Prong Debuts New Single, Video; Announces New Live Dates With Life Of Agony

Posted on January 11, 2023 by philspicks

Prong debuted its new single, ‘Breaking Point‘ and the song’s companion video Wednesday.

The song and its video are the first new content from Prong since the release of the band’s album, Zero Days in 2017. Produced by Steve Evetts (Skinlab, Symphony X, Hatebreed), the song’s musical arrangement is an intense, percussive composition that takes audiences back to Prong’s 1990 album Beg To Differ (1990) what with its stylistic approach and sound.

Prong front man/founder Tommy Victor said of the song’s arrangement that he developed the guitar line for the song during Prong’s 2021 tour with Black Label Society and that the return to the band’s early sound been happening for some time.

“I’ve been getting back into these heavy, solid, mean riffs,” Victor said. “I think moving back to New York has helped with these. I’m really happy where I’m at all around. I think it’s coming across in the new songs and showing a rejuvenated attitude.”

In regards to the song’s lyrical theme, Victor said it rose from seeing people’s reaction to what was happening globally as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic during the band’s tour with BLS.

“There was so much insecurity going on,” Victor said. “What we were told kept changing. The crowds on that tour were so intense. It seemed like everyone was just sweating out all this frustration. Everyone was just fed up. I think that sentiment has remained and even grown with a lot of people. It’s a ‘general frustration in the world’ type song.”

The video for Prong’s new single features images of politicians, news media personnel and people protesting to help illustrate the commentary in the song’s lyrics. The lyrics, meanwhile are presented over the imagery as the visualization plays behind and the song plays with the video.

In other news, Prong is scheduled to join Life of Agony on the upcoming European leg of its “30 Years of River Runs Red Tour” starting Friday in Bochum, Germany. The tour is scheduled to run through Feb. 1 in Amsterdam, The Netherlands and also features scheduled performances in Warsaw, Poland; Zurich, Switzerland and Antwerp, Belgium.

The tour’s schedule is noted below.

PRONG Live in Europe
“30 Years of River Runs Red” Tour
w/ Life of Agony, Tarah Who?
Jan. 13 – Bochum, DE – Matrix
Jan. 15 – Aarhus, DK – Voxhall
Jan. 17 – Hamburg, DE – Grünspan
Jan. 18 – Berlin, DE – Astra
Jan. 19 – Warsaw, PL – Proxima
Jan. 21 – Prague, CZ – Palac Akropolis
Jan. 22 – Vienna, AT – Arena
Jan. 23 – Munich, DE – Backstage
Jan. 25 – Zurich, CH – Dynamo
Jan. 26 – Bulle, CH – Ebullition
Jan. 28 – Antwerp, BE – Trix
Jan. 29 – Vaureal, FR – Le Forum
Jan. 31 – Wasquehal, FR – The Black Lab
Feb. 1 – Amsterdam, NL – Melkweg

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

Website: https://prongmusic.com

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/prongmusic

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.

Armored Saint Announces Details For New Live Recording

Posted on August 25, 2021 by philspicks

Armored Saint will release its new live recording this fall.

The band made the announcement through a news release distributed Wednesday. The document states that the new, forthcoming recording, Symbol of Salvation Live, is scheduled for release Oct. 22 through Metal Blade Records.

The recording, which will come ahead of the band’s upcoming dates with Black Label Society and Prong, will release on a variety of platforms, all of which are noted below. The band’s noted run with BLS and Prong is scheduled to run from Dec. 27-31 along cities along the West Coast region.

– digipak-CD/DVD
– 180g black vinyl (EU exclusive)
– silver vinyl (EU exclusive – limited to 500 copies)
– dusty rose pink marbled vinyl (EU exclusive – limited to 300 copies)
– silver / white corona vinyl (EU exclusive – limited to 200 copies)
– crystal clear vinyl (US exclusive)
– red / black splatter vinyl (US exclusive)

The vinyl and digital release of Symbol of Salvation Live will feature an extra bonus. That bonus comes in the form of five previously unreleased demo tracks recorded during the sessions for Symbol of Salvation. Dave Prichard was part of those sessions.

According to information provided about the recording, the concert featured in the recording was capture at a 2018 performance at New York City’s famed Gramercy Theater. The concert celebrated the 30th anniversary of the release of the band’s 1991 album by the same name. This even though the album was released in 1991.

Bassist Joey Vera offered the following comment about the concert.

