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HELL OR HIGHWATER DROP “I WANT IT ALL” VIDEO – WATCH HERE

By
Luke Spencer
-

HELL OR HIGHWATER DROP “I WANT IT ALL” VIDEO – WATCH HERE

NEW ALBUM VISTA OUT MAY 19

HoH

Hell or Highwater, featuring Atreyu drummer Brandon Saller on lead vocals, have premiered the video for “I Want It All,” at Revolver. It’s the first single from Vista, their upcoming second full-length album and Spinefarm debut.

“For the most part, it’s all one shot, so we had a blast,” Saller told Revolver. “Best of all, we got to keep the car and the money… which was nice.”

Vista will be released on May 19. Pre-orders are HERE and HERE.

In advance of the album’s release, Hell or Highwater will hit the road with Nothing More, Black Maps, and As Lions. Dates are below, as well.

HELL OR HIGHWATER ON TOUR:

4/14: Santa Ana, CA @ The Observatory#

4/15: Phoenix, AZ @ 98 KUPD Brufest*

With Nothing More, Black Map, As Lions:

4/25: Monroe, LA @ Live Oaks Bar & Ballroom

4/26: Baton Rouge, LA @ Varsity Theater

5/2: Destin, FL @ Club L.A.

5/3: Birmingham, AL @ Saturn

5/8: New York, NY @ Gramercy Theater

5/9: Reading, PA @ Reverb

5/10: Syracuse, NY @ The Lost Horizon

5/12: Columbia, MO @ Blue Note

5/13: Des Moines, IA @ Wooly’s

5/15: Lincoln, NE @ Bourbon Theater

5/17: Ft. Wayne, IN @ The Rusty Spur

5/19: Flint, MI @ The Machine Shop

7/14: Chicago, IL @ Chicago Open Air*

# – Headline Show

*Festival Appearance

HOH Flyer

Album Review: Fire From The Gods – Narrative

By
Luke Spencer
-

A look back at Fire From The God’s full length debut Narrative.

https://vimeo.com/209138124

 

Text Review:

In this Patreon requested album review I was asked to listen to Narrative, the debut full length album from Fire From The Gods that was released in 2016.  I was somewhat familiar with the name from hearing the song “Excuse Me” on SiriusXM and hearing a combination of several genres in one song.  It’s only now that I get to dive into the band head first and really see what they are capable of.

Fire From The Gods is a five piece based out of Texas that combines rock, rap, reggae and several other elements into their music meant to leave an impact.  The debut Narrative according to vocalist AJ Channer goes from personal experiences to philosophical and social observations.  According to an interview he had before the album release, Channer said: “With Narrative, I wanted to talk about the political and sociological issues going on, along with what I’ve learned from my life’s experiences. I think people really appreciate the honesty, because I do as a fan when I hear someone open up from the heart.”

Personally, I become much more interested when I know an album isn’t 10 tracks of tear down the house, punch your enemies and party until you throw up.  It gives more reason to believe the artists put in effort and wanted to make their music matter as opposed to filling up an album to reach an acceptable time length and get a payday.  As I said earlier with my first experience with the band hearing “Excuse Me”, I felt like I was hearing an explosion on genres with a lot of volume.  It definitely fit inside the realm or hard rock radio and many people can agree there isn’t much like it on said radio rotations.

“Excuse Me” feels like a consistent transition of rap, metal, rock and reggae and then back into each other in different turns all while the hard sound and speed stays consistent.  The guitar riffs are strong and are loud but don’t overtake focus from the vocals.  Lyrically, there is a lot to take in and that goes for almost every song on Narrative as well.  When AJ Channer said he wanted to talk about political issues along with what he’s learned in life, he really meant it and proved in throughout these 10 tracks.  Redemption, revolution, living up to the expectations of media and Hollywood, there is a lot to take in through many different styles of music that gets thrown at you in rapid succession from track to track.

