Thy Art Is Murder Brings the Decade of Hate to Ventura w/ Kublai Khan TX & more | 2/25/23 | Photos + Review

March 13, 2023 Leave a comment

Let me take you back 10 years. Thy Art Is Murder released their album “Hate” to the masses and captivated audiences worldwide. I’ve seen them many times throughout the years, so to hear them finally play this album in its entirety was an experience to say the least. To celebrate the album turning 10 years old, the band set out on a world tour. The North American lineup brought a mixture of hardcore punk, death metal, and of course, deathcore. Kublai Khan TX, Undeath, I Am, and Justice For The Damned came out to SLAY! This show was a banger from start to finish!

First up was first to the stage from Sydney, Australia. This was their debut tour hitting North America and they absolutely set things off strongly. They are that perfect blend between hardcore and deathcore, which is the perfect blend. This quintet consists of vocalist Bobak Raffiee, guitarists Kieran Molloy and Nic Adams, bassist Ben Mirfin, and drummer Chas Levi. The band played a 7-song set, most of which came from their 2020 album “Pain Is Power” which was released via Greyscale Records. The band absolutely set this show off CORRECTLY with high energy and headbangs.

SETLIST

  1. Final Cataclysm
  2. Dragged Through The Dirt
  3. The House You Built Is Burning
  4. Blister of the Plague
  5. Deep Rotting Fear
  6. Pain Is Power
  7. Guidance From The Pain

Up next was I Am from Dallas, TX. This was my third time seeing these guys and they absolutely get better and better each time I see them. With a blend of deathcore, hardcore, and death metal, I Am truly brings it. The lineup consists of vocalist Andrew Hileman, guitarists Chris Burgess and Tom Reyes, drummer Brandon Busa, and touring bassist Jayden Baker. The band played an 8-song set, 3 of which came from their newest album “Eternal Steel” which was released in 2022 via MNRK Records. It has been amazing to see the trajectory of this band since I first saw them back in 2017 and I seriously cannot wait to see and photograph them again the next time they hit the West Coast.

SETLIST

  1. Texas Death
  2. Surrender to the Blade
  3. Peel Back The Skin
  4. Sacred Cries
  5. Eternal Steel
  6. Vicious Instinct
  7. Paid In Sin
  8. Burn Slow

Next to the stage was Undeath from Rochester, NY. This was my second time seeing and photographing Undeath with the last being in September of 2021 and boy did they once again exceed my expectations. These guys are straight up brutal death metal meets hardcore, which is such a unique combo but works out so well. The band’s lineup consists of vocalist Alexander Jones, guitarists Jared Welch and Kyle Beam, drummer Matt Browning, and bassist Tommy Wall. The band played a 7-song set with songs spanning most of their discography up until this point. I am always thoroughly impressed with these guys and highly recommend checking them out!

SETLIST

  1. Lord of the Grave
  2. Necrobionics
  3. Rise From The Grave
  4. Grave Osmosis
  5. Brandish The Blade
  6. Chained to a Reeking Rotted Body
  7. Lesions of a Different Kind

Kublai Khan TX from Sherman, TX hit the stage next. This was my first time seeing the band in almost 4 years and boy did they come to DESTROY the stage. Opening with the song “The Hammer”, the band truly came out swinging. The band played a whopping 13-song set, spanning a majority of their discography including the entirety of their newest EP “Lowest Form Of Animal” which the band released in 2022 via Rise Records. The band’s lineup consists of vocalist Matt Honeycutt, bassist Eric English, drummer Isaac Lamb, and touring guitarist Nic Adams who was filling in for guitarist Nolan Ashley. I have seen this band many times, but after going so long without seeing them, it felt like that spark the band has is brighter than ever. They truly bring that metalcore and hardcore punk style to the nth degree. I highly recommend going to check them out live because the energy exuding from this band is indescribable.

SETLIST

  1. The Hammer
  2. Eyes Up
  3. True Fear
  4. Us & Them
  5. Dynasty
  6. Swan Song
  7. Taipan
  8. Resentment
  9. The Truest Love
  10. Loyal To None
  11. Boomslang
  12. Self-Destruct
  13. Antpile

Thy Art Is Murder from Blacktown, Sydney, Australia finally hit the stage next. Opening with “Reign of Darkness”, Thy Art Is Murder showed just how hard they went on this tour. With syncopated lighting and props, the band truly set themselves up for success. The band’s lineup consists of vocalist CJ McMahon, guitarists Sean Delander and Andy Marsh, bassist Kevin Butler, and drummer Jesse Beahler. Along with playing 10-songs from “Hate”, the band also played a song from each of their other albums released on Nuclear Blast, totaling out to a 13-song set. I am truly always blown away from the sheer presence from this band live and I truly cannot wait to see and photograph them again soon! This show was so much fun and I am truly glad it was my first for the year for The Camera Affect!

