Nonpoint Joins “The Psychotherapy Sessions Tour”

Courtesy: O’Donnell Media Group

Nonpoint has almost reached the end of its “Emerald Cities Tour” but while the yellow brick road is almost at its end, the band has announced a new live run for this summer.

The band announced Tuesday, it has joined “The Psychotherapy Sessions Tour.” Scheduled to launch July 20 in West Palm Beach, FL and to run through Aug. 26 in Englewood CO, the tour also features Mudvayne, Coal Chamber, Butcher Babies, and Gwar on its bill.

Tickets for the tour, which also features stops nationwide in cities, such as Charlotte, NC; Albuquerque, NM and Noblesville, IN, will go on sale at 10 a.m. local time Friday.

Elias Soriano, Nonpoint front man, said he and his band mates are excited about joining the tour.

“HERE WE GO AGAIN! Mudvayne was one of our first tours when we were just starting out so we have been friends for years,” Soriano said. “It’s going to be great to tour with our friends again. Not to mention the rest of the tour package. With this kind of lineup we expect the pits to be insane!” 

Nonpoint’s “Emerald Cities Tour” is scheduled to wrap Sunday in San Antonio, TX. The remaining dates for that tour are noted below along with the dates for the upcoming “Psychotherapy Sessions Tour.”

2023 The Emerald Cities Tour Dates:

March 21st – Lawrence, KS @ Bottleneck

March 22nd – Tulsa, OK @ Vanguard

March 24th – Houston, TX @ Warehouse Live

March 25th – Dallas, TX @ Trees

March 26th – San Antonio, TX @ Rock Box

2023 The Psychotherapy Sessions Tour

July 20th – West Palm Beach, FL @ iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre

July 21st – Tampa, FL @ MIDFLORDIA Credit Union Amphitheater

July 23rd – Charlotte, NC @ PNC Music Pavilion

July 25th – Bristow, VA @ Jiffy Lube Live

July 26th – Scranton, PA @ The Pavilion at Montage Mountain

July 28th – Wantagh, NY @ Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater

July 29th – Camden, NJ @ Freedom Mortgage Pavilion

July 30th – Mansfield, MA @ Xfinity Center

August 1st – Syracuse, NY @ St Joseph’s Health Amphitheater at Lakeview

August 2nd – Burgettstown, PA @ The Pavilion at Star Lake

August 4th – Cuyahoga Falls, OH @ Blossom Music Center

August 5th – Tinley Park, IL @ Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre

August 6th – Clarkston, MI @ Pine Knob Music Center

August 8th – Noblesville, IN @ Ruoff Music Center

August 9th – Peoria, IL @ Peoria Civic Center

August 12th – Dallas, TX @ Dos Equis Pavilion

August 13th – Houston, TX @ The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion

August 15th – Albuquerque, NM @ Isleta Amphitheater

August 16th – Phoenix, AZ @ Talking Stick Resort Amp

August 17th – Irvine, CA @ FivePoint Amphitheatre

August 19th – Concord, CA @ Concord Pavilion

August 20th – Reno, NV @ Grand Theater at The Grand Sierra Resort

August 22nd – Auburn, WA @ White River Amphitheatre

August 23rd – Ridgefield, WA @ RV Inn Style Resorts Amphitheatre

August 25th – Salt Lake City, UT @ USANA Amphitheatre

August 26th – Englewood, CO @ Fiddler’s Green Amphitheater

Nonpoint’s addition on “The Psychotherapy Sessions” and its headlining “Emerald Cities Tour” are just the latest news from the band. The group premiered its latest single,  ‘Heartless‘ and  the song’s companion lyric video in February.

More information on Nonpoint’s new tour dates is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:

Website: https://nonpoint.com

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/nonpoint

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.

Lockjaw Debuts ‘Breaking Point’ Video

Courtesy: Adrenaline PR

Independent hard rock band Lockjaw debuted the video for its latest single this month.

The band premiered the video for its new single, ‘Breaking Point‘ June 3. The song’s premiere follows that of the band’s then latest single, ‘Living In My Head‘ and is distinct in its sound and style from that song.

Where ‘Living In My Head’ presents a clear metalcore sound and style in the vein of Killswitch Engage, ‘Breaking Point’ is more of a melodic hard rock style song a la Stone Sour. Interestingly enough, front man Joe Ortiz’ vocals are close in sound and style to those of Stone Sour/Slipknot front man Corey Taylor at some points in the song. At others still, one cannot ignore just as much of a similarity to the vocal sound and style of Chad Gray (Hellyeah, Mudvayne). That is just this critic’s interpretation.

The video for ‘Breaking Point’ features the band in what is meant to reflect a live setting, complete with fans surrounding the band as it performs its new single.

No information was provided about the song’s lyrical theme in the press release announcing the video’s premiere. The lyrics provided with the video make for an inference about someone who simply has had enough of someone else’s verbal, emotional and psychological abuse. Again, this is just this critic’s interpretation.

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

Website: https://lockjawlive.com

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

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.

