POD Concert Review

                                

POD would make a stop at The Castle Theatre in Bloomington Illinois on July 2nd 2015. In support would be up and coming From Ashes to New and Islander.

Starting things off would be a band that should be on everyone’s watch list, From Ashes to New. The Lancaster Pennsylvania rock band, which was formed barely two years ago, consists of six musicians who at some point have all played together in some aspect in different bands in the Lancaster area. You could say From Ashes to New consists of the best of what the Lancaster music scene has to offer. The sextet consists of Dan Kecki and Branden “Boo” Kreider on guitar, Garrett Russell on bass, Tim D’onofrio on drums and a vocal tandem of Chris Musser and Matt Brandyberry. If you have yet to hear this band their sound is a cross of Hollywood Undead lyrically and Papa Roach and Linkin Park sound wise. A perfect mixture of hard hitting rock and hip-hop. From Ashes to New or FATN would come out swinging with the song “My Fight” and they wouldn’t stop swinging until the end of their set some twenty-five minutes later.  At that point, I was left wanting their set to keep going.  It was that good. Their set was very energetic and interactive as Musser, sporting white Marilyn Manson-esque contacts, and Brandyberry would interact with the crowd throughout the set. Brandyberry even left the stage at one point and went out among the fans as he flowed on the microphone while fist bumping and giving high fives to fans along the way. I would definitely see this band again and would recommend to anyone to pick up their two EP’s which you can find on Google Play and Spotify.  Or you can do what I did and support the band and buy them from them directly at one of their shows.

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Click to view From Ashes To New Photo Gallery

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Watch our exclusive interview with Matt Brandyberry and Chris Musser of From Ashes To New

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Next up would be Islander, who was founded in 2011 and hails from Greenville, South Carolina. They are currently touring in support of their studio album Violence and Destruction which was released in 2014. While the band has gone through some lineup changes over the last year or so you would never know it by their performance. They sounded like they have been playing together since the group was formed in 2011. Islander consists of former RED drummer Joe Rickard, former Spoken bassist Ryan Pei, Love and Death guitarist J.R. Bareis , and mainstay vocalist Mikey Carvajal. Islander’s sound can be hard to pinpoint since it falls in several musical categories, but three bands that come to mind after hearing their cd and then seeing them live would be 311 and Rage Against the Machine with a hint of Deftones.  Islander played a fantastic set which included ten songs from their aforementioned album Violence and Destruction. The energy of Islander’s set was relentless and at one point consisted of Mikey Carvajal standing atop the crowd as he sang and interacted with them the entire time and also consisted of two boys who could not have been more then nine or ten years old trying their hand at crowd surfing. I kept thinking they weere going to fall but thankfully they never did. Speaking of things I rarely see, lets just say i’ve never seen a guitarist sport a blue with purple polka dot (think Sully from Monsters Inc) dinosaur tail until J.R Bareis walked out on stage. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed Islanders set as it brought me back to the times when Rage Against The Machine ruled the airways while also having the hard hitting rock, nu metal sound of today.

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Click to view Islander Photo Gallery

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After two amazing sets that got the crowd pumped up POD would take the stage and send the crowd into a frenzy. The band which hails from San Diego California consists of cousins Wuv Bernardo on drums and Sonny Sandoval on vocals. POD is rounded out by the trio of Traa Daniels on bass, Marcos Curiel on guitar, and Luis Castillo on keyboards. Also making a appearance during their set would be Sonny Sandoval’s son, Justice, who would come out during “Youth Of A Nation” and play a bongo drum. You get a little of everything when seeing a POD show as their musical influences consist of rock, reggae, and hip hop. Their set would consist of eighteen songs, that while looks long on paper did not seem that way live, as they flowed from song to song and would play for close to an hour. They would start the night off with “Murdered Love” and the rest of the set would consist songs like “Boom”, “Southtown”, “Alive”, “Satelite”, and “Youth Of A Nation” that has made POD the widely band they are today. It would also include the song This Goes Out To You which is the first single off their highly anticipated conceptual album The Awakening which is set to be released on August 21st of this year.  We sat down with Marcos Curiel before their set and learned more about the album.

