The Glorious Photo Gallery
Spring Fling 2019
Peoria Riverfront, Illinois
Category Archives: Best Band List
Judas Priest continues touring in support of their fantastic recent album Firepower. For this leg of North American touring, the British rock legends have joined forces with other rock legends, Deep Purple, for a joint headlining tour. Each act plays approximately 75 minutes, with Priest opening the shows.
Bestrocklist covered Judas Priest’s Firepower headlining tour earlier this year, and that coverage can be found here: https://bestrocklist.com/judas-priest-bring-firepower-to-hammond-in-gallery-and-review/
While the set was shorter this time around, it didn’t lack…uh…firepower!
GALLERY BELOW SETLIST
- Firepower
- Grinder
- Sinner
- Lightning Strike
- Bloodstone
- Turbo Lover
- Guardians/Rising From Ruins
- Freewheel Burnin’
- You’ve Got Another Thing Coming
- Hell Bent For Leather
- Painkiller
- Metal Gods (Encore)
- Break-in’ The Law
- Living After Midnight
- Judas Priest – 8/22/18 Tinley Park, IL. (Photo by Bradley Todd – All Rights Reserved)
- Judas Priest – 8/22/18 Tinley Park, IL. (Photo by Bradley Todd – All Rights Reserved)
- Judas Priest – 8/22/18 Tinley Park, IL. (Photo by Bradley Todd – All Rights Reserved)
- Judas Priest – 8/22/18 Tinley Park, IL. (Photo by Bradley Todd – All Rights Reserved)
- Judas Priest – 8/22/18 Tinley Park, IL. (Photo by Bradley Todd – All Rights Reserved)
- Judas Priest – 8/22/18 Tinley Park, IL. (Photo by Bradley Todd – All Rights Reserved)
- Judas Priest – 8/22/18 Tinley Park, IL. (Photo by Bradley Todd – All Rights Reserved)
- Judas Priest – 8/22/18 Tinley Park, IL. (Photo by Bradley Todd – All Rights Reserved)
- Judas Priest – 8/22/18 Tinley Park, IL. (Photo by Bradley Todd – All Rights Reserved)
- Judas Priest – 8/22/18 Tinley Park, IL. (Photo by Bradley Todd – All Rights Reserved)
- Judas Priest – 8/22/18 Tinley Park, IL. (Photo by Bradley Todd – All Rights Reserved)
- Judas Priest – 8/22/18 Tinley Park, IL. (Photo by Bradley Todd – All Rights Reserved)
- Judas Priest – 8/22/18 Tinley Park, IL. (Photo by Bradley Todd – All Rights Reserved)
- Judas Priest – 8/22/18 Tinley Park, IL. (Photo by Bradley Todd – All Rights Reserved)
- Judas Priest – 8/22/18 Tinley Park, IL. (Photo by Bradley Todd – All Rights Reserved)
- Judas Priest – 8/22/18 Tinley Park, IL. (Photo by Bradley Todd – All Rights Reserved)
- Judas Priest – 8/22/18 Tinley Park, IL. (Photo by Bradley Todd – All Rights Reserved)
- Judas Priest – 8/22/18 Tinley Park, IL. (Photo by Bradley Todd – All Rights Reserved)
- Judas Priest – 8/22/18 Tinley Park, IL. (Photo by Bradley Todd – All Rights Reserved)
- Judas Priest – 8/22/18 Tinley Park, IL. (Photo by Bradley Todd – All Rights Reserved)
- Judas Priest – 8/22/18 Tinley Park, IL. (Photo by Bradley Todd – All Rights Reserved)
- Judas Priest – 8/22/18 Tinley Park, IL. (Photo by Bradley Todd – All Rights Reserved)
Black Label Society with Corrosion of Conformity and Telekinetic Yeti Concert Review
Monarch Music Hall
Peoria, Illinois
Black Label Society came back to the area and brought the long running metal band Corrosion of Conformity and newcomers Telekinetic Yeti. This week there was a great rock show every other night at Monarch Music Hall. Black Label Society fans were out with their cuts and patches. I saw some of the oldest band t-shirts tonight with Iron Maiden, Pantera, and everything in between.
Iowa band Telekinetic Yeti started the night with a muted first song. The two piece band was surprisingly talented. About the third song, they really woke up and started wailing. A self described Stoner Rock band released their album Abominable in March 2017. The album is a great debut and received rave reviews.
For more about Telekinetic Yeti, visit their website: Telekinetic Yeti
Conformity of Corrosion has been around since 1982. They have had different lineups over the years but have recombined with the original band members. Their staying power is a testament of their talent. Their lastest album came out January 12, 2018 No Cross No Crown. I will admit that I had not seen C.O.C. before and I was missing out. Guitarist Woody Weatherman was having a great time just playing a show. Vocalist, Pepper Keenan, who was founding member and guitarist of the supergroup, Down, sounded great singing. Pepper mentioned that they like touring with Black Label Society because of the fans. They played a great set that included all fan favorites, “Vote With A Bullet” “Albatross” and “Clean My Wounds”
Keep up with Corrosion at their website: C.O.C.
Black Label Society was formed by Zakk Wylde in 1998. Zakk Wylde was born Jeffrey Phillip Wielandt and is best known as the guitarist for Ozzy Osbourne. Zakk is one of the best guitarists of our time and it is always great to see him live. He has taken his Viking roots to heart wearing a Viking kilt to shows and labeling a lot of their products with Norse mythology. The band is a mix between Black Sabbath and Ozzy. Black Label Society has a cult like following. With the meet and greet fans of the band labeled as Family O’Doom in their respective town chapters. They are a fan club and not an actual motorcycle club even though several of them do ride.
You can catch Corrosion of Conformity and Black Label Society at a few more dates this summer.
