SHEL at Jammin’ Java
It’s been six years since my wife and I braved a storm to see four sisters from Colorado play inside a D.C. barbeque restaurant and bar, putting on a fantastical…
Posted inAlbum Reviews Better B# Reviews
Album Review: ‘Live With The Plovdiv Psychotic Symphony’ by Sons Of Apollo
It’s not every day that a rock band plays a concert with a full-blown symphony. There was Deep Purple, who played with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in 1969; Metallica, who…
Posted inAlbum Reviews
Album Review: “Reader Of The Runes-Divination” by Elvenking
Elvenking unleash a potent spell of folk metal on its tenth release, Reader Of The Runes-Divination. “Perthro” is a brief piece that opens the album. “Perthro” is the rune of…
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Album Review: “Years Of Aggression” by Suicidal Angels
Greek thrashers Suicidal Angels aim to live up to the title of its seventh release, Years Of Aggression. The whiff of nostalgia is present throughout the album, with Eighties era…
Posted inBetter B# Concert Coverage Reviews
The Royal Affair Tour ft. Yes, Asia, John Lodge, and Carl Palmer’s ELP Legacy – in Baltimore
On Saturday, June 22, nearly four thousand excited concert-goers filtered into the seats of Baltimore’s MECU Pavilion. They were set to embark upon a fresh voyage to the seas…
Posted inBetter B# Concert Coverage Reviews
MindMaze in Sparta
MindMaze: Official Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram MindMaze is one of those bands that I try to make sure I see anytime I can. Their music is my kind…
Posted inBetter B# Concert Coverage Reviews
Blaze Bayley in Baltimore
I’ll be perfectly honest: I hadn’t ever heard Blaze Bayley’s work until Friday, May 17th. Not his solo work, not with Wolfsbane, not even with Iron Maiden. But when…
Posted inBook Reviews Reviews
Book Review: Frame of Mind By Antonia Tricarico
Frame of Mind collects the photography of Antonia Tricarico into a concise volume that serves as both a celebration of her work and an overview of twenty years of punk…
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Album Review: “Death Becomes My Voice” by Ringworm
Ringworm's eighth release, Death Becomes My Voice, continues the band's vicious hardcore metal assault over the past three decades. The title track is a pugnacious combination of hardcore drumming and…
Posted inAlbum Reviews
Album Review: “Fornaldarsagor” by Manegarm
Swedish metal trio Manegarm's ninth release, Fornaldarsagor, is a meld of melodic folk metal and black metal. The opening track “Sveablotet,” commences with dissonant black metal riffing and several rhythm…