“I felt like showing Symbol in another light was a great homage to the record itself. Also, having all the fans be there and part of that event is a way for us to say ‘Thank you!’ For, without them, we can’t do any of this in the first place.”

Added Vera about the concert, which was capture by a six-camera crew, “The vibe in the room was so great. The fans made us feel so welcome, like we had come home for a celebration of sorts, and we all celebrated Symbol of Salvation. It gave me chills hearing people sing along to songs like ‘Burning Question’, a song we never had played live before.”

In anticipation of the coming release of Symbol of Salvation Live, the band has released a live clip of the band performing the album’s title track at the concert. The video is streaming here.

The track listing for Symbol of Salvation Live is noted below.

Symbol of Salvation Live CD/DVD track-listing
1. Reign of Fire (Live)
2. Dropping Like Flies (Live)
3. Last Train Home (Live)
4. Tribal Dance (Live)
5. The Truth Always Hurts (Live)
6. Half Drawn Bridge (Live)
7. Another Day (Live)
8. Symbol of Salvation (Live)
9. Hanging Judge (Live)
10. Warzone (Live)
11. Burning Question (Live)
12. Tainted Past (Live)
13. Spineless (Live)
*additional bonus tracks on the digital/vinyl versions:
14. Nothing Between the Ears (1989 4-Track Demo)
15. Get Lost (1989 4-Track Demo)
16. Medieval Nightmares (1989 4-Track Demo)
17. People (1989 4-Track Demo)
18. Pirates (1989 4-Track Demo)
19. Symbol of Salvation (Live) [Radio Edit] **available digitally only!

More information on Symbol of Salvation Live is available online along with all of the band’s latest news and more at:

Website: https://www.armoredsaint.com

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/thearmoredsaint

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.

Armored Saint Announces Winter Dates With Black Label Society

Posted on July 24, 2021 by philspicks

Armored Saint is joining Black Label Society’s headlining tour.

The band made the announcement Tuesday through a news release distributed to the media. The band will join Prong as support for the newly announced dates, which are scheduled to run from Dec. 27 in Reno, NV to Dec. 31 Tempe, AZ.

Armored Saint’s upcoming live dates with Prong and Black Label Society are in support of the band’s latest album, Punching The Sky (2020).

Front man John Bush was upbeat as he talked about joining the tour.

“We’re super excited to finally be doing some dates in support of Punching the Sky!!,” he said. “Albeit a year and two months after it came out. What makes it even more exciting is to support Zakk Wylde and Black Label Society!! Let’s do it!!!!”

Armored Saint’s upcoming dates with Black Label Society and Prong are noted below.

“Doom Trooping over North America” tour dates
w/ Black Label Society, Armored Saint, Prong
Dec. 27, 2021 – Reno, NV – Virginia Street Brewhouse
Dec. 28, 2021 – San Francisco, CA – Regency Grand
Dec. 29, 2021 – Los Angeles, CA – Wiltern
Dec. 30, 2021 – San Diego, CA – House of Blues
Dec. 31, 2021 – Tempe, AZ – The Marquee

Black Label Society announced the initial dates for its upcoming tour last month. The band’s tour is scheduled to launch Oct. 1 in Sacramento, CA and to run through Nov. 28 in Albuquerque, NM. The nearly two-month run features performances in cities, such as Asheville, NC; Dothan, AL and Houston, TX.

Prong and Obituary will share time as support for the tour, dubbed the “Doom Trooping Over North America Tour.” Tickets are available now. The tour’s schedule is noted below.

