NYS Music 20​13

Category: Uncategorized

  • Candlebox at Oswego County Event Center (finally, Part 2!)

    I wrote that back in late September, talking about an incredible show at the Syracuse area’s newest big outdoor venue, the Oswego County Event Center.  A few months late but hopefully a way to remind everyone as they look out the window into fields of snow that summer is coming and live shows will be seen — often, and right here in Upstate New York. Candlebox
    Candlebox Oswego
    When the Syn City Cowboys took the stage, the crowd was mixed on who are these kids from Kansas City, and the women drooling over the fit bodies and refreshing look the band presents.  Once they started, the focus was on good ol’ rock and roll.  SCC has been around for a little over three years and continue their relentless tour schedule to bring their music to the fans.  Frontman Ethan Cole says his favorite lead signer is Metallica’s James Hatfield, but while Cole may rock out like Mr. Hatfield, you will find his vocals to be a little more youthful, clean and more reminiscent of strong 80’s frontmen like Sammy Hagar or David Coverdale.  If these young men stay together, keep writing pure rock tunes and stay on the road perfecting and promoting their craft – they will become a household name.  In rock ‘n roll households at least.
    The long summer day was just beginning to become a long summer night as Open Air Stereo walked out onto the brand new enclosed stage in Pennellville, New York.  Forty years ago you’d hear a band for the first time on the local radio station.  Twenty years ago it was either  MTV or VH-1, and you heard them and saw them at the same time.  More recently, with bands like Open Air Stereo, a band’s first exposure is often on reality television, they don’t hear the music until later (to be fair, OAS did get some decent play time on “Laguna Beach” but who was really listening?).  Nine times out of ten when you finally hear the music it is a huge disappointment.  OAS is that 1 out of 10 that you say to yourself, “oh damn, these guys are good!”  One of the reasons they are so good was due to a Craigslist ad.  Yes, you can find more on Craigslist than old tires and an escort for a lonely Friday night.  Open Air Stereo found guitarist, Scott Pounds on Craigslist.  This would be another time that you could safely say, “oh damn, these guys are good.”
    Behind the Pennellville Fire Station just 10 minutes north of Syracuse on this summer evening was no exception.  A smooth rock groove and strong beat supporting tunes like “Stuck on You” got the crowd bouncing up and down, or what some call “dancing”.  The set went up and down with intensity and it was obviously that the band has been fine tuning its stage presence.  Backstage, they were working on their own equipment, even fixing a snare that broke after the last gig and a night full of traveling didn’t give a lot of time to fix it.  Life on the road is tough and hopefully OAS has what it takes to stick it out.  There is a large market of 16-25 year old girls and the guys that follow them around that needs this music.  In the process the band will continue to mature and bring in a large fan base and move past the “Laguna Beach” name and into their own.  Something hard work and many miles over desolate highways can deliver.
    Rumors were flying that Syracuse natives, Crows Cage, were going to start their set with a little surprise.  I was eagerly awaiting by the stage to see what these hard rockers had in store for the audience.  Already local favorites with more fan adorned t-shirts in the crowd than any other band, including headliner, Candlebox – they didn’t need to do something gimmicky to get the crowds attention.  So, what could it be?
    Aaron Bellow busts out an incredible guitar solo to start the show.  The guitar whined and whimpered with delight of the fans and to the delight of my ears, too.  Aaron’s big surprise was using a bow to light up the solo… it was like a slide guitarist found his way into a haunted house and had to play for all the ghouls and boys.  It was actually pretty awesome.  While it could have easily been cheesy, it wasn’t overly hyped nor did it last too long.  It was short, to the point and therefore a powerful statement that Crows Cage was ready to make shit happen and as the sun slowly went down behind them, the energy of the festival type crowd was about to hit the next level.
    Fresh off the release of their CD Forgotten Sins the band busted out tunes from the new album that turned up the tempo. “Grindstone” or “Derivation” really highlights the intense pace set by Crows Cage rhythm section: Clint Greer on drums and Tommy Rose on bass.  A slick guitar lead-in allowed Eddie ‘EJ’ Carrara’s vocals to have the strong impact that was intended.  After seeing Crows Cage open for national acts Devour the Day and Saliva earlier in the summer, there was something special about the line-up.  Seeing them a month or two later on stage in the OCEC showed more development and a tight adhesive bond within the band.  The chemistry allowed the music to flow over the crowd and melt some faces and blow some minds.  With any direct support band they have one important job, above all others: get the crowd ready for the headliner.  Two words, “Mission Accomplished.”
    Earlier in the week leading up to the show I was able to talk to Candlebox’s Kevin Martin about the bands “comeback”, the purity of rock, how things have progressed since their peak in the 1990s, new material focused on a new message, and a new sound.  Candlebox can still delight the audience with classic favorites like “Far Behind” and “You”.  But even those classics now have a refreshing twist live, either through an acoustic set up or even a slight ska/dub influence.  The show at the Oswego County Event Center was no exception.  The crowd was pumped up and the band maintained that energy mixing in the old and the new.  Guitar licks from the legendary Peter Klett dropped more than one jaw as original Candlebox drummer, Scott Mercado, set the pace.
    From the V.I.P. poster signing to the dominant stage presence and command of the crowd, Candlebox did not lose their touch with their fans.  An openly supportive marijuana rights agenda influenced a few fans to light up and partake after the sun went down behind the stage.  That scene alone, sunset while the band lights grew in intensity gave me chills.  The photos could never do it justice.  My recommendation is to plan at least one or two shows there in 2014 so music fans can truly appreciate the new venue.

