FORBIDDEN – The tour poster pic seen below tells all… FORBIDDEN is BACK! Thrash Metal in 2010 has become even more potent!
FORBIDDEN ARE:
Russ Anderson – vocals
Craig Locicero – guitars
Steve Smyth – guitars
Matt Camacho – bass
Mark Hernandez – drums
Forbidden debut album – Forbidden Evil from 1988.
* For more info on FORBIDDEN, just click on that fantastic link below:
FORBIDDEN – myspace music page
LONG LIVE FORBIDDEN!
Stone.
RAVEN – After releasing WALK THROUGH FIRE on March 30, 2010, on Metal Blade Records, RAVEN are on tour in support of this fabulous album of Old School Metal. RAVEN may be in your neck of the woods between July 31st and October 24th, 2010… so check out the tour dates below!
RAVEN are:
John Gallagher – vocals & bass guitars
Mark Gallagher – guitars
Joe Hasselvander – drums & percussion
The following are the RAVEN tour dates from July 31, 2010 to October 24, 2010, covering both European and North American cities. (Source: Metal Blade News Update)
* Metal Odyssey has no further concert information other than the dates disclosed.
European Tour Dates:
07/31 – Brande-Hörnerkirchen,DE Headbangers Open Air Germany
08/01 – Kerkradde, NL The Rock Temple
08/04 – Den Haag, NL Het Paard Club
08/06 – Wacken, DE Waken Festival
08/07 – Deinze, BE Alcatraz Festival
North America Tour (U.S. & Canada)Dates:
09/10 – Baltimore, MD, Sonar
09/11 – Virginia Beach, VA, Gill’s
09/12 – Springfield, VA, Jaxx
09/16 – Toronto, ON, Wreck Room
09/17 – Cleveland, OH, Peabody’s
09/18 – Chicago, IL, The Abbey Pub
09/19 – Detroit, MI, Blondies
10/01 – Seattle, WA, El Corazon
10/02 – Vancouver, BC, Red Room
10/03 – Portland, OR, Peters Room
10/22 – Dallas TX, Trees
10/23 – Houston, TX, Scout Bar
10/24 – San Antonio, TX, Scout Bar
* You can check out the album review for RAVEN – WALK THROUGH FIRE, which I posted on April 29, 2010, by clicking on that really cool header below:
LONG LIVE RAVEN!
Stone.
OVERKILL – Thrash Metal Legends, OVERKILL will be taking their 25th Anniversary Tour down under, to the great country of Australia, this September of 2010! The cool poster pic below tells all. From what this tour poster pic reads, this is the first time ever OVERKILL will be unleashing their Thrash Metal in Australia! OVERKILL will be supported on all the Australian dates, by Australia’s very own Thrash Metal attack known as – MORTAL SIN.
*Metal Odyssey has no other information on this tour, just the tour image with info as you see it.
* OVERKILL is out supporting their amazing 2010 studio album release – IRONBOUND, released on E1 Music, on February 9, 2010.
* For more info on OVERKILL, just click the cool link below:
* The link address for more info on OVERKILL touring Australia in September, 2010 is: http://www.overkillband.com.au/
LONG LIVE OVERKILL!
Stone.
SCORPIONS – There are those certain bands that just seem to feel like they are a part of your family. You know that type of band… for some, it’s The Beatles. For others, The Rolling Stones or maybe Elvis. Actually, I have a semi-long list of bands that feel like family to me… and the Beatles and the Scorpions are on it. The Scorpions are a Heavy Metal Band that I grew up with, followed and purchased their album’s either on cassette, vinyl or CD. One can easily take for granted that a band or particular musician shall live forever and continue to make music and tour. Such is not the case though. (Ronnie James Dio passing away is a reality check that I have learned from). With the Scorpions embarking on their three year farewell tour, the M3 Rock Festival, on June 19th, 2010, in Columbia, Maryland, is one of those many dates this ultra legendary band will be performing live.
As I mentioned in my previous post, (Cinderella), I will be at this M3 Rock Festival, accompanied By Best Metal Buddy Scott Coverdale. Rob Rockitt from Hard Rock Hideout and Ryo Vie from The Rock and Roll Guru will be attending this event as well and I look forward to catching up with both of them. With the Scorpions headlining, (of course), it will be a day of incredible Metal anticipation for me. I feel very fortunate to be able to witness not just Heavy Metal history once the Scorpions hit the stage that night… it will be Rock Music history too.
