My photos of Flyleaf from the Hottest Chicks in Hard Rock Tour!
Flyleaf headlined Revolver’s tour and it was the first time in a while where I saw a band have serious fun performing for the crowd. By the time Flyleaf got to the stage the venue was packed and Kristen was high fiving just about everyone in the first three rows. One thing I loved is that during their performance of Magnetic she allowed some fans to come up on stage during the performance to dance and sing and take pictures.
All photos were taken by Luke Spencer on April 17, 2015 at Freebird Life in Jacksonville, Florida.
Almost two decades after their debut release, Hardcore Superstar attempt to go back to their roots. Is the rekindling of their original sound anything worth remembering?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSjd1IacH1M
https://vimeo.com/125100518
Text Review:
It takes a lot of tenacity and devotion to party for two decades. Anyone who can put out that much livewire energy and zest in their music for twenty years deserves credit, especially over a time where the music industry has changed so drastically.
Since 1997, Sweden’s Hardcore Superstar have been bringing in noise across albums, videos and decades of touring. One question that is often asked about long standing bands after so much time is if their style has changed or evolved into something completely different. In this case, will HCSS be reminiscent of their origins or what they have done over the past several years?
The best way to describe Hardcore Superstar and how their new album sounds in 2015 is that they reinvented themselves by going back to the method that started it all. In an interview online, Martin Sandvik said: “In a way, we are backtracking our roots to show ourselves why we once started this band. What we found out is that the very things that got us together in the first place are the same things that still gets us going.”
Whether you are familiar with Hardcore Superstar’s past works or only over the past few years, it is undeniable how lively and energetic their music can get.
I cannot think of a better example of an opening song on an album. From the opening guitar track to the sing-along lyrics to the gorgeous solo, everything about this song feels good. Despite the negative sounding lyrics, this song just puts you in a good mood and makes you feel alive. It doesn’t dip or lose its pace, and the song gets you excited for the rest of the album.
It is very refreshing to hear song s like this every now and then. So often in the rock and metal scene the tempo can sound s bit down and create something dark, which isn’t a bad thing, but with songs like this you can feel the speed pick up to the guitar solo and you just want to move and sing with songs like this.
While I think that Hardcore Superstar’s strength lies within song styles like what was just played, on HCSS there are quite a few ballads reminiscent of the late 80’s hair metal world. And somehow, these Swede’s have made these songs all fit perfectly and mesh together in the same album.
Fly is a 7 minute song that I never would have expected if I hadn’t listened to from beginning to end. There is a story and a development in the song that all gradually unfolds in the expression and lyrics. Comparing it to songs like November Rain, Fly is the type of track that just shouldn’t be condensed into three minutes.
HCSS sways between these two styles: the frantically loud and the drawn out ballad. One thing that remains consistent in the album is that it all feels natural. At no point do you feel like a song doesn’t sound like it came from Hardcore Superstar. Their name and sound is in every second.
It is difficult to grade the merit to past works over two decades, especially since they started while I wasn’t even listening consistently to the rock scene yet. With HCSS though it makes me feel like this album was taken out of a time capsule. Whether or not Hardcore Superstar fans feel the same or not, this album just feels like it came from another decade – and that is meant in a good way.
Overall, if you miss the days of loud energetic rock and stadium ballads then you should try listening to HCSS. Listening to songs like the opening track and Fly will do much more justice to make your decision than I possibly could.
Apocalyptica work with vocalist Franky Perez to bring their 8th album. Will the new vocals match with their classically trained composure, or is this better as an unspoken symphony?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jL-iBMMEMNo
https://vimeo.com/124712227
Text Review:
What started as a classical tribute to metal legends has become a legend in its own right. I have always been an advocate of bringing in string an orchestral instruments into the rock scene and there may not be a better example than Apocalyptica.
Since 1993, these classically trained Finnish musicians have been performing vivid and grand performances of iconic metal songs. After years of covering Metallica, Pantera and Faith No More, original material started to surface and it blew listeners away – proving that the band were capable of much more than just playing sheet music to past works.
For bands like Apocalyptica and Russian Circles, there is audial proof that you don’t need vocals to belong in the rock genre. When vocals are added though it can make the experience that much more complete. Over the past decade Apocalyptica has featured guest vocalists like Corey Taylor, but never had a consistent singer. The focus was always on the instruments.