Oct. 01 – Sacramento, CA – Ace of Spades
Oct. 02 – Ventura, CA – Ventura Theater
Oct. 04 – Boise, ID – Knitting Factory
Oct. 05 – Spokane, WA – Knitting Factory
Oct. 07 – Seattle, WA – Showbox SoDo
Oct. 08 – Portland, OR – Roseland Theater
Oct. 12 – West Des Moines, IA – Val Air Ballroom
Oct. 13 – Lincoln, NE – Bourbon Theatre
Oct. 15 – Bowler, WI – Mohican North Star Gaming & Resort
Oct. 16 – Milwaukee, WI – Eagles Club Stage
Oct. 17 – Chicago, IL – House Of Blues
Oct. 18 – Minneapolis, MN – The Fillmore
Oct. 19 – Kansas City, MO – Uptown Theater
Oct. 21 – Biloxi, MS – Hard Rock Live Hotel & Casino
Oct. 22 – Athens, GA – Georgia Theater
Oct. 23 – Dothan, AL – The Plant
Oct. 24 – Lake Buena Vista, FL – House Of Blues
Oct. 26 – Ft. Lauderdale, FL – Revolution Live
Oct. 28 – Huntsville, AL – Mars Music Hall
Oct. 29 – Asheville, NC – Orange Peel
Oct. 30 – Cincinnati, OH – Bogart’s
Oct. 31 – Nashville, TN – Marathon Music Works
Nov. 02 – Philadelphia, PA – Franklin Music Hall
Nov. 04 – Worcester, MA – The Palladium
Nov. 05 – Albany, NY – Empire Live
Nov. 06 – Stroudsburg, PA – Sherman Theater
Nov. 07 – New York, NY – Irving Plaza
Nov. 09 – Hartford, CT – Webster Theater
Nov. 10 – Montclair, NJ – The Wellmont Theater
Nov. 11 – Rochester, NY – Main Street Armory
Nov. 13 – Sault Ste. Marie, MI – Kewadin Casino
Nov. 14 – Detroit, MI – The Fillmore Detroit
Nov. 15 – Cleveland, OH – House Of Blues
Nov. 16 – Fort Wayne, IN – Piere’s Entertainment Center
Nov. 18 – Oklahoma City, OK – Diamond Ballroom
Nov. 19 – San Antonio, TX – The Aztec Theatre
Nov. 20 – Grand Prairie, TX – Texas Trust CU Theatre
Nov. 21 – Houston, TX – Warehouse Live
Nov. 23 – Tucson, AZ – Rialto Theater
Nov. 24 – Las Vegas, NV – House Of Blues
Nov. 26 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Complex
Nov. 27 – Denver, CO – Summit Theater
Nov. 28 – Albuquerque, NM – Sunshine Theater

More information on Punching The Sky is available online along with all of the band’s latest news and more at:

Website: https://www.armoredsaint.com

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/thearmoredsaint

Black Label Society Announces New Live Dates

Posted on June 11, 2021 by philspicks

Black Label Society is heading out on the road.

The band made the announcement in a news release distributed Friday. The band’s forthcoming tour is scheduled to launch Oct. 1 in Sacramento, CA and to run through Nov. 28 in Albuquerque, NM. The nearly two-month run features performances in cities, such as Asheville, NC; Dothan, AL and Houston, TX.

Prong and Obituary will share time as support for the tour, dubbed the “Doom Trooping Over North America Tour.” Tickets are available now. The tour’s schedule is noted below.

Black Label Society’s latest release, the None More Black vinyl box set April 21 through eOne. The collection boasts all 12 of BLS’ albums on vinyl along with a 32-page hardcover book, None More Black bottle opener and back patch.

The full album and track listing for Black Label Society’s new vinyl box set is noted below.

Vinyl Selections in Boxset:
Grimmest Hits 2LP
Stronger Than Death 2LP
1919 Eternal 2LP
The Blessed Hellride LP
Hangover Music Vol. VI 2LP
Mafia 2LP
Shot To Hell LP
Order Of The Black 2LP
Catacombs Of The Black Vatican 2LP
Nuns And Roaches LP
Sonic Brew 2LP
Song Remains Not The Same II 3LP

Bonus Tracks:
Song Remains Not The Same Vol. II
1. My Dying Time
2. Blind Man
3. Graveyard Disciples
4. The Nomad
5. Scars
6. House of Doom
7. A Love Unreal
8. We Live No More
9. Cry Me A River
10. The Chosen One
11. Empty Promises
12. Lead Me To Your Door

More information on Black Label Society’s new tour dates and box set is available along with all of the band’s latest news is available online now at:

Website: https://www.blacklabelsociety.com

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

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.

Sevendust Drummer’s New EP Shows More Control Than Chaos

Posted on November 28, 2020 by philspicks

Sevendust’s members have been busy this year maintaining the band’s long-held title of the hardest working band in rock. Guitarist Clint Lowery released two new solo recordings this year – an album, God Bless The Renegades and an EP, Grief & Distance –and the band as a whole has released a new album, Blood & Stone. Drummer Morgan Rose added to the band’s new releases Friday with his latest studio recording, his new EP Controlled Chaos. The six-song record is another positive presentation from Rose, who in fact enlisted his Sevendust band mate Lowery to handle guitars for the EP (again cementing the noted reputation even more for the band). That is proven in part through the record’s musical arrangements. They will be discussed shortly. Its lyrical content plays as much into its presentation as its musical content. This aspect will be addressed a little later. The record’s production rounds out its most important elements. Each item noted here is important in its own way to the whole of this new offering from two-fifths of Sevendust. All things considered, the EP proves itself an offering that every Sevendust fan will enjoy.