Stone Sour Photo Gallery Spring Fling 18
Peoria Riverfront
Peoria, Illinois
JUDAS PRIEST
4/6/18 – Horseshoe Casino – Hammond, IN.
By Bradley Todd
For fuck’s sake, how is it that Judas Priest is not in the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame already? This is the thought that is running through my mind as the band launches into the fourth song of their set, Sinner, from 1976’s Sin After Sin album, at this Friday night show at Hammond, Indiana’s Horseshoe Casino, which is a Chicago venue for all intents and purposes.
All the ingredients for admission are there: the band has had incredible longevity – just about 50 years; they have a big, amazing catalog of music that includes iconic hit songs (Breaking The Law, You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’, Living After Midnight) that have stood the test of time and are known by even non-fans, and have sold millions of albums; they have influenced countless other hard rock and metal musicians with their musical and artistic style, which, by the way, has helped define an entire genre of music – Heavy Metal; oh, and they have one of the greatest hard rock/heavy metal singers of all time…and that’s not hyperbole, just fact! So seriously, WTF?
Well, none of the above affects the proceedings in the heartland on a Friday night one bit, as Priest and their large crowd of followers have come to rock. And rock they do. The tour is in support of Judas Priest’s 18thstudio album, Firepower, and they show that they aren’t just resting on their laurels by playing three tracks from the new release. But the rest of the setlist (see full setlist below) serves as a career retrospective of sorts, including catalog deep cuts like the aforementioned Sinner, and Grinder, The Ripper, and Saints In Hell…in addition the to hits, of course. The only thing that bothered me about this set is that it completely ignores Priest’s last two albums, Angel of Retribution, and Redeemer of Souls. And this is a shame, for those albums are freakin’ great all the way through and, along with Firepower, are clear proof that Judas Priest is not an oldies act out on a money grab tour. But they didn’t consult me on the setlist!
The current touring version of the band has two original members in it: singer Rob Halford, and bass player Ian Hill. Original guitarist, Glenn Tipton, announced shortly before the tour started that he was bowing out of touring, due to the progression of symptoms of his Parkinson’s Disease. He has been replaced on the tour by the band’s album producer, Andy Sneap. The touring lineup is rounded out by drummer, Scott Travis, who, while not the original drummer, has been behind the kit for longer than any other Priest drummer (29 years), and guitarist, Richie “Falcon” Faulkner. Faulkner has been with the band several years now, coming on to replace the other original guitar player, K.K. Downing, who retired from service in 2011.
While it’s disappointing not to see Glenn Tipton up there performing (though he has made a couple appearances at a few previous shows on this tour playing a few songs, like he said he might), the proceedings don’t feel melancholy at all, but more like the Priest machine marching on in honor of the music. And the band does honor Tipton by featuring him on the giant video screen behind them. Andy Sneap does an admirable job of filling in for Tipton, playing solid rhythm but also getting some solo spots…about four or five, I think. It also seemed that the band has given Sneap a child’s size leather jacket to wear… but it doesn’t stop him from hitting all the right notes. The rest of the band runs like the well-oiled machine you would expect if you’ve seen them on any of their last couple tours.
While not the darling of the music industry the way it was in the 80’s, this heavy metal music of Judas Priest does not get old for me, nor for the rest of this crowd, who sing along, headbang, and play air guitar throughout the band’s set, which lasts about 1 hr. and 45 min. Travis is solid and steady on the drums, displaying flair, whipping hair, and a frequent smile. Ian Hill takes his familiar position back from the front of the stage, where he rocks from side to side, thundering his bass notes which occasionally shake the venue’s foundation like an earthquake. While I initially rolled my eyes at the announcement of a replacement for K.K. Downing, a few albums and tours later Richie Faulkner has really come into his own, winning the Priest faithful over. He’s energetic, photogenic, engaging, and most importantly, a blazing six-string gunslinger. If it wasn’t going to be K.K., Priest couldn’t have found a better replacement, and this is proven true as Faulkner is almost the most exciting thing going down on the stage this night.
But this night belongs to the Metal God, singer Rob Halford. It’s all been said about Rob before, but respect compels me to say it here again: the dude is unreal. Born with a gift of a truly searing metal voice, he’s been blessed with another gift of it lasting so long, as he’s now in his mid 60’s. He roams the stage, working the crowd up, blasting out notes and screams like the heavy metal ambassador he is. He is a treasure to this band, and I consider it a blessing to see/hear him. Do I sound like I’m gushing? Good, because I am. Metal God, indeed.
SETLIST (** FULL GALLERY BELOW**)
- Firepower
- Running Wild
- Grinder
- Sinner
- The Ripper
- Bloodstone
- Lightning Strike
- Saints in Hell
- Turbo Lover
- The Green Manalishi
- Evil Never Dies
- Some Heads Are Gonna Roll
- Breaking The Law
- Hell Bent For Leather
- Painkiller
- Hellion/Electric Eye
- Metal Gods
- You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’
- Living After Midnight
Red Sun Rising Photo Gallery
Nutcracker 2017
Limelight Eventplex
Peoria, Illinois
Best Band List
HIGHLY SUSPECT
Highly Suspect(photo from Facebook)
Formed 2009 in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, United States of America
Current Members (click on member’s name for Wikipedia):
Johnny Stevens, vocalist, guitarist, keyboardist
Rich Meyer, bassist
Ryan Meyer, drummer
Resources: Accessed 8-8-2017.
Best Band List
SPOON
Formed 1993 in Austin, Texas, United States of America
Current Members (click on member’s name for Wikipedia):
Britt Daniel, vocalist, guitarist
Jim Eno, drummer
Rob Pope, bassist
Alex Fischel, keyboardist, guitarist
Resources: Accessed 8-8-2017.