When you listen to this album from front to back you will get a bit of audio whiplash.  Just from the first three songs the style goes from hard rock to a ballad to the previously played “Excuse Me” which incorporates rap and reggae.  And somehow, Fire From The Gods does this all extremely well.  Nothing feels watered down or like an embarrassing attempt.  It also sounds natural in delivery.

“End Transmission” was the song that impressed me most on Narrative.  The flow from the harmonic guitars and range in Channer’s voice makes everything flow into this gorgeous sound.  It was while hearing the singing voice that I instantly made a connection to Lajon Witherspoon of Sevendust and this song reminds me of that band in a lot of ways.  I feel that in the combination and demonstration of so many styles that it’s hard to focus on just one.  It’s like I said about that audio whiplash where you’ll hear one stile and then get swung into another.  That is not a bad thing in this case as they are organized and well performed, but it’s hard to appreciate the talent and meaning involved when you hear it in so many forms so quickly.

Songs like “Diversion” and “Composition” hit harder.  Tracks like “End Transmission” and “Evolve” are a bit more melodic.  It’s going to really be a personal preference on which songs you go for in Narrative but that might have been the point and strength of Fire From The Gods.  To not settle on one thing but to rather give you as much music in as many ways as they can deliver.  The music is solid and has good structure.  Even if listening to this album from beginning to end may not have the flow some people are looking for, that might be by intention.  Fire From The Gods will surprise many new listeners if they listen past the radio single and may get sucked in by the wide spectrum they are capable of presenting.

Fire From The Gods is now going to start their big touring this year with the Monster Energy festivals and playing other venues across the US.  If the following picks up and this band can deliver along with the performances on this album, then Fire From The Gods could be around for a long time due to their focus on wanting to make music with a bit more focus.  Overall, Narrative is a bold and impressive debut from a band that seems set on throwing the kitchen sink at the rock world.  If any of the styles or clips I’ve played in this video have peaked your interested, then you should give Fire From The Gods a chance you might not find another band like it for a long time.

XANDRIA Announces North American Headline Tour

By
Luke Spencer
-

xandria

German Epic Symphonic Metal stalwarts XANDRIA have taken things to the next level with their seventh studio album Theater of Dimensions.  (Order HERE). The album is a hyper-emotional affair that digs deep, lyrically speaking. It’s also an incredibly metallic effort.  There is a soundtrack-like, orchestral finesse inherent to the compositions, echoed by pounding groove and sophisticated shredding.

Now XANDRIA is ready to bring their breathtaking live show back to North America for a headline tour this May.  Support on the tour will come from label mates Kobra And The Lotus and Once Human.  The tour kicks off May 9th in New York, NY and runs through May 30th in Mesa, AZ.  A complete list of dates can be found below.

The band cannot wait to tour North America: “We are super excited to go on our first ever North American headline tour in May, playing east to west coast, along with the wonderful Kobra and the Lotus as well as Once Human. Let’s get these places rocked!”

XANDRIA, KOBRA AND THE LOTUS w/ Once Human:

