The esteemed Melvins performed at one of my favorite large clubs in Cincinnati, Ohio, on Thursday, May 15th. Napalm Death was also a headline act! I took these photos with my iPhone, sitting up in the balcony. My bad knees and legs forbid my wanting to be on the floor and up-close, nowadays. I was accompanied by my Metal Buddy Troy. This was my second time seeing the Melvins, duringmy Metal life. I was pumped from start to finish!
Buzz Osborne was on top of his game! The legend never slowed down for a second! Entire band and crowd was lit! I didn’t want their set to end; yet it was comforting to know Napalm Death was at the ready! I hope you enjoy some of these photos; it was difficult with the lightingand distance. Regardless, I’m grateful I have these to share with you all. Thank you for stopping by and Metal be thy name!
I went to see PRONG and VOIVOD back on February 28th, at the King of Clubs in Columbus, Ohio. What a night! I was (and still am) elated to have experienced PRONG on this tour! PRONG took the stage first and ripped out a scorching set of their songs, culminating with their intense and heavy hitting cover of “Working Man” by RUSH.
PRONG is continuing to tour in support of their newest and 13th studio albumfrom 2023:State Of Emergency. Tommy Victor and his band kickstarted my Metal adrenaline that lasted straight through VOIVOD and into the next day! Tommy’s vocals sounded stronger than ever; while always a master on his guitar. PRONG flat-out kicked Metal ass that night; I couldn’t have expected any less! Metal be thy name. – Stone
Tommy Victor – photo credit: Stone/Metal OdysseyTyler Bogliole – photo credit: Stone/Metal OdysseyJason Christopher – photo credit: Stone/Metal OdysseyTommy Victor – photo credit: Stone/Metal OdysseyTommy Victor – photo Credit: Stone/Metal Odysseyphoto credit: Stone/Metal Odyssey
SETLIST:
The Descent Irrelevant Thoughts Seeing Red (Killing Joke cover) For Dear Life Beg to Differ Unconditional Disbelief Cut-Rate Broken Peace Breaking Point Whose Fist Is This Anyway? Another Worldly Device Revenge…Best Served Cold Dark Signs Snap Your Fingers, Snap Your Neck Third From the Sun (Chrome cover) Working Man (Rush cover)
Two big names of the 80s teamed up and took the Music City by its cowboy boots. Adrian Vandenberg, and Geoff Tate played the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville Tennessee on March 5th, to a very rock n roll hungry crowd.
Adrian’s band, properly named Vandenberg, took the stage first. The screams of excitement started right when the first member hit the stage. Vandenberg opened with “Hit the Ground Running” off their newest album, Sin, released in 2023. Not only was the album well received by fans all over the world but the song they did play was the perfect way to open the show. A few days prior to this show Adrian took to his social media accounts to express how much he enjoys having so many Whitesnake songs in the set as it was 12 years of his career. Vandenberg played 7 Whitesnake songs out of an 11 song set and the crowd devoured every song.
Vandenberg’s current lead singer, Mats Levén, has quite the resume, including working with Yngwie Malmsteen and touring with Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Levén has a very seductive voice that pairs very well with the overall sex appeal of almost every Whitesnake song. He stays nicely in a lower register which is perfect for songs like “Sailing Ships,” but when he needs to hit the high notes, like in “Still of the Night,” he hits them spot on. Ears perk up and bras come off. (Not literally but it wouldn’t be surprising). Adrian even stated he had vocal cords of steel.
Adrian started Vandenberg when he was around 27 years young, watching him play on stage 43 years later he is still that lively young man who stole hearts with the power of his guitar in the 80s. Whether you understand how to play or not there is no questioning Adrian’s abilities. Every guitarist says they always have more to learn but watching and listening to him play it’s easy to say that every young guitarist could learn a lot from him.
The rhythm sections is currently made up of Randy Van derElsen on bass and Joey Marin on drums. 10 out of 10 and absolutely solid pair. Van der Elsen absolutely tears up the bass and his facial expressions show that he’s not just playing the notes but feeling the music as he goes. Marin destroys the drums with such speed yet such grace and happily holds up the thunderous sounds of Vandenberg and Whitesnake. Last but certainly not least, Len Van de Laak adds those finishing touches on the keyboard.