  • Trivium and DevilDriver Slayed on Black Friday

    An Upstate Concert Hall crowd of 300-plus decided taking in a show – instead of shopping and burning off Thanksgiving food throughout all of Albany – was the appropriate thing to do on Black Friday. Trivium headlined a 60-minute set to promote their new album Vengeance Falls with DevilDriver co-headlining a 60-minute set of their own to promote Winter Kills – In my opinion  one of the best metal releases of 2013.

    Fans were also treated to a killer 30-minute set from After The Burial and a small set from Thy Will Be Done, who’s garnering recognition from the likes of Metallica, Shadows Fall, and DevilDriver.

    Reminiscent of Lamb of God, Thy Will Be Done’s sound is thrashy and groovy, with a wee-bit of metalcore thrown in. Unfortunately, the early crowd comprised of only a third of the ultimate total.  Nonetheless, I got the vibe that the crowd really dug them. These rockers out of Providence, R.I. moved through their set quicker than I would have hoped. However, they’re a relatively new band that doesn’t have a huge catalog to go through.  Still, as they promote their new EP Temple they’re receiving exposure both on the road, as well as plenty of air play on Liquid Metal (Sirus/XM). They will be a dominant force in Metal very soon. When I spoke to frontman, Jay Costa, he expressed how much fun they have had while on tour.

    ​After The Burial graced the stage with a 30-minute set. This was my first taste of this prog-death metal group out of Minneapolis, M.N., and I was really impressed. They have a flavor to them. They were the first band to get the crowd jumping. Very energetic. They treated the Clifton Park fans to four songs off of their upcoming album, Wolves Within, due sometime this month.

    The “California Groove Machine” was up next.

    After what seemed to be a long wait (well for me anyways because I am a die hard fan) DevilDriver came and wiped the floor with the crowd. My only complaint would be that the band was so loud on most songs it was hard to hear Dez’s vocals. I’ve seen DevilDriver play at Upstate Music Hall twice in the past. Back in 2011 opening for Danzig, and last year opening for Gwar. This time it seemed they had a slightly longer set and a bigger light show than they have in the past. Opening with “End of the Line”, DevilDriver’s set consisted of a few songs from their early collection like “I Could Care Less” and “Clouds Over California” but most of their set had a lot of material from their new album Winter Kills.

    Here’s what made the whole night memorable: Midway through the set you had a small group chanting out song names, which – let’s just say, Dez did not take kindly to that.  Anyone who knows the history of Dez on stage, whether it’s from Coal Chamber or DevilDriver, knows his reputation for his aggressive stage persona. Calling out the group, Dez yelled, “We play whatever fucking song we want!”

    (Laugh.) Some people never learn.

    Which then led to a rant about people who are not open to other genres of music. Which served as an appropriate segue to an Awolnation cover of “Sail.” Totally blew my mind when they played that. Throughout the entire set, body surfers were nonstop and the energy was very high. Security at Upstate Music Hall had their hands full. DevilDriver is the kind of band that would start a moshpit in a nursing home.
    ​So after a full hour set from DevilDriver, Trivium gave the crowd an extra jolt of adrenaline. This was my third time seeing Trivium. I caught them during the mess that was Trespass America tour when it stopped at Oswego Speedway last summer, and few years back during Mayhem Fest. But this time it was a totally different setting.

