Gears debuted its latest single over the weekend along with a companion video.
The band premiered its new single, ‘All Or Nothing’ Friday, along with its companion video. The premieres come less than two months after the band debuted its then latest single, ‘Fix What’s Broken‘ and its companion video. That song and video came three months after the premiere of the band’s then latest single, ‘Lost Again.’
The musical arrangement featured in Gears’ new single is a stark contrast from the arrangements in most of the band’s existing songs. That is because instead of the so familiar Sevendust style approaches that the band has taken, the band instead opts for something much heavier in the aggro-rock vein. There are breakdowns throughout the song, as a matter of fact, that lend themselves to comparison to works from Korn while the sound and style of the verses is more of an original melodic hard rock composition.
No information about the song’s lyrical theme was provided in the press release announcing the premiere of the new single and video. Lyrics were not provided with the song’s video, either. In listening to the song, the seeming theme is that of someone who is stuck in a toxic relationship. That is just this critic’s interpretation.
The song’s video is very similar, stylistically to that of the previous single. It features front man Trip Sixx in front of a random background, performing his part of the song and cuts occasionally to his band mates playing their respective parts for the song.
More information on Gears; latest single, video is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:
Sevendust is giving audiences another preview of its forthcoming album, Truth Killer.
The preview came Thursday in the form of the album’s second single, ‘Everything‘ and the song’s companion video. The song’s musical arrangement boasts comparison to works from early in the band’s catalog as well as more recent influence, what with drummer Morgan Rose’s familiar screaming vocals. The overall melodic hard rock sound and style for which Sevendust has come to be known is just as present as ever even with the song’s unique musical identity, making for even more engagement and entertainment.
No information was provided about the song’s lyrical theme in the news release announcing the premiere of the new single and its video. No lyrics are provided with the video, either, but the lyrics presented in the song are clearly a message of self-confidence and making a path for one’s own self rather than let others control a person. This is just this critic’s interpretation, as always.
The premiere of ‘Everything’ came less than a month after the band premiered the lead single from its new album, ‘Fence‘ and its companion video.
In other news, Sevendust has announced new tour dates in support of Truth Killer. The band’s new tour launched Thursday in Louisville, KY and is scheduled to run through Aug. 31. The band’s tour schedule is noted below and tickets are available here.
SEVENDUST 2023 Tour Dates: May 11 – Louisville, KY – The Louisville Palace * May 13 – Las Vegas, NV – Sick New World 2023 May 14 – Chattanooga, TN – The Signal * May 16 – Pensacola, FL – Pensacola Saenger Theatre * May 17 – New Orleans, LA – Fillmore New Orleans * May 19 – Dothan, AL – The Plant * May 20 – West Greenville, SC – The Foundry at Judson Mill # Aug 1 – Buffalo, NY – Outer Harbor Event Complex * Aug 2 – Asbury Park, NJ – Stone Pony Summer Stage * Aug 4 – Charles Town, WV – The Event Center at Hollywood Casino * Aug 5 – Grantville, PA – Hollywood Casino Outdoors * Aug 7 – Richmond, VA – Virginia Credit Union LIVE! * Aug 8 – Cleveland, OH – Jacobs Pavilion * Aug 10 – Quebec City, QC – Agora Port de Québec * Aug 12 – Mashantucket, CT – The Premier Theater (at Foxwoods Resort Casino) * Aug 13 – Johnstown, PA – 1st Summit Arena * Aug 17 – Fayetteville, AR – JJ’s Live * Aug 19 – Corpus Christi, TX – Concrete Street Amphitheater * Aug 20 – San Antonio, TX – Boeing Center at Tech Port * Aug 22 – Memphis, TN – Orpheum Theatre * Aug 23 – Cincinnati, OH – Andrew J Brady Music Center * Aug 25 – Grand Rapids, MI – GLC Live at 20 Monroe * Aug 26 – Milwaukee, WI – The Eagles Ballroom * Aug 28 – Fargo, ND – Outdoors at Fargo Brewing * Aug 29 – Minneapolis, MN – The Fillmore * Aug 31 – Council Bluffs, IA – Harrah’s Stir Concert Cove *
*Opening for Alter Bridge
More information on Sevendust’s new album, single, video, and tour is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:
Veteran hard rock band Sevendust is set to return this year with its 14th album.