Sevendust drummer Morgan Rose’s new EP Controlled Chaos is a work that will appeal to every Sevendust fan. That is proven in part through the record’s musical content. While the title of Rose’s new record is Controlled Chaos, there is no sense of chaos by any means throughout the record’s musical arrangements. Though there is a lot of control. The information provided about Rose’s new EP states that the record took six days to track. That in itself could be considered chaotic, being such a short time frame. Even being such short time frame, the result really was so controlled, precise and powerful in its musical presentation. So to that end, the EP’s title does fit at least to a point. Audiences will easily recognize the influence of Rose’s primary gig throughout the record in the powerful melodic hard rock style approach to most of the songs. The most surprising of the record’s arrangements comes in its closer, ‘Exhale.’ This arrangement does take its own influence from Rose’s time with Sevendust, but is just so powerful in its simplicity. It is just Rose on vocals along with a piano. It is a powerful exhibition of Rose’s vocal talent as it shows that ability to really move listeners with his voice alone. The addition of the other elements, which will be discussed at more length in the examination of the EP’s production, adds even more impact to the minimalist composition. Between that, the Sevendust influence that is evident in the record’s opener and the rest of the album, and the growth that Rose and company show alongside that influence, the record’s musical content in whole forms a solid foundation for Controlled Chaos. The lyrical content that accompanies that musical content builds strongly on the record’s presentation.

The lyrical content featured in the record’s lead single is proof of the importance of the EP’s lyrical content. The song’s lyrical content focuses n “a narcissist,” according to comments from Rose in information provided about the EP. That is pointed out right from the song’s outset, in which rose sings, “Seething under my skin/Protecting all that I am/Anticipating for the last time/You can be/broken/All that you want/’Cause I won’t give anymore.” Right from this listeners can infer that the speaker is someone who is very angry in dealing with thoughts and emotions brought about by that person. The song’s chorus adds to the statement, as Rose sings, “Wish you feel alive inside/But nothing can change your mind/Erase the shadow left/behind/Stop and realize/I’m not the answer.” When he says, “Stop and realize/I’m not the answer,” that leaves zero doubt as to the noted statement. This is a matter that has led the main subject to reach a near breaking point. When all of this is considered with the song’s deeply emotional musical content, the whole of the song gains such impact. It is just one example of what makes the album’s lyrical content important. The lyrical content featured in ‘Exhale’ does its own share to prove that importance.

‘Exhale’ is so powerful, lyrically, because it comes across as someone who is letting out so much inner pain. Rose pointed out in an interview that the song’s lyrical content is biographical about himself. He noted, I wanted to semi-document how I felt being in a bad place and getting to a good place.” The larger story that he told had to do with himself going through a lot of personal adversity and coming out better in the end. This can be inferred even without a lyrics sheet to reference. What is so interesting here is the reserved nature in the wording of the lyrics. He sings in part in the song’s lead verse, “Holy angel/Forgive what I’ve become/Became the man who is here/Now the urge controlling my every thought/It’s telling me, “disappear”/All this…has me crippled to my knees…/The worst is done/Now that I believe/I’ll fade into the water/Where I can finally breathe/Where I can finally breathe.” This is all important to address because Rose noted in his interview, that ““I’ve had semi-documented issues with my own problems. I think a lot of us wonder, ‘How many people will show up at my funeral?’ I was in a pretty good place before I got sick and ended up in the hospital last year, and I was in a great place after getting better. I was able to look and see what the reaction would be if something catastrophic happened to me. I was blown away. I had gotten myself together and made it through a tough time. I was able to see how much everyone around me really cared. It was humbling.” His statement in this verse about things being better, and being able to breathe” is that recovery and seeing how many people care. It all comes across as perhaps Rose talking about dealing with depression. He adds, “the worst is done…” showing even more the story. This adds even more depth to the song’s lyrical content, and in turn, the impact of the song in whole when the song’s musical content is considered along with this content. It is just one more way in which the EP’s lyrical content is proven so important. The lyrical content featured in ‘Clarity’ is one more example of the importance of the EP’s lyrical content.

