YOU READ THAT HEADLINE RIGHT!
CINDERELLA & MASS WILL SHARE THE STAGE!
METAL BE THY NAME!
CLICK LINK BELOW FOR TICKET INFO!
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* For more info on CINDERELLA & MASS, click below!
LONG LIVE CINDERELLA.
LONG LIVE MASS.
Stone.
RELEASED ON 3D BLU-RAY, DVD & CD APRIL 24, 2012, THROUGH EPIC RECORDS
(Los Angeles, CA) Joe Satriani, one of the most respected and innovative guitarist’s in the world, released his critically-acclaimed live concert Satchurated: Live in Montreal last week on 3D Blu-ray, DVD and Soundtrack CD, through Epic Records and today, the DVD enters at # 3 on The Billboard DVD chart.
Joe is about to hit the road on Friday with his ‘other’ band, Chickenfoot, this Friday but from rehearsals, had this to say:
“Satchurated 3D” DVD is #3!!! Big thanks to all of my fans worldwide for making this happen. See you out there on the road!”
Satchurated was recorded and filmed in front of a live audience during Satriani’s “The Wormhole Tour”, supporting his studio album Black Swans and Wormhole Wizards, at the Metropolis in Montreal, Canada. The December 12, 2010 concert was filmed by GRAMMY and EMMY award-winning concert filmmakers Pierre and Francois Lamoureux. Satchurated: Live in Montreal was recently released for a limited engagement on March 1, 2012 to select theatres throughout the country. The high-definition recording makes Satriani’s performance as much a pleasure to see by DVD, as it is to hear by CD.
____________________________________________________
(Source: MAD Ink, PR)
* For more info on JOE SATRIANI, click on the link below!
LONG LIVE JOE SATRIANI.
Stone.
WARRANT – Here is a WARRANT tour to look forward to in 2012! With special guests FIREHOUSE and TRIXTER, the CHERRY PIE 21st Anniversary Tour looks to ROCK like there’s no tomorrow! Tour dates and venues are currently being booked. Once dates and venues are confirmed, Metal Odyssey will have ’em posted!
WARRANT will be out once again supporting their kick-ass, 100 proof and Hard Rockin’ 2011 album: ROCKAHOLIC.
FIREHOUSE will be touring is support of their latest album – Full Circle.
TRIXTER will be having their brand new studio album New Audio Machine releasing via Frontiers Records. Look for an April 20th, 2012 release date in Europe and an April 24th 2012 release date in North America! This is the first new album from TRIXTER in 2 decades!
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Stone Says: A Message to The Grammy Awards and anyone affiliated to not acknowledging the late Jani Lane at the 54th Grammys: You should all be embarrassed for the omission of this talented vocalist, musician and songwriter. Jani Lane helped shape Hair Metal and late 80’s Hard Rock, while being a major part as to why Warrant sold multi-millions of albums. The Grammys exhibited a true act of irresponsibility by being so oblivious to Jani Lane’s passing.
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* For more info, click on the links below:
LONG LIVE WARRANT.
Stone.
SKID ROW – Check out the 2012 tour dates below for the Hard Rockin’ band we all know as – SKID ROW. Maybe they’ll be in your neck of the Rockin’ woods this year… if so, support SKID ROW and tell ’em Stone from Metal Odyssey sent you!
March 30th @ Havana – New Hope, PA
March 31st @ Starland Ballroom – Sayerville, NJ
April 20th @ Revolution – Ft. Lauderdale, FL
April 21st @ GASC Grounds – Cape Coral, FL
May 12th @ M3 Rock Festival – Columbia, MD
June 8th @ Riverfest – Gasden, AL
July 12th @ Rock USA – Oshkosh, WI
August 23rd @ Wolf Den – Uncasville, CT
* For more info on SKID ROW, click on the links below:
http://www.twitter.com/Officialskidrow
LONG LIVE SKID ROW.
Stone.
Queensrÿche – live at The Crocodile Rock Cafe, August 2nd, 2011
(Photo Credit: Tom Coderre)
Best Of The Rest Awards For 2011 – Now that the Metal Odyssey “Best Of 2011” lists are posted for Rock, Hard Rock and Metal albums, along with Hard Rock and Metal Songs respectively, I turn my attention to Metal Odyssey’s Best Of The Rest Awards. What exactly are the Best Of The Rest? Scroll down, read on and enjoy! Oh… and…. Metal be thy name.
AS I LAY DYING – HELLION / ELECTRIC EYE
(Metal Blade Records)
Tim Lambesis vocally made this Judas Priest classic his very own. Electric Eye being sung in Death Metal tones is, well, F’n fun to hear! As a Metal bonus, this band gives a 100% effort in giving Hellion / Electric Eye their deserved Classic Metal respect. To be street about it, As I Lay Dying kicks Metal ass with this classic intro and cover song.
PENTAGRAM – LAST RITES
(Metal Blade Records)
ARTIST: MO MOUSSA
Choosing the best album cover art is, like music itself: subjective. There are many, many album covers from 2011 that I adore. I chose the PENTAGRAM and HAVOK album covers due to my staring at them for semi-long periods of time. Does that sound funny? I don’t think it’s funny. Okay, maybe a tad funny.
The Grim Reaper has always been the dark and sinister mascot of Metal. Mo Moussa captured that old school Metal look with this Last Rites art and I extend my Metal appreciation for that.
