EPICA, THREAT SIGNAL and BLACKGUARD @ The Palladium - Worceseter MA
The "Design Your Universe" tour came to the Worcester Palladium on the freezing night of January 30th, 2010. Dutch symphonic metal heavyweights Epica brought their formidable musical talents to the fore along with some great supporting acts for this sold-out show.
The first band to hit the stage was Blackguard. The Palladium is a favorite venue of theirs, and they reflected this by charging up the
crowd as if they were playing to a massive arena rather than a club. The Canadian metalheads even gifted the fans with a new song,
"Farewell," which will likely appear on a new album due for release late in 2010. Blackguard's set was rather short (due to the show's
delayed start time), but they still played their hearts out.
Threat Signal was up next; another group hailing from Canada, these melodic thrashers played tracks from their newest album, "Vigilance,"
as well as few from their first full-length, "Under Reprisal." The band mixes extreme metal styles together to achieve their sound, and
the fans reacted quite positively. Pieces of thrash, melodic death metal, and hardcore could all be heard, so no matter what your weapon
of choice may be in the extreme metal world, Threat Signal played it.
And then...there was Epica. This is a band that has established itself as a major player in the symphonic metal scene relatively quickly, and
while the Palladium's upstairs venue may be small, they filled it with a rich sound indeed. The entire band is composed of extremely gifted
musicians, but for most fans, all eyes (and ears!) were on Simone Simons, Epica's lead singer. Simone's voice is absolutely
breathtaking, and her live performance nearly puts her recorded works to shame. Most of Epica's songs for the evening came from last fall's
"Design Your Universe," including the title track and the single "Unleashed"; but they did round out their set with older songs, too,
like the powerful "The Obsessive Devotion." The highlight of Epica's performance was their rendition of "The Imperial March" from Star
Wars. The band are big fans of film scores, and while this song had appeared on their live album "The Classical Conspiracy," this version
also added bits of other Star Wars music, from "Battle of the Heroes" to melodies from "A New Hope." The crowd was ecstatic; the hundreds
gathered within the Palladium were fist-pumping, chanting, and throwing up the horns as one.
The "Design Your Universe" tour has been selling out regularly, and with good reason; Epica puts on a powerful performance, and they show no signs of ever slowing down.
Check out the Interviews we did with Threat Signal and Epica. (Coming Soon)
PHOTO GALLERY: By: Diana Guay
For more information on EPICA check out www.epica.nl
— and also on: myspace, Facebook or Twitter
For more information on THREAT SIGNAL check out www.threatsignal.com
— and also on: Myspace, Facebook or Twitter pages
For more information on BLACKGUARD check out their Myspace, Facebook or Twitter pages
Posted by Nadine Swiger:: Diana Guay :: Brian Cross
They handled the show more like a festival by splitting the show between two stages. Massachusette’s own, Acaro kicked off the night on the upper stage while Thy Will Be Done kicked off the main stage.
It was SepticFlesh’s last night of their North American journey with Behemoth. They will be returning home to Athens Greece after the show. It’s a shame that this band didn’t have a longer time slot because they have a huge catalog of songs to choose from dating back to 1994’s “Mystic Places Of Dawn.” SepticFlesh tore up the stage with a strong, tight sound, playing songs off their latest album, “Communiom.” The crowd called out several older songs that they would of loved to hear, maybe next time around. It is released on Necroterror Records and available in a limited edition black vinyl as well as a special edition gold vinyl box set. You can pick these up through 
Goatwhore is always a crowd pleaser, as the New Orleans black metaler's have been around for nearly a decade, ripping up stages around the world. They are currently out in support of their latest Metal Blade Record’s release, “Carving Out The Eyes Of God.” They continue on the Bound By The Road tour until Mid February. From there, they jump on tour with Shadows Fall, continuing to tour North America. In April 2010, they will be joining Job For A Cowboy and Behemoth for a tour that hits Australia and New Zealand. 
/>Suffocation is Brutal, Technical Death Metal that hails from New York. They have a strong and solid following that has spawn from 20 years of the underground Death Metal scene. They signed to Nuclear Blast Records in 2008; releasing their sixth studio album “Blood Oath” in 2009. They are on tour with DevilDriver to mid Feb. Then head over seas to Europe for March and April. In May, they co-headline a tour with Napalm Death in South America. Be on the look out for those dates.
