Coming up on March 1st here in Albuquerque NM there is going to be a stellar alignment of Rock N’ Roll. Three of Rocks greatest newcomers will be playing a show like no other. Rusty Tramp, Scattered Hamlet, and Scars Blue!!!
Redd and I seemed to bond from the first time I met him. He is a phenomenal player and an all around great guy. Scattered Hamlet is a true peoples band that one should definitely give a listen to. Check out our interview right here:
Talking with Adam Joad about their forthcoming CD release, Skeleton Dixie. The conversation even went on to talk about other cool stuff. Give a listen and feel your inner “Hillbilly Harmony”
under the pale moonlight in the Appalachian woods there was a stirring. The deep-throated rumble of an engine awoke the Appalachian Apostle from his slumber. The sound of boot heels approached as he grabbed his shotgun. The Appalachian Apostle opened his door and saw a shadowy figure leaning against the porch post. “What the hell do you want?” he saw an orange car with a deer skull and a rebel flag plate rumbling in the yard. “They call me the Hell Rider.” the shadowy figure said. “I got a mission for ya. I need ya to spread the word of Skeleton Dixie.” The Apostle stroked his beard and said, “Well alright, but I gotta round-up some friends first. Let’s call down the thunder first.” Thus the adventure begins…….
After a LONG, LONG drive from NM to Los Angeles CA we got some sleep and woke up and headed to Anaheim to take in the experience that was NAMM 2013.
outside of NAMM 2013
It started out with my typical run of luck. My partner in NAMM 2013, Charlie M.F. Owens, rolled in and was badged in a matter of minutes. Me, not so lucky, I was told “your badge has already been printed, so go to the badge pickup line.” I did, no badge, and was told “oh, you’re media, go to this other building to get your badge.” Again, I did, waited in line got up to the counter and…..”Hmm sir your badge won’t print out, you need to go to this other line.” Yet again, I did and finally, just as I was losing hope….SUCCESS!!! I have to give credit to the NAMM staff. They were handling the HUGE influx of people efficiently and with smiles on their faces.
We got in and were wowed by the amount of gear and people there.Our first mission was to attend a press conference help by Orange Amplification http://www.orangeamps.com/. They were launching a new, revolutionary tube tester. Video of the press conference will be available soon on our www.rockunight.com site.
Orange Amp press conference
We headed towards the Aria booth as I had been in contact with them about something special. The Cliff Burton signature bass guitar. We stood in awe of it as we were shown the prototype by Mr. James Chen. He was the man behind the design and build of this amazing bass, and he gave us an exclusive interview of the bass and it’s design. http://www.ariaguitars.com/ The interview will be available soon on our www.rockunight.com site. Here’s a pic of this amazing bass:
Cliff Burton Signature Bass by Aria
Cliff Burton Bass poster
We wondered about in wonder at all of the bells and whistles, glam and glitz that was NAMM 2013 day one. In our travels we ran into one Rikki Rockett at his Rockett Drum Works Booth. http://www.rockettdrumworks.com/
Oh HELL!!!! The boys are back in a BIG way. This new track is pure Scattered Hamlet! For those of you who don’t know about Scattered Hamlet, WHERE THE HELL YOU BEEN LIVIN’? UNDER A ROCK? Scattered Hamlet is more than a band, they are a force greater than the sum of the parts. Scattered Hamlet has seen member changes, and yet they are STRONGER THAN EVER! Look for the guys hitting the road to support the release of their FULL LENGTH CD: SKELETON DIXIE!!!!Check out the lyric video for the new track “Powder Kegs and Gasoline”. If you haven’t liked their Facebook page yet do it here: https://www.facebook.com/ScatteredHamlet?fref=ts Roll with the Scattered Hamlet fan base called the Hell Riders at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Scattered-Hamlet-Hell-Riders-National-Chapter/145246535582650
2013 promises to be a stellar year for new music. One of the releases I am super stoked about is Mind Merchant. They just released a new track to whet our appetites. So give “Crash and Burn” a listen right here:
With long hard thought about the subject of my favorite release of 2012 I ended up picking All Hail The Yeti for several reasons. Every listen to this CD something new is heard that was missed before. To me that takes a lot of talent to add such depth and dimension to songwriting. This CD reaches into you and grabs a hold of your soul. The intensity and emotion in Vocalist Connor Garrity’s vocals is out of this world amazing. Connor reaches deep within himself and pulls guttural screams, and then compliments them with clean vocals. My good friend and brother Craw NeQuent compliments Connor’s vocals exquisitely. From searing leads, to background fills, Craw gets it done . Nicholas Diltz lays down some killer bottom end that crushes your chest. Combined, band puts down some great harmonies that add to the power of All Hail The Yeti.
