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Trivium & Beartooth Storm Through Richmond

With so much influence in the heavy music scene that Trivium and Beartooth have had over the last few years, it’s surprising that a co-headline tour like this hasn’t happened sooner. Both bands have put out a significant amount of solid music over the last six years and are consistent features at festivals around the world as well as being favorites of SiriusXM stations, so both bands have had prominent placement to massive audiences. The audience at The National last night saw firsthand that the live performances from each group is a definitive reason to support both Trivium and Beartooth respectively.

Trivium had the best stage setup I’ve seen the group work with over the years I’ve been following the Florida metal act. It has been great to watch and listen to Trivium evolve over the years by getting deeper into music writing and expanding the group’s stage presence. The detailed stage design based around Trivium’s latest album In The Court Of The Dragon gave color and life to the concert. Hearing the Richmond crowd sing along to “Strife” early in the set gave volume and life to a crowd wanting to be the best on Trivium’s tour. The staple of Matt Heafy riling the crowd up by stating a previous tour had the best audience up to that point is always a great moment as it causes a burst of one-upping from the current venue crowd.

Trivium At The National In Richmond, VA

Click here for a video on the
Top 10 WORST Metal Albums Ever
(according to Google Bard)

Beartooth recently released the song “Sunshine” which has become a significant hit and a different style for the group. While Caleb Shomo said at the end of last year that he wasn’t sure how people would react to new Beartooth music, it was pretty clear that the crowd last night knew just about every lyric from every song played. It was to the point where Caleb Shomo was able to command the crowd into singing segments of songs for him. This was my first time seeing Beartooth in a club setting (I had only seen Beartooth at festivals before). I understand the appeal more seeing Beartooth in a full playlist live venue setting. Beartooth on tour is more of an experience than a performance. I was impressed with how well the group was able to connect with the audience.

Beartooth At The National In Richmond, VA

This was a fun show to see. That expression sounds simple and has been described for a thousand tours before, but seeing Trivium and Beartooth live last night was a great time that felt like one complete show. I want to see more tours like this where singers are able to engage with the crowd. More shows like last night where each band is able to perform well while enjoying themselves on stage. More crowds that are willing to sing along together and just enjoy the night. Last night had all of that and last night proved heavy music still has an audience.

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Trivium “No Way Back Just Through”
Beartooth “Sunshine”

Trivium is an American heavy metal band from Orlando, Florida, formed in 1999. The band comprises vocalist and guitarist Matt Heafy, guitarist Corey Beaulieu, bassist Paolo Gregoletto, and drummer Alex Bent.

Beartooth is an American hardcore punk band formed by Caleb Shomo in Columbus, Ohio, in 2012. They have been signed to Red Bull Records since 2013.

Riot Fest Announces Lineup for 2023 ft. Foo Fighters, The Cure, more.

Riot Fest Announces Lineup for 2023!
Foo Fighters, The Cure, The Postal Service,
Death Cab for Cutie and Queens of the Stone Age Headline
September 15-17th at Douglass Park in Chicago

Riot Fest announces an unbelievable 2023 line-up, featuring headliners Foo Fighters, The Cure, The Postal Service, Death Cab for Cutie, and Queens of the Stone Age. This stellar array of top-billed talent will be rounded out by Turnstile, The Mars Volta, Mr. Bungle, Tegan and Sara, 100 Gecs, The Gaslight Anthem, Death Grips, AFI and dozens of other fan favorites (full list below).

Founded in 2005, Riot Fest has presented nearly 20 years of incredible musical performances, exclusive reunions, and more—including freak shows, Lucha Libre, panel discussions and late night shows, creating unique annual weekend experiences in one of the world’s greatest cities. For 2023, along with the return of carnival rides and last year’s hugely popular wedding chapel, Logan Arcade will be on hand with free vintage arcade games, hosted by Riot Pop!!.

Tickets go on sale Tuesday, May 16th at 10am CDT, link here.

Riot Fest takes place in Douglass Park, a scenic, historic park easily accessible on Chicago train and bus lines. In addition to Riot Fest’s music, rides and other attractions, Douglass Park is surrounded by diverse neighborhoods rich in culture, excellent food and drink options and more.

