Epica Brings Aspiral to New York City

Epica, the internationally renowned symphonic metal band, kicked off their highly anticipated tour supporting their newest album, “Aspiral,” in the vibrant city of New York at the historic Irving Plaza. With only three scheduled dates across the United States before venturing to Mexico and then onto other parts of the world, it was clear that the venue was filled to capacity with excited Epica fans from the entire northeastern region. The thrill and anticipation surrounding the first show of any tour always create a buzz, as both the band and the audience share a sense of uncertainty about how the evening will unfold. As the band took to the stage, the recognizable notes of "Design Your Universe" began to resonate through the venue, setting a captivating tone for what was destined to be a truly remarkable night. The setlist was an expertly curated blend of tracks from "Aspiral," along with classic fan favorites from their extensive catalog, featuring standout songs such as "Cross the Divide," "Fight to Survive," and "The Last Crusade," concluding the night with the powerful anthem "Consign to Oblivion." Epica delivered a flawless performance that showcased their exceptional musical talent, all while engaging playfully with the audience, creating an electric atmosphere. One can only hope that they will return to the United States soon to share their magnificent show with even more fans.

To Keep up with Epica - https://www.epica.nl

Opening the evening were the fan-favorite band Seven Spires, who captivated attendees with their dynamic presence. Having seen the band perform live last year, I was eagerly looking forward to experiencing their energy again. They split their set between their last two albums, “A Fortress Called Home” and “Gods of DeBauchery,” delivering hits such as "Almosttown," "Oceans of Time," and "Dare to Live." The band was not only energetic but also impressively tight, with vocalist Adrienne Cowan showcasing her powerful voice that was as strong and moving as ever.

To Keep up with Seven Spires - https://www.sevenspiresband.com

Don't Believe in Ghosts and Cage Willis bring the heat to NYC.

Hailing from the vibrant city of New York and having not graced the stage in an impressive 9 months, both the audience and the band were eager to let loose and create an unforgettable atmosphere at The Mercury Lounge, located on the Eastside of New York. Their unique alternative New York sound had the crowd dancing and singing along from the very first note, maintaining the high energy throughout the night, especially during standout tracks like "Put Your Head Back," "Drowning," and their newest release, "Brooklyn Baby." The unforeseen challenges of 2020 may have temporarily derailed their momentum, but the band now appears more than ready to get right back into the groove and continue their upward trajectory in the music scene.

To stay up to date with the band - https://www.dontbelieveinghosts.com

Opening the night was the captivating Outlaw Southern Rock artist Cage Willis. While there may not have been as much dancing as with DBIG, there was certainly an abundance of drinking among the enthusiastic crowd. This talented trio managed to fill the sonic space in a way that made it feel as if there were five members on stage performing. With standout tracks like "Bones," "Way Out Here," and a yet-to-be-released song titled "Same Old Shit," the audience formed a strong connection with both their sound and their poignant lyrics. The energy of their stage presence was undeniable, as fans cheered, hooted, and fully embraced the entire set. We are eagerly looking forward to whatever Cage Willis has planned for his next release!

To find out more - https://cagewillis.com

W.A.S.P. and Armored Saint Roll their Metal Machine into NYC !

With the UFC fighting for dominance at the world’s most famous arena, just a block away, the Hammerstein Ballroom was alive with the thunderous energy of 80's metal. Blackie Lawless brought his highly anticipated Album One Tour to this historic venue, celebrating the landmark anniversary of their debut album by performing it in its entirety. As the lights dimmed and the crowd buzzed with excitement, the audio cranked out a captivating mixtape of classic WASP songs, heightening the anticipation as the band made their way onto the stage. They kicked off the evening with the electrifying anthem “I Wanna Be Somebody.” Midway through the set, Blackie paused to warmly welcome the audience, sharing that they had never before opened with that particular song. He also mentioned his initial reservations about performing the album in its entirety, but after reflecting on how Led Zeppelin had boldly done the same with one of their own albums, he felt inspired to go ahead and celebrate this landmark in WASP’s history. Throughout the show, Blackie stood confidently behind his imposing skeleton microphone stand, flanked by his talented bandmates Doug Blair, Mike Duda, and Aquiles Priester. Together, they delivered the perfect SOUNDTRACK to the album that launched their storied career. After a brief intermission, the band returned to the stage, igniting the crowd once again with a thrilling medley of fan favorites, including the classic hits “Wildchild” and “Blind in Texas.”

