Tag Archives: Earth Rocker

MASTODON & CLUTCH: NEW DATES ADDED TO THE MISSING LINK TOUR‏

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ADDITIONAL DATES ADDED TO MASTODON & CLUTCH

THE MISSING LINK TOUR

 

GRAVEYARD WILL SUPPORT / BIG BUSINESS TO SUPPORT WHERE NOTED

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February 17, 2015 – (Burbank, CA) – As previously announced, Mastodon and Clutch join forces for THE MISSING LINK TOUR along with special guests Graveyard and Big Business – each taking part of the tour as support.Together, this night of heavy rockwill be one of the heaviest and most exciting concert events of the year. Shows have been added in Honolulu on April 4th (tickets are on sale now) and Detroit on May 23rd (tickets on sale Feb 20th).

 

Neil Fallon (singer of Clutch) responded: “When we first announced the Missing Link itinerary it was received with a lot of excitement. It also received a good deal of consternation regarding the lack of a Detroit date. Myself included.  So, we’re happy to announce that there is now a Detroit gig on May, 23rd at the Freedom Hill Amphitheater. See ya there.”

 

Support will be provided by Big Business, who recently supported Mastodon throughout a sold-out European tour. Sweden’s Graveyard will then take over the main support slot, starting in Los Angeles on April 29th and continuing throughout the remaining dates, closing out the tour in Columbus, OH onMay 24th.  Tickets are on sale now.

 

Mastodon and Clutch share a longtime friendship as fans will recall Clutch frontman, Neil Fallon, contributed vocals to “Blood And Thunder” (from Mastodon’s 2004’s Leviathan) so their fans can expect surprises in store throughout the tour as they rumble across North America. THE MISSING LINK TOUR will feature full sets from both Mastodon and Clutch. Clutch will close the show onApril 24th in Vancouver, May 10th in Pittsburgh, May 15th in Bethlehem, May 16th in Baltimore and also the final night of the tour, May 24th in Columbus. Mastodon will close all other shows.  For further info on Mastodon, go to: http://www.mastodonrocks.com/.  For further info on Clutch go tohttp://www.pro-rock.com

Revered Maryland rockers Clutch have been pushing the boundaries that define heavy rock music since the 4 original members got together in high school. Clutch is an unmatched musical force that has been best described as “the quintessential American Rock Band”. Clutch released their tenth and latest studio album Earth Rocker via their own label Weathermaker Music on March 16, 2013. The album entered the Billboard Top 200 chart at #15 giving the band their highest chart position to date.

 

Mastodon’s sixth studio album, the universally praised, ONCE MORE ‘ROUND THE SUN, entered the Billboard Top 200 Albums chart at the #6 position on June 24, 2014, also their highest chart debut of their career.  ONCE MORE ‘ROUND THE SUN has rightfully been placed in many Year End Critics & fan BEST OF 2014 lists including those in Rolling Stone, Revolver, Magnet, Decibel, CMJand many more. At present Mastodon has remained on the CMJ Loud Rock charts for the 26th week in a row. When OMRTS was placed No. 8 on Rolling Stone‘s “Top 20 Metal Albums of 2014” list, they summed up the success of the album stating, “The bold hooks and sharply defined riffs of Mastodon’s sixth studio full-length makes it easy to hear this album as their evolution from prog-sludge wizards to straight-ahead hard rockers – but the reality is actually far more, er, complex… Ultimately, the best part of Sun is Mastodon’s ability to make hooky and visceral music without sacrificing either their metallic muscle or their innate weirdness.”

 

Clutch’s Earth Rocker reached #1 on the Rock Chart and #4 on iTunes’ overall Top 100 album chart. Earth Rocker was awarded “Album of The Year” by Metal Hammer and garnered a Top 10 spot on Rolling Stone’s “Top 20 Metal Albums of the Year”. Rolling Stone further enthused:  “Four Maryland lifers – road dogs who’ve been grinding since the early Fugazi administration, cranking out  seething admixtures of jam-band chops, careening blues-punk riffs and singer Neil Fallon’s nerdy, piss-taking wiseass lyrics – release their hardest rocking set to date. Look for a go-go break (and some clever punning on the phrase “drop the bomb!”) on “D.C. Sound Attack!” Inspirational verse: “If you’re gonna do it/ do it live on stage/ or don’t do it at all.”

