More Than 130 Bands Tapped For 2024 Aftershock Festival

Courtesy: Danny Wimmer Presents

Organizers of the annual Aftershock Festival have announced the details for this year’s edition of the concert event.

Slayer was announced as the newest addition to the festival’s lineup. The band will serve as one of its four headliners alongside Iron Maiden, Slipknot, Motley Crue, and Iron Maiden. They will share time alongside Pantera, Five Finger Death Punch, Judas Priest, and Disturbed as co-headliners throughout the four-day event.

In all, more than 130 acts have been tapped for the 2024 edition of the Aftershock Festival. The festival’s current lineup is as follows, and is subject to change: Iron Maiden, Slayer, Mötley Crüe, Slipknot, Disturbed, Pantera, Judas Priest, Five Finger Death Punch, Evanescence, Breaking Benjamin, Till Lindemann, Falling in Reverse, Rise Against, Staind, Halestorm, Seether, Dropkick Murphys, Flogging Molly, Mastodon, Anthrax, Architects, Tom Morello, Cypress Hill, Ministry, Daron Malakian and Scars on Broadway, Skillet,  Sevendust, Tech N9ne, Insane Clown Posse,  Static X, Clutch, Body Count, Lorna Shore, Highly Suspect, Poppy, Grandson, Nothing More, P.O.D., Filter, Eagles of Death Metal, Coal Chamber, Code Orange, Jinjer, Bad Wolves, Shadows Fall, Fear Factory, Sleeping With Sirens, Juliette Lewis and the Licks, Marky Ramone Plays The Ramones Classics, Drain, City Morgue, Saosin, L.S. Dunes, Badflower, PUP, Rival Sons, Militarie Gun, Hawthorne Heights, Bayside, Giovannie and the Hired Guns, Show Me The Body, Whitechapel, From Ashes to New, The Warning, Set it Off, Resorte, Fugitive, Better Lovers, Drug Church, Biohazard, Joey Valence & Brae, Tim Montana, Vended, The Chisel, The Armed, Soul Glo, High Vis, Narrow Head, I See Stars, Bob Vylan, GEL, Holding Absence, Touché Amoré, Citizen Soldier, New Years Day, Drowning Pool, Alien Ant Farm, Orgy, Adema, Powerman 5000, Taproot, Local H, HED PE, Moonshine Bandits, CKY, Brutus, Alien Weaponry, Oxymorrons, Veil of Maya, Lilith Czar, Holy Fawn, D.R.U.G.S., Ho99o9, Ill Niño, Winona Fighter, Slothrust, Hemorage, Nerv, Damnage, Jeris Johnson, Any Given Sin, Deadlands, Mike’s Dead, Self Deception, Lø Spirit, Jager Bonham, Dead Poet Society, Point North, Like A Storm, Teen Mortgage, Jigsaw Youth, The Funeral Portrait, Black Map, Capital Theatre, Descartes A Kant, Lowlives, StrateJacket, Blame My Youth, Caskets, Silly Goose, Reach NYC, TX2, Royale Lynn, Budderside, and Gozu.

A fifth state is being added so more acts will be announced soon.

Layaway plans are available for single day, weekend general admission, and VIP packages with a down payment as low as $10. More information on tickets and VIP packages is available along with all of the festival’s latest news at:

Website: https://aftershockfestival.com

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/aftershocksac

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Louder Than Life Marks Its 10th Anniversary This Year

Courtesy: Danny Wimmer Presents/Ashton-Magnuson Media

The Louder Than Life Festival reaches a major milestone this year as it celebrates its 10th anniversary

In its 10th anniversary, organizers for the annual festival have announced an expansive lineup, including the one and only Slayer as one of its headliners. The band’s members announced Wednesday, its return. Joining the band as a headliner are: Slipknot, Korn, and Motley Crue, yet another band that years ago, claimed it was done only to come back, too.

Those bands are part of a lineup that will include almost 150 bands spread across five stages and three days Sept. 26-29 in Louisville, KY. Tickets and VIP packages are available here now with a $10 down payment for the concert’s layaway plan.

