Reviews

Vince Neil fast cars & Slaughter

Published

8 years ago

August 12, 2016

Josh Drespling

Vince Neil fast cars & Slaughter

By Josh Drespling
Photos by Ryan Hensler & Josh Drespling

Vince Neil & Jeff Blando

Sat August 6^th was a perfect night for an outdoor concert. The blistering temperatures we had endured around Pittsburgh for weeks prior had finally subsided and the humidity miraculously disappeared. I, along with one of our photographers, Ryan Hensler arrived at the Keystone Raceway around 4 pm. This is much earlier than we normally arrive at events, but we both wanted to check out the race track action, as neither of us had ever been to an event like this.

We made our way to the track to partake of the racing festivities and I had images of hard driving cars from Motley Crue videos running through my head. As the plethora of cars (and bikes) buzzed, chugged, and whizzed by, I didn’t fully understand what was going on. All I know is there were incredibly fast cars making lots of noise. As luck would have it we ran into some other music fans and talked forever about music, bands, and the tours each of us had seen as the cars did their thing in the background.

Jeff Blando

The Huckin Fillbillys opened the musical portion of the night with a set entirely composed of cover songs. They did their job of warming up the crowd proficiently as they tore through a set of classic rock and metal staples. Only drawback was their set was excessively long. Clocking in at an hour and a half long, making their stage time twice as long as it should have been.

Next up was the reason the majority of us were there: to see the rock n’ roll icon and former front man of the legendary Motley Crue. Vince Neil was in town to tear down the house and prove that he still had the chops to rock your face off. His band consisted of fellow rockers from the group Slaughter. There was bassist Dana Strum, guitarist Jeff Blando and the insanely talented and fun to watch Zoltan Chaney rounding out the lineup.
The band jumped right in with “Dr. Feelgood” from the Crue’s 1989, six-time platinum album of the same name. They followed suite with the classic “Looks That Kill” from early in his former band’s career and then slowed the pace with the mega-hit “Home Sweet Home” off of the Theater of Pain album.

Vince Neil

Despite some sound problems that may have cause a meltdown with other big name rock stars, Vince and his band persevered and continued with a smile on their faces as the plowed through a set that was entirely composed of Motley gems including: “Wild Side,” “Kick Start My Heart,” “Girls, Girls, Girls.” and “Same Ole Situation.”

Over all a great night for fans of Motley Crue to see one of their heroes up close rather than in a giant arena setting. A fun time was had by all, here’s to doing it again next year!

Photos of Vince Neil performing at Keystone Raceway Aug 2016.

by Ryan Hensler & Josh Drespling

[Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”18″ gal_title=”Vince Neil”]

About Author

Josh Drespling

Josh is the Publisher and creator of Empire Extreme and it’s sister publication Kingdom Extreme Magazine. He is an accomplished writer, photographer and graphic designer. He is always conjuring up new ideas and has a amazing passion for the music industry and all the things that surround it.

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Reviews

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

Published

3 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.