Album Review: Volbeat – Seal The Deal & Let’s Boogie

By

-

June 2, 2016

Will Volbeat’s sixth full album get everyone to groove along in Seal The Deal & Let’s Boogie?

https://vimeo.com/169164999

Text Review:

In theory, a Danish rockabilly band is an anomaly. Paring that description with a vocalist who has been described as a metal Elvis Presley adds even wilder description to a group. Finally add an album title “Seal the Deal & Let’s Boogie” and you have a unique entity in the hard rock scene that can only be heard to be understood.

Volbeat have been creating unique music for years and been a major part of the hard rock and metal scene with the dynamic voice of Michael Poulsen. Along with founding member Jon Larsen on drums and well-travelled and prolific guitarist Rob Caggiano, this Danish based outfit has earned their place in today’s music market with multiple platinum selling albums through various nations and an insane amount of psychobilly guitar shredding.

Now in 2016, their sixth full album Seal The Deal & Let’s Boogie has swayed from tales and sounds of the wild west to violence and voodoo as their loosely tied theme. But just like their previous album Outlaw Gentlemen & Shady Ladies, Volbeat continue their fusion of rhythm and rock in their new album.

Volbeat have a unique identity in music in that it’s very difficult to compare them to other groups because of their style and song structure. In many songs a chorus or line will be carried into a blistering guitar solo only to be led to banjo plucking or harmonica playing and then back to a verse based around a funk vibe in Poulsen’s vocal delivery. Like I said, it’s difficult to compare them to other groups, and in many ways even describe.

And speaking of a fusion with rhythm, rock and funk, when you get an album title like Seal The Deal & Let’s Boogie, you can get idea of how the music is going to get you to move. And from the opening track you get that exact impression of music having a groove and this Danish “metal Elvis” in all his glory. As far as an album opener, the steady build into the track has a great vibe to it and gets you in the mood for the album. Poulson’s voice comes in brilliantly and the guitar riffs keep a strong rhythm without overtaking the song. The buildup to the bridge and guitar solo at just before two minutes makes the song feel bigger and more eventful while Caggiano lets loose on the fretboard.

This song is a good example of what to expect on the first half of Seal The Deal & Let’s Boogie. It has a focus on the hard rock rhythm and emphasizing Poulson’s ability to carry a note and have it resonate through each song. It’s the standard that Volbeat has done many times and is very reminiscent of Outlaw Gentlemen & Shady Ladies that way.

At about half way through the album there is a different feeling you get while listening to Black rose featuring Danko Jones. You hear the gruff vocals and the many different speeds of the track that lead to something solid. It’s from this point on the album starts to feel like Seal The Deal has its own unique feeling compared to past works.

Danko Jones adds a GREAT contribution to Black Rose that matches well with the guitar style, but this song like others on the album kind of shift style in a bridge that may not be for everyone. After hearing Black Rose I got excited to see if this album would take a new direction, and While I stand by this track and some of the already released singles are the highlights of the album (including the title track), the album overall feels like a continuation of Outlaw Gentlemen & Shady Ladies.

There are moments in several songs on Seal The Deal that you’ll be headbanging and air-guitaring too, but as for replay value you may be straining to find a reason to listen to some of these tracks again. Songs like Battleship Chains and Seal The Deal have a good singalong vibe and again the guitar work is amazing, but it still feels like an incomplete experience when listening to the entire album.

Volbeat is a unique AND talented entity in today’s hard rock and metal scene that may NEVER be duplicated. As for new material in 2016 however, it does feel like the same wheels have hit the ground. The good outweighs the bad, but the album also is weighted down with the same groove and vibe that has been done by the band for years. Overall, Seal The Deal & Let’s Boogie will satisfy long time Volbeat fans but may not be their favorite release from the group. There are definitely highpoints on the album to get just about anyone to move, but the deal should have been built up before it was sealed.

LOUDER THAN LIFE 2016 LINEUP ANNOUNCED – SLIPKNOT, A7X, SLAYER, DISTURBED TO HEADLINE

By

Luke Spencer

-

May 31, 2016

LOUDER THAN LIFE

THIRD ANNUAL DESTINATION FESTIVAL CELEBRATING THE WORLD’S TOP BOURBON,

MUSIC AND GOURMET MAN FOOD

SET FOR OCTOBER 1 & 2 AT CHAMPIONS PARK IN LOUISVILLE, KY

FEATURING TWO TITANS OF ROCK:

SLIPKNOT AND AVENGED SEVENFOLD,

ALONG WITH DISTURBED, KORN, SLAYER, THE CULT, GHOST AND MANY MORE

EARLY BIRD TICKETS, VIP, HOTEL & CAMPING PACKAGES AVAILABLE JUNE 1

“Louisville: The Home Of Bourbon.