    To be able to see Trivium at such an intimate venue like Upstate Music Hall made it so much better than the typical outdoor arenas. Another thing I find fascinating about Trivium is they’re a relatively young band with a catalogue of songs a decade deep, and they show no signs of slowing down anytime soon. Trivium started their set with “Throes of Perdition” and “Down from the Sky” familiar to UFC fans as the introductory music for Mauricio “Shogun” Rau. Their sound was flawless. Props to the sound guy. Everything was clean sounding. Also all those guys have great chemistry on stage. You can tell they absolutely love what they do. They continued to play a couple more of Shogun before taking it back a almost decade ago by playing “A Gunshot to the Head of Trepidation” which I will say was the highlight of the set. Finally, they closed it out with “In Waves” and “Pull Harder on the Strings of Your Martyr.”

    Overall it was a fantastic show. Shame on anyone who didn’t bother going because every band delivered. We are obviously approaching a slower touring season so I suggest getting to any metal show that’s out there right now and be sure to pick up all the new albums from Thy Will Be Done, After The Burial, DevilDriver, and Trivium.

    Stay metal.

  • The Runaways reunite, kinda, for the holidays!

    It’s been 36 years since Lita Ford and Cherie Currie recorded new music together as members of the legendary all-female rock band, the Runaways.

    Two of the most influential women in Rock and Roll have reunited in 2013 for a special holiday song. Ford has partnered up with her former Runaways band mate for what is sure to be a new Christmas Classic. The song “Rock This Christmas Down” was released today on iTunes.

    “I thought the world could use a new Christmas song,” said Ford. “The song was Written by Mitch Perry, my guitarist and Michael Dan Ehmig, my lyricist, along with Marty O’Brien on bass, and Rodger Carter on drums. We so rocked it!”

    While plans had gone underway for the song, Ford admits that she was not fully aware of the details of the reunion.

    “What I didn’t know is that I’d be singing it as a duet with my long lost sister, CHERIE CURRIE,” she said. “I am blessed to have her back in my life, and what an appropriate time and song to rehash an old friendship. CHRISTMAS!!!

    “Currie hopped a plane from Chicago to L.A., and drove straight to the studio and threw down her vocal track on this rocking song! Needless to say, it was magic and history in the making. We were left with such a smoking track for everyone to hear, every Christmas, every year! Let’s ROCK THIS CHRISTMAS DOWN!!!””

    Currie is equally as excited about the song’s release, but moreso about being reunited with Ford.

    “I have dreamed, literally, of seeing Lita again for over three decades,” she said. “Even after all that time I still thought of her often. The Runaways was something that was always left unfinished to me. Especially when it came to Lita, but I only knew her as a child. What floored me more than the unbelievable gift of working with her again was the woman she had become. She is the bravest, kindest, strongest, most loving human being I have met.

    “Lita asking me to be a part of this amazing song and a part of her astonishing life has filled that void, that hole I had in my heart that maybe we both shared. It is now filled with love, support and admiration for a dear and wonderful friend whom I am so proud to say is LITA FORD.”

    Currie believes that, despite all the years, the new song captures the essence of their band which also included Joan Jett.

    “Rock This Christmas Down” has the flare of our Runaways legacy,” she said.  “But its pure Lita. It rocks like only she can. We took a dim, negative and unfinished past and turned it into a positive future. It doesn’t get any better than that. I know this will be the best Christmas I have had in decades. Thank you sister!”

    For More Info Visit:
    http://litafordonline.com
    https://www.facebook.com/litaofficial
    http://www.cheriecurrie.com
    http://www.spv.de

  • Falling In Reverse launch Bad Girls Club video

    Falling In Reverse debuted their new video for “Bad Girls Club” this Tuesday.

    The clip was directed by Zach Merck who has worked with Falling In Reverse before on their videos for “The Drug In Me Is You,” “I’m Not A Vampire” and “Good Girls, Bad Guys.”

    Voted as Alternative Press magazine’s 2012 “Artist of the Year,” one of Revolver’s “100 Greatest Living Rock Stars” and Kerrang’s “50 Greatest Rock Stars In The World,” Radke’s band Falling In Reverse released their latest album Fashionably Late on June 18th on Epitaph Records. The album debuted in the top twenty on the Billboard Top 200 Albums chart upon its release. Since forming in 2008, the band has racked up a fanatical fan base, so much so that the band’s legendary videos have been viewed over 30 million times. The band are currently wrapping up their “An Evening With Falling In Reverse” – Unplugged & Uncensored tour, which has drawn sold out crowds across the country.