HAVOK – TIME IS UP
(Candlelight Records)
ARTIST: HALSEY SWAIN
The skull on this macabre skeleton is chilling! The attention to detail is incredible on this HAVOK cover, with the lightning outside the window and other skeletons in the backdrop adding to the overall horror appeal. From what lead vocalist & guitarist David Sanchez told me, (during a Hard Rock Hideout interview), Halsey Swain actually put brush to canvas for this ultra-fabulous Time Is Up album cover. Old School strikes once again! Hey… if it wasn’t for Old School, there would be no new school.
DORO – 25 YEARS IN ROCK … AND STILL GOING STRONG
(Nuclear Blast)
Whoa what a box set this is! A 16 page, full color, hardcover concert photo book. Two DVD’s, (1 concert & 1 documentary) with 16 pages of more incredible concert photos & cool liner notes. 1 live CD. It’s all DORO, The Queen of Heavy Metal, her amazing voice and her band!
This amazing DORO package features the celebration of her 25th Anniversary concert on December 13, 2008, at the ISS Dome in Düsseldorf, Germany, (Doro’s hometown). Pure quality, from beginning to end, with both the DVD’s and live CD. The concert photo book is so hard to put down. A timeless and priceless DORO box set for me.
The following Queensrÿche photos credited to: Tom Coderre
Geoff Tate & Stone
Michael Wilton & Stone
Scott Rockenfield & Stone
When I received the assignment from Rob Rockitt, over at HARD ROCK HIDEOUT, to cover Queensrÿche live at The Crocodile Rock Cafe in Allentown, Pennsylvania… I was psyched out of my Metal mind! Metal Odyssey staff photographer Tom Coderre and I had a blast on this evening of Queensrÿche Metal.
Yes, this was my Best Metal Moment Of 2011, however, this was the Best Metal Moment Of My Life as well. To personally meet Geoff Tate and each member of Queensrÿche, back on August 2nd, 2011, made for Rock ‘N Roll dreams to come true. I personally thank each member of Queensrÿche for their being incredibly professional and polite. This band kicked ass onstage that night too! Metal be thy name they did.
I also thank Tom Coderre for being my Metal Buddy on that momentous evening and documenting so professionally this Queensrÿche concert and personal Metal moment. Thank you Rob Rockitt and Hard Rock Hideout for the golden opportunity to cover & meet the legendary Queensrÿche.
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL & LONG LIVE METAL \m/\m/
Stone.
* For more cool “2011 Best Of Lists” of Rock, Hard Rock and Metal, click on the links below and visit these fantastic blogs/websites!
All Metal Resource — http://allmetalresource.com/
Bring Back Glam — http://bringbackglam.squarespace.com/
The Crash Pad of Ray Van Horn, Jr. – http://www.rayvanhornjr2.blogspot.com/
Hair Metal Mansion — http://hairbangersradio.ning.com/
Hard Rock Nights — http://hardrocknights.com
Heavy Metal Addiction — http://heavymetaladdiction.com/
Heavy Metal Time Machine — http://metalmark.blogspot.com/
Imagine Echoes — http://www.imagineechoes.com/
Layla’s Classic Rock — http://laylasclassicrock.blogspot.com/
Metal Excess — http://metalexcess.com/
The Ripple Effect — http://www.ripplemusic.blogspot.com/
Stone.
Sweden’s finest DEATHSTARS is supporting RAMMSTEIN on the 2011 leg of their “Made In Germany 1995-2011” Tour and will release a brand new single in October.
DEATHSTARS has a decade of debauchery under their belt. The music – which has been synonymous with darkness, sex, leather and glitter – is based upon the fusion of power, aggression and straight forward rock.
”It’s of course a fantastic thing to go on tour with a brilliant band like RAMMSTEIN. We are eager to hit the stages in Europe to spread the raw dark power of DEATHSTARS. It’s simply a great package.” comments vocalist and frontman Whiplasher Bernadotte.
The success of their second album ”Termination Bliss” and their latest full length release ”Night Electric Night” threw the boys of death to the very stars.
Currently the band is in studio to record the first music of the coming album.
The new single will be released through Nuclear Blast Records late October, and the “Made In Germany 1995-2011” together with RAMMSTEIN starts November 6.
06.11. SK Bratislava – Zimmy Stadion Ondreja Nepelu
08.11. CR Zagreb – Arena
10.11. HU Budapest – Sportarena
12.11. CZ Prag – O2 Arena
14.11. PL Danzig – Ergo Arena
15.11. PL Danzig – Ergo Arena
17.11. D Leipzig – Arena
18.11. D Leipzig – Arena
20.11. D München – Olympiahalle
21.11. D Friedrichshafen – Rothaus Halle
23.11. A Wien – Stadthalle
25.11. D Berlin – O2 World
26.11. D Berlin – O2 World
28.11. D Hamburg – O2 World
29.11. D Bremen – Arena
01.12. F Straßburg – Zénith
02.12. LUX Luxemburg – Rockhal
04.12. D Düsseldorf – ISS Dome
05.12. D Düsseldorf – ISS Dome
06.12. D Düsseldorf – ISS Dome
08.12. D Frankfurt – Festhalle
09.12. D Frankfurt – Festhalle
10.12. D Stuttgart – Schleyer-Halle
12.12. CH Zürich – Hallenstadion
(Source: Nuclear Blast News)
LONG LIVE DEATHSTARS.