What can’t be said that hasn’t already been said about Behemoth. They are one of the loudest and tightest extreme metal act out today. This time around they are headline their first US tour with SepticFlesh and Lighnting Swords of Death, and it’s about time! This band has been touring the US for years now showcasing their unique form of death metal which has taken the US fans by storm. Out in support of their latest opus “Evangelion,” 
Behemoth are showing extreme metal fans what this band really has to offer. No more 20 minutes sets where they just start to get warmed up and then have to leave the stage. This time we get 45+ minutes of brutal amazing metal that only Behemoth can deliver. Opening their set with “Of the Fire and the Void” and mixing in songs from Demigod, the Apostasy and Zos Kia Kultas and even jumping back to 1999’s Satanica and playing “Decade Of Therion”. Behemoth
ended their set with Lucifer which is the last track on “Evangelion” where they stood infront of Inferno’s drum kit not moving but paying the track in a statuesque form that engulfed the crowed with majesty and power. Behemoth is one of the most unique metal acts on the scene today. Make sure to catch them live. They will continue to tour the world, hitting Greece, Turkey, Japan and then Australia and New Zealand in March and April.
Taking the stage last was DevilDriver. They did a killer job and their sound was spot on. It was one of the better DevilDriver shows I have experienced. Kicking off their set was “End of the Line” from their “The Fury of Our Maker's Hand” album. Out in support of their latest album, “Pray for Villains,” (RoadRunner Records) their set included several songs from that new album while still including the older favorites. They closed the night with “Meet the Wretched” off their 2003 debut album. DevilDriver will continue on their Bound By Road tour, which winds down on February 12, 2009 in West Hollywood California. Keep an eye out for them. Rumor has it that a new album is scheduled for 2010.
Third on the bill is North Carolina’s Paper Tongues. They fuse their rock n' roll melodies with hip hop beats. Their single “Ride To California” is hitting modern Rock Stations and generating quite a buzz. You will surely want to check them out. During their live performance they draw their audience into the show with full crowd participation. It’s easy to see why they are poised to become a crowd favorite. They will have a few more tour dates with the Crash Kings, before meeting up with Switchfoot and the Hello Hurricane Tour in mid-late Feb. 
Closing out the night was the up and coming band California based Crash Kings. With a unique sound and original style, this three piece band has been described as Bens Fold Five meets The White Stripes. The Crash Kings use an instrument called a Clavinet in place of the more traditional guitar. The Clavinet is an electronic keyboard that is strung with guitar-like strings to give a sound similar to that of the guitar. I have to admit that I found the concept of the clavinet particularly fascinating and I couldn't wait to hear what a Clavinet sounds like live. The Crash Kings pulled off an amazing and impressive sound live. The clavinet 
sounded better than I could have ever anticipated. The bass is distorted as well and all together in conjunction with the drums, the three piece band manage to 
blend their music brilliantly. Their current single, “Mountain Man” off their self-titled debut, continues to rise and just recently broke into the top 20 on Alternative Rock Charts. This is definitely one of those bands to keep your eye on. Check out the interview we did with the band (coming soon) and watch for them to continue on their headlining club tour.
New Jersey-based metalcore act Mutiny Within kicked off the night, using their potent brew of groove riffs, clean vocals, and occasional growls to warm up the masses. The crowd sure loved 'em, if the circle pits were any indication! Shortly thereafter, technical death metallers Arsis forced the crowd to rock in support of their upcoming album Starve for the Devil. This kicked the overall energy of the evening into an even higher gear, as the band showcased their intricate metal arrangements spiced with just the right amount of classic thrash influence.
The third band on the roster needed no introduction. Exodus have been a thrash metal tour de force since their inception three decades ago, and despite numerous lineup changes over these past thirty years, their edge has never been blunted. Nowhere was this more apparent than their performance at the Palladium; they may be thrash metal's "elder statesmen," but these guys could instruct any young group of upstarts in exactly how it's done. Speaking of education, no night at The Exodus School of Metal is complete without "A Lesson in Violence." It's one of the band's trademark songs, and the sheer fury it unleashed in the crowd shows just how powerful it still is, even a quarter century after its original release.
At long last, Arch Enemy took to the stage. Led by mind-blowing frontwoman Angela Gossow, the Swedish masters of melodic death metal blasted everyone's heads off with songs spanning the past decade. While the "Tyrants of Evil" tour may be named after their two most recent albums (Rise of the Tyrant and The Root of All Evil, respectively), their setlist was an even mix of tracks from the Gossow era, with one classic piece -- "Bury Me an Angel" -- thrown in for good measure. Fan favorites like "Ravenous," "We Will Rise," and the encore "Nemesis" whipped the crowd in a chanting, fist-pumping frenzy. Arch Enemy's skill is unparalleled, and they proved once again why they are masters of their craft.