Riot Fest 2023 Lineup

LINE-UP:
Friday 9/15: Foo Fighters, Turnstile

Saturday 9/16: The Postal Service/Death Cab for Cutie, Queens of the Stone Age

Sunday 9/17: The Cure, The Mars Volta

070 Shake
100 Gecs
AFI
Ani DiFranco
Balance and Composure
Bayside
Bearings
Black Angels
Bowling for Soup
Braid
Caroline Rose
Cassyette
CK Vassi
Code Orange
Corey Feldman
Cults
Death Grips
Drain
Earth Crisis
Empire State Bastard
Enola Gay
Enter Shikari
Eshu Tune / Hannibal Buress
Fade ‘Em All
Fake Names
FEA
Finch
Fleshwater
Flogging Molly
Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls
Free Throw
Godspeed You! Black Emperor
Gorilla Biscuits
H2O
Hawthorne Heights
Head Automatica
High Vis
Hotline TNT
Insane Clown Posse
Jehnny Beth
Just Friends
Just Mustard
Kim Gordon
LS Dunes
Microwave
Mr. Bungle
Nothing
nothing,nowhere.
Olivia Jean
Origami Angel
Parliament Funkadelic ft. George Clinton
Pennywise
Pinkshift
Plosivs
Pool Kids
PUP
Quasi
Quicksand
Ride
Rival Schools
Say Anything
Screaming Females
Silverstein
Sleep Token
Sludgeworth
Snapcase
Spitalfield
Steve Ignorant Band / Crass
Tegan and Sara
The Aquadolls
The Bobby Lees
The Breeders
The Bronx
The Dresden Dolls
The Exploited
The Gaslight Anthem
The Interrupters
The Used
The Wrecks
Thursday
Total Chaos
Viagra Boys
Warpaint
White Reaper
Yard Act
Young Culture

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From Google Bard:

“Riot Fest is an annual punk rock, alternative rock, and indie rock music festival held in Chicago, Illinois. The festival was founded in 2004 by Michael Petryshyn, Sean McKeough, and Andy Kaulkin. It is held over three days in September at Douglass Park, a 300-acre park located on the southwest side of Chicago.

Riot Fest has featured a wide range of bands from a variety of genres, including punk rock, alternative rock, indie rock, ska, metal, hip hop, and electronic music. Some of the most notable bands to have played Riot Fest include Blink-182, Green Day, The Misfits, The Smashing Pumpkins, Rage Against the Machine, and Wu-Tang Clan.

In addition to music, Riot Fest also features a variety of other activities, such as a tattoo and piercing expo, a comedy stage, a silent disco, and a variety of food and drink vendors. The festival also has a strong focus on social justice and activism, and has partnered with a number of local charities.

Riot Fest is one of the most popular music festivals in the United States, and has been praised for its diverse lineup, its commitment to social justice, and its overall atmosphere. The festival has been named one of the “Best Music Festivals in America” by Rolling Stone, USA Today, and The Chicago Tribune.”

Farewell Sum 41 | The Podcast That Rocked

The Podcast That Rocked for 5/11/23. Farewell Sum 41, MTV News shutting down, new Queens Of The Stone Age, and more. 

Farewell Sum 41 | The Podcast That Rocked
Farewell Sum 41 | The Podcast That Rocked

Discussion Topics: 
0:00 – Intro 
0:24 – Farewell Sum 41 
2:35 – MTV News Shutdown 
3:56 – Josey Scott’s Saliva 
5:01 – New Queens Of The Stone Age 
6:17 – Dolly Parton’s Rock Album 
7:17 – Billboard Rock Airplay Top 3 
8:31 – Thank you! 

Papa Roach ft. Beartooth “Cut The Line”

Click here for a video on the
Top 10 WORST Metal Albums Ever
(according to Google Bard)

Farewell Sum 41 | The Podcast That Rocked
___

From Google Bard:
“Sum 41 is a Canadian rock band from Ajax, Ontario. The band was formed in 1996 and consists of Deryck Whibley (lead vocals, guitars, keyboards), Dave “Brownsound” Baksh (lead guitar, backing vocals), Jason “Cone” McCaslin (bass, backing vocals), Tom Thacker (guitars, keyboards, backing vocals), and Frank Zummo (drums, percussion, occasional backing vocals). Sum 41 rose to mainstream popularity in the late 1990s and early 2000s with their pop-punk sound. Their debut album, All Killer No Filler, was released in 1999 and spawned the hit singles “Fat Lip” and “In Too Deep.” The band’s second album, Does This Look Infected?, was released in 2002 and was also a commercial success. Sum 41 continued to release albums throughout the 2000s and 2010s, including Chuck (2004), Underclass Hero (2007), and Order in Decline (2019). The band has also toured extensively, headlining major festivals and playing sold-out shows around the world. Sum 41 is one of the most successful pop-punk bands of all time. They have sold over 35 million albums worldwide and have won numerous awards, including a Juno Award and a MTV Video Music Award. The band is known for their high-energy live shows and their catchy, anthemic songs. Sum 41 continues to be a popular band with fans of all ages.”