In comes Shadowmaker, and with it comes only one singer throughout the album. Apocalyptica were given over twenty different suggestions on vocalists and they found that Franky Perez was a natural choice. Perez, now on a two year trial with the band on tour, is the standing voice for some of the greatest cellists in the world.
In an interview with an Austrailian media outlet, Toppinenn stated that:
“We wanted to challenge ourselves even more and we wanted to be tight as a band before the pre-production and the thing that Franky was part of the pre-production, we spent weeks with him in the rehearsal room arranging the songs and getting things more defined before we went into the studio…this album is full of attitude, it’s a real attitude record.”
In February came the single Cold Blood along with one of the most unique and imagery filled videos I’ve seen in a long time. It was then when I started getting excited for the new album
Putting the video aside, this song was a great way to get people introduced to the combination of Franky Perez along with Apocalyptica. The vocals at no point overshadow the instruments and there is the perfect pacing and intensity throughout. The song has depth and flows seamlessly from verse to chorus and everything compliments each other.
Having a consistent vocalist and especially one who people may not expect WILL polarize some of Apocalyptica’s fans. It can be jarring to hear a consistent voice after either hearing guest vocals or no words at all. The beauty of Shadowmaker is that it still offers the best of both worlds.
While there are several songs like Cold Blood that work with the unique vocal pattern of Perez, there are also gorgeous instrumental pieces such as Till Death To Us Part that create a fully atmospheric world in the track.
Hearing songs like Till Death Do Us Part is what reminds me why I love music. The build in energy from slower strings to intense drumwork and a powerful rhythm is the type of experience that can literally stop you in the moment. When you look at music composing and performance, it is songs like this that should stand as an example of what can be done with creativity and the ability to build emotional reactions from sound.
Shadowmaker has its moments of gorgeous landscapes and loud energy, and throughout the album you can’t help but get the feeling that this is truly a unit of musical masterminds that put things like this together. While the style of a new vocalist may take some getting used to, it is definitely worth giving it a chance.
There are bands that may be known for one specific act like covering songs, but if you give them a chance with their own material you can be completely blown away with just how much talent and potential they have. Apocalyptica is the perfect example of this. Shadowmaker reaffirms that comparison.
Overall, Shadowmaker is the perfect album if you love the classical string selections brought into rock. Apocalyptica have proven they are capable of bringing a massive amount of energy and volume with their performance. Some of it may take getting used to when diving it head first, but it’s worth the headrush.
Halestorm finally release their follow up to the wildly successful The Strange Case Of…. Does Into The Wild Life deliver, or is it Apocalyptic?
https://vimeo.com/124131293
Text Review:
If anyone is still under the impression that women do not belong in the rock scene then they are clearly out of their mind. Even with newer and current groups like The Pretty Reckless, In This Moment, Within Temptation and Halestorm, rock has never been sex-specific.
After their second studio album won the young Pennsylvania band a Grammy for best hard rock performance in Love Bites, Halestorm has created a passionate following in the young female fanbase across the country while dominating radio play with various singles. After years of heavy touring and festivals, the band appear to have played every single card they had perfectly in a short timespan.
My personal experience with Halestorm lies with watching them perform at Welcome to Rockville and hearing Love Bites be the number 1 voted song of 2012 on Sirius XM Octane. Other than that, I can’t say I was crazy about any of their other singles. While nothing was terrible or off-putting, nothing really had the adrenaline punch that Love Bites possessed.
Into the Wild Life marks a venture into new territory for the band. In a radio interview, Lzzy Hale detailed that:
“We decided to throw away everything that the previous two records made us feel comfortable and safe. We threw caution to the wind and said, “We’re just gonna chase after whatever gets us excited.” and we made an actual album.”
The album started getting attention for the upcoming release earlier this year with the new song Apocalyptic.
This is the type of song that takes an entire listen and several replays to get behind. When I first heard it, I wasn’t completely moved by everything as much of it doesn’t apply to me, but at the same time not every song will apply to everyone.
After listening to the entire three and a half minutes I grew to love the bridge and energy in the second half. The guitar is vibrant and the rhythm is consistently strong. In many ways that is the description for most of the songs on this album.
That being said, I don’t think Apocalyptic is the highlight of this album. Into The Wild Life has a deep rhythm throughout the tracklist. The new album was produced and recorded in Nashville, and I really believe some of the southern rock elements must have seeped into the band as you can clearly hear the southern influences in many songs.
The southern influence is obvious in a song like this, but furthermore it demonstrates the point that Lzzy Hale said. They chased after what got them excited and you can hear the passion they put into that short song. The symbol bashing adds an exclamation point and Amen is easy to sing along with.