The band is scheduled to release its new album, Truth Killer July 28 through Napalm Records. The release will be the first from the band for Napalm Records. In anticipation of the record’s release, the band premiered the album’s lead single, ‘Fence‘ and its companion video Wednesday.
The musical arrangement featured in Sevendust’s new single is everything that audiences have come to know from the band. That is evidenced through the arrangement’s heavy yet melodic hard rock approach and sound.
No information was provided about the song’s lyrical theme in the news release announcing the new album and single details. Lyrics were not provided with the song’s claymation style video, either. The lyrics are difficult to decipher sans lyrics to reference, too.
The video features Sevendust turning into a group of zombies after battling a group of zombies that was previously another band. The other band turned into zombies after one of its members drank some toxic waste-tainted beer. The visualization is pretty entertaining.
In other news, Sevendust has announced a string of live dates in support of its new album. The upcoming tour, which will find the band opening for fellow Napalm labelmates Alter Bridge, is scheduled to launch April 22 in Orlando, FL and to run through May 20 in West Greenville, SC.
Tickets are available here. The tour’s schedule is noted below:
SEVENDUST 2023 Tour Dates April 22 – Orlando, FL – WJRR Earthday Birthday 2023 April 28 – Newark, NJ – WDHA’s Rock The Rock Fest May 6 – Greensboro, NC – Piedmont Hall * May 7 – North Myrtle Beach, SC – House of Blues Myrtle Beach * May 9 – Charlotte, NC – The Fillmore Charlotte * May 11 – Louisville, KY – The Louisville Palace * May 13 – Las Vegas, NV – Sick New World 2023 May 14 – Chattanooga, TN – The Signal * May 16 – Pensacola, FL – Pensacola Saenger Theatre * May 17 – New Orleans, LA – Fillmore New Orleans * May 19 – Dothan, AL – The Plant * May 20 – West Greenville, SC – The Foundry at Judson Mill #
* Opening for Alter Bridge # Headline show
More information on Sevendust’s new album, single, video, and tour is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:
Hard rock outfit Gears kicked off the weekend with the premiere of its latest single and video.
The band premiered its new single, ‘Fix What’s Broken‘ and the song’s companion video Friday. The musical arrangement featured in the band’s new single boasts a familiar melodic hard rock sound and stylistic approach that is easily comparable to work from the likes of Sevendust and The Veer Union. Even in that continued similarity in sound and style the arrangement still boasts its own identity, which helps it succeed in its own right.
The lyrical theme that accompanies the song’s musical content is, according to front man William “Tripp Sixx” Gonzalez, a commentary about approving of one’s self, rather than trying to get approval of self from others.
“You push and you push, trying to get to a point where the masses think you should be. For what? At the end of the day, you have to do you for you,” Gonzalez said. “I’m at a point in music and in life where I do what I want. I pushed through doubts and demons, worked on myself and built up that confidence, and said screw it. If you are waiting for your happiness to be brought to you, offered to you, or to come out of somebody else’s mouth…take a seat because you will be waiting until you die! Happiness does not come in a store, you can’t find it anywhere (except within yourself), and nobody but you can give or take it from you!”
The video for Gears’ new single is a simple presentation. It features Tripp Sixx front and center singing along in a very tight close up as the song plays over the visualization. His band mates are in the background, rocking out as he takes the camera’s attention.
The debut of Gears’ new single comes three months after the premiere of the band’s then latest single, ‘Lost Again.’ More information on that song, the band’s new single, video, and all of the band’s latest news is available at:
Independent metal outfit Earth Crawler is giving audiences their first taste of its new EP as the weekend opens.
