Knocked Loose w/ The Acacia Strain, Harm’s Way, Higher Power, and Sanction | Spring U.S. Tour | 4/30/19 |

May 12, 2019 Leave a comment

Knocked Loose 2-Steps Their Way Through The Majestic Ventura Theater

Date: 4/30/19

Venue: The Majestic Ventura Theater

Knocked Loose has accumulated quite the large and dedicated fan base in the Metalcore and Hardcore communities over the last several years. With only 1 EP, 1 Split EP, and 1 Album under their belts, the band set out on their first US Headlining tour, with supporting acts The Acacia Strain, Harm’s Way, Higher Power, and Sanction. This tour was a blast, filled with a variety of genres from metalcore, deathcore, hardcore, beatdown, and nu-metal.

The first band up was Sanction from Long Island, NY. Sanction is a good ole fashioned Metalcore and Hardcore mashup. Vocalist David Blom truly brings the energy to the bands’ performances. The band played 9 songs, 5 of which came from their 2018 EP “The Infringement of God’s Plan” that was released via Pure Noise Records. The band also debuted 2 brand new songs, which are most likely from an upcoming release. The band put on a solid performance. Was a good way to start the show.

SETLIST

  1. Introduction
  2. (New song)
  3. The Prophet Who Saw Fire
  4. Untitled
  5. (New song)
  6. The Infringement of God’s Plan
  7. Fixated Upon A Figure
  8. Iris (Lens of Depression)
  9. Sixhundredthirtyone

The next band up was Higher Power from Leeds, West Yorkshire in England. The band was very energetic from the start. They were a standout in terms of sound, with a mixture of Metalcore, Hardcore, and Nu-Metal. I was truly living for the band from the start of their set to the end. The band played an 8-song set, 7 of which came from their 2017 record “Soul Structure”, via Flatspot Records. I definitely recommend checking out Higher Power. They pack in a whole lot of energy both on record and live!

SETLIST

  1. World Gone Mad
  2. Can’t Relate
  3. Reflect (Intro Only)
  4. Looking Inward
  5. Balance
  6. Hole
  7. You Ain’t Much
  8. Burning

The third band up was Harm’s Way from Chicago, Illinois. This was a band I was VERY excited to see. I’ve been listening to them for almost 2 years now, but I had never seen this five-piece band live until this show. The band is good ole Hardcore and Beatdown. They have such an intense stage presence, which was truly amazing to witness. The band played an 8-song set, 5 of which came from their 2018 album “Posthuman”, which was released via Metal Blade Records, which happens to be one of my favorite record labels of all time. I had high expectations when seeing Harm’s Way live and they somehow blew those out of the water. I definitely recommend seeing them live.

SETLIST

  1. Temptation
  2. Human Carrying Capacity
  3. Last Man
  4. (Unknown)
  5. Infestation
  6. Call My Name
  7. Breeding Grounds
  8. Become A Machine

The biggest supporting act, The Acacia Strain, was up next. The band, hailing from Chicopee, Massachustts. The Acacia Strain was the most diverse and polished band on the lineup, with a musical style that mashes up Metalcore, Death Core, and Melodic Death Metal. Throughout the band’s career, they have released 8 Albums, 2 EPs, 1 Split EP, and a live DVD. The band played a 10-song set, which showcased 3 songs from 2004’s “3750”, 2 songs from 2006’s “The Dead Walk”, 2 songs from 2008’s “Continent”, 2010’s “Wormwood”, and 2012’s “Death Is The Only Mortal”. With such a widespread setlist, the band showcased all they have to offer, and slayed that stage from start to finish. If you want a diverse set, and to get soaked from vocalist Vincent Bennett splashing water on the crowd, then you need to check out The Acacia Strain live in a city near you.

