Music Update 2014

Long time no see folks! In the past year I got a new job, living in a new place, etc etc so I haven't been able to update this as much as I'd like. But I'll try to get caught up!

The past year has been fairly good for the modern rock music scene. I attended the VA Chili Cookoff in Woodstock, VA, which had an absolutely epic lineup. Sevendust, 10 Years, Trapt, Saliva, Taproot, Nonpoint, Dope, Soil, Smile Empty Soul, and several local acts like Defending Cain were all in attendance. The concert itself was awesome, however the promoters bit off more than they could chew on this one. First off, they had advertised tickets that came with a beer mug and unlimited refills. Due to regulations, they couldn't secure a permit to even sell alcohol, so there was no beer. Secondly....they didn't have any chili either. Needless to say, this was the first and last VA Chili Cookoff concert.

Alrighty, onto the main focus of this blog...modern rock album reviews. There was a LOT of great music that came out in 2013. VOLBEAT released an epic record...mixing modern rock with a western twang to it. "Shady Ladies & Outlaw Gentlemen" is a MUST have for any rock music fan. When you get it, go straight to Doc Holliday. You won't be sorry.

AVENGED SEVENFOLD came roaring back with a great record, the first without their drummer The Rev after his tragic death. "Hail to the King" is one of their best records. Standouts include the title track and Shepherd of Fire. The entire album is a little less frantic than their previous albums, this time concentrating on hard riffs and straight up metal style playing.

Modern rock rookies GEMINI SYNDROME had a debut of astronomical proportions. "Lux" was released to great fanfare among metal fans.  With a sound somewhat similar but slightly less frantic than Five Finger Death Punch, Gemini Syndrome has been lighting up media outlets like Sirius Octane.

Part 2 coming soon...

ROCK CONCERT!

Whoooooooooooooo! Ok sorry for sounding like Rick Flair, but my first real rock concert this past Sunday was fan-freaking-tastic. Local bands Guns Out at Sundown & Defending Cain opened for Nonpoint in Winchester, VA in a tiny-ass bar & grill. This was an "intimate" venue to say the least, and those three bands rocked it out hardcore. Guns out at Sundown was first, and they are a metal band from western Maryland featuring a sound similar to Killswitch Engage. Hard metal with some screaming vocals = getting the crowd fired up.

Defending Cain was out next. They are from Martinsburg, WV and these guys are gonna go somewhere, you can bet on it. I even went home and bought their CD off their online store after the concert. They have a clean, crisp, heavy guitar sound and the lead vocalist can go from the high octaves down to a low growl with ease. Musical goodness all the way around.

Nonpoint freaking rocked. They played a little of their old-school stuff which the crowd ate up and even started a mosh pit in the middle of the floor. I was about 20 feet away from the stage and could look the lead singer in the eye, and was more than happy to throw up my horns and headbang away to the songs all night long.

Definitely won't be my last rock concert...and I would like to thank Guns out at Sundown, Defending Cain, and Nonpoint for putting on one hell of a show.

Summer 2013

Alrighty, as I stated in my last post I was going to come at you with more reviews, but as everyone knows life sometimes has other plans in store. So after starting a new job, and going through a crapload of training that has taken up the time of most of the past three months, I am here to write an update.

Shinedown's Amaryllis album is amazing, with the main hits being "Adrenaline" and "Bully." Shinedown didn't really change their sound from the previous albums, they just continue to bring us high-powered anthems with a catchy sound and provoking lyrics.

Three Days Grace's last album to feature Adam Gontier on vocals, named "The Transit of Venus" is a worthy contender. Tracks like "Chalkline" and "Give Me A Reason" are the standouts on the album. This album sees a slight change of pace, as TDG incorporates a lot more of an electronic sound into the tracks. Personally I don't think this is a good thing for rock music as a whole...it takes a lot less talent to let a computer fill up the sound of your songs rather than actual shredding on a guitar, but I digress.

Several killer albums have been released recently as well. Sevendust has returned with their album "Black Out The Sun" which sees a return to greatness as Sevendust digs in on this album and grounds out riff after riff of head-pounding hard rock. Fans of old-school Sevendust should check this album out. It's refreshing to see a band return to their roots.