First band to play was Like A Storm, who rushing onto the stage, whipped the crowd into a musical frenzy while setting the awesome tone and vibe for the night. With their unique sounds and great energy, it’s no wonder they have been generating a lot of buzz within the industry! Originally from New Zealand (they now live in Vancouver,Canada), they are new arrivals on the American music scence. Last year they created a stir while touring with other heavy hitters such as Staind, Hoobastank, Puddle of Mudd and Saliva. Now, it seem that all of their hard work paid off, as their debut album, “The End Of The Beginning,” entered the Billboard’s “New Artist” Charts at #61, generated from their tour sales alone. Watch for them to come through your town.
Next up was the Hardcore but surprisingly sweet Christian Rock Band, Skillet. They are known for putting on a brilliant stage show and tonight was no exception. They had a full stage set with great sound and style. They are currently out on tour in support of their latest album, “Awake” that features their hits “Hero” and current single “Monster.” They have a great blend of female and male vocals. From March to May, Skillet will be headlining their own tour before hopping on the Festival/Radio circuit this summer.
Following Skillet was Puddle Of Mudd who really know how to play to their crowd! They had the audience rocking out to some of the band's best known and favorite tunes including their rendition of the Nirvana song “Hates Me.” The audience ate it up with a spoon as they sang along to the stark vocals of lead singer, Wes Scantlin. The overall
feeling on the floor was one of excitement as the crowd danced the night away. Look for Puddle of Mudd’s fourth studio album, “Vol. 4: Songs in the Key of Love and Hate” in stores now. Puddle Of Mudd will continue on the tour, doing a few headlining show, then head out with Chevelle, Sick Puppies, Cavo and Janus in the end of February.
The final band was Shinedown who put on one of the best performances. The crowd went wild with kids screaming and jumping up and down to Shinedown's great vocals and boundless energy as members of the band leapt all around the stage, playing their souls out to their audience. I would highly recommend getting out and seeing this tour because it is one you will kick your arse if you miss!
The tour will continue across the US and end February 13th in Peoria, IL. Shinedown will then head over to Australia for a few weeks, hit Hawaii on their way back to North America where they then jump on tour with Nickelback, Breaking Benjamin and Sick Puppies (early April). Next, they will team up with 3 Doors Down, Lifehouse, Carolina Liar for an other North American tour that will run from April to June. 
The show took place on the Palladium's smaller upstairs venue, and New Jersey's Swashbuckle got the party started with their ferocious brand
of thrash, aptly dubbed "pirate metal." These guys hit the stage in full pirate regalia, with vocalist/bassist Admiral NoBeard firing up
the crowd with his hilarious between-song commentary. The mosh pits got just as intense as the riffs, and that made the performance all
the more entertaining, especially during Swashbuckle's hit "Cruise Ship Terror."
Next up was Blackguard, a power/folk/thrash outfit hailing from Montreal. While it was six people crammed onto a small stage, they
played like they were filling an arena. Blackguard is a band that definitely loves a good crowd, with plenty of shout-along songs like
"This Round's On Me." Blackguard have proven themselves to be masters when it comes to whipping up a crowd into a circle-pit frenzy, and
tonight was no exception; the pit stretched from wall to wall, spinning in time with the band's incredibly clean yet brutal twin
guitar assault. The use of synthesizers compliment the approach perfectly, with tracks like "Allegiance" as shining examples.
Blackguard even played an older track, "The Fallen," back from the days when they were known as Profugus Mortis.
The final opening act was Ex Deo, a Roman-themed death metal band (also from Montreal). A side project of Kataklysm vocalist Maurizio
Iacono, this group played their set in leather armor; I don't know how they didn't sweat themselves to death, but they put on a killer show
in support of their debut album, "Romulus." Ex Deo also stayed in character throughout their performance, glorifying the Roman Empire
while speaking to the "citizens of the province of New England."
At long last, Ensiferum took the stage, clad in their trademark warpaint and kilts. Opening with the title track off of their latest
release, "From Afar," the overlords from Finland launched into a long set that spanned all four of their full-length albums, including
classic songs like "Guardians of Fate" and "Little Dreamer." Most of the performance was of course dedicated to their latest album, and
almost every single track on it was played; the highlight of the show was their live rendition of "Stone Cold Metal." Ensiferum didn't have
a banjo for the solo in the middle, but the guitar version worked just fine for the song's mix of folk metal and spaghetti Western themes.
Mudvayne is excited for their fans to hear their newest album that comes out this month. We attended a listening party at famed tattoo artist, Paul Booth’s gallery at his Last Rites Studio. The acoustics for a listening party wasn’t all that hot, as it was very hard to hear over everyone at the party… but what I can tell you is that what we could hear sounded very promising and we are looking to pick up the album when it comes out Dec 21st. 