SETLIST

  1. Whoa! Shut It Down
  2. 4×4
  3. Seaward
  4. Doom
  5. Carbomb
  6. Brown Noise
  7. 3750
  8. Beast
  9. Dust and the Helix
  10. The Hills Have Eyes

The final band up was the all mighty Knocked Loose from Oldham County, Kentucky. The band put on a wild set, which consisted of 14 songs, 9 of which coming from their debut album “Laughing Tracks”, which was released in 2016 via Pure Noise Records. The instrumentals were clean and slamming, with vocalist Bryan Garris driving their whole performance through with a lot of energy. Garris has one of the highest vocal tones in the scene, which is contrasted by guitarist and backup vocalist Isaac Hale’s lows and mids. The band had the crowd going wild, and while the crowd did do some hardcore dancing and crowdkilling, the band called for circle pits, walls of death, and other moshing types that are typical of the metalcore and metal genre as a whole. Stand out songs in their set for me were “No Thanks”, “Billy No Mates”, and “Mistakes Like Fractures”. I thoroughly enjoyed Knocked Loose’s set and will definitely be checking them out next time they come out to Southern California.

SETLIST

  1. By The Grave
  2. All My Friends
  3. Oblivion’s Peak
  4. Damned Earth
  5. Deadringer
  6. Blood Will Have Blood
  7. The Gospel
  8. Mistakes Like Fractures
  9. No Thanks
  10. A Fetish
  11. The Rain
  12. Last Words
  13. Billy No Mates
  14. Counting Worms

All in all, the Spring US Tour was a blast to attend and each of the bands offered something to this spectacle of a night. I cannot wait to see each of them again! Check them all out and give them some love!

Knocked Loose | The Acacia Strain | Harm’s Way | Higher Power | Sanction

Photos and Review courtesy of Jamie Kaufman | Instagram

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Interview with King Soloman

May 11, 2019 2 Comments

KING SOLOMAN 4

 What made you get into music, and what are your inspirations?

I always had a niche for music. When I was younger I started playing the guitar and then later switched to the drums. I started taking private lessons and went to Edward R. Murrow high school for music. Every now and then professional musicians would come in to give a demonstration and I would be very inspired by their talent. It made me want to learn more about music and it drove me to practice more. Growing up in Brooklyn, I was inspired by Jay-Z and Biggie, but truth is watching Joey Badass, Powers Pleasant, and other Murrow heads make it, really caught my attention. Watching them really taught me a lot of lessons.

Do you have any new music coming out or working on anything new?

Just last week I dropped a new single called, “I Need That.” You can follow updates on my Instagram @Kingsoloman_ . I also have more songs that I’m working on for the album dropping this June. Everyone will have to wait for that. I’m sure the new song will get people hype.

 What do you do if you find yourself in a musical rut?

Usually I try my best to avoid it but sometimes its inevitable. If it happens I just relax, take some time to myself. I revisit whatever song I’m working on and try to continue the vibe. If it flows smoothly then I know I’m out of it.  If I still cant write lyrics, rap, or just focus on the music in general then I wont even try to record that day. You want everything to make to be with good energy so if the vibe isn’t right then it isn’t my night.

What is your ultimate goal?

I want to get better as an artist and grow everyday. Im always working and practicing my technique so my goals constantly change. I have a lot of goals so its hard to focus on one. I guess you can say my goal is to get signed by a major label within 3 years after my debut album which will be coming up this June.

Who do you consider the pioneers of your genre?

DJ Cool Herc, Grandmaster Flash, Hands down Biggie & 2-Pac. Tribe Called Quest. NWA. I mean the list goes on because rap and hip hop is always changing.

How do you feel about music pirating/ fille sharing?

Its just a big mess. I understand why people do it. Its free. But people don’t realize how much work actually goes into a song, album, or music video. They don’t realize the hours put in to producing, mixing, and editing. For creators we want recognition and credibility along with an income from our investment which is the music. I don’t like it. People deserved to get paid for their work.

What is the music scene like for you in South FL?