Rose said of the lyrical content featured in ‘Clarity,’ “It’s the feeling of washing away the day, so you can start fresh tomorrow. I’m getting rid of the turmoil, stopping my mind, and finding a way to restart.” Everyone has been at that point in life at least once if not more, where they have had to take a step back and put everything into perspective, which is what Rose seems to be talking about here. He delivers the message here as he sings in part in the song’s chorus, asking “what’s the meaning of it all…” and that we need to “Turn the page and look inside/To find the reason you’re inside your own world.” That couple of line is self explanatory, considering Rose’s statement as to the meaning in the song’s lyrics. Again, it serves to help make the song that much more accessible for audiences. As a result, it becomes another clear example of what makes the EP’s lyrical content so important to the record’s bigger picture. When the lyrical and musical aspects of the EP are paired, they make for a presentation that ensures audiences’ engagement and entertainment. They are just one portion of what makes the record appealing. Its production rounds out its most important elements.

The production that went into the creation of Controlled Chaos is key in its own way to this record’s presentation. The production of ‘Exhale,’ as noted earlier, is one clear example of that aspect’s importance. The mostly minimalist approach to the song, what with Rose singing against a piano is so moving. The airy, ethereal echo effect that was used in each element makes that simplicity work so well. The result is that the song sounds so rich and full, even in its simplicity. The layering of Rose’s vocals and the addition of the extra sound effects enriches the song even more. It adds to the contemplative nature of the song, in turn, adding even more to the song’s impact. The balance of the instrumentation and vocals in ‘Faster Man’ ensures here, that every element shines in its own right, ensuring that song’s impact, too. Much the same can be said of each line within the whole of ‘Come Alive.’ Rose’s screams and his “spoken” lines are so powerful in their own way here while Lowery’s guitar and Jason Christopher’s (Prong, Corey Taylor) bass line flesh out the song so fully. Taking all of this into account along with the production that went into each of the EP’s other songs, the end result is a presentation that works just as well for its overall sound as for its content. All things considered, the record proves itself a work that, again, will appeal to every Sevendust fan.

Morgan Rose’s debut EP Controlled Chaos is an impressive offering from the longtime Sevendust drummer. That is proven in part through the record’s musical arrangements. The arrangements featured in this record clearly exhibit influences from Rose’s long-running career with his primary band as well as his own influences. The lyrical content that accompanies the record’s musical content adds its own appeal to the presentation. That is due to the fact that it is just as accessible as the record’s musical arrangements. The record’s production rounds out its most important elements. That is because it is responsible for the record’s content sounding so good. Each item noted here is important in its own way to the whole of the record. All things considered, the EP proves to be a record that will appeal to every Sevendust fan. Controlled Chaos is available now. More information on the EP is available along with all of Morgan Rose’s latest news at:

Website: http://www.morganfknrose.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MorganRose7d

Twitter: http://twitter.com/morgan7d

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

Echobats Debuts ‘Save Me From Loving You’ Video

Posted on July 4, 2020 by philspicks

Courtesy: Mercia Records

Rock super group Echobat debuted the video for its first-ever single this week.

The band — Tony Harnell (TNT), Joel Hoekstra (Whitesnake, Trans Siberian Orchestra), James Lomenzo (White Lion, Megadeth), Matt Starr (Mr. Big), and Eric Levy (Night Ranger) — debuted the video for its new single ‘Save Me From Loving You‘ Friday. The video, shot in London, California, and New York as a result of the global COVID-19 pandemic, features the band members singing along (and performing to) the single.

The song’s musical arrangement features a catchy, upbeat indie-rock style arrangement that also has a touch of influence from the rock and pop sounds of the 1960s and 70s. It will stick in listeners’ minds.

The song’s musical arrangement is a direct contradiction to its lyrical theme, which Harnell said is the polar opposite of the feeling in the song’s musical arrangement.

“The lyrics for ‘Save Me from Loving You’ are ironic for such a happy song!,” he said. “They’re kinda dark; describing someone who’s pretending to be something that looks good to the world while hiding a dark and empty soul. I think, against the happy melodies, it gives it a kind of cinematic mood. “Isn’t there more to you than shine, or are you an empty room”. A friend of mine described the song as Bop-Noir. I kinda like that!”

‘Save Me From Loving You’ is available to stream and download at: Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon, and Deezer. The song was mixed by Chris Collier (Prong, Lita Ford, Korn, Whitesnake).

