Saliva Guitarist Dies

Posted on March 23, 2023 by philspicks

Courtesy: O’Donnell Media Group

Saliva guitarist Wayne Swinny died unexpectedly Wednesday during the band’s current tour.

According to reports, Swinny, who was one of the band’s founding members, died from a spontaneous brain hemorrhage, according to reports. According to the National Library of Medicine, which is directly associated with the National Center for Biotechnology Information, spontaneous brain hemorrhage is a brain bleed that leads to strokes.

Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is the cause for at least half of the spontaneous brain hemorrhages reported to hospitals nationwide annually, according to the agency. The organization’s information states factors, such as tumors, aneurysms, blood disorders, inflammation of blood vessels, and abnormalities of blood vessels and lymph vessels lead to all of the other brain hemorrhages reported each year.

Saliva Front man Bobby Amaru expressed his grief at Swinny’s passing in a prepared statement, saying he was heartbroken.

“I’m not even sure what to think or how to feel right now,” Amaru said. “My heart aches for Wayne’s family, his friends, and anyone who had the joy of being around him. My heart aches for his daughter Nikki. He loved that little girl so much. He was a Guitar Hero onstage with all the Rock ‘N’ Roll swag that most guitar players dream of. Offstage he was a proud father, an Ancient Aliens expert, and an incredible human who had zero enemies! He would go out of his way to make sure you had a good time.”

Amaru added, “I’m grateful that I got to share almost 12 years of my life with Wayne on the stage and most importantly off the stage. He was the older brother I never had. I learned so much from him and we had a fucking blast together! I will cherish it all for the rest of my life! God Bless you Wayne. I know we’ll meet again!!”

Amaru is just one of the well-known figures who have expressed sadness over Swinny’s passing and condolences to his friends and family. The members of Soil issued a statement about Swinny’s death on the band’s Facebook page late Wednesday night. The band said of Swinny in part in the statement, “You couldn’t ask for a bigger hearted and great human being. He always had a smile on his face and the time of day for a friend. You’ll be very missed. Until we all meet again.”

Otherwise toured briefly with Saliva last year, and guitarist Ryan Patrick also expressed his sorrow over Swinny’s death Wednesday night in a prepared statement.

“This is such sad, heartbreaking news, to know that this absolute legendary soul has left us,” the statement reads. “He was literally a Rock N Roll wizard. Wayne, it was an honor to watch you play every night & you my brother & I like equals, like friends, like rocknroll brothers. Every time we spoke, it was some kind of magic. Of heart, of soul, of rock n roll, life/death & music…You honored us with your graciousness from the start. We opened up to you & you were so kind to us.”

Patrick added, “Your riffs and the songs you wrote inspired so many people, including the two of us. It truly was such an honor to get to watch you play guitar. I just saw you a few weeks ago in Vegas & we enjoyed a true heart to heart in RockNRoll fashion…You were literally a walking guitar god. You played in a way that made me a better guitarist from just watching your magic. Your use of drop tuning riffs & hard rock pentatonic blues was LITERALLY the greatest okaying in this style I’ve ever witnessed live…”

Patrick concluded, “You are in the halls of people we will deeply miss…RIP Wayne. It truly was an honor & we will continue the same good fight we shared in common, in your honor…”

Condolences and prayers have also poured out from other well-known acts, such as Texas Hippie Coalition, Taproot, and Messer to Swinny’s family and friends along with countless other members of the music community.

Saliva was on tour in support of its latest single, ‘High On Me’ when Swinny died. The band had been touring alongside Any Given Sin and Through Fire at the time of Swinny’s passing. According to a posting placed on Any Given Sin’s Facebook page late Thursday morning, the remainder of the dates for the tour have been cancelled due to Swinny’s death.

More information on Swinny’s passing is available along with all of Saliva’s latest news at:

Website: https://salivaofficial.com

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/OfficialSaliva

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.

Saint Asonia Scores Another Success With ‘Extrovert’ EP

Posted on November 23, 2022 by philspicks

Hard rock super group Saint Asonia is keeping itself busy this year, and if the band’s scheduled winter 2023 tour schedule is any indication, it is going to be keeping itself busy into the new year, too. The band’s busy schedule started in July with the release of its debut EP, Introvert through Spinefarm Records. Its release was followed up last week, less than five months later, with the release of its second EP, Extrovert. The band is tentatively scheduled to release both EPs together next month in one complete package, less than two months after the band is scheduled to launch its next tour. Extrovert is another interesting offering from Saint Asonia that will appeal to audiences just as much as its companion record. As with Introvert, Extrovert‘s appeal comes in part through its musical arrangements, which will be discussed shortly. The lyrical themes that accompany the record’s musical content are accessible in their own right, making for just as much appeal. They will be discussed a little later. The record’s sequencing rounds out its most important elements and will also be examined later. Each item noted is key in its own way to the whole of Extrovert. All things considered they make Extrovert one more of this year’s top new EPs.

