NYS Music 20​12

Tag: metal

  • FEATURED BAND: AUTUMN FIRE

    FEATURED BAND: AUTUMN FIRE

    ImageFormed in August 2006, with founding members Josh Brondou, Nate Keida (both formally of Intrinzik) Ryan Parr, and Josh Crossman all set and writing songs they started to throw around some names. With fall season being their favorite season, and “fall fire” not having that certain ring, they agreed on Autumn Fire. The boys chalk it up to being “country boys”, but in my opinion we all live in the country (unless you live in NYC).
    So with the name tackled, and songs being born, they went on their search for a vocalist. So while ads out on Myspace and Craiglist, and Bandmix, they were hoping to snag a fish. Little did they know the fish they would snag would be Tool tribute band, Third Eye’s vocalist, Max Scialdone would answer the call. According to Max at that time he was desperately trying to reach them. When it was all said and done the line-up would be complete. Even with a fifteen thousand dollar loss of equipment a few months earlier due to their practice spot in Sauquoit burning to the ground. They began to get things rolling. Then Crossman broke his arm. With the first record all written, “Endless” this was a little bit of a setback for the boys . When asked how they composed the first album, the boys in the band explained to me that they all contributed to the writing process. With all the material based off of simple jamming out, a basis was created.  April of 2009 would be their first show at Rides in Herkimer, NY (which I happened to attend). Playing for a year before being able to afford to have a CD release partying 2010. While all this was happening they were inadvertently writing their second album. Both albums were recorded at Gecko Recording Studios in Clinton, NY, by Lyman Christenson and offered the same level of musicianship with just enough expansion to show growth. The boys were looking for a way to break big into the scene, they saw a outlet in the “Monster Energy Big Break” in December 2010. With a staggering 55 bands from all over the state of NY on the roster it seemed like a big bad “Monster” to overcome. There were 3 rounds of battling for the finals. Each round, to their surprise, they were called back eventually making it to the finals. The boys in Autumn Fire went on to win the battle, winning one thousand dollars in prize money and some recording time. Now that they had a fatter bank roll to deal with for the second album, they really started focusing on what kind of sound they wanted to achieve for album two. in July of 2011 they reentered the studio with Lyman, to start yet another album to be titled “Amends”. These guys spared nothing, they beat Lyman up, for a painstakingly true sound they were looking to acquire. While making their sophomore album, they played at the  Oneonta Theatre, and won a opening slot for The Blue Oyster Cult, also within that time opening for Filter there as well. In December of 2011 the “Amends” album was released. They contracted some help from locals friends to help with the album’s artwork and photos Matt Ossowski and Janelle Rodriguez. “Amends” CD release was held at the great Electric Company in Utica. Almost being a house band at that venue, playing the “Animal for Animal “ benefit there starting in 2009, and catching the ear of Anthony “Zee” Donaldson, it was a no brainier for them to have the showcase there. They give credit to Zee himself for making them a household name in the Utica area. As a group they decided it was time to branch out on a tour with local favorites, Shattered Envy and Just A Memory, to start in Virginia Beach and work their way back up the northeast, back home. The tour had some bumps in the road, as some of the shows fell through last minute, and Autumn Fire decided to try and make a name for themselves in Virginia. They decided to turn it into a vacation, and plays some venues beachside. With one show booked, they literally walked around and booked two more shows during the week, which in their eyes turned out to be awesome shows. One of the best shows they played that week was at Calypso’s, with a 4 hour set playing literally on the boardwalk. After the vacation they decided to do a battle at Monirae’s for a opening slot for the Boy Hits Car show being held there. Unbenounced they won the opening slot once again, for another national show under their belts. All of this has been done by a little local band from Utica, NY on their own, with no management, opening for almost a dozen national acts. Sometimes childhood friends and chance encounters can be a once in a lifetime thing, but for these guys it was that and a lot of hard work. For Autumn Fire, there next step is to introduce the world, to there intense power driven hard rock sound. If any of you haven’t seen this band play I would recommend giving them a listen. Look for Autumn Fire at a venue near you.
    For more information about Autumn Fire-
    Facebook- http://www.facebook.com/pages/Autumn-Fire/143531240177?ref=ts&fref=ts-Fred Marriott