Great People. Great Food.”

Following a 2015 sellout with 50,000 in attendance, LOUDER THAN LIFE returns to Champions Park near downtown Louisville October 1 & 2, 2016 for the third annual destination festival celebrating the region’s culture and cuisine, and featuring award-winning bourbons and spirits, Gourmet Man Food, craft beer and some of the biggest names in rock music. Slipknot and Avenged Sevenfold top a mindblowing music lineup of over 35 bands on three stages, with performances from Disturbed, Korn, Slayer, The Cult, Ghost, Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Cheap Trick and many more.

Produced by Danny Wimmer Presents, America’s premier production company for rock music festivals, Louisville’s LOUDER THAN LIFE features a selection of award-winning bourbons, whiskey, spirits, craft beer, and Gourmet Man Food curated personally by festival creator Danny Wimmer, along with a powerful music lineup of rock legends and breaking talent. The festival celebrates the bourbon culture and culinary heritage of this unique American city. In 2015, Louisville was #2 on the USA Today list of Best Local Food Scenes and was featured in Time Magazine’s list of America’s Best Music Scenes.

LOUDER THAN LIFE founder and producer Danny Wimmer of Danny Wimmer Presents declares, “Louisville: The home of bourbon. Great people. Great food. How can those ingredients not make a perfect place to have a festival? This is a place you have to visit if you’re a lover of bourbon, a lover of food…a lover of life. I asked my team how we could top last year’s LOUDER THAN LIFE sellout. The easy answer? Slipknot and Avenged Sevenfold.”

LOUDER THAN LIFE tickets go on sale Wednesday, June 1 at Noon ET at www.LouderThanLifeFestival.com with limited quantities available at early bird discounted prices. Ticket prices will increase in the coming weeks, so fans are encouraged to buy early to save. See below for details.

The daily music lineup for LOUDER THAN LIFE is as follows:

Saturday, October 1: Avenged Sevenfold, Slayer, The Cult, The Pretty Reckless, Pierce The Veil, Cheap Trick, Chevy Metal, Anthrax, Motionless In White, Hellyeah, Sick Puppies, The Amity Affliction, Avatar, Neck Deep, Young Guns, Being As An Ocean, ’68, Twelve Foot Ninja, Dinosaur Pile Up

Sunday, October 2: Slipknot, Disturbed, Korn, Ghost, Alter Bridge, Clutch, Biffy Clyro, Pop Evil, Skillet, Sevendust, Zakk Sabbath, Parkway Drive, Trivium, KYNG, Skindred, Adelitas Way, Crobot, Smashing Satellites, Sabaton

One highlight of the Gourmet Man Food experience will be Doc Crow’s and Doc’s Cantina, featuring the cuisine of Executive Chef Jonathan Schwartz, including BBQ cheese fries, beef brisket sandwiches, and pulled pork sandwiches. In addition, a joint venture between two St. Louis based restaurants–Food Network star Tom Coghill’s Iron Barley and Bill Kunz’ Highway 61 Roadhouse–will be staging a full scale Pig Roast.

Based on over 50,000 attendees in 2015, it’s estimated that LOUDER THAN LIFE generated $13 million in economic impact to the city of Louisville, including more than $3 million in hotel revenue and more than 18,000 incremental room nights. Of those attendees, over two-thirds were from outside the Louisville area, and the majority said they came to the city specifically for the event. In addition, over 350 media were on hand to cover the second annual event, coming from around the U.S. and as far as away as the U.K., The Netherlands and Turkey.

“We decided to start a festival in Louisville because it is such a special city,” says Danny Hayes, CEO of Danny Wimmer Presents. “It has a great Mayor, hospitable local government, welcoming CVB and outstanding city services that in turn make our job really easy. We have a long term plan to grow LOUDER THAN LIFE that includes a significant increase to the economic impact we have created in just the first two years of the festival.”

