf. Ed Book/2CD combo pack and digital.  The album’s track listing is noted below.

Black Anima Tracklisting
  1. Anima Nera (02:29)
  2. Sword Of Anger (03:54)
  3. Reckless (03:06)
  4. Layers Of Time           (04:07)
  5. Apocalypse (04:18)
  6. Now Or Never (04:42)
  7. Under The Surface (04:13)
  8. Veneficium (06:10)
  9. The End Is All I Can See        (04:17)
  10. Save Me (04:36)
  11. Black Anima (03:23)

Lacuna Coil launches its tour in support of Black Anima Sunday in New York, NY.  The tour is scheduled to run through Dec. 21 with a break between Oct. 19 and Nov. 2, when the band will launch the European leg of its tour.  The band’s current schedule is noted below.

LACUNA COIL TOUR DATES
Disease Of The Anima Tour w/All That Remains
September 15 – New York, NY – Webster Hall
September 17 – Greenville SC – The Firmament
September 18 – Knoxville, TN – Jackson Terminal
September 19 – Atlanta, GA – Masquerade
September 20 – Dothan, AL – The Plant
September 21 – Mobile, AL – Soul Kitchen
September 23 – Dallas, TX – Gas Monkey Live
September 24 – Houston, TX – White Oak Music
September 27 – Phoenix, AZ – The Pressroom
September 28 – Las Vegas, NV – Hard Rock Live*
September 30 – San Diego, CA – House of Blues*
October 1 – Los Angeles, CA – The Regent Theater*
October 2 – Berkley, CA – The UC Theatre
October 3 – Sacramento, CA – Ace Of Spades
October 5 – Spokane, WA – The Knitting Factory*
October 6 – Calgary, AB – Palace Theatre
October 7 – Edmonton, AB – Starlite Room
October 9 – Winnipeg, MB – Park Theatre
October 10 – Minot, ND – The ‘O’ Riginal Bar
w/Bad Omens, Eximious, and Uncured
October 11 – Minneapolis, MN – The Cabooze
October 12 – Columbia, MO – The Blue Note
October 13 – Milwaukee, WI – The Rave II
October 15 – Cincinnati, OH – Riverfront Live
October 16 – Chicago, IL – House Of Blues*
October 17 – Cleveland, OH – House Of Blues
October 18 – Toronto, ON – Opera House
October 19 – Baltimore, MD – Ram’s Head Live
*no Bad Omens
 
w/Eluveitie and Infected Rain
November 2 – Bari, Italy – Demodé Club
November 3 – Rome, Italy – Orion
November 5 – Bologna, Italy – Estragon
November 6 – Milan, Italy – Live Club
November 8 – Stuttgart, Germany – LKA Longhorn
November 9 – Oberhausen, Germany – Turbinenhalle II
November 10 – Antwerp, Belgium – Trix
November 12 – Manchester, United Kingdom – O2 Ritz
November 13 – Glasgow, United Kingdom – Garage
November 14 – Dublin, Ireland – Academy
November 15 – Bristol, United Kingdom – SWX
Novembe 16 – London, United Kingdom – O2 Forum Kentish Town
November 17 – Utrecht, Netherland – Tivoli Ronda
November 19 – Frankfurt, Germany – Batschkapp
November 20 – Hannover, Germany – Capitol
November 21 – Berlin, Germany – Huxleys
November 22 – Leipzig, Germany – Felsenkeller
November 23 – Munich, Germany – Tonhalle
November 24 – Dornbirn, Austria – Conrad Sohm
November 26 – Bordeaux, France – Le Rocher de Palmer
November 27 – Barcelona, Spain – Razzmatazz
November 28 – Madrid, Spain – Mon Live
November 29 – Toulouse, France – Le Bikini
November 20 – Rennes, France – L’Etage
December 1 – Paris, France – Elysée-Montmartre
December 3 – Saarbrucken, Germany – Garage
December 4 – Nurnberg, Germany – Hirsch
December 5 – Ljubljana, Slovenia – Kino Siska
December 8 – Vienna, Austria – Arena
December 10 – Krakow, Poland – Kwadrat Students Club
December 11 – Warsaw, Poland – Progresja
December 12 – Riga, Latvia – Melna Piektdiena
December 13 – Helsinki, Finland – Tavastia
December 14 – Tampere, Finland – Pakkahuone
December 15 – Tallinn, Estonia – Rock Café
December 17 – Stockholm, Sweden – Klubben Fryshuset
December 18 – Oslo, Norway – Vulkan Arena
December 19 – Gothenburg, Sweden – Tradgarn
December 20 – Copenhagen, Denmark – Amager Bio
December 21 – Hamburg, Germany – Docks
*festival dates

More information on Lacuna Coil’s new single, video and tour is available online now along with all of the band’s latest news at:

 

Website: http://www.lacunacoil.com

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

Twitter: http://twitter.com/lacuna_coil

 

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.

Lacuna Coil Debuts ‘Layers of Time’ Video

Courtesy: Century Media Records

Goth metal outfit Lacuna Coil debuted the video this week, for the lead single from its forthcoming album Black Anima.

The band debuted the video for the song ‘Layers of Time‘ Friday.  Directed by Robert Cinardi, the video finds the band perfoming its new single on a dimly lit sound stage designed to look like a room in a house.