The preview came Friday in the form of the band’s new single, ‘Aces & Eights‘ and the song’s companion lyric video. The song boasts a unique combination of leanings throughout the course of its nearly five-minute run time. That combination finds the band blending elements of death metal, black metal and even metalcore in its verses. Meanwhile, the choruses exhibit more of a melodic hard rock style and sound in the vein of Sevendust.
Having such disparate leanings making up the whole of the song might lead some to think the song would not work, but in reality, there is a certain balance throughout the arrangement that actually makes the whole progress very fluidly from beginning to end, ensuring listeners’ engagement and entertainment.
The intensity of the song’s musical arrangement works well with its lyrical theme, which according to front man Derek Thompson, stems from a personal experience.
‘In a nutshell, it was written with a couple of acquaintances in mind,” Thompson said. “They were having such a hard time during the pandemic. Literally not a thing could change their outlook on the world. They would post doom and gloom at all times, one of them went into a super bad depression, the other one just had a terrible drinking problem. You grow apart from that at times.
Thompson added, “I tried to reach out just to let them know they had someone to talk to, and just someone to put some positivity back in their life. It was met with mixed emotions, but ultimately it seemed to help. Things get extremely bad for some people and you would just never know, but if you can help them reminisce on things and times they were happy, it can help. We only get one chance at this thing, and sometimes helping the ones that can’t see that is the right way to go, if they’re willing to accept the help. That’s really where the lyrical theme came from.”
The lyric video that accompanies Earth Crawler’s new single is presented almost in the form of a comic book. Footage of the band performing its single live are incorporated into the setting alongside other images that are apparently meant to look like pictures in a comic book. Those cells help to illustrate the concept presented in the lyrics while also entertaining audiences at the same time.
The title, track listing and release date for Earth Crawler’s new EP are all under consideration. That information is available along with all of the band’s news and more information on the band’s new single and video, at:
Independent melodic metal act Feverhill premiered its debut single this week, along with the song’s video.
The band unveiled its new single, ‘Trapped Under Lies‘ Friday. The song is the lead single from the band’s forthcoming album, Follow Me [Down], which is currently expected for release this spring. The album’s exact release date is under consideration.
The musical arrangement featured in the new single is a blend of melodic hard rock and metalcore. The melodic hard rock leanings are most evident in the song’s chorus and immediately lend themselves to comparison to works from the likes of Sevendust and The Veer Union. The verses blend that melodic hard rock leaning with a more metalcore sound for an overall sound and style that itself is comparable to the sounds and styles from Mushroomhead. It is a unique presentation but works surprisingly well here.
No information was provided about the song’s lyrical theme in the news release announcing the single’s premiere. Lyrics were also not included with the song’s video. In listening to the song, it has to be inferred that the song’s lyrical theme is that of a broken relationship and moving past that toxic situation. Again, that is purely inferred by this critic sans lyrics to reference.
The video for the band’s new single is a simple presentation. It features the band performing its new single in a dimly lit warehouse setting. It is an approach that is nothing new to the music video realm, but still interesting even in this case.
More information on Feverhill’s new single, video and album is available along with all of the band’s latest news at https://www.facebook.com/FeverhillNC.
More than four years after the release of its sophomore album, Ignite My Insanity, hard rock super group Projected returned last month with that record’s follow-up, Hypoxia. Released June 24 through Rat Pak Records (which released the band’s first two albums, too), the 13-song (14 in the expanded edition) is an intriguing new offering from the group, which is composed of Sevendust members John Connolly and Vince Hornsby, Alter Bridge drummer Scott Phillips, and Tremonti guitarist Eric Friedman. That is due in large part to its featured lyrical content, which will be discussed shortly. While the record’s lyrical content ensures listeners’ engagement and entertainment, its musical content is sadly imperfect. This will be discussed a little later. The record’s production works with the lyrical content and musical content together to make the record a presentation that while imperfect, is still worth hearing at least once.