“Louisville is a festival city – and LOUDER THAN LIFE, in just two years, has proven to be a huge success, both in terms of attendance and economic impact to the city. We look forward to many more years of hosting this impressive festival by the impressive Danny Wimmer Presents company,” says Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer.

“We know from tourism research that attending a festival is one of the primary drivers for weekend visitation to Louisville,” says Karen Williams, President & CEO, Louisville Convention & Visitors Bureau. “Hosting LOUDER THAN LIFE drives lucrative leisure business to Louisville’s hotels, restaurants and attractions.”

Here are the preliminary lists of LOUDER THAN LIFE celebrity chefs, bourbon, craft beer, and Gourmet Man Food partners:

Celebrity Chefs: Edward Lee, Tom Coghill, Bill Kunz, Jonathan Schwartz

Bourbon World presented by the Louisville Courier-Journal: Angel’s Envy, Basil Hayden’s, Benchmark, Buffalo Trace, Bulleit, Eagle Rare, Evan Williams, Four Roses, Jim Beam, Knob Creek, Maker’s Mark, Michter’s, Old Forester, Town Branch, Willett, Wild Turkey, Woodford Reserve

Whiskey & Other Spirits: Jack Daniel’s, Copper & Kings American Brandy

Gourmet Man Food Village: 502 Café, Art Eatables, Aporkalypse Now, Blackbeard Espresso, Black Rock Grille, Cheese Louise, Chicago Taste Authority, Classic Home Cookin’, The Comfy Cow, Cousins Maine Lobster, Cravin’ Cajun, Louisville Dessert Truck, Dia De Los Tamales, Doc Crow’s, Doc’s Cantina, The Duffy Shuffle, El Luchador, Gelato Gilberto, Hebro’s Kitchen, Hi-Five Doughnuts, Highway 61, Hole Mole, International Spud Station, Iron Barley, Island Noodles, Lexi Lu’s, Lil Cheezers, Longshot Lobsta, Mac’ Attack, Mike’s Kentucky Kitchen, Momma’s BBQ, Mount Olympus, Mr. G’s Kettle Corn, Pie Baby, Pollo: A Gourmet Chicken Joint, Red Top Gourmet Hot Dogs, Spotz Gelato, Spudz Chips, Louisville Sushi Truck, The Traveling Kitchen, Tumbleweed (serving Jack Daniel’s inspired food items), Up In Smoke BBQ, Zoom Zoom Yum

Craft Beer (Regional) & Artist Inspired Beverages: Alltech Lexington, Falls City Beer, Goodwood Brewing Company, Motörhead Shiraz, New Albanian Brewing Company, Trooper Beer, West Sixth

LOUDER THAN LIFE will also feature interactive experiences including: • Artist autograph signings and beverage sampling at the Monster Energy Hospitality Rig • Jack Daniel’s Experience • Zippo Music Experience • The Bourbon Tent presented by the Louisville Courier-Journal • The Music Experience • It’s Miller Time VIP Lounge • Dyin 2 Live / Fxck Cancer • Keep Golf Metal • The Christian Benner Experience • Take Me Home Animal Rescue • and more.

Single day and weekend tickets for LOUDER THAN LIFE will be available starting on Wednesday, June 1 at Noon EDT. Tickets and VIP packages will initially be priced as follows (increasing in the coming weeks):

GA Weekend: $89.50

GA 4-Packs: $340.00

VIP Weekend: $234.50

VIP Zippo 2-Packs: $550.00 (includes VIP amenities + 2 LTL 2016 commemorative Zippos)

Single Day GA: $79.50

VIP passes include: VIP entrance lanes into venue, shaded VIP hang area with seating for dining, seated and standing viewing area of Main Stage South (left), video screens featuring live feed from main stages inside VIP hang area, upgraded Gourmet Man Food and drink selections (for additional purchase), dedicated VIP restrooms, and a commemorative LOUDER THAN LIFE 2016 laminate.

Hotel discounts are available through Curadora at: https://curadora.com/events/louder-than-life-2016-dea7cc2c/. Camping and VIP packages can be purchased at www.LouderThanLifeFestival.com.

All LOUDER THAN LIFE camping passes include campsite space for 3 nights as well as access to campground bathrooms, showers, food and beverage concession stands, and a general store. Campers also have in and out privileges between the campground and festival grounds throughout the event. Car (tent) camping passes are $99.00 and RV camping passes are $175.00.