Stone Sour just released "House of Gold & Bones, Pt. 2", the follow-up to Part One. This album is darker than the first, and Stone Sour hits a home run with this one. Again, they return to the formula off their self-titled debut album of oddly-named songs, crazy guitar hooks and pounding riffs. Good stuff right here.

Drowning Pool also released their album "Resilience" after changing their lead singer for the fourth time. This didn't bode well. This album is pure mediocrity. Generic hard rock sound with a singer who sounds like he belongs in a boy band. Pass.

The breakout band of the summer without a doubt is DEVICE.  Disturbed's David Draiman is the frontman, and he brought along Dope's guitarist for the ride. Device has a sound somewhere between Disturbed and Powerman 5000, and it sounds really good. Featuring guest appearances by Lzzy Hale of Halestorm and M.Shadows of Avenged Sevenfold, this is a solid debut album. I still prefer Disturbed, but Device can hold it's own.

Sit tight....there's more on the way

Sorry I haven't been posting much as of late. I'm working to remedy that soon....so expect new reviews of Shinedown's Amaryllis album, Flyleaf's New Horizons CD, and Three Days Grace's brand-new Transit of Venus record as well, plus a "State of Rock Music Today" article too.

Mark Tremonti - All I Was Album Review

     Ahhh the weird and twisted world of solo debut albums. Seldom can you name a popular music act in which one of its members didn't attempt a solo career, whether under amicable circumstances or hail-fire-and brimstone band breakups.
     Many solo acts have been ultra successful. The Eagles drummer Don Henley is one of the ones that come to mind. Linkin Park's Mike Shinoda's rap group Fort Minor is another. Some...not so much. Creed's Scott Stapp came out with a solo album that was as generic as Wal-Mart brand sugar.
     Ironically the very solo effort we delve into today is by Stapp's fellow bandmember Mark Tremonti. Tremonti, already recognized as one of hard rock's best guitarists of all time, has had a stellar career cementing the bands Creed and Alter Bridge. On Creed's first three albums, Tremonti showed his ability on lead guitar, but always had to ease it back because his musical inclinations were heavier than the mainstream sound Creed was gunning for. Once in Alter Bridge, he opened it up some more, but couldn't go full tilt still. It's 2012, and both Creed and Alter Bridge are co-existing, and Tremonti decided to go all out with a debut effort of his own. Enter "All I Was." Taking both the lead guitarist and vocalist roles, Tremonti really gets to strut his stuff finally.
     When you listen to this album, it's like a smash-up of all that is right with modern metal music. You can hear all the subtle nuances that sound like some of metal's best acts. It's like Tremonti threw Metallica, Avenged Sevenfold, Five Finger Death Punch, and Slipknot all in a blender, cranked the amp to 10 and blended it all together while throwing his own guitar style into the mix. Another thing you can tell while listening to this album...is why Creed and Alter Bridge are such successful bands. All the songs on this CD were written and composed by Tremonti, so you get to hear the driving force behind each band's sound.

      The album opener, "Leave It Alone," treads slightly familiar territory, sounding like it belongs on an Alter Bridge album. Heavy throughout, it only hints at the sheer awesomeness to come on this CD. Having a Slash moment in the middle of the song where Tremonti rips into a monumental guitar solo, the song is a nice preview of what's to come.

     The next track, "So You're Afraid," rips from the start. A constant throughout the album is Tremonti's terrific vocal work. He has a harrowing voice that you really can't compare to anyone else. Never reaching a high pitch, his voice soars throughout the chorus at a high level, but is kind to the eardrums of the listener.

     Third on the CD, "Wish You Well," is an up-tempo almost speed metal offering. Here is where we delve into Avenged Sevenfold territory, as it sounds similiar to some of their work, especially the drumbeats. A sarcastic tune about wishing someone you really don't care for well, Tremonti really amps it up towards the end.

     Obviously the favorite track on the album for zombies everywhere, the next tune "Brains" is one of the standout songs on the album. The opening guitar and drums sound Slipknot-esque, and yes this album really can get that heavy.
After a pounding opening, the chorus echoes into territory that can be called Tremonti's own. An absolute gem.