More information on Echobats’ new song is available along with all of the band’s latest news at http://www.facebook.com/echobatsofficial.

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.

Metal ‘Super Group’ Releases New Single, ‘Enter The Gallows’

Posted on November 3, 2018 by philspicks

Fledgling metal band Repentance has released its latest single.

The band — composed of former SOiL and Dirge Within guitarist Shaun Glass, Stuck Mojo front man Robby J. Fonts, lead guitarist Markus Johansson (THEM), drummer Anthony Lien and bassist Mike Sylvester — released its “first official” single ‘Enter The Gallows’ Oct. 18.

The song’s musical arrangement will appeal to fans of Lamb of God, Chimaira, Murkocet and other similar acts. One could even argue that there is a hint of a Slayer and Machine Head influence incorporated into the arrangement. Musically speaking, the song seems to come across as a sort of social commentary, though no explanation as to the meaning of the song’s lyrics in its news release.

‘Enter The Gallows’ was engineered by Chuck Macack (Born of Osiris, Oceano) and mastered by Chris Collier (Prong, Korn, RiotV) of CMC21 Productions at ElectroWerks Recording in Downers Grove, Illinois.

While the band is calling its new single its “first official” single, it is actually the band’s third single so far. It follows the release of the band’s debut “demo” ‘Collide‘ on May 14 and its follow-up, ‘Born To Choose‘ only days later on May 20.

Courtesy: Napalm Records

‘Enter The Gallows” debut comes only days before the band is scheduled to play as a special guest for Devildriver at Route 20 on Nov. 12. The performance is part of Devildriver’s “The Outlaws Til The End Tour,’ which is in support of Devildriver’s new outlaw country covers record Outlaws Til The End Vol. 1. The record was released July 6 via Napalm Records. Tickets are available here.

More information on Repentance is available online now at:

Website: http://repentanceband.com

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

Twitter: http://twitter.com/WeAreRepentance

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.

Prong Announces New European Tour Dates

Posted on June 26, 2018 by philspicks

Courtesy: TAG Publicity

Prong has announced its latest string of live dates.

The veteran metal/industrial band will embark on a short European run at the end of August with Dew Scented on board as support. The tour, which currently runs just over a week, launches August 24 in Sulingen, Germany and features primarily German dates save for one performance in Groningen, The Netherlands on August 28.

The tour is currently scheduled to run through September 1, winding down at Germany’s annual Rockpalast festival. Founder and front man Tommy Victor said he was anticipating the tour.

“Prong and Europe is always something special,” Victor said. “What would a summer be if we were not returning, even for a more selective run of shows like this one in 2018, which has been a great touring year already.”

Victor added having Dew Scented along for the ride on its farewell tour will make the tour even more special.

“We are extremely excited to see friends old and new!. And to have Dew Scented along for their final run of shows is really awesome!”

The tour’s current schedule is noted below.

PRONG with Dew Scented Zero Days 2018 Tour Dates:
08/24 @ Reload Festival – Sulingen, Germany
08/25 @ Hafenklang – Hamburg, Germany
08/26 @ SO36 – Berlin, Germany
08/28 @ Vera – Groningen, The Netherlands
08/30 @ Schlachthof – Wiesbaden, Germany
08/31 @ Jungle – Köln, Germany
09/01 @ Rockpalast – Bochum, Germany

Courtesy: Steamhammer/SPV Records

Prong’s latest tour schedule is in support of its most recent full-length studio recording, Zero Days. The 14-song record was released July 28, 2017 via Steamhammer.

More information on Prong’s upcoming tour schedule is available online now along with all of the band’s latest news and more at:

Website: http://www.prongmusic.com

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

Twitter: http://twitter.com/prongmusic

The Amsterdam Red Light District’s Latest LP Proves Again This Band Belongs In The Mainstream

Posted on March 29, 2018 by philspicks

Courtesy: Red Light Records

The Amsterdam Red Light District has finally returned. Early this month, the band released its latest album Sapere Aude. The band’s third full-length studio recording, this 10-song record is another solid new effort from the French four-piece and another work that shows the independent music scene has just as much to offer audiences as the mainstream realm. This is made obvious right off the top in the album’s opener ‘Nobody Moves Like You.’ It will be discussed shortly. ‘Carry On,’ the album’s mid-point — and possibly the album’s best offering –also shows what makes this record so strong. It will be discussed later. ‘Evil Stakeholders,’ the album’s penultimate track, is yet another example of what makes this album so impressive. It will also be discussed later. Of course it is not the last of the songs included in this album that shows its strengths. The other seven songs included in the album’s body are strong points in their own right here. Those songs, together with the works directly noted here, the whole of the album makes this latest effort from TARLD an easy candidate for any critic’s list of the year’s top new independent albums and hard rock/metal albums.