Extrovert, Saint Asonia’s second EP (and fourth overall studio recording behind the band’s two albums, Saint Asonia (2015) and Flawed Design (2019) ) is another largely successful offering from the band. The record’s success comes in part through its featured musical arrangements, which once are once again just as radio ready as any heavy melodic hard rock song that is run on America’s mainstream active rock stations. Just as in the case of the heavier works featured in Introvert, the arrangements in this EP boast a sound and style that is very similar to that of works from the likes of The Veer Union, Otherwise, and A Killer’s Confession. Even with those comparisons in mind, the songs here still boast their own identity separate from those bands’ works and from other worse that Saint Asonia has already crafted. Even in more contemplative moments, such as in ‘Better Now’ and ‘Over It’ the band still does not pull back but so much, but still manages to translate the emotion in the song’s lyrical theme so well through their musical arrangements without being too schmaltzy at any point. Keeping all of this in mind, the musical content that is featured throughout this EP does plenty in its own right to keep audiences engaged.

While the musical arrangements featured in Extrovert are positive additions to the EP in their own way, they are just part of what makes the record worth hearing. The lyrical themes that accompany the arrangements make for their own appeal. Case in point is the fully accessible theme featured in ‘Over It.’ This song finds front man Adam Gontier (ex-Three Days Grace) singing from the standpoint of a person battling an all too familiar inner battle with himself/herself. The person in this case is battling that sense of depression and doubt of self worth. That is clearly inferred as Goutier sings in the song’s lead verse and chorus, “I’m addicted to the pain that I’ve created for myself/Alone and on the outside/Always trying to be someone else/This weight on my shoulders/Where did I go wrong/My soul is so cold/And I hate what I’ve become/If I don’t find a way is it over/If I don’t blame myself is it gone/All of this time I’ve wasted/Or will I make it out from under this world before it falls/I’m over it all/I’m over it.” This is that clear sense of self doubt that so many people battle daily. Goutier continues the message in the song’s second verse as he sings, “I’ll admit that I’m ashamed/’Cause I’ve been lying to myself/My throne is rusted from the years/Of Living in this hell/I take so much ****/Is this where I belong/My heart is so charred/And I hate what I’ve become.” Yet again here is that inner battle that is so familiar to audiences. It seems quite melancholy on the surface, but on a deeper level, it is a theme that is certain to resonate with plenty of audiences. That is especially the case considering the manner of its delivery.

Another theme that is certain to resonate with audiences comes in Extrovert‘s opener, ‘Devastate.’ In the case of this song, there is a certain level of depth in its own right as The song’s subject seems to be addressing someone who is really his or her own worst enemy. In the process of being his or her own enemy, that person is apparently making others strongly dislike that person. There is even an inference that maybe that overall dislike was caused by addiction. The inference starts in the song’s lead verse and chorus, which state, “Down in the dark/You live on the bottom/You fooled them all/Looks like you got ’em/When all is lost/Who will you follow/When all the same **** will be here tomorrow/You fall for anything/All for nothing/You never cared for anyone at all/Well, I hate every word you say/Even when you breathe/I can’t stand to see you medicate/Fake/It’s all one and the same/Nothing to believe/All you ever do is devastate.” The seeming message is furthered in the song’s second verse, which states, “Nothing to use/End of the bottle/We fooled ’em all/Like a role model/No matter the cost/Beg, steal or borrow/’Cause all the same **** will be here tomorrow.” The message is finalized in the song’s breakdown, during which Goutier sings, “All your lies/Under your disguise/When the weight comes down/You’ll be underground.” Once more, what audiences seem to be getting here overall is that apparent theme of someone addressing another subject who is being fake not only to others but also to himself/herself and the impact thereof. It is not a unique theme, but still welcome and accessible to a wide range of audiences in its own right.

‘Better Now’ is another song that shows the accessibility of Extrovert‘s lyrical themes. In the case of this song, it is clearly that of a broken relationship and the aftermath on at least one side. This is made clear as Goutier sings in the song’s lead verse and chorus, “Look at my face/I hope it haunts you ’till the end/You left me here for dead/when you walked away/How does it taste/To know that you were wrong/And now I get to watch you crawl/All the way back to me/Guess I let you get away with everything/Never called you out on anything/Had your back because you needed me/Now I’m standing here alone/Every time I think about it/You were a perfect mistake/Lesson learned/It was never forever/I can do better/Every time I think about it/Know that you were just in my way/Now I know/It was never forever/I can do better now.” This is unquestionably someone who is angry and deeply hurt by the result of that toxic relationship, yet who is also realizing he or she is better and is in the process of moving forward. It is a theme that will resonate with its own share of listeners. The realizations continue in the song’s second verse, which states, “Look at this place/Scattered with an empty silence/Every scream and every crisis/It stays with me/How can you face yourself/Knowing how you were so evil/Like poison in a needle/And the vein was me.” The overall revelation and reaction here will have such a powerful impact on plenty of listeners. It is just one more example of the importance of this record’s lyrical content. When this theme and the others examined here are considered along with the EP’s other themes, the whole leaves no doubt as to the importance of the record’s lyrical content. When it and the record’s musical content are considered jointly, the whole makes for all the more engagement and entertainment for audiences.