There are some bands that are known for taking everything a little too serious and having it crash and burn. With Halestorm, I get the feeling that these four are having the time of their lives and loving to play. Into The Wild Life reinforces that impression for me.
There are many people who pass over Halestorm because they see an attractive lead singer and don’t give the band any credit without listening. After hearing their work and seeing them live, you will be convinced that Halestorm belong in the rock scene.
Overall, Into The Wild Life will satisfy just about any basic and southern rock fans while keeping the Halestorm fanatics happy. If you give this album a bigger chance than just what is featured in its lead single, you may fall in love with what you hear.
For the past several years the proclaimed world’s loudest month has started each April in Jacksonville, FL. And even after city noise ordinances and local complaints, Florida’s largest city once again brings forth one of the biggest hard rock and metal festivals in the country.
On April 25 and 26, Jacksonville will host the two day rock haven spearheaded by Slipknot and featuring Godsmack, Korn, Slash, Miles Kennedy, Marilyn Manson, Slayer, Breaking Benjamin, The Pretty Reckless, In This Moment and MANY more. The only thing more impressive than the lineup, is that each year Monster Energy and Welcome to Rockville continue to outdo themselves and improve the quality of each show.
My first experience with Rockville was in 2013. The bands alternated between four stages at Metropolitan Park in downtown Jax and there was never a quiet moment or a single time where there was nothing to do. These Monster festivals such as Rock on The Range, Carolina Rebellion and Welcome to Rockville are proving that rock isn’t dead, despite what Gene Simmons has to say.
If you are on the fence…go. If you don’t have anyone to go with…go anyway. You will meet more than enough people with obvious similar interests. And although I may be biased, but the rock fan demographic is highlighted in the best way possible at this Florida festival. It quite literally is the bikini and body builder beach party turned metal.
With dozens of merchandise vendors and more Meet and Greets than you can possibly imagine, Welcome to Rockville is something to make a vacation out of. As crazy as it sounds to want to vacation to Jacksonville, there is finally a reason. Florida’s largest city suffers from not having a real identity, but once a year there is a weekend where everyone comes together and proves how much we want attention.
Tickets are still available as well as hotel options. Traveling to the park downtown is not difficult if driving and with the lineup this year and the past experiences of Rockville I’ve had, I can’t say enough positive things regarding the quality of this festival.
The second full album from Aaron Bruno and company. How will AWOLNATION deliver on the high expectations set by Megalithic Symphony?
https://vimeo.com/122276789
Text Review:
Aaron Bruno has captivated millions and put a groove in even more. Back in 2011, Megalithic Symphony did something that many alternative albums cannot do by keeping a shelf life on the best sellers list and having several singles with Sail, Burn It Down, Not Your Fault and Kill Your Heroes all getting consistent radio play.
Awolnation is a band that is so refreshing and rare that it’s hard to keep it in a short description. When Megalithic Symphony came out, it was an instant hypnosis while listening and almost felt sacriligeous to take it out of your car stereo. For many people, it’s still in that album holder in their front seat. It was one of the most memorable, well mixed, and artistically impressive new album in the alternative scene that anyone could ask for.
Fast forward roughly four years later, and the fans won over by live performances and singing along to Sail now have something to get excited about all over again. Run, the second album, is finally here. The only potential problem would be the monumental task of living up to the expectations of even capturing half of what their debut contained.
In an interview with radio.com, Bruno talked about making Run, stating:
“Just making a sophomore follow-up to this kind of freak first record success story—that was the hardest part. The fear I put on myself, the expectations. But aside of that overwhelming feeling, everything else was cool. Everybody let me make the record. There were no other opinions involved other than myself, the engineer I was working with and my closest friends around me…I’ve got to say it was incredible that I got to make this record with no one hearing it. That’s a rare thing today.”
I can honestly say that when I was sent the album and upon the first minute of listening, I knew Aaron Bruno and Awolnation were going to capture the same momentum just by listening to the opening title track.
Just hearing the electronic distortion and then the strings added with what it is to be a human being instantly grabs your attention by the throat. It’s hard to even move or breathe the first time you listen because you are so drawn into what you are about to dive into. When you finally hear the word “Run” and the volume picks up there is no turning back.
Back in January, the first single and video was presented with Hollow Moon (Bad Wolf). I first heard the song in AltNation, but it wasn’t until a month later that I saw the video. Whether you just hear the song or you are watching Bruno’s performance, it’s hard not to appreciate what you are hearing.