5/9: New York, NY @ Webster Hall

5/11: Quebec City, QC @ La Source de la Martiniere

5/12: Montreal, QC @ Foufounes Electriques

5/13: Toronto, ON @ Garrison

5/14: Cleveland, OH @ Agora Ballroom

5/16: Joliet, IL @ The Forge Club

5/18: Denver, CO @ Moon Room

5/19: Colorado Springs, CO @ Black Sheep

5/20: Salt Lake City, UT @ Metro Bar

5/22: Seattle, WA @ Studio Seven

5/23: Portland, OR @ Hawthorne Theater

5/24: San Francisco, CA @ DNA Lounge

5/26: Las Vegas, NV @ Adrenaline Sports Lounge

5/27: San Diego, CA @ Brick By Brick

5/29: Los Angeles, CA @ The Regent Theater

5/30: Mesa, AZ @ Club Red-Mesa

311 To Release New Album “Mosiac” This Summer – Hear New Song “Too Much To Think” Here

By
Luke Spencer
-

MULTI-PLATINUM ROCK BAND 311 TO RELEASE NEW ALBUM

‘MOSAIC’ OUT SUMMER 2017 ON BMG

311 are set to return with their 12th studio album titled MOSAIC, due out worldwide summer 2017 on BMG. The multi-platinum band’s first single “Too Much To Think” premiered at Alternative radio on Friday, March 10. Watch the lyric video for the song (here) and the group will launch a 40-show North American summer tour on June 22 in Cleveland. The new album MOSAIC is available to pre-order now at www.pledgemusic.com/ThreeEleven. Tour pre-sale tickets and VIP bundles start to go on sale March 14. Tour info at www.311.com/shows.

The 17-song MOSIAC was produced by John Feldmann (Blink-182, Panic! At The Disco, etc.) and Scotch Ralston (who produced 311’s iconic Transistor, Soundsystem and Stereolithicalbums). With MOSAIC, 311 are approaching their 10th consecutive Top 10 album debut on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart.

311 will hit the road summer 2017 for an eight-week headlining tour of North America. Marking the group’s 18th consecutive summer headlining the U.S, the outing features special guests New Politics plus The Skints / Passafire (on select shows). 311 will also make headline appearances at several festivals and radio events. *The full tour itinerary (June 22-Aug 20) is listed below and at: http://www.311.com/shows.

Catch 311 on tour this summer in the following cities:

DATE LOCATION VENUE
THU 6/22 Cleveland, OH Hard Rock Live
SAT 6/24 Montebello, Quebec Amnesia Rockfest
SUN 6/25 Detroit, MI The Fillmore
WED 6/28 Columbus, OH Express Live
THU 6/29 St. Louis, MO Pageant Theatre
FRI 6/30 Lincoln, NE Lincoln on the Streets Party
SUN 7/2 Chicago, IL Northerly Island Pavilion
MON 7/3 Kansas City, MO Crossroads
TUE 7/4 Indianapolis, IN Pavilion at Pan Am Plaza
THU 7/6 Pittsburgh, PA Stage AE
FRI 7/7 Hampton Beach, NH HB Casino
SAT 7/8 Portland, ME Maine State Pier
MON 7/10 Buffalo, NY Artpark
TUE 7/11 New York City, NY Hammerstein Ballroom
FRI 7/14 Long Island, NY Great South Bay Music Festival
SAT 7/15 Asbury Park, NJ Stone Pony Summerstage
SUN 7/16 Boston, MA Blue Hills Bank Pavilion
WED 7/19 Glen Allen, VA Innsbrook After Hours
FRI 7/21 Philadelphia, PA Penns Landing at Festival Pier
SAT 7/22 Hartford, CT CT Convention Center
MON 7/24 Washington, D.C. Fillmore Silver Spring
TUE 7/25 Washington, D.C. Fillmore Silver Spring
WED 7/26 Charlotte, NC Metro Credit Union Amphitheater
FRI 7/28 Atlanta, GA Tabernacle
SAT 7/29 Atlanta, GA Tabernacle
SUN 7/30 Myrtle Beach, SC House of Blues
TUE 8/1 Boca Raton, FL Sunset Cove Amphitheater
WED 8/2 St Augustine, FL St Augustine Amphitheater
FRI 8/4 New Orleans, LA Bold Sphere Amphitheater
SAT 8/5 Houston, TX Revention Music Center
SUN 8/6 New Braunfels, TX Whitewater Amp
TUE 8/8 TBA, TX TBA
THU 8/10 Albuquerque, NM Sandia Casino
FRI 8/11 Denver, CO Levitt Pavilion
SAT 8/12 Salt Lake City, UT USANA Amphitheater
MON 8/14 Boise, ID Revolution Concert House
TUE 8/15 Eugene, OR Cuthbert Amphitheater
WED 8/16 San Jose, CA City National Civic
FRI 8/18 Las Vegas, NV Mandalay Bay Beach
SAT 8/19 Los Angeles, CA Hollywood Palladium
SUN 8/20 San Diego, CA Cal Coast Credit Union OAT
FRI 9/1 Virginia Beach, VA American Music Festival