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It is hard to believe that a year after I graduated from high school was when POD burst onto the music scene with the album The Fundamental Elements Of Southtown and some fifteen years later would be going as strong now as they did then. The highlight of the night came during “Youth Of A Nation” when Sonny invited any youth in the audience to come up to the stage for the song.  While there were not many younger fans in the audience that night there were those two youths that had been crowd surfing a set earlier that made their way to the stage. At one point, Sonny even handed the young boys a mic as they sang along to the chorus. After the song was over Sonny invited them to sit off to the side of the stage for the rest of the show. I talked to one of the boys moms in between the Islander and POD set and she stated that it was her sons first concert. What a experience for what i’m guessing was a boy that could not have been more then nine or ten years old. For anyone that is a fan of rock music seeing POD is a must as they definitely know how to put on a great rock show. They will be out on the road until late October so check them out when they come to a city near you.

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Click to view P.O.D. Photo Gallery

Best Metal/Rock Album Covers

Best Metal/Rock Album Covers

                                

25) Kreator- Coma Of Souls
Kreator is a thrash metal band from Essen Germany that’s been melting faces overseas since the band was formed in 1982. Kreator has released 13 Albums, its most recent being 2012’s Phantom Antichrist. Cover artwork for Coma Of Souls was done by Andreas Marschall.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coma_of_Souls

Kreator – Coma Of Souls

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

24) Bobaflex- Hell In My Heart
Bobaflex is a nu metal band formed by brothers Shaun and Marty McCoy. The brothers have ancestral ties to the most infamous family feud in American history, between the Hatfields and McCoys which almost caused a war between West Virginia and Kentucky. The bands name was inspired by the bounty hunter Boba Fett from Star Wars. Bobaflex has released seven albums, its most recent being 2013’s Charlatans Web.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coma_of_Souls

Bobaflex – Hell In My Heart

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

23) Mushroomhead- Beautiful Stories For Ugly Children
Mushroomhead is a nine member heavy metal band formed in 1993 from Cleveland, Ohio. Known for their sound and imagery which feature masks and costumes, Mushroomhead usually performs at smaller venues despite their massive popularity. Stories For Ugly Children is the final album to feature Big Benis on bass and Gravy on guitar. It is also the only album to feature Lil Dan on percussion.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coma_of_Souls

Mushroomhead – Beautiful Stories For Ugly Children

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

22) Avatar- Hail The Apocalypse
Avatar is a Death/Groove Metal band from Gothenburg, Sweden. Formed in 2000 by drummer John Alfredsson and singer Johannes Eckerström.  Avatar has really been making waves here in the states since the release of 2012’s Black Waltz. Hail The Apocalypse is Avatar’s first album to chart on the Billboard 200 at #97

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coma_of_Souls

Avatar – Hail The Apocalypse

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

21) Children Of Bodom- Follow The Reaper
Children Of Bodom is a melodic death metal band from Espoo, Finland.  In total they have released eight studio albums, two live albums, two EP’s, and two compilation albums, and one DVD.  Follow The Reaper was the band’s first album to go Gold in Finland and Children Of Bodom are one of Finland’s best selling artists of all time.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coma_of_Souls

Children Of Bodom – Follow the Reaper

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

20) Avenged Sevenfold- Nightmare
Avenged Sevenfold or otherwise known as A7X by their fans is a heavy metal band from Huntington Beach, California. They are known for their diverse sound and dramatic imagery in both album covers and merchandise. To date, A7X has released six studio albums and one live album/DVD. Nightmare is the only release to feature Dream Theatre’s Mike Portnoy on drums after the untimely death of James “The Rev” Sullivan in 2009. Cover artwork for Nightmare was done by Travis Smith.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coma_of_Souls

Avenge Sevenfold – Nightmare

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

19) Coal Chamber- Coal Chamber
Coal Chamber is a nu metal band formed in Los Angeles California in 1993. The band gained a large following early in its career because it was the first “darker” themed nu metal band having more in common with the Goth subculture then the hip hop culture. The band has released four studio albums along with three compilation albums.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coma_of_Souls

Coal Chamber – Self Titled

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

18) Rage Against The Machine- Rage Against The Machine
The debut album by Rage Against The Machine went to #1 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart and #45 on the Billboard 200 chart. Rage Against The Machine was an American alt metal group formed in Los Angeles, California in 1991.  Known for their leftist political views the albums cover features Malcom Browne’s Pulitzer Prize winning photograph of Thich Quảng Đức, a Vietnamese Buddhist monk burning himself to death in Saigon in 1963 in protest of the murder of Buddhists by U.S. backed Prime Minister Wgo Dinh Diem’s regime.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coma_of_Souls