For more tour and wasp info - https://www.waspnation.com

Opening the evening was yet another iconic band from the 80’s metal scene, the legendary Armored Saint. Their no-frills stage presence, combined with their powerful songs, transported me right back to a time when you could catch any one of the soon-to-be-huge bands—like Metallica, W.A.S.P., Anthrax, and others—performing at one of the many vibrant metal clubs scattered throughout New York City. As John Bush recounted a nostalgic story about performing in the renowned L’Amour in Brooklyn, it became clear that the band's history was deeply intertwined with the rich fabric of the metal scene. The setlist featured a greatest hits collection that spanned their long and distinguished career. At one memorable moment, John cleverly snuck his way to the balcony to sing closer to the audience lingering in the back, creating a special connection that made everyone feel welcomed and like they truly belonged. They also displayed no signs of slowing down, as they energetically played two of their more recent songs alongside the cherished classics that fans have loved for years.

To stay up to date with the band - https://armoredsaint.com

Long Island Celebrates 40 Years of STRYPER at The Patchogue Theatre

On this absolutely perfect fall day in Patchogue, Long Island, the legendary band Stryper rolled into town to delight their devoted fans. The spectacle of their gigantic semi-truck and tour bus taking over the back parking lot demanded everyone's attention at the venue. Embracing their impressive 40 years together, the band made a bold decision to forgo an opening act, opting instead to treat us to two full sets of music that would surely resonate with fans of all ages. As the powerful and iconic "Battle Hymn of the Republic" rolled through the speakers, anticipation surged within the crowd, knowing that the band was sure to follow shortly after. Robert Sweet took his commanding position in the drum riser, and when Oz Fox walked onto the stage, the venue erupted into thunderous applause. This show of support was particularly meaningful given Oz's recent medical challenges, and it was truly a blessing to witness him performing live. Soon after, Michael Sweet and Perry Richardson joined the stage, officially launching the Metal Sermon with their unforgettable hit "Loud 'n' Clear." Clad in their signature yellow and black stripes, which fans have come to associate with their distinctive image, the first set delivered everything an avid Stryper fan could have ever wanted from their early days all the way through their heyday. Between songs, Michael Sweet engaged the audience with captivating stories about the band's beginnings and shared intriguing tidbits regarding each song they performed. He even lightheartedly explained that there would be a 30-minute intermission where the band would step backstage to recharge, praying the audience would not to leave, as the second set would include an array of recent material. The 30-minute intermission came and went, yet not a single soul vacated the building; the faithful fans knew that the newer tracks rock just as hard as the classics. When they kicked off the second set with "Reborn," they touched on every album, including their most recent release, When We Were Kings. The night culminated in a rousing rendition of their classic Sing Along Song, leaving us with memories that would keep us celebrating for the next 40 years.

To stay up to date with everything Styper - https://stryper.com/music

The Legendary King's X Brings their thunder to Long Island, NY

August 11, 2024 - 89 North - Patchogue, NY. As the sun was gently setting on the close of a beautiful Sunday evening, the exhilarating roar of the crowd and the electrifying sound of the band served as a powerful reminder that there was still ample time to rock and enjoy the music. King's X brought their much-anticipated Three Sides of One tour to 89 North, captivating the audience and enlightening them with a remarkable setlist that spanned their impressive 40-plus years of performing on the stage. The band played heavily from their latest release, Three Sides of One, featuring standout tracks such as "Let it Rain," "All God’s Children," and "Give It Up." Yet, they skillfully ensured that the audience was not left without a reminder of their classic hits, performing fan favorites like "Goldilox" and "Dogman." The musicianship of Doug Pinnick, Ty Tabor, and Jerry Gaskell was nothing short of extraordinary, but it was the band's heartfelt messages that truly resonated with everyone, bringing the audience together in a profound sense of family as we departed the show. Experiencing King's X live is undeniably an experience that everyone should have, witnessing them continue to perform at such a high level.