Blue Ridge Rock Fest 2023 Lineup ft. Slipknot, Shinedown, more

Blue Ridge Rock Fest 2023 Lineup
September 7-10 At VIRginia International Raceway In Alton, Virginia

Slipknot, Five Finger Death Punch, Staind, Danzig,
I Prevail, Flo Rida, Lorna Shore, Knocked Loose, Polyphia, Insane Clown Posse, Vanilla Ice & More
Just Added To The Lineup

Festival To Feature Performances From Over 100 Bands In Total Over Four Days
Single Day Passes On Sale Now At blueridgerockfest.com

For Blue Ridge Rock Fest 2023 Lineup: Single day passes have just been released, and are on sale now at https://blueridgerockfest.com. 4-Day General Admission and VIP passes, as well as 3-Day VIP passes are now at level 5 pricing. 3-Day General Admission passes are at level 4 pricing. Fans save by purchasing early, and with the Blue Ridge Rock Festival 3-month payment plan, fans can purchase weekend or single day passes for only 25% down, with no additional fees.

The festival has seen record-breaking sales so far, with 4-Day Rockstar passes and Artist Meet & Greet Passes already SOLD OUT (wait list available). Premium tent camping, TV camping and glamping sites are also SOLD OUT, but a wait list is available. A limited number of standard 5-night tent camping sites are still available, but fans are advised to purchase soon before passes sell out. Blue Ridge Rock Festival has also partnered with Fuse to provide exclusive hotel packages.

Visit https://blueridgerockfest.com/festival-passes/ for full details and to purchase passes.

Independently-owned, Blue Ridge Rock Festival is the home of the “Fan Driven Experience,” with fans voting on the lineup and festival experiences through surveys across social media. What started as a one-day event in 2017 expanded to a 4-day festival in 2022, featuring almost 200 bands and proudly hosting a community of over 150,000 at the VIRginia International Raceway in Alton, Virginia.

Watch the Blue Ridge Rock Festival 2022 after movie here:

www.facebook.com/BlueRidgeRockFest/videos/1629611474183192

Blue Ridge Rock Festival is located at VIRginia International Raceway, 1245 Pine Tree Road in Alton, VA, within a few hours of many major cities including Raleigh, Greensboro, Charlotte, Richmond, Virginia Beach and Washington, DC. In 2022, Blue Ridge Rock Festival  entered into a multi-year agreement with Virginia International Raceway, which allows festival organizers to work on the site year-round.

Blue Ridge Rock Festival is sponsored by ZYN, Monster Energy, on! Nicotine Pouches, URW Credit Union, Fizzy – CBD Infused Soda, Mortus Viventi, and more.

For more information on Blue Ridge Rock Festival, visit:
Website: https://blueridgerockfest.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/BlueRidgeRockFest
Twitter: https://twitter.com/blueridgerock
Instagram: www.instagram.com/blueridgerockfest
Hashtag: #BlueRidgeRock

___

Blue Ridge Rock Fest 2023 Lineup

ShipRocked 2024 Lineup: I Prevail, Killswitch Engage, Beartooth and more

Shiprocked 2024
Music Lineup Announced
For Sold Out ShipRocked 2024

I Prevail, Killswitch Engage, Beartooth, Highly Suspect,
Code Orange, Badflower & More

Confirmed For Carnival Magic Cruise From Miami To The Caribbean,
Visiting Bimini (The Bahamas), Ocho Rios (Jamaica) & Grand Cayman
February 4-10, 2024

Join The Wait List At www.ShipRocked.com

The dynamic music lineup for ShipRocked 2024 will be led by I Prevail and will also featureKillswitch EngageBeartoothHighly SuspectCode OrangeBadflower, a special solo performance from Johnny Stevens of Highly Suspect and more February 4-10, 2024 onboard Carnival Magic. The 14th sailing of ShipRocked departs from Miami, Florida, stopping in three new ports for the ultimate rock music cruise vacation: Bimini, The Bahamas; Ocho Rios, Jamaica; and Grand Cayman.

Click here for a video on the
Top 10 BEST Debut Metal Albums!