The sequencing of that collective musical and lyrical content makes that engagement and entertainment even stronger. From beginning to end of the 20-minute record, the heaviness and energy barely lets up, even when it does pull back. Those subtle pull backs are expertly placed in the bigger picture of the arrangements. The lyrical themes change up just enough to keep audiences engaged and entertained, too. Clearly plenty of thought and time went into the sequencing, and the result was success there, too. The end result is a positive general effect that is enhanced through the overall content. All things considered, the sequencing and content together make Extrovert another strong addition to Saint Asonia’s catalog.

Extrovert, the latest addition to Saint Asonia’s catalog, is another strong offering from the band. The band’s fourth overall studio recording and second EP, it offers much for audiences to appreciate, beginning with the record’s musical arrangements. The heaviness and energy in each arrangement is once again ready for any active rock radio station. That is especially the case considering how similar the arrangements are in sound and style to so many of the band’s hard rock counterparts. The lyrical themes that accompany the record’s musical arrangements are accessible in their own right, making for even more engagement and entertainment. The sequencing of that overall content rounds out the EP’s most important elements, completing its presentation. Each item examined is important in its own way to the whole of the EP. All things considered they make Extrovert one of the best of this year’s new EPs.

Extrovert is available now through Spinefarm Records. More information on the record is available along with all of Saint Asonia’s latest news at:

Website: https://saintasonia.com

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/saintasonia

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

Saliva Debuts New Single, ‘Crows’

Posted on June 5, 2022 by philspicks

Saliva released its latest single this weekend.

The band premiered its new single, ‘Crows‘ Friday. The single’s premiere comes more than two months after the premiere of the band’s then latest single, ‘Revelation Man.‘ The band debuted that song’s video April 22, less than a month after the band debuted the single by itself.

The musical arrangement featured in ‘Crows’ is a heavy, rich composition that has all of the trademarks of Saliva’s early works. At the same time, the subtle screams incorporated at points and the melodic hard rock approach here make the song really something unique. That is because as front man Bobby Amaru points out in a prepared statement, the song centers on the emotional and mental impact of dealing with a broken relationship that finds one person refusing to let go.

“‘Crows’ is about a broken relationship with someone that is unable to accept what and who they really are,” Amaru said. “Someone you try and fix but cannot. When I say “I’m not bowing to the crows inside your head! That means I’m done giving into the same s*** that’s been eating this relationship alive. I think many people can relate who have been in this situation before. They continue to let the other person drag them down until enough is enough!”

Looking at Amaru’s statement, the brooding nature in the song’s arrangement perhaps delves into the mind of that person who is just so upset over dealing with the situation. At the same time, the arrangement could have been even heavier, considering that as Amaru pointed out, the song is about someone having had too much of said toxic relationship. It just makes for an interesting whole that is certain to engage and entertain audiences even being such an overly common theme.

In other news Saliva is on the road with Otherwise. The bands’ current schedule is noted below.

Saliva with Otherwise Dates:

6/8 – Horseheads, NY – The L
6/9 – Cleveland, OH – The Odeon
6/10 – Angola, IN – The Eclectic Room
6/11 – Flint, MI – The Machine Shop
6/14 – Mechanicsburg, PA – Lovedrafts
6/15 – Columbus, OH – The King of Clubs
6/16 – Joliet, IL – The Forge
6/17 – Green Bay, WI – Epic Event Center
6/19 – Madison, WI – High Noon Saloon
6/21 – Springfield, MO – Kiss Bar and Grill
6/22 – Arnold, MO – 21 Rock
6/23 – Lawrence, KS – The Bottleneck

‘Crows’ is just one more of a handful of singles that the band says it has planned for release this year ahead of a new album set for release later this year. More information on that album and the coming singles is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:

Website: https://salivaofficial.com

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/OfficialSaliva

Saliva Announces Tour With Otherwise; Premieres New Single’s Video

Posted on April 30, 2022 by philspicks

Saliva is set to join fellow rock band Otherwise on the road this summer.

The band is scheduled to join Otherwise for a three week run starting June 2 in Columbia, SC. The tour is scheduled to run through June 23 and features performances in cities, such as Cleveland, OH; Mechanicsburg, PA and Springfield, MO.

The tour’s schedule is noted below.