LOUDER THAN LIFE is produced by Danny Wimmer Presents, a producer of some of the biggest rock festivals in America, including Chicago Open Air, Monster Energy Welcome To Rockville, Monster Energy Fort Rock, Monster Energy AFTERSHOCK, Monster Energy Carolina Rebellion, Northern Invasion, Monster Energy Rock Allegiance, Rock On The Range, Houston Open Air and more.

Sponsors for LOUDER THAN LIFE include Monster Energy, Jack Daniel’s, Miller Lite, The Music Experience, Zippo Encore, El Jimador Tequila, Take Me Home Animal Rescue, and more to be announced!

Website: www.LouderThanLifeFestival.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/louderthanlifefestival

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ltlfest

Instagram: http://instagram.com/louderthanlifefest

Photos: SILVERSUN PICKUPS at SHAKY KNEES in Atlanta, GA 5/14/2016

By

Luke Spencer

-

May 31, 2016

Photos of Silversun Pickups at Shaky Knees in Atlanta, GA. All photos taken by Luke Spencer on May 14, 2016.

Though I had been listening to Silversun Pickups since 2010 when I first hear the album Swoon, this was the first time I had seen the band live. There was a very upbeat feel to their performance and everyone in the band seemed to be unable to stay still (in a good way).

You can see my review of their latest album Better Nature by clicking here = Album Review: Silversun Pickups – Better Nature

Album Review: Rock Star Supernova – Rock Star Supernova

By

Luke Spencer

-

May 30, 2016

A look back at Rock Star Supernova’s 2006 self-titled release, spawned from the CBS Reality show of the same name.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sA1uao22BxI

https://vimeo.com/168668866

Text Review:

Whether you like it or not, reality TV and all of its products are an inescapable part of entertainment. It is impossible to completely avoid. With reality shows and contests on music, tattoos, food, dating and even modeling are seen as the pinnacle of television, it’s hard to deny the presence that quote “reality” has had in our lives.

And while music reality shows has been a staple of television for over a decade, there was one program that showed promise with what it could deliver: CBS’s Rock Star Supernova from 2006. In this show several vocalist contestants all competed to be the singer for a supergroup consisting of Tommy Lee from Motley Crue, Jason Newsted of Metallica and Gilby Clarke of Guns n Roses.

After many episodes, fights in a mansion and a lot of hamming it up on stage, a winner was crowned in singer Lukas Rossi. His dream was coming true as he would be a part of a contractually obligated supergroup and be a part of an album with legends. This is the type of show where the actual payoff isn’t watching the finale, but hearing what comes from the new band and the music they create after?

And on paper, this SHOULD work out. If everyone’s on board and is passionate about it then something great and unique could arise – and from all places reality TV. However, there lies the problem in that the specific interest level from some involved parties, namely the famous musician partaking, may not have seen this as a music endeavor but more as a good paycheck to pay off vacation expenditures.

After the series finale closed and the recordings with a new singer finished, we had the self-titled album Rock Star Supernova (formerly known as Supernova before copyrights and lawyers got involved). The finish result was an album that was a side project from three famous bands and a young vocalist who had finally caught his big break.

Be Yourself was the final song performed on the show and was played after Lukas was named the winner AS WELL AS being the 2^nd single released from the self-titled album. The group even performed it on Jimmy Kimmel Live and in my opinion, it’s a bit underwhelming. On the album recording the guitars are mixed to come to the front and the vocals don’t come in as strong. The drum work from Mr. Lee is a basic rhythm and that goes also for Newsted’s bassline.

Lyrically it isn’t anything specifically striking or intense. The song itself isn’t painful to listen to and really isn’t BAD, but it’s very unmemorable. There is little that stands out, nothing really brings any emotion while listening, and unfortunately that goes for both the listener and the musicians performing on this track. I reiterate that the track isn’t bad, but it isn’t particularly good either. It’s a very basic vanilla. And the worst part about that description is that it can be applied to a majority of this album. There were four singles that were released from Rock Star Supernova and they all fall into this same quality.

It’s All Love, another single from the album and ANOTHER song to be performed on the TV show, also has a very flat leveling in the recording. It’s tame and doesn’t really push any boundaries. At about two minutes in it finally picks up a little in volume but then it drops down to a snail’s pace for a quiet moment. Lyrically it’s repetitive and nothing stands out in a good way.

