CD Review: “The Mission” by Styx
So, was The Mission worth waiting 14 years for? Well… hell, I think it was worth waiting over 30 years for.
Welcome (Back) to Twin Peaks
In a small town in upstate Washington, the body of the high school homecoming queen is discovered. An FBI agent is sent in to investigate. What he finds, though, is significantly more than just a small-town murder, and he uncovers a surreal, twisted, and ...
CD Review: “Tremendum” by Hate
Militaristic drums open Hate's newest release, Tremendum. “Asuric Being”, which serves as the initial track and single, is a cacophony of blast beats and discordant guitar riffs that sounds as triumphant as it does pessimistic. This feeling of demon ...
Testament / Sepultura / Prong in Baltimore
"Are you going to the Testament show on April 24?" a friend asked me casually. "I wouldn't miss it," I replied. And what reason could I have to not come out to see such a stellar line-up, featuring not only Testament, but supporting bands, Sepultura an ...
CD Review: “The Aftermath of Lies” by Tribulance
Twenty-two years since its sole album, Trials and Tribulations, Arizona metal act Tribulance return with The Aftermath of Lies. The chugging riffs and soaring vocals are equal parts Pantera and Judas Priest, and that is not a bad thing. The American ...
Carbon Leaf at Baltimore Soundstage
My wife and I rarely miss a Carbon Leaf show that comes our way. In fact, I could find you at least four previous concert reviews I've done for their shows, but I'll settle for one. Needless to say, they're an awesome act, full of warm personali ...
CD Review: “Spüken” by Ninjaspy
Before I even knew their name, I found myself dumbfounded and adoring that Vancouver threesome known as Ninjaspy. By mere happenstance, I witnessed them in concert and reveled at the tumultuous exhibition. Here were three men, producing a monstro ...
The Killthrax Tour: The Fillmore
"Are you shooting the Killthrax show on April 3rd? You really should," encouraged a fellow photographer at a show a few months back. And boy, am I glad I did! With a line-up of The Devil Wears Prada opening for a co-headlining tour of Killswitch Engag ...
CD Review: “Sacred” by The Obsessed
The immortal Wino keeps the doom coming on The Obsessed's newest record in 23 years, Sacred. This record is old school stoner metal for a new generation. The opening track “Sodden Jackal” has a slogging riff that trudges without relent. “Punk Crushe ...
CD Review: “Emperor of Sand” by Mastodon
Emperor of Sand is a chrysalis of an album. Like Crack the Skye before it, it’s a harbinger of a new sound. Not that Mastodon ever really stops tinkering with its sound, but the band’s seventh album gives every indication that it’s ready to shed the las ...