Saliva with Otherwise Dates:

6/2 – Columbia, SC – New Brookland Tavern
6/3 – Corbin, KY – Icehouse
6/4 – Huntsville, AL – Shagnasty’s
6/5 – Clarksville, TN – The Warehouse
6/8 – Horseheads, NY – The L
6/9 – Cleveland, OH – The Odeon
6/10 – Angola, IN – The Eclectic Room
6/11 – Flint, MI – The Machine Shop
6/14 – Mechanicsburg, PA – Lovedrafts
6/15 – Columbus, OH – The King of Clubs
6/16 – Joliet, IL – The Forge
6/17 – Green Bay, WI – Epic Event Center
6/19 – Madison, WI – High Noon Saloon
6/21 – Springfield, MO – Kiss Bar and Grill
6/22 – Arnold, MO – 21 Rock
6/23 – Lawrence, KS – The Bottleneck

In other news, Saliva premiered the video for its latest single this month. The band premiered the video for its latest single, ‘Revelation Man‘ April 22. The video’s premiere comes more than a month after the band debuted the song. The video features the band performing its new single in a desert setting as the song plays over the visualization.

The song’s musical arrangement features a base that takes audiences back to Saliva’s early days while also giving the song a sense of where the band stands today.

The song’s lyrical theme takes on the impact of addiction and recovering from it, said front man Bobby Amaru.

“‘Revelation Man’ is about a guy who couldn’t accept the struggles of his own addictions,” said Amaru. “He had to hit rock bottom to see the light. When I say “had to die to find a revelation” I don’t mean dying literally but there were moments in my life where I felt like I had. It particularly relates with me because of my sobriety of 3 1/2 years. I went through a lot of things before I got sober. “

‘Revelation Man’ is just one of a handful of singles that the band says it has planned for release this year ahead of a new album set for release later this year. More information on that album and the coming singles is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:

Website: https://salivaofficial.com

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/OfficialSaliva

Sunflower Dead Premieres New Single, ‘Falling Down,’ Companion Lyric Video

Posted on September 10, 2021 by philspicks

Sunflower Dead is giving its audiences some more new music to enjoy over the weekend.

The band premiered its new single, ‘Falling Down‘ and its companion lyric video Friday. The song and its video are the second from the band’s forthcoming album, March of the Leper, which is expected for release in early 2022. The band premiered the album’s lead single, ‘The Underneath‘ and its video last month.

An exact release date for Sunflower Dead’s new album is under consideration. Pre-orders are open.

The musical arrangement featured in ‘Falling Down’ is just as heavy as that featured in ‘The Underneath’ if not even heavier. The gutteral screams and clean vocals pair with the intensity from the instrumentation to give the overall arrangement a sound that harkens back to the early days of Machine Head circa Burn My Eyes and The More Things Change…

No information was provided about the song’s lyrical theme in the press release announcing the premiere of the new song and video. In watching the song’s lyric video though, the theme comes across as a social commentary about the truths and lies that society tells itself. It notes in its own fashion that all humans lead themselves to lie to others for one reason or another. That is, as always, this critic’s own interpretation.

In other news, Sunflower Dead is continuing its tour in support of its new album, which launched last month. The tour continues tonight with a performance scheduled to take place in Janesville, WI. The band’s current schedule is noted below.

September Tour Dates

9/10 Janesville, WI – Back Bar +

9/11 Chippewa Falls, WI – Joels 4Corners +

9/12 Braidwood, IL – Top Fuel Saloon +

9/14 Omaha, NE – Reverb Lounge *

9/16 Lubbock, TX – Jake’s Backroom =

9/17 OKC, OK – Whiskey Nights =

9/18 Katy, TX – Wildcatter Saloon =

9/19 Dallas, TX – Gas Monkey =

* SFD Only

+ The Lonely Ones & SFD

^ Sons Of Texas & SFD

~ SFD & Co-Op

= Otherwise & SFD

More information on Sunflower Dead’s new single, video, album and tour is available online now along with the band’s latest news at:

Website: https://www.sunflowerdead.com

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/sunflowerdead

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to https://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.

Sunflower Dead Premieres New Single, Video

Posted on August 6, 2021 by philspicks

Sunflower Dead debuted its latest single and the song’s companion video this week.

The band premiered its new single, ‘The Underneath‘ and its “visualizer” Friday. The song is the lead single from the band’s forthcoming album, March of the Leper, which is scheduled for release in early 2022. An exact release date is under consideration. Pre-orders are open.

March of the Leper will release through a variety of platforms, all of which are noted below.

1. Signed CD

2. Signed Vinyl

3. Signed Limited Edition Cassette

4. Signed CD/T-Shirt Bundle

5. Signed Vinyl/T-shirt Bundle

6. Signed Cassette/T-Shirt Bundle

7. Everything Bundle

The musical arrangement featured in ‘The Underneath’ is a heavy, aggro-metal type composition. The thick crunch of the guitars and the richness of the bass and drums pairs with the gritty vocal delivery to give the song in whole a sound and stylistic approach that will appeal widely to hard rock and metal fans.

