Aftershock Festival 2023 Lineup Announced

Posted on March 15, 2023 by philspicks

Courtesy: Ashton-Magnuson Media

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

More information on the 2023 Aftershock Festival is available along with all of the festival’s latest news at:

Website: https://www.AftershockFestival.com

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AftershockSac

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

Redefind Debuts New EP’s Lead Single, Video

Posted on February 25, 2023 by philspicks

Independent nu-metal act Redefind premiered its latest single and video this week.

The band debuted its new single, ‘This Is Fine‘ and the song’s companion video Friday. The song is featured in the band’s forthcoming EP, Audio Video Disco, which is scheduled for release April 21 through Godsize Records.

The song’s musical arrangement is immediately a nu-metal style composition, complete with the crunching down-tuned guitars and rapping. The song immediately lends itself to comparison to works from the likes of Hollywood Undead, Limp Bizkit, and (hed) p.e.

According to a statement from the band, the song’s lyrical theme is a commentary about the all too familiar topic of mental health.

“‘This Is Fine’ is a song for people who mask their emotions,” the statement reads. “A lot of us say we’re fine when we’re not; dying on the inside and smiling on the outside.”

The video for ‘This is Fine’ is its own familiar style presentation. It features the band in a studio setting dressed to look like a stage setting. The presentation is meant to mimic what the band looks and sounds like in a live setting.

In other news, Redefind is scheduled to serve as support for Ill Nino’s upcoming Confession 20th Anniversary tour. The tour is scheduled to launch May 4 in Jacksonville, NC and to run through May 19 in Sioux Falls, SD. It features scheduled stops in cities, such as Mechanicsburgh, PA; Joliet, IL and Flint, MI along the way.

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

Website: https://redefindofficial.bandcamp.com

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

Band Lineup Announced For Bamboozle Festival

Posted on January 28, 2023 by philspicks

The Bamboozle Festival will return again this year and the annual festival will see the likes of Limp Bizkit, Motionless in White, and Papa Roach among the many acts on the bill.

This year’s festival is scheduled to take place May 5-7 at Bader Field in Atlantic City, NJ. Tickets are available now here. Along with the already noted bands, a multitude of others, such as Cane Hill, Say Anything, and Mayday Parade are scheduled as part of the festival’s lineup.

More information on the 20th annual Bamboozle Festival is available at:

Website: https://bamboozlefestival.com

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/bamboozlefest

The Violent Inzident’s New LP Is A Surprisingly Entertaining Musical Satire Presentation

Posted on April 16, 2022 by philspicks

Satirist “Weird” Al Yankovic has, for ages, been known as the king of comedy in the music community. His spoofs of songs from the likes of Coolio, Michael Jackson, and even Nirvana (as well as Miley Cyrus and others) have made him a household name among audiences across the musical universe. After so many years leading the way in the musical comedy ranks, Yankovic may well have some competition, at least in the metal community from the up-and-coming band, The Violent Inzident. The sextet’s new album, This Is Nu Metal!, which was released April 1, makes that clear. The 11-song record is the lighthearted shot in the arm that the metal community has needed for years thanks to its musical and lyrical content alike. Each item will be discussed in its own right here. Just as notable is the record’s production, which will also be discussed later. Each item noted is important in its own right to the whole of the record’s presentation. All things considered, they make This Is Nu Metal! a successful record that while it will ultimately be dated in the long run, is still entertaining from beginning to end.

This Is Nu Metal!, the new album from up-and-coming satirical rock band The Violent Inzident, is a welcome offering that reminds the metal masses that reminds hard rock and metal masses that it is possible to be musically heavy without always being emotionally heavy. The record’s musical arrangements make that clear. From one song to the next, the record’s musical arrangements pay homage to the nu-metal sounds that have been so popular since the late 1990s. Those songs include works from the likes of Disturbed, Powerman 5000, Slipknot, Soulfly, Sepultura, Korn, and even System of a Down. The band even pokes fun at Limp Bizkit, showing that no one is off limits to this band, at least in terms of musical content. The arrangements spoof the noted bands’ songs while still making the arrangements their own along the way, making for even more enjoyment. Simply put, the musical content featured in this record more than makes for its own share of engagement and entertainment. The lyrical content that accompanies the record’s musical arrangements adds even more to that engagement and entertainment.