Rage Against The Machine – Self Titled

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

17) Five Finger Death Punch- War Is The Answer
Five Finger Death Punch or FFDP is a metal band from Las Vegas Nevada. Formed in 2005 the groups name is derived from classic martial arts cinema.  FFDP has released five studio albums, having sold over 2.6 million albums in the United States alone. Their sixth album is scheduled for a 2015 release. Jekyll and Hyde, The first single from the upcoming album is out now.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coma_of_Souls

Five Finger Death Punch – War Is The Anser

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

16) Motorhead- Motorhead
In 1975, Motorhead began a journey that would change the rock scene forever. Formed by bassist, singer, and songwriter Ian Fraser Kimister, professionally known by his stage name Lemmy. The band is often considered a precursor to or one of the earliest members of New Wave British Metal, which re-energized heavy metal in the late 1970’s and early 80’s. Despite this, Lemmy has always said their music is simply “Rock and Roll”. Joe Petango is the artist responsible for the infamous fanged face known as War Pig that serves as the symbol of Motorhead. He drew it in 1977 for the cover of the album Motorhead. Phil Smee turned it into a negative and did the lettering to complete the logo.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coma_of_Souls

Motohead – Self Titled

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

15) Rob Zombie- Hellbilly Deluxe
Hellbilly Deluxe started Rob Zombie’s solo career. It is Zombie’s highest selling record to date and was a play on the Dwight Yoakam album Hillbilly Deluxe. The cover art, done by American illustrator Basil Gogos came under controversy and had to be altered in order for Wal-Mart to sell the album. Though resistant at first, Zombie later stated, “for some of these kids, it was the only place they can buy records. At the end of the day, its these kids who are getting f—ed.” He had to remove the pentagram image, as well as the “X” engraved on his forehead.  Images of “scantly clad women” were also removed from the album’s booklet as well.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coma_of_Souls

Rob Zombie – Hellbilly Deluxe

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

14) Megadeth- Youthanasia
Youthanasia is the sixth studio album by Megadeth who was formed in 1983 out of Los Angeles, California. The cover art features an elderly woman hanging babies by their feet on a seemingly endless clothesline. According to bassist David Ellefson, the cover art was inspired by a direct line from the song Youthanasia that says, “We’ve been hung out to dry.” Ellefson explained, “That song was probably the strongest representation of how we feel about the young people who listen to our music and what their future holds for them. Its like you have a choice, you can become proactive or you can chose ‘Youthanasia’.” Lead Singer Dave Mustaine has stated that the idea for the title stems from hearing about Jack Kevorkian, as well as the declining state of well-being of young people, specifically referring to issues like drugs, crime and violence, and lack of parenting.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coma_of_Souls

Megadeth- Youthanasia

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13) Slayer- Divine Intervention
Slayer is a thrash metal band formed in 1981 in Huntington Park California. Divine Intervention was released in a clear jewel box with a die cut O-Card. It included sixteen pages which folded out to be a poster of the Cover Art. Wes Benscoter is the artist who painted and designed the front cover.  He would also paint covers for other Slayer released albums Undisputed Attitude and Live Intrusion.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coma_of_Souls

Slayer – Divine Intervention

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12) Anthrax- Fistful of Metal
Fistful OF Metal is the debut album by the trash metal band Anthrax. This is the bands only album to feature Neil Turbin on vocals and Dan Lilker on bass. Two covers for this album exist. The original gained controversy due to its imagery of a mans mouth exploding as a metal wrapped fist emerges from his throat. The album was re-released in 2000 and a different image was used, which combines Fistful Of Metal artwork with less blood shown and the Armed and Dangerous EP artwork.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coma_of_Souls