     Next up...is one of the most beautiful pieces of modern rock music I have ever heard. Mark Tremonti definitely saved his best musical and songwriting talent for this album. Getting back to where I said that you can hear who is behind Creed's success, this track is the example I was referring to. I have no way of knowing how long Tremonti has had this song, "The Things I've Seen" up his sleeve, but I can assure you that Creed only wishes they had a song this good. "The Things I've Seen" sounds like the Creed superhit that never saw the light of day. Opening with a clean guitar that sounds right out of Human Clay, Tremonti's vocals shine next to both the clean and amped guitars that crash through the entire song.

     The debut single off the album,"You Waste Your Time" comes roaring next. This song is 100% Tremonti, as it sounds nothing like his other bands. "You Waste Your Time" crushes the eardrums from start to finish, as Tremonti struts into another guitar solo that only cements him as one of rock music's greats.

    The seventh song, "New Way Out" is another song that drifts into Creed territory. Any fan of Creed or Alter Bridge will eat this song up.

     "Giving Up" is an eardrum crusher from start to finish. Alternating high and low tone guitar riffs, Tremonti really pushes the sonic envelope with this tune.

     Next is "Proof." For me, it doesn't sound all that different from the previous two songs. It follows the same song structure, and although I'm not complaining, it gets a little repetitive here.

     The album namesake "All I Was" is up next. For as much as "The Things I've Seen" was Creed at its best sound, this song is Alter Bridge. It's neat to hear how a musician can affect how a band sounds, and it becomes clear who the force behind Alter Bridge is here.

    Track 11, "Doesn't Matter" goes back to pure Tremonti, as it drifts through wall after wall of guitar riffs and solos.

     The closing tune, "Decay" is perhaps my personal favorite off the entire album. Right now it's a toss-up between this and "The Things I've Seen." Tremonti really down-tunes the guitar on this one, as "Decay" starts off with a dark heavy rumble that sounds magnificent. "Face it, all we had we wasted, something like decay." Trust me, this album doesn't decay, and should be remembered for a long time to come.

     So there we have it. A truly remarkable solo effort from perhaps the best hard rock musician of our generation. I sincerely hope Mark Tremonti does another solo album someday as he continues his work with Creed and Alter Bridge. This album is a rock masterpiece, and any fan should pick this CD up as soon as possible.

Quick Picks:
Brains
The Things I've Seen
You Waste Your Time
Decay

5 out of 5.

Disturbed - Asylum Album Review

2010 - So far, this year has been excellent for rock music, especially the latter half. With releases like Taproot's "Plead The Fifth" and Stone Sour's "Audio Secrecy", rock music is very alive and well. Not everyone is taken in by the Lady Gaga's and Justin Bieber's yet.

So we come to the follow up album to Disturbed's Indestructible CD. Prior to release, frontman David Draiman said the next release would be much darker than the previous. So automatically I was psyched for the release. Enter Asylum. A hard rock/metal album that harkens back to the "Believe" days.

The lead track "Remnants" is an instrumental track that leads directly into the best song and title track on the CD, "Asylum." Opening with sick guitar riffs and Draiman's trademark growl, Asylum is one of Disturbed's best songs ever. The third track "The Infection" sounds right at home on early albums like Believe. A catchy song that continues the hard guitar sound, it's another keeper. The next song "Warrior" sounds like it would fit in perfectly on Indestructible, and is similar lyrically. The following track "Another Way to Die" served as the lead-off single. Dealing with the subject of mother nature and human pollution, it has already topped the rock charts. Disturbed is no stranger to political songs, but at least they keep their balls and rock it out, unlike sell-outs like Linkin Park. The #6 track, "Never Again" deals with an interesting topic...the Holocaust. Again, it's a hard rock song with a political message...it could also double as a history lesson. Major kudos to Disturbed for dedicating a song to a tough subject. Track 7..."The Animal" is another stand-out track...with an eerie sound that is a must-listen. It sounds right at home on a 300 movie soundtrack, with the "for we shall dine in hell tonight!" lyric. "Crucified" is a generic Disturbed track...nothing to write home about. Track Nine...."Serpentine" deals with a subject that most guys can relate to...a deceiving woman that walks in and tramples over the feelings of a niave man. The next track..."My Child" is a very dark and personal song for lead singer David Draiman. It deals with the subject of miscarraige...only the song is about a former girlfriend of Draiman's who was pregnant with his child. The tenth track..."Sacrifice" is yet another stand-out track on this album. Instantly catchy musically, it deals with a person with dual personalities. With a reference to Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, it's an excellent musical compilation. So we come to the last "regular" track on the CD, "Innocence". A excellent album closer, it's well put together and deals with the subject of white collar crime and corrupt politicians.