The lyrical content is so important to the record because it spoofs the bands and their songs just as much. It also pokes fun at society. Case in point is the band’s single, ‘Triggered (The Snowflake Anthem).’ This song is a fully tongue-in-cheek stab at how overly PC society has become in the 21st century. On another note, the band goes right after Limp Bizkit in ‘The Violent Inzident, even mentioning the year 1999, which is really when Limp Bizkit broke out. The band even goes so far as to poke fun at the nonsense lyrics that Limp Bizkit has come up with for its songs here. As if all of this is not enough, The Violent Inzident even takes a direct stab at Slipknot/Stone Sour front man Corey Taylor in ‘D.a.R.E. to Keep Kids on Drugs’ as the question is asked whether people actually give any credit to anything he says. the song in this case pokes fun at all of the songs that glorify drug use and people who abuse them and try to get off of them. It’s really a social commentary in itself, but done in such a satirical fashion. Between that content, the other content examined here and the rest of the record’s lyrical themes, the whole makes clear just how important the album’s lyrical content is to this presentation. That content, together with the album’s musical content, makes this record overall such a surprisingly enjoyable presentation. It is just part of what makes the record worth hearing, too. The album’s production rounds out its most important elements.

The production that went into the creation of This Is Nu Metal! is important because of its role in the album’s general effect. From one song to the next, the album’s production ensures that the heaviness of the nu-metal compositions is fully on display. The down-tuned, crunching guitars, the rough vocals, the thick bass lines and drums are all there. Each gets its own attention in each varying nu-metal composition, too. The end result of the production is that each arrangement proves itself just as worth listening as the others. Even the vocals are clear in each song, getting just as much attention in the production as the instrumentations. Taking into account the impact of the record’s production alongside the impact of the overall content, the whole makes This Is Nu Metal! a surprisingly entertaining presentation that nu-metal fans and metal fans alike will find entertaining.

This Is Nu Metal!, the new album from The Violent Inzident, is a surprisingly engaging and entertaining presentation. That is due equally to its musical and lyrical content. The record’s musical and lyrical content each playfully poke fun at some of the biggest names in the nu-metal movement, from Korn, to Disturbed, to Powerman 500, to Slipknot and others, the content overall takes a satirical approach, making for plenty of laughs. The lyrical content does not just stick to poking fun at said bands, either. It also takes on societal issue, making for even more enjoyment. The record’s production adds its own enjoyment to the mix. That is because of its impact on the album’s general effect. It is just as worthy of praise as the album’s content. Each item noted is important in its own way to the whole of the album’s presentation. All things considered, they make the album well worth hearing at least once.

This Is Nu Metal! is available now. More information on The Violent Inzident’s new album and tour is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ViolentInzident

The Violent Inzident To Release New Album Friday; Supporting Tour Planned

Posted on March 31, 2022 by philspicks

Independent rock band The Violent Inzident is scheduled to release its new album, This Is Nu-Metal! Friday.

The band is scheduled to launch a new European tour in support of the record May 25. In anticipation of the record’s release Friday, the band has released three singles from the presentation. They come in the form of ‘Brazil Is Great,’ ‘Triggered! (The Snowflake Anthem)‘ and ‘Nu-Metal!’

The band clearly goes into each of its singles with tongue planted firmly in cheek as the songs playfully poke fun at the likes of Powerman 5000, Limp Bizkit, System Of A Down, Slipknot, and even Soulfly and Sepultura. At the same time, one of the songs even takes a playful jab at the thrash and black metal communities in its arrangement and video while another even pokes fun at the current state of the world, what with its overly offended ranks and another goes after the very culture of nu-metal.

More information on The Violent Inzident’s new album and tour is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ViolentInzident

Limp Bizkit Announces New Live Dates

Posted on March 18, 2022 by philspicks

Limp Bizkit will launch its latest tour next month.

The band announced Wednesday, it will launch a new tour in support of its latest album, Still Sucks April 28 in Tampa, FL. The tour is scheduled to run through May 31, in Ontario, CA and features performances in cities, such as Saginaw, MI; Reno, NV and Roanoke, VA.

The tour’s schedule is noted below. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. local time today.