The song’s musical arrangement is a heavy, guitar-driven composition that will appeal to fans of the aggro-rock sound of the late 1990s that was so popular at the time.  The song’s lyrical content hints at a message of perseverance.  This is inferred as vocalist Andrea Ferro sings, “Building this life/Still trapped inside/I think I’ve lost the storyline/Forever hurt and broken/I swear I’ll get out alive/Burning the bridges built behind/My life’s reloading every night” and as co-vocalist Christina Scabbie sings in the song’s chorus, “Victims of time/We take our chance again/Our road is paved with pain/The past we can’t rewind.”

The full track listing for Black Anima is noted below.

“BLACK ANIMA” Tracklisting
  1. Anima Nera (02:29)
  2. Sword Of Anger (03:54)
  3. Reckless (03:06)
  4. Layers Of Time (04:07)
  5. Apocalypse (04:18)
  6. Now Or Never (04:42)
  7. Under The Surface (04:13)
  8. Veneficium (06:10)
  9. The End Is All I Can See (04:17)
  10. Save Me (04:36)
  11. Black Anima (03:23)

Pre-orders for Black Anima are open now.  Fans can order the album on Limited Edition 2CD Book Edition with bonus tarot cards, standard CD and black LP+CD combo pack (with bonus tracks).

Lacuna Coil will launch a tour in support of Black Anima Sept. 15 in New York, NY.  The tour’s first North American run is scheduled to run through Oct. 19 in Baltimore, MD and features performances in cities, such as Phoenix, AZ; Columbia, MO and Atlanta, GA.  The band will also take some time overseas between Aug. 8 and 17 for a series of festivals in Europe.

The tour’s European leg will launch Nov. 2 in Bari, Italy after the band rests up following the North American leg of the tour for a couple of weeks.  The European leg of the tour is scheduled to run through Dec. 21 in Hamburg, Germany and will feature performances in cities, such as London, UK; Vienna, Austria and Helsinki, Finland.

The full schedule for Lacuna Coil’s upcoming tour is noted below.

LACUNA COIL TOUR DATES
Disease Of The Anima Tour w/All That Remains
September 15 – New York, NY – Webster Hall
September 17 – Greenville SC – The Firmament
September 18 – Knoxville, TN – Jackson Terminal
September 19 – Atlanta, GA – Masquerade
September 20 – Dothan, AL – The Plant
September 21 – Mobile, AL – Soul Kitchen
September 23 – Dallas, TX – Gas Monkey Live
September 24 – Houston, TX – White Oak Music
September 27 – Phoenix, AZ – The Pressroom
September 28 – Las Vegas, NV – Hard Rock Live*
September 30 – San Diego, CA – House of Blues*
October 1 – Los Angeles, CA – The Regent Theater*
October 2 – Berkley, CA – The UC Theatre
October 3 – Sacramento, CA – Ace Of Spades
October 5 – Spokane, WA – The Knitting Factory*
October 6 – Calgary, AB – Palace Theatre
October 7 – Edmonton, AB – Starlite Room
October 9 – Winnipeg, MB – Park Theatre
October 10 – Minot, ND – The ‘O’ Riginal Bar
w/Bad Omens, Eximious, and Uncured
October 11 – Minneapolis, MN – The Cabooze
October 12 – Columbia, MO – The Blue Note
October 13 – Milwaukee, WI – The Rave II
October 15 – Cincinnati, OH – Riverfront Live
October 16 – Chicago, IL – House Of Blues*
October 17 – Cleveland, OH – House Of Blues
October 18 – Toronto, ON – Opera House
October 19 – Baltimore, MD – Ram’s Head Live
*no Bad Omens
 
w/Eluveitie and Infected Rain
August 8 – Villena, Spain – Leyendas del Rock Festival*
August 10 – Leeuwarden, Netherlands – Into the Grave Festival*
August 16 – Moravsky Krumlov, Czech Republic – Rock Heart*
August 17 – Lviv, Ukraine – Zaxidfest*
November 2 – Bari, Italy – Demodé Club
November 3 – Rome, Italy – Orion
November 5 – Bologna, Italy – Estragon
November 6 – Milan, Italy – Live Club
November 8 – Stuttgart, Germany – LKA Longhorn
November 9 – Oberhausen, Germany – Turbinenhalle II
November 10 – Antwerp, Belgium – Trix
November 12 – Manchester, United Kingdom – O2 Ritz
November 13 – Glasgow, United Kingdom – Garage
November 14 – Dublin, Ireland – Academy
November 15 – Bristol, United Kingdom – SWX
Novembe 16 – London, United Kingdom – O2 Forum Kentish Town
November 17 – Utrecht, Netherland – Tivoli Ronda
November 19 – Frankfurt, Germany – Batschkapp
November 20 – Hannover, Germany – Capitol
November 21 – Berlin, Germany – Huxleys
November 22 – Leipzig, Germany – Felsenkeller
November 23 – Munich, Germany – Tonhalle
November 24 – Dornbirn, Austria – Conrad Sohm
November 26 – Bordeaux, France – Le Rocher de Palmer
November 27 – Barcelona, Spain – Razzmatazz
November 28 – Madrid, Spain – Mon Live
November 29 – Toulouse, France – Le Bikini
November 20 – Rennes, France – L’Etage
December 1 – Paris, France – Elysée-Montmartre
December 3 – Saarbrucken, Germany – Garage
December 4 – Nurnberg, Germany – Hirsch
December 5 – Ljubljana, Slovenia – Kino Siska
December 8 – Vienna, Austria – Arena
December 10 – Krakow, Poland – Kwadrat Students Club
December 11 – Warsaw, Poland – Progresja
December 12 – Riga, Latvia – Melna Piektdiena
December 13 – Helsinki, Finland – Tavastia
December 14 – Tampere, Finland – Pakkahuone
December 15 – Tallinn, Estonia – Rock Café
December 17 – Stockholm, Sweden – Klubben Fryshuset
December 18 – Oslo, Norway – Vulkan Arena
December 19 – Gothenburg, Sweden – Tradgarn
December 20 – Copenhagen, Denmark – Amager Bio
December 21 – Hamburg, Germany – Docks
*festival dates