Louder Than Life is produced and presented by Danny Wimmer Presents. The agency’s head and namesake shared his thoughts on this year’s festival and having Slayer as one of the festival’s headliners.

“We’re thrilled to announce that Slayer will be reuniting for an earth-shattering performance at Louder Than Life,” Wimmer said. “”I was at their last show at The Forum in 2019 and have been working since then to bring them back to the Louder stage! With over 140 bands on five stages, we’re celebrating our 10th Louder Than Life with the biggest lineup yet! P.S., come out and celebrate with us at TAJ this Saturday and we’ll buy your first drink.”

The current lineup for this year’s festival is noted here: Slayer, Mötley Crüe, Slipknot, Korn, Disturbed, Judas Priest, Five Finger Death Punch, Evanescence, Falling in Reverse, Breaking Benjamin, The Offspring, Staind, Till Lindemann, In This Moment, Chevelle, Dropkick Murphys, Halestorm, Gojira, Sum 41, Seether, Tom Morello, Anthrax, Mastodon, Architects, Skillet, Clutch, Highly Suspect, Lorna Shore, Body Count, Spiritbox, Grandson, Nothing More, Sevendust, Jinjer, Poppy, Badflower, Starset, Sleeping With Sirens, Filter, Eagles of Death Metal, Juliette Lewis and the Licks, Marky Ramone Plays the Ramones Classics, Black Stone Cherry, PUP, Three 6 Mafia, P.O.D., Fozzy, Fugitive, Saosin, L.S. Dunes, Biohazard, Polaris, From Ashes To New, LIT, Show Me The Body, Joey Valence & Brae, Set It Off, Drug Church, Militarie Gun, The Armed, Narrow Head, Brutus, Bob Vylan, Fit For A King, The Warning, Whitechapel, Better Lovers, New Years Day, Health, GEL, Lilith Czar, Tim Montana, Point North, Holding Absence, Holy Fawn, Drowning Pool, Helmet, Saliva, Alien Ant Farm, Nonpoint, Finger Eleven, Powerman 5000, Local H, ORGY, Taproot, Tantric, Sponge, Trapt, Red, Adema, D.R.U.G.S., Ho99o9, The Chisel, Slothrust, High Vis, Soul Glo, Winona Fighter, Des Rocs, Veil of Maya, Oxymorrons, HED PE, Ill Niño, Damnage, Citizen Soldier, Alien Weaponry, CKY, Dead Poet Society, Kneecap, Teen Mortgage, Touché Amoré, Jeris Johnson, Jager Bonham, The Funeral Portrait, Nerv, Any Given Sin, Like A Storm, Deadlands, Mike’s Dead, Reach NYC, Self Deception, Lø Spirit, Jigsaw Youth, Royale Lynn, Descartes A Kant, Lowlives, Blame My Youth, Caskets, Silly Goose, Gozu, Black Map, Hemorage, Budderside, and Project MishraM.

More information on the 2022 Louder Than Life Festival is available along with all of the festival’s latest news at:

Website: https://www.LouderThanLifeFestival.com

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ltlfest

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Nothing More Announces New Fall Headlining Dates; Summer Tour With Godsmack Planned

Courtesy: Better Noise Music

Nothing More announced a new slate of live dates in support of its latest album.

The band announced a headlining tour in support of its album, Spirits, set to launch Aug. 1 in Cleveland, OH and to run through Sept. 25 in Charlotte, NC. Hyro The Hero, Dead Poet Society and Post Profit will serve as support for the tour, which includes stops in cities, such as Nashville, TN; Irvine, CA and Milwaukee, WI.

Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. local time Friday.

The new fall dates will follow a summer run alongside Godsmack and Staind from July 18 to Aug. 31. Before launching its upcoming runs across North America, Nothing More also has a handful of festivals across Europe and the United Kingdom. The band’s full current and upcoming tour schedule is noted below.