Northern Viking themed, Kivimetsan Druidi was first up. They seem like a very young band with a lot of talent. It will be interesting to watch them mature and see where their sound will continue to develop. Currently they are out in support of their latest album, Shadowheart. They will return home for a European tour to end the year. 
From Norway, Vreid was second to take the stage. They have a great stage presence and I would have to say they had the best sound of the night. Given that it was the first night of the tour, I’m sure that circumstances beyond their control contributed to the kinks hear in the sound of the other bands, however Vreid seemed to nail their sound in the first night. Their performance was very impressive and the guitar work was exceptional. Currently out on tour in support of their latest album, Milorg.
Up next, Alestorm. From the Uk, they bring a very upbeat fun party attitude. They are True Scottish Pirate Metal. They are out on tour in support of their current release,
Black Sails at Midnight. After this tour, they return to tour again in Europe.
Headlining the festival was Swiss Folk Metalers, Eluveitie. They are always a treat to watch, with several traditional folk instruments. Due to the show moving from the larger stage at the Palladium to the smaller stage upstairs, they didn’t have the room to set up the equipment for the more acoustical songs. That part sucked as the newest album, Evocation I - The Arcane Dominion, has a lot of those style songs and I was really looking forward to hearing the new songs. Hopefully they will be able to do them on the other dates of the tour. After this tour, Eluveitie will continue to tour back home around Europe.
Mayleene and the Sons Of Disaster was first on the bill. They have a very interesting story behind their name as it comes from a bunch of USA Southern Outlaws. You can read the whole story and “legend” on their 
Next up was From Sword to Sunrise. Packing a punch, they prove that they are not just another hardcore 
band from the Spokane, WA area. Out In support of their current album “FSTS.” 
The sound kicked up a few notches when All That Remains took the stage. Full of rage, All That Remains really puts on a great show. They are currently out on tour in support of their latest album, Overcome. The tour will continue to cross North America, and ATR will continue touring until the end of the year.
They ripped through killer songs including "Lifer" which singer Phil Anselmo dedicated to his late Pantera band mate Dimebag Darrell. Building guitar melodies meld into the vocals in the song "Nothing In Return" with a fierce unapologetic delivery. The audience joins him in the climactic chorus "you walk away!"
Godfathers of grunge The Melvins helped warm the crowd up with their set that included an entrance and exit of dueling drummers, that kept a strong steady cadence throughout. Front man Buzz Osborne sports a quirky mad-scientist fro, but played a remarkable expertise of guitar that would sometimes roll into feedback for minutes at a time, other times displayed the experimental nature that defines The Melvins.
Also opening were trio Weedeater who played an intense, sludgy brand of southern rock that didn't invoke headbanging so much as thoughtful head-nodding. The drummer played with such heart that it was hard to look away, even through their long drawn out mostly instrumental set, with vocals that were mostly fuzzed out from the buzzing bass-line and feedback-driven guitars.
Supergroup Down started as side project of the band, with members hailing from such bands as Pantera and Corrosion of Conformity. This status helped build them to a cult following for a band that had once started as a side project, but turned into a full-time gig for the members, who appear to enjoy touring because they love their audience. This show was midway through a U.S. tour with The Melvins, which ends in the Down's hometown of New Orleans on Halloween.
From Poughkeepsie NY, Sugar Red Drive rose from the ashes of the New York band, Mercury Rising. With a brand new singer, a new sound and a new name, Sugar Red Drive recorded their first album in Woodstock NY with producer Pat Gasperini who happeneds to be the father of SRD’s drummer, PJ. They inked a deal with Sugar Bear Records. They have been stirring a buzz with their self-titled debut album and opening for acts like Seether, Theory of a Deadman, Live and Fastball. For more info, check out: 
The Veer Union is still storming through central New York, hitting the radio shows. With their hit “Seasons,” it’s no wonder why they are so popular and central NY radio stations favorite. Their debut album, “Against the Grain” continues to gain ground. They are currently out on tour with Sick Puppies, Hurt and Adelitas Way. For more info check out: 
Tantric had just kicked off their club headlining tour the night before in Syracuse NY. Their fourth album, “Mind Control” hit the store shelves 5 days into the tour. Their first single, title track “Mind Control” is creating a great buzz of what this new album is about. Check out the interview we did with singer, Hugo Ferreira. (coming soon) For more information, visit: 
Australia’s rock trio, Sick Puppies are currently out on tour with Hurt, The Veer Union and Adelitas Way. The tour winds down Sept 12th. Sick Puppies will then jump over to hit the road with Shinedown on September 14th. The tour will continue across North America well into the fall. Check out their latest released “Tri-Polar” which is in stores now. For more information on Sick Puppies check out 
Hurt is shows are always a pleasure. From vocalist, J. Loren playing his electric violin which has such an unique sound that can not be described as any other to Hurt’s stage presence that always stand out within the mist of bands at any festival show. Look for Hurt’s latest album, “Goodbye to the Machine” out in stores now. They will continue to tour with Sick Puppies, Veer Union and Adelitas Way. For more information, visit: 
Static X knows how to own a crowd. There were people in the crowd that you could tell were not Static X fans, but couldn’t help but be draw into their show. Over a decade ago, vocalist Wayne Static and drummer Ken Jay met through a mutual friend, Billy Corgan of Smashing Pumpkins (vocalist) and the rest is history. Out in support of their sixth album “Cult of Static,” Static X is part of the Petal to the Metal tour featuring Mudvayne and Black Label Society. For more info, check out: 
Zakk Wylde and the bad boys of Black Label Society took the stage with air sirens announcing their arrival. BLS always put on a great show with of course killer guitar solos! If you haven’t yet, don’t forget to pick up “Skullage,’ the best of album/dvd of Black Label Society! 