‘Kids Against The Monsters’ Proves It Was Mostly Worth The Wait

Courtesy: Better Noise Music

A little more than a year ago, Hyro The Hero announced to the world that he was working on a new project dubbed Kids Against The Monsters. The record was originally scheduled for release last year, but that obviously did not happen. Why that is the case is anyone’s guess. That is beside the point. The announcement came as part of a bigger announcement that he had released a new single titled ‘Legendary.’ Fast forward to this weekend. The long-awaited project (originally called a “mixtape,” now being marketed as an EP) was finally released Friday. The four-song record is an enjoyable albeit imperfect presentation from the up-and-coming rap-rock star. To its positive, it features three songs that the rap-rock star (a.k.a. Hyron Louis Fenton, Jr.) crafted in 2021. On the opposite side, it is lacking other songs that he crafted last year. This will be examined a little later. One last item to note is the record’s sequencing, which will also be examined later. Each item noted here is important in its own way to the whole of Kids Against The Monsters. All things considered, they make a record that although imperfect, gives hope for Hyro The Hero’s next record.

Kids Against The Monsters, the long-awaited “mixtape” project from Hyro The Hero, is a mostly welcome filler between his then latest album, 2019’s Flagged Channel, and his next studio recording. Hopefully that new record will come sooner rather than later, but that is entirely up to him. The record works in part because of the songs that it features. Four songs make up the EP’s body. They include the EP’s title song, which features a guest appearance by Slipknot/Stone Sour front man Corey Taylor, and three singles that he released last year, ‘FU2 (ft. AJ Channer),’ ‘We Believe (ft. David Draiman)’ and ‘Fight (ft. Chad Grey).’ All four songs are impressive in their own right, because each offers audiences something different from its counterparts. The EP’s opener, for example, is a heavily blues-tinged rocker that conjures thoughts of songs from Imagine Dragons and others of that ilk. Taylor’s vocals are almost indiscernible to be honest. The subtle use of the turntables and the beats makes for such a great hip-hop vibe. The whole here makes the song so enjoyable in its own right.

‘FU2 (ft. AJ Channer)’ takes audiences in a completely different direction with its high energy approach and its socially conscious lyrical theme. Fenton points the finger at what the world has become in the song’s lyrical theme. That and the energy in the intense nu-metal approach is certain to keep audiences engaged and entertained. Again, it is the polar opposite of the EP’s opener, and that is a very good thing.

‘We Believe (ft. David Draiman)’ takes Fenton’s modern rap leanings and pairs it with a melodic hard rock approach to make the song enjoyable right from the get go. The heavy bass used in the verses clearly exhibit those hip-hop leanings. Draiman’s vocals make for a positive counterpoint to those of Fenton here, making for even more engagement and entertainment. The whole becomes a song that holds its own identity separate from the record’s first two songs, again showing the importance of the record’s featured songs.

‘Fight (ft. Chad Gray)’ is yet another change of pace sure to keep audiences engaged and entertained. That is because it takes audiences back to the sounds and stylistic approaches that made Flagged Channel so enjoyable. The addition of Gray’s vocals to the song makes for another welcome contrast to those of Fenton, in turn adding even more to the song’s appeal. The song’s lyrical theme, which is yet another socially conscious message, adds even more to the song’s appeal.

For all of the enjoyment that the songs featured in this record guarantees, there could have been more music included in the EP. That is because it does not feature all of the songs that Fenton crafted last year. He also released another single, titled ‘Retaliation Generation’ alongside Ice Nine Kills front man Spencer Charnas. That song and ‘Legendary’ are each enjoyable in their own right because of their own musical and lyrical content. Why Fenton decided not to included the songs in this record is also anyone’s guess. It would have brought the record’s total song count to six, and in turn made the record even more enjoyable. That is because they are just as unlike one another as they are from the songs featured in the EP and as they are from one another. So to that end, not including these two songs in the EP is obviously not enough to make the EP a failure, but it certainly would have made the EP’s presentation so much more positive.

Keeping this in mind, there is still one more item to examine. That item is the record’s sequencing. There are, again, only four songs featured in the EP, but their sequencing ensures listeners’ engagement and entertainment just as much as the songs themselves. That is because from beginning to end, it ensures the record’s energy remains stable even as the song styles and sounds change. The whole thing opens with the noted bluesy hip-hop opus before really picking things up in ‘FU2’. The energy keeps flowing in ‘We Believe’ and continues in ‘Fight’. In other words, from start to end, the EP’s sequencing sees the record interesting because of its role in the general effect, doing even more to keep things interesting for listeners. When this is considered along with the songs themselves, the record proves even more worth hearing.

Kids Against The Monsters, the newly released EP from Hyro The Hero, is a welcome addition to this year’s field of new EPs. That is due in part to its featured songs. The songs featured in the record are singles that he released last year. Each is different from one another in its sound and style while their lyrical themes will resonate easily with any listener in their own way. From the socially conscious to the more personal, each theme has something worthwhile to offer. While the songs featured in the record do plenty to make the EP appealing, the lack of two other songs that he released last year detracts from the record’s presentation. It is not enough to make the EP a failure, but the record would certainly have benefited from their inclusion. That aside, the EP is still mostly successful. Its sequencing ensures that in its own right. That is because it makes sure the record’s energy stays stable even as the sounds, styles and themes change from one song to the next. Each item noted is important in its own way to the whole of the EP one more of the best of its field so far this year.