LONG LIVE RAMMSTEIN.
Stone.
EARTH – Following their recent successful East Coast and Midwest U.S. tour, in support of their latest full-length, Angels Of Darkness, Demons Of Light 1, Seattle’s EARTH are preparing to take to the streets once again next week. This time they’ll be hitting the American West Coast, bringing Angelo Spencer et Les Hauts Sommets as direct support on all nine dates, and including special guests Wyrd Visions, Whirr and Tiny Vipers on several shows. The tour is based around EARTH‘s performance at Washington’s What The Heck? Fest next weekend, where they’ll perform alongside Thrones, Ô Paon, Mount Eerie, Karl Blau, Liturgy, Angelo Spencer & Les Haut Sommets, Wyrd Visions and many more.
Following the Summer touring schedule, EARTH will perform at Raleigh, North Carolina’s annual Hopscotch Festival in early September, the fest showcasing over 150 diverse musical acts over three days including Coliseum, Drive-By Truckers, Guided by Voices, Horseback, J Mascis, Krallice, Mount Eerie, Oxbow, Rhys Chatham, Swans, The Body, The Flaming Lips and so on. EARTH are also scheduled as a main performer at the upcoming All Tomorrow’s Parties presents I’ll Be Your Mirror in Asbury Park, New Jersey this October, the event curated by Portishead, and the massive three-day lineup including Mogwai, Battles, Deerhoof, Portishead, Swans, Shellac and more.
West Coast Tour July 2011:
7/13/2011 Doug Fir – Portland, OR w/ Angelo Spencer et Les Hauts Sommets, Wyrd Visions
7/14/2011 The Northern – Olympia, WA w/ Angelo Spencer et Les Hauts Sommets, Wyrd Visions
7/16/2011 Port Warehouse – Anacortes, WA @ What The Heck? Fest [info]
7/21/2011 Catalyst Atrium – Santa Cruz, CA w/ Angelo Spencer et Les Hauts Sommets
7/22/2011 Slim’s – San Francisco, CA w/ Angelo Spencer et Les Hauts Sommets, Whirr
7/23/2011 Echoplex – Los Angeles, CA w/ Angelo Spencer et Les Hauts Sommets [info]
7/24/2011 Casbah – San Diego, CA w/ Angelo Spencer et Les Hauts Sommets
8/02/2011 Tractor Tavern – Seattle, WA w/ Angelo Spencer et Les Hauts Sommets, Tiny Vipers
8/05/2011 The Shakedown – Bellingham, WA w/ The Narrows, Cold Lake
9/09/11 Hopscotch Music Festival – Raleigh, NC [info]
10/02/2011 I’ll Be Your Mirror, curated by Portishead & ATP – Asbury Park, NJ [info]
(Source: Earsplit PR)
* For more info on EARTH, click on the links below:
http://www.thronesanddominions.com
http://www.myspace.com/earthofficial
LONG LIVE EARTH.
Stone.
(All Live Photo Credits: Tom Coderre)
COLD – Back on March 19th, 2011, Alt/Modern Metal Legends COLD brought A Tour Of The American Dream to The Crocodile Rock Cafe in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Myself and Metal Odyssey’s staff photographer Tom Coderre were there to take in this night of Hard and Heavy hittin’ bliss, which featured four fabulous supporting bands that are on the rise: KOPEK, Oceans Divide and Egypt Central. Eastern Pennsylvania’s very own Maddam Ink. closed out the night after the headliners COLD.
COLD presented themselves onstage like the tried and true Rock legends they are, playing a tight set of songs that spanned their career. Wherever I turned, fans were in a psyched-out mode, realizing they were watching the continued comeback of a band that has been highly influential to a generation of Hard Rock, Modern Metal and Alternative Heavy Music bands. Speaking of which, the members of KOPEK and Oceans Divide spoke reverently of COLD. This all added further proof, that COLD has without question left its mark on Rock Music history and an impressionable influence on many young, current and successful bands.
With COLD, it is not the amount of albums that is important, it is the quality of these albums in their discography that impresses me. COLD has sold well over a million albums for good reason. Their music’s originality blended with plenty of heaviness and fortified with an alternative vibe, feel and personality, have all been key with their successful bridge to strengthening the Alternative and Modern Metal genres over their career. From their newest single Wicked World to The Day Seattle Died, COLD performed their songs at The Crocodile Rock Cafe with a conviction of a band that has been around the block and Rocked it to kingdom come as well… many times over.
For a band of any stature to take a short or long hiatus from the scene, then only come back to Rock out the brains of a throng of adoring fans says quite a lot. The age group of these fans at The Crocodile Rock to see COLD on this evening, in late March, told another astounding story, with young and middle-aged Heavy Music fans alike seeming to be there for one purpose: COLD solidarity. With their forthcoming studio album Superfiction (Eleven Seven Music) being released on July 19th, 2011, the feeling in the air is that COLD is no longer on a comeback… COLD is back.
All the live photos you see here were taken by Tom Coderre. I’ll speak for Tom… he was quite psyched-out to be documenting this live set from COLD with his camera lens, documenting A Tour Of The American Dream… a tour and band that shall forever be an important part of Rock Music history. I know I was psyched-out to be there.
Scooter Ward – vocalist
Scooter Ward – vocalist
Sam McCandless – drums
Jeremy Marshall – bass
Jeremy Marshall – bass
Zach Gilbert – guitar
Drew Molleur – guitar
* For more information on COLD, click on the links below:
LONG LIVE COLD.