After record breaking attendance of over 4,000 guests in January 2023 and an expanded 6-day itinerary, staterooms for ShipRocked 2024 sold out in an unprecedented 3 days, well before the music lineup was announced. A waitlist is available at www.ShipRocked.com.

Here’s what some of the 2024 ShipRocked artists had to say about next year’s cruise:

Brian Berkheiser / I Prevail: “ShipRocked is an institution. And the fact we get to headline is a blessing. We are definitely ready to give all the ShipRockers a kick ass show! And defend our Family Feud title! See y’all there!”

Jesse Leach / Killswitch Engage: “Killswitch Engage, and our appropriately named High Seas Crew, are stoked to be a part of this event, and to play alongside some killer bands! We’ve always been about having a good time at our live shows, so this seems perfect.”

Caleb Shomo / Beartooth: “We’ve played ShipRocked a few times, and every time it’s hard to grasp how much of a family everybody feels like out there. Many attendees are returning customers, which is a good sign of a great event. Playing out in the open water is a pretty wild feeling; nothing can come close to that. We can’t wait to come back and rock the boat!”

Badflower: “ShipRocked is the epitome of rock n’ roll. And year after year it has become a family reunion with fellow bands and fans that have become friends…A true communal atmosphere and a lot of f*cking fun.”

Dorothy Martin: “So excited to be joining the upcoming ShipRocked cruise stopping in the Bahamas, Jamaica and the Cayman Islands and can’t wait to jam with my Black Sheep in paradise! See you soon!” 

The initial music lineup for ShipRocked is as follows: I PrevailKillswitch EngageBeartoothHighly SuspectCode OrangeBadflower, as well as Black Stone CherryBRKN LoveCassyetteCatch Your BreathCrobotDayseekerDead Poet SocietyDorothyEva Under FireFrom Ashes To NewScene QueenTigercubThe Warning, Winona Fighter, Yonaka and more. The music lineup also features special performances by The StowawaysShipRocked’s fan favorite all-star band–and Johnny Stevens of Highly Suspect.

ShipRocked producer and creator Alan Koenig of ASK4 Entertainment said, “I say this literally every year, but SR24 might just be my favorite (initial) lineup yet!  We work hard to provide a big tent for the incredible range of talent that exists in the world of rock music, and I couldn’t be more proud and excited about the variety of artists who will be vacationing harder with our guests in February!”

A floating music festival, a rock & roll summer camp held in the dead of winter, a family reunion for the growing number of ShipRockers who have forged lifelong relationships out of a shared passion for music (and an occasional bucket of beer) – ShipRocked is the premier rock music vacation, offering dozens of performances and unique collaborations, artist-hosted events and activities, theme nights, and ample opportunity for fans and bands alike to unwind and create new friendships in tropical paradise.

The ShipRocked community is very supportive of charitable efforts, especially the annual ShipRocked Cancer Sucks! onboard charity auction. During the 2023 cruise, the auction raised an incredible $125,000 for cancer research.

Throughout the year, ShipRocked’s community of “ShipRockers”–as well as others from around the world–are staying connected via “Making Waves – The ShipRocked Podcast,” which launched in 2020 and is available for free through iTunes, Spotify and Google Podcasts. “Making Waves” features interviews with ShipRocked alumni artists, as well as other top music artists, actors and entertainment industry experts. It’s distributed via Sound Talent Media / Evergreen Podcasts and is hosted by Chad Nicefield and Justin Press.

For more information on ShipRocked, visit:
Website: www.ShipRocked.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/GetShipRocked
Instagram: https://instagram.com/shiprocked

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Shiprocked 2024 Lineup

___

From Google Bard:
“ShipRocked is the perfect way to experience a music festival in a unique and exciting setting. With its all-inclusive package and variety of activities, it’s the perfect vacation for rock and metal fans of all ages.

Here are some tips for planning your trip to ShipRocked 2024:

  • Book your cabin early. ShipRocked is a popular event, and cabins sell out quickly.
  • Purchase your tickets early. Tickets for ShipRocked are also in high demand, and they tend to sell out quickly.
  • Pack light. You’ll be doing a lot of walking on the ship, so you’ll want to pack light.
  • Bring comfortable shoes. You’ll be doing a lot of walking on the ship, so you’ll want to bring comfortable shoes.
  • Bring sunscreen. The sun can be strong at sea, so you’ll want to bring sunscreen to protect your skin.
  • Bring a hat. A hat will help protect your face from the sun.
  • Bring a camera. You’ll want to capture all of your memories of ShipRocked.
  • Bring a positive attitude. ShipRocked is a party, so you’ll want to come with a positive attitude and have fun!”