DATE LOCATION VENUE

*Thursday, April 28 Tampa, FL Hard Rock Live ++

*Saturday, April 30 Hollywood, FL Hard Rock Live ++

*Tuesday, May 3 Norfolk, VA Chartway Arena

*Wednesday, May 4 Roanoke, VA Berglund Center

*Friday, May 6 Atlantic City, NJ Hard Rock Casino ++

*Saturday, May 7 Wilkes-Barre, PA Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza

*Tuesday, May 10 Lowell, MA Tsongas Center

*Thursday, May 12 Uncasville, CT Mohegan Sun Arena ++

*Friday, May 13 New York, NY Madison Square Garden

*Sunday, May 15 Baltimore, MD Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena

^Wednesday, May 18 Youngstown, OH Covelli Centre

^Thursday, May 19 Saginaw, MI The Dow Event Center

^Saturday, May 21 Gary, IN Hard Rock Casino ++

^Sunday, May 22 Green Bay, WI Resch Center

^Tuesday, May 24 Kansas City, MO Cable Dahmer Arena

^Thursday, May 26 Loveland, CO Budweiser Events Center

#Saturday, May 28 Las Vegas, NV The Theater at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas

#Sunday, May 29 Reno, NV Reno Events Center

#Tuesday, May 31 Ontario, CA Toyota Arena

*$not, Wargasm UK, Scowl

^Yung Gravy, Dying Wish, Wargasm UK

#Dying Wish, Wargasm UK

++ NON AEG SHOW

More information on Limp Bizkit’s upcoming concerts and its new album is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:

Website: https://limpbizkit.com

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/limpbizkit

Ill Nino Debuts ‘All or Nothing’ Video; Summer Tour Dates Scheduled

Posted on May 9, 2021 by philspicks

Ill Nino debuted the video for its latest single this week.

The band premiered the video for its new single, ‘All or Nothing’ Wednesday through Loudwire. The song, which tackles the topic of immigration, features a guest appearance by P.O.D. front man Sonny Sandoval and comes approximately five months after the band premiered the video for its then latest single, ‘Mascara,’ which also premiered through Loudwire.

Both songs are expected for inclusion in Ill Nino’s forthcoming album IllMortals, which is scheduled for release later this year through Break Silence Music. The album’s release date is under consideration.

Front man Marcos Leal address the lyrical theme of ‘All or Nothing’ and working with Sandoval in a prepared statement.

“‘All or Nothing’ was written as a challenge to myself. I knew the moment I joined Ill Nino, I would face negativity, scrutiny and possibly ridicule,” said Leal. “It caused me to question myself, and even question if I was good enough to embrace this opportunity. I challenged myself as I’m challenging all of you, what would you do if the opportunity of a lifetime was within your grasp? I chose to go ‘All or Nothing.’”

Added Leal, “I wanna thank one of my heroes, Sonny Sandoval of P.O.D. for lending his freshness to this track and being a constant inspiration.”

Sandoval, shared Leal’s positive thoughts as he talked about working with Ill Nino on the song and video.

“Like P.O.D., ILL NIÑO have always incorporated their culture, roots and heritage into their music and sound, which have set them apart in this metal scene for over two decades,” said Sandoval. “It was my honor and privilege to have contributed to this record. After knowing them for 20 years now, I don’t know why we didn’t do this sooner.”

The video for ‘All or Nothing’ features Ill Nino and Sandoval performing the band’s new single in what is meant to resemble an alleyway in an urban setting, what with the graffiti on the wall behind the band. That imagery pairs with visuals of an Hispanic woman praying, a factory, and information about the role of immigrants in America perhaps equating Leal’s comments about taking a major chance in life to what Immigrants do every day.

The musical arrangement featured in ‘All or Nothing’ takes listeners back to Ill Nino’s infancy, with its sharp guitars, driving vocals and heavy bass. It sounds like it would fit well in the band’s 2001 debut album, Revolution, Revolucion.

‘All or Nothing’ will be available to stream and download by itself beginning May 14.

In other news, Ill Nino is scheduled to launch the “Ill Texas Familia Tour” in July. The tour is scheduled to run from July 8-11 and September 11-12. The tour’s information is noted below. King 810, Upon a Burning Body, Incite, Evolution Empire, and Born in Blood are scheduled to join the band for the brief run.