Everybody is trying to be a rapper. I feel like its very common in Miami. A lot of artists are making it by doing shows in Wynwood and south beach. For up and coming artists, Wynwood is great. Every weekend there is an opportunity to do a show and get recognition.  Its very different from what I’m used to because in NYC everyone is hyped up and energetic in the club. Miami is mostly has a laidback and chill vibe but if you know your spots you will get a good crowd. Events happen every weekend so If you are really determined to make it as an artist you can get your music out there.

 If you could dine with any muscian in the world, dead or alive, who would it be? Tough question, I know, but you have to choose one!!!

Honestly it has to be my boy Heavenly Thoughts. He is a local rapper in Hollywood Florida and my dude can keep up a conversation for days. I know I will entertained and he will probably pay for dinner so I’m good. You need to check out his music on SoundCloud. Heavenly Thoughts is his name.

What’s one music memory you’ll never forget?

That’s tough. I would have to say when I recorded Brighter Side. It was like a Tuesday and I was visiting new York. At the time I didn’t plan on rapping or releasing any music. I was just playing basketball with my friends Tariq & Paulie then afterwards we went back to Tariqs house to make some beats and then he showed me brighter side. I looked a paulie and I was like we making a song right now. Mind you that paulie never recorded before. Everything came together and that was the moment that started the pursuit of making an Album.

What do you love most about music?

The fact that it brings people together. No matter what background you come from, music will introduce you to people you would never meet through your daily interactions. I know from personal experience. I remember one time when I traveled to London I met someone from France who loved Biggie, and I was in shock that he knew so much about the music. He might have even been a bigger fan of Biggie then me. It was a crazy experience. We grew up in 2 different countries. Just from talking about music we instantly become cool with one another and its hard to get that interaction from most people. Shout out my boy Fred.

Listen to King Soloman on Soundcloud

Interview by Ashley Grace

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Architects w/ Thy Art Is Murder and While She Sleeps | Holy Hell Tour Photos + Review |4/26/19

May 5, 2019 Leave a comment

Architects Bring Holly Hell Through Anaheim

Date: 4/26/19

Venue: House of Blues Anaheim

          Architects have been a band in my regular rotation of music since I got into them in 2012 when I found a song of theirs on Rock Band 3 as DLC. With the release of their 8th Studio Album “Holy Hell”, which was released in 2018 via Epitaph Records, the band truly brought a ton of emotion that covered topics such as depression, loss, and death. With the U.S. leg of the tour, they brought along Thy Art Is Murder and While She Sleeps, who are two amazing bands that helped Architects sell this date of the tour out two months prior to the show. Knowing all of that, I knew this would be one hell of a night.

The first band up was While She Sleeps, coming to us from Sheffield, England, in the UK. I had seen While She Sleeps once before when they opened up for Arch Enemy and Trivium in 2017, but they were even better this time around than the last. The band performed a 6-song set, half coming from their newest album “So What?”, which was released in March of 2019 via Spinefarm Records, and the other half coming from their 2017 album “You Are We”, which was released via SharpTone Records. The band had the crowd going nuts from the start of their set to the end, with a plethora of moshing and crowdsurfing. A standout song in the set for me was the title track “You Are We” as the song is a great starter for their sets and has so many layers to it. It has remained my favorite song of theirs to this date, and I am so happy they still open with it. If you are going to a later date of the Holy Hell tour, make sure to get there early for While She Sleeps, as their set is flawless and amazing to watch.