Mudvayne was the headliner of this year’s EdgeFest. They had the crowd at the get go. They definitely play to the crowd and their fans loved them. They sounded spot on. They delivered a set that really made it worth the ticket price and were an excellent way to round out a long day of good Rock and Metal. Check them out as they headline the Petal To The Metal Tour, with Black Label Society, Static X, Suicide Silence, Bury Your Dead and Hellzapoppin. For more information visit: 
Green Day and The Bravery performed at the Time Union Center in Albany, NY.
managed to top that by having 2 male strippers harass the singer of THe Bravery on stage later in the night. The madness continued with
toilet paper being shot at individual band members and the stage was covered in popcorn and ping pong balls. Amazingly, the band stayed
true to their music through all the mayhem. They played their entire set professionlly and impressively.
Green Day kicked off their set with "21st Century Breakdown" going straight into "Know Your Enemy." Already the floor was bouncing with
high energy as the crowd sang along. Vocalist Billy Joe took an impressive flying leap off the stage, still holding onto his guitar
and went up into the "seats" to perform in the crowd. The high spirits continued thoughout their set with Pyros and other technical effects
that were bound to impress.
proceeded to display a giant "Woodstock '94" banner and turned into the "mud people" from "94, hurling dirt at anything that moved. The
band members of The Bravery soon joined the stage dressed in drag! Once Green Day said goodnight to Albany, Billy Joe continued with his
acoustic guitar, rounding off the night with "Last Night On Earth" and "Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)." What a crazy night and
exceptionally fun tour this must have been for these bands and all their fans!! 
Honestly, I had never heard of Paramone before the show and didn't know what to expect. They are a younger pop-rock band with a decent sound. Their singer reminds me of a cross between Avil Lavigne and Lacey Mosley of Flyleaf. Don't let their age fool you, they definitely leave an impression. The group released their debut album "All We Know Is Falling" in 2005, and their second album, "Riot!" in 2007. "Riot!" went platinum in the US and gold in the UK, Ireland and New Zealand. The band looks to release their third album, “Brand New Eyes” on September 29, 2009.
Headlining the night was No Doubt. This was their first tour in over five years – eight since they last released an album. They came out tight as ever, never missing a beat while having fun. Their stage and outfits were blindly white, giving a futuristic look, while artwork and images of the band played on in the background giving it a very 70's Mod style. Their set list was hit after hit, which had the crowd singing along while they played, and humming their tunes the next morning. Look for No Doubt as they continue to trek across North America this summer and tenitively scheduled to release a new album in 2010.
ABSU have returned after an eight year break with a new and powerful opus which is self-titled "ABSU". ABSU have been around since 1993 with the release of Barathrum: (V.I.T.R.I.O.L.); those of you who are in the know would rank ABSU right along side of great Black Metal acts such as Emperor and Immortal. Hailing from Texas this group has never disappointed with their unique blend of "Mythological Occult Metal."
those of you who are in the know would rank ABSU right along side of great Black Metal acts such as Emperor and Immortal. Hailing from Texas this group has never disappointed with their unique blend of "Mythological Occult Metal."
night of Hardcore.
Originally from Detroit, MI, Walls of Jericho took the stage. Their set list was fan driven celebrating ten years since their first album. They had
asked fans to vote for what songs they wanted to hear, and they delivered. Their latest CD is "The American Dream." Walls Of Jericho
will be participating in the European festivals including Wacken Open Air this summer.
Headlining the night was a pioneer in hardcore metal straight edge movement, Earth Crisis. The Syracuse, NY band returns to the scene with
"To The Death" on Century Media. This is their first album since 2001 when they called it a day. They jumped back in, picking right up where
they left off, and it seemed like they were never gone at all. Look for Earth Crisis to tour Europe in August.