 

Album Review: Black Map – In Droves

By
Luke Spencer
-

A look at California’s Black Map and the sophomore album In Droves.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdRGK4mo1yk

https://vimeo.com/207845892

 

Text Review:

2017 is a time where rock consists of digital instruments and electronic midi effects layered under auto tuned vocals.  It’s a sign of the times for musicians now to jump on the electronic bandwagon in the rock scene and for many bands it works.  There are great bands and albums that are coming from this.  But outside of that, there is something to be said about a band that just hooks up their instruments and microphones and relies solely on natural performance.  Black Map, a trio coming from North California are that specific band that delivers solely with the standards that have made rock what it is through ability and creativity.  In the press release given from eOne, Black Map’s style is being described as a combination of big names like Tool, A Perfect Circle, Deftones and Baroness.   Along with those comparisons they have also been on tour with Chevelle, Bush, and Highly Suspect.  All good names to be associated with.

The next question is if Black Map sounds similar to such big names, then how do they have their own identity?  This isn’t the first band to have that question posed.  Fortunately for the case of these three they have a lot to offer in original ideas.  In Droves has over 15 tracks with progressive elements that make you feel like you are getting something for your time and money.  Throughout the 15 tracks on this album including three tying “Transit” interludes, you can clearly tell the light prog and connecting elements that Black Map use.  When hearing a single song from a band like this however it can sometimes be a hard sell.  Describing a band like this to someone who hasn’t heard it before can be even more difficult outside of saying “A band that doesn’t rely on effects and synthetic instruments”.

My first experience with Black Map was hearing “Run Rabbit Run” on Sirius XM Octane several months ago.  When I first heard the song, they reminded me a bit of Chevelle and the song stuck with me due to the main chorus and delivery of the title.  Now hearing this song along with the rest of the album helps to get a better perspective of the band and In Droves.  What I like about “Run Rabbit Run” is the build in Ben Flanagan’s vocal delivery as the song goes on.  His singing sounds clean in the first verse and then goes into a good shout during the chorus.  The guitar opening and high chords from Mark Engles drive this song and pair well with Flanagan’s octave and the song moves quickly at just over three minutes.  “Run Rabbit Run” also has a distinction in that it is definitely one of the harder and louder songs on In Droves.  Right after “Run Rabbit Run” ends, songs like “Foxglove”, “Ruin” and “Dead Ringer” set the tone of the album as slower paced and deep with plenty of rhythm.  It’s this flow that is the selling point of In Droves and distinguishes their sound as a band – also making a claim as to why they are being compared to names like Tool and Chevelle.

While “Run Rabbit Run” definitely will get the attention of rock fans, it’s these melodic deep catchy tracks that will hook many listeners.  Many of theses songs will require some growing time for sure, but after hearing songs like “Dead Ringer”, “White Fence” and the album closer “Coma Phase” you’ll come around on In Droves altogether.

I feel like Black Map has a knack for writing lines in a song that are unique enough to remember without completely reinventing the wheel.  The lyric “Dead Ringer for the living” makes you think about living life as a shell and a mindless cog in the machine.  This writing combined with some great riffs and bends from Engles create an atmospheric rock track.  There are definitely spaces of time and tracks that won’t hold your interests as others.  In the second half of the album after “Transit II” you’ll start feel a bit of repetition as that slower but rhythmic pace is kept at cruise control.  Some songs will stand out for one listener more than the other, but in the positive light there isn’t one track on the album that didn’t at least impress me a little at the talent involved.

