Author: Mike Ritchie
Inside Metal: The L.A. Metal Scene Explodes
Before MTV, before hairspray and Spandex ruled the strip and way before the Internet/social media existed, the early ’80s history of L.A. is told through a collage of vintage videos, concert/photo stills, flyers, album covers and show stubs between band interviews and stories. Narrated by John Bush (Armored Saint, Anthrax), Inside Metal: The L.A. Metal… Read more »
DROWNING POOL & 9ELECTRIC – The Not So Silent Night Tour
On Tuesday December 20, The Not So Silent Night Tour came to the Mad Frog stage in Cincinnati bringing merry mayhem and ringing ears to one and all. The night’s lineup included six support acts with touring acts 9Electric and Drowning Pool. Unfortunately the seasonal bug struck Drowning Pool vocalist Jasen Moreno for the night… Read more »
HARDLINE – Returns with Human Nature
Hardline’s career started with a Double Eclipse in the early ‘90s. While often compared to some of their Aquanet-fused predecessors, with early success came turmoil, egos and grunge. They’ve been reborn a few times, enduring member changes, but at its core, singer Johnny Gioeli has been the instrumental driving force burning the torch with brazen… Read more »
DEVILSKIN – Be Like The River
Bonded by blood is not only a staple in thrash metal it’s a way of life for New Zealand’s Devilskin. Formed in 2010, they’re a family four piece with father and son Paul (bass) and Nic Martin (drums), Nic’s aunt Jennie Skulander (vocals) and Paul’s evil twin guitarist Nail. The band exploded onto the New… Read more »
SULLY ERNA Takes Hometown Life to Heart
Anyone that’s heard a Godsmack song or seen them live has felt the energy drenched, gravel pitched growl of Massachusetts native Sully Erna. From his early years, drumming his way through life to his first major band, Strip Mind, to Godsmack’s late‘90s beginning, Erna has launched a deep lunged, gruff-growling hard living attitude through the… Read more »
SULLY ERNA – Hometown Life
Hometown Life is Sully Erna’s second solo album. A stylistic departure from his first release 2010’s Avalon and a 360 from his main band Godsmack. He’s opened his mental diary of personal, private stories, stages (musical and life), opening up to his audience and the world. If all you know is Godsmack be prepared for… Read more »
HIGHWAY 4 – Matter of Time
From their very beginnings Highway 4 had no intention of following the herd. Instead they chose the black sheep route, committing to music they wanted to hear, standing with authenticity and a loud voice. Described as Halestorm meets the Foo Fighters they started in 2010 helmed by Kelly Brown, with guitarist Mike Angert and bassist… Read more »
DORO Live! – Bringing 30 Years of Rock & Metal to Columbus
The first leg of the “Love’s Gone to Hell” tour kicked off Saturday Sept. 24 at the Alrosa Villa in Columbus Ohio. The mini-U.S. tour will make seven Eastern stops before heading back to Germany in November. The opening night Doro and company gave the crowd a show worthy of a Wacken Open Air experience… Read more »
EXODUS – Waltz It Up On The West Coast
Exodus has cemented their heavy foundations into the fabric of metal, record by record, show by show and pit by pit with non-stop, persistent battering ram force, noise and speed. They hail from from San Francisco; the early hotbed homeland of thrash. The Bay Area scene spawned names such as Metallica, Testament, Death Angel, Vio-Lence… Read more »
METAL ALLEGIANCE – Honors Fallen Heroes
The creation known as Metal Allegiance started as a spark in the mind of Mark Menghi a few days after a Big 4 show in 2014. Few bands can say they’ve had members of Pantera, Testament, Anthrax, Lamb of God, Guns N’ Roses, Megadeth, Arch Enemy, Trivium, Dream Theater, Exodus, Hate Breed, Sepultura, King’s X,… Read more »
LETTERS FROM THE FIRE – Rise From The Ashes
Letters From The Fire is built and based on the trials, challenges and obstacles they’ve faced as musicians and as a growing, evolving band. Their moniker and the songs played are both a reminder of the band’s history and a war cry to the future as a modern day new version. The 2016 LFTF is… Read more »
LETTERS FROM THE FIRE – Worth The Pain
Bay Area pop rock band Letters from the Fire have resurfaced with a new record, new direction and new voice leading the way. Through struggles and turbulence they found new powerhouse Alexa Kabazie, who nailed the first take bringing the “fire” back. The band quickly restructured the music making her the focus cranking out 13… Read more »