    Beginning on January 15th 2014, Falling In Reverse along with special guests Escape The Fate will embark on a 24-date ‘Bury The Hatchet’ tour beginning in Los Angeles, CA. Tickets for all shows are on sale now. Chelsea Grin & Survive This will serve as support on all dates as well.

  • Pop Evil is set to invade the Capital Region this fall with Eve To Adam, The Letter Black & Black Oxygen

    Pop Evil Fall 2013 Flier
    Pop Evil Fall 2013 Flier

    Pop Evil returns to the capital region this fall Friday, Nov. 22, 2013 at Upstate Concert Hall in Clifton Park, N.Y., and Sunday, Nov. 24 at the Westcott Theater in Syracuse, N.Y. in support of their new studio album, “ONYX”.

    Special Guest also on the show include Eve To Adam, The Letter Black, and Black Oxygen.

    POP EVIL:

    From Grand Rapids, Michigan, Leigh Kakaty (vocals), Davey Grahs (guitar), Nick Fuelling (guitar), Chachi Roit (drums) and Matt DiRito (bass). In the last five years, Pop Evil has released three studio albums including Lipstick On The Mirror (2008), War Of Angels (2011) and current album Onyx (2013).

    THE LETTER BLACK:

    From Uniontown, Pennsylvania, the band consists of husband and wife Sarah Anthony (vocals) and Mark Anthony (vocals/guitar), Matt Beal (bass) and Justin Brown (drums). The Letter Black has released three studio albums and an independent album since 2007 including Stand (2007 independent), Hanging By A Thread (2010), Hanging By A Remix (2012) and current album Rebuild (2013).

    EVE TO ADAM:

    From New York, N.Y., this three-man band consists of Taki Sassaris (vocals), Alex Sassaris (drums) and Gaurav Bali (guitar). Eve To Adam now has four studio albums since 2001 including Auburn Slip (2001), Queens To Eden (2007), Banquet For A Starving Dog (2011) and current studio album Locked & Loaded (2013).

    Black Oxygen:

    From Kansas City, Missouri, this three-man band consists of David Lyle (vocals/lead guitar), Nick Lyle (drums) and Jordan Myer (bass). Black Oxygen has one studio album called, The American Dream (2012).

    Other Tour Dates Include:

    Nov 8 – Traverse City, MI @ Ground Zero

    Nov 9 – Libertyville, IL @ Austin’s Fuel Room

    Nov 10 – Wausau,WI @ The Fillmore

    Nov 12 – Battle Creek, MI @ Planet Rock

    Nov 14 – Johnson City, TN @ Capones

    Nov 15 – Greenville, SC @ The Handlebar

    Nov 17 – Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade

    Nov 18 – Fayetteville, NC @ The Drunk Horse Pub

    Nov 20 – Jacksonville, NC @ Hooligans Music Hall

    Nov 22 – Clifton Park, N.Y @ Upstate Concert Hall

    Nov 23 – Quincy, MA @ WAAF

    Nov 24 – Syracuse, N.Y @ The Westcott Theater

    Pop Evil also has posted on their Facebook page that the first 20 fans who show proof of purchase of the Onyx album at the Merch table will get to meet the band.

  • Featured Band: GHOST B.C.

    Happy New Year, or Happy Halloween – which ever you choose. Today, Upstate Metal turns it’s focus on a band whose flamboyant theatrics for making a mockery out of the Catholic Church turns every day into Halloween. When Ghost B.C. takes to the stage, people notice.

    “What the hell is this?” recalls Upstate Metal photographer and editor, Jim Gilbert, who captured this Swedish heavy metal band earlier this year in at Rock on the Range in Columbus, Ohio. “It was Latin Catholic Church gone bad or gone good. It made me take notice.” Ghost B.C. are easily recognizable due to their unique on-stage presence. A six-piece band comprised of five musicians donned in hooded robes, while the vocalist appears in skull make-up, dressed as a Roman Catholic Cardinal. The nature of their identities is highly secretive and their names have not been publicly disclosed; the vocalist calls himself Papa Emeritus and the musicians are referred to only as Nameless Ghouls. Musically, the band is often compared to groups such as The Doors, Black Sabbath, Blue Öyster Cult, Mercyful Fate and Kyuss.

    Off stage, they continue to shock. Should you dare visit their Facebook page, they describe themselves as a group who “performs pop hymns that glorify and glamorize the disgusting and sacrilegious. “Ghost is the name of a devil worshiping ministry, that in order to spread its unholy gospels and, furthermore, trick mankind into believing the end is ultimately a good thing, have decided to use the ever so popular rock music medium as a way to achieve their ends.”

    Gulp.

    The act hasn’t been off-putting. In 2010, they were nominated for a Grammis, which is the Swedish equivalent to our Grammy, for their debut album, Opus Eponymous.  Nonetheless, the subject matter by which the group sings is a bone of contention for many who worship Christianity, which has a following of 2.2 billion strong.

    Ghost-4

    “If Not For Those Satanic Lyrics, Ghost B.C. Could Be Superstars,” read a headline out of New York City’s The Village Voice in July. Though it appears that most critics recognize this as just an act.  The Voice likened Ghost B.C. to something familiar to KISS from the ’70s and early ’80s. Nonetheless, one of the nameless ghouls agreed how some perceive the band to be, and does not argue, “From a ‘Bible Belt’ point of view, yes we are [Satanics]. Because if you’re talking to someone who is a very God-fearing devout Christian with all that comes with it, obviously that person would deem us being complete blasphemy and an abomination to everything they considered dear and holy.”

    Perfect material to rebel against your parents.

    Infantissumam, their follow-up to their debut album, came out this April.

  • The Bury The Hatchet Tour Commences January 2014

    Falling In Reverse along with special guests Escape The Fate will embark on a 24-date ‘Bury The Hatchet’ tour beginning January 15th in Los Angeles, CA. Tickets for all shows will go on sale this week on Thursday, October 31st.

    The tour will be closest to our area at the following times and venues:

    Thursday, Jan-30-2014 New York, NY Best Buy
    Saturday, Feb-01-2014 Worcester, MA Palladium

    The bands each appear to be cashing in on a perceived acrimonious situation that stems from one band member leaving one band for the other.

    Since Ronnie Radke’s departure as lead singer of Escape The Fate in 2008, there have been rumors, insults, back and forth fighting through the press over the years. It was assumed that Ronnie and his former band mates were on the outs for good. However, it turns out that’s not the case.

    “There are surprises and special things happening on this tour that you’ll only find out about if you come – people can expect the unexpected,” remarked Falling In Reverse lead singer Ronnie Radke. “This tour will change the long-standing tension with Escape The Fate – we’re now friends and all is forgiven.”

    Escape The Fate lead singer Craig Mabbitt added “This tour means new beginnings and I couldn’t be happier to be doing it. And, oh yeah, it’s gonna be fuckin wild! Missing this tour would be equivalent to Santa putting coal in your stockings, and no one likes coal in their stocking.”

    Chelsea Grin & Survive This will serve as support on all dates as well.

    Voted as Alternative Press magazine’s 2012 “Artist of the Year,” one of Revolver’s “100 Greatest Living Rock Stars” and Kerrang’s “50 Greatest Rock Stars In The World,” Radke’s band Falling In Reverse released their latest album Fashionably Late on June 18th on Epitaph Records. The album debuted in the top twenty on the Billboard Top 200 Albums chart upon its release. Since forming in 2008, Falling In Reverse have racked up a fanatical fan base, so much so that the band’s legendary videos have been viewed over 30 million times. The band have just launched their “An Evening With Falling In Reverse” – Unplugged & Uncensored tour, which starts this week.

    Originally from Las Vegas, Nevada, Escape The Fate features Craig Mabbitt, Robert Ortiz, TJ Bell and Max Green. The band’s 5th studio recording and first for Eleven Seven Music, Ungrateful is an example of the foot-to-the-throat intensity combined with soaring choruses that has set the band apart from their contemporaries. OUTBURN Magazine says of the album, “Ungrateful is a marauding alt-metal manifesto that establishes that Escape The Fate just might be entering their prime.” The album was co-produced by John Feldman, Monte Money and Brandon Saller (Atreyu) and mixed by Josh Wilbur.

    Find out more on www.fallinginreverse.com

  • Mountain Jam 2013: A Photographer’s Perspective

    While Thursday at Mountain Jam 2013 was rainy and cold, the music kept things warm.  People braved the weather to enjoy incredible sets from Rubblebucket and Primus.  Along the hillside were even some fire dancers and fire eaters.  The ceremonies started with a smudging to purify the air and good vibes for the weekend.  Mountain Jam was about to begin and Thursday was full of energy and excitement.  How better to end the night than a late night set from the powerful duo known as Big Gigantic.

    When the sun came up on Friday, it was sadly behind thevclouds.  Most campers slept in their cars as tents were blown over and rivers of mud passed through the grounds.  Braving the weather, coffee was my original quest.  After that first cup of Joe, it didn’t matter how much it rained, music was in the air and caffeine was in the blood.  Friday brought  incredible acts such as Nicki Bluhm, Deer Tick, The Avett Brothers and Widespread Panic.  Mud wasn’t going to stop Mountain Jam, it was just going to add character.

    Saturday finally came with a weather report that included No Rain! Yay!  And what a day on Hunter Mountain.  From Swear and Shake, Amy Helm and Gary Clark, Jr. on the side stage to Michael Franti, The Lumineers and Gov’t Mule on the main stage, Saturday was non-stop jams, non-stop dancing and well, still a little slippery in the mud, but at least it wasn’t raining.  The theme of the day was going into the audience, as Franti and the Lumineers got up close and personal with the crowd.

    Sunday fit it’s name perfectly – it was a sunny day and finally the mud started to dry up and spirits were truly soaring.  While some people left early for their Monday lives, the ones that were able to stay saw some great performances.  London Souls bassist passed out backstage Soulive bassist filled in.  ALO, Dispatch, Jackie Greene and of course Phil Lesh and Friends.  I even got a sneak peak of upcoming Spencer on the inside stage.  Remember that name, you will be hearing it often and soon on the radio.

  • Legends of Industrial Angst Filter Coming to Rochester’s Montage Music Hall

    20130417_1788-2Catch Filter live in Rochester at the Montage Music Hall June 18th as they tour in support of their sixth studio effort The Sun Comes Out Tonight. (Stay tuned to  for an album review coming soon.

    Richard Patrick started his career as a guitarist on Nine Inch Nails Pretty Hate Machine tour before leaving in 1993 to start his own band Filter with guitarist/programmer Brian Liesegang. Twenty years later, although he remains the only original member, Filter is still blazing forward. They enjoyed some smash singles in the 90’s with “Hey Man, Nice Shot”, “Take a Picture”, ‘One’ and an excellent mash-up venture with electronica pioneers The Crystal Method, “Can You (Trip Like I Do)”.

    Tickets are $19.94 and are available here. Ages 16+ Doors at 7PM. Montage Music Hall is at 50 Chestnut Street, Rochester NY, 14607. Filter’s newest video “What Do You Say”:

  • Death to All/Celebrating the Life and Music of Chuck Schuldiner at Irving Plaza 4/24/13

    The 7th date of the second run of the Death to All tour left it’s mark on the NYC metal scene. The tour has proven successful despite the bumps and bruises to the inaugural run, yet the spirit of the great Chuck Schuldiner and its devout followers has kept it going. Now there it was again, a packed show at Irving Plaza with die hard Death fans eagerly waiting since early in the afternoon, to pay tribute to what most would agree is the Godfather of Death metal; and the man who single handily reinvented a whole genre.

    The Human-era lineup was in charge of reliving the beauty of performing Death songs live. This time around with Max Phelps (Cynic) on vocals, who in the eyes of many was more than a perfect suitor to honor Chuck’s vocals on stage.

     ( Me, as a photographer at the show , I cannot yet find the words to describe the emotion of the crowd. One thing is for sure, the show was filled with die hard fans, nothing less. The crowd surfers began raining on us, the second Death came on stage.  During our first three songs, in which we are allowed to shoot up close, we had to  be removed from the photo pit as the as the security guards were having a hard time keeping up with so many people at once.)

    All one can see was the great mass of head banging fans, and never ending moshpits as some of the best Death songs were being performed. The set list was concrete and nothing short of amazing, that included songs from “Flattening of Emotions” to “Pull the Plug”, and “Lack of Comprehension.” At one moment before the nigh concluded  there was very touching, and emotional moment for all the venue that night. As footage and photos of Chuck Shuldiner were being played everyone grew quiet and some teared up. We all understood had all been united that night to honor that man on screen, and the legacy that he had left behind. That night we had all been part of honoring his memory and the charity dedicated to him which is Sweet Relief. One can only hope there will be more chances for the Death fans to gather and honor a hero, and help a honest cause which in it of itself is what Chuck would had wanted us to do.