More information on Lacuna Coil’s new single, video, album and tour is available online now at:

 

Website: http://www.lacunacoil.com

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

Twitter: http://twitter.com/lacuna_coil

 

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.

Viking Metallers Amon Amarth Are Victorious In Phil’s Picks 2018 Top 10 New Live DVDs & Blu-rays List

Courtesy: Metal Blade Records

As the final few days of 2018 wind down, there is still some work to be done by critics putting in their year-ender lists.  That includes this critic.

This critic’s most recent year-ender focused on the year’s top new live CDs.  In a gradual transition to movies and television, there is still one more music list to present — the year’s top new live DVDs/BDs.  As has been noted previously, there are some live recordings that translate in  relatively acceptable fashion, but there are also others that can and should only be experienced with the full audio-visual experience.

Keeping this in mind, it is only fair to examine the year’s best new live DVDs and Blu-rays.  Topping this year’s list is Amon Amarth’s The Pursuit of Vikings25 Years in the Eye of the Storm.  There is nothing negative to say about this presentation.  The extensive documentary outlines the band’s career from the band’s own mouths, showing the group as a hard-working, blue-collar outfit that has earned its place in the metal and music communities.  The equally expansive two-night, 30-song set pulls from almost every one of the band’s albums.  The performance is great, as are the production values.

Second Place in this year’s list of the year’s best new live DVDs/BDs goes to Devin Townsend Project’s Ocean Machine Live at the Ancient Roman Theatre Plovdiv.  This performance features Townsend performing Ocean Machine live in its entirety along with an equally extensive by-request set.  That combination makes for a great set list.  As with Amon Amarth’s live recording, the group’s performance ensures audiences’ maintained engagement and entertainment, even at home.  The same can be said of the production values.  The whole makes the recording yet another that is best experienced with the full audio-visual presentation versus just the audio alone.

Third Place in this year’s list of the top new live DVDs and Blu-rays goes to The Rolling Stones’ San Jose, California ’99 show from Eagle Rock Entertainment.  The recording is everything that audiences have come to expect from one of the elite of the elite acts in the music industry today.  The extensive 20-song set list doesn’t play it safe, instead giving audiences material that is less common in the band’s previous live recordings from Eagle Rock Entertainment.  The group’s performance (including that of the touring musicians) couples with the production values to make the performance yet another must have for any true fan of The Rolling Stones.

Also featured in this year’s list are the new live recordings from Anthrax, The Robert Glasper Experiment and Opeth, just to name a few more acts.  As always, the first 10 titles in the last are the best, while the next five are honorable mention titles.  Without any further ado, here is Phil’s Picks’ 2018 Top 10 New Live DVDs & Blu-rays.

PHIL’S PICKS 2018 TOP 10 NEW LIVE DVDS & BLU-RAYS

  1. Amon Amarth — The Pursuit of Vikings25 Years in the Eye of the Storm
  2. Devin Townsend Project — Ocean Machine Live at the Ancient Roman Theatre Plovdiv
  3. The Rolling Stones — No Security: San Jose ’99
  4. The Rolling Stones — Voodoo Lounge Uncut
  5. Accept — Symphonic Terror
  6. Opeth — Garden of the TitansLive at Red Rocks
  7. Anthrax — Kings Among Scotland
  8. The Sound of Music Live
  9. Steven Wilson — Home Invasion Live at the Royal Albert Theatre
  10. Norah Jones — Live at Ronnie Scott’s
  11. Tommy Shaw & The Contemporary Youth Orchestra — Sing For The Day!
  12. The Moody Blues — Days of Future Passed Live
  13. Overkill — Live in Overhausen
  14. Robet Glasper Experiment — Live
  15. Lacuna Coil — The 119 Show Live in London

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.

Arch Enemy Unveils ‘War Eternal’ Live Video

Courtesy: Century Media Records

Courtesy: Century Media Records

Arch Enemy debuted this week a new live video in anticipation of its upcoming live recording As The Stages Burn, which will be released aroudn the world on Friday, March 31 via Century Media Records.

The band released the video for its performance of ‘War Eternal,’ which was recorded at its performance at the Wacken 2016 Open Air Festival.  The blistering performance captures the energy that makes the band just as much a fan favorite live as in the studio.  That is thanks to the expert work of those behind the cameras and the sound board, and those who handled the recording’s post production.  Audiences can check out the video online now here.

The band’s performance of ‘War Eternal’ is just one of a number of other songs included in the band’s set from the 2016 Wacken Open Air Festival. The concert also includes performances of ‘Nemesis,’ ‘You Will Know My Name,’ ‘We Will Rise’ and a number of other songs.