Hypoxia, the third studio recording from hard rock super group Projected, is an interesting new offering from the quintet. Its interest comes in large part through its lyrical content. The album’s title track, which comes almost halfway through the record, does well to support that statement. The song is a social commentary about people’s divisive interactions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Connolly talked about the theme and how it related not only to the song but the album in whole, saying, “When the pandemic happened, everybody was on social media all of the time. People were going off on each other and the whole world got crazy. It was 100% hypoxia. Everyone was talking and nobody was listening. I had to get off socials awhile because it messes your mood up.”
This discussion is addressed directly in the album’s title track as Connolly sings, “Why is it every time that I hear you lie/You’ve got nothing to say to make your case/Why is it all the time that I hear you whine/You’ve got no one to blame/You’re sucking out the oxygen/You’re wasting all my oxygen/You’re sucking out the oxygen/You’re wasting all my oxygen/Talking to you makes my head go numb/Bring on your halfwit/Come on, come on with it/Hypoxia/Trying to deal with you makes me come undone/Here comes some bulls***/Come on, come on with it.” This is that back and forth that Connolly was addressing. The commentary continues in the song’s second verse as Connolly continues, “How do you find a way to spew meaningless hate/Youv’e got something to say every day/How can you live this way?” Again, this is that commentary. Just as Connolly said, this type of behavior really has happened ever since the pandemic happened and sadly is still happening to this day. To that end, this is a theme and commentary that is certain to resonate with plenty of audiences.
On another note, ‘Stain,’ which is another of the album’s singles, presents its own engaging lyrical content. In the case of this song, it comes across as being less about social media and more of a familiar commentary about someone who is in a rough place in life. A crossroads so to speak. This is inferred as Connolly sings in the song’s lead verse and chorus, “Love stains an everlasting hope/Hate burns a never-ending hole/Preacher man told me I should pray to God/But heaven seems such a long way to go/So I pray/If I had one last chance to change it/I’d give the world my best to save it/If I had no regrets to stain it/I’d give my everything to love again.” This simple verse pretty much comes right out and makes the inferred theme clear. This is someone who wants to believe people and be happy but finds it difficult to do so because those hopes and dreams have been damaged so much, clearly. The inferred theme is continued in the song’s second verse as Connolly sings, “Spit out just exactly what you want me to be/The road I travel’s getting darker day by day/I don’t want to hear your lies/Take everything I have to give/So I pray.” Yet again this is someone being at the pivotal moment, just wanting to know want someone(s) want him/her to be. This is a situation in which so many audiences have found and find themselves daily. To that point, it is a theme that will resonate just as much with so many listeners, further showing the importance of the record’s lyrical content.
‘My Addiction’ is yet another example of that importance. As the song’s title indicates, it is a song about dealing with addiction. This is yet another familiar theme in so much rock and hard rock that encourages listeners to conquer their addictions. Connolly sings in the song’s lead verse, “Somehow I found what’s mine/I’m not a victim of it/I’m gonna rise above it/Some moments lost in time/I try to push on through it/And now I never lose it/Now I never lose it/I push through the end/Till I cross that line/Because when they bury me/Won’t lose this time…” The last two lines of the chorus are difficult to decipher sans lyrics, but more than enough of the verse and chorus is understandable that audiences can easily note that the song clearly is in fact that of conquering whatever addiction one has. The song’s brief second verse follows in similar fashion adding its own touch to the whole. In the end, Connolly sings, “I won’t let go” before singing again about pushing on through it all. The whole here is a powerful statement about determination to get through “this endless race.” It all collectively is just as certain to resonate with listeners. When it and the other themes examined here are considered along with the rest of the record’s lyrical content, the whole makes even clearer why the lyrical content featured in the album is so important to its presentation. It more than makes up for the slight shortcoming of the album’s musical content.