1. “Deep Creek” – A powerful song that imparts the fear of some THING that’s coming to get you. This track is an all out assault on your senses, and you can almost feel the fear of the monster from Deep Creek.
2. “When The Sky Falls” – Carries on the power of the record and tells a disturbing story, listen to the lyrics. Connor’s vocals are all over the place from spoken, to scream, and then to harmony.
3. “Suicide Woods” – Fe Fi Fo Fum I smell the blood of everyone. Well put together track.
4. “The Weak and Wounded (Prelude to Flames)” – With a haunting back track that sets your hair on edge this leads you into the horror to follow.
5. “After the Great Fire” – My personal favorite track. This tells the tale of a horrible, tragic event. I can feel the terror of the children crying out for help and feel the evil of the “being” responsible. This song has so many layers that you can truly find something new every listen. The chilling line “I am the Devil, I am the Smoke” really gives me the chills. Here is the lyric video:
6. “Bloodguilt” –This track is one of the two that shows the guitar skills of Craw. Reminiscent of Pantera, the vocal/guitar combos fit nicely in your ears.
7. “The Art Of Mourning” – Crackling fire and an old time folk song start this tale of violence and retribution off. This was the first track by All Hail The Yeti to fill my ears. The video for it is a stellar piece of work depicting a tale of the old west. Haunting harmonies combined with powerhouse vocals, and some kick ass harmonica hold this track up. check out the video:
8. “I Am Wendigod” – A tale of a Native legend of a flesh eating spirit being called the Wendigo. You can feel the cold of its haunts…what’s that looking in your window? Growling, snarling, Connor almost makes you believe that he is channeling the Wendigo….hmmmm???
9. “Axe Murder Hollow” – This is the second track of the two that showcases the talent of guitarist Craw. All over the map with his playing, Craw is a guitarist that the world needs to hear. Carrying on the dark theme of the record, this one is another personal favorite.
10. “Ruby Ridge (Every Knee Shall Bow)” – If oyu don’t know the story of Ruby Ridge you should do your homework and look into it. A solid doom laden track with a great hook.
11. “Judas Cradle” – This track powers the album just as you were brought into it. Raw power is the only way to describe it. This is something you have to experience.
Every track is anchored most solidly by extraordinary bassist Nicholas Diltz. He sets the solid background that I dare anyone to shake. This guy has become one of my favorite bassists in a hurry.
There you have it, the experience of All Hail The Yeti. You MUST get this record and help to support a band that should be heard by everyone.
Andy- Lead Vocals
Tom – Guitars
Goran – Bass
Michael – Drums
The up-and-coming sensational four-piece modern metal band ToxicRose was formed in Stockholm Sweden in 2010.
Consisting of Tom (Gemini Five), Andy and Michael (both EX Lipstixx ‘n’ Bulletz) and Goran (EX Sexydeath).
There is no compromising or limits in the world of ToxicRose. Powerful Vocals combined with Aggressive Guitars , Grand melodic Synths & Dark Emotional Lyrics.