First up, from Central NY was An Hour Within. They mix the 80’s alternative sound with modern Nu metal. AHW are scheduled to record a new EP this fall. Meanwhile, look for them on tour this summer around central/western NY. 
Second to take the stage with their catchy pop-punk style, Chicago, IL’s Madina Lake. Their new album, “Attics To Eden” (Roadrunner Records) just hit stores on May 5th with a positive response. Their current single “Never Take Us Alive” continues to get request on the mainstream radio. This is a band the pop-punk scene needs to keep an eye out for. They will be spending this summer out on the Warped Tour.
Fourth on the bill was hard rockers, Pop Evil. The Grand Rapids, Michigan band is a mix between Nickelback and Theory Of A Deadman. They re-released their 2nd full length album “Lipstick on the Mirror” this month through Pazzo Music. Their current single "Somebody Like You" is starting to break ground, following in the footsteps of their hit “100 in 55.” They will be on tour with Within Reason in June and hit the road with Judas Priest and Whitesnake in July.
Southern California’s Boy Hits Car took the stage next. They are no stranger to this KRock crowd. They blew up the stage at the radio station’s annual KRockathon6 in 2001 and returned to play an unforgettable set at the KRockatho10 in 2005. Their current single is “Embrace (for it’s myself I need strength against)” which will be off their 4th studio album, yet to be titled, due out in late 2009. They will be playing this summer at the California Music Festival in Ventura CA, July 3rd. Check out the interview we did with vocalist, CRegg Rondell (coming soon).
No Fear Energy Music Tour shook the house. Literally! When the crowd started jumped up and down, and the mosh pits got going, the wooden floor at the Washington Ave Armory was literally bouncing (similar to how a balcony does in old theaters). The tour is winding down, with two more shows to go after Albany.
your ass off attitude. They are looking to release their fourth album "Massive Aggressive" which is tentatively scheduled for release in Aug 2009 through Earache records.
From San Diego CA, As I Lay Dying was next to take the stage. As usual, their set was tight and very energetic. In April (2009), they released a DVD collection titled, "This Is Who We Are" (Metal Blade). It is a 3 dvd set, documenting 7 years with interviews and commentary, touring stories, concert footage, videos and more. Recently, As I Lay Dying premiered a video for "I Never Wanted" on Headbangers Ball that features footage from the DVD set. Vocalist, Tim Lambesis commented on how next time they are in Albany, they will have a new album out.
Last to take the stage was Richmond VA's Lamb Of God. They have stepped up their game since the last time we saw them. Currently, they are on tour in support of their seventh studio release, "Wrath" (Feb 2009). They will head to Europe in June/July where they will be playing at several festival shows.
These guys still rock and sound just like they did in the 80's!! Geoff Tate's vocals are as powerful and strong as ever with all its dynamic tones. The guitar solos were fantastic. The entire set was tight and the mix was perfect. 
takes after her dad with a strong set of pipes. She is featured on their latest album, "American Soldier" doing a duet with her father on "Home Again." "American Soldier" is the bands 10th studio album, a concept piece based on the American soldiers from the front lines of wars from WWII to the present. It's a close subject to Tate, seeing how his father was a soldier and he grew up in a military home.
Queensryche will continue to tour North America until June 6, head over to Europe for a month and will return to North America for a few more dates in NY, NH, MA and Canada.
Daath, Cynic and Dragonforce performed at Northern Lights Nightclub in Clifton Park, NY.
North America tour with Goatwhore. Check out the interview with did with Guitarist Eyal Levi. (Coming soon)
tour this summer in Europe with Dream Theater.
of their fourth studio album, “Ultimate Beatdown.” Their shows are known for their fun care free attitudes and the shredding guitar solos; including fantasy influenced lyrics and electronic sounds to boot. Dragonforce wind down this leg of the tour May 11th in West Springfield, VA. The tour was suppose to carry over to Latin America, but has been postponed due to the Swing Flu outbreak. The tour will resume in Europe on May 29th in Germany. 
Created by Disturbed, Music As A Weapon IV tour pitched tents and invaded the Glens Falls Civic Center in Glens Falls, NY. This year's festival was packed with great live music from Disturbed, 
Killswitch Engage, Chimaira, Lacuna Coil, Suicide Silence, Spineshank, Bury Your Dead and more. This time around, the festival was more than just the music, but the focused on the whole metal music lifestyle with talented tattoos artist, including the world-famous Oliver Peck ( Miami Ink and Bam's Unholy Union) and Hart & Huntington Tattoo Company (founded by freestyle motocross legend Carey Hart), an extreme sports complex, a gaming zone and technology center (Samsung Mobil) and a Vendor Village that included metal style clothing and jewelry. 