The recording also includes extensive bonus material to enhance fans’ viewing experience.  That bonus material includes music videos, bonus live performances from the band’s 2015 Tokyo performance, and extra behind the scenes material.

The recording will be available as a Limited Edition Deluxe CD/DVD/BD box set in the European Union.  It will be available as a Limited Edition CD/DVD combo pack, gatefold 2 LP/DVD combo pack and on digital platforms everywhere else.

Fans can pre-order the CD/DVD combo and 2 LP/DVD combo pack now here.  Anyone who pre-orders the recording via iTunes and Amazon now will receive ‘War Eternal’ immediately.

Arch Enemy will tour live in Europe in support of As The Stages Burn this spring.  The band will be Bochum, Germany on March 30.  The band will join The Haunted and Lacuna Coil on its upcoming spring European tour.  The tour runs through April 9 in Ludwigsburg, Germany.

The band also has a handful of festival performances scheduled for this summer.  Those dates and the band’s upcoming European dates are all noted below.

ARCH ENEMY “As The Stages Burn” Shows w/Lacuna Coil & The Haunted

March 30th, 2017 – Bochum (Germany), Zeche*
March 31st, 2017 – Leipzig (Germany), Hellraiser*
April 1st, 2017 – Colmar (France), Rock in Hell*
April 2nd, 2017 – Edinburgh (UK), Heavy Scotland
April 4th, 2017 – Langen (Germany), Neue Stadthalle**
April 5th, 2017 – München (Germany), Backstage Werk**
April 6th, 2017 – Saarbrücken (Germany), Garage**
April 7th, 2017 – Durbuy (Belgium), Durbuy Rock Festival**
April 8th, 2017 – Cambrai (France), Betiz Fest*
April 9th, 2017 – Ludwigsburg (Germany), Rockfabrik**

* with The Haunted
** with The Haunted and Lacuna Coil
German shows presented by Metal Hammer and EMP

ARCH ENEMY Festivals 2017
February 2nd, 2017 – 70000 Tons Of Metal – Miami, FL
July 6th, 2017 – Rock Harz Festival, Ballenstedt, Germany
July 14th, 2017 – Gefle Metal Festival , Gävle, Sweden
August 5th, 2017 – Ostrava v Plamenech, Ostrava, Czech Republic
August 10th, 2017 – Leyendas Del Rock, Villena, Spain
August 11th, 2017 – Vagos Metal Fest, Vagos, Portugal
August 12th, 2017 – Into The Grave, Leeuwarden, Netherlands

More information on Arch Enemy’s upcoming live dates, its upcoming live recording and all of its latest news is available online now at:

 

 

 

Website: http://www.archenemy.net

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

Twitter: http://twitter.com/archenemymetal

 

 

 

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.

Goth, Industrial Fans Will “Celebrate” ‘The Ghost Parade’

Courtesy: Pavement Entertainment

Courtesy: Pavement Entertainment

This past October, underground industrial/goth metal outfit Gabriel and the Apocalypse released its latest full-length studio recording The Ghost Parade.  The Minneapolis, MN-based quintet’s new record is a good fit for anyone that is a fan of Otep and to a lesser extent Prong, Nine Inch Nails and other acts of that ilk.  That is due both to the album’s musical arrangements and its lyrical content.  The songs mix together Nine Inch Nails’ industrial elements with the hard-edged sound of Prong and Otep (even front woman Lindy Gabriel sounds eerily like Otep front woman Otep Shamaya at points) for a record that musically speaking, will easily entertain its key audiences.  Lyrically speaking, the record covers a number of topics, too including politics, world issues and more.  All things considered The Ghost Parade is a record that Gabriel and the Apocalypse’s fans will soundly celebrate.

Gabriel and the Apocalypse’s latest full-length studio recording (and its Pavement Entertainment debut) Ghost Parade is a record that the underground goth/industrial act’s fans are sure to celebrate.  Between its musical arrangements and its lyrical content, it presents plenty for fans to appreciate.  The album’s opener ‘March Of The Dolls’ is a prime example of how the album’s musical arrangements and lyrical content come together to make the album stand out.  In regards to its musical arrangement, the song is a powerhouse composition with a sound that takes the best elements of Otep, Fear Factory and (believe it or not) Type O Negative and binds them together into one work.  The end result is a work that will surprise audiences in the best way possible.  That is because of the manner in which the arrangement balances those elements.  It is just one part of what makes the song stand out.  The song’s lyrical content is just as important to note as its musical arrangement.

The musical arrangement presented in ‘March of The Dolls’ is important in its own right to the song’s overall presentation.  It balances a number of different influences throughout the course of its nearly three-and-a-half-minute run time, and does so expertly, too.  That in itself is certain to keep audiences entertained.  While the song’s musical arrangement plays its own important role in its presentation, it is just one part of what makes the song stand out.  Its lyrical content is just as important to note as its musical arrangement.  Gabriel sings in the song’s lead verse, “You want/You need/To beg and to please/Get on/Your knees/I’ll make you believe/I want/I need/I love/The taste/My sweat/Is smeared across your face/My god/My god/It’s all/The same/Another sinful/Another save/But I can’t/Resist/Cuts down my wrist/I put it back together/What matters is the ending.”  It’s a rather dark statement to say the very least.  What is interesting here, though is that considering such a statement, it would have been easy for the band to go more in the standard, brooding goth direction with the song’s arrangement.  But instead it went the aggressive route.  In hindsight it seems to serve the defiance seemingly exhibited in that lead verse.  The song’s second verse is very similar to its first with only one real minor change, which comes in the end of the verse.  The real power that matches the song’s musical arrangement comes in the song’s final moments as Gabriel sings, “I’ve found myself…in the Ghost Parade…What do you think of me now?”  That last group of lines is especially interesting because it has been noted that The Ghost Parade is a personal record for the band’s front woman.  That final statement perhaps illustrates how personal it is for her.  It is almost as if she is saying through this song, she has grown and become someone new through all of the negativity that she has experienced in life, so “how do you like her now?”  It is a bold, powerful statement that when coupled with the song’s musical arrangement becomes even harder hitting.  Considering this the song in whole proves to be just one example of what makes The Ghost Parade a record that the band’s fans will celebrate.