You have musicians from some of the most famous bands in the history of rock and metal paired with a young and hungry singer, and the ending result is a tame ballad fit to play on the overhead of a doctor’s office waiting room. You can see how there could have been something special in certain moments, but this track like many others on the album just don’t pique any interest.

In a song like Social Disgrace you finally hear a little more guitar work and pick-up on one level, but then it slowly fades and the track goes back to the same midlevel format of not having any real passion or effort. It’s the typical strum along song that just gets you from beginning to end while no one strains or breaks a sweat. You can HEAR that there is a point or two that could have been carried to make the song stand out, but then nothing comes of it. This goes for everyone involved in Rock Star Supernova.

As you listen through the tracks from the opening song to the closing note, you eekp getting this feeling of anticipation of hope coming that the NEXT song will be the one to make your time worth it. But as time goes on, you realize that while nothing is terrible, there isn’t anything great either.

When you have soooo many elements in the right places it can be hard to come out with something bad. And in all fairness there is nothing BAD when listening to music like this, but there’s a big problem…there isn’t anything particularly good. When there is zero desire to make something creative or meaningful, then it doesn’t matter who is behind the music.

Overall, Rock Star Supernova was a decent idea and had all the right elements, but everything feels lost in the shuffle and as a result the album offers little replay value and no feeling of justification after listening. This truly was a Supernova, in that it imploded into mediocrity.

You can support Rocked on Patreon by clicking here = Support Rocked on Patreon

AFTERSHOCK RETURNS TO SACRAMENTO’S DISCOVERY PARK OCTOBER 22 & 23

By

Luke Spencer

-

May 27, 2016

FIFTH ANNUAL MONSTER ENERGY AFTERSHOCK

CALIFORNIA’S BIGGEST ROCK FESTIVAL RETURNS TO SACRAMENTO’S DISCOVERY PARK

OCTOBER 22 & 23

LINEUP ANNOUNCEMENT COMING JUNE 7

FESTIVAL PARTNERS WITH

SACRAMENTO COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF REGIONAL PARKS FOR

“LIFE LOOKS GOOD ON YOU” PUBLIC SAFETY CAMPAIGN

Monster Energy AFTERSHOCK—California’s biggest rock festival—returns to Sacramento, California’s Discovery Park October 22 and 23 for its fifth year. Discovery Park is a 160-acre park conveniently located near downtown Sacramento, where the American and Sacramento Rivers meet.

Look for the band lineup, ticket information and other festival details to be announced on Tuesday, June 7 at Noon Pacific Time.

In 2015, a sold-out crowd of 45,000 was in attendance at Monster Energy AFTERSHOCK to experience four stages of the best hard rock, metal and alternative artists, along with gourmet food trucks and extensive onsite experiences. Loudwire.com called the festival “one of the nation’s premier music events.”

After holding 2015’s Monster Energy AFTERSHOCK at Gibson Ranch, the festival returns to Discovery Park in 2016. “Gibson Ranch was a beautiful place to hold last year’s Monster Energy AFTERSHOCK,” says Danny Hayes, CEO of Danny Wimmer Presents, producers of Monster Energy AFTERSHOCK. “But there is just something really special about Discovery Park and its proximity to downtown. It offers the best of both the gorgeous park setting and all the amenities of Sacramento.”

“We’re couldn’t be more excited that AFTERSHOCK is returning to Discovery Park, the festival’s original home in Sacramento,” said Mike Testa, COO of Visit Sacramento. “While showcasing the natural treasure of Discovery Park to visitors from across the United States, it also brings the attendees in closer proximity to our city and county hotels to maximize the festival’s millions of dollars in economic impact.”

“AFTERSHOCK is coming back bigger and better than ever! We’ve got some surprises in store that we can’t wait to announce,” says Clay Busch, VP of Marketing and Brand Partnerships for Danny Wimmer Presents.

Monster Energy AFTERSHOCK Festival also announces its partnership with Sacramento County Department of Regional Parks for the Life Looks Good On You life jacket water safety campaign. “With Discovery Park located where the American and Sacramento rivers meet, promoting water safety is very important to us,” says Clay Busch, VP of Marketing for Danny Wimmer Presents.