Stone.
ZZ TOP – Billy Gibbons, Dusty Hill and Frank Beard. Three undisputed Rock and Roll legends. On this 2011 July 4th holiday weekend in America, kickin’ back to some live ZZ Top with some cold brews aplenty, well, just seems like the right thing to do. I pulled Live From Texas out a couple of days ago and thought this album should be recommended for any fan of good times, old school, Classic Rock. Aw, hell, any fan of Rock Music just has to appreciate what ZZ Top has accomplished over their glorious Rockin’ career. From Southern Rock to Hard Rock, with the Blues in-between, ZZ Top is Rock and Roll whoop-ass, no matter how you slice it.
Released back in 2008, on Eagle Records, Live From Texas is not short on sound quality and production. This album obviously makes for a very cool greatest hits and live combination. Fans both old and new should get a kick out of hearing Pearl Necklace being introduced, showing that a little band rhetoric with the audience surely goes a long way. I dig every song I hear on Live From Texas, including Rough Boy… Metal be thy name. Rough Boy seems to take an unfair hit every now and again and I’m tellin you now, this song is cool alone for just making the girls all mushy. Well, that’s how I observed it “back in the day” with Rough Boy.
The live versions of Cheap Sunglasses and Just Got Paid flat out ROCK through my veins with Classic Rockin’ intoxication. Being able to see ZZ Top live during my lifetime is something I’ll always cherish and want to experience again one day soon. In the meantime, I’ll just reach for Live From Texas to get my dose of ZZ Top playing 16 songs live… with Texas and American pride!
* ZZ Top – Live From Texas was recorded on November 1st, 2007, at the Nokia Theatre in Grand Prairie, Texas.
Live From Texas – Track Listing:
Got Me Under Pressure
Waitin’ For The Bus
Jesus Just Left Chicago
I’m Bad, I’m Nationwide
Cheap Sunglasses
Pearl Necklace
Just Got Paid
Rough Boy
Blues Intro
Blue Jean Blues
Gimme All Your Lovin’
Sharp Dressed Man
Legs
Tube Snake Boogie
La Grange
Tush
LONG LIVE ZZ TOP.
Stone.
SKINLESS – Following a special, ritualistically brutal, one-off performance last June that brought the classic SKINLESS lineup to the stage once again, the legendary death metal battalion will play their last show at this year’s edition of the Maryland Deathfest in Baltimore. Vocalist Sherwood Webber, drummer Bob Beaulac, guitarist Noah Carpenter and bassist Joe Keyser are prepared to scathe listeners with tunes off Progression Towards Evil and Foreshadowing Our Demise for one last time.
Commented Webber of the final performance: “This is Death Metal, so things can’t live forever, and here… we have an end! I’m stoked the guys at the Deathfest thought of us to do the show. It makes sense and we’re all down to do it. I know Noah announced the band’s demise a couple weeks ago, so it will be like seeing a ghost, then going to see Ghost ha!
“You can expect to see the sickest SKINLESS show ever,” he promises. “Last year’s reunion show was killer. It was everything a SKINLESS show should be about the finality of the MDF performance will definitely make it…….FINAL! THE FINAL NAIL! Everyone in the band are still great friends. I live in Denver and we all have a lot going on in our lives now. We did way more than I ever expected. It was a lot of drive that made it happen; hard fucking work! I’d like to personally thank everyone that got behind us: Relapse, Ted Etoll and Step Up Presents, and most importantly the Metal fans all over the world! I’m over-the-top stoked for the show. If you can’t be there, there is always the miracle of YouTube. You never know what the musical future holds for all of us…keep a look out! Everyone take care, and always…STAY BRUTAL!”
SKINLESS will play on Sunday, May 29th in the main room at 6:45pm.
(Source: Earsplit PR)
* For more info on SKINLESS, click the links below:
http://www.myspace.com/skinless
http://www.myspace.com/armorcolumnny
LONG LIVE DEATH METAL.
Thank You SKINLESS For Your Brand Of Death Metal.
New York, NY) — CHIMAIRA have announced a handful of tour dates this spring throughout Ohio and Michigan.
5/25/11 Flint, MI – The Machine Shop
5/26/11 Sandusky, OH – The Underground
5/27/11 Louisville, OH – The Carriage House
5/28/11 Cleveland, OH – Peabody’s Down Under
5/29/11 Geneva, OH – The Cove
5/30/11 Mentor, OH – Live Wire
The band is fresh out of the studio having completed their upcoming yet to be titled record due out later this year. After making headlines with recent member changes and Charlie Sheen related shenanigans, CHIMAIRA are ready to get back to playing live shows.
CHIMAIRA is Mark Hunter (vocals), Rob Arnold (guitar), Matt DeVries (guitar), Emil Werstler (Bass), Sean Zatorsky (Keyboards/Samples) and Austin D’Amond (Drums).
(Source: eOne Music)
LONG LIVE CHIMAIRA.
Stone.
DERAILED – Here a couple of “live” shows of note that DERAILED fans and Metal fans should know about:
* On Thursday, March 31st, 2011, DERAILED performed a 30 minute set at the Kings Head Pub in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Over $12,000 was raised! All proceeds from this event will go to the Red Cross in support of the recent Japan earthquake disaster. Metal Odyssey gives DERAILED a big horns up for their charitable Metal efforts!!