While they are out on tour, their rockin' verson of Lil Wayne's song, "Lolipop" is holding strong on modern rock stations. This song has opened the door, but Framing Hanley definitely has more to offer than just a cover tune. Imagine 30 Seconds To Mars meets Breaking Benjamin and Daughtry. Live, they have a lot of energy and great crowd interaction, as they played tracks from their debut album, "The Moment"(Silent Majority Group). The album was re-release back in Nov 2008, with "Lolipop" because the original version did not have it. This Nashville TN band is still fairly young; it will be interesting to watch them mature and develop their sound.
They are currently out in support of their second album, “Folklore and Superstition” on Roadrunner Records. Live, they have a lot of energy and rock-n- roll look and sound. Guitarist, Ben Wells, reminds me of a very young Zakk Wylde. Drummer, John Fred Young is compared a lot to Tommy Aldridge (Ozzy Osbourne, Whitesnake) to which I would have to agree. He was fun to watch behind his kit. They will continue on tour with Hinder until mid May, where they will head over to Europe until July.
in support of their third studio album, “Scars and Souvenirs” on Roadrunner Records. Maybe it was just the energy or the vibe, but live their sound was even more solid. With songs on various video games (American Chopper, NASCAR 09), wrestling compilations (WWE Wreckless Intent and TNA Wrestling 2008 in review), movie soundtracks (Spider-Man) and TV shows (Smallville) and used in commercials for the 2008 US Olympic Trials, Theory of A Deadman is embedded into American pop culture! Catch them this summer on the Crue Fest 2, with Motley Crue, Godsmack, Drowning Pool and Charm City Devils.
in support of their second studio album, “Take It To the Limit” (Universal Motown Records Group). Their song "Lips of an Angel" released in 2006 really put Hinder in the limelight and on the charts. Since then, they have produced several hits, which filled their set list. Vocalist, Austin Winkler is extremely animated on stage with a strong presence; if Josh Todd (Buckcherry) has a younger brother you would swear he was Austin. As Hinder continues to move up the charts with their current single “Up all Night,” look for them this summer as they hit the road with Nickelback, Papa Roach and Saving Abel.
was released digitally last month and can be purchased from their website, or you can pick 
up a physical copy at the shows. Check out the 
Then, for the headliner of the night, Black Label Society. They had the curtain drawn infront of stage, with Sirens going off to the side as the crowd's anticipation grows. Their set went off seamlessly and without a hitch. From the guitar solos, to the goat hands in the air, it was exactly what you would expect from this band. Look for a new BLS album which is slated for late 2009. Meanwhile, you can pick up their Greatest Hits
Package, "Skullage" that was recently released in 3 different formats: just the CD alone, just the DVD alone, or the "Skullage" DVD/CD combo. Black Label with continue on until May 2nd. Also look for BLS's bassist, John JD DeServio with his other band, Cycle Of Pain to open the show, starting April 21st.
Ex-18 Visions vocalist, James Hart’s new band, Burn Halo kicked off the
show with their straight forward, rock-n-roll sound that has that mid
‘80’s kickback vibe. They have a great stage presents and had a
solid sound!! There is no doubt these guys Rock!! Their debut album
comes out March 31st on Rawkhead Rekords. Check out their latest video
for “Dirty Little Girl”from their website link below. It’s a pretty
good taste of what’s to come. Also, check out the
denying that singer, Jacoby Shaddix is one of the stronger frontmen within this music scene. You
could not even like the band, yet be entertained by his high-strung
energetic style. He is constantly moving around the stage,
grabbing attention of all in attendance as he even comes out into the crowd.
The band was solid, as they performed all the favorites from “Hollywood Whore” to
“Last Resort” from “Scars” to "Broken Home" from "Getting Away with Murder" to their latest release “Lifeline” You could say their set was all hits!! Look for their sixth studio album, “Metamorphosis” hits stores March 24th.
Papa Roach will be heading to Europe in April for their headlining tour, with Filter and In This Moment. And
as rumor has it that they will be headlining a North American tour this fall, so keep an eye out.
handful. Look for Avenged Sevenfold to continue on the road with Buckcherry until April 18 (Las Vegas, NV) and hit 
can tell that he has a strong love for the music. Buckcherry’s stage set had big screen behind them, playing different images, from Anime Porn to footage of past Buckcherry shows.
It was a good ol' night of rock n roll as Black Water Rising played at the Half Penny Pub in Syracuse, NY. It’s no wonder there is a buzz about this band which is spreading like a wild fire. With Sirus Satellite Radio’s Octane channel picking “Brother Go On” it wasn’t long before it became the #2 most phone requested song, and after 40 weeks, it’s still going strong. They have a sound that reminds you of the southern roots of Black Label Society meets the full rich sound of say modern rock band, Hurt.