Danny Wimmer Presents is pledging support with Monster Energy AFTERSHOCK alumni and DWP friends to create awareness for the Life Looks Good On You campaign. So far, music artists that have joined the efforts include Sacramento’s own Deftones, Rob Zombie, Disturbed, Five Finger Death Punch, Papa Roach, Pop Evil, and Avatar. Below are some photos of band members wearing life jackets, which will be part of a social media campaign designed to encourage people to safely participate in water activities by sharing photos of themselves and friends wearing life jackets. For more info, visit www.lifelooksgoodonyou.org and use #sacrivers.

Monster Energy AFTERSHOCK is produced by Danny Wimmer Presents, a producer of some of the biggest rock festivals in America, including Rock On The Range, Monster Energy Welcome To Rockville, Monster Energy Fort Rock, Monster Energy Carolina Rebellion, LOUDER THAN LIFE, Northern Invasion, Monster Energy Rock Allegiance, Chicago Open Air, Houston Open Air, and more.

Website: www.AFTERSHOCKConcert.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/AFTERSHOCKFestival

Twitter: http://twitter.com/AFTERSHOCKSAC

Album Review: Lacuna Coil – Delirium

By

Luke Spencer

-

May 27, 2016

Lacuna Coil move in a heavier direction on the band’s eight full album Delirium.

https://vimeo.com/168347337

Text Review:

Lacuna Coil has been running the globe and screaming while playing their hearts out since the 1990’s. There are many bands who stay dedicated over the years, but Italy’s Lacuna Coil have been consistently going at it and touring the world despite longtime lineup changes and every other problem a band can have. But in the case of this band, it seems like nothing can stop the muses from inspiring this duo led group.

As of 2016 we will now have been given eight full albums from the band including this newest release Delirium. Over the course of the bands discography we have a wide variety of singles and fluid connecting tracks, ranging from slow and gorgeous to brutal and intense. That includes those varying styles even within individual albums from Comalies to Broken Crown Halo.

The interesting note about Delirium is that this album marks the self-proclaimed new start. This album according to front duo Scabbia and Ferro, is a darker and heavier style than the past few Lacuna Coil albums that have become a standard. They are intentionally writing songs that would go in a different direction than most people would expect from the band.

Hearing that two incredibly melodic and strong singers are going to get heavier might not be the music to every fans’ ears. In truth though, Lacuna Coil has been able to get full pitch loud in MANY different tracks throughout their discography. They have all the talent and tools in the world to create this, so why shouldn’t they try if they know what they can accomplish.

When I first got a glimpse online of the new music in the album’s title track, I admit my interest became conflicted. Not in that I wasn’t looking forward to new Lacuna Coil, but more in having concern on if the album would sound like the song Delirium and also be in the same format.

When listening to the title track it definitely felt like another Lacuna Coil song. It had the same dynamic of Ferro’s singing with Scabbia’s addition in the chorus. The drum work and rhythm is strong and nothing clashes. I did however feel that Scabbia’s contribution was extremely limited with to mostly singing the song title. It feels like there could have been more involved with the first single to promote an album, and especially to highlight a new direction.

Like I said before, I had some concern and hesitation going into Delirium the album after hearing the title track. It wasn’t until I heard additional singles and the entire album that I realized my concern was misplaced. There is definitely a heavier and refreshing presence from the band on this album that feels like a step into uncharted territory – in a good way.

The songs on the album feature both vocalists getting louder and more intense. There is growling from Ferro while Scabbia excels at both melody and screaming. On top of that, the guitar work is cut loose and allowed to completely shred on tracks like Downfall and Claustrophobia. The impression of Lacuna Coil getting heavier comes through after listening through the album.

Downfall was the song that convinced me Lacuna Coil still have creative oil in the cogs years after their inception. The slow symbol rhythm with Cristina’s singing build to an intense and strong sequence of Ferro growling his lyrics in the bridge creates a full track of elements to be immersed in. It feels not only like a complete song but also having an identity with many other tracks on Delirium.

While there are a few moments that you zone out in the music or may not be as engaged in every element, it cannot be expressed enough that the there are many songs and sequences worth your time. The intensity from everyone in the recording of Delirium comes through clear and it works on many different levels.

When the press release was posted about Delirium and how this album was made with the intention to go heavier, it may have caused confusion or given some fans reason for concern. But after you hear Delirium, you understand that the band knew exactly what they were doing. Their desire to become creative and move away from the same past patterns worked well.

