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:
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:
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.
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.
BOOM! A Band Of Orcs took the stage and made it their bitch. As if they were transported straight from Dungeons & Dragons or Middle Earth these Orcs came to slay. I had heard a few things about them but no mere words or pictures could prepare me for the onslaught that ensued. Their “leader” Gogoth Bloodthroat threathened and taunted the audience into a frenzy. Brutal Orc Metal indeed, You can check them out at https://www.facebook.com/abandoforcs
Gogog Bloodthroat
Cretos Filthgrinder
I was new to the band Iron Reagan, I talked to a few people in the crowd and they gave them rave reviews. I was told they were kind of punk/thrash. They came on stage in a fury and blasted out song after song. Towards the end of their set vocalist Tony Foresta joked about only having 32 songs left. They were fast, they were furious, and they were quite good. You can find them at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/IRON-REAGAN/235448059864772
Tony Foresta from Iron Reagan
Iron Reagan
There were quite a few Whitechapel shirts in the crowd. I was familiar with their music but had never seen them live. Even though lead vocalist Phil Bozeman was sick with the flu, he and the band delivered a powerhouse performance. Tight, and on point Whitechapel delivered their set to perfection driving the crowd into a fury. I have never seen a “Wall Of Death” at the Sunshine Theater but Phil managed to get the crowd whipped up into one. Check out Whitechapel at https://www.facebook.com/whitechapelmetal
Phil Bozeman from Whitechapel
Whitechapel!
Whitechapel
Whitechapel
Ahh GWAR… you never know what to expect from these guys, well to an extent. I had a foreknowledge of some of their antics so I was able to stay “clean.” I had to laugh as I listened to people comment and the statue sprayers as the stagehands connected tubing to them. “I hope they spray me with water!”…little did they know…
WAIT!!! THAT’S NOT WATER!!!
GWAR delivered a fantastic performance as to be expected. Full of outrageous imagery, costumes, characters, blood, blue semen (yes I said blue semen, from Oderus Urungus’s enormous male appendage). Their music was impeccable (as impeccable as GWAR can be) and the evening was thoroughly enjoyable. Make sure to check GWAR out at https://www.facebook.com/gwar
1. Til Death Do Us Part
2. Alabama Slammer
3. Blown Away
4. Game Over
5. Same Ol’ Pressure
6. Diggin’ 4 Gold
7. Feed the Snakes
8. I Do
9. Don’t Change
10. The Lick Kitty Split Theme Song
11. I Don’t Love You Anymore
A picture is worth a thousand words right? Well by looking at the picture of Blacklist Union you can get an idea of what you are in for. This band has recently been on my radar and in my ears. Blacklist Union is some damn dirty Rock N ‘Roll! No frills or posing here. You can hear elements of the sleazy bands you know and love . Til Death Do Us Part needs to be taken as a whole, just put it on, turn it up ALL THE WAY, AND ENJOY. I cannot pick out any stand out tracks on this one because they all stand out to me. Excellent production and sound quality on this one for sure, no amateurs here. I HIGHLY recommend this if you are a fan of old school LA Guns, GNR, Love/Hate and the like.
Check out the video for the title track “Til Death Do Us Part” :
It’s always wonderful to catch up with my man Stevil. We had a great chat and caught up on all of the work Stevil has bee doing to keep the music industry alive! Take a listen and get caught up on the world of Stevil Helmer:
Continuing to find great bands is a full time job. It helps when a band has a great publicist, like Stone Soul Foundation does in Doug Weber from New Ocean Media. Doug introduced me to and set up the interview with Shane Stillman from Stone Soul Foundation. I am really enjoying this band and their music. Here is the interview I did with Shane:
I hope you enjoy this band as much as I do. Here is the video for “Taking Back The U.S.” a great track and video:
First I got to interview Jeff Hignite from Mindcage, and now I have the interview I did with the mastermind behind it all, Dietrick “Deke” Hardwick! Enjoy it right here:
Remember the first time you heard Pantera, Down, Black Label Society, or Alice In Chains? I do, and I got that same feeling the first time I heard King Creature. Hailing from the UK these lads, although young, know how to bring some serious Rock N’ Roll! Comprised of Dave Kellaway – Bass/Vocals, Matt K Vincent – Guitar/Backup Vocals, Dave Evans – Guitar, and Jack “DIRTY” Bassett – Drums.
King Creature stands poised on the brink of success. They recently made the top 25 in the Marshall Ultimate Band contest, not a small feet at all. Make sure you check this band out and keep them on your radar. They are on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/KingCreature give them a like and help a young band realize their dream of bringing hard charging Rock N’ Roll to your ears! Here’s a taste of King Creature and their official video for “Wasted Life”:
the Hellion Rocks 