NOTHING MORE TOUR DATES:

6/17   Dessel, BE – Graspop Festival

6/19   London, UK – O2 Islington Academy

6/21   Wetzikon/Unter-wetzikon, CH – Heavy Load Festival Wetzikon 2023

6/24   Hockenheim, DE – Download Festival

6/25   Bologna, IT – KNOTFEST Italy 2023

7/18   St. Louis, MO – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre ^

7/20   Raleigh, NC – Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek ^

7/21   Virginia Beach, VA – Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater

7/22   Bristow, VA – Jiffy Lube Live ^

7/23   Albany, NY- Empire Live &

7/25   Bangor, ME – Maine Savings Amphitheater ^

7/26   Mansfield, MA – Xfinity Center ^

7/28   Camden, NJ – Freedom Mortgage Pavilion ^

7/29   Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center ^

7/30   Wantagh, NY – Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater ^

8/1    Cleveland, OH – House of Blues &

8/2    Scranton, PA – The Pavilion at Montage Mountain ^

8/3    Syracuse, NY – St. Joseph’s Health Amphitheater at Lakeview ^

8/5    Pittsburgh, PA – The Pavilion at Star Lake ^

8/6    Buffalo, NY – Darien Lake Amphitheater ^

8/8    Toronto, ON – Budweiser Stage ^

8/9    Detroit, MI – Pine Knob Music Theatre ^

8/10   Chicago, IL – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre ^

8/12   Indianapolis, IN – Ruoff Music Center ^

8/13   Milwaukee, WI – American Family Insurance Amphitheater ^

8/24   Irvine, CA – FivePoint Amphitheatre ^

8/26   Las Vegas, NV – Bakkt Theater at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino ^

8/27   San Diego, CA – North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre ^

8/31   Austin, TX – Germania Insurance Amphitheater ^

9/8    Nashville, TN – Marathon Music Works *

9/9    Little Rock, AR – The Hall *

9/11   Oklahoma City, OK – Diamond Ballroom *

9/12   Wichita, KS – The Cotillion Ballroom *

9/14   Dallas, TX – The Factory *

9/15   Houston, TX – House of Blues *

9/16   San Antonio, TX – Aztec Theatre *

9/18   Mobile, AL – Soul Kitchen Music Hall *

9/19   Huntsville, AL – Mars Music Hall *

9/20   Knoxville, TN – The Mill & Mine *

9/22   Ft. Lauderdale, FL – Revolution *

9/23   Orlando, FL – House of Blues *

9/25   Charlotte, NC – The Fillmore *

^ with Godsmack & Staind

* “SPIRITS 2023” headlining tour with Dead Poet Society, Hyro The Hero & Post Profit

 & Support TBA

Spirits has produced eight singles: ‘Best Times‘, ‘Spirits,‘ ‘Tired Of Winning,‘ ‘Turn It Up Like (Stand In The Fire),‘ ‘The Other F Word,’ ‘Dream With Me,’ ‘Valhalla,’ and ‘You Don’t Know What Love Means.’

More information on Nothing More’s new tour dates is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:

Website: https://nothingmore.net

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/nothingmorerock

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Seether Debuts New Single; Launches New Tour

Courtesy: Fantasy?Concord Records

Seether will release its new record this week.

The band is scheduled to release its new EP, Purgatory Friday through Fantasy/Concord Records.  In anticipation, the band will release the alternate version of its single, ‘Wasteland‘ Tuesday.  The song was originally featured in the band’s 2020 album, Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum.  The new “alternate take” stays true to the source material, with the band opting instead this time for a softer, semi-acoustic take on the song.  The updated take is comparable to works from Staind.

Front man Shaun Morgan said during a recent interview, he was looking forward to the release of the band’s new EP.

“We are really excited to release The Purgatory EP as a companion to our latest single, ‘Wasteland,’ he said. “I’m especially proud of how the alternate version of the track turned out and really happy that people will finally hear it!”

In other news, Seether launched an extensive new tour in support of its new EP.  The tour launched July 17 in Huber Heights, OH and is scheduled to run through Oct. 16 in West Palm Beach, FL.  Performances in cities nationwide, such as Nashville, TN; Boise, ID and Sterling Heights, MI are among the many dates on the tour’s schedule, which is noted below.

TOUR DATES

Jul 29 Thu- Bossier City, LA-Brookshire Grocery Arena

Jul 30 Fri-Sugar Land, TX-Smart Financial Centre at Sugar Land

Jul 31 Sat-Irving, TX-Irving Music Factory

Aug 5 Thu-Tinley Park, IL-Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre

Aug 6 Fri-Indianapolis, IN-TCU Amphitheater at White River State Park

Aug 7 Sat- Sterling Heights, MI-Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre at Freedom Hill

Aug 12 Thu-Council Bluffs, IA-Harrah’s Council Bluffs Hotel & Casino

Aug 13 Fri-Moorhead, MN-Bluestem Amphitheater

Aug 14 Sat- Belcourt, ND-Sky Dancer Casino & Resort

Aug 19 Thu-Wantagh, NY-Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater

Aug 20 Fri-Baltimore, MD-MECU Pavilion

Aug 21 Sat-Philadelphia, PA-The Mann Center

Aug 26 Thu-Kennewick, WA-Benton Franklin Fair & Rodeo

Aug 27 Fri-Boise, ID-Expo Idaho

Aug 28 Sat-Salem, OR-Oregon State Fair

Aug 31 Tue-San Jose, CA-San Jose Civic

Sep 2 Thu-Corning, CA-Rolling Hills Casino Corning Ca

Sep 3 Fri-Reno, NV-Grand Theatre at Grand Sierra Resort

Sep 5 Sun-Las Vegas, NV-Fremont Street Experience

Sep 7 Tue-West Valley City, UT-USANA Amphitheatre

Sep 8 Wed-Denver, CO-Bellco Theatre

Sep 10 Fri-Newark, NJ-WDHA’S Family Reunion

Sep 11 Sat-Danville, VA-Blue Ridge Rock Festival 2021

Sep 17 Fri-Minneapolis, MN-93X’s Family Reunion

Sep 19 Sun-Maryland Heights, MO-105.7 The Point 2021 Fest

Sep 23 Thu-Brandon, MS-Brandon Amphitheater

Sep 24 Fri-Rogers, AR-The Walmart AMP

Sep 25 Sat-Nashville, TN-Ascend Amphitheater

Sep 26 Sun-Louisville, KY-Louder Than Life 2021

Sep 30 Thu-North Myrtle Beach, SC-House of Blues Myrtle Beach

Oct 1 Fri-Atlanta, GA-Tabernacle

Oct 2 Sat-Tampa, FL-98ROCKFEST

Oct 7 Thu-Sacramento, CA-Aftershock 2021

Oct 10 Sun-Tempe, AZ-Marquee Theatre

Oct 14 Thu-Jacksonville, FL-Daily’s Place Amphitheater

Oct 15 Fri-Orlando, FL-Hard Rock Live Orlando

Oct 16 Sat-West Palm Beach, FL-iTHINK Financial Amphiteatre

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

Website: https://www.seether.com

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Seether

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.

Staind Announces Release Date, Specs For New Live Recording; Band To Hold Two Livestream Events

Courtesy: Yap’em/Alchemy Recordings

Staind will release a new live recording next month.

The band is scheduled to release its never-before-seen recording, Live: It’s Been a While May 7 through Yap’em/Alchemy Recordings. Pre-orders are open now. The recording’s release is in celebration of the 20th anniversary of the release of the band’s landmark album Break The Cycle.

The concert featured in the recording was captured in October 2019 at the Foxwoods Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut.

Front man Aaron Lewis talked about the concert during a recent interview.

“These were the first grouping of shows we played together in 2019, when we were gearing up for what was to be a very busy 2020…that never happened,” said Lewis.  “I’m glad we captured that energy here and can share it with those who couldn’t be at Foxwoods.”

The track listing for the recording is noted below.

Live: It’s Been Awhile track listing:

1. Eyes Wide Open (Live)
2. Paper Jesus (Live)
3. Not Again (Live)
4. Fade (Live)
5. For You (Live)
6. Something (Live)
7. Intro (Live)
8. Crawl (Live)
9. Right Here (Live)
10. Outside (Live)
11. Paper Wings (Live)
12. So Far Away (Live)
13. Raw (Live)
14. It’s Been Awhile (Live)
15. Mudshovel (Live)

In related news, the recording is scheduled to stream May 1 in partnership with Danny Wimmer Presents. The streaming event is part of a bigger production dubbed, The Return of Staind: A Two Part Global Streaming Series.

Additionally, Staind is scheduled to perform its landmark album Break The Cycle May 8 in its entirety through a special livestream event. The album produced the band’s hit single, ‘It’s Been A While.’ Released in 2001, the album debuted at #1 with more than 700,000 copies sold. ‘It’s Been A While’ ended up spending 20 weeks at #1

Tickets and virtual meet-and-greets for both events are available here. A trailer for the performance is streaming here. Audiences can check out the full audio performance of ‘It’s Been A While’ here.

More information on Staind’s forthcoming live recording release and performance is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:

Website: https://www.STAIND.com

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/staind

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.

Killset Debuts ‘Closure’ Video

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

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

Courtesy: altpress.com/Adrenaline PR

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Courtesy: Scratched Records

The wait is almost over.

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

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

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

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

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

‘Killers in the Pit’ and ‘Broken Angel’ are both key examples of what makes S.T.F.U. a record that will certainly resonate with Killet’s key audiences.  That is thanks to the songs’ musical arrangements and lyrical content.  While both songs are clear highlights in this, the band’s sophomore album, they are not it’s only standout songs.  ‘Animal’ is yet another example of what makes this album another success for Killset.  As with the previously noted songs, that is due in part to the song’s musical arrangement.  The song’s musical arrangement is a straight-forward composition that is driven jointly through the work of guitarist Dave Comer and drummer Jason “Jas” Dillon.  Dillon solidly keeps the song’s up-tempo 4/4 time signature moving even as he works his musical magic.  Comer’s guitar line helps keep the song moving just as much with its straight forward approach.  That partnership creates a solid foundation for the song’s arrangement that is strengthened even more through Luca’s vocal delivery and Baker’s bass line.  All things considered here, the straight forward rock arrangement presented here easily could hold its own with so many arrangements from the band’s mainstream counterparts.  It is only one part of what makes the song stand out.  The song’s lyrical content is just as important to note as its musical arrangement.

The lyrical content presented in ‘Animal’ is just as important to note as the song’s musical arrangement because it comes across as taking on one’s inner proverbial demons.  That is inferred as Luca sings in the song’s lead verse, “All these voices/Play in my head/So much noise/I’m coming unglued/Just ignore them/That’s what they said/But if only they could hear them, too/I’m so sick I’m about to freak out…can’t get ‘em out now.”  This contemplation continues in similar fashion in the song’s second verse with the subject admitting seemingly to a love interest that he has some serious issues to deal with.  It almost comes across as a song that, in its own way, takes on the issue of domestic violence.  That is, of course, just this critic’s own interpretation, so it should not be taken as the only interpretation.  When this is set against the song’s driving arrangement, it shows even more why this song is another important addition to S.T.F.U.’s body.  When the whole of the song is joined with the previously discussed works and the other songs not noted here, the whole of the album proves to be a solid new effort that is certain to leave listeners making their own noise.

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

 

 

 

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

Twitter: http://twitter.com/_KillSET_

 

 

 

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.

Walking With Giants’ Debut LP Is Set To Become Well-Known In The Rock World

Courtesy: PFA Media/Walking With Giants, LLC

“It’s about thinking in ways you haven’t thought prior. “Instead of succumbing to the constant influence of negativity, you look inside yourself, find a solution you’ve never tried before, and end up in a new place you’ve never been. It’s about finding a different perspective.” Those are the words of Walking with Giants founder and front man Gary Noon in discussing the title of the debut album from his new project Walking With Giants and the content contained within the record’s eleven tracks. The album, Worlds Unknown, will be released in stores and online tomorrow, January 15th via Walking With Giants, LLC. The record’s musical content might not necessarily take listeners to a place that they’ve never been. But that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It boasts a familiar 90s rock influence throughout, courtesy of some very well-known names—Morgan Rose and Clint Lowery of Sevendust, and Brian Marshall of Creed/Alter Bridge. While the album’s musical content might not necessarily leave listeners in a different place, the album’s lyrical content just might. As Noon explains about the album’s lyrical content that “I want people to walk away from the record feeling something different. “Maybe they can relate and want to apply it to their lives and situations and find some inspiration.” Whether or not listeners feeling something different after listening to this record, they will come out of it knowing that they have heard a record that easily holds its own against the current crop of offerings in the rock world today.