The arrangements that make up the record’s body are infectious. There is no denying that aspect. At the same time though, so much of what audiences get in this record is what listeners have gotten from Sevendust for so many years. There is even a clear Alter Bridge influence late in the record in the form of ‘My Addiction.’ From the heaviness and harmonies in the guitar and bass lines to the very specific vocal styling in each song, the whole of so much of this record really is nearly identical, again, to so much of what Sevendust has crafted in each of its albums. If any of the arrangements featured here were to be played on the radio without announcement from the on-air talent, audiences would very likely think this was content from Sevendust. Add in that this is hardly the first time that the band has taken this creative avenue just as in its existing catalog, and it hurts the record to a certain point that much more. That is not to say that the record’s musical content dooms it by any means but taking that safe route certainly did not do much to help the band grow in its latest outing.
While the album’s musical arrangements seem to counter a statement made by Connolly made during a recent interview that he felt the record showed evolution and growth from the band, the production of those arrangements helps to keep listeners engaged, even despite the overt familiarity. The production that went into the record ensured that as heavy as so much of the record is throughout, each musician’s performance is expertly balanced by that of his band mates. The richness of each performance comes together from one song to the next to make each composition so hard hitting and in turn enjoyable even despite being so overly familiar. To that end, it still manages to make the album mostly successful when considered with everything else. To that end, the album proves itself worth hearing at least once.
Hypoxia, the latest album from hard rock super group Projected, is an intriguing new offering from the group. The album’s interest comes in large part through its featured lyrical content, which is certain to resonate with audiences from one song to the next. From social commentaries to more personal stories and more, the themes here are content that is completely relatable. As much as the record’s lyrical content does to make it engaging and entertaining, the record’s musical content is a little more questionable. Once again audiences get musical arrangements throughout that really are overly familiar. For the most part what audiences get here are compositions that are more along the lines of content from Connolly and Hornsby’s main band, Sevendust, than anything that really takes any chances. In other words, it once again finds the group largely playing it safe. Yes, the arrangements are infectious and engaging, but it would have been nice to have heard something less familiar. The record’s production works with the arrangements to ensure each arrangement, even being so overly familiar, is still fully immersive. It does this by making sure the instrumentation is properly balanced in each work and that the vocals are just as clear as the instruments. It puts the finishing touch to the whole. Each item examined is important in its own way to the whole of the record. All things considered they make Hypoxia maybe not perfect but still worth hearing at least once.
Hypoxia is available now through Rat Pak Records. More information on the album is available along with all of the band’s latest news at https://www.facebook.com/ProjectedBand.
Independent rock band Saturate is planning the release of its new EP, Feed The Fire, and in anticipation of its release, the band released the record’s second single, ‘Thank You‘ and its lyric video this week.
The band released the single and its video Tuesday through MVK Music Group. The band premiered the EP’s lead single, ‘Light The Match‘ Oct. 1.
The musical arrangement featured in ‘Thank You’ is a heavy melodic hard rock composition. The crunching, down-tuned guitars used in the verses are a direct contrast to the more melodic hard rock sound and style of the choruses. That approach in the choruses lends itself to comparison to works from Sevendust while the verses present a more aggro-rock approach in the vein of Korn and Breaking Benjamin. The overall dichotomy of sounds and styles in this song is similar to that of ‘Light The Match’ and is certain to engage and entertain audiences from beginning to end.
On a side note, there are moments in ‘Light The Match’ that also conjure thoughts of Leprous and others that conjure thoughts of Mushroomhead thanks to the combination of the instrumentation and the vocal delivery styles of front man Jimmy Miller.
The lyrical theme featured in ‘Thank You’ is literally a show of appreciation for the band’s fans. This is pointed out in a press release announcing the premiere of the song and its lyric video. It is meant as a gratitude to the band’s fans for their support.