Black Water Rising was formed by ex-Dust To Dust frontman, Rob Traynor. He hooked up with former Boiler Room’s drummer, Mike Meselsohn and ex-Steromud’s guitarist Johnny Fattoruso. They found Oddie McLaughlin to complete the circle of BWR
From California, In This Moment was first to hit the stage. Even with a few technical difficulties at the very beginning, the band pulled off an amazing set. It was fun to watch those in the crowd who were unfamiliar with this band; vocalist Maria Brink comes out in this cute dress, dancing, singing her clean vocals so sweet and innocent… till she screams. Let’s just say… Price of ticket to the show…$27. Price for the tank of gas to get there $48….Dinner, $18…The first impression of those people of Maria’s screams, PRICELESS!! This band definitely knows how to rock. Watch for
Up Next, Florida’s Nonpoint. Man do these guys pack a punch with a burst of energy that gets the crowd jumping from the first riff. They could even take the Phil Collin’s song, “In The Air Tonight” pull it off in such a way that it worked at a metal show, much kudos to them. Visually, the first thing you notice from soundcheck, the drum kit is set up sideways? This allows for all the members to interact with the crowd!!! It seemed to keep the energy circling on the stage and sent back out to the crowd. Out in support of their fifth studio album, “Vengeance” keep an eye out for what will come next.
Headlining the nights show, originally from Illinois, Mudvayne. This was the second time we caught them touring for the new album, “The New Game”. They have kicked up those new songs a few notches and not to mention adding even more emotions to their older songs as well. Most notably that night, “Nothing To Gein” off their “LD 50” (2000) album. I can honestly say, I have seen this band perform this song so many times I have lost count, but I have never seen it performed quite like this.
Overall it was a great show, absolutely worth the price of admission. The crowd at the venue was a little odd, seeing how the security guys were in the mosh pits, keeping the crowd at bay. Apparently, there is no moshing, crowd surfing, stage diving or any of that sort allowed in this venue. Isn’t that half the fun for the kids? However, the rules didn’t discourage the crowd’s energy and excitement. The tour continues to the end of March. 
Skindred kicked off the night as they brought on The Roots, Rock, Riot!!! The British band’s sound is a fusion of metal and punk with reggae and even a little pop creating a new evolution and style to the metal scene. It’s a unique mixture of sounds they have put together and have done so in a very impressive manner. Live, their energy takes it to the next level; they had the crowd jumping from the get go. Keep an eye out for this band, their metal fusion is a distinctive experience!! 
high-powered forceful drive. I have seen this band several times over the years, and I have to say, I am always impressed on how tight this band is. They have a colossus stage presence that even if you weren’t a fan, I don’t think you could not be allured by their performance. Look for Sevendust out on tour with Zakk Wylde’s Black Label Society mid March.
Headlining the night was Disturbed. The lights kicked down, the curtain dropped, and the madness continues as vocalist David Draiman was wheeled out on a stretcher board, wearing a straightjacked and a mask in a Hannibal Lector type fashion. The rest of the band joined Draiman on stage and immediately they had the pumped up crowd magnetized. With a strong, solid, full sound,
they gave a flawless performance; cranking out their key songs like “Stupified,” “Land of Confusion,” 
”Down with The Sickness” and “Industructable” to name just a small handful. Still out in support of their latest album, “Industructible,” look for Disturbed to kick off their “Music as a Weapon Tour” mid March when they will be headlining and sharing the stage with Killswitch Engage, Chimaira, Lacuna Coil and many others.
Staind frontman Aaron Lewis is currently out on his annual post-holiday solo acoustic tour, which kicked off Jan 2nd in Henderson, Nevada. This tour took a break mid January as Staind did a short European run. Aaron continued on his solo-acoustic tour mid February and ends Feb 28th in Uncasville, CT. We caught Aaron’s acoustic show the first of two sold-out nights at the Turning Stone Casino in Vernon NY.
songs that hit him in the moment. This encourages the crowd to shout out the songs they would like to hear, creating great crowd participation, which leads to a more intimate show. As most of the crowd called out Staind songs, some called out odd request like “Freebird” and “Piano Man”??? I couldn’t tell at first if those people were just heckling Aaron, yelling covers he has played in the past or if it was that they just felt
left out and started yelling out whatever popped in their heads. Could it be a little of all three? Heckles were dished out regarding Aaron’s Boston Red Sox baseball cap from the NY Yankee crowd, but he gave it back in a “friends breaking chops” fashion before continuing on with the songs..jpg)