To Stay up to date on everything King’s X -https://kingsxrocks.com

Eric Johnson Brings the Straight Up Tones of Blue Tour to Long Island,NY

August 6th, 2024 - Patchogue Theatre, NY. Even though the tri-state area was enduring a relentless weather storm with heavy rain flooding the roads and creating a gloomy atmosphere, the dedicated crowd still came out to experience the incredible guitar virtuoso Eric Johnson, who was determined to deliver a little sunshine amidst all that dampness. Accompanied by the talented Tom Brechtlein on drums and the skilled Roscoe Beck on bass, this remarkable trio treated us to two sets brimming with fantastic blues and rock music. That’s right, two electrifying sets. The first set featured all new material, which had the crowd grooving and dancing as if they had been familiar with the songs forever. The second set showcased everything you would hope to hear from Eric Johnson, including all the classic hits that fans adore.

To Keep up with everything Eric Johnson - https://www.ericjohnson.com

Red Fang and Teen Mortgage Rock The Gramercy Theatre NYC.

July 20th, 2023 NYC- Relapse Records artist Red Fang on a short runs of shows came to the Gramercy and spoiled the crowd with a fantastic set which included songs from their newest album Arrows.

More info - https://redfang.net

Teen Mortgage opened the show. This two piece got everyone’s attention with their style of psychedelic punk.

For more info check them out - https://teenmortgageband.wixsite.com/website

Wage War-The Manic 2023 headline tour, with support from nothing,nowhere. and Spite Invade Long Island

Florida hard rock quintet WAGE WAR — Briton Bond [lead vocals], Cody Quistad [rhythm guitar, clean vocals], Seth Blake [lead guitar], Chris Gaylord [bass], and Stephen Kluesener [drums] — The band embarked on The Manic 2023 headline tour, with support from nothing,nowhere. and Spite. The tour kicked off on April 11 in the band's native Florida and runs through May 20 in Atlanta.

On May 14th, they stopped at The Paramount - Huntington, New York. Below are photos from the show. If you missed this tour try and catch them at Louder Than Life festival.

The new album Manic is out now ! For more info: https://wagewarband.com

Nothing, Nowhere and his band took over the stage & immediately got the crowd into a frenzy. Check them out this weekend or when they get back from Germany. Void Eternal is out now.

For more info : https://www.nothingnowhere.net

Spite opened the evening with a great set featuring songs from their new album Dedication To Flesh. After this weekend they will be touring over the pond in Europe.

For more info : https://www.spitecult.com

White Chapel , Archspire , Signs of the Swarm and Entheos storm NYC's Gramercy Theatre on 'The Valley’ 2023 U.S. Tour

April 21, 2023 - This was a fantastic night of Metal at NYC Gramercy Theatre. There was not one soft spot in the line-up. Here are photos from The Valley tour.

White Chapel, the kings from Tennessee, touring on their latest Album “Kin”.

For more tour dates and info check them out here: https://whitechapelband.com

Vancouver’s Archspire touring on their latest album “Bleed the Future”. Won’t be long before they are headlining shows.

For more tour dates and info: https://archspire.bandcamp.com/album/bleed-the-future

Signs of the Swarm were excellent, swarming all over the stage bombarding the crowd with their set and energy.

Their newest Amongst the low & empty is out now.

For more info : https://signsoftheswarm.com/bio

Opening the evening were Entheos and the audience got there early to make sure not to miss their set.

Touring on their newest album from Metal Blade records “Time will take us all”

For more info: https://www.metalblade.com/Entheos/#bio

The Black Dahlia Murder tore up Irving Plaza with Terror , Frozen Soul , Fuming Mouth and Phobophilic

Having not being able to catch them at The Metal and Beer Fest in Philly, I was so lucky to see them in NYC .

Touring their newest album Verminous. The Verminous Remnant Tour lasts until September.

Starting with the title track and finishing with Deathmask Divine The band had total control of the crowd throughout.

Below are some photos from their set .

For more info: https://www.tbdmofficial.com

What a way to kick the audience into another level of frenzy. Terror did just that. Hardcore at its finest. Touring off their newest album Pain Into Power they will be on the road in the USA till may, definitely catch them before they hit Europe.