Anthrax – Fistful Of Metal

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11) Slipknot- Vol. 3 (The Subliminal Verses)
Vol. 3 is the third major label studio release by the nine member Des Moines Iowa heavy metal band. It’s the band’s only album to be produced by super producer Rick Rubin and also is the only album to not feature profanity. The cover features the “maggot mask” designed by custom percussionist Shawn “Clown” Crahan. The mask was made of stitched leather with a zipper around the mouth area and can be seen in the video for the albums second single Vermillion. Vol. 3 was recorded at Rick Rubin’s ten bedroom mansion in the Laurel Canyon area of Los Angeles. Built in 1918, The Mansion as its referred, is rumored to be haunted. Lead singer, Corey Taylor, took pictures of two orbs hovering near the thermostat that changed the temperature.  Drummer, Joey Jordison, claimed to have had an unsettling experience in the basement when he felt something touch him sexually and subsequently never went down there again. The album peaked within the top ten in album sales across eleven countries and went Platinum in the United States.  Slipknot would receive a Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance for the song “Before I Forget”.  At the end of 2009, “Before I Forget” was listed as “AOL’s Top Metal Song of the Decade.”  Roadrunner Records have listed the music video for “Duality” as the best video in Roadrunner history.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coma_of_Souls

Slipknot – – Vol.3 (The Subliminal Versus)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10) Marilyn Manson- Portrait Of An American Family
Portrait Of An American Family is the debut full-length album by the rock band Marilyn Manson. Portrait Of An American Family is the only album to feature bassist Gidget Gein. Gein was fired from the band after its production following a very public drug problem. He would be replaced by Twiggy Ramirez who at the time was a roadie and friend of Gein and Manson. Formed in 1989 in Ft. Lauderdale Florida the group was originally named Marilyn Manson and the Spooky Kids. Until 1996, the name of each member was originally created by combining the first name of an iconic female sex symbol and the last name of a iconic serial killer.  The album’s original art cover featured no text, simply a painting of a clown done by iconic serial killer, John Wayne Gacy. In the early stages of the album’s conception Manson intended to use a picture of himself as a child sitting nude on the couch for the albums interior artwork. Though no genitalia would be shown the record company would reject that idea so Manson instead would create the clay sculpture present in the final cover artwork for the album. Portrait of An American Family is notable for being the band’s only studio album to not feature a image of Mason on the cover. Originally named The Manson Family Album- a direct reference to serial killer Charlie Manson’s own band, it would be changed after the band simply wasn’t satisfied with the output of those recordings and shelved the album for a short time. After a few months they would convince rising star Trent Reznor to produce the album instead and the name of the album would then be changed.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coma_of_Souls

Marilyn Manson – Portrait Of An American Family

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9) Judas Priest- Painkiller
Judas Priest is a English heavy metal band formed in Birmingham, England. Painkiller is the twelvth studio album by Judas Priest and was released in 1990. It was the last album to feature Rob Halford on lead vocals until his return in 2005 and the first to feature Scott Travis on Drums.  After two less then successful albums Painkiller was released and has become one of Judas Priests most successful albums. Songs from Painkiller have become staples in Judas Priest live sets. The cover illustration was done by Mark Wilkinson which was based on a original concept by Judas Priest.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coma_of_Souls

Judas Priest – Painkiller

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8) Ozzy Osbourne- Blizzard of Ozz
Blizzard of Ozz is the debut solo album by British heavy metal vocalist Ozzy Osbourne after he was released from Black Sabbath in 1979. It is the first of two studio albums recorded with Randy Rhodes prior to his death in 1982. It featured the hits Crazy Train and Mr. Crawley. It also featured the song Goodbye To Romance which Osbourne has stated was his way of saying goodbye to Black Sabbath The album would be a commercial success, being certified four times Platinum in the U.S.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coma_of_Souls

Ozzy Osbourne – Blizzard Of Ozz

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7) Pantera- Vulgar Display Of Power
The title of this album is taken from a line in the 1973 film The Exorcist. One of the most influential metal bands of the 1990’s Vulgar Display Of Power has been described as “one of the defining albums of the groove-metal genre”. The album features two of Pantera’s most notable songs in “This Love” and “Walk”. The albums cover is the iconic photo of a man being punched in the face. The photo was shot by photographer Brad Guice. The first version showed a boxer with a punching glove but it was rejected by the band so the label did a second version showing a man being punched.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coma_of_Souls

Pantera – Volgar Display Of Power

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6) Iron Maiden- Killers
Killers is the second album by Iron Maiden. The album was the first with guitarist Adrian Smith and their last with vocalist Paul Di’Anno. Killers was the first Iron Maiden album to be recorded by veteran producer Martin Birch. Birch would go on to produce Iron Maidens next 8 albums. The cover concept is by Dave Lights and the illustration was done by Derek Riggs who is best known for creating “Eddie the Head”, Iron Maiden’s mascot.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coma_of_Souls