Sevendust Unleashes New Single “Everything”

SEVENDUST Unleash Debut Single and Music Video for “Everything”
from Upcoming 14th Album, Truth Killer Scheduled for Release on July 28 via Napalm Records
Now Available for Pre-Order HERE

Currently On Tour with Alter Bridge with More Dates in August and Others to be Announced

With excitement brewing after the release of their teaser track, “Fence,” GRAMMY® Award-nominated SEVENDUST are back with “Everything,” the debut single from Truth Killer. The song is the second piece of music from their 14th studio album, slated for worldwide release on July 28 via Napalm Records. The single is currently impacting active rock radio with early adopters already adding the single upon receipt.

The band – Lajon Witherspoon, Clint Lowery, John Connolly, Vince Hornsby and Morgan Rose – have filmed a performance music video that also brings the hypnotic album cover to life. The video was directed by J.T. Ibanez (P.O.D., Loveless, Orianthi).

Sevendust “Everything”

From the introspective opening of “I Might Let The Devil Win” to the classic SEVENDUST sound of “Fence,” the twelve songs on Truth Killer demonstrate that the band sounds as relevant today as they did on their 1997 self-titled debut. “Truth Killer,” “Everything” and “Holy Water” combine elements of the classic SEVENDUST sound with modern updates, pointing their lyrical lens at the world today and showcasing the musical diversity that has won the band a legion of loyal fans. The first song released was the album closer, “Fence,” accompanied by a claymation music video directed and animated by Ollie Jones. 

With a reputation as being one of the best live bands and recently making headlines as the band you “don’t ever, ever, ever want to go on after,” SEVENDUST is currently on tour opening for longtime friends Alter Bridge. The tour resumes in August with the addition of Mammoth WVH as well with more dates to be announced in the future.  As a band who loves to bring the music to their fans live, 2023/2024 will be busy years for SEVENDUST. More information on all upcoming tour dates and ticket and VIP info can be found here: https://sevendust.com/pages/tour

SEVENDUST 2023 Tour Dates:
May 11 – Louisville, KY – The Louisville Palace *
May 13 – Las Vegas, NV – Sick New World 2023
May 14 – Chattanooga, TN – The Signal *
May 16 – Pensacola, FL – Pensacola Saenger Theatre *
May 17 – New Orleans, LA – Fillmore New Orleans *
May 19 – Dothan, AL – The Plant *
May 20 – West Greenville, SC – The Foundry at Judson Mill #
Aug 1 – Buffalo, NY – Outer Harbor Event Complex *
Aug 2 – Asbury Park, NJ – Stone Pony Summer Stage *
Aug 4 – Charles Town, WV – The Event Center at Hollywood Casino *
Aug 5 – Grantville, PA – Hollywood Casino Outdoors *
Aug 7 – Richmond, VA – Virginia Credit Union LIVE! *
Aug 8 – Cleveland, OH – Jacobs Pavilion *
Aug 10 – Quebec City, QC – Agora Port de Québec *
Aug 12 – Mashantucket, CT – The Premier Theater (at Foxwoods Resort Casino) *
Aug 13 – Johnstown, PA – 1st Summit Arena *
Aug 17 – Fayetteville, AR – JJ’s Live *
Aug 19 – Corpus Christi, TX – Concrete Street Amphitheater *
Aug 20 – San Antonio, TX – Boeing Center at Tech Port *
Aug 22 – Memphis, TN – Orpheum Theatre *
Aug 23 – Cincinnati, OH – Andrew J Brady Music Center *
Aug 25 – Grand Rapids, MI – GLC Live at 20 Monroe *
Aug 26 – Milwaukee, WI – The Eagles Ballroom *
Aug 28 – Fargo, ND – Outdoors at Fargo Brewing *
Aug 29 – Minneapolis, MN – The Fillmore *
Aug 31 – Council Bluffs, IA – Harrah’s Stir Concert Cove *
*Opening for Alter Bridge

SEVENDUST online:
WEBSITE FACEBOOK TWITTER INSTAGRAM TIKTOK YOUTUBE

Mighty Mastodon & Giant Gojira Destroy Richmond | The Mega-Monsters Tour

Do you believe in monsters? Most of Richmond didn’t until last night when the Mighty Mastodon & Giant Gojira had a massive onslaught at Virginia Credit Union Live. What’s left is mostly destruction but a surprising amount of happy metal fans who saw the chaos firsthand at The Mega-Monsters Tour.