  • As I Lay Dying at Upstate Concert Hall, December 6th

    When most  bands go out on a big national tour they usually welcome the scheduled night off.  Fortunately for the packed house at Upstate Concert Hall on December 6th, As I Lay Dying and Memphis May Fire didn’t feel like they needed the rest from the Monster Energy Outbreak Tour headlined by Asking Alexandria.  This tour has taken the bands to Seattle, San Francisco, Chicago and between the Montreal and Philadelphia shows… Clifton Park!

    As I Lay Dying’s bassist, Josh Gilbert, should have taken the day off, being hospitalized earlier in the day due to trouble breathing. Despite the discomfort, he sat toward the back of the stage in a chair playing to the fans.  He managed some vocals but was out of breath for most of the show and was supposed to head back to the hospital after the band’s set.  What Josh lacked in energy was more than made up for by frontman, Tim Labesis.  Tim’s powerful vocals pierced the crowd and drove hundreds of young headbangers wild.  Tim looked like he’d be just as comfortable at Gold’s Gym next door to the venue or on the set of Sons of Anarchy.  Long sweat drenched hair, beard, covered in tats and built like a brick shit-house.  There were times where I thought a vein might pop in his arms during a particular gut-wrenching scream. The rest of the band spent some time in the gym, too.  Lead guitarist, Nick Hipa, gave new meaning to the term shredded guitar.  If he hit the strings any harder or faster the vibrations would have set off a small earthquake in the region.  The band played songs from their new album, Awakened, released on September 25th and they also went back to their early years to tap into some mosh pit anthems, like “Forever” and “94 Hours”.

    Waves of crowd surfers carried by the sea of young metal heads only to be spilled at the front of the stage.  Often met with a fist bump from Tim and a big nod of approval from the band.  The band fed off the energy from the crowd and likewise the crowd devoured the energy from the band.

    Opening bands included three from the Albany area.  They were The Less We Know, The Siege of Masada and The Primrose Path. Tour support band Memphis May Fire will be back at UCH on January 29th opening up for For Today.

  • Woe Is Me at Upstate Concert Hall, December 2nd

    It was an early Sunday show for Upstate Concert Hall (formally Northern Lights).  The first of five opening bands started at 6PM with headliner, “Woe, Is Me”, took the stage shortly after 9.  There were two crowds at the show. The first group was obvious: young energetic kids in skinny jeans, crude t-shirts and blackened Justin Bieber haircuts. They were found bouncin’ around the room and thrashing away in the rather tame mosh pit.  The second group were parents standing on the outskirts, watching their kids get their freak on and supporting the scene.  Kudos to them for supporting live shows and buying an extra ticket so their under-aged concertgoer can enjoy one of their favorite bands!

    As for the show, it was energetic.  There were five opening acts including crowd favorite Secrets who will be back at UCH on February 23rd when they open for Silverstein.  The last opening band was Chunk, No Captain Chunk from France.  Who knew Paris Hard Core was a real thing?  After seeing them, I’m still not entirely convinced.  They came out playing “Gangnam Style” that led into a more metalcore performance that got the kids moving.

    Headliner Woe, Is Me got their start in Atlanta back in 2009 and have had modest success on in the post-hardcore scene.  They have two vocalists (one clean, one unclean) and a solid line-up surrounding them, especially drummer, Austin Thornton.  Of the six bands on stage, there was no doubt who had the best stage presence, crowd control and energy.  The stage at Upstate Concert Hall was left wide open for the band to move freely and get the audience excited.  Crowd surfing started immediately, but with a mostly underage crowd and little-to-no alcohol involved the Step Up Presents security team handled it like the pros they are.  The music was loud and some serious talent was blaring through the speakers.  Bass lines were rich, guitars were shredded and the back-and-forth vocals were done as well as I’ve seen.  I’m going to keep an eye out for the band and see where their Twilight induced fan base can take them and I hope that they can stand the test of time to produce more solid work like their new album, Genesi[s].