NYS Music 20​17

Category: Metal/Hard Rock/Punk

  • Korn To Headline the Return of K-Rockathon

    After going on what seemed like a forced hiatus after it’s 20th year anniversary due to various reasons, K-Rockathon makes its triumphant return in 2017 at the Lakewood Amphitheater on July 19, as they mash-up with Korn’s “The Serenity Of Summer Tour,” with some minor alterations.

    First thing Central NY fans will notice, is that the festival has moved to the Lakeview Amphitheater from it’s usual stomping grounds at Chevy Court, inside the the New York State Fairgrounds.

    After 20 festivals, and last year’s hiatus, it looks like K-Rockathon, will shed is numeration, and replace it with the current year the event takes place.

    K-Rockathon’s Wednesday, July 19 date also means that the festival will not take place on a Saturday as in year’s past.

    So far, K-Rockathon features a much smaller lineup than usual, with only five bands performing instead of twelve, but more bands should be added down the line according to the radio stations Facebook page. Syracuse’s K Rock  falls in line with what many other radio stations have been doing over the years when trying to organize bands for a one day festival. Each year it seems to be getting tougher for promoters and organizers to put together these type of events for fans, so it only makes sense for local radio stations to put their name on a show, and promote what they feel will be the hottest tour for their genre for that said year.

    Slated to appear at this years K-Rockathon will be headliners Korn, Stone Sour, Skillet, Yelawolf and DED. Korn, Stone Sour and Skillet are all supporting new music on this tour.

    Korn released their twelfth studio album The Serenity Of Suffering, on Oct. 21 2016. The album debuted at number four on the Billboard 200.

    Stone Sour’s sixth studio album, Hydrograd, will be released in June of 2017, just in time for the upcoming tour.

    Skillet released it’s tenth studio album, Unleashed, on Aug. 5 2016. The album reached number thre on the Billboard 200.

    Tickets go on sale to the general public March 10, with ticket prices slated at $74.50, $54.50, and $25.00. VIP packages are also available.

  • Joe Mansman and the Midnight Revival Band Bring High Energy Rock and Roll to Plattsburgh, NY

    This past Saturday, February 25, Joe Mansman and the Midnight Revival Band brought their original sound to Retro Live, a new concert venue in Plattsburgh, NY. Between original guitar solos from Alex Mansman and the leadership of front man Joe Mansman, each member perfectly complemented each other.

    joe mansmanThe band brought a fully stacked set list with them and most being originals. I found myself head banging to new riffs that felt right. To sum up Joe Mansman and the Midnight Revival Band, the only words that I can use to describe them is rock and roll. Joe Mansman brought a stage act that to me has been missing with a lot of newer bands. With songs like “Below or Above” and “Dead as it Gets,” I really felt that I was at a rock show in the late 1970’s but with fresh with new rock music. About half way through the set, the front man and keyboardist Chris Becker played a couple duets to give the show a smooth transition to a heavy ending.

    joe mansmanJoe Mansman and the Midnight Revival Band is a group that  gives people an option to let loose and bang your head. They ended the show with “Live Free or Die,” and were not afraid to bring the show off the stage. With front man Joe Mansman jumping onto a pool table and guitarist Alex Mansman hopping down to the venue floor to play heavy riffs, the group brought a show that had something for everyone.

    Setlist: Dead as it Gets, Below or Above, Born to be Wild (Steppenwolf cover), Reap and Sow, Cold Virginia Nights, Blaze of Glory (Bon Jovi cover), Hell or High Water, All Along, Den of Thieves, Mother (Danzig cover), She’s Mine, Long Rope, You’ll Never Leave Harlan Alive (Darrell Scott cover), Rock and Roll ain’t Noise Pollution(AC/DC cover), Nobody’s Sun, Boundless Grace, Too far gone, Cut out my tongue, Crowbar hotel, House of Wolves, Live Free or Die

    joe mansman

  • Show Preview: Pierce The Veil The Rest in Space Tour

    Pierce The Veil fans are running in circles from the excitement of the Rest In Space tour. 

    Pierce The Veil, alongside direct support Falling In Reverse and Crown The Empire, are scheduled to play at Upstate Concert Hall in Clifton Park, N.Y. on Sunday, March 5.

    On May 13, the band released their fourth full-length album, Misadventures. Fans are welcoming back the band to perform their new material at the Clifton Park venue for the first time since their nearly sold-out show in 2013 with Memphis May Fire, Letlive and Issues.

    Their third U.S. headlining tour promoting the album, the Rest In Space Tour will be hitting North America until March 10. Since the release of Misadventures, Pierce The Veil have released music videos for fan favorites, “Circles,” “Dive In” and “Floral & Fading.”