Troy Sanders said that this was the largest crowd Mastodon had ever played for in Richmond, a city that was helpful in launching Mastodon’s career. This performance was the visual entry to stoner and psychedelic metal that entranced the crowd at Virginia Credit Union Live through over an hour of hypnotic visuals and jam sessions.

Mighty Mastodon Destroys Richmond | The Mega-Monsters Tour 2023

Along with the Mighty Mastodon was the Giant Gojira wreaking havoc in the east. Gojira had the spectacle of pyro, smoke guns, and confetti, and the French metal juggernauts were also joined by Richmond’s own Randy Blythe of Lamb Of God. This was a big surprise for the crowd as this was an unannounced appearance.

Giant Gojira Destroys Richmond | The Mega-Monsters Tour 2023

Click here for a video on the
Top 10 WORST Metal Albums Ever
(according to Google Bard)

Opening for the mega-monsters was one of the more popular names in metal, Lorna Shore. The formal address from Will Ramos was quickly forgotten as the impactful screaming through the band’s symphonic deathcore style ripped through the venue. The biggest shock was the look on the venue staff’s faces as they weren’t expecting such a sound.

This was one of the more enjoyable metal shows I’ve been to in years. The crowd was packed at the venue but it was a focused group all wanting to hear these bands play. The venue and stage were perfect for this setup so the bands, labels, and publicists all nailed it with venue choice. Richmond has a much larger metal audience than the rest of the United States may give credit, and last night showed that as over 50% of the audience had metal t-shirts on for different bands. That’s not including the Mastodon, Gojira, and Lorna Shore merch that was already worn and being sold that night.

The Mega-Monsters Tour highlights a better side of metal from the stage. Mastodon and Gojira are well-traveled and well-respected names that both know exactly how to deliver a consistent show. Each band played for an hour and there wasn’t the typical banter or time-filling that other bands rely on to make a performance seem longer. Mastodon and Gojira have the material that any metal audience would know and want to hear. The drumming from Mario Duplantier and screaming from Joe Duplantier always got cheering. The growl from Troy Sanders created crowd energy in every song. This tour was monstrous, and it left the fans going home happy.

The Mega-Monsters Tour 2023 will continue later this summer going from Ohio to Colorado in the United States.

___
From Google Bard:

The Mega-Monsters Tour 2023 is a co-headlining concert tour by American heavy metal bands Mastodon and Gojira, with support from American deathcore band Lorna Shore. The tour will begin on April 18, 2023, in Portland, Oregon, and will conclude on September 16, 2023, in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Mastodon is an American heavy metal band from Atlanta, Georgia, formed in 1999. The band consists of Troy Sanders (bass, vocals), Brent Hinds (guitar, vocals), Bill Kelliher (guitar), and Brann Dailor (drums, vocals). Mastodon has released seven studio albums, all of which have been met with critical acclaim. The band’s most recent album, Hushed and Grim, was released in 2021 and debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart.

Gojira is a French heavy metal band from Bayonne, formed in 1996. The band consists of Joe Duplantier (vocals, guitar), Mario Duplantier (drums), Christian Andreu (guitar), and Jean-Michel Labadie (bass). Gojira has released seven studio albums, all of which have been met with critical acclaim. The band’s most recent album, Fortitude, was released in 2021 and debuted at number six on the Billboard 200 chart.

Lorna Shore is an American deathcore band from New Jersey, formed in 2010. The band consists of Austin Dickey (vocals), Adam DeMicco (guitar), Erik Rutan (guitar), Will Ramos (bass), and Austin Archey (drums). Lorna Shore has released three studio albums, all of which have been met with critical acclaim. The band’s most recent album, To The Hellfire, was released in 2022 and debuted at number 11 on the Billboard 200 chart.

The Mega-Monsters Tour is a must-see for fans of heavy metal music. The two headlining bands are both at the top of their game, and Lorna Shore is a rising star. This is a tour that is sure to be filled with heavy riffs, pounding drums, and soaring vocals.”

L.S. Dunes Announce Summer Tour

LS Dunes
photo credit: Nick Demarais

L.S. Dunes — guitarist Frank Iero, guitarist Travis Stever, vocalist Anthony Green, bassist Tim Payne, and drummer Tucker Rule — have announced an extensive run of new summer tour dates across North America.