Fellow Metalheads know, it isn’t easy to find the mainstream handing out praise or awards to legitimate/credible Hard Rock and Heavy Metal Bands. No sir, not since I can remember. The Scorpions are above any mainstream silly awards or plastic trophies. I truly hope the Scorpions know, that it is their loyal fans, crossing generations, that are the true reward for them… not some silly gold plated phonograph, on a cheap aluminum base, that’s handed out by the corporate Grammy’s.
No corporate minded Rock and Roll Hall of Fame could even grasp, what the Scorpions mean to their fans. Nor could this plastic and turtle neck wearing (bored) board of directors, at The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, understand what it means to have a band such as the Scorpions, affect one’s life in such a positive and inspiring way like they have for me. The Scorpions never entered any damned popularity contest, nor did they ever record a Pop single for some watered and dumbed down, corporate Disney soundtrack. Thus, that clownish establishment in Cleveland, Ohio is obviously not interested in enshrining the Scorpions… why should they when there are (gulp) bands like ABBA out there who are more “Rock” worthy? Chuckle, chuckle. Ahem. What the Scorpions have done, spanning decades, is create a sound and style of music that is unique unto them and throughout the Rock world and not to be duplicated by any other band in the slightest. Call it what you like… in the end, it’s Scorpions music. Hard, Heavy, melodic, emotional, influential and memorable.
The Scorpions never sold out or compromised… not to my Metal ears, over the years. And NO, the Scorpions never pranced around Hollywood, rubbing elbows with elitists, lobbying day and night that they are the greatest thing to electrify Metal Music, to gain artificial passage or acceptance into a Hall of Shame. A #1 album? Who gives a rats butt about #1 albums. A wise man once told me… it’s lonely at the top. Consistency and quality, with undeniable integrity in their albums, is what the Scorpions have represented and still do. What this incredible band has done for Rock, Hard Rock and Heavy Metal is realistically, immeasurable. Yes, I am a Scorpions fan… Metal be thy name.
* You can catch up on more Scorpions info by clicking the link below:
* You can find out more about the M3 Rock Festival 2010 by clicking the link below:
* If you have been cool enough to read thus far, you can check out my album review for the new Scorpions album – Sting In The Tail. Just click on the gigantic header below:
LONG LIVE SCORPIONS ROCK ‘N’ ROLL!
Stone.
CINDERELLA – Since their 1986 debut album – Night Songs, I have been a fan of Cinderella. Be it Rock, Hard Rock, Hair Metal or good ol’ Heavy Metal… Cinderella can play it extremely well and with a classy touch of the Blues. Cinderella is slated for performing at the 2010 M3 Rock Festival, in Columbia, Maryland, on June 19th. Their set time is from 7:40 – 8:40 pm on the Pavilion Stage. They are the last band on the Pavilion Stage to perform before… the ultra legendary Scorpions headline and close out the night!!! I’M THERE! I literally am counting down the hours to this cool festival of Hard Rock ‘N’ Roll and so is my Best Metal Buddy… Scott Coverdale. This will be the third time I will have seen Cinderella live and it has been quite a few years since I’ve seen them last.
To pick my favorite Cinderella album, (there are four studio albums in all), is really not that easy. Metal truth be told, each Cinderella album is uniquely great, in it’s total Rockin’ totality. There is that one Cinderella album, however, that I turn to more often to listen to… Heartbreak Station from 1990. Bluesy, Hard Hittin’, American Rock ‘N’ Roll at it’s finest is the best way to sum up Heartbreak Station. My favorite song from this album is Shelter Me. Man, if there ever was a song that justifies why Cinderella is as genuine as a freshly minted and non-circulated, gold dollar coin… it’s this one. The lyrics of Shelter Me resonate with strong relevance, a song that can surely be adapted to today’s nightly news bull crap. Plus, Cinderella took a fine swipe at the censorship machine known as the PMRC within the lyrics of Shelter Me as well, which makes me very proud as a fan.
The More Things Change is another example of lyrical relevance, coupled with Bluesy Hard Rock excellence. This song opens up Heartbreak Station and truly signaled that Cinderella was more than just merely an inappropriately tagged – Hair Metal Band. For anyone to pigeonhole Cinderella into just the Hair Metal genre is nonsensical… this is an American Rock ‘N’ Roll Band that has proven their Rock diversity through four studio albums, the proof is in their music. Throw in a clear fact that Cinderella has not released a studio album since 1994’s Still Climbing, all the while maintaining a level of popularity that puts them second to the Scorpions on the M3 Rock Festival bill and the word impressive comes to mind.