Vandenberg had a very good mix of high and low energy songs transitioning from the intensity of Vandenberg’s “Freight Train” to the slightly more subdued sound of Whitesnake’s “Sailing Ships.” The most intimate moment of their whole show was during “Here I go Again.” As the band began their final song every fan in the audience knew their role.
Levén let the crowd have their moment singing the chorus back at him, and even had the crowd repeat it back to him one extra time. Needless to say, Vandenberg set the crowd on fire and prepared them for who was to take the stage next.
Geoff Tate and his band closed out the night. The second the lights went out, the crowd was on their feet trying to get as close to the stage as a seated venue would allow. They opened the show with “Empire,” the title track off Queensryche’s fourth studio album. Tate and his band treated fans to at least one song off of six different Queensryche albums including Operation: Mindcrime, Rage for Order, and Promised Land.
Very little has changed with Tate’s vocal range since the release of the self titled EP Queensryche in 1983. Every vocalist who has been doing this for as long as he has should be aware of what notes they can and can’t hit. Tate smoothly transitioned over pieces that he may have felt weren’t going to come out like the album, but also added a little spice to those high notes he knew he could hold.
Sound is definitely very important when putting on a good show for obvious reasons but so is having good chemistry between band mates. The best way to describe the relationship between Tate and his band is a loving and encouraging father and his 6 sons. Tate has put together a nice blend of young international rockstars.
Tate had up to 4 guitarists raising hell behind him, including James Brown (Ireland), Dario Parente (Italy), AmauryAltmayer (France), and Cillian Plummer (Ireland). The fun didn’t stop with the guitarists. The fiery rhythm section was made up of Jack Ross (Scotland) on bass and Danny Laverde on Drums. As a group they play like they are the original line up of Queensryche!
Fans sang along to every song never missing a beat and it fed the energy of everyone on stage. Tate even conducted the crowd during “Operation: Mindcrime.” After singing “Screaming in Digital,” Tate explained how he loves singing that song because of how accurate it is in this day and age with AI and all the new technology that has come along since the song was released.
Tate is not only a wonderful musician but there is something oddly satisfying about his story telling. Right before going into “Silent Lucidity,” he tells a silly story of being recognized at a gas station but not for being Geoff Tate! As the show comes close to the end Tate asks what everyone would like to hear as the last song. Unanimously the crowd screams for “Queen of the Reich” and honestly it was the perfect way to close out the show.
Tate and Vandenberg came together to remind the crowd of what fun the 80s were or for those of us not alive then, to give us a little taste of what it was like. – Tanis Enos
On February 28th, VOIVOD launched their 2024 North American Tour with PRONG, in Columbus, Ohio, at The King of Clubs. I was accompanied by my buddy Troy, who helped guide me along in the trenches due to my now using a cane to get around.
I’ve waited my entire life to see this legendary, pioneering, Canadian Metal band and I was left in awe; reminded at just how fabulous they are as musicians. Honestly, watching and hearing Michel “Away” Langevin was a treat in itself. His drumming was simply captivating.
Michel “Away” Langevin – photo credit: Stone/Metal Odyssey
Away is a founding member of VOIVOD and I’ve always yearned to hear and see his drumming on the live stage. Mission accomplished!
Michel “Away” Langevin – photo credit: Stone/Metal Odyssey
Fronted by vocalist and founding member Denis “Snake” Bélanger, VOIVOD had their fans ecstatic the entire night; inviting us all into the Sci-Fi themed world of their progressive thrash.
VOIVOD played songs that spanned their deep catalog of albums, (see set-list below). Snake stalked the stage, adding humor with his mannerisms to the Sci-Fi sound effects and speaking to the crowd between songs.
Snake’s vocals were sound and he worked the stage like a true Metal warrior. Snake even did a tribute to late founding member and guitarist Denis “Piggy” D’Amour, with VOIVOD playing their first ever song for him. The crowd chanted “Piggy” and it made for a memorable moment.
Daniel “Chewy” Mongrain – photo credit: Stone/Metal Odyssey
Lead guitarist, Daniel “Chewy” Mongrain was on fire the entire show! His playing is top-tier for Metal guitarists, in my Metal opinion. I was caught fixated on his shredding and so were many, many around me; if he could’ve heard the adoration! Chewy has become a fixture of VOIVOD over these years.