No information was provided about the song’s lyrical theme in the press release announcing the debut of the new song and its visualizer. However, the visualizer’s imagery — a cloaked zombie type figure caught in the middle of a group of screaming, “normal” individuals and a close listen to the song infers that this is one of those familiar songs that addresses feelings of being a social outcast because of society’s norms. That is just this critic’s interpretation and should not be taken as the only inference.

In other news, Sunflower Dead has planned an extensive summer tour run, including a run alongside CO-OP as support for The Lonely Ones on its upcoming tour, and even a performance at this year’s Metal in the Mountains festival. The band’s tour schedule is noted below.

August/September Tour Dates:

8/13 Salt Lake City, UT – The Royal *

8/14 CO Springs, CO – Sunshine Studios*

8/15 Denver, CO – Herman’s Hideaway *

8/17 St. Joseph, MO – Cafe Acoustic *

8/19 Indianapolis, IN – Hi-Fi +

8/20 Battle Creek, MI – Music Factory +

8/21 Keokuk, IA – L-Treyns +

8/22 Mishawaka, IN – Smokestack Brew +

8/25 Columbia, MO – Rose Music Hall ^

8/26 Joliet, IL – The Forge ^

8/27 Marietta, OH – The Adelphia +

8/28 Columbus, OH – Newport Music +

8/29 Pipestem, WV – MITM Festival

8/31 Louisville, KY – Diamond Pub +

9/1 Charleston, WV – Sam’s Uptown ~

9/3 Huntington, WV – V Club +

9/4 Akron, OH – Empire +

9/7 Iowa City, IA – Wildwood Saloon +

9/8 Des Moines, IA – Lefty’s +

9/9 Sioux Falls, SD – Bigs Bar +

9/10 Janesville, WI – Back Bar +

9/11 Chippewa Falls, WI – Joels 4Corners +

9/12 Braidwood, IL – Top Fuel Saloon +

9/14 Omaha, NE – Reverb Lounge *

9/16 Lubbock, TX – Jake’s Backroom =

9/17 OKC, OK – Whiskey Nights =

9/18 Katy, TX – Wildcatter Saloon =

9/19 Dallas, TX – Gas Monkey =

* SFD Only

+ The Lonely Ones & SFD

^ Sons Of Texas & SFD

~ SFD & Co-Op

= Otherwise & SFD

More information on Sunflower Dead’s new single, video, album and tour is available online now along with the band’s latest news at:

Website: https://www.sunflowerdead.com

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/sunflowerdead

Pop Evil Unveils New LP’s Lead Single, Video; Announces New Live Dates

Posted on October 30, 2017 by philspicks

Cover ARt by Mike Chardcore

Pop Evil is giving audiences their first taste of its next album.

The band has unveiled the video for its new single ‘Walking Lions,’ which will be included in the band’s next album, tentatively set to be released Feb. 16 via Entertainment One. The song, which is a solid hard rock composition akin to music from Sevendust, Otherwise and similar acts, is everything that audiences have come to expect from the band both musically and lyrically. Audiences can view the video online now here.

The band’s new album, its fifth full-length studio recording, is tentatively a self-titled release and will come a little more than two years after the release of the band’s fourth album Up. Up was released Aug. 21, 2015.

The band will go back on the road this fall in support of its new album beginning Nov. 16 in Lexington, KY. Its nearly three-week- tour runs through Dec. 2 and includes performances in Warrendale, PA; Huntsville, Ala; Nashville, TN and other cities. The band’s current tour schedule is noted below.

TOUR DATES
Nov 16 – Manchester Music Hall – Lexington, KY
Nov 17 – Oddbody’s – Dayton, OH
Nov 18 – House of Blues Cleveland – Cleveland, OH
Nov 20 – Jergel’s Rhythm Grille – Warrendale, PA
Nov 21 – The Forge – Joliet, IL
Nov 22 – Spicoli’s – Waterloo, IA
Nov 25 – Regency Live – Springfield, MO
Nov 26 – Sammy T’s Music Hall – Huntsville, AL
Nov 29 – Exit/In – Nashville, TN
Dec 01 – The Apollo Theatre Ac – Belvidere, IL
Dec 02 – Bourbon Theatre – Lincoln, NE

More information on Pop Evil’s new single, album, tour and more is available online now along with all of the band’s latest news and more at:

Website: http://www.PopEvil.com

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

Twitter: http://twitter.com/popevil

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.

‘Sleeping Lions’ Is Another Successful Effort From Otherwise

Posted on August 18, 2017 by philspicks

Courtesy: Century Media Records

Otherwise is preparing to hit the road this weekend for a series of live dates in support of its latest full-length studio recording Sleeping Lions. The band’s third album, it is scheduled to be released Sept. 22 in stores and online, and continues the success brought through the band’s first two albums – True Love Never Dies (2012) and Peace At All Costs (2014). That is due in part to the mix of musical influences evident throughout the record. The record’s collective lyrical content plays its own integral part in its overall presentation, too. Its sequencing rounds out its most important elements. When it is joined with the record’s musical arrangements and lyrical content, the whole of the noted elements makes it deserving of a spot on any critic’s list of the year’s top new hard rock albums.