* DERAILED have made the finals for “Best Original Calgary Band” and will perform a crushing set this Wednesday, April 6th, 2011, at The Viper Room in Calgary, Alberta, Canada! Starting time is 9:00 p.m.! The Viper Room is located at 302-3rd Ave. SW, right next door to the French Maid. Come on down and support original music as this will be a great night! (See The Viper Room link at the bottom of post).
Metal Odyssey wishes DERAILED all the Metal best in winning the “Best Original Calgary Band” title… this is one terrific Metal band that deserves it!!
* “Underground”, the new and highly anticipated concept album from DERAILED is well underway. This album will focus on another world “Underground” where one ordinary man becomes the “chosen one” to save a dying race.
* ATTENTION RECORD LABELS THAT KNOW METAL:
DERAILED SHOULD BE SIGNED, SEALED AND DELIVERED. TAKE IT FROM STONE… DERAILED CAN PLAY.
(Judgement Day – debut album – 2010)
* To read my interview with Dean Boland of DERAILED, just click link below:
* For more info on DERAILED, click the links below:
* For more info on The Viper Room, in Calgary, click link below:
* To find out how you can donate/help the victims of Japan’s earthquake & disasters, please click on the link below:
http://www.google.com/intl/en/crisisresponse/japanquake2011.html
LONG LIVE DERAILED.
Stone.
KOPEK – Through the years (or is that decades?) I’ve always been a believer in the small club setting for seeing a live night of Rock, Hard Rock or Heavy Metal. Most of my greatest experiences of seeing live concerts have been at small clubs. Seeing KOPEK live, on March 19th, 2011, at The Crocodile Rock Cafe in Allentown, Pennsylvania, was no exception to my long list of memorable, small club, Rock experiences. If anything, as I stood there bopping my head up and down to Kopek’s live set, I understood I was watching an electrifying band that I’ve felt all along will be HUGE one day.
As Kopek played through their set of several songs, taken from their insanely addicting debut album White Collar Lies, I had to redirect my view on this band becoming huge one day. Kopek is already HUGE. What was I thinking? Finally seeing Kopek play live was a validation in my believing in this band from day one. Kopek is as blue collar and unique as any of the “greatest” in Rock Music history. If the world of Rock needed a rejuvenation of itself in 2011, then the world of Rock should thank Dublin, Ireland’s very own… Kopek.
I am not bashful in stating that Kopek is a band that only comes around every fifteen years. The “vibe” I love most about Kopek is the “Rock and Roll mystique” they give off through their music and overall style, a mystique legends such as R.E.M., Pearl Jam, Motörhead, Metallica and Nirvana (to name a few) are historically and famously known for. Kopek took this mystique I hear from their Hard Rock sound and style to an entirely different level for me, on this Saturday evening in mid-March of 2011. Seeing and hearing is believing. Kopek’s live set proved to me, that Rock Music history isn’t an open and shut book after all. Kopek is now. Kopek is HUGE.
KOPEK – White Collar Lies (Religion Music/SIN)
Kopek is currently on a massive tour throughout the U.S. and eventually Europe, which runs throughout the course of 2011. If you have never listened to Kopek’s Alt/Modern/Hard Rock debut album White Collar Lies, I strongly suggest you do. Being left out of the Rock Music history loop is not a cool thing to experience.
* On this night of Rock at The Crocodile Rock Cafe, Kopek played alongside Oceans Divide, Egypt Central, Maddam Ink. and the legendary… COLD.
* All the live photos you see here are taken from the talented lens of Metal Odyssey’s staff photographer Tom Coderre. I’d like to say: A Metal job well done Tom!
Daniel Jordan, the lead singer and guitarist for Kopek, gave a tremendous performance live. His almost stationary presence on stage had me realizing to myself, that you don’t need to carry on like a Rock Star to be a real Rock Star. No theatrics. No selfish or plastic image to be seen, while my eyes were affixed on Daniel Jordan on this night. As Daniel broke into the vocals for Fever, it gave me the chills… his vocals are that uniquely amazing for me. As soon as Kopek broke out Love Is Dead, I was in Hard Rock la-la land. Hearing Kopek play this song live was an instant Rockin’ high!
I especially appreciated the moment when Daniel dedicated the song White Collar Lies to the United States Troops that are scattered around the globe, protecting our free societies each and every day. Thank you Daniel for acknowledging and remembering our U.S. service men and women. I told Daniel it was difficult in restraining my urge to jump around and go crazy during their set. Daniel understood the dilemma I went through and he added: keeping it cool is the better rule. Sometimes I just feel like a kid. Metal be thy name.
Brad Kinsella on bass was always aware of the crowd! This is a musician that shows he feels the music he is playing, with his fun and cool on-stage mannerisms. Never pretentious, just legit personified. This is a guy who loves what he does for a living. Brad had the fans up front instantly initiated into his Kopek world… and they were all loving every second of it. I had fun just watching Brad perform… plus he plays a thumping bad-ass bass.
Shane Cooney is not easy to ignore, especially when he was laying down the hard hittin’ beats that made it difficult for me to not move. Shane is another non-egotistical member of this amazing band. As a bonus, there was never a “look-at-me” drum solo to be heard from Shane. This is a drummer who does it the old-fashioned way, keeping it simple, keeping it real.