Daniel “Chewy” Mongrain and Away – photo credit: Stone/Metal OdysseyDominic “Rocky” Laroche – photo credit: Stone/Metal Odyssey
Bassist Dominic “Rocky” Laroche was head banging while playing nearly the entire set it seemed, it looked like he felt every note he played go through his body and so did the crowd of fans! He and Away fit together perfectly on the rhythm section.
In summary, if you get any chance to see VOIVOD on their current tour or live in the future then GO! Truly one of the very best of Metal bands ever and they delivered a memorable show to brag about! Metal be thy name! – Stone
Daniel “Chewy” Mongrain photo credit: Stone/Metal Odyssey
SETLIST:
Forgotten in Space Condemned to the Gallows Holographic Thinking Rise Pre-Ignition Nuclear War Fall Tribal Convictions The End of Dormancy Fix My Heart Encore: Voivod
The Iron Maidens made their Tennessee debut in Knoxville on Nov. 11th. The world’s only female tribute to Iron Maiden brought the beast to The Concourse along with openers Kamenar and Skyway 61. A crowd of Maiden shirts waited as the doors to the venue opened.
Kamenar hit the stage first, hyping the crowd up right away. Kamenar is made up of twin brothers Sean (vocals,guitar,andbass) and John Kamenar (drums). The two young boys from Florida put the duo in dynamic duo and prove that the younger generation will not let the sound of the 80’s die. With obvious influences from many of the bands they have opened for like Warrant, LA Guns, and Bret Michaels, the Kamenar twins show passion for their music. Playing originals and covers, both boys shined, but what really set them apart was something not many can say they can do, a twin drum solo. The Kamenar twins destroyed the drum kit together and defiantly gained some new fans that night.
Skyway 61 took to the stage next decorating it in a way that could only be best described as Steven Tyler’s closet. While setting up, the whole band was engaging with the audience making sure that when the first note hit the crowd would already be screaming. Lead singer Alden Duren had more energy than most bands on the rise. With nonstop movement, he excited every inch of the venue. Vocally Duren has his own unique style but with hints of Axl Rose and Robert Plant especially with the higher notes. The whole band fed off the cheers of the crowd but Duren ate it up the most. Towards the end of the show Duren had let both the music and the cheers from the crowd power him and ended up not only taking off his shirt but also his shoes and throwing them side stage. It takes more than just looking the part to be a rockstar and together Skyway 61 has created their own upbeat sound that everyone could feel.
As Skyway 61 left the stage, the crew began to set up for the Maidens. The little details that the girls add to their performance, like Nicko’s friend Sooty proudly displayed on Linda Mcdonald’s drum set and Eddie’s head mounted on a street sign depicting Transylvania and Acacia Ave, really heightened the experience. The show started as many Iron Maiden shows have with Churchill’s Speech and leader Kirsten Rosenberg taking the stage to the high powered intro of Aces High. Rosenberg lives up to her stage name, Bruce Chickinson, in both appearance and her exceptional vocals. Not only did she take on the vocals styling of Dickinson but also of Paul Di’Anno. Rosenberg could easily add Paula Di’Anno to her list of nicknames. From Dickinson’s high end screams to DiAnnos’ punk low end Rosenberg hit it all, while still adding her own twist.
Maiden is known for having one of the most iconic guitar duos in metal and the Maidens kept that legacy alive. Nikki Stringfield takes on the role of Dave Murrary while newest addition Shani Kimelman fills the role of Adrian Smith. Both guitarists played with such ease like they were a born to do this. While talking with a fan, Kimelman stated that her guitar is an extension of her hand. She also mentioned that she keeps her setup as close to Smith’s to get the authentic sound. It is safe say that she succeeded. Stringfield dominates every one of Murray’s solos. Her hand moves up and down the neck of her very own signature guitar with such grace; almost like a flutter but never missing a note.
Bass player Wanda Ortiz had big burgundy and blue wrist bands to fill but from the first strum it was apparent she was the right woman to represent founding member Steve Harris. Standing firm up front proudly displaying the West Ham logo on her bass, Ortiz perfected the 3 finger gallop that Maiden fans have come to love. While each song shows off the bass in its own way, Ortiz truly shined during Wrathchild and Phantom of the Opera. Drummer Linda Mcdonald is basically the female Nicko McBrain. She is nothing but smiles as she attacks the drum set. Mcbrain has a much larger kit but Mcdonald was able to get the point across with her own setup. Ortiz and Mcdonald make up the perfect rhythm section.
