Emperors and Elephants is releasing the debut album January 21st!!! Stayed tuned here for exclusive updates and news!!!
wanna teaser????:
are YOU ready?
it’s loud, it’s dirty, it’s EMPERORS AND ELEPHANTS!!!
-the Hellion
Monthly Archives: November 2013
Road trip to ROCK N’ ROLL – KILL DEVIL HILL!!!
I cannot say enough good things about Kill Devil Hill. Paul Gargano of Century Media made sure I received the new CD Revolution Rise for review, set up an interview with vocalist Dewey Bragg, and arranged for me to shoot their show and meet with the guys. Thank you Paul and Century Media. Here is the interview link in case you missed it:
I have to give thanks to Rancid Savage Productions for making it possible for my very good friend guitarist Mike Araiza (Of The Earth, Frank Hannon Band) to attend the show with me.
ROADTRIP!!!
I want to thank my friends guitarist Mike Araiza (Of The Earth, Frank Hannon Band) and vocalist Dion Tejada (Scars Blue) for sharing this epic road trip with me. We talked music, life, and basically had a great time. It was reminiscent of the glory days of Rock concerts. The vibe were chill, the road music was great, and the conversation flowed.
We rolled up to the historic El Morro Theater in Gallup, NM and saw the infamous Dimebag tour bus. From that moment we knew we were in for a kickass night of Rock N’ Roll!
the Dime bus!
We parked the Hellionmobile and walked to the venue as cool as we could. As we passed a small cafe we saw the legendary Vinny Appice sitting there on his laptop. We got to the venue and found it locked and the guest list was not available yet so we just chilled a bit. I called my friend Rob Traynor (vocals/guitars for Black Water Rising who was on the bill) and he said he’d meet us in a few. It was then we were told to go around the back and come on in. The bands were still loading in and equipment was everywhere and we were geeked for a killer show. My brother Mike Araiza offered to use one of my cameras and shoot from a different angle than me. It was a welcome addition to my show shoot and Mike managed to squeeze in 2400 shots!! Thanks Mike, much love brother!
El Morro theater preshow!
First up on the bill was local Gallup band Testify. Identifying with their local heritage this young band brought some seriously good music to the mix. Definitely looking forward to more from these guys.
Testify
Ahhh BlinDDryve, a band near and dear to my heart. I have seen this Albuquerque band grow and evolve into the powerhouse that they are today. They delivered a great set today and left the crowd wanting more.
BlinDDryve
Revocation is a band new to me and I have already interviewed them and caught them twice. Hard, aggressive, and LOUD!!! Revocation is a band on the move in a big way. Kicking ass and taking name is their game. Don’t miss out on them if they come your way.
Revocation
I was busy with something menial the first time I heard Black Water Rising, and it grabbed my attention fully. “Brother Go On” was the track and I was hooked. I found the CD and stayed in touch with what they were up to. Eventually I was able to do a phone interview with vocalist/guitarist Rob Traynor. I stayed in touch with Rob and was excited to hear about their new release Pissed And Driven. It was with great pleasure when I heard they were on the bill for this show. I will be doing a feature piece on them and their set.
Black Water Rising
A lot of people were excited to see this band and they drew a positive crowd response. New, fresh, with solid shared vocals and hooks, this band has been making waves across the globe. A band for the new world Eyes Set To Kill is coming to your ears soon.
Eyes Set To Kill
Vinny Appice, Rex Brown, Dewey Bragg, and Mark Zavon are collectively known as Kill Devil Hill. The crew closed the curtains as the crowd prepared themselves for complete devastation from the band. The crowd roared as the curtains finally opened and the band exploded on stage.
Kill Devil Hill
Having heard both of the KDH records I knew the sound that the band had in the studio and was stoked to see what they sounded like live, I was not disappointed. The band was stellar with their live performance. While true to the songs from the records, they infused them with the magic one can only see in a live show. Rex Brown played to the crowd drawing them in to the show and feeding off of their energy.
Rex Brown firing up the crowd
The legendary Vinny Appice brought the thunder to Gallup, NM that night. Pure magic came from behind the kit as Vinny pounded out the songs of Kill Devil Hill. We owe Vinny a debt of gratitude for giving us this incredible new music.
Vinny Appice the legend!
Mark Zavon has some serious chops. This is guitarist that I feel is seriously underrated and then some. From shred to clean riffs Mark did it all effortlessly. Although Mark is a newcomer to most people, he took the stage with swagger and confidence many veterans of the stage do not. He is rapidly becoming one of my favorite players.
Mark Zavon owning the stage
And then there’s Dewey Bragg, my favorite new vocalist. There is a magic in his voice and you can feel it reach into you when you listen to the songs of Kill Devil Hill. From brain shattering screams to haunting harmonies Dewey hits it all. The thing about Dewey is that he sees his voice as an instrument and treats it accordingly, and it shows. Besides the voice and the company he keeps Dewey remains humble and grateful. I asked him in our recent interview if he ever looks around while on stage and says damn that’s Rex Brown and damn that’s Vinny Appice, his repsonse: : “Every Night”.