SETLIST

  1. You Are We
  2. Anti-Social
  3. Guilty
  4. Haunt Me
  5. Silence Speaks
  6. Hurricane

The biggest supporting act came next, that being Thy Art Is Murder, hailing from Sydney, Australia. This was my second time seeing this five-piece deathcore band, and I was certainly blown away yet again by their set. The last time I saw them, they did a co-headliner with Dying Fetus at The Glass House, where they blew the roof off the place. Ironically, both times seeing them, they played a 10-song set, but this time around, they premiered a new song. We had the luxury of being the first date of the tour, so we were the very first crowd for them to debut the new single “Human Target”, which is the title track from their upcoming 2019 release coming on July 26th via Nuclear Blast Records. The rest of their set consisted of 4 songs from their 2017 release “Dear Desolation”, 3 from their 2015 release “Holy War”, and 2 from their 2013 release “Hate”, which were all released via Nuclear Blast Records. The band musically thoroughly impressed me; however, they were quite stiff on stage and no one really moved except for vocalist CJ McMahon. But I will say their sound is better and tighter than ever with the addition of new drummer Jesse Beahler. Definitely be prepared for a lot of moshing and crowdsurfing during a Thy Art Is Murder set.

SETLIST

  1. Dear Desolation
  2. The Purest Strain of Hate
  3. Holy War
  4. Slaves Beyond Death
  5. Reign of Darkness
  6. Fur and Claw
  7. Coffin Dragger
  8. The Son of Misery
  9. Puppet Master
  10. Human Target

The final band up for the evening was the ever so talented Architects, coming from Brighton, England in the UK. This band played with all of my heart strings during the 16-song set. They played 7 songs from Holy Hell, along with 6 songs from their 2016 release “All Our Gods Have Abandoned Us”, 2 songs from their 2014 release “Lost Forever // Lost Together”, and 1 song from their 2012 release “Daybreaker”, all of which were released via Epitaph Records. During the show, the band had one of the most incredible light shows I’ve ever seen, which was accompanied by a backdrop of a moon behind them, which was absolutely gorgeous to see. They started the set off with “Death Is Not Defeat”, which is one of my favorites off the new record and plays with my heart strings. The crowd went nuts from the start, with endless amounts of crowdsurfers coming over the barrier. Vocalist Sam Carter took time during the set to talk about mental illness and speaking about his taking antidepressants. He opened up about how much they have helped his’ mental state improve tremendously and how important it is for people to get proper help for their mental disorders. After coming out for the encore, Sam opened up about the death of Tom Searle, one of the founding guitarists who died in 2016 due to cancer. The album is in a sense about the grieving process. They then played Doomsday, which caused me to cry like a baby. Architects is truly a masterclass act in the metalcore scene, with a dynamic sound many bands strive for.

SETLIST

  1. Death Is Not Defeat
  2. Modern Misery
  3. Nihilist
  4. Deathwish
  5. Phantom Fear
  6. Holy Hell
  7. Royal Beggars
  8. Gravedigger
  9. Mortal After All
  10. Downfall
  11. Naysayer
  12. These Colours Don’t Run
  13. A Match Made in Heaven
  14. Hereafter

ENCORE

  1. Gone With The Wind
  2. Doomsday

All in all, the Holy Hell tour was a dream come true for me, and was a spectacle of an evening. Architects, Thy Art Is Murder, and While She Sleeps all put on truly amazing sets. I definitely recommend seeing these bands, if you get the chance!

Architects | Thy Art Is Murder | While She Sleeps

Photos and Review courtesy of Jamie Kaufman | Instagram

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Bad Religion, Vandals, & Black Flag take over Sabroso Craft Beer, Taco, and Music Festival 2019

May 2, 2019 Leave a comment

Bad Religion

 

Vandals

 

Black Flag

Photos courtesy of Laura Lateralus | Instagram

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The Offspring rocks Sabroso Craft Beer, Taco and Music Festival 2019

May 2, 2019 Leave a comment

 

Photos courtesy of Laura Lateralus | Instagram

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Dance Gavin Dance w/ Don Broco and Hail The Sun | Artificial Selection Tour Photos | 4/14/19 |Worcester, MA

May 1, 2019 Leave a comment

Hail The Sun

Don Broco

Dance Gavin Dance

Dance Gavin Dance | Don Broco | Hail The Sun

Photos courtesy of Linette Ray

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Knocked Loose w/ The Acacia Strain, Harms Way, Sanction, and Higher Power | Spring North American Tour |Photos + Review | 4/12/19 | Lancaster, PA

April 29, 2019 Leave a comment

In Old Ham County, Kentucky, something truly special was born. With a genre full of bands, what sets Knocked Loose apart? Their shows. Tonight I finally experienced what all the fuss was about.