‘March of the Dolls,’ with its powerhouse musical arrangement and equally interesting lyrical content is solid proof of why Gabriel and the Apocalypse’s fans will celebrate the band’s new album The Ghost Parade.  It is just one of the songs that serves to show what makes the album stand out. ‘Colour of Winter’ is another of the album’s songs that serves to make it stand out.  This song is the polar opposite of ‘March of the Dolls’ both in terms of its musical arrangement and its lyrical content.  Speaking first about its musical arrangement, this piece is that dark, brooding composition that goth fans will appreciate.  It is driven largely by the work of drummer Zach Williams and guitarists Jake LaCore and Joey Connelly.  Keyboardist Figgles McGee (no, that’s not a joke) adds an extra touch to the song, too.  The end result is a work that instantly conjures thoughts of works composed by Marilyn Manson and his band mates.  That is especially the case when Gabriel’s vocal delivery is joined with the work of her band mates.  It is only one part of the song that should be discussed.  The song’s lyrical content adds even more depth to its presentation.

The brooding musical arrangement at the heart of ‘Colour of Winter’ is its own key element to the song’s presentation.  As noted already, the combination of Gabriel’s vocal delivery and the work of her band mates gives the song a feel that instantly conjures thoughts of Marilyn Manson.  The brooding doesn’t end with the song’s musical arrangement, though.  There is just as much of that in the song’s lyrical content, too.  Gabriel sings right off the bat in such morose fashion, “I’m alone in the world today/I can’t take it/But I feel it anyway/It’s not enough that it was/It’s not enough cause it’s gone/I can’t breathe/I can’t stay here/I’ll numb myself all the way.  She goes on to sing about “burning yesterday,” “sinking into the void” and other brooding matters.  Simply put, there’s a lot of deep emotion expressed in this song’s lyrical content; emotion that, again, goth fans will appreciate.  When that deep emotion is set against the song’s equally brooding musical arrangement, the end result is one more of the album’s most standout compositions.  It is one more song that shows why fans of Gabriel and the Apocalypse will celebrate this record just as much as goth and industrial fans.  There are still other songs that serve to support that statement, too, including ‘Mazarine.’

‘March of the Dolls’ and ‘Colour of Winter’ are both key examples of what makes the Ghost Parade a record that Gabriel and the Apocalypse’s fans will celebrate.  That is due to the songs’ musical arrangements and their lyrical content.  Each song presents its own identity through its arrangement.  One arrangement is an aggressive, full-force composition that greatly enhances the defiant statement presented in the song’s lyrical content.  ‘Colour of Winter’ is the polar opposite (no pun intended) of ‘March of the Dolls.’  Both musically and lyrically, this song is the kind of work that any goth fan will appreciate just as much as the band’s more seasoned fans.  While both songs show clearly through their musical and lyrical content what makes The Ghost Parade a piece that audiences will celebrate, they are not the only songs that will do so.  ‘Mazarine’ shows in its own unique way what makes The Ghost Parade stand out, too, beginning with its musical arrangement.  This song’s arrangement is a mid-level hard rock piece that boasts a hard rock/industrial hybrid sound.  It isn’t the full-throttle piece that is presented in ‘March of the Dolls’ or even the more brooding ‘Colour of Winter.’  Rather it could be argued to be the closest to mainstream accessibility that the band reaches in this album.  Keeping that in mind, this arrangement could be the best chance that the band has at mainstream success in this album.  Of course the song’s arrangement is just one half of what makes the song stand out, just as with the other discussed songs.  The song’s lyrical content is just as important to note as its musical arrangement.

The musical arrangement presented in ‘Mazarine’ is a key part of what makes this song stand out.  It is perhaps the closest that the band comes to mainstream accessibility with its new album.  As important as the song’s arrangement is to its presentation, its lyrical content proves to be important in its own right.  Lyrically speaking, it will likely have audiences thinking and talking more than any other of the album’s songs.  At one point she sings what seems like an ode to someone else, but at other times the song seems to touch on a wholly different matter.  When that metaphorical language is coupled with the song’s semi-mainstream musical arrangement, the whole of the song becomes a work that would fit easily alongside the likes of Lacuna Coil, Evanesence and so many other more mainstream goth/industrial acts.  It is just one more example of what makes The Ghost Parade stand out.  When it is joined with ‘March of the Dolls,’ ‘Colour of Winter’ and the rest of the album’s offerings, the album in who proves without a doubt to be, again, a work that goth and industrial fans in general will appreciate just as much as the band’s more seasoned fans.

