Reviews

Baroness and Pallbearer (live review)

Published

8 years ago

August 22, 2016

George Archibald

Baroness and Pallbearer (live review)

Cleveland House of Blues August 19^th 2016

By: George Archibald

Friday night August 19^thCleveland, Ohio’s House of Blues played host to Baroness and Pallbearer. I arrived early to a scene of blue and white jerseys outside the venue, as the Toronto Blue Jays were about to take on the Cleveland Indians, and the ball park was right around the corner. As I made my way through a sea of blue, I got in line and spoke with several concert attendees. Some people spoke of their anticipation to see Baroness play, it has been some time since the band last came into town. One man I spoke with came all the way from Pittsburgh to catch this show since he was unable to see Baroness when they stopped earlier this year at Mr. Smalls Theater. He also told me a little about the opener Pallbearer, and how I was in for a treat seeing them live, as we made our way inside the venue.

The shows opener Pallbearer was quite a sight to see. This 4-piece band came out with a ton of energy as their bass player would move all over the stage, so much that his strap on his bass came off in the first song. It didn’t stop him from playing however, as this doom metal band which hails from Arkansas, had a sound that was a punch to the gut. The guitar and bass tone was so thick and rich, which unfortunately I think their recordings have that dialed back in the mix. Vocalist Brett Campbell, would trade lyrics off with bassist Joseph D. Rowland, as he would bounce between singing and playing guitar leads and solos throughout the set. The band set list included the songs The Ghost I Used to be, and Fear & Fury, before playing a new song this night. The band announced that they have finished recording their new album and that it would be a few months before its release. Pallbearer definitely left an impression as I was in awe of the thickness of their tone and how the leads cut right through, I would definitely recommend checking them out live if you have the chance.

Next up was Baroness, as everyone huddled in tight to catch every second of this band. Baroness was on the tail end of its American tour, and this would probably be the last time Cleveland would get to see the band before they drop some new material. The band came out in a blaze playing songs from the Purple, Yellow and Green Albums. They stuck to the hits mainly this night playing songs like Shock Me, March to the Sea, Morningstar, Chlorine &Wine, and Desperation Burns. The band even interacted with the crowd throughout the set as one woman kept shouting, “play Bullhead’s Psalms.” I was surprised as the band stuck to mainly newer material this night, which wasn’t the case when I saw them back in May, where they played a few songs off of the Blue record and Red album. The band even came back to play an encore for the crowd ending with Take My Bones Away. Baroness put on a spectacular show that was nearly flawless throughout. If you have yet to see this band you are truly missing out.

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George Archibald

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Reviews

Collective Soul “7EVEN YEAR ITCH” Greatest Hits 1994-2001 Vinyl

Published

4 months ago

January 4, 2024

Ron

I’ve always been a big fan of Collective Soul and have been lucky to have seen them a few times. This band has always been in my music mixes since the 1990s.

The vinyl release is exactly what you would want for a greatest-hits album. All the best songs that collective soul had from 1994–2001 If you were a teenager or an adult in the 90s, you can’t tell me that you didn’t jam out to songs like “Shine,” “Gel,” and “December.”

With other great songs like “Heavy,” “Run,” “The World I Know,” and “Forgiveness,” This greatest hit album sounds amazing on vinyl as well. Craft Recordings has done a really great job of keeping the magic and sound of these amazing songs.

The sleeve cover has some cool photos of the band throughout the years. This vinyl just came out in Collective Soul fashion in December, and is ready to be part of your vinyl collection, and just brings you back to a great time in life.

About Author

Ron

Ron has keen eye for new talent, a love for the underground, and a tremendous passion for music of any genera. You’ll probably bump into him at a horror convention or some seedy club checking out the next need-to-know band.

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Reviews

Otep – Hydra 10th Anniversary Vinyl

Published

4 months ago

December 15, 2023

Ron

I received a copy of the album, and when I first opened it, the artwork struck me first. Otep has always been a great visual artist, with her amazing drawings and characters. I even have one of them tattooed on myself. When you see the artwork on this vinyl release, you will really be drawn in and appreciate the artistry.

The sound of this vinyl is amazing. It’s been years since I’ve listened to anything on vinyl and forgot how much I loved the sound of the medium compared to CDs and digital releases. I love the songs on this album because, as with all Otep albums, it has such raw power and emotions, mixed with the anger and beauty of Otep’s poetry. Otep is one of the greats.

The album starts off with the track “Rising,” and this initial song sets the tone for what you’re about to hear from the balance of the album. The standout tracks on this album have to be “Necromantic,” “Apex Predator,” “Voyeur,” and “Feral Game.” Over all, the album as a complete piece of art is amazing. I would encourage you, if you’re a fan of Otep or a collector of vinyl, to add this vinyl to your collection.

About Author

Ron

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Reviews

WEDNESDAY 13: Performs Muderdolls Lititz PA Show Review

Published

5 months ago

November 24, 2023

Ron

Wednesday 13 came into Lititz, PA, on November 18th, bringing the music, or The MurderDolls, with him. Continuing the legacy of Joey Jordison and Ben Graves.

Wednesday 13 is on a tour now; that’s all MurderDolls. 21 years have passed since Beyond the Valley of the MurderDolls came out, and 13 years have passed since Women and Children Last was released. Wednesday and his bandmates are sharing the stage with Infected Rain and Gemini Syndrome on this tour.

The show was amazing; this was our first time covering a show at Mickey’s Black Box. The venue, the staff, and our media contact were so hospitable. The venue was amazing, with a cool balcony on the second floor to watch the show as well.

We got to hear a full set of 20 MurderDolls songs, which was pretty much every song on both albums. There were some songs I haven’t gotten to hear in a long time, like “Grave Robbing USA”, “Drug Me To Hell”, and “Summertime Suicide”. Of course, it wouldn’t be a MurderDolls show if they didn’t play “I Love to Say Fuck” and finish the night with “Dead in Hollywood.”

It’s always a blast to see Wednesday 13 in concert, and I was so excited for the band that a lot of these shows were sold out. It was also a special night because it was my GF’s “50th” birthday and my buddy’s GF’s birthday the next day. We got the MC of the show, Don Jamieson, to give them a little birthday shout-out.

Although it’s sad that Joey and Ben are no longer with us, I’m sure Joey is loving that Murderdolls is still kicking ass after all those years, and I know that Wednesday 13 is so appreciative of what MurderDolls has done for his career.