Iron Maiden – Killers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5) Metallica- Master of Puppets
Master of Puppets is Metallica’s third studio album and was their first album to be released on a major label. Released by Elektra Records it would peak at number twenty-nine on the Billboard Top 200 and became the first thrash metal album to be certified six times Platinum by the Recording Industry Of America in 2003 for shipping more then six million copies in the United States. It would feature the the hits “Master of Puppets” and “Welcome Home (Sanitarium)”.  The cover art was designed by Metallica and Peter Mensch and was painted by Don Brautigam. It depicts a cemetery field of white crosses tethered to strings, manipulated by a pair of hands in a blood-red sky.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coma_of_Souls

Metallica – Master of Puppets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4) Nine Inch Nails- Downward Spiral
Downward Spiral is the second studio album by Nine Inch Nails and is a concept album detailing the destruction of a man from the beginning of his “downward spiral” to his attempt at suicide. The album was recorded at 10050 Cielo Drive Benedict Canyon in Los Angeles California. That address would become famously known as the address where Sharon Tate was murdered by members of The Manson Family. Lead vocalist, Trent Reznor, bought the home and turned it into a recording studio. Downward Spiral would feature “Closer” and a re-make of the Johnny Cash song “Hurt”, those two songs would put Nine Inch Nails on the music map and also become two of their most popular songs. The cover art is a painting done by Russell Mills

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coma_of_Souls

Nine Inch Nails – The Downward Spiral

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3) Kiss- Dressed To Kill
Dressed to Kill is the third studio album released by rock icons Kiss. While the album cover depicts Kiss in business suits, the only member of the band who actually owned one was Peter Criss. The suits worn by the other members of the band were owned by manager Bill Aucion. The album was certified gold on February 28, 1977 and features the hit “Rock and Roll All Nite” which is one of Kiss’ most well known songs and remains a staple in the bands live shows. The cover photo was shot by rock and roll photographer Bob Gruen. Gruen is best known for his photograph of John Lennon wearing a New York City t-shirt.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coma_of_Souls

Kiss – Dressed to Kill

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2) Quiet Riot- Metal Health
Metal Health is the third studio album released by Quiet Riot. Metal Health is most notable for being the first heavy metal album to reach #1 on the Billboard 200. It featured the hits “Cum On Feel the Noize” and “Metal Health”.  The album went on to sell more then six million copies and is considered a classic among heavy metal fans. The artwork was done by Quiet Riot with Stan Watts doing illustrations and Jay Vigon being the art director.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coma_of_Souls

Quiet Riot – Metal Health

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1) Nirvana- Nevermind
Nevermind is the second studio album and made Nirvana a household name upon its release on September 24, 1991. It was recorded at the iconic Sound City Studios in Van Nuys California and is the first album to feature Dave Grohl on drums. Nevermind, with the help of the hit single “Smells like Teen Spirit”, replaced Michael Jackson’s album Dangerous at #1 by January of 1992 and there was no looking back for this Seattle grunge band after that. You could say that with the release of Nevermind the music scene went from one of Glam/Hair Metal to the music genre of Grunge overnight. The big hair and spandex were suddenly put away for ripped jeans and plaid flannel shirts.  I can’t think of record before or since that has had such an impact on the music scene as a whole. The Recording Industry Association of America has certified the album Diamond with over 10 million copies shipped and has sold over 30 million copies worldwide. The album cover was conceived by Kurt Cobain while watching a television program on water births with Dave Grohl. The photo was shot by renowned photographer, Michael Lavine, whose personal friendships with Kurt Cobain and other Nirvana members gave him unparalleled access to create a visual record of the iconic group.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coma_of_Souls

Nirvana – Nevermind

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Saving Abel Concert Review

                                

Saving Abel Concert Review

June 17, 2015 The Castle Theatre, Bloomington, Illinois.

Saving Abel brought their tour to the Castle Theatre in Bloomington Illinois on June 17th, 2015 with Shallow Side as their support.