    Direct support Falling In Reverse are scheduled to release their new album, Coming Home, on April 7 via Epitaph Records. Their fourth full-length release, Coming Home features hit singles, “Loser” and “Coming Home.”

    Following the departure of vocalist Dave Escamilla, in July of last year Crown The Empire released their third full-length album, Retrograde. Their Retrograde Tour promoting the album hit the Clifton Park venue in late November.

    Doors open for the Rest in Space tour at 6 pm on Sunday, and the show kicks off at 7 pm. 

  • Hearing Aide: Battle Beast ‘Bringer of Pain’

    Imagine this scenario if you may: you are about to enter an epic battle of man vs the world. You have your leather wrist bands and your battle vest prepared for combat. The boots are all laced and ready to kick up the mud. Deep inside you know something is missing. What could it be? Suddenly the answer came from the metal gods, a wicked and powerful soundtrack to capture the energy of a true warrior. The battle hymn of choice goes by the name, Bringer of Pain from Finland’s own Battle Beast! Today we shall fight for the metal.

    Battle Beast Bringer Of PainNo strangers to the way of steel, Bringer of Pain, is the fourth installment to be added to the band’s ever growing discography. This follow up from their 2015 release Unholy Savior (via Nuclear Blast) and my personal favorite Battle Beast (2013 via Nuclear Blast), they once again present their own unique brand of heavy and power metal to the metal masses. The vocal approach by Noora Louhimo will capture the hearts of the male fans and inspired many females lurking in the genre to take up the horns. With such powerful tracks like “We Will Fight” and “God of War,” they will ignite a flame inside the listener  that will burn brighter than any other star in the sky. The guitar work of Juuso Soinio and the drumming of Pyry Vikki will remind you of Odin’s eight hooved horse galloping to crush the enemies of metal. You will find yourself doing your battle cry as you raise your sword or roll a d20 while playing DND, as each soaring guitar solo with the help of bone crushing war drum makes the opposition tremble before you. Critical hit; victory is yours.

    When it comes to power metal, you know there will be some songs that hit you hard straight into your soul. The track on the album that puts the emphasis of emotion is the very passionate song “Far From Heaven.” The vocals mixed with the guitar skills of Vikki and Björkroth created a masterpiece of melody and melancholy resonance. I am a big scary looking guy and let me tell you, this track makes me feel like a hopeful teenage boy again; simply beautiful. I do admit this is my personal favorite from the new release. Another track that has a wonderful executed dread-filled painted landscape is “Lost in Wars” which features Tomi Joutsen (Amphoris). His deep sorrowful vocals mold a dark picture where a world lost all hope and light because of man’s own doing. It will send chills down your spine with the bass playing of Sipilä giving the song as if it was a funeral dirge. I do see this song  becoming the most popular one on the album in the coming weeks as well as help the band grow their devoted fan base.

    If I could give this album a rating, it would be a solid 5 out of 5. You may order it from the band’s page and your local record store. Buy it and together we will fight with Odin!

    Key Tracks: Bringer of Pain, Lost in Wars, We Will Fight

  • Iraqi Metalists Acrassicauda Host Immigrant Resettlement Benefit in Brooklyn

    Brooklyn-based Acrassicauda, a metal band originally formed in Iraq and featured in the 2007 documentary Heavy Metal in Baghdad, is hosting a benefit at the Knitting Factory Sunday to support immigrant resettlement programs in Brooklyn. The 6:00 p.m. all-ages show is free to attend, donations are encouraged.

    AcrassicaudaSpeaking with Billboard about the decision to conduct the benefit, the typically apolitical band says it was sparked by President Trump’s executive order calling for a travel ban from seven majority Muslim countries. Drummer Marwan M tells the magazine:

    We dodged that conversation because of everything we went through growing up in Iraq. But what’s going on here is idiotic and making us sick to our stomachs. We decided that we can’t pretend nothing is happening. This country is built on immigration and the idea of diverse cultures united. So many Americans are people who have fled their countries for one reason or another and built a home here. And this country has benefited from them.

    The Sunday show features special guests Alex Skolnick of Testament – who produced Acrassicauda’s debut EP, Only the Dead See the End of the War –  and Jay Weinberg of Slipknot, along with the bands I Killya, Sun & Flesh, Robots and Monsters and Signals of Bedlam.

    Original Acrassicauda members, drummer Marwan and guitarist/vocalist Faisal Talal, with assistance from members of Staten Island band Sicada, will headline the affair. All proceeds from the event, including from all Acrassicauda merchandise sold, will go towards immigrant resettlement causes. The band hasn’t designated one specific organization, but did say a portion will go to the International Rescue Committee, an organization instrumental in helping the band members when seeking asylum in 2009.

    Weinberg was enlisted to help via text message from Marwan after witnessing the recent airport protests. He was on board right away.