ILL NIÑO tour dates:

July 8 – Corpus Christi, TX – Brewster Street

July 9 – Austin, TX – Come and Take It Live

July 10 – El Paso, TX – Rock House *Also feat. Upon A Burning Body

July 11 – Lubbock, TX – Jake’s Sports Cafe

September 11 – Orlando FL – Warlando *Festival

September 12 – Lynchburg, VA – Blueridge Rockfest *Festival

Ill Nino will join the likes of Limp Bizkit, Five Finger Death Punch, P.O.D., and Sevenust at the noted festival shows.

More information on Ill Nino’s new single, video, and tour is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:

Website: https://www.illnino1.com

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/officialillnino

Kings Of Quarantine Debuts ‘Mountain Song’ Cover, Companion Video

Posted on January 12, 2021 by philspicks

Rock super group Kings of Quarantine debuted the video for its latest single this week.

The band — Jason Rockman (Slaves on Dope), Kevin Jardine (Slaves on Dope), and Bill Kelliher (Mastodon) — debuted the video for its cover of the hit Janes Addiction song ‘Mountain Song‘ Tuesday. The band was joined by an all-star cast of musicians for the video and the song, consisting of: Wes Borland (Limp Bizkit), Tanner Wayne (In Flames), P-Nut (311), Louise Post (Veruca Salt), Richard Patrick (Filter), and Bert McCracken (The Used).

Kings of Quarantine’s take on ‘Mountain Song’ stays largely true to its source material. What it does extra is gives the song an added punch with its multiple vocal takes and even heavier, amped up guitars.

One hundred percent of sales from the single’s release will go to benefit Roadie Relief, an effort that serves to assist roadies who were negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Rockman talked about that attempt to help concert staff through the song’s sales in a prepared statement.

“We hope to not only put a smile on people’s faces, but also help the touring staff that have been severely affected by the pandemic”, said Rockman.

Kings of Quarantine’s latest single and video are the second from the group. The trio covered Faith No More’s 1987 hit song ‘We Care A Lot‘ last year. The group was joined by members of Anthrax, Korn, Filter, Run DMC, Refused, and Men Without Hats for that recoding and its video.

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.

Killset Debuts ‘Closure’ Video

Posted on August 18, 2019 by philspicks

Killset is giving audiences their first listen to its new album.

The band debuted the video for its new single ‘Closure’ Thursday through altpress.com. The video is also streaming through the band’s official YouTube channel. The song is taken from the band’s forthcoming third album Killin’ Spree, which is set for release in Fall. The album’s exact release date has not yet been released.

Courtesy: altpress.com/Adrenaline PR

Musically, the band’s new song will appeal to fans of the aggro-rock sounds of the late 1990s. Specifically speaking, the song’s arrangement will appeal to fans of bands, such as Korn, Stain and Limp Bizkit. Lyrically, it will appeal to a wider range of listeners, as front man Luca explained in his interview with altpress.com.

“I think the song is pretty self-explanatory, as far as the message,” he said. “It’s about getting closure. I believe everyone has had some type of situation in their life where they’ve needed closure. The track is about getting it and being able to move on in a positive direction.”

‘Closure’ is available for download now. The song was produced by Killset with Eric Kalina and Eddie Wohl (Ill Nino, Fuel, Anthrax). Wohl also mixed the track while Maor Appelbaum (Sepultura, Faith No More, Ill Nino) mastered the track.

While the focus right now is on Killset’s new single, it is just one of the album’s notable nods. The album will also feature a guest appearance by Nonpoint front man Elias Soriano on the track ‘Burn.’ Along with offering guest vocals on the song, Soriano also co-produced the track with the band. He talked in a recent interview about working with Killset on the song.

“It was cool creating with the guys,” Soriano said. “I really think we accomplished something special with this song.”

Killin’ Spree is Killset’s third album in four years. The band released its debut album Know Your Killer in October of 2015. That album was followed up in June 2017 with the band’s sophomore album STFU.

More information on the upcoming release of Killin’ Spree is available online now along with all of Killset’s latest news at http://www.facebook.com/killsetofficial.

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.

Killset’s Sophomore Album Will Leave Aggro-Rock Fans Making Plenty Of Noise

Posted on June 19, 2017 by philspicks

Courtesy: Scratched Records

The wait is almost over.