Otherwise’s third full-length studio recording Sleeping Lions is a record that is deserving of a spot on any critic’s list of the year’s top new hard rock albums. That is due in part to the musical arrangements presented over the course of the record’s 11-song, 44-minute run. Right from the album’s outset, listeners are treated to a heavy, guitar-driven arrangement in ‘Angry Heart’ that lends itself easily to comparisons to so many songs from Alter Bridge. The arrangement presented in the record’s title track, which comes early in the album’s run, changes things up instantly, conjuring thoughts of Shinedown. Much the same can be said of the melodic hard rock arrangement presented in ‘Crocodile Tears.’ ‘Suffer,’ the album’s third track, changes things up just as much, leading to thoughts of Staind with its arrangement. That is due both to the song’s arrangement and front man Adrian Patrick’s vocal delivery style here. One could even compare the arrangement presented in ‘Close To The Gods’ to compositions from a handful of well-known hard rock acts including Soil, Drowning Pool, Sevendust and other similar acts. These comparisons are just some of the ways in which the album’s musical arrangements prove so important to its presentation. They show the album’s musical reach for all intents and purposes, which is clearly rather extensive. Considering this, that reach builds a solid foundation for Sleeping Lions. It is only one of the album’s key elements, too. The album’s overall lyrical content is just as important to discuss as its musical arrangements.

The lyrical content presented throughout the course of Sleeping Lions is important to discuss because it is just as varied as the album’s musical arrangement. Case in point is the lyrical content presented in the album’s closer, ‘Bloodline Lullaby.’ The song’s lyrical content comes across perhaps as Patrick (or one of his band mates) singing to a child before heading out on the road as he sings in the song’s lead verse, “Never worry child/Everything’s alright/It may take a while to see the good light/I’m right here with you/Always true/So don’t say goodbye/I’ll see you soon/Another day/Another moon.” The song’s second verse lends itself just as much to that thought as Patrick sings, “Crazy as it seems/Life in the spotlight/Chasing down a dream/Living through a phone line/You are all I need/You’re my everything/Counting down the hours/Oh how the time flies/Running the miracle mile/Crossing the state line/I’m right here with you/Always true/So don’t say goodbye/I’ll see you soon/Another day/Another moon.” It’s hardly the first time that a musician or act has ever crafted a song about life on the road and the strains connected therein. But the lyrical approach taken here makes it original. The addition of the heartfelt musical arrangement, which itself can be compared to compositions from so many of Otherwise’s current counterparts, adds to that emotional impact. Considering this, the song becomes just one clear example of why the album’s lyrical content is just as important to its presentation as its musical arrangements.

The lyrical content presented in ‘Nothing To Me’ is another example of what makes this album’s lyrical content so important to discuss. While the album’s closer presents a moving message of familial love in its lyrical content, ‘Nothing To Me’ is the polar opposite. It is clearly a song about a broken relationship, but is certainly not the standard oh-woe-is-me message. Rather, it presents a very self-confident tone in its wording as is evidenced right off the bat as Patrick sings, “So this is what you have been waiting for/Just to be uglier than me/I’m not a line in the sand/You sin has been wasted/And you’ve become the very thing that you hated/Careful/You might find what you’re looking for.” That confidence continues in the song’s second verse as Patrick sings, “Yeah, you should focus on yourself/To pretend you’re not scared/I can tell that you’re shakin’/Don’t look down/Your safety net’s breakin’/Careful/You might find what you’re looking for.” There is plenty of fiery energy behind these words thanks to Patrick’s delivery. That fire and the message in the lyrics makes fully evident the message here. As with ‘Bloodline Lullaby,’ it is not the first song of its style. Other proud, confident breakup songs have been crafted by other bands, but the lyrical fashion in which that message was delivered here makes the message just as powerful and welcome as ever. With that in mind, it makes the song yet another example of why the album’s lyrical content is so important to its overall presentation. It still is not the last example of what makes the album’s lyrical content so important to discuss. ‘Close To The Gods’ is yet one more example of what makes the album’s lyrical content so important to discuss.