For more info: http://totalretaliation.com

Hailing from Dallas, Texas - Frozen Soul hit the NYC stage and showed everybody what they had. In a fantastic and personal set, they just made you connect with them.

Their new album Glacial Domination from Century Media Records will be out in May, but for now catch them on the road this month.

For more info : https://www.frozensoultx.com

With only 1 studio album and their new Ep (Beyond the Tomb) under their belt. Fuming Mouth tore up Irving Plaza. Make you sure you get in early and check them out.

For more info: https://www.fumingmouth.com

Opening the night of mayhem from North Dakota were Phobophilic and their fantastic set of Death Metal.

For more info check out their Facebook and Instagram pages.

Austin Meade ... Rocked out NYC'S Mercury Lounge

March 31,23 . Mercury Lounge - New York City.

What better way to start the weekend then with an amazing show from Austin Meade. On tour supporting his newest album, “Abstract Art of an Unstable Mind”. Austin and his bandmates killed it! I’m glad I was able to catch him at the Mercury Lounge’s intimate setting, because this band is hitting a great stride and bigger venues. Below are some photos from the night.

The tour rolls on thru to May so definitely catch it.

For more info and Videos check out Austin Meade here:

https://www.austinmeade.com

Thy Art is Murder ends their Decade of Hate U.S. Tour at Stereo Gardens, LI

Showcasing the ten year release of their album “Hate”. Thy Art is Murder took out Kublai Khan, I Am, Justice for the Damned and Undeath on a 26 date tour of the United States.

Ending March 11, 2023 at Stereo Gardens, Long Island NY, before heading over to Europe.

The crowd lined up for blocks on a brisk but sunny early Saturday evening. The doors opened and everyone vied for a spot on the pit floor. Justice for the Damned opened the night with I Am, Undeath, Kublai Khan following leading up to the mighty Thy Art is Murder who closed the show.

Whether you were there or not, check out my photos from the night and make sure you try to catch any of these bands next time they come to your town!

Check out where Thy Art of Murder is heading next.

https://www.thyartismurder.net

Photo Credit : Al Feliciano

Rise Records recording Artist Kublai Khan newest ep Lowest form of animal out now.

https://kublaikhantx.com

Photo Credit: Al Feliciano

New Yorks own UnDeath newest record It’s Time to rise from the grave out now on Prosthetic Records.

https://undeathmetal.com

Photo Credit: Al Feliciano

Check out I Am -Eternal Steel and more here:

https://iamtxmusic.bandcamp.com/album/eternal-steel

Photo Credit: Al Feliciano

Greyscale recording Artist - Justice for the damned two releases Pain is Power and Dragged through the dirt and more here :

https://justiceforthedamned.com

Photo Credit: Al Feliciano

Stella Rose Brings Lainey Wilson " Country with a flare tour" to Irving Plaza, NYC

What better way to stay warm on a Frigid 9 degree night in NYC, then to settle in with a thousand new friends for a night of Country. What you say - COUNTRY in NYC? You bet your bell bottoms!!

Warming the Sold Out crowd up from the cold was Meg McRee. With just a guitar, her voice (and a little Tequilla ), She gave a brilliant performance. A talented Songwriter and Performer who has had many of her songs cut by Grace Potter, Elle King, Caylee Hammack, Paul Cauthen, Carter Faith and Ben Chapman who join her for her last song. She also Played with Ben Chapman during his set. Checkout her newest release “Tried and True” and more.

https://www.megmcree.com/home

Now that we were properly warmed up and getting ready to dance around (no room for line dancing tonight). Ben Chapmen and Co. continued the night with their Gritty, Honky Tonk Set. Man these guys were great. Their set had you sweating from all the grooves pouring off the stage. Check out “Georgia Dreaming” from soon to be released album “Amber Sound Vol. 1”

https://www.benchapmanmusic.com

With a really quick stage break down. It was time to get them Bell Bottoms movin. Lainey Wilson hit the stage and took over the crowd. The set gave us, the audience, everything we wanted to hear and more. This is a must see tour! Check out the tour dates and more .

https://laineywilson.com

Photo Credit : Al Feliciano - Aint Tellin Photography