    If you’ve seen the documentary, then you know what those guys went through just to be a band; just to practice. They are trying to live, quote unquote, the American dream, but it seems more difficult to attain these days.  So, they are standing up and speaking out for what’s right. They walk the walk, and if I can contribute to a cause that they’re behind, I’m honored to be a part of it.

    Acrassicauda released its first full length album Gilgamesh in February 2016. Watch the powerful video for the single “Rise” below.  The Vice documentary Heavy Metal in Baghdad can be viewed in its entirety on the band’s website here.

  • Hearing Aide: Overkill “The Grinding Wheel”

    It is already the second month of 2017 and it is already showing this year is the year of the thrash! With Kreator’s Gods Of Violence and Sepulutura’s Machine Messiah released in January, both are perfect examples why the genre will never go down without a fight. Now it is time for another thrash/speed heavyweight to show the spirit of cheap beer and denim is still alive. I am speaking of course of the mighty Overkill with their latest album, The Grinding Wheel, released via Nuclear Blast. Time to give this giant a well deserved review.

    Being the eighteenth studio album from Bobby “Blitz” and the boys, it is safe to say these veterans of the genre know what makes the name Overkill so great. A great follow up from White Devil Armory (released 2014 via Nuclear Blast), this album has their brand of metal written all over it. The groove aspects of D.D Verni (bass guitar) and Derek Tailer (rhythm guitar) gives the album many memorable tracks. The most dominant tracks on the album that showcase their type of approach are the tracks “Come Heavy” and “Red White and Blue.” With “Blitz” vocals, you will find yourself singing along while the general public just stares at you. Let them stare! You are a thrasher. These tracks just keep you bobbing your head more than a headbanger from “Brütal Legend”. It is called heavy metal.

    Another key element of this album are the 80s classic thrash riffs that makes you wanna toss your friend in the circle pit while you hold his beer. You totally got it dude! The single off the album, “Our Finest Hour,” is the powerhouse staple that drives the aggression from start to finish on this shred-tastic release. The machine gun style drumming of Eddy Garcia, always keeping up the groove and the pace of the song, is like a kick in the jaw. . Every snare and cymbal hit sounds as if a storm is coming over the horizon. You might as well get a mouth guard while listening to it. It is a a non-stop ride of pure danger, but we know you love the abuse.

    There are so many tracks on this work of art which which will keep you windmilling for days. It is safe to say this album will constantly be blasted by those who are thirsty for the glory days of American thrash. Prepare those neck muscles. This album gets a 4.5 out of 5 stars. Pick it up now via Nuclear Blast or at your local record store.

    Key Tracks: Come On Heavy, Our Finest Hour, Red White and Blue.

    Overkill is currently on a North American tour w/ Nile, Amorphis and Swallow The Sun.
    Overkil. Hitting up Clifton Park at Upstate Concert Hall on September 3rd, 2017.

    For all concert check the band’s page. http://wreckingcrew.com/Ironbound

  • PWR BTTM Announces New Album, Release ‘Big Beautiful Day’ Music Video

    New York’s PWR BTTM announced their sophomore album will be released on May 12 on Polyvinyl Records. Pageant is the follow-up to 2015’s acclaimed Ugly Cherries. The punk duo plans to tour extensively in 2017. The North American summer tour kicks off Friday May 26 at Toronto’s Velvet Underground, and comes to New York’s Webster Hall on June 21. Tickets are available starting noon on Friday, February 17.

    PWR BTTMCoinciding with the album announcement, PWR BTTM also released the video for “Big Beautiful Day,” the final song on Pageant. The music video, directed by Christopher Good, is chock full of deliciously decadent glam. The day-in-the-life concept starts with band members Ben Hopkins and Liv Bruce having waffles for breakfast and builds up to an extravagant dance party.

    Pageant is available for preorder as a digital download, compact disc, metallic gold cassette, and maroon vinyl.

    PWR BTTMTracklist:

    1 Silly
    2 Answer My Text
    3 LOL
    4 Won’t
    5 Now, Now
    6 Sissy
    7 Pageant
    8 Oh Boy
    9 New Trick
    10 Wash
    11 Kids’ Table
    12 Big Beautiful Day
    13 Styrofoam

  • Red Hot Chili Peppers Play Key Bank Center

    I can’t believe I made it this far in life without ever seeing the Red Hot Chili Peppers but I’m so glad I was able to drive in a snow storm from Syracuse to the Key Bank Center in Buffalo on February 10 to make this at the last possible minute.  I just feel bad for missing the openers. Going into this concert my first thought was “what on earth is this band going to be like without John Frusciante?!”  And honestly this band still holds its own as the kings of funk rock. Guitarist Josh Klinghoffer is damn amazing at what he does, plays the parts justified, the solos slightly different, but nails the backing vocals.