Kids Against The Monsters is available now. More information on Hyro The Hero’s new EP is available online now along with all of Hyro The Hero’s latest news and more at:

Website: http://www.hyrothehero.com

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

Twitter: http://twitter.com/hyrothehero

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.

Audiences Are Sure To ‘Remember’ A Killer’s Confession’s New Album

Courtesy: Wake Up! Music Rocks/Wake Up! Music

A wait of more than two years for A Killer’s Confession’s new album finally ended Friday when the band released its new record, Remember.  The record’s release came after almost a year of buildup that started in January with the release of the album’s title track/opener.  It is one of a number of singles that the record produced, too.  In all, the record produced no fewer than six singles, which is more than half the record’s 11 total songs.  It is just one of the most notable of the record’s songs, too.  The band’s latest song, ‘Tell Your Soul,’ which features a guest appearance from Chad Gray (Hellyeah/Mudvayne), is another example of how much the band’s new album has to offer audiences.  It will be discussed a little later.  ‘Trapped Inside,’ which comes early in the record’s run, is yet another example of the record’s strength.  It will also be discussed later.  When all three of these songs are considered along with the rest of the album’s singles and the rest of the record’s songs, the whole makes Remember a presentation that AKC’s fans and that hard rock/metal fans alike are sure to remember.

A Killer’s Confession’s latest album, Remember, is a strong new offering from the band.  The band’s third album, it has proven so positive over the course of this year through all six singles that it has produced, not the least of which is its title track/opener.  The band debuted the single and its companion video in January.  The song stands out in part through its musical arrangement, which boasts a sort of blues based hard rock sound and stylistic approach.  That sound and approach pairs with what also sounds like a bit of an aggro-rock syle approach and sound for a whole that is immediately infectious.  The appeal ensures from the song’s musical arrangement is just part of what makes the song stand out.  Its lyrical counterpart makes for its own appeal.

According to statements made by front man Waylon Reavis at the time of the song’s premiere, its lyrical theme delivers a message of taking life into full account.  He said of the theme, “Sometimes in life, people are quick to forget the good and the bad.  We all need to be reminded from time to time where the line in the sand is truly drawn.”  It comes across as a sort of statement about deciding where we stand in life by seeing both sides of things.  This is inferred right from the song’s outset as Reavis sings, “They say that blood is thicker than water/Seems yours is running a little thin/Or did you forget/I’m calling out from my soul/Waiting for a sign to show me/That you’re now alone/Do you feel nothing is owed/Now that you have played me/Empty/Draning me low/Won’t turn my blind side to your knife any longer/But every scar carved on my back/makes me stronger/’Cause I will bow to you for never/And you know my name/I hope that you remember/I’ll bow to you for never/I hope that you remember.”  The message continues in the song’s second verse as Reavis sings, “Brace for the truth to be told/Trapped in your own web/That you have spun/I watch the venom take hold/And once the poison spreads/The damage can’t be undone.” This statement of confidence and defiance translates well, Reavis’ statement about the song’s lyrical message.  This is someone who has seen his/her own good while seeing the bad in another instead of just being blind.  Once we see the good and bad in life, we can differentiate and see that proverbial line in the sand and know where we stand.  That fully accessible statement, together with the energy in the song’s infectious musical arrangement, makes the song in whole that much more powerful in its presentation.  It leaves no doubt as to the importance of the song to the record’s overall body, and is just one of the most notable of the record’s songs.  ‘Tell Your Soul,’ the album’s latest single, is another way in which the album exhibits its strength.

‘Tell Your Soul’ features a guest vocal appearance by Chad Gray (Hellyeah/Mudvayne) and is arguably the strongest of the album’s entries both musically and lyrically.  The contemplative, melodic hard rock sound and approach taken to this song’s arrangement is so rich and so deep.  Any active/modern rock station that is not currently running this song is missing and out and doing a disservice to its audiences.  It is a perfect fit to those stations’ play lists.  That is especially evidenced through the contrast of the song’s deeply contemplative mood in its verses and more fiery approach in its choruses.  That contrast becomes even more impacting when it is considered along with the song’s lyrical theme.

According to comments made by Reavis, the song’s lyrical theme centers on “forgiveness and acceptance of one’s own shortcomings.”  That in itself is so powerful.  We all need to remember that no one is perfect, even as much as some would try to have others believe.  We need to accept our imperfections and live with them, and become better through them.  The way in which Reavis delivers that message in the song’s lyrics is unique in itself.  If not for that explanation, one would have thought the theme would have been more about a relationship or simply about finding confidence in one’s own self following a bad relationship.  This as he sings in the song’s lead verse and chorus, “I feel like we really don’t know/Wasting away till it’s gone/The moments in time always fuel the fire/Watching the embers alone/And I won’t belong to you now/I feel like it’s over/So take this down/Why am I afraid when I’m gone/I don’t know/I won’t relive our mistakes/I will be what you’ve needed/To face the day/Now I understand/It’s not your pain/Don’t you think/I’m far from wherever you are/You can’t be what you wanted without the scars/It’s not your fault/Don’t you know/Tell your soul.”  That questioning of “Why am I afraid when I’m wrong” plays into Reavis’ statement.  This is someone asking himself/herself whey he/she feels so bad about getting things wrong.  This, before he/she goes on to admit to himself/herself, “I won’t relive our mistakes.”  This is that moment of realization that being wrong and making mistakes is normal and part of being human.  It is that acceptance of this realization.  Once people realize that mistakes happen and that no one is perfect, as this person did, they will hopefully accept it and simply live life.  When this is considered along with the mood that the song’s arrangement sets, the whole makes the song overall that much more accessible and appealing.  It is just one more of the album’s most notable works.  ‘Trapped Inside’ is just as much of note as ‘Tell Your Soul’ and ‘Remember.’