Sapere Aude, the latest full-length studio recording from France’s The Amsterdam Red Light District, is easily one of this year’s top new independent albums and one of its top new hard rock and metal albums. It is another of those albums that shows — over the course of its 35-minute run — that independent bands deserve just as much attention and credit as their more well-known counterparts. This is proven in this album right off the top in the album’s opener, ‘Nobody Moves Like You.’ In regards to its musical arrangement, it wastes no time at all grabbing listeners. Rather, the band launches almost immediately into the guitar-driven opus and keeps the energy full throttle right to the song’s end. That energy is a great compliment to the song’s lyrical content. That’s because,as it would seem, the song is one of those works that centers on a woman. That is inferred as front man Elio Sxone sings, “I see a smile growing up on your face/You can close your eyes, but your whole body shakes/Stop looking at me like this/And let your body feel the heat.” He also notes at one point in the song, “Nobody moves like you/You used to be so cool/What the f*** happened to you/You don’t feel different/But you don’t feel the same/I’ll give you something you don’t want to forget.” Considering all of this, the song seems to come across as the song’s subject singing to a woman to whom he perhaps had a connection but maybe no longer does. The Sxone’s energy in his vocal delivery, coupled with that of the song’s arrangement, hints at some pretty strong emotions of frustration and sarcasm; sort of as if this is someone saying, look at what you lost. It’s really an interesting work and certainly a strong first impression from the band this time out. It is only one of the album’s strong points, too. ‘Carry On’ is another of the album’s strongest offerings, if not its strongest.

‘Carry On’ is such an interesting work because as with the album’s opener, the pairing of its musical energy and lyrical content creates yet another powerful overall statement. As with ‘Nobody Moves Like You,’ this adrenaline-fueled rocker is very much a guitar-driven piece whose foundation is only strengthened even more by its rhythm section and Sxone’s powerhouse vocals. It is a song that will certainly appeal to fans of Stone Sour and Buckcherry. That sounds like an offbeat comparison, but those are the first bands to come to this critic’s mind. Interestingly enough, those influences work quite well here in keeping listeners engaged and entertained. This time out, the song seems centered on someone who has just been absolutely beaten down by the world and is struggling just to keep it together emotionally. This is inferred as Sxone sings, “I’m not the man I used to be/I am the one you never wanted to see/It’s not that I don’t like you, baby/It’s just that I hate everybody.” The seeming frustration doesn’t end here. He goes on to sing, “It comes alive when I lose control/My state of mind is so unstable/The only thing I know/You have to stop yelling at me when I try to talk/If you think I’m in trouble/Have you ever felt so paranoid?/The only thing I know/If something strange happens to me/You’ve got to keep control/This world makes me feel like I’m losing myself/If you’ve got a solution/I don’t need your help/Carry on.” Again, this seems to hint at someone who has just been torn down emotionally and psychologically. This is inferred even more in the song’s final verse in which Sxone sings, “I promise I’m not as bad as you think/If I don’t know myself, how can you know me anyway/My clear mind is doomed/F****** locked in a room.” This is a pretty strong statement, and one that is certain to reach plenty of listeners. What makes all of this so much more interesting here is that it’s not one of those brooding, goth songs that it could be, considering this wording. Instead, Sxone and his band mates have crafted a song that captures the frustration of someone angry over dealing with this seeming instability, someone who wants some form of stability. This makes the song all the more engaging for audiences, and in turn all the more clear an example of what makes the album in whole stand out. Even as strong as it is, it is not the last example of what makes Sapere Aude another enjoyable effort from TARLD. ‘Evil Stakeholders’ is one more example of what makes the album so impressive.