Dewey Bragg filling our ears with joy
Kill Devil Hill are a classy group of gentlemen indeed. After busting their asses onstage they took the time to hang out and meet the crowd, take pictures and sign stuff for them. The Crowd lined up in anticipation and you could see the joy on their faces as Rex, Vinny, Mark, and Dewey acknowledged them even if for only a moment.
Rex Brown and Dion Tejada
Vinny Appice with a fan
Kill Devil Hill with some VIP purchasers
Rex Brown with the Hellion
As a bonus to people attending these shows Rita Haney (DimebagzHag) is running the merch table for Kill Devil Hill. She took the time to talk, sign things, and take pictures with the fans. A class act indeed.
Rita Haney with a fan
Rita Haney with Mike Araiza
And then it was all over and everyone had to go back to their regular lives, but at least, they were all carrying the magic of the nights show with them into their dreams.
Thanks to all of the bands for delivering a great night of Rock N’ Roll!!! Thanks Mike Araiza and Dion Tejada for the company!
it’s loud, it’s dirty, it’s ROCK N’ ROLL
the Hellion
My conversation with KILL DEVIL HILL vocalist Dewey Bragg
Lightning struck when Kill Devil Hill exploded on the scene with their debut record in 2012. Lightning struck twice with the release of their sophomore album Revolution Rise. It was with great excitement when I received an email from Paul Gargano from Century Media, that contained Revolution Rise for me to review. A few weeks later Paul and I were able to arrange an interview with vocalist Dewey Bragg. Dewey and I had a casual conversation rather than an interview and we discussed a myriad of things. Here is the link for your enjoyment:
Be sure and pick up BOTH Kill Devil Hill records, catch them on tour in support of the new release Revolution Rise. They are on the web at https://www.facebook.com/KillDevilHillMusic?ref=br_tf and http://www.killdevilhillmusic.com/ Kill Devil Hill is breathing life back into serious Rock N’ Roll as we speak!!!
it’s loud, it’s dirty, it’s KILL DEVIL HILL!!!
-the Hellion
Solo guitarist Casper Gomez talks about his new release Lyric-Less
My good friend Casper Gomez has grown over the years since we first met. He has just finished his very expressive solo effort and it will be released on 11/12/13 relax and listen to Casper let us into his world:
An interview with guitarist Adrian Galysh
Sometimes in the midst of the chaos of the world you find a shining jewel. I have found one in the music of Adrian Galysh. This guitarist plays with a passion that will touch you deep within your soul. Listen to the interview and the song “Flying” that is with in it and you will see what I mean.
it’s loud, it’s dirty, it’s ROCK N’ ROLL!
the Hellion
Soulfly- an interview with Max Cavalera and show review from New Mexico
In April of 1998 I was given a copy of the debut record from Soulfly. I had been a fan of Sepultura since Morbid Visions came out in 1986 and was excited to hear this new project from Max Cavalera. Soulfly has since become a favorite band of mine and each release fills me with excitement. Over the years Soulfly has given us 9 records throughout the years. The latest being Savages which was released on September 30th of this year.
The latest release from SouIfly (I was lucky and Max signed my copy)
Over the years of being a fan of Soulfly I have never had the opportunity to see them live. One circumstance after another has prevented that from happening. That changed on November 1st. Not only was I going to be able to see Soulfly live, I was going to get to interview Max Cavalera and shoot their show.
Max and I on his tour bus.
Max was inviting and wonderful to talk to. I felt as if I had known him for years, we had a relaxed conversation as if we were catching up with each other. Here is the interview:
The Sunshine theater was abundant with fans in Soulfly shirts and they were electric with anticipation of the performance. When Max Cavalera (vocals/guitar), Tony Campos (bass/vocals), Marc Risso (guitars), and Zyon Cavalera (drums) took the stage the crowd was primed and ready. Their live performance was everything I expected and more, this lineup of Soulfly played every song as they should be played, loud, aggressive, and with a spontaneity that makes me appreciate live performances.
Max Cavalera in action
Zyon Cavalera on drums!
Tony Campos on bass
Marc Rizzo on guitars
The crowd participated with great fervor as each song was played. Mosh pits, fists raised, horns high, and heads banging with delight. At times it seemed that everyone in the crowd was singing along with Max as he sang the songs we all know and love. The crowd went completely berserk when the band played “Roots Bloody Roots”. As the last notes of the music faded in our ears, hands were shook, goodbyes were said and Soulfly left to bring their awesomeness to another town. Thank you Max, Zyon, Tony, and Marc for a kick ass evening of Rock N’ Roll! I have to thank Charles Elliott from Nuclear Blast Records, Publicity/Radio and Video Promotions for making this happen.
It’s loud, it’s dirty, it’s SOULFLY
the Hellion
the Hellion Rocks 