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Click to view Shallow Side Photo Gallery

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shallow Side is a four member Independent band out of Cullman Alabama but something tells me that they won’t be independent for long.  If you have yet to hear of this band put them on your Bands To Watch list. Currently on tour in support of their five song EP Stand Up, Shallow Side brings a stage presence that can only be described as infectious. I was there to photograph the show but had a hard time not wanting to bang my head and jump around during their entire set. Their songs have a way of sticking in your head and it takes only a couple times hearing song like My Addiction and Stand Up before you’re hooked and singing along. The band consists of Cody Hampton on bass, Seth Trimble on guitar, Heath Fields on drums and Eric Boatright on vocals. All four members are gifted musicians.  Eric Boatright’s vocal range can go from a growl to a controlled scream in a matter of seconds. Eric also knows how to control and engage the crowd into their set. Seth Trimble and Cody Hampton play to the crowd like its second nature to them while Heath Fields bangs away on the drums in a feverish and theatrical manner. Few drummers bring the energy that Heath does for a full set, i felt tired just watching him. Overall this was a fantastic set by Shallow Side and I would recommend seeing them to anyone if they are ever in your area.

Shallow Side
Eric Boatright-Vocals
Cody Hampton-Bass
Seth Trimble-Guitar
Heath Fields-Drums

Next up was the headliner Saving Abel. If you don’t know who this band is you might have been living under a rock since 2008 when the band blew up with the hit single Addicted. These hard working southern boys are one of the hardest working bands our there.  After years of playing big arenas and touring the country both here and abroad the band, which consists of two new members in Scott Austin on Vocals and Steven Pulley on drums, has been playing smaller venues pretty much non-stop since the release of their fourth album Blood Stained Revolution came out in 2014.  For some bands out there it can be just about the music or their egos once they’ve reached the Rock Star status Saving Abel has achieved. Not Saving Abel, to them its all about the fans, especially those that have or currently are serving in our armed forces.  Lead Singer Scott Austin even took the time during their set to acknowledge and thank those in attendance that have served our country.  I don’t know that there is a band I know of that supports the troops more then Saving Abel, having played for our troops numerous times in locations such as Iraq, Qatar, Cuba and India to name a few.

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Click to view Saving Abel Photo Gallery

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This would be my first time seeing Saving Abel and I can tell you that it won’t be my last.  The show from beginning to end was very energetic.  Frontman Scott Austin made a point to try and involve the crown as much as possible for their entire set. The set list included songs like “Love Sick Suicide” and “Blood Stained Revolution” from the new aforementioned album as well as the hits “Bringing Down The Giant”, “18 Days”, “Drowning (Face Down)” which included Shallow Side frontman Eric Boatright joining the stage to sing along and of course Addicted which ended the night.  Overall I’d give Saving Abel an A+ but not just because their set was phenomenal but also because they stayed after the show to sign autographs and take pictures to any fan that approached them.  If I had to describe Saving Abel in one word Humility would be the one I would use. These guys really connect with their fanbase and by the time you leave you almost feel like family.

Saving Abel
Scott Austin-Vocals
Jason Null-Guitar
Eric Taylor-Bass
Scott Bartlett-Guitar
Steven Pulley-Drums

Saving Abel Photo Gallery

Saving Abel Concert Photo Gallery
The Castle Theatre Bloomington Illinois
June 17, 2015

                                

Saving Abel

Eric Taylor

Saving Abel

Scott Austin

Saving Abel

Scott Bartlett

Saving Abel

Scott Austin

Saving Abel

Jason Null

Saving Abel

Eric Taylor

Saving Abel

Jason Null and Eric Taylor

Saving Abel

Scott Austin

Saving Abel

Steven Pulley

Saving Abel

Jason Null and Scott Bartlett

Saving Abel

Scott Austin

Saving Abel

Eric Taylor and Scott Austin

Saving Abel

Scott Austin and Eric Taylor

Saving Abel

Scott Austin

Saving Abel

Steven Pulley

Saving Abel

Scott Austin Eric Taylor and Scott Bartlett

Saving Abel

Jason Null and Eric Taylor

Saving Abel

Scott Austin and Eric Boatright from Shallow Side

Saving Abel

Jason Null Scott Austin and Eric Bartlett

Saving Abel

Eric Bartlett

Saving Abel

Scott Austin

Shallow Side Photo Gallery

Shallow Side Concert Photo Gallery
The Castle Theatre Bloomington Illinois
June 17, 2015

                                

Shallow Side

Eric Boatright

Shallow Side

Cody Hampton and Eric Boatright

Shallow Side

Eric Boatright

Shallow Side

Seth Trimble

Shallow Side

Eric Boatright

Shallow Side

Eric Boatright

Shallow Side

Seth Trimble

Shallow Side

Heath Fields

Shallow Side

Seth Trimble

Shallow Side

Cody Hampton

Shallow Side

Heath Fields

Shallow Side

Seth Trimble

Shallow Side

Eric Boatright

Shallow Side

Shallow Side

Shallow Side

Cody Hampton

Shallow Side

Seth Fields

Shallow Side

Cody Hampton

Shallow Side

Cody Hampton

Shallow Side

Seth Trimble

Seether Concert Review

                                

Seether Concert Review

May 22, 2015 Limelight Eventplex Peoria IL.

Gene Simmons is quoted as once saying that Rock is Dead.  Apparently those in Central Illinois didn’t get that memo as they packed themselves 1,500 strong into the Limelight Eventplex for another sold out rock concert.  This time up Seether, Otherwise, and Peoria’s own Mindset Evolution who opened the show.

Mindset Evolution, who were the Rockstar UPROAR Festival Ernie Ball battle of the bands winner back in 2011 had the crowd involved from the moment they came on stage.  ME’s lead singer Rob Ulrich was high energy, 1000 mph, in your face for their full set.  This night marked the debut of new drummer Aaron Birdsall, who sounded like he had always been part of the band. Skylar Baer (guitar) and Josh Bodeen (bass) round out the quintet.  These guys have come a long way from their humble beginnings when they played in bars along peoria’s downtown to now opening for bands like Seether and Breaking Benjamin to playing in front of thousands at festivals like UPROAR and 2012’s Warped Tour.  Mindset Evolution released their first full length album Brave, Bold and Broken in 2013 and if you haven’t picked it up yet I highly suggest doing so.

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Click to view Mindset Evolution Photo Gallery

 

 

Otherwise did an excellent job of taking over where Mindset Evolution left off.  They brought high energy from the moment the lights went down for their set to begin until the time they walked off the stage.  Adrian Patrick (lead vocals) sounded fantastic as he belted out song after song on Otherwise’s setlist which included the hits “Soldiers”, “I Don’t Apologize”, and their latest hit “Coming For The Throne”. Otherwise also consists of Corky Gainsford on drum, Tony “The Beast” Carboney on bass and Andrew Pugh on rhythm guitar, who despite being under the weather never showed any signs of it at all.  Overall, Otherwise did a great job and i would recommend seeing them if they are ever in a town near you.They are definitely worth the price of admission.

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Click to view Otherwise Photo Gallery

 

 

Next up was the headliner, Seether.  There’s a reason people were wrapped halfway around the Limelight Eventplex to see this hard hitting post grunge rock/metal band.  Seether, who hails from Pretoria, South Africa,has been rocking the stage since their debut album Disclaimer in 2002, definitely didn’t disappoint. Shawn Morgan’s vocal range is amazing. He can deliver whether it be hard hitting up-tempo songs like “Same Damn Life” and “Words As A Weapon” but can also pull it back like he did for the melodic and slower paced songs like “Broken” and “Driven Under”.  From the moment they hit the stage the crowd was in a frenzy, jumping up and down and singing along to ever song they performed.  Seether opened the night with the song “Gasoline” and played other hits which included “Needles”, “Rise Above This”, “Country Song”, and “Nobody Praying For Me”.  The highlight of the night was when they broke into the song “Remedy”.  There wasn’t a voice that wasn’t screaming along, feet that weren’t jumping up and down, or heads that weren’t moving back and forth as John Humphrey banged away on the drums, Shawn Morgan and Bryan Wickman wailed away on guitars, and the energetic Dale Stewart on played bass guitar.

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Click to view Seether Photo Gallery

Overall this was a excellent show.  It may have been one of the best lineups from beginning to end that has performed at the Limelight Eventplex since it opened its doors in 2014.

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Seether Concert Photo Gallery

Seether Concert Photo Gallery
Limelight Eventplex, Peoria, Illinois
May 22, 2015

                                

 

Seether

Bryan Wickman of Seether

Seether

Shaun Morgan of Seether

Seether

Dale Stewart of Seether

Seether

Shaun Morgan of Seether

Seether

John Humphrey of Seether

Seether

Bryan Wickman of Seether

Seether

Bryan Wickman of Seether

Seether

Dale Stewart of Seether

Seether

Shaun Morgan of Seether

Seether

Dale Stewart of Seether

Seether

Bryan Wickman of Seether

Seether

Bryan Wickman of Seether