These types of bands with a focus on instrumental creativity and creating an atmosphere without the help of a macbook pro-player live on stage is becoming less common.  It’s a shame because when a band like Black Map comes around with solid music and the ability to create something memorable, it takes that much more effort for their music to get attention.  Overall, In Droves delivers a lot of music with a thick connection between songs in a deep and rich rhythm.  This is the type of album that could help propel a band like Black Map to a good audience if it’s heard by enough people.  And now with radio play and touring alongside other big names, Black Map could be onto something great if this direction continues.

3TEETH TO RELEASE NEW ALBUM “SHUTDOWN.EXE” ON MAY 19TH

By
Luke Spencer
-

March 7, 2017 – Los Angeles, CA – Los Angeles based industrial band 3TEETH has unveiled plans to release their highly-anticipated, second full-length album, <shutdown.exe>, on May 19th via OMF Records. Today, the band reveals the album title, release date, artwork and track listing for the upcoming record. Additional details and music will be disclosed in the coming weeks. Follow the band at https://www.facebook.com/3Teeth for additional updates.

3TEETH’s <shutdown.exe>, the long-awaited follow-up to their self-titled, 2014 album, was self-produced by the band, mixed by Sean Beavan (Nine Inch Nails, Marilyn Manson, A Perfect Circle) and mastered by Howie Wienberg (Deftones, Nirvana, Pantera, Smashing Pumpkins, Soundgarden). The album features 13 songs that push their sound into new, undiscovered realms of orchestrated chaos and divine carnage with their signature fusion of experimental industrial, metal and synth driven rock that the band has become known for over the last several years.

“3TEETH are more than the sum of their influences. They are the sound of inevitability. A storm of rage and reason, man and machine, metal and bone.” – Sean Beavan (producer/mixer Nine Inch Nails, Marilyn Manson, A Perfect Circle)

Discussing the concepts behind the new record, frontman Alexis Mincolla says, “”The album centers around the idea of shutting down consensus reality tunnels, which is a way to describe the generally agreed-upon perspectives of what is considered real.”

Formed in 2013 in Los Angeles, 3TEETH is a transgressive artistic collaborative consisting of Alexis Mincolla (vocals), Xavier Swafford (keys), Andrew Means (drums) and Chase Brawner (guitars). Inspired by the early 90’s industrial scene and acts like Ministry and Nine Inch Nails, the four-piece boasts a unique amalgam of aggressive sound and compelling visual art that, combined with their cynical humor and provocative propaganda, ultimately ask fans to join their assault on consensus based reality.

Following a monumental, 2016 tour of the U.S. with legendary rock band TOOL, 3TEETH is riding a wave of momentum and anticipation leading up to the release of <shutdown.exe>. Stay tuned for more details regarding one of the year’s most awaited releases.

3ta

Blacktop Mojo “Burn The Ships” out March 10th – Listen to New Single “Pyromaniac” Here

By
Luke Spencer
-

Modern Southern Hard Rock Band Blacktop Mojo has announced the release of their upcoming Burn The Ships LP, with the release of the first single, “Pyromaniac”. The album will be available online March 10th.  You can hear the new single below.

Blacktop Mojo was formed in 2012 by lead vocalist Matt James and drummer Nathan Gills. Armed with a demo EP and a tenacious work ethic, the band played show after show throughout the state of Texas and did whatever it took to develop and fine-tune their sound.  Below is their cover of Aerosmith’s “Dream On” closing in on one million views.

Top 10 BEST Cover Songs In Rock

By
Luke Spencer
-

Counting down the top 10 best cover songs in rock.

https://vimeo.com/206764480

MALLORY KNOX THIRD STUDIO ALBUM WIRED AVAILABLE MARCH 10

By
Luke Spencer
-

MALLORY KNOX

THIRD STUDIO ALBUM WIRED

AVAILABLE MARCH 10 VIA COLUMBIA RECORDS

Mallory Knox- Press Shot

Today, British rock band Mallory Knox return with “Better Off Without You,” a thunderous new track from their forthcoming studio album Wired, set for release March 10. Wired marks the band’s first album to be released on Columbia Records in the US.  Mallory Knox previously released Wired’s lead single “Giving It Up” late  last year, watch/listen HERE. Written about the prescription drug Citalopram, which is used to treat anxiety and depression, “Better Off Without You” was born out of bassist Sam Douglas’ frustration towards a doctor who took a particularly lax approach to his treatment. “For something so personal, it all felt very impersonal,” recalls Sam of the experience.