‘Evil Stakeholders’ speaks for itself just from its title alone. This is a sociopolitical commentary on the current state of the world. It expresses both musically and lyrically, anger and frustration at what the world’s political and other leaders have caused to happen to the planet’s people. Sxone sings here against a metalcore style arrangement, “I try to understand what they’re telling me on TV/Remote control in my hand/Are they watching me?/Spending our time like a flock of sheep/Mind your step/Keep your head up and follow me/Can’t you see that they try to split the world/Spreading their words/Tell us we can’t live together/How can’t you see/Look at me/I cannot breathe anymore/Who is right, who is wrong/How many tons of evil stakeholders/Now don’t you feel paranoid?” He goes on in similar fashion from here on out, even indicting those leaders for trying to bribe the masses to get the votes. Once more, Sxone and company have crafted another powerful statement here, a statement that is just as relevant today as it has ever been. A statement that likely will be relevant for decades to come, sadly. That statement, when coupled with its musical counterpart, goes a long way toward showing even more why the song stands out in this record, and why the record in whole stands out. It is a work that both musically and lyrically is certain to appeal to audiences around the world, yet still not the last of the album’s notable works. ‘Need,’ with its Prong-esque arrangement and commentary on capitalism and consumerism is another stand out effort, as is ‘Over The Fence’ with its defiant call to action against those who control the world and ‘Wild Life,’ which seems to encourage individuality versus being just another drone in the masses. Between those songs, the works more directly noted here and the remaining four songs not discussed here, it becomes clear what makes Sapere Aude a strong new offering from a great independent hard rock band.

Sapere Aude, the third full-length studio recording from The Amsterdam Red Light District, is a powerful new effort from the French hard rock outfit. It shows over the course of its 10-song, 35-minute run that independent acts deserve just as much credit and attention as any major name band. That is proven time and again here, as already noted, beginning with the album’s opener, which seems to center on a broken relationship that is anything but brooding. Rather it is empowering. ‘Carry On’ is another of those works that could have been brooding as it seems to center on personal emotional and psychological strife. Instead of being that brooding work that it could have been, is another impacting work that is certain to give listeners their own strength. That is because it lets them know they are not alone in their struggles. ‘Evil Stakeholders,’ with its blatant commentary on what’s happened to the world thanks to its political and business leaders and its equally stinging musical arrangement, helps the album stand out, too. There’s also the commentary on consumerism in ‘Need’ coupled with its Prong-esque musical arrangement, ‘Over The Fence’ with its defiant, fist-pumping call to action by the world’s people and ‘Wild Life,’ which seems to encourage people to stand up for themselves rather than just being another number, that stands out here. These songs, and the album’s other offerings taken into consideration, make Sapere Aude a great new effort from The Amsterdam Red Light District and — again — more proof of why independent acts deserve just as much attention and credit as their more well-known mainstream counterparts. It also collectively proves this record to be easily one of this year’s top new independent albums and hard rock/metal offerings. It is available now and can be ordered direct via the band’s website. more information on Sapere Aude is available online now along with all of the band’s latest news and more at:

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Prong Debuts ‘Forced Into Tolerance’ Video

Posted on March 27, 2018 by philspicks

Prong has unveiled its latest music video.

The veteran hard rock band on Monday, premiered the video for its latest single ‘Forced Into Tolerance.’ The video premiered via Blabbermouth. Front man Tommy Victor said of the song in a recent interview that the song’s message is one of defiance against the powers that be.

“It’s our response to being told what to think and believe by everyone,” Victor said.

Courtesy: Steamhammer

He added the band appreciated partnering with Blabbermouth to debut the song’s video.

“Prong is happy to team with Blabbermouth to premiere the video for ‘Forced Into Tolerance’ from our latest album Zero Days!,” Victor said. “It represents the no frills, in-your-face, relentlessness of the track.”

Courtesy: TAG Publicity

The video’s premiere comes only days ahead of the start of Prong’s upcoming west coast tour. That tour is currently scheduled to launch March 29 in Phoenix, AZ and to run through April 8 in San Diego, CA with additional dates in Seattle, WA; Las Vegas, NV; Portland, OR and a trio of dates in California ahead of those Pacific Northwest dates. Powerflo will serve as support for the tour, whose schedule is noted below.

PRONG with POWERFLO & Special Guests:
03/29 @ Club Red – Phoenix, AZ
03/30 @ Slidebar – Fullerton, CA
03/31 @ Slims – San Francisco, CA
04/02 @ The Ritz – San Jose, CA
04/03 @ Studio Seven – Seattle, WA
04/04 @ Hawthorne Theater – Portland, OR
04/07 @ Backstage Bar – Las Vegas, NV
04/08 @ Brick By Brick – San Diego, CA

More information on Prong’s upcoming tour and its new video is available online now along with all of the band’s latest news and more at: