Established Acts, Up-And-Comers Alike Offered Hard Rock, Metal Fans So Much To Enjoy In 2021

Posted on December 13, 2021 by philspicks

And then there were two. Phil’s Picks is officially down to two year-ender lists on the music side as the countdown to the year’s end itself continues. The first of this year’s last two music year-ender lists comes today in the form of the year’s top new hard rock and metal albums.

This year’s list is packed with content from so many established and new acts. From up-and-coming hard rock act Antisaint to veteran thrash band Exodus to guitar virtuosos Gus G. and John 5 and more, this year has seen so many great hard rock and metal records. Suffice it to say there has been so much great hard rock and metal this year that it has been extremely difficult to compile this list, but it was created.

As with every list from Phil’s Picks, this collection features the year’s top 10 new releases and five additional honorable mention titles for a total of 15. Those honorable mention titles are just as deserving of applause as the other featured works. Without any further ado, here for your consideration is Phil’s Picks’ 2021 Top 10 New Hard Rock & Metal Albums list.

PHIL’S PICKS’ 2021 TOP 10 NEW HARD ROCK & METAL ALBUMS

1. Accept – Too Mean To Die

2. Atreyu – Baptize

3. Exodus – Persona Non Grata

4. Michael Schenker Group – Immortal

5. U.D.O. – Game Over

6. Artillery – X

7. Gus G. – Quantum Leap

8. John 5 – Sinner

The Three Tremors – Guardians of the Void

Antisaint – Vaticinate

Bullet For My Valentine – Bullet For My Valentine

A Killer’s Confession – Remember

The CEO – Redemption

Tremonti – Marching in Time

Skarlett Riot – Invicta

That’s it for this year’s hard rock and metal albums. While even the hard rock and metal community has wrapped things for this year, things are already gearing up for 2022, with new releases already coming from the likes of up-and-coming hard rock act Bloodywood, veteran acts Hammerfall and Annihilator, and even from Saxon and Stabbing Westward. That’s all just in the first quarter of 2022, too.

In other words, the first half of the new year is already gearing up to be very exciting for all the hard rock and metal fans out there. Until then though, there’s still one more music year-ender list from Phil’s Picks this year before the attention turns over to the best of this year’s new TV and movie releases. Stay tuned!

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.

Tremonti Debuts ‘Now And Forever’ Lyric Video

Posted on September 21, 2021 by philspicks

Tremonti is giving audiences one more preview of its new album only days ahead of the record’s release.

The band premiered the lyric video for its new single, ‘Now and Forever’ Tuesday. The song is the fourth single from the band’s forthcoming album, Marching in Time, which is scheduled for release Friday through Napalm Records. It has also produced the singles, ‘A World Away,’ ‘Marching in Time,’ and ‘If Not For You.’

The musical arrangement featured in the new single is another heavy composition. That is a trend that runs through the majority of the band’s new album. It takes the influences of the work that the band’s namesake and band leader Mark Tremonti has crafted with Alter Bridge and steps up that work even more in this case along with his band mates.

No information was provided about the song’s lyrical theme in the press release announcing the video’s premiere. However in watching the video, it would seem that the song’s theme focuses on getting past the events of the past and moving forward. That seems to be a central theme of the album, especially considering the album’s title.

The song’s video is its own interesting presentation. It finds the song’s lyrics placed over a very cinematic type backdrop of various graphics and lighting tones as the song plays over the presentation.

In other news, Tremonti will celebrate the release of its new album (its fifth so far) by hosting its first-ever livestream at 10 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT Friday. Tickets are available here.

Marching in Time is scheduled for release Friday through Napalm Records. More information on the album is available along with all of Tremonti’s latest news at:

Website: https://marktremonti.com

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/marktremonti

Rocklahoma Performance Times Announced

Posted on September 1, 2021 by philspicks

Courtesy: A12 Entertainment

The 2021 Rocklahoma Festival will go on for now.

Performance times for the festival were announced Wednesday through a news release distributed to the media. The festival’s unofficial start is scheduled to take place at 7 p.m. ET Thursday with a performance by Devium IV on the Deb Concerts Stage.

Thursday night’s kickoff continues at 8:05 p.m. with a performance by Dead Metal Society. The Iron Maidens follow at 9:30 p.m. Stephen Pearcy, the voice of RATT will headline the evening’s events at 10:50 p.m.

FRIDAY

Friday’s official launch opens at 11 a.m. on the Deb Concerts Stage with a performance by Straight Six. Lovesick Radio, Outlaw Devils, Travis Bond & The Rebel Souls, and Color of Chaos keep things moving from 11:50 a.m. through 2 p.m.

Liliac closes out the performances on the Deb Concerts Stage at 5 p.m., but before that, Plush will take the stage at 4 p.m. on the Renegade Stage. Half an hour later at 3:30, From Ashes To New will open the action on the Renegade Stage.

Performances from the likes of Tremonti, Candlebox, and Sevendust are also scheduled for Friday. Rob Zombie is scheduled to headline Friday’s events at 10:45 p.m. on the Freedom Stage.

SATURDAY

Slipknot is scheduled to headline Saturday’s events at 10:45 p.m. on the Freedom Stage. Prior to its performance, other bands, such as John 5 and the Creatures, Zero 9:36, and Pop Evil are also scheduled to perform.

Also scheduled to perform Saturday are the likes of Butcher Babies, School of Rock, and Falling in Reverse.

SUNDAY

Sunday will see its own wide array of acts scheduled to perform. Among those scheduled to perform Sunday are The Hu, Puddle of Mudd, and Philip H. Anselmo and the Illegals.

The full rundown of performance times for this weekend’s festival is noted below.

Thursday, September 2

DEB CONCERTS STAGE

10:50 PM – Stephen Pearcy The Voice Of Ratt

9:20 PM – The Iron Maidens

8:05 PM – Dead Metal Society

7:00 PM – Devium IV

Friday, September 3

FREEDOM STAGE

10:45 PM – Rob Zombie

8:45 PM – Chevelle

6:55 PM – Sevendust

5:40 PM – Candlebox

4:30 PM – Ayron Jones

3:30 PM – From Ashes To New

RENEGADE STAGE

9:55 PM – Grandson

8:05 PM – Tremonti

6:20 PM – Austin Meade

4:00 PM – Diamante

3:00 PM – Plush

DEB CONCERTS STAGE

5:00 PM – Liliac

2:20 PM – Color Of Chaos

1:30 PM – Travis Bond & The Rebel Souls

12:40 PM – Outlaw Devils

11:50 AM – Love Sick Radio

11:00 AM – Straight Six

Saturday, September 4

FREEDOM STAGE

10:45 PM – Slipknot

8:45 PM – Anthrax

6:55 PM – Pop Evil

5:40 PM – Badflower

4:30 PM – Bones UK

3:30 PM – Butcher Babies

RENEGADE STAGE

9:55 PM – Falling in Reverse

8:05 PM – Jelly Roll

6:20 PM – Zero 9:36

4:00 PM – All Good Things

3:00 PM – School Of Rock

DEB CONCERTS STAGE

5:00 PM – John 5 And The Creatures

2:20 PM – Rocket Science

1:30 PM – Fist Of Rage

12:40 PM – 90LB Wrench

11:50 AM – Mind Of Fury

11:00 AM – The Rumours

Sunday, September 5

FREEDOM STAGE

8:45 PM – Halestorm

6:55 PM – Philip H. Anselmo & The Illegals

5:40 PM – Motionless In White

4:30 PM – Steel Panther

3:30 PM – Stellar Ascent

RENEGADE STAGE

9:55 PM – The Hu

8:05 PM – Andrew W.K.

6:20 PM – Knocked Loose

4:00 PM – Cory Marks

3:00 PM – Jeris Johnson

DEB CONCERTS STAGE

5:00 PM – Puddle Of Mudd

2:20 PM – Budderside

1:30 PM – Paralandra

12:40 PM – Severmind

11:50 AM – Jessikill

11:00 AM – Chaotic Resemblance

A three-day pass is required to attend the Roadhouse Pre-Party on Sept. Thursday. Doors for the Roadhouse Pre-Party open at 11 a.m. Festival grounds open for the festival daily at 2 p.m.

Rocklahoma is presented by AEG Presents.

More information on Rocklahoma is available along with all of the festival’s latest news at:

Website: https://www.Rocklahoma.com

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rocklahoma

Tremonti Premieres Live ‘A World Away’ Clip

Posted on August 31, 2021 by philspicks

Audiences are getting another preview of Tremonti’s new album.

The band, fronted by its namesake, Mark Tremonti (Alter Bridge, ex-Creed) debuted a live clip of its new single, ‘A World Away’ Tuesday. The song is the third single from the band’s forthcoming album, Marching in Time. Its premiere follows that of the album’s first two singles, ‘Marching in Time‘ and ‘If Not For You.’