‘Trapped Inside’ stands out among Remember’s songs in part through its musical arrangement.  The arrangement is unique from its counterparts in this record what with its melodic hard rock approach.  Yes, ‘Tell Yourself’ is a melodic hard rock style composition, but it is quite unlike this song.  In this case, the song maintains its heaviness and sets a completely different mood.  The mood in question is brooding for the most part, until the song reaches its powerful bridge, which features such a heavy breakdown.  The use of the keyboards in the introduction to the verses helps set the mood as the song’s subject contemplates his/her inner demons in the song’s lyrical content.  The heavy guitars that are used throughout do just as much to help illustrate the battles that the song’s subject faces with those demons.  Looking at all of this, the contemplative, brooding mood established in this song matches well with the song’s lyrical theme.

That lyrical theme is made clear as Reavis sings in the song’s lead verse and chorus, “I don’t want anyone to know this/But I don’t think anyone will notice/Even in a room full of people/Somewhere in the hay/I’m the needle/Feeling so small and helpless/Running down halls that are endless/Listen for a voice in the echo/Trying to find a sound that I might know/I know there’s no way out/I’m tapped inside/Time is f****** with my mind/Truth hides within the lies/And it will decide when its over/Fate tears down what I create/While laughing in my face/And it will decide when it’s over/I’m trapped inside.”  The brooding continues in the song’s second verse as Reavis sings, “I used to be alive and connected/Now I’m just a pit of rejection/Always had a rhyme or a reason/Now I’m just cold/Yeah, I’m freezing/It’s hard to keep warm when you’re empty/I’m waiting for the world to forget me/Tired of the self-isolation/Trying but there’s no motivation/I know there’s no way out/I’m trapped inside.”  This is some heavy content, but the thing is that being so heavy and clear in that heaviness, it will connect to plenty of audiences.  It will help others who are fighting those personal emotional battles have a connection and in turn, the strength to push on and persevere, knowing they are not alone in those battles.  That, together with the emotional heaviness in the song’s arrangement, makes clearer why this song is so important to the album’s presentation.  When it is considered along with the other songs examined here and with the rest of the album’s entries, the whole of that content makes Remember another strong new offering from A Killer’s Confession.

A Killer’s Confession’s brand new album, Remember, is a positive new offering from the band.  The band’s third album, it is a mostly impressive follow-up to the band’s sophomore record, The Indifference of Good Men (2019).  The record’s strength comes through its musical and lyrical content alike.  That is evidenced through all of the songs examined here, as well as the rest of the album’s songs.  When all of that content is considered together, the whole makes the album overall a record that audiences are certain to remember.  Yes, that awful pun was intended.

Remember is available now through Wake Up! Music Rocks/Wake Up! Music.  More information on the album is available along with all of A Killer’s Confession’s latest news at:

Website: https://www.akillersconfession.com

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/WaylonAKC

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.

Aftershock Festival 2021 Performance Times Announced

Courtesy: Ashton-Magnuson Media

Organizers of the annual Aftershock Festival have announced the schedule for this year’s installment of the annual event.

Now in its ninth year, the festival is actually a rescheduled event from 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic caused the event to be re-scheduled last year. As with its 2019 edition, this year’s installment of the Aftershock Festival is officially sold out. It is scheduled to take place this weekend from Thursday to Sunday at Discovery Park in Sacramento, CA.

The festival grounds are located at 1600 Garden Highway. Sacramento, CA.

Attendees at this year’s festival will be required to follow strict COVID-19 guidelines. Those guidelines are noted here.

The 2021 edition of the Aftershock Festival is scheduled to open at 4:25 p.m. ET Thursday with a performance by Oxymorrons, on the Coors Light Stage. Fit For A King follows at 4:50 p.m. on the Jack Daniel’s Stage. Death Angel and Exodus will follow Oxymorrons at 5:25 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. respectively on the Coors Light Stage. Meanwhile back on the Jack Daniel’s Stage, Knocked Loose is scheduled to follow Fit For A King at 5:55 p.m.

From there, Anthrax, Testamentand Cypress Hill will keep the music going between the two stages. Cypress Hill’s performance on the Jack Daniel’s Stage at 8:50 p.m. will close out the evening’s activities.

Friday will see the festival expand to three stages, with music starting at 12:45 p.m. from Contracult Collective on the Coors Light Stage. Ayron Jones will take the stage first at 1:20 p.m. Friday on the Kolas Stage. Performances from acts, such as Crobot, Pop Evil, and Rancid and many others will keep things moving through the day. Metallica will headline Friday’s events beginning at 8:55 p.m.

Moving on to Saturday, American Teeth and The Black Moods will open the day’s schedule at 12:30 p.m. and 12:35 p.m. on the Coors Light Stage and Kolas Stage respectively. Also notable acts featured on the day are those, such as South of Eden, Another Day Dawns, and Atreyu, as well as Anti-Flag, Mudvayne, and Alien Weaponry. The original lineup of The Misfits rounds out the day at 9:10 p.m. on the Jack Daniel’s Stage.

Even as the weekend winds down Sunday, the music will not let up. Sunday’s schedule opens at 12:20 p.m. on the Jack Daniel’s Stage with a performance by Law. As the day continues, performances from the likes of From Ashes To New, Pennywise, Mastodon, and Rise Against are also scheduled. Metallica closes out the weekend’s festivities at 7:55 p.m. ET on the Kolas Stage.

Along with lots of music, this weekend’s festival will also feature just as much food, drink and entertainment. The full details on all of that are noted below.

Additional food & beverage, and other experiences onsite include:

·      Caduceus Wine Garden, highlighting Caduceus Cellars and Merkin Vineyards, owned by Arizona resident Maynard James Keenan, co-founder of international recording acts TOOL, A Perfect Circle, and PUSCIFER.

·      Coors Light Coldstream serving with frosty draft technology, complete with actual ice crystals

·      Deep Eddy Vodka -Deep Eddy’s Dive In Trailer is a place where people come together to enjoy good times that never seem to end. Where strangers are just friends you haven’t met yet. While at Aftershock stopby and see us at the Deep Eddy Dive In Tour and raise a glass to being back together!

·      Dr. Greenthumb’s – Founded by the Godfather of insane brains, B-Real of Cypress Hill 

·       Fxck Cancer / Dyin 2 Live Dreams Program

·       It’s Ronz World –  custom guitars, rock shop and art

·       Jack Daniel’s Mobile Distillery Tour Experience – Officially registered by the U.S. Government in 1866 and based in Lynchburg, Tenn., the Jack Daniel Distillery is the first registered distillery in the United States and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Cheers your friends make your own history at Aftershock when you rock out at the Jack Daniel’s Main Stage with Metallica!

·      KOLAS – Stop by the Loud Lounge to level up Aftershock vibes with t-shirt ripping, body art and more.  KOLAS will also provide dynamic delivery outside the festival grounds.  Stop by the KOLAS footprint all weekend long to learn more!

·      Mortus Viventi  – Live Tarot Card Readings

·       The Blackened Bar – Aftershock is proud to continue the collaboration with Metallica’s Blackened Whiskey. The pop-up will feature Blackened, a super-premium American whiskey blend, crafted by the late Master Distiller Dave Pickerell and finished in the earth-shattering music of Metallica. This exciting collaboration marks the latest in a long line of amplified guest experiences only available through Danny Wimmer Presents music festivals.

·       The Loud Lounge – Get heady and hang in the Loud Lounge with Kolas, Clown Cannabis, California’s Finest CBD, Heavy Grass, Dr. Greenthumb’s, Helpful Hemp and more. 

·       Take Me Home – not for profit, volunteer based foundation that has been saving the lives of homeless animals since 2001.

·       weedmaps – Located inside the Loud Lounge. Fans can learn about cannabis delivery by downloading the weedmaps app all weekend long. Stop by the booth for fun giveaways and prizes and if you forgot your clear bag, weedmaps has your back. 

Aftershock Festival is presented and produced by Danny Wimmer Presents. More information on the 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.

Louder Than Life Lineup Finalized

Courtesy: Danny Wimmer Presents/Ashton-Magnuson Media

The 2021 Louder Than Life festival will go on.

The event’s organizers announced the lineup and performance times for the festival Tuesday through a news release. The event, now in its sixth year, has expanded to four days from three — Sept. 23-26 — and will feature performances from approximately 70 acts. Single-day and weekend tickets/passes are available here.

Metallica is one of the most notable acts for this year’s festival. The band is scheduled to perform two separate acts on two of the festival’s nights. Also scheduled to take one of the festival’s four stages at this year’s event are acts, such as Another Day Dawns, Disturbed, Korn, Mudvayne, Cypress Hill, and Pennywise.

Along with lots of music, this year’s festival will also feature lots of food and drunk. The Kroger Big Bourbon Bar is the most notable of the features of this year’s food and drink options. It will have more than a dozen hand-selected bourbons from top distilleries nationwide.

Food and drink from a variety and local and regional restaurants (all of which are noted below) will also be available for festival attendees.

502 Café, Angry Bird Grill, Bangarang Bahn Mi, Barrett’s BBQ, Barrett’s Burgers, Bistro Italiano, Blackbeard Espresso, Bru Bros Coffee, Burger Factory, Cheese Louise, Dank Nugs, Ehrler’s Ice Cream, Eli’s BBQ, Gary’s Philly Cheesesteaks, Gelato Gilberto, Hole Mole Tacos, Island Noodles, Jammin Concessions, Longshot Lobsta, Mac Attack, Merle’s Whiskey Kitchen, Mike’s Kentucky Kitchen, My Olympus Greek Food, Overloaded, Phat Daddy’s Creole, Pie Baby Wood Fired Pizza, Pizza Lupo, Potato Tornado, Ramiro’s Cantina, Shady Grove Wraps, Spicy Pie, Strawberry Field, The Cookie Lady, Tica’s Tacos, Tickle Pickle, and Tumbleweed.