Daniel and Stone finally meet! After a year of knowing who each other was, Daniel and I were able to exchange conversation about the band, touring, the fans and the night’s show. Daniel is a Rock musician who is proud by all the success and attention that Kopek has received thus far. Kopek deserves every bit of success that comes their way. They are earning it. To say Daniel is happy about Kopek is an understatement. When I asked him if he’s had a good time touring America, Daniel never hesitated to give an emphatic – yes! Daniel eagerly signed for the fans all night long. There was nary a moment, the entire night, when Daniel wasn’t accessible to speak to or hang out with.
Stone finally meets Brad and Shane! As with Daniel, Brad and Shane knew my name, only getting “a face with the name” makes it all the better… and my face is not that pretty either. Brad had nothing but kind words to say about America, the fans, the bands they’ve toured with and the people behind the scenes. Brad is especially pumped up to play at this years Rocklahoma. Shane was the ever polite Rock and Roll drummer. Brad and Shane thanked me for the past promotion of their album on Metal Odyssey. (!) I in turn, thanked Brad and Shane for the music they are making.
Luc Nyhus is a touring guitarist with Kopek. Luc’s presence and guitar playing was strong and confident, while he trekked about the stage. In my Metal opinion, Luc fit right in with Kopek. Off the stage, Daniel, Brad, Shane and Luc got along like a brotherhood. Luc is one big dude, so I’m speculating Kopek has a body guard to watch their backs while on tour too! Luc was a cool and friendly guy to meet as well.
It’s always a thrill, to meet musicians like Kopek that I hold in high regard. Hearing Kopek thank me (!) for writing cool stuff about them this past year will forever be remembered by me. Their understanding of how it “gets done” in todays record industry, along with their friendliness, work ethic, grueling tour schedule and of course, musicianship is above admirable. It’s even a more immense thrill to realize that Kopek are fantastically good guys, they know where they came from and where they are going… which is straight to the top.
* For more info on KOPEK, click the links below:
KOPEK TV Official Channel – YouTube
Visit The Crocodile Rock Cafe here: Crocodile Rock Cafe
THANK YOU KOPEK.
LONG LIVE KOPEK.
Stone.
KOPEK: Daniel Jordan (front), Shane Cooney (back left) and Brad Kinsella (back right)
A NIGHT OF HARD ROCK – Last night (Saturday, March 19, 2011) Metal Odyssey’s staff photographer Tom Coderre and I took in a LOUD and HEAVY night of Hard Rock at Allentown Pennsylvania’s world popular Crocodile Rock Cafe. Oceans Divide, KOPEK, Egypt Central, Maddam Ink. and Modern Hard Rock legends COLD all performed on this one night. It was like a mini Hard Rock festival, if you will. The entire evening was filled with enormous Hard Rock songs, from these bands that played their Rockin’ hearts out.
This night of live Hard Rock was overflowing with Rock n Roll camaraderie by both bands and fans, while friendships were being made. I, along with Tom, walked away from the Crocodile Rock Cafe last night feeling Rocked Out and wanting more of it. I would not have predicted it any other way, for the culture of Heavy Music is second to none.
Look for a series of posts in the coming weeks, documenting the sights, sounds and experiences of this fabulous night of Hard Rock… by yours truly. Tom Coderre’s stellar photo’s documenting the evening’s Rockin’ festivities will be featured in every post as well. His talented eye for capturing the “live” moment of Rock n Roll, through the lens, is a tremendous addition to Metal Odyssey.
(COLD self-titled debut album 1998)
* For more info on these outstanding bands, click the links below:
OCEANS DIVIDE – Official Website
EGYPT CENTRAL – Official Website
MADDAM INK. – Official Website
LONG LIVE HARD ROCK.
Stone.
COLD – Hitting the road in support of their upcoming fifth album Superfiction, COLD will be playing the dates/venues listed below. Superfiction will be released on June 28th, 2011, on Eleven Seven/SonicStar Records. This Alternative Metal/Hard Rock sound from COLD has earned them two Gold Records in the United States: 13 Ways To Bleed (2000) and Year of the Spider (2003). Releasing their debut/self titled album back in 1998, COLD has weathered the trends of the Rock music industry, while continuously increasing their fan base over the span of two decades… and they are back in 2011!
* The last studio album from COLD was: A Different Kind of Pain, released back in 2005 on Lava Records.
* COLD originates from Jacksonville, Florida.
Scooter Ward – vocals, keyboards & guitar
Zach Gilbert – guitar
Jeremy Marshall – bass & vocals
Sam McCandless – drums
Drew Molleur – guitar
* Check out (below) the lead single from the forthcoming COLD studio album Superfiction. The song is titled: Wicked World. I dig it… hope you do too. This song/picture box is courtesy of Eleven Seven Music.
03/15/11 – Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade
03/17/11 – Baltimore, MD @ Rams Head
03/18/11 – Albany, NY @ Northern Lights
03/19/11 – Allentown, PA @ Crocodile Rock
03/21/11 – New York, NY @ The Gramercy Theatre
03/22/11 – Sayreville, NJ @ Starland Ballroom
03/24/11 – Sayerville, NJ @ Starland Ballroom
03/25/11 – Hartford, CT @ Webster Theatre
03/26/11 – Manchester, NH @ Rocko’s
03/27/11 – Watertown, NY @ The Exhibition Hall
03/29/11 – Cleveland, OH @ Peabody’s
03/31/11 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Altar Bar
04/01/11 – Columbus, OH @ Al Rosa
04/02/11 – Detroit, MI @ Harpo’s Concert Theatre
04/05/11 – Sauget, IL @ Pop’s
04/06/11 – Chicago, IL @ Mojoe’s
04/08/11 – Milwaukee, WI @ The Rave
04/08/11 – Milwaukee, WI @ Eagles Club/The Rave/Eagles Ballroom
04/10/11 – Cedar Falls, IA @ The Wheelhouse
04/13/11 – Denver, Colorado @ The Summit Music Hall
* For more info on COLD, click here: COLD – myspace music
LONG LIVE COLD.