The acclaimed post-hardcore band, fresh from two sold-out Southern California club dates in early April, has added visits to major U.S. cities beginning July 9, with a show at the Basement East in Nashville, TN.  

The tour includes topflight venues such as The Opera House in Toronto on July 13, NYC’s Irving Plaza on July 17, Saint Andrew’s Hall in Detroit on July 22, Portland’s Crystal Ballroom on August 1, and The Showbox in Seattle on August 2, before returning to California for a string of shows that include The Fonda Theatre in Los Angeles on August 6, The Fillmore Auditorium in San Francisco August 9, and The Garden Amphitheatre in Garden Grove, CA on August 11. 

A message from L.S. Dunes’ Tucker Rule: “Lost Souls! Beat the heat and trip out with LSD this summer! Comin’ to a city near you!” 

ARTIST PRESALE: Wednesday, May 10 @ 12:00PM Local time. 
(Artist Presale Code – PASSWORD: Lostsouls)
ONSALE: Friday, May 12 @ 12:PM Local time.  
(For tour and ticket info, information, visit here.)

Find show recaps from the band’s recent gigs at Pappy + Harriet’s in Pioneertown HERE and L.A.’s 1720 Club HERE.

L.S. DUNES ON TOUR:
5/28 — Atlantic City, NY— Adjacent Music Festival 
7/6 — Jacksonville, FL — Sad Summer Fest
7/7 — Clearwater, FL — Sad Summer Fest
7/9 — Nashville, TN — The Basement East
7/11 — Portsmouth, VA — Sad Summer Fest
7/12 — Baltimore, MD — Sad Summer Fest
7/13 — Toronto, CAN — The Opera House
7/15 — Providence, RI — The Strand
7/17 — New York NY — Irving Plaza
7/20 — Pittsburgh, PA  — Mr. Smalls Theatre
7/21 — Cincinnati, OH — Bogart’s
7/22 — Detroit, MI — Saint Andrew’s Hall
7/24 — Milwaukee, WI — The Rave Bar
7/25 — Des Moines, IA — Wooly’s
7/26 — Omaha, NE — The Waiting Room
7/28 — Fort Collins, CO — Washington’s
7/30 — Boise, ID — Knitting Factory
8/1 — Portland, OR — Crystal Ballroom
8/2 — Seattle, WA — The Showbox
8/6 — Los Angeles, CA — The Fonda Theatre
8/9 — San Francisco, CA —  The Fillmore
8/11— Garden Grove, CA  — The Garden Amphitheatre

In addition to the new dates, L.S. Dunes’ previously announced shows include the Adjacent Music Festival in Atlantic City, NJ on May 28, and five shows on the Sad Summer Festival tour: Jacksonville and Clearwater FL, on July 6 and 7; Alpharetta, GA on July 8; Portsmouth, VA on July 11; and Baltimore, MD on July 12. 
 
Produced by Will Yip (Turnstile, Circa Survive, Quicksand), Past Lives navigates themes of fearlessness, dependency, nonconformity, and impermanence in a boundary pushing synthesis of post-hardcore and punk that has established L.S. Dunes as one of the rock’s most compelling new arrivals. From the gripping, theatrical opener “2022” and the blazing “Bombsquad” to the pummeling, expansive “Permanent Rebellion,” the searing title track “Past Lives,” and the disarming album closer, “Sleep Cult,” Past Lives is an electrifying and emotional ride. 

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Veil of Maya – [m]other | Album Review

Six years is no small amount of time to wait for a band’s next record. You’d think that would edge Veil of Maya fans and leave them dying for the follow-up to 2017’s False Idol. Luckily, this Chicago metal act has stayed busy releasing singles and touring extensively whilst the pandemic shook the music industry. While there’s an argument to be made about artists experiencing success going the singles route instead of albums, I breathed a sigh of relief when [m]other was announced. For a band that’s mingled with deathcore, djent, mathcore, etc., I find it hard to pin Veil of Maya down to any one genre – you’ll never know what to expect when you hit play on a new song from them, aside from knowing it’ll be a complex, nuanced listen that’s hard to keep up with. So, was the six-year wait worthwhile?