The content presented in ‘Close To The Gods’ is another prime example of what makes Sleeping Lions’ lyrical content so important to discuss because it comes across as one of the record’s deepest songs, lyrically speaking. Patrick sings in the song’s lead verse, “Are you willing to do/What it takes to be truthful/Can you cut through the filth/And get down to the beautiful” before singing in the song’s lead chorus, “Now I’m crawling on a face of stone/I’m trying hard to leave a mark/So reckless on a path unknown/Hoping to catch a spark/Getting close to the gods/And the devil is falling/Now there’s no way to stop/No escape from the calling/So you don’t fall behind/We’re holding the line/Fighting for life as we climb/Close to the gods/All the temples are falling/Getting close to the gods.” Additionally, he sings in the song’s second verse, “Feel the energy slip/Through your hands as you witness/All the steel turn to rust/We are sand/We are ashes and dust.” The message that is seemingly delivered here perhaps addresses people’s striving to be better than they are, trying to escape all of the world’s negativity and evil. That is of course just this critic’s interpretation. It would be interesting to find out what exactly Patrick is saying with the words presented here. That depth in the song’s lyrical content shows once more why Sleeping Lions’ lyrical content is so important to the album’s overall presentation. It most certainly is not the last example of what makes the album’s lyrical content so important. The seemingly uplifting message in ‘Weapons,’ the hard-hitting commentary in the album’s title track and the contemplative reflection of ‘Angry Heart’ each present their own interesting thoughts. Taking this into consideration along with the lyrical content not noted here, it should be clear why Sleeping Lions’ lyrical content is just as important to its overall presentation as its musical arrangements. That collective content is not the last of the album’s most important elements. Its overall sequencing rounds out its most important elements.

Sleeping Lions’ sequencing is just as important to discuss in analyzing the album as its musical and lyrical content because it of the time and thought that was clearly put into this part of the record’s presentation. The album opens with full, fiery energy in its first two songs before presenting a slightly more reserved arrangement in ‘Suffer’ that still boasts its own energy. The album’s energy and mood are relatively well-balanced from start to end. For the most part, the album’s energy is maintained throughout the record even as the songs’ moods change from one work to the next. Even as the album reaches its finale, the energy barely lets up. The song’s verses are quite reserved, but the choruses are just as powerful as any of the album’s other compositions. Considering this, it becomes clear why the album’s sequencing so easily ensures its listeners’ maintained engagement throughout the record. Its energy never goes too far one way or another at any point throughout. Rather it is just right from start to finish. Keeping that in mind, it should be obvious by now why the album’s sequencing is just as important to its presentation as its musical arrangements and lyrical content. The whole of those three elements together makes Sleeping Lions a work that continues Otherwise’s previous successes and is, again, deserving of a spot on any critic’s list of the year’s top new hard rock albums.

Otherwise’s latest full-length studio album Sleeping Lions continues the success of the band’s previous efforts in so many ways. From musical arrangements that clearly show the band’s influences and reach to lyrical content that is just as varied to sequencing that maintains the album’s energy from one end to the other, there is plenty to the positive to say about this new effort from Otherwise; so much so that it makes its deserving of a spot in any critic’s list of the year’s top new hard rock albums. It will be released Sept. 22 in stores and online and will be available at the band’s upcoming live fall dates with Red, 10 Years and Pop Evil. More information on Sleeping Lions is available online with all of the band’s latest tour updates, news and more at:

Website: http://weareotherwise.com

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

Twitter: http://twitter.com/WeAreOtherwise

Otherwise Joining Red, 10 Years For Fall Tour

Posted on August 17, 2017 by philspicks

Courtesy: Century Media Records

Otherwise is hitting the road.

The Las Vegas, NV-based hard rock outfit will embark on a North American tour in support of its forthcoming third album Sleeping Lions, which is currently set to be released Sept. 22 in stores and online. Audiences can hear the album’s title track and lead single online now ahead of the album’s release here.

Otherwise’s tour begins Oct. 14 in Winchester, VA. The band will join Red and 10 Years for the month-long tour, which also includes stops in Greensboro, NC; Cincinnati, OH; Kansasville, WI among other cities. Front man Adrian Patrick said in a recent interview that the band is anticipating its run with Red and 10 Years.

“We are overflowing with good vibrations to be heading out on a strong, unique run in the states with 10 Years and Red as we support our new album, Sleeping Lions!” Patrick exclaimed. “Not only are both bands incredibly artistic and spiritual, but we’ve toured with both groups to resounding success in the not-so-distant past; we thoroughly enjoyed our time with the guys in Red, and our homies in 10 Years are practically family. To share the stage with all of them this Fall is spectacular news for us dirty Vegas boys!”

Before Otherwise joins Red and 10 Years for that tour, it will perform a handful of headlining dates beginning this Saturday, Aug. 19 in Uncasville, CT. The band’s headlining dates run through Friday, Sept. 15 in the band’s home town. Those dates and the band’s schedule with Red and 10 Years are noted below.

OTHERWISE – Upcoming Live Shows

Saturday, August 19 – Uncasville, CT @ Mohegan Sun (Wolf’s Den)
Sunday, August 20 – Carterville, IL @ Moonstock Festival
Saturday, September 2 – Madison, WI @ Taste of Madison
Friday, September 8 – Seal Beach, CA @ Affliction Studios
Friday, September 15 – Las Vegas, NV @ Hard Rock Casino (Vinyl)

OTHERWISE – US Tour Dates w/Red & 10 Years

Saturday, October 14 – Winchester, VA @ Blue Fox Billiards *
Sunday, October 15 – Morgantown, WV @ Schmitt’s Saloon *
Tuesday, October 17 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Diesel Lounge
Wednesday, October 18 – Poughkeepsie, NY @ The Chance Theater
Thursday, October 19 – Lancaster, PA @ Chameleon Club
Friday, October 20 – Lynchburg, VA @ Phase 2
Saturday, October 21 – New York, NY @ Highline Ballroom
Monday, October 23 – Greensboro, NC @ Blind Tiger
Wednesday, October 25 – Darlington, SC @ Carolina Nightclub & Grill
Thursday, October 26 – Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade (Heaven)
Friday, October 27 – Destin, FL @ Club LA #
Saturday, October 28 – Cape Coral, FL @ Dixie Roadhouse **
Sunday, October 29 – Lake Buena Vista, FL @ House of Blues – Orlando
Tuesday, October 31 – Baton Rouge, LA @ Varsity Theatre
Thursday, November 2 – Lexington, KY @ Manchester Music Hall
Friday, November 3 – Cincinnati, OH @ Bogart’s
Saturday, November 4 – Sauget, IL @ Pop’s
Sunday, November 5 – Joliet, IL @ The Forge
Tuesday, November 7 – Kansasville, WI @ 1175 Sports Park
Wednesday, November 8 – Detroit, MI @ Saint Andrews Hall
Friday, November 10 – Ft. Wayne, IN @ Piere’s
Saturday, November 11 – Indianapolis, IN @ The Vogue Theatre

* – 10 Years & Otherwise Only
** – w/Pop Evil & 10 Years (no Red)
# – w/Pop Evil, 10 Years & Red

More information on Otherwise’s upcoming live dates is available online now along with all of the band’s latest news and more at:

Website: http://weareotherwise.com

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

Twitter: http://twitter.com/WeAreOtherwise

Otherwise Announces Spring Tour Schedule With Nonpoint, Scare Don’t Fear

Posted on March 27, 2015 by philspicks

Courtesy: Street Smart Marketing

Fans of the Las Vegas-based hard rock band Otherwise are going to get more chances to see the band live this spring.

The members of Otherwise announed this week that the band will continue its current tour into the spring. The band will join Scare Don’t Fear as a support act for veteran rock bad Nonpoint on its current tour. The new slate of tour dates are in support of Otherwise’s latest full-length studio effort Peace at All Costs (Century Media). Front man Adrian Patrick spoke on behalf of the band noting that it Nonpoint was one of the first bands to offer support to Otherwise, so it’s just fair to repay the favor. He expanded explaining that Nonpoint’s willingness to take chances and set itself apart from all of the mainstream acts out there, which is another reason that the members of Otherwise have always admired Nonpoint. “The Wise Guys are excited to go out on the road with Nonpoint for this new tour,” he said. “They were one of the first bands to support us and they’ve continued to find success for as long as they have by doing something unique in this Active Rock genre which we strive to set ourselves apart in as well. Add in the fact that they’re cool cats and we can’t wait to hang out!”

‘Coming for the Throne,’ the latest single from Peace at all Costs, is currently making waves at radio stations across the country. As Patrick explains, the song is self-explanatory. “Our latest single has been at radio for a few weeks now and has been doing very well; getting picked up by stations all over the country,” he said. “The message of the song is crystal clear: we are here to take the crown… the world needs to know that. And now with my son here in this life, it holds a deeper meaning in what I want to share with him. I want him to always believe in himself, just as my parents taught my brother & I to do.” The video for ‘Coming for the Throne’ can be viewed online now via YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eu6MfEMVtdo&feature=youtu.be.

The dates for Otherwise’s dates with Scare Don’t Fear and Nonpoint are listed below:

OTHERWISE Dates on Nonpoint Tour

4/20: Fat Cat’s Music Lounge – Modesto, CA *

4/28: Hard Times – Hagerstown, MD

4/29: Schmitt’s Saloon – Morgantown, WV

5/1: Altar Bar – Pittsburgh, PA

5/3: Hard Times – Fredericksburg, VA

5/6: Rockpile West – Toronto, ON

5/7: Lost Horizon – Syracuse, NY

5.8: Jewel Nightclub – Manchester, NH

5/12: Bullshooters – Philadelphia, PA

5/13: The Broadberry – Richmond, VA

5/16: Music Factory – Battle Creek

5/18: Green Bay Distillery – Ashwaubenon, WI

5/19: Q & Z Expo Center – Ringle, WI

5/20: Spicoli’s Grill – Waterloo, IA

5/30: Rock Fest – Kansas City #

* – w/We Are Harlot (no Nonpoint)

# – Radio Festival (no Nonpoint)

All of the latest updates on Otherwise’s tour schedule are available online along with all of the band’s latest news at:

Website: http://www.weareotherwise.com

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

Twitter: http://twitter.com/weareotherwise

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