A few surprise guests also took the stage with the Maidens. Kinelman defeated A Stranger in a Strange Land (Cyborg Eddie) and his ray gun with her epic shredding. Rosenberg went face to face with the devil himself and Ortiz defended the stage from Eddie the Head. Eddie, while not a musician, still has a vital role in Maiden history. Keeping him in the show is extremely important to have a true Maiden moment, and they go above and beyond with multiple versions of the beloved mascot.
The Iron Maidens are a must see for every Maiden fan and are a great way to hold you over till your next Iron Maiden show. Whether it’s Maidens alum Nita Strauss or new comer Shani Kimelman, every woman to step on that stage under the Maidens name knows and understands the importance of Iron Maiden to everyone in their crowd. – Tanis Enos
Tom Keifer brought his signature blues- rock sound back to the Star City on his new Live & Loud tour, but he did not come alone. The Tom Keifer Band performed at Dr Pepper Park in Roanoke Virginia on June 18th along with Winger and John Corabi.
John Corabi was the first to get the crowd pumped and ready to go. Corabi has quite the musical background as “both the former and current” lead singer of The Dead Daises and the brief period he sang for Motley Crue. He performed a 6 song acoustic set which included a song off of “Unplugged” called “If I Never Get to Say Goodbye”. The song was dedicated to two of his friends who were unfortunate victims of a tragic shooting. Corabi stated “If you have love ones at home make sure you always say you love them because you never know what the universe has in store.” He truly caught the crowd attention and participation by playing “Hooligans Holiday” joking that he is “the guy who ruined Motley Crue’s Career.”
John Corabi – photo credit: TBE Photography
All together Corabi’s gruff rock n roll voice and passion for the music paired perfectly with the overall feel of the rest of the night. He never skipped a beat and he never missed a note. After the show he met individually with fans to take pictures and sign autographs. Corabi was only the beginning of what continue to be a night filled with the sounds of the 80s.
Kip Winger – photo credit: TBE Photography
Winger took the stage next with their full original lineup featuring Kip Winger, Reb Beach, Rob Morgenstein, and Paul Taylor as well as Howie Simon. They started the show off with a song from their 2023 album “Seven” called “Stick the Knife in and Twist.” Every song from the new album that Winger played was received just as well as the hits from back in the day with fans singing back at them word for word. Kip still looks and sounds just like the heartthrob that stole the hearts of everyone when the band first began. Hits like “Miles Away”, “Madalaine”, and “Seventeen” basically sounded almost identical to the album but with an ever so slight change that comes with aging. Each member played with the grit and attitude of a true rockstar.
Tony Higbee and Tom Keifer – photo credit: TBE Photography
Tom Keifer and his band hadn’t even made it to the stage before they were met with the adoring screams of fans as they walked from the buses. Early on the fans were treated to Heartbreak Station, the title track of Cinderella’s third studio album. Keizer stated that it had been awhile since they had played it and jokingly asked that if he messed up that the crowd not be too upset. All one had to do was listen to know that he did not disappoint.
Tony Higbee – photo credit: TBE Photography
As the night progressed, the fans singing never let up nearly masking Keifer himself. This only fueled the passion inside not only him but the rest of the band. Each song played louder and stronger then the last. By the time the piano was rolled out so much emotion had been built up that it resulted in a very powerful and extremely well received version of “Don’t Know What You Got Till It’s Gone.”
Tony Higbee – photo credit: TBE Photography
Keifer truly lived up to the tours name, Live and Loud. It is highly apparent that the Tom Keifer Band is more than just 7 musicians on a stage, they are a family. The band currently consists of Tom Keifer, Savannah Keifer, Tony Higbee, Billy Mercer, Jarred Pope, Kory Myers, and Tanya Davis. The guitar pairing of Keifer and Higbee on guitar is immaculate. There is no one sounding better than the other. They both come together seamlessly creating that bluesy sound that everyone has come to love from Keifer’s music. However, having a guitarist as strong as Higbee allows Keifer to set the guitar down and really get into the vocals and interaction with the crowd. All the while Higbee is still able to keep up the Cinderella sound and have fun doing it.