Additional bourbon, food & beverage, and other experiences available onsite include:

·       Caduceus Wine Garden

·       The Blackened Bar

·       Jack Daniel’s No. 7 Sports Bar, where guests can enjoy NFL and college football games

·       Heavy Tiki Bar presented by Jim Beam

·       Budweiser Beer Garden

·       Jim Beam Garden

·       The Well– IV hydration, juice bar and overall wellness lounge to recharge all weekend long

·       Silver Dollar Hunter’s Club- featuring vintage bourbons dating as far back as the 1930s, as well as contemporary selections

·       Mortus Viventi – Live Tarot Card Readings

·       Jack’s Char Housepresented by Jack Daniel’s

·       Milagro Cantina Bar

·       Larceny Trailer Lounge

·       Tito’s Handmade Vodka VIP Airstream

·       The Speakeasy

·       Fxck Cancer / Dyin 2 Live Dreams Program

·       Pegasus Experiences – Louisville’s Finest Distillery Experiences

·       Take Me Home

·       The Music Experience

Louder Than Life is put on by Danny Wimmer Presents. The festival’s partners are noted below:

Bud Light, Bud Light Seltzer, Kroger, Marriott, Crowne Plaza, Jack Daniel’s, Jim Beam, Elijah Craig, Bulleit Bourbon, Angel’s Envy, Larceny, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Evan Williams, Milagro Tequila, Sailor Jerry, Pegasus, ESP, Mortus Viventi, The Music Experience, Louisville Tourism, Kentucky Venues, Ehrler’s Ice Cream, The Well, TickPick, Fxck Cancer, Revolver, Inked, Blackcraft, Fanatics, Headcount, TWOLA and Take Me Home.

Ra Announces New Live Dates

Courtesy: Wake Up! Music

Ra has extended its “Intercorrupted Tour.”

The band made the announcement through a press release distributed Monday. The document states the new dates are scheduled to run from Nov. 4 in Akron, OH to Nov. 18 in Iowa City, IA. The new schedule also features performances in cities, such as Clifton, NJ; Hampton Beach, NH and Flint, MI.

Along with the new dates, the band also has a series of dates to finish this month between Aug. 20 and 29. That run includes a performance at this year’s Metal in the Mountains festival on Aug. 28.

Front man Sahaj Ticotin said in a prepared statement, he and his band mates are looking forward to the band’s new and current dates.

“We are super excited to have all these dates lined up!,” said Ticotin.  “It’s been 7 years and we have 5 records to pick songs from. Gonna be a great time with great bands and we can’t wait to see all the beautiful faces both past and new! Lets’ Goooo!!”

Ra’s latest tour dates are in support of its latest album, Intercorrupted, which was released March 19 through Wake Up! Music. The album features guest appearances from Sevendust front man Lajon Witherspoon, and Starset’s Dustin Bates. It produced the single,  ‘Armageddon‘ and its lyric video.

The band’s current live schedule is noted below. Any Given Sin and Killakoi will serve as support for Ra’s upcoming November shows.

Leg I:

Fri, Aug 20 – Madison, WI – The Annex 

Sat, Aug 21 – Fort Wayne, IN – Piere’s 

Sun, Aug 22 – Joliet, IL – The Forge 

Tue, Aug 24 – Des Moines, IA – Lefty’s 

Wed, Aug 25 – Racine, WI – Rt 20 

Thu, Aug 26 – Columbus, OH – King Of Clubs 

Fri, Aug 27 – Marietta, OH – The Adelphia 

Sat, Aug 28 – Pipestem, WV – Metal In The Mountains  

Sun, Aug 29 – Louisville, KY – Diamond Pub 

Leg 2:

Thu, Nov 4 – Akron Ohio – Empire Concert Club

Fri, Nov 5 – Rochester, NY – Montage Music Hall

Sat, Nov 6 – Hampton Beach, NH – Wally’s

Sun, Nov 7 – Providence, RI – Fete Music Hall

Mon, Nov 8 – Albany, NY – Empire Underground

Tue, Nov 9 – Clifton, NJ – Dingbatz

Wed, Nov 10 – Pittsburgh, PA – Crafthouse

Fri, Nov 12 – Battle Creek, MI – The Music Factory

Sat, Nov 13 – Flint, MI – The Machine Shop

Tue, Nov 16 – Sioux City, IA – The Marquee

Wed, Nov 17 – Lincoln, NE – The Royal Grove

Thu, Nov 18 – Iowa City, IA – Wildwood

In other news, Ticotin recently worked with A Killer’s Confession and Mudvayne/Hellyeah front man Chad Gray on A Killer’s Confession’s new single, ‘Tell Your Soul,’ producing the single. The single was accompanied by a companion video, which debuted Thursday alongside the single.

More information on Ra’s new tour dates is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:

Website: https://raband.net

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/RATHEBAND

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.

A Killer’s Confession Premieres New Single, ‘Tell Your Soul,’ Companion Video

Courtesy: Wake Up! Music Rocks

The wait for the new single and video from A Killer’s Confession is over.