After nearly two years of touring and crafting new songs, Killset will soon release its sophomore album S.T.F.U. The ten-song, 43-minute record is a solid new effort from the independent Southern California-based band. That is evidenced through arrangements that will appeal to fans of Limp Bizkit, Taproot, Staind and other agro-rock acts from the late 90s and early 2000s and through lyrical content that will move listeners just as much as the songs’ musical arrangements. The album’s lead single ‘Killers in the Pit’ is just one of the songs included in this record that supports that statement. The brooding yet uplifting ‘Broken Angel’ supports that statement in its own way, too. ‘Animal,’ with its fiery arrangement and equally powerful lyrical content, also supports that statement, and is hardly the last song to support that statement, too. The album’s proudly defiant opener ‘Get Up’ and its follow-up ‘Bully’ are two more examples of what makes this album a success for its targeted audiences along with the rather interesting cover of Kris Kross’ ‘Jump’ and the brooding ‘Not A Love Song,’ which comes late in the record’s sequence. Between these songs and the pieces not noted here, the whole of this record is sure to have its target audiences *ahem* making plenty of noise. Yes, that awful pun was fully intended.

Killset’s sophomore album S.T.F.U. is a work that is certain to leave its target audiences making plenty of noise. That is due to musical arrangements and lyrical content that echo influences of so many of its aggro-rock ancestors. This is evidenced in part through the album’s lead single ‘Killers in the Pit.’ This song’s musical arrangement is full on aggro-rock and will appeal directly to Limp Bizkit fans from start to finish. That is thanks to a guitar and drum line that clearly echo influences from Wes Borland and John Otto and a vocal delivery from front man Luca that just as quickly conjures thoughts of Limp Bizkit front man Fred Durst. Bassist Mark Baker can’t be ignored here either as he provides an equally infectious low-end line, adding even more impact to the song’s musical arrangement. Whether one openly admits to being a Limp Bizkit fan or keeps the band as a guilty pleasure, that overall infectious arrangement is in itself proof of what makes the song and the album a success for Killset’s key audiences. The same can be said of the song’s lyrical content, which delivers a boldly defiant message about music’s power to heal.

The lyrical content of ‘Killers in the Pit’ delivers a powerful 1-2 punch that hits listeners just as hard as the song’s musical arrangement. That is because it stands up against the stereotypical statements about anger management, showing that the power of aggressive music is just as pivotal in mental health as so many other outlets, if not more so. Luca sings in the song’s opener, “So first they say to count to 10/Now f*** that/Then they say just take a breath/F*** that/Oh, you can be happy/just take these pills/Now f*** that/We’re done with your pills and your chemi-kills/F*** that/They will no longer control the way we choose to find our peace/We’ll show the world how we get down.” He goes on to say in the song’s second verse, “If you love standing up for what you believe, say hell yeah/If you love being part of this beautiful scene, say hell yeah/We do what we do/We say what we mean/If you believe/That God believes, say hell yeah.” Don’t mistake that statement for the band being some Christian rap/rock outfit. But it is one more positive statement from the band. When that statement is joined with the rest of the song’s lyrical material, the whole is a statement that will resonate with any listener. The addition of the song’s musical arrangement adds to that impact even more, showing why this song helps to solidify S.T.F.U.’s appeal with Killset’s fans. The combination of those two elements makes ‘Killers in the Pit’ just one example of what makes S.T.F.U. in whole a work that will appeal to Killset’s fans. The brooding yet uplifting ‘Broken Angel’ is another example of what makes this record a work that will appeal to the band’s key demographic.

‘Killers in the Pit’ is a work that shows clearly both musically and lyrically why S.T.F.U. will resonate with Killset’s key fanbase. That is evidenced through the combination of the song’s infectious, aggro-rock arrangement and its proudly defiant lyrical content. Even with this in mind, it is not the only song included in this record that serves to show what makes this record appealing to certain audiences. ‘Broken Angel,’ with its brooding yet powerful musical arrangement and lyrical content, strengthens the album even more. The song’s piano-centered arrangement starts off gently, eventually building until it reaches its climax in the song’s bridge. Opinions may vary in comparisons, but this critic’s own comparison leans toward similar works from the likes of Staind, Linkin Park and other (again) aggro-rock acts from the late 90s and early 2000s. That is not a bad thing, though. Once more, it shows a very directed aim from the band in crafting the song’s arrangement. As with ‘Killers in the Pit,’ it is just one part of what makes the song important to discuss. The song’s lyrical content is just as important to note here.