Overall, Lacuna Coil’s eight full album demonstrates that they still are a force in the hard rock scene. Whether or not you prefer hearing more heavy or melodic moments from the band from their past material, there is still more than enough reason to give Delirium a chance.

8/10

Photos: COLD WAR KIDS at SHAKY KNEES in Atlanta, GA 5/13/2016

By

Luke Spencer

-

May 26, 2016

Photos of Cold War Kids at Shaky Knees in Atlanta, GA. All photos taken by Luke Spencer on May 13, 2016.

Cold War Kids played the Peachtree stage on day one of Shaky Knees. I had been listening to Cold War Kids for years since seeing their performance of “Hospital Beds” on The Tonight Show in 2007. The band had a very systematic focus to their music and performance and it paid off in the sound at Shaky Knees. Hearing them play “All This Could Be Yours” live was amazing and confirmed for me just how talented of a band Cold War Kids is.

You can watch the music video for “All This Could Be Yours” by clicking here = Cold War Kids – “All This Could Be Yours”

You can watch my review of their latest album “Hold My Home” by clicking here = Album Review: Cold War Kids – Hold My Home

NEW SKILLET ALBUM “UNLEASHED” AUGUST 5th

By

Luke Spencer

-

May 25, 2016

New Studio Album Now Available For Pre-Order Via All Digital Retailers

(New York, NY – May 20^th, 2016) – Grammy-nominated rockers Skillet will release Unleashed, their new studio album and follow up to their 2013 release Rise, which bowed at #4 on the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart. The 12-track album, a year in the making, is currently available for pre-order via all digital retailers including iTunes at: www.smarturl.it/SkilletUnleashed and Amazon.com at: www.smarturl.it/SkilletUnleashed_A. Pre-orders will include an instant download of the debut single “Feel Invincible,” a lyric video for which can be seen at https://youtu.be/tmk_cTMqF58. Skillet can also be found on Google Play at: www.smarturl.it/SkilletUnleashed_GP and streaming on Spotify: www.smarturl.it/StreamSkillet.

From the bombastic opening riff of “Feel Invincible” to the memorable closing of the album finale “The Resistance,” it is clear the band has created an album that lets their music speak loudest, while still delivering some of their most personal and heartfelt collections of songs to date. “I wanted to make an album that could make people feel the music,” said Skillet’s John Cooper. “I always aim to write songs to which people can relate, but this time I wanted to see not only how the songs would connect lyrically, but also how they’d connect musically.”

Songs like “Back From The Dead,” “Stars” and “Out Of Hell” showcase the musicianship and songwriting that has garnered the band a rabid worldwide fan base, a platinum selling album and multiple Grammy nominations. Comprised of husband and wife John (lead vocals, bass) and Korey Cooper (rhythm guitar, keyboards, programming, backing vocals), Seth Morrison (lead guitar) and Jen Ledger (drums, vocals), the band wrote or co-wrote all the songs on the album. Once again they collaborated with Brian Howes, (Daughtry, Halestorm, Nickelback), as well as, Kevin Churko (Ozzy Osbourne, Disturbed, Five Finger Death Punch), Neal Avron (Twenty One Pilots, Walk The Moon, Fall Out Boy, Linkin Park) and Seth Mosley (Newsboys, TobyMac) to create Unleashed.

Skillet has cemented its place as one of the 21^st century’s most successful rock bands. Selling more than 11 million units worldwide, the Wisconsin quartet have received two GRAMMY® Award nominations and won a Billboard Music Award for the platinum-certified Awake. Their double-platinum single “Monster” is “the eighth most-streamed rock song of 2015” with a total of 57 million plays (and counting) on Spotify and would earn the distinction of becoming “the best-selling digital single in the history of Christian Music.” 2013’s Rise bowed at #4 on the Billboard Top 200 upon release and received resounding and eclectic acclaim from the likes of USA Today, New York Times, Revolver Loudwire, and more.

Website: www.skillet.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/skillet/

Twitter: @skilletmusic

https://youtu.be/tmk_cTMqF58

Photos: DEER TICK at SHAKY KNEES in Atlanta, GA 5/14/2016

By

Luke Spencer

-

May 24, 2016

Photos of Deer Tick at Shaky Knees in Atlanta, GA. All photos taken by Luke Spencer on May 14, 2016.

Deer Tick played the main stage on day two of Shaky Knees and are currently on tour through the US. You can find more information on their Facebook page by clicking here = Deer Tick on Facebook