SETLIST

  1. Reign of Darkness
  2. Purest Strain Of Hate
  3. Vile Creations
  4. Shadow of Eternal Sin
  5. Immolation
  6. Infinite Forms
  7. Dead Sun
  8. Gates of Misery
  9. Defective Breed
  10. Doomed From Earth

ENCORE

  1. Death Squad Anthem
  2. Holy War
  3. Puppet Master

Thy Art Is Murder | Kublai Khan | Undeath | I Am | Justice For The Damned

Photos + Review courtesy of Jamie Kaufman | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter

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Mod Sun’s “God Save The Teen” tour comes home to Minneapolis ft. Pardyalone & Stand Atlantic | Review + Photos

March 13, 2023 Leave a comment

Date: March 4th, 2023 Venue: First Avenue

Even with the chill in the air, March 4th was a beautiful day in Minneapolis.  Along with the chill, you could feel the excitement exuding from the fans making their way into First Avenue.  There was a lot to be excited about.  This was a Sold-Out hometown show for Mod Sun. The crowd was all ages and was a perfect mix of recent fans attending their first concert and longtime fans who have been following and attending Mod’s shows for 10+ years.

           Pardyalone, who also calls Minnesota home, opened the show.   I had not heard of him before this tour. His performance did not disappoint and I fell in love with his unique sound immediately.  He played six songs and sang his heart out and I really loved how often he made connections with the audience during his set.  Mod Sun said later in the show that Pardyalone is the next big thing-and I am inclined to agree with him.  He just dropped a new song and video on March 6th “Alone” ft. Travis Barker. You can check it out here.

            Next was the Australian pop/punk band, Stand Atlantic.  The female fronted quartet had the crowd hyped up and bouncing their whole set.  I had heard of Stand Atlantic in the past because of Warped Tour, but didn’t get a chance to really listen to their music until recently.  I regret not making time to really listen to it sooner, because it’s just so fun to listen to and their live show was amazing!  It was impossible not to bounce around or dance to every single song.  They’re now a staple in a few of my playlists.

            While the energy was already high, it was like an explosion when Mod Sun hit the stage.  His whole set was mostly songs from his 2 most recent albums, God Save The Teen and Internet Killed the Rockstar.  His setlist was uniquely emotional, from love songs like Eyelids and Avril’s Song (tonight it was Minneapolis’ song) to throwbacks to some of his older songs and his cover of Iris (originally by the Goo Goo Dolls). And we can’t leave out the breakup/bad relationship songs, Stay Away and Karma.  I think the most touching moment for me was when he brought his mom up on stage to dedicate and sing her the song “Single Mothers” which is a song off of God Save the Teen that he wrote just for her.  I don’t think there was a dry eye left in the house by the end of the song.  

 Before playing “Battle Scars”, Mod had a few raw, intimate words to say. (TW: Drug use / addiction)

“…I’m standing here before you now, 3 years, 9 months and 14 days without putting drugs in my body.  …. 90% of the shows that I’ve played I don’t even remember because I used to get so fucked up on stage.  But I want you to know, right now, tonight, I am 100% present with you Minnesota, and I will never forget this night.

If anyone in this room is dealing with something similar to me, whether it’s drugs, alcohol, any kind of addiction…maybe it’s anxiety, maybe it’s depression, maybe sometimes you have a negative-ass voice inside of your head when you wake up in the morning that tells you, ‘Stay asleep, fuck the world, you don’t gotta do shit…’ I just want you to know right now … It’s a crazy world outside those doors, but when we are inside this building, inside these walls together, I know one thing for sure…We are all EXACTLY where we are supposed to be tonight.”

            If you are a local or familiar with First Avenue, you may already know why selling out a show at this venue is extra exciting.  If you don’t, let me enlighten you. When an artist sells out a show at First Avenue, they get their name on a star on the side of the building.  Getting one of those stars has been a dream for Mod for years. And now he’s got one.  Although I’ve been to a lot of concerts at First Ave, I haven’t been to any that sold out and that was really cool to experience and I will remember the words he said to the crowd to end the night:

“We officially sold out First Avenue, Minneapolis…I will never, EVER forget tonight.”