In just five years, Mallory Knox have firmly established themselves at the forefront of modern British rock. The Cambridge five-piece (named after the character in Natural Born Killers) released three BBC Radio 1 A-Listed singles on their last album, 2014’s Asymmetry, which reached #16 on the Official Albums Chart in the UK. The band sold out London’s 3,700-capacity Roundhouse during a headline tour in support of Asymmetry, in addition to playing the main stages of Reading and Leeds Festivals and Download Festival. Stateside, the band has toured with Pierce The Veil and Sleeping With Sirens in addition to playing Warped Tour in 2015. Breaking free of the restraints that bound them on their first two albums—inexperience, self-doubt, a restricting reverence to their heroes and a reputation as rock’s latest nice guys.

Mallory Knox are back, laying bare their souls, kicking at their boundaries, savaging their sound and expanding their worldview. In the process, they are becoming a vital voice of the modern rock generation; damaged, informed, driven, torn between happiness and hedonism and utterly, utterly wired.   This year, the band will embark on an extensive UK headline tour, including two nights at London’s Koko, with further dates to be announced later in the year. Visit www.malloryknox.com for more details.

“A SHIPROCKED ODYSSEY” SET FOR JANUARY 21-25

By
Luke Spencer
-

SHIPROCKED 2018

“A SHIPROCKED ODYSSEY”

SET FOR JANUARY 21-25

ONBOARD CARNIVAL LIBERTY

FROM PORT CANAVERAL, FLORIDA TO

NASSAU AND HALF MOON CAY IN THE BAHAMAS

Just weeks after wrapping the sold out ShipRocked 2017 cruise (January 16-20), the dates, as well as new ports and a new ship, have been announced for ShipRocked 2018, marking the 9th year for the annual vacation experience.

ShipRocked 2018—A ShipRocked Odyssey–is confirmed for January 21-25, 2018 onboard Carnival Liberty, sailing from Port Canaveral, Florida, with stops in Nassau and the private island of Half Moon Cay in The Bahamas.

Look for the band lineup to be announced in the coming months at www.ShipRocked.com and via ShipRocked social media. The ShipRocked 2018 pre-sale is sold out, but additional bookings will be available soon.

Check out the official ShipRocked 2018 announcement video here:

ShipRocked producer Alan Koenig of ASK4 Entertainment says, “We’re excited to return to Carnival for our 2018 voyage, and to sail aboard the Liberty from Port Canaveral to Nassau and the private island paradise of Half Moon Cay! We’ve often been told that the ShipRocked vacation experience is otherworldly, and since we’re launching from the Space Coast, everyone at ASK4 Mission Control thought it fitting to theme our 9th mission accordingly! We can’t wait to blast off next January!”

ShipRocked 2017 sold out in record time and sailed from Miami on January 16 onboard Carnival Victory for four days and nights of a three-ringed floating rock ‘n’ roll circus on the high seas, led by headliners Breaking Benjamin, along with Papa Roach, Alter Bridge, Sevendust, Pop Evil and more. 3,000 ShipRockers shared in “The Greatest Vacation On Earth,” enjoying a packed itinerary of more than 40 performances from 20+ bands – including a pair of unforgettable deck stage sets from ShipRocked’s own all star band The Stowaways — a day on the beach on beautiful Grand Turk in Turks & Caicos, sideshows, theme nights, and more.

www.ShipRocked.com

www.facebook.com/GetShipRocked

www.twitter.com/ShipRocked

Rock Hard. Vacation Harder

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