The Ghost Parade is a work that regardless of audiences’ familiarity with Gabriel and the Apocalypse, will appeal to goth and industrial fans in general just as much as it will the band’s more seasoned fans.  That is evident through all three of the songs discussed here.  It is also evident in the album’s other offering.  All things considered, The Ghost Parade is a work that goth and industrial fans will celebrate” right alongside the band’s fans.  It is available now in stores and online.  More information on The Ghost Parade is available online now along with all of the band’s latest news at:

 

 

 

Website: http://www.gabrielandtheapocalypse.com

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

Twitter: http://twitter.com/GATA_band

 

 

 

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.

Amaranthe’s Latest LP Is Massively Addictive

Courtesy:  Spinefarm/Universal Music Group

Courtesy: Spinefarm/Universal Music Group

Euro/Industrial metal act Amaranthe released its latest full length studio effort this week.  Massive Additctive, the band’s third album is as many years is one that will impress audiences in its own right regardless of their familiarity with the band.  Anyone that is a fan of Within Temptation, Lacuna Coil and the ilk will enjoy this record from start to finish.  The combination of the band’s bombastic, old school shredding and solos, precision drumming, and the  vocal talents of the band’s co-vocalists make this a record that every member of the Metal Nation worldwide should hear at least once.  The songs’ lyrical content is just as important as their musical sides, too.  All things considered, the combination of each song’s music and lyrics makes Massive Addictive one of the best of the underground rock and metal community this year.

Audiences that are familiar with the sound established by Amaranthe on its first two records will appreciate that said sound is just as prevalent on this record.  What makes this latest full length effort worth the listen regardless of one’s familiarity with the band is the introduction of more and varied electronic elements.  The album’s mix of keyboards, sampling and other electronic elements show a certain amount of growth from the band this time out. That is evident right off the top in the album’s high-energy opener ‘Dynamite.’  This aptly titled song is a fitting opener for Massive Addictive as it launches the album with the furiousness and energy of a keg full of dynamite.  Yes, that was a cheesy cliché.  But hey, it works, right?  The song opens explosively with that electronic/keyboard mix alongside the solid guitar work of Olof Morck.  The influence of other Gothenburg bands such as In Flames and Soilwork in Morck’s performance.  The juxtaposition of Elize’s clean vocals to the screams of co-vocalist Henrik add even more intensity to the song.  The song’s lyrical content matches its energy quite well.  The vocalist pair Light the fuse/See the sign/Unbalanced heart/I’m in my prime/Get out of here while there is still time/I’m reaching overload/I’m going right on top/While you abide my dynamite.”  The message here is pretty clear. This is someone holding in a lot and getting ready to burst.  If that’s not proof enough, then consider the song’s second verse, in which Henrik screams, “No excuse/Break the bonds/A gasp of air/My will is strong/Get out of here/My mind is futile/I’m just a statuette/Without a timer set/While I apply my dynamite.”  This is someone that has a lot of pent up frustrations, it would seem.  And the song’s energy seems to present that message, too when set alongside such lyrical content.  If that interpretation is correct, then such combination makes this song an even more powerful opener for the band’s new album.  That’s because everybody has reached that breaking point and ready to blow.  Having a song such as this to which people can relate could serve to help diffuse that proverbial dynamite lit inside them.

‘Dynamite’ is a strong starter for Amaranthe on its new album.  It’s just one of so many examples of why audiences new and old alike will enjoy this record.  Another example of why audiences will enjoy this record is the album’s latest single ‘Drop Dead Cynical.’  This song comes across as the polar opposite of sorts from the album’s opener with Elize singing, “I need attention/Feed my addiction/I want the action/The satisfaction/You have to feed me/Worse that I inquire/So my discord someday takes me higher.”  While it comes across metaphorically, the message seems relatively clear here.  If this critic’s interpretation is right, that line alone describes the type of person that is full of himself or herself.  That same person has nothing to spread except for negativity.   Henrik’s response to this declaration is a powerful retort. He screams in response, “I hope to thrill you that expectations rise/I want to bring you/So that you can compromise/I’m coming at you like a killer now/So it’s the truth/You are drop dead cynical.”  That is a pretty strong response.  Everybody has met someone like the subject of this song.  There may be people even now that know someone like that.  If so, this song is a great way to deal with said person(s) without screaming at them or worse.  To that extent, it makes for another great positive to this record.

Massive Addictive’s opening tracks make for a solid first impression from Amaranthe on the band’s latest album.  As impressive as those two songs prove to be, the album’s title track proves to be one of its best.  On a side note, the song’s musical side actually bears a slit resemblance to the chorus of Imagine Dragons’ hit single ‘Radioactive.”  The song’s lyrical content aside, what really makes this song such a hit is its musical side.  The bombastic, old school style guitar solo is there alongside Morten’s drumming drive the song.  Elize’s hypnotic vocals and Henrik’s own vocal assault are not to be discounted here, either.   Lyrically, it is certain to create some discussion especially taking into account the song’s infectious chorus.  Elize sings in the song’s chorus, “Massive addictive/And suddenly I’m greatly affected/Like burning fire inside/My cyanide/Scared of losing my mind/Massive addictive/I’m totally completely afflicted/As I inspire the lie like a lullaby/Crawling around in my mind.”  On the surface one would think that the song makes no bones as to its lyrical topic.  It sounds like it is being taken from the standpoint of someone fighting addiction.  Elize singing “Suddenly I’m greatly affected/Like burning fire inside/My cyanide” sounds like what someone might feel in getting that high from whatever drug.  “Scared of losing my mind…I’m totally completely afflicted” sounds like the psychological and emotional effect of said high.  Again, this could be a completely incorrect interpretation of this song.  If it is indeed incorrect, it would definitely be wonderful to hear the story behind the song.  The very fact that it could garner so much discussion is itself reason that audiences will enjoy this song.  The addition of the song’s soaring musical side makes it even more enjoyable and proves why this is perhaps the best of the album’s songs overall.