The live clip of ‘A World Away’ was captured live in Orlando, FLA. The video offers audiences a glimpse into what they can expect when Tremonti launches its tour this week with Sevendust and Lydia Can’t Breathe. The band plays in darkness, save for a series of flashing lights that work in rhythm with the music.

Speaking of the music, the song opens in a rather contemplative fashion before launching in a distinctly Slipknot-esque breakdown in the bars that follow. The choruses present more of a familiar melodic rock style approach to which audiences have become accustomed from Tremonti. That contrast of the heavier riffs in the song’s verses and its slightly lighter moments in the choruses makes for an interesting presentation in its own right.

No information about the song’s lyrical theme was presented in the news release announcing the debut of the new live clip. What’s more, the audio mix in the clip makes hearing Tremonti’s vocals somewhat washed out. From what one can decipher from it all, it seems the song’s lyrical theme is of the philosophical/existential nature.

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

Website: https://marktremonti.com

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/marktremonti

Lydia Can’t Breathe To Take Over Heavy Metal Television Saturday

Posted on August 25, 2021 by philspicks

Independent hard rock band Lydia Can’t Breathe will some special exposure this weekend.

The band is scheduled to appear on Heavy Metal Television at 2 p.m. Saturday in audiences’ time zones. The appearance is part of a push to promote its upcoming tour with Sevendust and Tremonti, which is scheduled to launch Sept. 3 in at the annual Rocklahoma festival in Pryor, OK.

Front man Kyle Boduc said in a recently released prepared statement, he and his band mates in Lydia Can’t Breathe are looking forward to hitting the road with Sevendust and Tremonti.

“We are super excited!,” he said. “It’s surreal to play with legends in the game like Sevendust and Tremonti that we look up to. Can’t wait to show the people what we have to offer on this tour! Make sure everyone knows the party starts early!

In regards to the band’s appearance on Heavy Metal Television, the company’s CEO, Chris Akin said he was excited.

“We’re extremely pleased to have a great up and coming band like Lydia Can’t Breathe taking over our programming to promote their tour,” he said. “Much like in the old days of music based television, Heavy Metal Television needs to showcase up and coming bands! Hopefully this exposure for Lydia Can’t Breathe will convince a few people to leave the beers in the cooler in their trunks and get in early to those great Sevendust/Tremonti shows!”

The bands’ tour schedules are noted below.

Sevendust/ Tremonti/ Lydia Can’t Breathe Dates:

9/3 – Pryor, Oklahoma – Rocklahoma ^^
9/4 – Kansas City, MO – Arvest Bank Theater
9/5 – Columbia, MO – The Blue Note
9/7 – Cleveland, OH – The Agora
9/8 – Rochester, NY – Anthology
9/9 – Sayreville, NJ – Starland Ballroom
9/10 – Danville, VA – Blue Ridge Rock Fest ^/^^
9/11 – Worcester, MA – The Palladium
9/13 – Albany, NY – Empire Live
9/15 – Flint, MI – The Machine Shop
9/18 – Grand Rapids, MI – Intersection
9/20 – Belvidere, IL – The Apollo Theater AC
9/21 – Joliet, IL – The Forge
9/22 – Angola, IN – The Eclectic Room
9/23 – Louisville, KY – Louder Than Life ^/^^
9/25 – Dothan, AL – The Plant
9/26 – Orlando, FL – Rebel Rock ^/^^

^ no Tremonti
^^ no Lydia Can’t Breathe

Lydia Can’t Breathe Solo Shows:

9/10 – Martinsburg, WV – Bad Habits Bar & Grill
9/23 – Clarksville, TN – The Warehouse
9/24 – Huntsville, AL – Shagnasty’s

Lydia Can’t Sleep premiered its most recent single, ‘Sheep‘ in April. The band’s music is available to stream and download here.

More information on Lydia Can’t Breathe’s upcoming appearance on Heavy Metal Television, the band’s live dates and music is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:

Website: https://lydiacantbreathe.com

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/lcbmusic

Danny Wimmer Presents Launches New Rock Festival/Cruise

Posted on August 4, 2021 by philspicks

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tickets for the event are available here.

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

Website: https://www.voragos.com

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/voragos1

Tremonti Premieres ‘Marching In Time’ Video

Posted on August 3, 2021 by philspicks

Tremonti premiered the video for the lead single from its forthcoming album this week.

The band debuted the video for the title track to its new album, Marching in Time Tuesday. The song and its video are the album’s second and come barely more than a week after the band premiered the video for the album’s lead single, ‘If Not For You.’

Marching in Time is scheduled for release Sept. 24 through Napalm Records. Album pre-orders are open, and audiences who pre-order the album now will get ‘If Not For You’ as an instant grat download.

The album will release on a variety of platforms, all of which are noted below.

Marching In Time will be available in the following formats:
-CD Digipak
-Digital Album
-2LP Gatefold Black
-2LP Gatefold Pink Transparent (Napalm Mailorder Only – limited to 500)
-Die-Hard Edition: 2LP Marble Transparent Black + Guitar Pick + Print (Napalm Mailorder Only – limited to 500)
-Deluxe Box: Flag, Wristband & More! (Napalm Mailorder Only – limited to 500)

The video for ‘Marching in Time’ is a black and white presentation. It features footage of band front man and namesake Mark Tremonti and his band mates performing, and pairs that with a variety of artistic imagery, such as a rose and random video effects.

The musical arrangement featured in the nearly eight minute opus is a melodic hard rock style composition. Its balance of heaviness, vocal harmonies and rich drums and bass easily lend it to comparison to works from Tremonti’s main band, Alter Bridge and to those from Sevendust.

No information was provided about the song’s lyrical content in the press release announcing the video’s premiere. However, a close listen leads to the inference that the song’s lyrical theme delivers a message of someone trying to convince perhaps a friend to not give up on his/her life, despite so much turmoil. This is, as always, just this critic’s interpretation and should not be taken as the only interpretation.

In other news, Tremonti has an extensive live schedule planned for the remainder of the year. The band is scheduled to tour with Sevendust and Lydia Can’t Breathe from September 3-26. Following that run, the band will take some time off to rest and recharge Daughtry, Sevendust, and Travis Bracht from Nov. 3 – Dec. 17.

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

Website: https://marktremonti.com

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/marktremonti

Tremonti Premiere’s Video For New LP’s Lead Single

Posted on July 25, 2021 by philspicks

Tremonti premiered the video for the lead single from its forthcoming album this week.

The band debuted the video for its new single, ‘If Not For You’ Thursday. The single is featured in the band’s forthcoming album, Marching in Time, which is scheduled for release Sept. 24 through Napalm Records. Album pre-orders are open, and audiences who pre-order the album now will get the track as an instant grat download.

The album will release on a variety of platforms, all of which are noted below.

‘If Not For You’ is one of the heaviest songs that Tremonti — the brainchild of Alter Bridge guitarist Mark Tremonti — has released to date. It is a heavy, melodic hard rock opus that builds on everything that Tremonti himself has composed over the years as a member of Alter Bridge. This is especially evidenced in the song’s bridge, which finds Tremonti offering up a riff that can be argued to present some thrash influence. The contrast of that against the melodic hard rock approach of the rest of the song makes for an interesting overall presentation.

No information was provided as to the song’s lyrical theme in the press release distributed about the video’s premiere. A close listen is certain to generate its own share of discussion and interest. That is especially the case considering the chorus, in which Tremonti sings, “If not for you/Then I might be dead/So run while you can/I will follow from now/Until the end.” Additionally, the mention of leaving “here without a trace” and to “take me far from this place” pairs with the earlier note of someone else trying to “erase me once more” adds to some interest here. It is almost as if the song’s subject is one of those figures that is just completely reliant on someone other, almost to the point of desperation. This is all just the interpretation of this critic and should not be taken as the only interpretation.

The video for ‘If Not For You’ is more simple than the song’s lyrical theme. It features Tremonti and his band mates in a studio setting composed of video walls that play various, random images as the group performs its new single.

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

Website: https://marktremonti.com

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/marktremonti

Lydia Can’t Breathe Tapped To Support Sevendust, Tremonti On Upcoming Tour

Posted on June 21, 2021 by philspicks

Independent hard rock band Lydia Can’t Breathe will join Sevendust as support for its joint headline tour with Mark Tremonti this fall.

The tour is scheduled to launch Sept. 3 in Pryor, OK and to run through Sept. 26 in Orlando, FL. It features performances in cities, such as Joliet, IL; Cleveland, OH, and Flint, MI.