Billy Mercer – photo credit: TBE Photography
As for Keifer’s voice, it is no secret that he has had multiple surgeries involving his throat but that hasn’t stopped him from continuing to sing every song like it was written. Keifer pushed the limits with his voice and reached for every high note showing that he’s still got it.
The Rise of the MachineTour drew in a sold out crowd on March 16, at The Underground in Charlotte North Carolina. The show consisted of headliner Static X and supporting acts Society 1, Dope, Mushroomhead, and Fear Factory. Fans were lining up outside as early as 10am to secure a spot as close to the action as possible.
With an explosion of sound, Society 1 opened the show, immediately getting the crowd riled up and ready for the rest of the night. Lead singer Matt Zane, also known as Lord Zane, brings a creative mix of both clean low vocals and different levels of aggressive growls and screams. His performance style is extremely active and he is always looking to shock the crowd. Zane is backed by an equally intense band consisting of Erik Kluiber on guitar, Jimmy Minj on bass and Dagon TheDestroyer on drums. Loud, proud and in your face is the best way to describe all of Society 1.
In an almost seamless transition, Dope took the stage next. Lead singer Edsel Dope came out vocals blazing holding nothing back the entire show. The uncaged punk rage known as Acey Slade made an explosive impact but not on his normal low end, instead Slade wielded the axe all night. The foundation was set by the sturdy rhythm section made up of Daniel Fox on bass and Chris Warner on drums. All together the band produced a sound performance that any existing Dope fan would love and any new fan would remember for a long time.
Mushroomhead came out with a literal bang. Instantly fans in the front row were hit with water bouncing of the huge barrel-like drums on both sides. Water wasn’t the only thing flying off the stage. Singer Scott Beck jumped into the arms of rowdy fans and crowd surfed as chaos continued on stage. Mushroomhead excelled the most at adding the heaviest Nu Metal sound to an overall Industrial tour.
Fear Factory was next and by then the crowd was out of their minds. Still continuing the Industrial metal theme, Fear Factory added a touch of thrash metal at the hands of guitarist Dino Cazares, that set them apart from the rest of the bands. Tony Campos played double duty owning the bass for Fear Factory and later coming back with the same intensity and drive on the bass for Static X. Milo Silvestro commanded the stage with authority on vocals. Mike Heller kept the beat up on drums.
Finally it was time for Static X. Before the band even took the stage, fans were screaming at a level that could easily be compared to that of teenage girls at a boy band concert. After a thrilling rendition of Sweet Caroline sang at full volume by the crowd the lights went dark and one single light could be seen coming from the stage. The light was held by a strange creature, which Campos, later referred to as the Xbox Logo and others call Shovel Man, who can also be found in the music videos for both “Push It” and “I’m With Stupid”. Campos returned to the stage next followed by drummer Ken Jay and guitarist Koichi Fukuda.
Lights flashed to the thunderous sound of their music as lead singer Xer0 joined them on stage. Xer0 debuted a new look at the beginning of the tour that combined his primary look with that of a robot. The iconic tall spiky hair that original lead singer Wayne Static was known for is honored in a wiry cyborg like do. As anyone would be, some fans were skeptical about a new lead singer and how it would affect the Static X sound. However, as the show progressed it was clear that not only did Xer0 have the look but he brought the grit and sound that Static fans love. At this time, the band has no plans to reveal the identity of the new lead singer and as fans fell under Xer0’s robotic trance, it was apparent that it did not matter to them who was under the mask. Unfortunately, due to the size restrictions of the venue the band was unable to put on the full production they had planned for the tour.
Nonetheless, the fans soaked up every single bit of their performance singing just as loud as Xer0. Static X still had a few tricks up their sleeve for this small venue. During “Cold” the lights turned to shades of blue as a blizzard of snow covered the band, adding to the already deep and powerful vibe of the song. The energy shifted immediately as “I’m With Stupid” began to play. Everybody’s favorite Shovel Man returned to the stage and along with him came monstrous sized balloons. Overall, Static X did an incredible job stimulating the crowd both visually and audibly and left the crowd wanting more.
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