The songs noted here each make Massive Addictive enjoyable in its own way.  As enjoyable as they are, the album’s other songs not noted here should not be discounted.  At no one point does Massive Addictive fail listeners.  Every one of the album’s dozen total tracks makes this album enjoyable in its own way.  That is something difficult to say about most albums today regardless of genre.  So for Amaranthe to have crafted an album that shines from start to finish shows that this album is just as enjoyable as anything released by the band’s bigger-named counterparts across Europe.  That being the case, Massive Addictive proves in the end to be an album that every member of the Metal Nation worldwide should hear and an album that is one of the best in the underground metal community this year.

Amaranthe is currently wrapping up the North American leg of its tour in support of Massive Addictive.  The band’s audiences overseas will soon enough get to experience the songs from this album live.  They will even get to pick up the band’s new album at the band’s upcoming tour dates.  In the meantime, the band’s North American audiences can pick up Massive Addictive in stores now.  Audiences can check out the band’s current tour schedule and keep up with its latest updates now online at:

Website: http://www.amaranthe.se

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

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.

Band Schedule, Pre-Party Announced For Welcome To Rockville Festival

Courtesy:  Ashton-Magnuson Media

Courtesy: Ashton-Magnuson Media

The organizers of the annual Welcome to Rockville festival have announced the complete schedule for this year’s festival, including performance times for each act on the bill.

Courtesy:  Ashton-Magnuson Media

Courtesy: Ashton-Magnuson Media

Digital Summer and World Gone kick off this year’s festival. Digital Summer and World Gone are schedule to open the festival at 11:15am on the Monster Energy Fire Museum Stage and Jagermeister Stage respectively. Cathercist, winner of the Ernie Ball Battle of the Bands, is up next at 11:45am ET on the Ernie Ball Stage. Within Reason and Ghost of War will open the festival’s second day at noon on the Monster Energy Fire Museum Stage and Jagermeister Stage respectively. The complete performance schedule for the weekend’s events is included below.

Performance times for Monster Energy’s Welcome To Rockville are as follows (subject to change):

Saturday, April 26

Monster Energy Fire Museum Stage

11:15 AM         Digital Summer

12:30 PM         Rev Theory

2:00 PM           Adelitas Way

3:30 PM           Hellyeah

5:15 PM           Chevelle

7:15 PM           A Day To Remember

9:40 PM           Avenged Sevenfold

Monster Energy Metropolitan Park Stage

11:45 PM         Gemini Syndrome

1:15 PM           Middle Class Rut

2:45 PM           Chiodos

4:15 PM           Alter Bridge

6:15 PM           Volbeat

8:20 PM           The Cult

Jägermeister Stage

11:15 AM         World Gone

12:30 PM         Silvertung (Jägermeister Band)

2:00 PM           Evergreen Terrace

3:30 PM           Smile Empty Soul

5:15 PM           Memphis May Fire

7:15 PM           We Came As Romans

Ernie Ball Stage

11:45 AM         Cathercist (Ernie Ball Battle Of The Bands Winner)

1:15 PM           Monster Truck

2:45 PM           We As Human

4:15 PM           Devour The Day

6:15 PM           Fozzy

Sunday, April 27

Monster Energy Fire Museum Stage

Noon                Within Reason

1:15 PM           Sick Puppies

2:35 PM           Black Label Society

4:15 PM           Seether

6:25 PM           Five Finger Death Punch

8:50 PM           Korn

Monster Energy Metropolitan Park Stage

12:35 PM         The Pretty Reckless

1:55 PM           Black Stone Cherry

3:25 PM           Theory of a Deadman

5:15 PM           Staind

7:35 PM           Rob Zombie

Jägermeister Stage

Noon                Ghost Of War (Jägermeister Band)

1:15 PM           Kyng

2:35 PM           Lacuna Coil

4:15 PM           Emmure

6:25 PM           Motionless In White

Ernie Ball Stage

12:35 PM         Twelve Foot Ninja

1:55 PM           Nothing More

3:25 PM           Butcher Babies

5:15 PM           Trivium

Courtesy:  Ashton-Magnuson Media

Courtesy: Ashton-Magnuson Media

Before the bands take to their respective stages, audiences will be treated to Monster Energy’s Welcome to Rockville Official Pre-Party Friday, April 25th. The Pre-Party is presented by X102.9 and Bud Light and will feature performances by Rev Theory and more. It will be held at 1904 Music Hall (19 N. Ocean Street in downtown Jacksonville, FL). It is free to ticketholders that are 21 and older. Ticketholders that want to attend the Pre-Party must show their festival tickets at 1904 Music Hall to get a Pre-Party wristband in advance. Wristbands are in limited quality. So they will be first come first serve beginning at 12pm ET on Friday, April 25th. Doors open at 8pm. The show will start at 9pm.

More information on the fourth annual Welcome to Rockville Festival is available online at http://www.WelcomeToRockvilleFestival.com, http://www.facebook.com/welcometorockville, and via Twitter at @RockvilleFest. 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.