Yet that is not the end of the album. No sir. There's a hidden track on regular pressings of the album. Titled "ISHFWILF" it is a surprising song. The song title is an acronym for "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For." Yes....this is a U2 cover song. I didn't think I would like it, but it actually does the original justice. A must listen.

So we come to deluxe edition bonus tracks. The first, "Leave It Alone" is another excellent tune that I think should have been included on the regular CD. The next 2 tracks are live versions of "Down With The Sickness" and "Stricken." So we finally come to the final (17th overall) track. "Living After Midnight" is a Judas Priest song...with an interesting opening. Leading with the opening drum solo from Priest's song "Painkiller", it leads into the main song. Another faithful cover that does the original justice.

OVERALL SCORE: 5 out of 5. Yes it's that good. A prime example of how modern metal should be.

Top 10 Rock Albums of 2009

So here we are...the end of a decade...with 2010 right around the corner. 2009 saw a slew of great hard rock albums released, and it's actually hard to narrow it down to the 10 best albums of the year, but here goes:

#10 Best Rock Album of 2009:
Dead By Sunrise - Out of Ashes

Most side projects of big name people in rock music, well, for a lack of a better term...suck. This is not the case with Linkin Park's lead singer Chester Bennington's new project, Dead By Sunrise. After teaming up with the guys from Reliant-K, Dead By Sunrise released their debut CD on October 13th. With a slightly harder sound than Linkin Park's recent music, Out of Ashes proves to be a solid debut with three standout tracks, 'Inside of Me,' 'End of the World,' and 'Walking in Circles.'


#9 Best Rock Album of 2009:
Default - Comes and Goes

For a band that gets absolutely no recognition in the United States, can you blame their record label for not even releasing the band's latest album in our country? It's such a shame, because the long-awaited and oft-postponed 'Comes and Goes' is a worthy follow up to 2005's 'One Thing Remains.' Default doesn't change their sound on this record, and as a result, there's no surprises on this record, which is a good thing. Fans of Default will eat this up, with tracks like 'Little Too Late,' 'All Over Me,' and 'Goodbye' being the main standouts on this album.


#8 Best Rock Album of 2009
Lacuna Coil - Shallow Life

After launching onto the U.S. music scene with the album 'Karmacode,' and numerous appearances on music games Rock Band 2 and Guitar Hero, Lacuna Coil seemed primed to hit it big with their latest album, 'Shallow Life.' And they did just that. Debuting at #2 on the Billboard Top Rock Albums chart and #16 on the Billboard Top 200 chart, Lacuna Coil showed that Americans love the smoking-hot Cristina Scabbia and co. With two singles charting on the U.S. rock charts, Lacuna Coil changed their sound to a more-mainstream alternative rock sound, and pulled it off without losing their edge. Standout tracks include 'Survive,' 'Spellbound,' 'I Like It,' and 'I'm Not Afraid.'


#7 Best Rock Album of 2009
Dethklok - The Dethalbum II

Considering Dethklok started as a cartoon on Adult Swim, Brendon Small's brainchild has grown into a legitimate force in the world of metal music. Releasing the original Dethalbum back in 2007, the Dethalbum II was a highly-anticipated release among metalheads. After making the highest debut of a death metal album ever at #15 on the Billboard 200 and selling 45,000 copies in one week, I guess you could say there's quite a few metalheads out there. The album itself is a brutal collection of throbbing drumbeats and low growling vocals. And it sounds fantastic. One listen to 'Burn The Earth' and you find yourself addicted. Other diamonds on this CD include 'The Cyborg Slayers' and 'Bloodlines.'