 

Clutch is currently working on their follow up to Earth Rocker which will be released in 2015.

 

Confirmed dates for THE MISSING LINK TOUR are as follows:

 

 *Mastodon Closes The Evening.  **Clutch Closes The Evening

# indicates newly added tour date.

 

# Apr 4             Honolulu, HI                The Republik (not part of THE MISSING LINK – on sale NOW)

Apr 16              *St. Paul, MN                 Myth

Apr 17             * Winnipeg, MB               The Burton Cummings Theatre

Apr 18              *Saskatoon, SK              O’Brian’s Events Center

Apr 19             * Edmonton, AB               Expo Centre

Apr 21             * Calgary, AB                   MacEwan Hall

Apr 23             * Vancouver, BC              Commodore Ballroom (SOLD OUT)

Apr 24              **Vancouver, BC             Commodore Ballroom (SOLD OUT)

Apr 25              *Portland, OR                  Roseland

Apr 26              *Seattle, WA                   Showbox SODO

Apr 28             *Oakland, CA                   Fox Theater

Apr 29              *Los Angeles, CA           Palladium

Apr 30             *Tempe, AZ                     Marquee Theater

May 01             *Las Vegas, NV              House of Blues

May 02             *Salt Lake City, UT         The Complex

May 03             *Denver, CO                   Red Rock’s Amphitheatre

May 05             *San Antonio, TX            Kapone’s Ballroom

May 06             *Oklahoma City, OK        Diamond Ballroom

May 08             Atlanta, GA                      Shaky Knees Festival

May 09             *Raleigh, NC                    Lincoln Theatre Street Stage

May 10             **Pittsburgh, PA               Stage AE

May 12             *Clive, IA (Des Moines)   7 Flags

May 13             *Milwaukee, WI                Eagles Ballroom Club Stage

May 15             **Bethlehem, PA              Sands Event Center

May 16             **Baltimore, MD               Pier Six Pavilion

May 17             *Boston, MA                    House of Blues

May 19             *New York, NY                Central Park Summerstage

May 20             *Niagara Falls, NY           Rapids Theatre

May 21             *London, ON                    London Music Hall

# May 23           **Sterling Heights, MI   Freedom Hall – (Tix on sale Feb 20)

May 24             **Columbus, OH              LC Pavilion

 

     it’s loud, it’s dirty, it’s ROCK N’ ROLL!

     -the Hellion

the Hellion Rocks top 16 (started at 10, then 16) CDs of 2013!!!

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Well it’s rapidly approaching the end of 2013 and time for my top releases of the year. While there were so many fantastic records from both new and established artists, there are a few that just burrowed into my brain and I couldn’t shake them. There are 16 that I am going to mention here and they are in no particular order as they are all incredible in my book. To those bands who aren’t listed here, relax I have another post planned to address you.

     KILL DEVIL HILL – REVOLUTION RISE

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When you have a CD from a band that has members like Vinny Appice, Rex Brown, Mark Zavon, and Dewey Bragg you know your’re in for a treat. This CD kicks ass on so many levels. The music of KDH sounds familiar and distinctly unique, giving you a feeling that this band has been around for years but yet remaining fresh. Do NOT miss out on this CD, here’s a taste:

SCATTERED HAMLET – SKELETON DIXIE

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Scattered Hamlet – Skeleton Dixie CD cover

My boys in Scattered Hamlet deliver on their full length release and then some. Remember when music made you feel something? Skeleton Dixie gets right in and touches your musical soul. Throughout the years these guys have become family to me and I have the great fortune of being mentioned in this CD as well. You WILL love it! Get some:

THE WINERY DOGS

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     When Billy Sheehan, Mike Portnoy, and Richie Kotzen get together you know you’re gonna get something great. There was a lot of buzz around this project and when it came to fruition it delivered in spades. Great straight up rock n’ roll, there needs to me more records like this one. Check it:

TOM KEIFER – THE WAY LIFE GOES

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     Tom Keifer has always been one of my favorite vocalists. The gritty soulfulness of his voice is iconic. It has been quite a while since we have had new music from Tom and it has been worth the wait. Bluesy with a razors edge is what you find on this record. Take a listen:

STRYPER – NO MORE HELL TO PAY

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     I find it funny that I have included Stryper on this list. I’ll admit that I was not really the biggest Stryper fan back in the day, I have found a new respect for them in this record. They have a tenacity that will not quit. Strong in their beliefs, and strong in their musical passion is what landed them here. (On a side note, I recently interviewed Michael Sweet and have one coming up with Oz Fox). Here’s the title track:

BLACK WATER RISING – PISSED AND DRIVEN

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     Black Water Rising has been honing this record for a few years, and it shows. These guys have been in my ears for a few years now and I finally got to see them live and hear some of these songs live. BWR brings powerful rock n’ roll and here is some for ya :

ADRIAN GALYSH – TONE POET

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     Adrian Galysh is one of hidden talents that the world has yet to discover. I received this CD for review and was completely amazed by it, and I believe you will be too. listen to this CD and hear a mans passion transferred to his music.

KORN – THE PARADIGM SHIFT

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     Korn has welcomed Head back into its fold and released one of their best CDs to date. I believe that their life experiences has caused this band to grow and mature and that growth is reflected in The Paradigm shift. “Never Never” has become one of my favorite tracks. Check out the video and see why:

DEATH ALLEY MOTOR CULT – THE OUTLAW CHRONICLES

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     Death Alley Motor Cult is one of those bands that you want to hang out with but you remember what your mom said to you about the company you keep. Their music is like that too, when you listen to it you feel dirty, dangerous, and cool, very very cool. The Outlaw Chronicles needs to be played at 11 and in a conspicuous place so you can “enlighten” those in need of a visceral experience.

AVENGED SEVENFOLD – HAIL TO THE KING

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     Sometimes I catch grief for listening to A7X, but this band gives me hope for newer music. upon the heels of suffering the loss of their founding drummer “The Rev” they have come back with strong music that has shaken up the pop laden music charts. Hail To The King pays homage to the bands that inspired these guys. Hail To The King:

CLUTCH – EARTH ROCKER

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     Clutch is one of those bands that will always remain just under the radar. Earth Rocker is a great album that unfortunately many people will not get to hear. Clutch is a band that gets ignored by the mainstream and yet I think they are happy with that. Great band, great show, great record. Do yourself a favor and listen to Earth Rocker and then dig into the music of Clutch. Here’s “Crucial Velocity”:

ADRENALINE MOB – COVERTA

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     Adrenaline Mob put out this CD of covers that is just incredibly awesome. They cover Van Halen’s “Romeo Delight” with the power and aggression that I think it deserved from the beginning. I usually do not put cover albums on my list, but this one has a place. Check this out:

MONSTER MAGNET – LAST PATROL

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     Last Patrol takes you on a psychedelic journey into the mind of Dave Wyndorf. Monster Magnet is back on their game with their latest release. Just caught these guys on tour in support of Last Patrol and the songs kick ass live!

MINDCAGE – OUR OWN DEVICES

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     Mindcage came out of left field and socked me in the head with this one. Our Own Devices creates a magical world with their powerful music. I have said that is transports you away from the mundane and I stand by that statement. Here you go:

BLACK LABEL SOCIETY – UNBLACKENED

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     Those of you who know me knew this one would end up on here. Zakk and co. have always and will always be one of my favorites. Unblackened gives new life to some of the most iconic BLS tracks. While the members may change, Black Label Society will remain STRONGER THAN DEATH.

TRACII GUNS’ LEAGUE OF GENTLEMEN – THE FIRST RECORD

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     Of all of the great and wonderful 2013 releases on my list, this is most magical for me. Having considered Tracii Guns one of my favorite guitarists for years and years I was supremely stoked when I caught wind of this project. When I finally had it in my  hands it was all that I expected and then some. Trippy , ethereal and full of passion, and soul the music found on here is the kind we grew up listening to. Thank you Tracii!

     its loud, it’s dirty, it’s ROCK N’ ROLL!!!

     the Hellion