Walking With Giants’ debut LP Worlds Unknown is not exactly unknown to audiences in terms of its musical or lyrical content. However in listening through the whole of its eleven song, thirty-seven-minute run time listeners will agree that despite this it still proves to be a record that easily holds its own against the current crop of offerings in the rock world today. Any of the songs featured in this record could be cited to support that argument. One of the most notable of the songs that could be cited is the Clint Lowery-crafted opus ‘Heavy Hand.’ The song’s melodic rock sound fits easily alongside that of Sevendust, Theory of a Deadman, and other current major-name acts of that realm. Noon and Lowery’s dual guitar attack sets against Rose’s work behind the kit and Marshall’s solid bass line to make a solid foundation for the song. The song’s lyrical content builds on that foundation with a concept that Noon explains, “Lyrically, it’s a guy who’s having an argument with himself like, ‘What the hell kind of a person am I? One day, I feel strong. The next day, I feel totally inadequate.’ It’s the struggle of figuring out who you are.” He sings here, “Another day here/Lost without a voice/Invisible, expendable/We drop off one by one/What am I/The useless/What are you/The judge/Someday I’ll prove my worth/But you’re holding on to find a dream/The time has come for the world to see/The world to see/To find that place where I can be/Trust it’s not the end of me.” He goes on to sing in the song’s second verse, “Chasin’ the praises that fill the void/Too logical/Regrettable/You’ve set out to destroy/What if this is useless/Then who am I at all/I am here for what it’s worth/Trying hard to find that dream.” The inner battle that the song’s main figure is fighting is clear in these lines. And when that inner emotional battle is set against the power of the song’s musical content, the whole of the creation is a song that becomes one of the album’s brightest. It is just one of the featured songs that makes this record stand out. ‘Guilty One’ also serves as a good example of what makes this album stand out.

‘Heavy Hand’ is a key example of what makes Worlds Unknown standout from its counterparts so far this year. It is a solid, heavy piece that will also have listeners thinking in hearing its lyrical content. It is just one example of what makes this record stand out, however. ‘Guilty One’ is another song that can easily be cited as one of the album’s high points. Right off the bat, the song conjures thoughts of Staind and Breaking Benjamin with its semi-gloomcore sound. Noon even sounds like eerily like Staind front man Aaron Lewis in this piece. The similarity is so close that in all honesty if a person heard this song and Noon’s vocals without knowing it wasn’t Lewis singing, one would actually think that one was hearing Staind. That is especially the case considering the song’s lyrical content. Noon sings in this song, “The ice runs through my veins/The cold it separates us/The chaos you create takes over/The more I see the less I’m giving up.” There’s no denying the stylistic similarity between these line and those presented in songs from the likes of Staind, Breaking Benjamin, and others of that ilk. That is proven just as much as Noon sings in the song’s second verse, “The choices that we’ve made/Your consequences follow/The safety net you bring helps no one/But the more I see the less I’m giving up.” Noon seems to be setting up a scenario of someone that has created a rather negative situation for himself/herself and others because of the mindset of said individual. The mood of the song’s subject is illustrated quite well through Noon’s vocal talents and those of his fellow musicians. The end result of both elements together here is yet another song that shows clearly why WWG’s debut release stands (and walks) tall among 2016’s early crop of new rock releases.