[m]other starts out with two non-singles in “Tokyo Chainsaw” and “Artificial Dose”. Within the first five seconds of the former, you’ll know Veil of Maya is delivering a no-nonsense, fast-as-hell record as the first breakdown kicks things off. Any doubters that think Veil of Maya is “soft” after the addition of clean vocals can rest assured that [m]other contains some of the group’s heaviest tracks to date. With guitars, bass, and bass pedal in perfect symmetry, the chugging riffs that have made the band so memorable are positively relentless in the opener and prove to be an instant earworm on-pace with previous singles. “Artificial Dose” continues in a massive way, as vocalist Lukas Maygar injects melody into this piece’s chorus, whereas the switch flips to a brutal verse seamlessly, something Veil has gotten so strong with over the years.

“Godhead” is a lyrically-spearheaded affront on religious delusion and features a climactic low unclean that still manages to give me goosebumps; this is heavy Veil of Maya at its peak and borders on the chaos seen within acts like Tony Danza Tapdance Extravaganza and Dillinger Escape Plan. “[re]connect” provides the most melodic riffage heard in [m]other, as longtime guitarist Marc Okubo hasn’t missed a step since 2004. Other original member, drummer Sam Applebaum, is far from a standard four-on-the-floor performer on [m]other, too; this is evident in “Red Fur”, as the off-beat snare hits, inventive fills, and ability to sync with the other instrumentals are an auditory delight.

Avoiding the “same-sounding-song” issue handily, [m]other‘s next track, “Disco Kill Party” swoops in with bouncy synth and a sing-along chorus that stuck in my head more than any other song on Veil of Maya’s new album. Talk about a breakdown, too – this unhinged, virtuosic run only makes the song that much better, an easy highlight placed square in the middle of the album to quell any long-listen fatigue. You’ll soon feel like you’re in Stranger Things through the intro of “Mother Pt. 4”, as this five-minute journey has so much going on that it surely won’t feel like it’s the longest on the record by a full minute. This is furthered with grand-scale lyrics such as “What are we soon to face? / Deep space, pressurized intake / Deprive me of oxygen / No, not again / Grab ahold / And brace for impact / Deep into oblivion”.

“Synthwave Vegan”, notwithstanding being the weirdest song title in a while, is [m]other‘s leading single – with authority. “Bury them out in the valley” is the first thing uttered and the mindset one should take in the shortest track’s unrelenting, breakneck pace. Fans of early Veil of Maya are going to revel in “Lost Creator” which sounds like it’s straight off of id or even The Common Man’s Collapse, while still corroborating the new sound’s formula here and there. It’s hard to call a non-single a favorite seeing as I haven’t had nearly as much time with it, but “Lost Creator” is an instantaneous, unabashed favorite. Album closer “Death Runner” isn’t a power ballad, or thematic closure – it’s just more groovy, barnstormer guitar riffs, layered within divine drums and vocal prowess, the winning formula that Veil of Maya proves “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” after two decades of fine-tuning a premier metal sound.

It’s so rare to see an album without filler, an album where non-singles meet and even exceed singles, and captivate the listener from front to back – but Veil of Maya has managed to do just this in [m]other. After watching five separate album cycles as a fan, this is Veil of Maya’s best work to date; from songwriting to production to lyricism, the six years since False Idol have proven to be a worthy wait and [m]other will be exactly what I perceive most Veil of Maya fans to have been craving and impatiently waiting for.

Rating: 5/5

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Top 10 WORST Metal Albums Ever (from Google Bard)

With the increase of AI accessibility, I decided to ask Google Bard questions about bad metal albums. This video looks at the Top 10 WORST Metal Albums Ever (from Google Bard). 

Top 10 WORST Metal Albums Ever (from Google Bard)

Bard is a conversational generative artificial intelligence chatbot developed by Google, based on the LaMDA family of large language models.   

St. Anger is the eighth studio album by American heavy metal band Metallica, released on June 5, 2003. 

Virtual XI is the eleventh studio album by English heavy metal band Iron Maiden, released on 23 March 1998. 

Diabolus in Musica is the eighth studio album by American thrash metal band Slayer, released on June 9, 1998, by American Recordings

Infestissumam is the second studio album by the Swedish rock band Ghost

We’ve Come for You All is the ninth studio album by American heavy metal band Anthrax

Supercharger is the fourth studio album by American heavy metal band Machine Head.   

Near Death Experience is the fourth album by New York hardcore band Cro-Mags

Octagon is the eighth studio album by Swedish extreme metal band Bathory.   

Metal Black is the eleventh studio album by heavy metal band Venom

Assassins: Black Meddle, Part 1 is the fourth full-length album by American band Nachtmystium.   

Click here for a video on the
Top 10 BEST Debut Metal Albums!

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