The band premiered its new song, ‘Tell Your Soul‘ and its video late Thursday night, more than a week after the announcement was made that the two were coming. The single features guest vocals from Chad Gray (Hellyeah, Mudvayne) alongside front man Waylon Reavis.

The musical arrangement featured in ‘Tell Your Soul’ is a melodic hard rock composition. The juxtaposition of the deeply contemplative mood in the song’s verses and more fiery approach to its chorus creates plenty of appeal.

Reavis spoke positively of the new single and collaboration during a recent interview.

“This song was an amazing collaboration between Sahaj Ticotin (Ra), Chad Gray, and myself,” said Reavis. “It was an honor to work with such true professional artists on such a powerful song. I hope everyone can feel the raw emotion and are moved just like I am when they listen.”

Gray shared Reavis’ appreciation for the song and its video.

“Waylon has wanted to do a song with me for a very long time, and earlier this year, we tried, but the song just didn’t fit either one of us,” he said. “So we went back to the drawing board with Sahaj Ticotin. The song really spoke to me, so we went for it. Everything just seems to fall into place. I’m really excited about this release.”

Added Gray, “My boy Wombat absolutely killed the video. I’m stoked for this song to drop. It’s a nice prelude to some more solo stuff I have on the way. I can’t wait for you all to hear this. Enjoy.”

Gray’s collaboration with AKC is just his latest. He worked with fellow rocker Hyro The Hero last year on his song, ‘Fight.’

The lyrical theme featured in the song matches that contemplative nature. Reavis talked about the song’s lyrical theme during the noted interview.

“This song is about forgiveness and acceptance of one’s own shortcomings,” he said. “I want to thank Chad and Sahaj for being such great friends and recording this song with me. Wombat absolutely crushed this video. Amazing talent all the way around!”  

The video for ‘Tell Your Soul’ presents Reavis and Gray in dimly lit home settings as they perform their respective parts to the song. Meanwhile, the song plays over while footage of an unidentified figure in a sheet is occasionally shown dancing as if it was a spirit.

‘Tell Your Soul’ and its video, are just the latest from the band’s forthcoming album, Remember. The album’s release date is under consideration. The album produced the single, ‘Trapped Inside‘ and its companion video April 29. The premiere of the song and its video came less than a month after the premiere of AKC’s then latest single, ‘Light to Darkness‘ and its video.

Additionally, the album has produced the singles, ‘Knife From Behind’ and its video, and Between Your Eyes’ and its video.

In other news, A Killer’s Confession is on tour with Gemini Syndrome for that band’s headlining tour. AKC’s run with Gemini Syndrome is scheduled to run through Aug. 15 in Albuquerque, NM. Following that run, AKC will head out on its own headlining tour, which is scheduled to launch Aug. 18 in Houston, TX and to run through Sept. 10 in Mansfield, OH.

The band’s current tour schedule is noted below.

AKC Tour Dates:

With Gemini Syndrome

Aug. 6 – Akron, OH – Empire Concert Club SOLD OUT

Aug. 7 – Louisville, KY – Diamond Ballroom

Aug. 8 – Nashville, TN – Basement East

Aug. 10 – Tulsa, OK – The Shrine

Aug. 11 – OKC, OK – 89th St Collective

Aug. 12 – Lawrence, KS – Bottleneck

Aug. 14 – Denver, CO – Oriental Theater

Aug. 15 – Albuquerque, NM – Launchpad

Headline shows / Festivals:

Aug. 18 – Houston, TX – Scout Bar

Aug. 20 – Jacksonville, FL – Acchetype

Aug. 21 – Orlando, FL – Central Florida Metal Fest V

Aug. 24 – Memphis, TN – Growlers

Aug. 25 – Huntsville, AL – Sidetracks

Aug. 26 – Pipestem, WV – Metal In The Mountains

Sep. 10 – Mansfield, OH – Inkcarceration

A Killer’s Confession with Gemini Syndrome and its upcoming headlining shows are just its latest. The band most recently ran a headline tour from May 7-24 with support from Heartsick and The Failsafe.

More information on A Killer’s Confession’s new tour dates, single, and video is available along with all of the band ‘s latest news at:

Website: https://www.akillersconfession.com

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/WaylonAKC

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.

Danny Wimmer Presents Launches New Rock Festival/Cruise

Courtesy: Danny Wimmer Presents

Danny Wimmer Presents is bringing audiences a new live rock festival and cruise.

The company made the announcement Wednesday through a news release distributed to the media. Voragos: Destination Lunasea Beach is scheduled to take place Feb. 16-21, 2022 aboard the Norwegian Pearl ship. The cruise departs Miami, FL and heads to Harvest Caye, Belize, where audiences will disembark for one day for a one-of-a-kind beach festival.

Rob Zombie is scheduled to headline the beach festival. It will also feature performances by Mudvyane (which is replacing Chevelle due to scheduling conflicts that it had), Black Stone Cherry, New Year’s Day, Tetrarch, and Amigo The Devil.

Amigo The Devil, Kevin Martin (Candlebox), Brett Scallions Aupervant Fuel, and Austin Meade are scheduled to perform on board on the Voragos Storytellers Stage. Comedians Jim Breuer, Big Jay Oakerson, Rachel Feinstein, and Shayne Smith are scheduled to perform on the cruise’s Voragos Comedy Stage.