The lyrics and Bruno’s unique vocals make this song addicting. It’s one of the times where you want to look up the lyrics so you know exactly what to sing along with. The drums and the electronic rhythm don’t overshadow or outbalance anything, and this song is perfect as the first highlight of a new album.
While Megalithic Symphony had many moments of high energy and rhythm, Run features quite a few peaceful moments where everything gets very intimate and harmonious. Songs like Dreamers, Windows and Woman Woman all get your pulse raised, while songs like Headrest For My Soul and Drinking Lightning calm you down better than any bottle of Zzzquil ever could. In my opinion though, it’s when the groove and rhythm are featured and you can hear the change in volume go up that AWOLNATION shines.
It’s hard not to move when you hear Windows. The rhythm and hearing Bruno’s vocals in the chorus, and then hear a stark contrast in other phrases with “I can’t Believe This is Happening” that proves just how much passion and commitment there is here.
It is very difficult to find a fault here, especially when you know that this album took time to make, is mixed masterfully, wasn’t rushed, and it all came out of the same mind. It wasn’t a corporate product where an artist is forced to sing a certain way. Red Bull Records should be proud of what their name is associated with.
Once in a while you can tell that a band or artist has something original and creative. Something no one else can really touch. I think many people have felt that way about AWOLNATION for a while. For me, this album cements that idea.
Overall, if you in any way have enjoyed AWOLNATIONS past works, love good electronic alternative, or just want something good to put your money towards, then you need Awolnation’s album Run in your life.
After years of anticipation, the Future Leaders of The World “Reveal” what they have to bring in 2015. This is not a political statement. I promise.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmuAqA-BYrQ
https://vimeo.com/121963220
Text Review:
You have to appreciate tenacity and continuing to produce what you love. While there are many bands who stay on the big stage for life and others who are a flash in the pan, there are also bands who always seem to be right on the verge of something special but still somehow can’t get noticed by a dominant audience.
Future Leaders of the World, also known as FLOW, definitely fits that description. This band has toured with names like Shinedown, Alter Bridge, Chevelle, Seether and has also garnered praise from big names like Eddie Vedder and Chester Bennington. Eddie Vedder even went as far as comparing lead singer Phil Taylor’s vocal ability as “a modern day Kurt Cobain.”
My first experience was way back in 2004, when FLOW single Let Me Out was featured as iTunes free single of the week. For an up and coming rock band to get that much attention on a public music software service is proof alone that the band is worth spotlighting.
It has been over ten years since then though. And after lineup changes, label changes, and several EPs, it begs the questions what can we expect from a now matured Phil Taylor and company. The first single Intoxicate was publicized heavily as the bands lead single and confirm that FLOW is as ambitious as ever.
It’s hard to explain why, but I can definitely understand why Eddie Vedder sees the comparison with the sound of Kurt Cobain’s vocals. It’s the delivery and raw emotion put into that chorus that makes everything stand out. The symbols keep a great rhythm and the guitarwork is straight out of the 90’s.
Rock like this is a standard that is not going to evaporate anytime soon. While many bands are going for synthesizers and effect pedals, there is a band like FLOW and songs like Intoxicate that prove it’s possible to make something memorable and catchy without the audio special effects. Before the song is over you feel like you want to sing along, and that is a good sign.
Lyrically, Reveal has many tracks that are descriptive and creative, but somehow still reminiscent of the early grunge era. Sons like Intoxicate and Sink or Swim have loud sing along choruses like Nirvana, and others like Wherever The Wind Blows and Rain remind me of the acoustic masterpieces of Days of The New and Candlebox.
Rain gives a totally different dynamic than Intoxicate but still feels like it belongs in the same album. I LOVE the vocal expression in the verses and the acoustics are gorgeous. This song, just like others, feel like they belong together.
Even though not every song is completely memorable, you can’t deny the talent showcased throughout Reveal. There is a pacing in this tracklist that almost demands a certain level of respect. You can tell that there was serious effort and sweat poured into the recording of this album.
I sincerely wish that there were more bands with the tenacity like Future Leaders of the World. Even after a decade and many behind the scenes changes, the music can still come forward and come first. If more bands were able to do this, then the rock scene would once again be dominant.
Overeall, if you loved the sound of Intoxicated or miss the days of plaid wearing and headbanging to grunge, then you really need to give FLOW a chance. It’s the type of band that will always leave an impression, you just have to be willing to give it a chance.