Along with the support shows, Lydia Can’t Breathe also has a brief series of shows by itself between Sept. 10 and Sept. 24. The announcement of the band’s appointment comes less than two months after the band premiered the video for its latest single, ‘Sheep.’

Front man Kyle Boduc said in a prepared statement, he and his band mates in Lydia Can’t Breathe are looking forward to hitting the road with Sevendust and Tremonti.

The bands’ tour schedules are noted below.

Sevendust/ Tremonti/ Lydia Can’t Breathe Dates:

^ no Tremonti
^^ no Lydia Can’t Breathe

Lydia Can’t Breathe Solo Shows:

9/10 – Martinsburg, WV – Bad Habits Bar & Grill
9/23 – Clarksville, TN – The Warehouse
9/24 – Huntsville, AL – Shagnasty’s

More information on Lydia Can’t Breathe’s upcoming live dates and music is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:

Website: https://lydiacantbreathe.com

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/lcbmusic

Lullwater Touring With Sevendust; Debuts New Video

Posted on February 16, 2019 by philspicks

Courtesy: TAG Publicity

Lullwater debuted its latest music video this month

The independent Georgia-based band debuted the video for its latest single ‘Empty Chamber‘ on Feb. 8. The video, which originally debuted at Consequence of Sound, features the band performing its new single in the studio and crosses that with footage of the band at work on both sides of the glass in-between.

In regards to its musical arrangement, the song will appeal to fans of bands, such as Buckcherry, Stone Temple Pilots and Small Town Titans. The song’s lyrical content focuses on a familiar topic, according to front man John Strickland.

“We all have experienced and been in a moment of excruciating emotional pain, and ‘Empty Chamber’ was written during one of those moments,’Strickland said. “The song has an upbeat tempo and happy melodic vibe, but the lyrics are depressing and filled with anxiety. Sometimes everything in life can be going great, but you still struggle with emotional pan and confusion. I feel ‘Empty Chamber’ embodies that emotion.”

‘Empty Chamber’ is taken from Lullwater’s most recent album Voodoo, which was released Feb. 1. The record is the band’s third full-length studio recording and fourth overall recording. Its track listing is noted below.

Track List:
1. Curtain Call
2. Dark Divided
3. Empty Chamber
4. Similar Skin
5. This Life
6. Godlike
7. Buzzards
8. Fight Of Your Life
9. Into The Sun
10. Yellow Bird
11. Suffer Not

The band released its self-titled debut album in 2012. It was followed up by the LP Revival in 2015 and the band’s debut EP The Seattle Sessions in 2017. That EP was a live recording from the band.

Lullwater is currently promoting Voodoo as it supports Sevendust on its headlining tour in support of its latest album All I See Is War (2018). Cane Hill, Tremonti and Kirra are also serving as support on the tour. The tour’s current schedule is noted below.

02/16 @ Starland Ballroom – Sayreville, NJ
02/18 @ Toads Place – New Haven, CT
02/19 @ The Chance Theater – Poughkeepsie, NY
02/20 @ The Rapids Theater, Niagara Falls, U.S.A. – Buffalo, NY
02/22 @ The Machine Shop – Flint, MI
02/25 @ Newport Music Hall – Columbus, OH
02/26 @ House of Blues Chicago – Chicago, IL
02/27 @ The Blue Note – Columbia, MO
03/01 @ The Cotillion – Wichita, KS
03/02 @ Diamond Ballroom – Oklahoma City, OK
03/03 @ VIBES Event Center – San Antonio, TX

Tickets are available here.

More information on Lullwater’s tour, music and more is available online now at:

Website: http://www.lullwatermusic.com

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

Twitter: http://twitter.com/lullwatermusic

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.

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Tag Archives: Tremonti

Established Acts, Up-And-Comers Alike Offered Hard Rock, Metal Fans So Much To Enjoy In 2021

Tremonti Debuts ‘Now And Forever’ Lyric Video

Rocklahoma Performance Times Announced

Tremonti Premieres Live ‘A World Away’ Clip

Lydia Can’t Breathe To Take Over Heavy Metal Television Saturday

Danny Wimmer Presents Launches New Rock Festival/Cruise

Tremonti Premieres ‘Marching In Time’ Video

Tremonti Premiere’s Video For New LP’s Lead Single

Lydia Can’t Breathe Tapped To Support Sevendust, Tremonti On Upcoming Tour

Lullwater Touring With Sevendust; Debuts New Video