Cinderella is a perfect example of quality and talent over quantity… their four studio albums hold up against the sands of time. The songs on these Cinderella albums are not just fad infused… these songs were and still are Hard Rockin’ genius. The word relevance keeps popping up as I write this, only it is so applicable to Cinderella. One of the items on my Metal wish list, is for Cinderella to make another studio album sometime soon. Then again, I’m just psyched this great band is still around and still touring, affording me the opportunity to see them live once again at M3!
* Heartbreak Station was released in 1990, on Mercury Records.
Track Listing For Cinderella – Heartbreak Station:
The More Things Change
Love’s Got Me Doin’ Time
Shelter Me
Heartbreak Station
Sick For The Cure
One For Rock & Roll
Dead Man’s Road
Make Your Own Way
Electric Love
Love Gone Bad
Winds Of Change
* Cinderella NOW and as they appeared on Heartbreak Station:
Tom Keifer – lead vocals, guitar, piano
Eric Brittingham – bass
Jeff LaBar – guitar
Fred Coury – drums, percussion, backing vocals
* For more info on Cinderella, click on the link below:
* For more info on the M3 Rock Festival 2010, just click the link below:
LONG LIVE CINDERELLA!
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.
M3 ROCK FESTIVAL – On June 19th, 2010, the M3 Rock Festival once again returns… and this year I’m there! I already received my two tickets through the “snail mail” this past Friday and with that… it is Metal official! What a glorious day of Rock ‘N’ Roll it shall be. Hard Rock, Heavy Metal and Hair Metal fans unite! The juicy part of this entire M3 Rock Festival is that the unreal legendary Scorpions will be headlining! Getting an opportunity to see this historic Heavy Metal band on their farewell tour is a Metal privilege I shall cherish forever.
My other ticket for M3 will be for my best Metal buddy – Scott Coverdale. With all of his Metal research and CD’s he has uncovered for Metal Odyssey to jump up and down about… he deserves my buying his ticket. Plus, I’ll even splurge for the room and board Coverdale needs too… he is traveling from very expensive Connecticut to Pennsylvania, then he is driving my Metal lovin’ behind down to M3. That’s a Metal buddy.
I’m looking forward to meeting up with my other Metal buddies from Hard Rock Hideout too! Rob Rockitt, Brian Basher, and Ryo Vie are on board. I have already met up with Ryo Vie, he and I checked out Charm City Devils and Pop Evil together back in March of this year… he has a cool blog too called – The Rock and Roll Guru.
Just take a Metal looksie at the outrageously cool lineup of bands that will be Rockin’ the M3 Rock Festival… as I mentioned, headlining is the Scorpions, with Cinderella, Vince Neil, Kix, L.A. Guns, Winger, Warrant, Nelson, Jetboy, Trixter, Bang Tango, Dizzy Reed, ZO2 and Black Mambooza! Now, the only band I’m not familiar with here is… Black Mambooza. Give me time… I’ll rectify that Metal situation soon.
In my Metal past, I have seen Cinderella, Winger and Vince Neil – (fronting the incredible Motley Crue that is). So, getting to M3 to see all of these bands in one day is a Metal dream come true. I anticipate a real cool and gooood time… with hopefully some very cool stories and pics from M3 to share to the Metal and Hard Rock family around the world! Trust me, I’ll get the memories out on Metal Odyssey!
* The M3 Rock Festival is held at the Merriweather Post Pavilion, in Columbia, Maryland.
* For more info and ticket info about the 2010 M3 Rock Festival, click the link below:
LONG LIVE AMERICAN ROCK FESTIVALS!
Stone.
KITTIE and GOD FORBID – TOUR DATE SCHEDULE – NORTH AMERICA!
3/3/10 – Toronto, ON. Opera House
3/4/10 – Mar Montreal, QC. Underworld
3/6/10 – Sayreville, NJ. Starland Ballroom
3/7/10 – Raleigh, NC. Volume 11
3/8/10 – Allentown, PA. Crocodile Rock
3/10/10 – Huntington, WV. V Club
3/11/10 – Covington, KY. Mad Hatter
3/14/10 – Milwaukee, WI. The Rave
3/16/10 – Waterloo, IA. Spicoli’s Rock Garden
3/19/10 – Columbus, OH. Al Rosa Villa
3/20/10 – Flint, MI. Machine Shop
3/21/10 – Cleveland, OH. Peabodys
3/23/10 – New York, NY. BB Kings
3/24/10 – Foxborough, MA. Showcase Live
3/25/10 – Nashua, NH. Amber Room
3/26/10 – Orono, ME. Ultra Lounge
3/27/10 – Poughkeepsie, NY. The Chance
Two unreal great Metal Bands… together… this shall make for one HELL of a show!
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!
Metal Odyssey > Heavy Metal Music Blog 
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