TXR stands tall for the outcast and they’re here to take metal to a new level.
With their catchy melodic epic metal anthems and shocking look they are unstoppable!
Peter Tägtgren – Vocals & Guitar
David Wallin – Drums (2003)
Michael Bohlin – Guitar (2007)
Johan Husgafvel – Bass (2007)
PAIN is a musical project from Sweden that mix heavy metal with influences from electronic music and techno. The project started out as a hobby project for front man Peter Tägtgren, whose idea was to fuse heavy metal with 1980s-inspired electro-industrial and techno influences. Tägtgren, who is also the vocalist/guitarist of Hypocrisy and producer of his own The Abyss studios, is the only current member.
Jason M Arigoni -Vocals-Songwriting
Dan Zavadil- Bass-Songwriting
Session Players:
Jason Bittner-Drums
Ben Carroll-Guitar
With strong melodic presences and driving beats, HALF PAST MY SIN will find a place with fans of bands like SEVENDUST, DISTURBED and DROWNING POOL, to name a few…..
The new Album from Half Past My Sin “4:44” featuring Sinn on vocals and Dan Zavadil on bass with special guests Jason Bittner of Shadows Fall on drums and Ben Carroll of RA on guitars!!! Also appearing on 4:44 will be the songwriting Clint Lowery of Sevendust!!!
Out early 2013!!!!
welcome to the sin!!!
Jason Newsted – Bass, vocals
Jesus Mendez Jr. – Drums
Jessie Farnsworth – guitars
In December 2012, Jason announced that he had formed his own band called Newsted with drummer Jesus Mendez Jr. and guitarist Jessie Farnsworth. The band released a four-song EP, titled Metal, on January 8, 2013.
Ricky Warwick – Vocals/Guitar
Scott Gorham – Guitars
Damon Johnson – Guitars
Marco Mendoza – Bass
Jimmy DeGrasso – Drums
In October 2012 Thin Lizzy announced that they would not be recording new material under the Thin Lizzy monicker. The last incarnation of the band – Scott Gorham, Brian Downey, Darren Wharton, Ricky Warwick, Damon Johnson and Marco Mendoza – would be looking to form a new project.
Step forward Black Star Riders…
Today sees the announcement of the new band formed by Thin Lizzy alumni Ricky Warwick (vocals), Scott Gorham (guitar), Damon Johnson (guitar), Marco Mendoza (bass) with new addition Jimmy DeGrasso on drums (Alice Cooper, Megadeth, David Lee Roth, Suicidal Tendencies). The change in personnel came about as Brian Downey didn’t want to commit to the touring cycle a new album would entail and Darren Wharton wanted to concentrate on Dare and other music and film projects.
Black Star Riders is set to enter the studio in Los Angeles in January 2013 to start recording their debut album with the legendary Kevin Shirley (Led Zeppelin, Iron Maiden, Aerosmith, Rush). The album will feature material the band wrote whilst touring as Thin Lizzy and the sound retains that classic feel but is very much its own as well. The Black Star Riders record is the next step in the evolution of the Thin Lizzy story.
Chad Smith – Drums
Boe Skadeland – Bass
Todd Evans – Guitar/Vocals
Based out of Toledo, Ohio, MOBILE DEATHCAMP has been sawing clubs in half, and leaving crowds with their collective jaws on the floor since the band’s inception in 2008. Formed by Todd Evans at the end of his 6 year stint as Beefcake The Mighty with the legendary shock rockers, GWAR, and joined in aural battle by Boe Skadeland and Chad Smith, this musical terror pocket has been consistently leveling venues across North America.