Both ‘Heavy Hand’ and ‘Guilty One’ are key examples of what makes WWG’s debut album stand out early in 2016’s fied of new rock offerings. As important as they are to the overall presentation of Worlds Unknown they are not the album’s only high points. ‘Solid Ground’ is the album’s final full song (as in complete with music and lyrics). it is both another of the album’s overall high points and an equally good way to close out the album. That is because it exhibits more recent influences (I.E. Alter Bridge) in its musical content. That should come as no surprise considering that Creed/Alter Bridge bassist Brian Marshall worked on the album and fellow Creed/Alter Bridge band mate Scott “Flip” Phillips worked on WWG’s debut EP only a couple of years ago. There is also a hint of Sevendust here in the song’s melodic rock sound. Again it should come as no surprise to audiences. Considering the influences of both bands in this song’s creation the song’s musical content shows in the end to be plenty of reason for listeners to hear this song. The song’s lyrical content is just as important to its presentation as its musical content. Lyrically speaking, this song completely exhibits everything that Noon noted of the album attempting to get people to thinking ways that they never had. That is clear in the song’s lead verse and chorus in which Noon sings, “Don’t you know/You’re about to step off the edge of the life you know/You know/Long way down/You can try not to fall but you’re losing ground/You know/It’s a life you chose/Now I put my feet on solid ground/I found a reason that I’m living for/That I’m living for. he comes across as saying here that what happens to a person is the result of his or her choices and he is confident in his choices. He goes on to sing in the song’s second verse, “Don’t they say/That you’ve gotta get out and start seizing the day/You know/Time to go/Deep inside/Take a look at the person/The one you can’t hide/You know/It’s the way that you grow/It’s the life that you chose.” From there he and his band mates reprise the song’s chorus before hitting the song’s bridge and returning to the chorus one more time. What Noon comes across as saying in the second verse is that people need to stop and really take a good look at themselves and realize, again, that people make their own paths in life as a result of their choices. The urgency in the song’s up-tempo musical content serves quite well to drive home the importance of that message. The two elements come together to make a song that is the perfect closing statement from Noon and company and one more standout example of what makes Worlds Unknown a record that every rock fan–not just fans of Alter Bridge, Creed, and Sevendust–should know.

Walking With Giants’ debut album Worlds Unknown is an album that rock fans across the board should know. That is because its eleven songs (technically nine full songs) present influences from some very familiar names within the rock *ahem* world. The lyrical content presented within each of the record’s featured songs strengthens the record even more. The combination of both elements throughout makes Worlds Unknown a record that is set to become very well-known throughout the rock world. It will be available Friday, January 15th. More information on Worlds Unknown is available online along with all of Walking With Giants’ latest news at:

Website: http://www.wwgiants.com

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

Twitter: http://twitter.com/wwgofficial

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.

Band Schedule, Pre-Party Announced For Welcome To Rockville Festival

Courtesy: Ashton-Magnuson Media

The organizers of the annual Welcome to Rockville festival have announced the complete schedule for this year’s festival, including performance times for each act on the bill.

Courtesy: Ashton-Magnuson Media

Digital Summer and World Gone kick off this year’s festival. Digital Summer and World Gone are schedule to open the festival at 11:15am on the Monster Energy Fire Museum Stage and Jagermeister Stage respectively. Cathercist, winner of the Ernie Ball Battle of the Bands, is up next at 11:45am ET on the Ernie Ball Stage. Within Reason and Ghost of War will open the festival’s second day at noon on the Monster Energy Fire Museum Stage and Jagermeister Stage respectively. The complete performance schedule for the weekend’s events is included below.

Performance times for Monster Energy’s Welcome To Rockville are as follows (subject to change):

Saturday, April 26

Monster Energy Fire Museum Stage

11:15 AM         Digital Summer

12:30 PM         Rev Theory

2:00 PM           Adelitas Way

3:30 PM           Hellyeah

5:15 PM           Chevelle

7:15 PM           A Day To Remember

9:40 PM           Avenged Sevenfold

Monster Energy Metropolitan Park Stage

11:45 PM         Gemini Syndrome

1:15 PM           Middle Class Rut

2:45 PM           Chiodos

4:15 PM           Alter Bridge

6:15 PM           Volbeat

8:20 PM           The Cult

Jägermeister Stage

11:15 AM         World Gone

12:30 PM         Silvertung (Jägermeister Band)

2:00 PM           Evergreen Terrace

3:30 PM           Smile Empty Soul

5:15 PM           Memphis May Fire

7:15 PM           We Came As Romans

Ernie Ball Stage

11:45 AM         Cathercist (Ernie Ball Battle Of The Bands Winner)