An after party featuring performances by Brass Against and The Voragos Shut Up & Dance, and others will additionally take place each night.

Adding to interest for the inaugural event is are special appearances SiriusXM’s Shannon Gunz and the cast of “The Space Zebra Show.” SiriusXM’s Jose “Metal Ambassador” Mangin is scheduled to emcee the whole thing on board and on land.

Other acts scheduled for the upcoming event are the likes of Atreyu, Crown The Empire, and Afterlife.

Tickets for the event are available here.

More information on Voragos: Destination Lunasea Beach is available along with the event’s latest news at:

Website: https://www.voragos.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Vorag0s

Twitter: https://twitter.com/voragos1

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.

Chad Gray Joining A Killer’s Confession For New Single

Chad Gray (l) and Waylon Reavis (r) have partnered for A Killer’s Confession’s new single.
Photo credit: Wake Up! Music Rocks

Chad Gray is lending his talents to a new single from A Killer’s Confession.

Gray (Mudvayne, Hellyeah) has partnered with the band for its new single, ‘Tell Your Soul.’ The single is scheduled for release Aug. 6 through Wake Up! Music Rocks. It will feature in the band’s as yet untitled forthcoming third album, which is scheduled for release later this year.

Front man Waylon Reavis (ex-Mushroomhead) spoke positively of the new single and collaboration during a recent interview.

“This song was an amazing collaboration between Sahaj Ticotin (Ra), Chad Gray, and myself,” said Reavis. “It was an honor to work with such true professional artists on such a powerful song. I hope everyone can feel the raw emotion and are moved just like I am when they listen.”

Added Reavis, “This song is about forgiveness and acceptance of one’s own shortcomings. I want to thank Chad and Sahaj for being such great friends and recording this song with me. Wombat absolutely crushed this video. Amazing talent all the way around!”

Gray shared Reavis’ anticipation for the song and its video.

“Waylon has wanted to do a song with me for a very long time, and earlier this year, we tried, but the song just didn’t fit either one of us,” he said. “So we went back to the drawing board with Sahaj Ticotin. The song really spoke to me, so we went for it. Everything just seems to fall into place. I’m really excited about this release.”

Added Gray, “My boy Wombat absolutely killed the video. I’m stoked for this song to drop. It’s a nice prelude to some more solo stuff I have on the way. I can’t wait for you all to hear this. Enjoy.” 

Gray’s collaboration with AKC is just his latest. He worked with fellow rocker Hyro The Hero last year on his song, ‘Fight.’

In other news, A Killer’s Confession is on tour with Gemini Syndrome for that band’s headlining tour. AKC’s run with Gemini Syndrome is scheduled to run through Aug. 15 in Albuquerque, NM. Following that run, AKC will head out on its own headlining tour, which is scheduled to launch Aug. 18 in Houston, TX and to run through Sept. 10 in Mansfield, OH.

The band’s current tour schedule is noted below.

AKC Tour Dates:

With Gemini Syndrome

Jul. 27 – Clifton, NJ – Dingbatz

Jul. 28 – Pittsburgh, PA – The Crafthouse Stage & Grill

Jul. 30 – Stroudsburg, PA – Sherman Theater

Jul. 31 – Harrisburg, PA – HMAC

Aug. 1 – Baltimore, MD – Baltimore Soundstage

Aug. 3 – Fort Wayne, IN – Ft. Wayne Entertainment Center

Aug. 5 – Columbus, OH – The King Of Clubs

Aug. 6 – Akron, OH – Empire Concert Club SOLD OUT

Aug. 7 – Louisville, KY – Diamond Ballroom

Aug. 8 – Nashville, TN – Basement East

Aug. 10 – Tulsa, OK – The Shrine

Aug. 11 – OKC, OK – 89th St Collective

Aug. 12 – Lawrence, KS – Bottleneck

Aug. 14 – Denver, CO – Oriental Theater

Aug. 15 – Albuquerque, NM – Launchpad

Headline shows / Festivals:

Aug. 18 – Houston, TX – Scout Bar

Aug. 20 – Jacksonville, FL – Acchetype

Aug. 21 – Orlando, FL – Central Florida Metal Fest V

Aug. 24 – Memphis, TN – Growlers

Aug. 25 – Huntsville, AL – Sidetracks

Aug. 26 – Pipestem, WV – Metal In The Mountains

Sep. 10 – Mansfield, OH – Inkcarceration

A Killer’s Confession with Gemini Syndrome and its upcoming headlining shows are just its latest. The band most recently ran a headline tour from May 7-24 with support from Heartsick and The Failsafe.

A Killer’s Confession premiered its latest single, ‘Trapped Inside‘ and its companion video April 29. The premiere of the song and its video came less than a month after the premiere of AKC’s then latest single, ‘Light to Darkness‘ and its video.

A Killer’s Confession debuted another single, ‘Remember‘ and its video in January.

More information on A Killer’s Confession’s new tour dates, single, and video is available along with all of the band ‘s latest news at:

Website: https://www.akillersconfession.com

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/WaylonAKC

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.