Johnny DiCarlo – Lead Vocals – Guitar
James Watson – Guitar – Vocals
Marcus Giannamore – Drums
George Scott – Bass
“NeverWake” concentrates on songs that reside between Rock and Metal to bridge both genres. They combine memorable, melodic vocals and gothic guitar harmonies over heavy distortion to achieve their style. They are currently looking to be signed to a record label and hit the road. NeverWake continues to develop their style by incorporating more complex riffs, heavier background vocal style, and dark orchestration while keeping their melodic lyricism. NeverWake released their debut full-length album “VITALITY” in August 2011, produced/engineered/mixed by Mike Ofca at Innovation Studios! “Vitality” is available on iTunes and other main online retailers. You can also order the hard copy by emailing neverwakemusic@gmail.com for inquires.
Recently, they have also released their debut music video on YouTube for the song “Pulse”, produced by Jeff Moore of Axtravaganza Films!
Mark Alexander – Guitar
Sam Rhodes – Guitar
Jason Sain – Vocals
Matt Staley – Bass
Kenny Wyatt – Drums
3 Quarters Dead was formed back in 1999 with original members Kenny Wyatt and Mark Alexander. After they returned from a tour with Mushroomhead, they began recording their second full length CD with Steve Felton (Skinny) of Mushroomhead. The vocalist at that time was Waylon Reavis who was recruited by Mushroomhead to take the place of J-Mann (aka Jason Popson) who had announced his departure from the band. After starting all over, they finally found a vocalist that suited their style of music. Jason Sain started with the band in late 2007. In 2008 they recorded “Between Angels & Demons” with producer Jamie King of ‘Between The Buried & Me’, ‘The Human Abstract’ fame. In late 2009 they signed with indie label ‘Project Alpha Music’ and released their latest effort “Once Upon This Broken Glass” in March, 2010.
The lead single, “The Unknown” is off of their new CD “Once Upon This Broken Glass. It about loves someone who doesn’t love you back. This song has many melodic sections to it. But when you hear the change ups which are dynamic, it sets a tone of a story being told through 3 degrees of separation. These three levels are clearly defined and portrayed beautifully by the talents of these individuals.
In 2009, Uta Plotkin added her voice to Witch Mountain in front of a triumphant sold out crowd at Portland, OR’s venerable club Satyricon. Supporting Pentagram—East coast godfathers of American doom who also took far too long to receive their rightful due—Plotkin brought the necessary ingredient that Witch Mountain founders Rob Wrong and Nate Carson had been seeking since they initially formed the group back in 1997.
Originally far out of step with the lazy, indie-rock scene in Portland, guitarist Wrong and drummer Carson sought to put their own stamp on the tradition of doom metal as laid down by Black Sabbath, Candlemass, Trouble, and Saint Vitus. Years of road work in support of peers such as High on Fire, Spirit Caravan, Electric Wizard, YOB, Weedeater, Eyehategod, and all the rest had granted Witch Mountain a solid footnote in the history of one of music’s heaviest genres. And though real life careers took the band largely out of commission between 2003 and 2008, Plotkin’s emergence kicked the band back into a high gear that shows no signs of waning.
With renewed vigor, WM returned to the studio to capture the long-awaited sophomore album South of Salem. Produced by master “engine-ear” Billy Anderson (Sleep, Neurosis, Melvins), the record was self-released by the band on vinyl, and shortly thereafter recognized as the “#4 Best Metal Album of 2011” by NPR. With a SXSW showcase, west coast tours with Christian Mistress and Wino project Premonition 13, and a massively downloaded Adult Swim compilation under its belt, Witch Mountain proved its modern work ethic and soon signed up with dream label Profound Lore.
Once South of Salem was unleashed on CD and properly distributed, it was time to follow up with all new material. 2012’s Cauldron of the Wild was the answer, produced once more by Billy Anderson, and this time featuring a further matured sound and more immersive influence from Plotkin. Rob Wrong was writing the best, heaviest blues-metal he’d yet conjured, and Carson–as both manager and booker–kept the band grounded in a professional DIY ethic. New bassist Neal Munson fit like a glove, and overall the group has never fired on all cylinders so successfully.
the Hellion Rocks 