Photos and review courtesy of Acacia Marie

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New single “Under The Influence(r)” by The Summer Set out March 10th w/ music video featuring Johnnie Guilbert & Kailee Morgue

March 3, 2023 Leave a comment

Pre-save here

Buy tickets for The Blossom Tour 2023 here

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Mod Sun on tour NOW | God Save The Teen Tour ft Stand Atlantic & Pardy Alone

March 3, 2023 Leave a comment

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Jake Scott’s Lavender Tour hits Denver, CO

November 29, 2022 Leave a comment

Jake Scott @ Gothic Theater – Denver, CO- 11/17/2022

On a cold snowy night, Jake Scott brought his Lavender Tour to one of my favorite venues in Denver – Gothic Theater on November 17th. 

Kicking it off with “Last Night’s Mascara,” Brynn sang and captivated the crowd with her voice and just her guitar, piano, infectious energy and emotional relatability. Many knew the words and sang along. Her voice was strong and clear and you could hear every word throughout the venue. Before playing “Gemini,” she made jokes and apologized to the Gemini men in the crowd and I couldn’t help but laugh as well. 

I’ve never heard of ROSIE before, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. You could tell that she was happy and honored to be there. Her songs dug deep into emotions and encouraged the fans to experience every one of them. The lighting was still intimate yet contrasted by bright blue and pink lights that set the mood for both of their sets. It was a beautiful and emotional set and people sang along with her and the biggest smile was on her face throughout the entire set. 

The lights went up and down before Jake Scott finished off the night. The crowd was excited and screaming for him to come out and kicked it off with “CWJBHN.” He was so full of energy that didn’t stop during the entire set. He was constantly running back and forth across the stage. He would go to different areas of the stage and sing to the crowd in front of him. Fans went wild when he started singing the song that he wrote with Russel Dickerson called, “She Likes It.”

He played a few “sad songs” in a row but he mentioned how these songs are usually inspired with the thought of his wife breaking up with him because most of his other songs are inspired by her. He finished off the night with songs like “Working For You,” “Good Day,” and even a cover of Taylor Swift’s “All Too Well.”

The Lavender Tour brought a night full of joy, talent and wonderful music to Gothic. Everyone was having a great time and there was never a dull moment, not even freezing temperatures and snow falling.

Photos courtesy of Jess Kelly | Instagram | Twitter

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A Long Awaited Reunion | My Chemical Romance performs back-to-back nights at TD Garden.

September 22, 2022 Leave a comment

Boston, MA | TD Garden | 9/7/2022

After nearly a decade away, followed by 2+ years of additional delays, My Chemical Romance were finally able to take the stage in Boston, with all the furious passion and energy that has rightfully earned them their devoted fanbase since the early aughts. Kicking off their set with the explosive comeback single “The Foundations of Decay” could not have been a more perfect overture to the evening’s festivities, as it blended seamlessly into a set that celebrated both the band’s infectious hits (“Welcome to the Black Parade”, “I’m Not OK (I Promise)”, “Famous Last Words”) and ferocious deep cuts (“Bury Me in Black”, “Thank You for the Venom”). 

Singer Gerard Way commanded the audience’s attention with ease, belting the highest notes and snarling quasi-metal shrieks, all while donning a haunting “Black Swan”-esque suit to match the mood. While the rest of the band was dressed more conservatively compared to the iconic frontman, they did not lack one bit of his intensity, with lead guitarist Ray Toro ripping out some of his tightest solos, rhythm guitarist Frank Iero screaming along to double up on Gerard’s ferocity, and Mikey Way holding down the rapid-fire low end whilst patrolling the stage. 

The night only slowed down briefly for the fan-favorite ballad “The Ghost of You”, which overwhelmed the Boston arena with a cascade of cellphone lighters from everywhere the eye could see. This (along with countless other moments) showed not only how captivating these songs have been over the last 20+ years, but also is a testament to how much My Chemical Romance stood the test of time and grew with their fanbase, never merely being a nostalgic footnote and always striking with greater ambition than their contemporaries. 

My Chemical Romance yet again proved their resilience and cultural impact as a band at this show, and while set closer “Helena” ended the evening with the oh-so-famous cadence of “So long and goodnight”, we can all be very thankful that we won’t have to wait another decade to hear from them again.

Guest review by Brent McCann

Photos from: Boston, MA | TD Garden | 9/8/2022