Nonpoint Signs New Deal With Metal Blade Records

Courtesy:  Metal Blade Records

Courtesy: Metal Blade Records

Officials with Metal Blade Records announced today the addition of Florida-based hard rock band Nonpoint to its artist roster. The deal between Nonpoint and Metal Blade will see Metal Blade release Nonpoint’s upcoming eighth full-length album internationally. Front man Elias Soriano spoke with reporters on the announcement, expressing his happiness over the new deal. “This is a dream situation for us,” he said. “We’ve always needed a team behind us outside of the U.S. It’s a great feeling knowing you now have the best team possible.”

 
Drummer Robb Rivera echoed Soriano’s sentiments in his comments. “We are excited to get not only THE worldwide label of labels to release our album outside of the US, but to be part of a family now that has pretty much set the bar for metal releases for 30 plus years,” he said. “Needless to say , extremely excited to be able to get our music to the fans outside of the US through the team that helped launch Metallica.”

 
Nonpoint’s next album is currently slated to drop this Fall. Metal Blade Records rep Brian Slagel hinted at what fans can expect from the new album, stating, “The bit of new material I heard sounds great!” He was just as pleased with the announcement of the new deal between Nonpoint and Metal Blade Records. He said of the announcement, “All of us at Metal Blade are happy to welcome Nonpoint to the Metal Blade family. We are excited to work with them.”

 
Nonpoint will perform live at the Central Florida Fairgrounds at the WJRR Earthday Birthday festival. Also slated for the festival are: Alter Bridge, Everclear, All That Remains, Cypress Hill, Alien Ant Farm, Pepper, Fuel, Filter, Saving Abel, Saigon Kick, Lacuna Coil, Tantric, and many other bands. Nonpoint is also scheduled to perform at Rock The Yard in Kernersville, North Carolina on June 22nd alongside Another Lost Year. More information on the band’s current tour schedule, its upcoming eighth full-length studio release and more is available online now at http://www.nonpoint.com, http://www.facebook.com/nonpointworld, and http://twitter.com/nonpoint. 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.

Lacuna Coil Debuts Lyric Video For New Single

Courtesy:  Century Media Records

Courtesy: Century Media Records

Lacuna Coil has officially debuted the lyric video for its new single ‘Die & Rise.’

The video, which is available for viewing via the Century Media Records YouTube page at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFttR7bvogo, is centered in a cemetery.  The song’s lyrics are superimposed over a backdrop of various blank headstones and dark sky throughout the video.  This latest video comes only a couple weeks before the April 1st release date for the band’s new album Broken Crown Halo.

The band is currently touring in support of Broken Crown Halo on the “Revolver Hottest Chicks in Hard Rock Tour.”  The tour hits Spokane, Washington tonight and Seattle, Washington tomorrow before closing out the weekend in Portland, Oregon.  The “Revolver Hottest Chicks in Hard Rock Tour” winds down next Thursday and Friday with a pair of dates in California.  Once it winds down, Lacuna Coil will hit the road on its own headlining tour and play a handful of festival dates.  All of those dates are listed below.

REVOLVER TOUR:

3/14/14 @ The Knitting Factory – Spokane, WA

3/15/14 @ Studio Seven – Seattle, WA

3/16/14 @ Roseland Theatre – Portland, OR

3/19/14 @ House Of Blues – West Hollywood, CA

3/20/14 @ House Of Blues – Anaheim , CA

w/KYNG, EVE TO ADAM and NOTHING MORE:

3/21/14 @ Slims – San Francisco, CA

3/23/14 @ Ace Of Spades – Sacramento, CA

3/24/14 @ Knitting Factory – Reno, NV

3/25/14 @ Knitting Factory Concert House – Boise, ID

3/27/14 @ Sunshine Theater – Albuquerque, NM

3/28/14 @ The Black Sheep – Colorado Springs, CO

3/29/14 @ Top Deck – Farmington, NM

3/30/14 @ Marquee Theatre – Tempe, AZ

4/02/14 @ Rialto Theatre – Tucson, AZ

4/4/14 @ The Lucky Mule – Abilene, TX

4/5/14 @ Malls Of America – San Antonio, TX

4/6/14 @ Brewster Street Ice House – Corpus Christi, TX

4/8/14 @ Juanitas Cantina Ballroom – Little Rock, AR

4/9/14 @ Strange Brew – Shreveport, LA

4/11/14 @ Vinyl Music Hall – Pensacola, FL

EARTHDAY BIRTHDAY:

4/12/14 @ Central Florida Fairgrounds – Orlando,FL

w/KYNG, EVE TO ADAM and NOTHING MORE:

4/14/14 @ Exit/In – Nashville,TN

4/16/14 @ The Machine Shop – Flint, MI

4/17/14 @ Austin’s – Libertyville, IL

4/18/14 @ POV’s – Spring Lake Park, MN

98 ROCKFEST 2014:

4/25/14 @ Tampa Bay Times Forum – Tampa, FL

FORT ROCK:

4/26/14 @ Jet Blue Park – Ft.Meyers,FL

WELCOME TO ROCKVILLE:

4/27/14 @ Metropolitan – Jacksonville, FL

 

More information on Lacuna Coil’s new video, album and tour is available online now at http://www.facebook.com/lacunacoil, http://lacunacoil.it, and twitter.com/lacuna_coil.  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.