The lyrical content at the heart of ‘Broken Angel’ is just as important to discuss as its musical arrangement not just because of its content, but the depth that it adds to the song when set alongside that brooding arrangement. The song’s subject sings through Luca here, “All your perfect imperfections/The chaos in your mind/You’re tortured/Neglected/Beautiful inside/Your heart has a melody/It only speaks to me/Your smile so perfectly hides the pain…I can see your suffering/Your eyes/Angel/Unto me you are the blessing that I would never change…don’t give up/Don’t give into the pain/Before you’ve had the chance to truly spread those wings/So pure/You’re broken just right for me.” This song is full on teen angst, with one person saying to the emotionally scarred love interest, “I understand you, etc. etc.” It’s uplifting. There’s no denying that, but the almost goth style angst expressed lyrically is the kind of thing that will definitely appeal to a very directed audience, especially when it is joined with the song’s equally brooding musical arrangement. The pairing of the two elements makes clear why this song is one more way in which S.T.F.U. will appeal to Killset’s key fans, and is still not the last of the songs included in the record to do so. ‘Animal’ is yet another of the record’s songs that shows what makes this record appealing to Killset’s key collective fans.

‘Killers in the Pit’ and ‘Broken Angel’ are both key examples of what makes S.T.F.U. a record that will certainly resonate with Killet’s key audiences. That is thanks to the songs’ musical arrangements and lyrical content. While both songs are clear highlights in this, the band’s sophomore album, they are not it’s only standout songs. ‘Animal’ is yet another example of what makes this album another success for Killset. As with the previously noted songs, that is due in part to the song’s musical arrangement. The song’s musical arrangement is a straight-forward composition that is driven jointly through the work of guitarist Dave Comer and drummer Jason “Jas” Dillon. Dillon solidly keeps the song’s up-tempo 4/4 time signature moving even as he works his musical magic. Comer’s guitar line helps keep the song moving just as much with its straight forward approach. That partnership creates a solid foundation for the song’s arrangement that is strengthened even more through Luca’s vocal delivery and Baker’s bass line. All things considered here, the straight forward rock arrangement presented here easily could hold its own with so many arrangements from the band’s mainstream counterparts. It is only 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 lyrical content presented in ‘Animal’ is just as important to note as the song’s musical arrangement because it comes across as taking on one’s inner proverbial demons. That is inferred as Luca sings in the song’s lead verse, “All these voices/Play in my head/So much noise/I’m coming unglued/Just ignore them/That’s what they said/But if only they could hear them, too/I’m so sick I’m about to freak out…can’t get ‘em out now.” This contemplation continues in similar fashion in the song’s second verse with the subject admitting seemingly to a love interest that he has some serious issues to deal with. It almost comes across as a song that, in its own way, takes on the issue of domestic violence. That is, of course, just this critic’s own interpretation, so it should not be taken as the only interpretation. When this is set against the song’s driving arrangement, it shows even more why this song is another important addition to S.T.F.U.’s body. When the whole of the song is joined with the previously discussed works and the other songs not noted here, the whole of the album proves to be a solid new effort that is certain to leave listeners making their own noise.

Killset’s sophomore album is a very directed effort, with musical arrangements and lyrical content that is certain to resonate with the band’s targeted audiences. That is evident in the defiant, fist-pumping anthem ‘Killers in the Pit,’ the more brooding yet uplifting ‘Broken Angel’ and the powerful seeming commentary on domestic violence of ‘Animal.’ All three songs show three very distinct arrangements separate of one another but that are still very much within a specific musical continuum. That is evidenced just as much in the likes of the album’s defiant opener ‘Get Up’ and its equally powerful anti-bullying follow-up, ‘Bully.’ Even in the band’s playful take on Kris Kross’ classic hit ‘Jump.’ The band sticks to a certain musical era and audience here and in the rest of the songs not noted here. Each work shows in its own way to be important to the record’s whole. All things considered, they show, once more, that S.T.F.U. is certain to leave listeners making plenty of noise beginning July 7. More information on S.T.F.U. is available online now along with all of the band’s latest news and more at:

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

Twitter: http://twitter.com/_KillSET_

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