    Overall, the band is as vital as it ever was, and show no signs of slowing down.  But their stage production was massive and unique.   Above the crowd and stage was the new kinetic light sculpture, designed by the production company called TAIT Towers.  This technique and stage design has  never been done before at other shows.  The band made an ambitious move to excite the crowd and add to their already insane musical experience.  It is really hard to explain how these lights work but check out this link to see a better explanation.

    The band opened with a cool little jam before frontman Anthony Kiedis stormed the stage before going into “Can’t Stop” and “Dani California.”  I also want to point out that Flea is still one of the most bad ass bassists ever to grace music and Chad Smith can pound the drums meaner than Animal the Muppet.  Eat your heart out Will Farrell.  Also in addition to all the crazy production, the band had additional musicians when they performed songs off their latest album The Getaway.  They had an additional guitarist, keyboardist, and percussionist to make the songs more massive.  It was also cool to see the band do jams, bass interludes, and guitar solos in between songs, as well as showing off their sense of humor.

    One of the highlights of the night was “Aeroplane” which was off their 1995 album One Hot Minute which featured Dave Navarro on guitar at the time….which was why it was such an unexpected treat to hear.  And my life was complete towards the end of the show when they played the iconic “Under The Bridge.”  Found it interesting when the band did a cover of Iggy and The Stooges’ “Search and Destroy” in which Kiedis took his shirt off.  Not sure if that was supposed to be a nod to Iggy himself.  The band closed off their set with “By The Way” before a kick ass two song encore of “Good Bye Angels” off The Getaway and the oh-so-fun and dirty song “Give It Away” which the crowd went bananas over.

    Overall it was an unforgettable night, I would expect RHCP will be back in NY very soon and will still sell out a massive arena…and it would be great to see what kind of ambitious production they would carry next.  Not to mention with so many albums out, there’s so many songs that still need to be incorporated into their set.

  • Restless Streets Releases New Single, ‘In Vogue’

    Restless Streets, a post-metalcore band from Albany, NY, released a brand new single along with a corresponding lyric video, titled “In Vogue,” via YouTube on February 9, 2017.

    The song features an overhauled version of Restless Streets’ distinctive sound, now with more melodic elements found in pop and rock music as opposed to harsh vocals featured on previous efforts.” In Vogue” is the second single that they have released since the release of an acoustic EP, We Had It Perfect, and their debut album, Sincerely. Both “In Vogue,” and their first single, “Sugar Free,” can be streamed on their YouTube channel.

  • Metallica 2017 North American Tour Announced, Includes Stops at MetLife Stadium and Uniondale

    After being disrespected at this years Grammys, the kings of thrash Metallica have officially announced their 2017 North American Tour in support of their new album Hardwired…To Self Destruct.  The first date kicks off in Baltimore, and concludes in Edmonton, AB, Canada.  But for the first time in over 6 years, Metallica will be stopping twice in the New York City surrounding area with a May 14 date at the glorious MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ and May 17 at the New Coliseum in Uniondale, NY (which is set to open their doors for the first time on April 5.)  Avenged Sevenfold and Volbeat are slated to be the openers on this tour. Gojira is set to open on the Canadian dates.

    This is likely to be one of the highest grossing tours of 2017, and tickets will be going fast as they go on sale to the public this Friday, February 17. Check out the tour dates below.

    Metallica 2017 North American Tour Dates

    May 10 – Baltimore, MD – M&T Bank Stadium
    May 12 – Philadelphia, PA – Lincoln Financial Field
    May 14 – East Rutherford, NJ – MetLife Stadium
    May 17 – Uniondale, NY – New Coliseum
    May 19 – Boston, MA – Gillette Stadium
    May 21 – Columbus, OH – Rock On The Range Festival
    June 4 – St. Louis, MO – Busch Stadium
    June 7 – Denver, CO – Sports Authority Field
    June 11 – Houston, TX – NRG Stadium
    June 14 – San Antonio, TX – Alamodome
    June 16 – Dallas, TX – AT&T Stadium
    June 18 – Chicago, IL – Soldier Field
    July 5 – Orlando, FL – Camping World Stadium
    July 7 – Miami, FL – Hard Rock Stadium
    July 9 – Atlanta, GA – Suntrust Park
    July 12 – Detroit, MI – Comercia Park
    July 14 – Quebec City, QC – Festival D’Ete
    July 16 – Toronto, ON – Rogers Centre
    July 19 – Montreal, QB – Parc Jean-Drapeau
    July 29 – Los Angeles, CA – Rose Bowl
    August 4 – Phoenix, AZ – University of Phoenix Stadium
    August 6 – San Diego, CA – Petco Park
    August 9 – Seattle, WA – Centurylink Field
    August 14 – Vancouver, BC – BC Place
    August 16 – Edmonton, AB – Commonwealth Stadium