Higher Power, Sanction and Harms Way kicked the night off with a punch, giving us a little taste of what was to come. All 3 bands were heavy and gave the crowd that energy we needed. Despite not being known by everyone, those 3 openers left the building, but didn’t leave everyone’s mind. The Acacia Strain was the evenings heaviest treat. The crowd seemed to transform into a pit of chaos. Crowdsurfers, stage divers, and moshers, the Massachusetts band brought the temperature in the room up about 15 degrees. 

The main act we all waited for. Knocked Loose came out swinging, quite literally. Before the first note was played, the crowd was moving. Frontman Bryan Garris encouraged the crowd to keep moving, to take the mic, and have a good time. Playing older tracks like The Gospel and All My Friends, their new single Mistakes Like Fractures, and most of their most recent album Laugh Tracks, the 5-piece was a security guards worst nightmare. Crowdsurfers didn’t stop coming. The pit never closed. Garris knew the mic was ours, not his.

This tour was extraordinary. It’s hard to have bands continue to compliment each other’s energy and vibe. This spring tour was nearly perfect in every way, from the set lists to the stage presence, this is not the last we’ll be hearing from any of the 5 bands that played. 

Higher Power

Sanction

Harms Way

The Acacia Strain

Knocked Loose

 

Knocked Loose | The Acacia Strain | Harms Way | Sanction | Higher Power

Photos and review courtesy of Emily Sulkowski

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Like Moths to Flames w/ Dayseeker, Limbs, No Eye Has Seen, and Saving Vice | Feel Nothing Tour | 4/4/19

April 23, 2019 Leave a comment

Saving Vice

No Eye Has Seen

Limbs

Dayseeker

Like Moths to Flames

Like Moths To Flames | Dayseeker | Limbs | No Eye Has Seen | Saving Vice

Photos courtesy of Linette Ray

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Underoath w/ Diamante | U.S. Tour Photos | 4/5/19

April 23, 2019 Leave a comment

Diamante

 

Underoath | Diamante 

Photos courtesy of Laura Lateralus | Instagram

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Interview with Times Like These

April 21, 2019 Leave a comment

Times Like These is a 4-piece pop rock band from Long Island, New York, consisting of vocalist Mike Acampora, bassist Zach Dyer, guitarist Eddie Giuffo, and drummer Cody Omage, have toured throughout the East coast, finding new fans everywhere they go with their energetic and intimate live performances.

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What was is like working with Hope ( Vista), while covering Panic ! At The Disco ?Hope is amazing! She’s super talented and her band is phenomenal! Working with her was amazing and we would love to work with her again.  You can view the cover here.

You worked with Rian Dawson ( All Time Low ) on your song, “Take me Home “.  How did that go ? We clicked with Rian and his assistant Dan right off the bat. It was such a smooth process and it honestly couldn’t have went any better. We can wait to work with them again.

Where did the band name come from ? Did you have any others chosen first ?
Times Like These actually comes from a lyric in the old All Time Low song “Noel”. We had a few other names in mind but we didn’t like any of them as much as we liked TLT. Two that stick out to me are Sound The Alarm and Easy Target.
What was the very first show you played, who was it with, and how did it go ? The very first show we ever played was in our friends backyard and it went pretty well for our first show. Our friends in Break Down The Walls and Suburban Zombie also played. Everyone killed it that night.

Out of all of your releases, which is your favorite song, and why?
My favorite song we’ve ever put out at the moment is Take Me Home. Writing it came so natural and it’s so much fun to play live!

Times Like These | Interview questions by Madison Boyce

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