1:15 PM           Monster Truck

2:45 PM           We As Human

4:15 PM           Devour The Day

6:15 PM           Fozzy

Sunday, April 27

Monster Energy Fire Museum Stage

Noon                Within Reason

1:15 PM           Sick Puppies

2:35 PM           Black Label Society

4:15 PM           Seether

6:25 PM           Five Finger Death Punch

8:50 PM           Korn

Monster Energy Metropolitan Park Stage

12:35 PM         The Pretty Reckless

1:55 PM           Black Stone Cherry

3:25 PM           Theory of a Deadman

5:15 PM           Staind

7:35 PM           Rob Zombie

Jägermeister Stage

Noon                Ghost Of War (Jägermeister Band)

1:15 PM           Kyng

2:35 PM           Lacuna Coil

4:15 PM           Emmure

6:25 PM           Motionless In White

Ernie Ball Stage

12:35 PM         Twelve Foot Ninja

1:55 PM           Nothing More

3:25 PM           Butcher Babies

5:15 PM           Trivium

Courtesy: Ashton-Magnuson Media

Before the bands take to their respective stages, audiences will be treated to Monster Energy’s Welcome to Rockville Official Pre-Party Friday, April 25^th. The Pre-Party is presented by X102.9 and Bud Light and will feature performances by Rev Theory and more. It will be held at 1904 Music Hall (19 N. Ocean Street in downtown Jacksonville, FL). It is free to ticketholders that are 21 and older. Ticketholders that want to attend the Pre-Party must show their festival tickets at 1904 Music Hall to get a Pre-Party wristband in advance. Wristbands are in limited quality. So they will be first come first serve beginning at 12pm ET on Friday, April 25^th. Doors open at 8pm. The show will start at 9pm.

More information on the fourth annual Welcome to Rockville Festival is available online at http://www.WelcomeToRockvilleFestival.com, http://www.facebook.com/welcometorockville, and via Twitter at @RockvilleFest. 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.

Lineup Change Announced For 2014 Carolina Rebellion Festival

Courtesy: Ashton-Magnuson Media

The organizers of the Carolina Rebellion Festival have announced a change to the weekend of the annual concert festival. It has been announced that Motorhead will no longer be on the lineup for this year’s festival.

Organizers released the following statement regarding the lineup change: “Due to circumstances beyond our control, we have learned that Motorhead will be unable to perform at Monster Energy’s Carolina Rebellion in Concord, NC May 3rd. We are working hard to find a replacement artist, so stay tuned to http://www.CarolinaRebellion.com for further updates.”

The Carolina Rebellion Festival is the mid-Atlantic region’s biggest annual rock festival. It will return to Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, NC May 3rd and 4th, 2014. The current band lineup for this year’s edition of the Carolina Rebellion Festival is listed below.

Saturday, May 3
Avenged Sevenfold, Rob Zombie, Seether, Volbeat, Black Label Society, Killswitch Engage, Black Stone Cherry, Fozzy, Adelitas Way, Thousand Foot Krutch, KYNG, Nothing More, Devour The Day and Truckfighters

Sunday, May 4
Kid Rock, Five Finger Death Punch, 311, Staind, A Day To Remember, Alter Bridge, Theory of a Deadman, Fuel, Hellyeah, Of Mice & Men, Trivium, Redlight King, Twelve Foot Ninja and Gemini Syndrome

Bands announced for the festival will perform on one of three separate stages throughout the Charlotte Motor Speedway. Those stages are the: Carolina Stage, Rebellion Stage, and Jagermeister Stage.

Tickets for the 2014 edition of the Carolina Rebellion Festival are on sale now. This includes Camping, Hotel, VIP Packages, and Weekend 4-packs and upgrades. All camping and hotel packages include access to the Friday Night Campground Party. Active military members can purchase tickets once again at a discount. More information for all ticketing, including military discounts, is available online at http://www.CarolinaRebellion.com.

The Carolina Rebellion Festival was created in partnership by AEG Live and Danny Wimmer Presents. It is sponsored by Monster Energy, Jagermeister, Ernie Ball, Jack Daniels, Bud Light, F.Y.E. and Pabst Blue Ribbon. More information on the Carolina Rebellion Festival is available online at http://www.CarolinaRebellion.com and http://www.facebook.com/carolinarebellion. 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.