#6 Best Rock Album of 2009
Creed - Full Circle

Welcome back, Creed. With their first album in 8 years, Creed still has some good hard rock left in them. With a much heavier tone than what we've seen before, Mark Tremonti shows why he is the best guitarist in modern rock music. Even incorporating never before heard double bass drum kicks, this album will rock your face off. Debuting at #2 on the Billboard 200, Creed still has a loyal following amongst its fans. Must hear songs include 'Overcome,' 'Bread of Shame,' and 'Good Fight.'


#5 Best Rock Album of 2009
Skillet - Awake

Skillet has been around for a while, and Christian rock music enthuiasts have always been big fans of the band. Not until now has a Christian rock band hit it big in the mainstream. With 'Awake' debuting at #2 on the Top 200, Skillet has a 'monster' in the making. Riding the sound and awesomeness of two songs; 'Monster' and 'Hero,' Skillet has some high expectations with its next record.


#4 Best Rock Album of 2009
Chevelle - Sci-Fi Crimes

After the ho-hum effort that was 'Vena Sera,' fans of Chevelle hoped for a kickass record this time around. Chevelle delivered, and in a big way. Charting at #6 on the Top 200, Sci-Fi Crimes is Chevelle's most successful debut in the band's history. Featuring a return to the heavy sound that made them famous, 'Sci-Fi Crimes' is a must-hear for any rock music fan. Gems include 'Sleep Apnea,' 'Jars,' A New Momentum,' and 'Shameful Metaphors.'


#3 Best Rock Album of 2009
Breaking Benjamin - Dear Agony

Ok, now we get into the cream of the crop, where the best music of the year is combined with lyrics that speak to the heart and fans can really connect with. Breaking Benjamin has always been known for captivating music lyrically, and 'Dear Agony' doesn't fail to continue the tradition. The song 'I Will Not Bow' has already topped the charts and become the band's most successful single to date, and the rest of the album is just as good. Musically, Dear Agony is a fantastic-sounding CD, with crisp and clear guitar riffs and pounding drumbeats. Standouts include 'I Will Not Bow,' 'Into The Nothing,' 'Lights Out,' and 'Fade Away.'


#2 Best Rock Album of 2009
Five Finger Death Punch - War Is The Answer

Ivan Moody has never been known to be a low-strung singer. Fans got a taste of his style back in the Motograter days, and after 5FDP's debut album "Way of the Fist" garnered a hardcore following, fans were eagerly awaiting the follow-up. Debuting at #7 on the Top 200, it marks quite an achievement for a heavy metal record. Filled with songs that delve into the deepest, darkest feelings of the human soul, 'War Is The Answer' is definitely an answer for wait ails you. Filled with profanity, the album unleashes a hard-hitting punch that fans can relate to. With songs like 'Walk Away' that deal with the pain of a broken heart, 5FDP has delivered an epic record. Standouts include....the entire album. It's that good.


And last but CERTAINLY not least...


The #1 Rock Album of 2009
Three Days Grace - Life Starts Now

Ok before I get started, I must admit there was a slight bias going into this countdown. I have always been a big Three Days Grace fan, and always felt I could personally associate with their music. However, when I heard 'Life Starts Now,'....my first expression was '.....wow....holy crap...'
I had never heard an album that I could so closely relate to in my own personal life. I could have written this record, because all the content lyrically could be written about me. Three Days Grace hit home HARD with this record, and the music kicks ass at the same time. Chocked full of songs that speak to the heart, and evoke feelings and emotions that make you say 'YES....THIS is what I feel like!' 'Life Starts Now' is a album of epic proportions. From the pain of a broken heart on 'Last To Know', to feelings of slight optimism on songs like 'Good Life' and 'Life Starts Now,' to songs that just flat out tell it like it is on 'World So Cold' and 'Someone Who Cares,' to love songs like 'Lost In You' and 'Without You,' this album is pure gold. Anyone who likes music should give this album a listen. I guarantee you will be addicted.

Full Circle

Back in 2001, Creed was on top of the music world. "My Sacrifice" was sitting on the top of the charts, and seemingly nothing could stop the juggernaut. Yet 3 years later...they were gone. Split up. Done for. Lead singer Scott Stapp did a solo album, and the remaining Creed members recruited a new singer and formed Alter Bridge. Alter Bridge found success as a harder Creed with a different voice at the front. Scott Stapp's album, although going platinum, was a dud in most people's opinion. All band members said Creed would never reform. Essentially, an Eagles "Hell Freezing Over" type of statement.