Stone.
CHEYENNE FRONTIER DAYS – Held in beautiful Cheyenne, Wyoming, is the Cheyenne Frontier Days. This ten day super event will begin on July 22nd and ends on July 31st. Cheyenne Frontier Days has rodeo, Championship Bull Riding, lot’s O’ fun and… Rock ‘N’ Roll! From Country to Heavy Metal, the schedule of events for Frontier Nights (see below) say it all! Whoa… Cheyenne Wyoming is gonna ROCK for ten days straight! What am I saying? Cheyenne Wyoming already ROCKS!
* For more info on Cheyenne Frontier Days, (including ticket info), click on the link below! It’s a very cool website that will tell you more about this 10 day event than I ever can!
Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo – The Daddy Of Em All
* Below is the concert & event schedule for Frontier Nights, with shows starting at 8:00 p.m.!
July 2011 Schedule:
July 23 – Jason Aldean
July 24 – The Charlie Daniels Band
July 25 & 26 – Championship Bull Riding
July 28 – Darius Rucker with Sara Evans
July 29 – Zac Brown Band
July 30 – Toby Keith with Eric Church
KID ROCK – Born Free was released on Atlantic Records, on November 16, 2010.
* For more info on Mötley Crüe and Kid Rock:
And… for more info on The Charlie Daniels Band:
The Charlie Daniels Band – Official Website
LONG LIVE CHEYENNE FRONTIER DAYS RODEO.
GOD BLESS AMERICA.
LONG LIVE THE POWER OF ROCK… and METAL.
Stone.
KOPEK – See Ireland’s hottest, Hard Rockin’ and critically acclaimed band from Dublin! KOPEK is coming back to America and will be touring with HINDER, MY DARKEST DAYS and SAVING ABEL on the dates/venues listed below! This highly anticipated tour begins on January 21st in Jackson Mississippi! Welcome back to the U.S.A. KOPEK… now ROCK the daylights out of your fans!
01/21/11 @ Fire – Jackson, MS
01/23/11 @ The Masquerade – Atlanta, GA
01/25/11 @ Hard Rock Live – Orlando, FL
01/27/11 @ Carolina Theater – Greensboro, NC
01/28/11 @ Harrah’s Cherokee – Cherokee, NC
01/29/11 @ House Of Blues – Myrtle Beach, SC
01/30/11 @ The Norva – Norfolk, VA
02/01/11 @ Northern Lights – Clifton Park, NY
02/02/11 @ Royale – Boston, MA
02/04/11 @ Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel – Providence, RI
02/05/11 @ The Armory – Manchester, NH
02/08/11 @ Best Buy Theater – New York, NY
02/09/11 @ State Theater – Portland, ME
02/10/11 @ Sherman Theater – Stroudsburg, PA
02/12/11 @ Club Fever – Southbend, IN
02/13/11 @ Dow Event Center – Saginaw, MI
02/14/11 @ House Of Blues – Chicago, IL
02/15/11 @ Verizon Wireless Center – Mankato, MN
02/17/11 @ Osage Elm Casino – Tulsa, OK
02/19/11 @ First Council Casino – Newkirk, OK
* More dates will be announced shortly!
Daniel Jordan – lead vocals & guitar
Brad Kinsella – bass guitar
Shane Cooney – drums
The digital release of White Collar Lies was released back on June 29, 2010. * The U.S. debut release for the physical CD of White Collar Lies is March 1st, 2011! White Collar Lies is being released on Religion Music via SIN/Sony Independent Network.
This debut album from KOPEK has received it’s Hard Rockin’, double-fist to the air approval from Metal Odyssey! White Collar Lies was chosen as the #5 Album Of The Year for 2010 by Metal Odyssey! You can read the complete album review for White Collar Lies, as it was featured on Metal Odyssey back on June 28, 2010. Just click the large header below!
On July 20, 2010, Metal Odyssey featured an interview with Daniel Jordan, vocalist/guitarist for KOPEK! If you missed it, you can still read it by clicking the big header link below:
* For more info on KOPEK, just click on the link below:
KOPEK… ROCKS!
LONG LIVE KOPEK.
Stone.
POP EVIL – When Metal buddy Ryo Vie over at The Rock and Roll Guru had emailed me, asking if I was interested in going to the Pop Evil and Charm City Devils concert, at Crocodile Rock in Allentown, PA… two Metal thoughts quickly crossed my Metal mind: 1. Cool, I like Charm City Devils very much, 2. Pop who? In the grand Metal scheme of things, it really is impossible to have a pulse on each and every Rock, Hard Rock and Heavy Metal band out there. Throw in the other genres and I’m playing Metal catch up like my cat chasing his tail. I have procrastinated in blabbing about this concert in detail, I did blurb a thought on this night back on March 27, 2010, still, the boss here at Metal Odyssey, (me), says it’s cool. Best damned boss I’ve ever worked for.