More information on Saturate’s new single, lyric video, and EP is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:
The band will serve as support for Sevendust’s “Animosity 21st Anniversary Tour” from March 4 in Oklahoma City, OK to March 27 in Nashville, TN alongside Dead Poet Society. Tetrarch’s run with Sevendust also featured scheduled performances in cities in the Midwest and West Coast, such as Minneapolis, MN; Dallas, TX and San Diego, CA.
The tour’s schedule is noted below.
Sevendust 2022 U.S. Tour Dates with TETRARCH & Dead Poet Society: 3.04 – Oklahoma City, OK – The Diamond Ballroom 3.05 – Dallas, TX – House Of Blues 3.07 – San Antonio, TX – The Aztec Theatre 3.08 – Houston, TX – House Of Blues 3.11 – San Diego, CA – SOMA 3.12 – Sacramento, CA – Ace Of Spades 3.13 – Santa Cruz, CA – The Catalyst 3.15 – Anaheim, CA – House Of Blues 3.18 – Denver, CO – The Oriental Theater 3.19 – Denver, CO – The Oriental Theater 3.20 – Wichita, KS – The Cotillion 3.22 – Minneapolis, MN – Skyway Theatre 3.23 – Chicago, IL – House Of Blues 3.25 – Kansas City, MO – The Truman 3.26 – St. Louis, MO – The Factory 3.27 – Nashville, TN – Wildhorse Saloon
Tetrarch’s run with Sevendust comes on the heels of a tour in support of Atreyu for its headlining tour last fall. That tour and the band’s upcoming tour are in support of the band’s latest album, Unstable. The band debuted the album’s latest single, ‘Stitch Me Up’ and its video Aug. 23.
More information on Tetrarch’s upcoming live dates with Atreyu is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:
The band announced Wednesday, it will close out 2021 with a pair of performances in support of Sevendust. The band is scheduled to perform as support for Sevendust Dec. 29 in Orlando, FL and on Dec. 30 in Mobil, AL.
Courtesy: O’Donnell Media Group
After taking a little time off to rest and recharge, the band will tentatively head back out on the road for another string of live dates beginning Jan.2 in Sauget, IL. The band’s January live run is scheduled to run through Jan. 16 in St. Joseph, MO and features performances across the Midwest.
Courtesy: O’Donnell Media Group
The Lonely Ones will take some more time off to rest up again following its January tour before heading back out on the road again in April. The band’s April run, which is another run through the Midwest, is scheduled to launch April 8 and to run through April 23 in Akron, OH.
The Lonely Ones’ upcoming live schedule is noted below. Tickets are available here.
With Sevendust
Dec 29 – Orlando, FL – Hard Rock Live Dec 30 – Mobile, AL- Soul Kitchen
2022 Jan. 2 – Sauget, IL – Pop’s Jan. 4 – Columbia, MO – Rose Music Hall Jan. 5 – Omaha, NE – Reverb Jan. 7 – Salt Lake City – The Royal Jan. 8 – Green River, WY – Green River Island Pavilion Jan. 9 – Grand Junction, CO – Mesa Theater Jan. 11 – Phoenix, AZ – Rebel Lounge Jan. 14 – Colorado Springs, CO – Sunshine Studios Jan. 15 – Denver, CO – Herman’s Hideaway Jan. 16 – St. Joseph, MO – Cafe Acoustic April 8 – Battle Creek, MI – Music Factory April 9 – Huntington, WV- The Loud April 10 – Louisville, KY – Diamond Concert Hall April 15 – Cheviot, OH – Legends April 16 – Columbus, OH – Newport Music Hall April 22 – Marietta, OH – Adelphia April 23 – Akron, OH – Empire
The Lonely Ones’ upcoming dates with Sevendust follow an extensive summer/fall tour that launched Aug. 19 in Indianapolis, IN and wound down Oct. 16 in Winchester, VA.
philspicks 