In 2008, however, rumors began to surface of a Creed reunion and tour. Then with news that Alter Bridge lead singer Myles Kennedy was going to work on Alter Bridge's third album, a reformed Creed seemed like a fairytale wish that never came true. Fans rejoiced however when Creed's website was re-launched in April of this year with a concert tour trailer and the words "Coming Summer 2009." Soon after the news of a tour surfaced, news came of a new Creed album as well. Talk about a dream come true. Creed was back, and was releasing new music to top it all off.

Fast forward to October, and here we have it: the Creed album that fans have waited 8 years for. And the kicker? Everybody from the original Creed lineup is back, and yes, that includes bassist Brian Marshall. Titled "Full Circle," the name of the album references Creed's full circle journey; breaking up and subsequently reuniting.

The first taste of new music, the album opener and first single "Overcome," is a welcome sound. The heaviest single Creed has ever released besides "Bullets," 'Overcome' is a guitar-driven song that showcases Mark Tremonti's master skills with a 6-string. Said to be a source of contention before the band's break-up, Tremonti goes wild on this album, ripping solos way more than he ever did on previous albums.

The next track, "Bread of Shame" is another prime example of the heavier-sounding Creed. Drummer Scott Phillips incorporates something never seen in a Creed CD...true double-bass kicks in the opening licks of the song. If you were a fan of Creed's heavier work like "What If", then the first two songs off the album are right down your alley. 'Promise me fame, and I'll survive on this bread of shame' sings Stapp, stabbing at fake Hollywood-type people, or just maybe himself as he was before the band broke up in 2004.

You know Creed can't go an entire album with a ballad...as their biggest hit was a ballad. "Arms Wide Open" was rock music's biggest ballad in the late 90's. Full Circle's third track 'A Thousand Faces' hearkens back to the "My Own Prison" days as Mark Tremonti sings backing vocals on this ballad.

Song #4 on Full Circle goes back to the heavy sound, and actually sounds like an Alter Bridge tune to me. Unfortunately a forgettable tune, "Suddenly" will appeal to the hardcore Creed fans.

Single number two off Full Circle, "Rain" is one of the lightest melodies on the album. Sounding very Staind-ish, Rain is sure to be a hit on the adult top 40 charts.

Keeping with the ballad mode, the next song "Away in Silence" just overdoes the soft ballad sound. Sounding very mainstream polished, it is another forgettable tune.

Track 7, named "Fear" is a nice hard rocker that demonstrates the new Creed sound. Mark Tremonti really shows his skills both in the main riff and guitar solo.

Starting off with the sounds of violins, another ballad surfaces in the next track "On My Sleeve." Actually a good ballad off the album, this one sounds like a chart topper. Varying between acoustic plucking and full-on distorted guitars during the chorus, this song is one of the better soft songs Creed has ever done.

Finally we come to the album's title track. "Full Circle" is a bluesy tune that sounds nothing quite like anything Creed has done before. Yet another quality song.

The tenth song "Time" sounds like Creed took a page right out of the 3 Doors Down playbook. "Time" sounds like it came right off 3DD's latest album, just with different vocals. I'm not saying that's necessarily bad, but Creed won't win any originality awards with critics.

The shining moment of the entire album is the 11th track. "Good Fight" sounds like Creed at its pinnacle. Featuring down-tuned grungy sounding guitars and lyrics that are made to inspire, "Good Fight" is quickly becoming one of my favorite Creed tunes of all time.

The album closer, "The Song You Sing" is a mid-tempo tune that is a fitting close to the CD. Following the same formula that made them famous, it starts off acoustically and rises in volume as the song progresses.

You have to give credit to Creed. Most bands this decade have flip-flopped through sounds like crazy, yet Creed sticks to their tried and true formula. Riding the unmistakable vocals of Scott Stapp and the electric guitar master himself, Mark Tremonti, 'Full Circle' is a competent album in today's flooded market of alternative rock and metal bands. Not their best effort of their career, it is damn good for a band that hasn't released new material in 8 years.

4 stars out of 5.