I need to clear something up here… Allentown, PA, F’n ROCKS. Why you ask? Well, the Crocodile Rock is one good reason. Anyone and everyone from KITTIE to JACKYL with the MISFITS in between comes here. Add in The Great Allentown Fair, (this year RUSH is scheduled!) and it’s can’t miss! Plus, you have the annual MUSIKFEST in our neighboring city of Bethlehem, PA which boasts a bevy of incredible bands of all genres. So… enjoy the Billy Joel classic – Allentown, just understand that it is not a dying city or area of the country. Good people, good music, great place to live and work.
Oh, yeah, back to the Pop Evil concert review. Many times, when I am introduced or stumble upon a new and/or younger band, I feel like that Burl Ives Snowman from the iconic Christmas Special Classic created by Rankin/Bass – Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer. I believe that pudgy little snowman stated, during this Christmas Special… “ah, youth”. That thought crosses my Metal mind more often now, than during any other time in my Metal life. I’m NOT old, plus I do still look up to patriarchs of Rock and Metal like… Lemmy, Ozzy and Ronnie James Dio, like a little kid with a runny nose. Burl Ives… his music and voice will forever be timeless.
As Ryo and I drove up to Crocodile Rock, I was able to pull a “U” turn on the one-way and get a MINT parking spot right across the street from the front door! That’s Metal. Crocodile Rock is a fairly large club, a restaurant is located in the front, with a pool table and plenty of reminders that you are in a blue collar sanctuary. Once you enter the doors to the concert area, there are two large bars and plenty of standing room. Crocodile Rock can accommodate many patrons… that exact amount I won’t try to guess. There had to be at least a couple hundred people there to see Pop Evil and Charm City Devils. If I’m wrong with that figure, who cares.
Ryo and I bullshitted and had a few beers while we listened to Charm City Devils. Again, I really like Charm City Devils, Ryo doesn’t care for them too much… it’s alright though, ’cause eventually, one day, I’ll make him into a Cannibal Corpse fan. John Allen, (singer, songwriter and founding member) of Charm City Devils is as legitimate a front man for a Hard Rock band as any. I still say, if Charm City Devils was around in the late ’80’s, they would probably be filling arenas. Those were the days. Overall, Charm City Devils ROCKED, I know I blabbed that before, yet it is my Metal opinion and I’m sticking to it. I would without doubt, go see Charm City Devils again… and again. John Allen worked the crowd pretty good and the band was solid.
You see, when I go to a concert, I don’t write down the songs that the bands played. Why you ask? Well, once a couple of beers gets into my system… I’m just not interested in holding a pen and paper. I WANNA GET MY EARS ROCKED! Let’s just say, Charm City Devils played songs from their debut album Let’s Rock-N-Roll, with the title track being my highlight of seeing them live.
Step up onto the stage… POP EVIL. Ah, youth. Leigh Kakaty, the lead singer for POP EVIL, was animated, energetic, enthusiastic, dynamic and just DAMN GOOD. As a front man, Leigh is probably one of the biggest stars in the waiting when it comes to Rock and Hard Rock. Aw, heck, Leigh gave these POP EVIL songs an added boost of psyche-you-out fuel during the entire set. Metal be thy name. POP EVIL is Heavy Music diversity personified. From Rock to Heavy Metal, add in the Alternative and Funk ingredients to their musical recipe too. Whoa… I had a real great time watching these guys called POP EVIL. This band had the crowd in front of the stage in their very own, spellbound euphoria.
Matt DiRito on bass worked the stage like a seasoned Heavy Metal veteran, he has all the classic moves and poses patented… he can back up his swagger with his playing. Dave Grahs and Tony Greve made for a terrific exchange of guitar licks, real pro’s. Dylan Allison on drums made an impression on me too… no showboating… just playing with real emotion. Not to stray off into the corn dog field of dreams here… yet, POP EVIL is one mighty cool and Heavy band. Greatness is being sown here with POP EVIL… if an opportunity comes your way to see this band, grab ahold of it and experience this band LIVE.
* A Metal kudos goes out to POP EVIL for acknowledging their music heroes during their live set… one in particular is the late Dimebag Darrell Abbott of the mightily incredible – PANTERA. Leigh Kakaty had the crowd in a Metal frenzy upon his tribute to Dimebag… then when POP EVIL broke into WALK from PANTERA… it was Metal euphoria for me. To hear a live band such as POP EVIL, pay tribute to such an important Metal band and song, made me realize that the genres of Heavy Music are in good hands for years to come.
Ah, youth. Ah, POP EVIL. I’ve jumped on board for the ride… and I’m not getting off.
* For more info on POP EVIL, click here: POP EVIL – Official Website
* For more info on Charm City Devils, click here: Charm City Devils – Official Website
* For more info on Crocodile Rock, click here: Crocodile Rock
* POP EVIL was supporting their album lipstick on the mirror, released back on August 12, 2008, on Universal Republic Records.
* Charm City Devils was supporting their album Let’s Rock-N-Roll, released on May 26, 2009, on Eleven Seven Music.
Thanks Ryo, I’m now a POP EVIL fan.
Stone.
If you’re a band or musician and would like your music reviewed or be interviewed by Stone, please click the link under the “ALBUM REVIEWS ARCHIVES” section below!
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