Atreyu - Baptize Tour

I am compelled to write about my latest concert experience. It is my third concert post-Covid and one of the best overall in terms of entertainment that I have been to in years. Currently, at Starland Ballroom proof of vaccination against Covid-19 is required. Masks are encouraged, but have been worn by less than 10% of patrons the last two weekends I attended. The concert must have started right at 6PM this Saturday because I got there about quarter after and the first band, Defying Decay was already on stage. I'm glad I caught the end of their set because they really caught my ear. They were heavy, but with a lot of dynamics. The lead singer accomplishes what other bands need two or three vocalists to achieve. He can sing clean, growl, and scream well. The lyrics are all in English, while the band is from Bangkok, Thailand. According to their Facebook page they began in 2010 (formerly Defying the Decay and Defying the Fallen) but have undergone some lineup changes, and most recently added Jennie Natanich who caught my eye. First of all, she is cute. Second of all, she has 3 machines that she works with and is often playing a keyboard and a synthesizer at the same time. Her stance with arms outstretched in either direction is unique and then she headbangs and thrashes around like the rest of the guys. The rest of the band includes lead vocalist/guitarist/synthesis Jay Poom Euarchukiati, guitarists Song Chitipat and Pon Ujjin, drummer Mark Mironov, DJ/Programmer Bunn Bnn, and bassist Pleng Thongboonma. They have been called nu-metal and metalcore, but they prefer alternative metal. According to an interview I read, the founding members met at a Linkin Park concert and idolized Linkin Park and Nine Inch Nails. Defying Decay comes across as heavier than Linkin Park and screams much more than NIN. It was a pretty kick ass way to begin the night.

Next up was Saul. They formed in Iowa in 2007, but didn't break until recently with their EP Aeons (2019) and album Rise As Equals (2020). I knew of them from SiriusXM Octane playing singles Brother, Trial By Fire, and King of Misery. They had good energy on stage, but they sound much better on the radio. The crowd was digging it as there was a little mosh pit started, and people in the back were singing along. The lead singer, Blake Bedsaul, said that we were one of the most receptive crowds on the tour. He also was appreciative to play in front of a big crowd again, and talked about how we are a metal family. He is backed by actual family, his brother Zach Bedsaul on lead guitar, William McIlravy on bass, and new drummer Myles Clayborne. Myles did his own soundcheck and seems to be the most talented in the band in my opinion. Their sound was kind of average, with Brother being the standout track.

Third was Tetrarch. Immediately I noticed that they had a black female as lead guitarist. Her name is Diamond Rowe, and she's pretty damn good. The singer, Josh Fore, said they met when they were around 12 in Atlanta, Georgia and started practicing together after school as they dreamed of touring in a band. Tetrarch is rounded out by bassist Ryan Lerner and drummer Ruben Limas. They are fans of Metallica, Korn, Pantera, and Slipknot. It defintely shows in their music as I heard elements of Adema, Linkin Park, and Korn in the riffs and melodies. Their song I'm Not Right seems a lot like Korn's Freak on A Leash in places, but then there is also their own wailing guitar parts and big heavy drums. They have a really big sound for a foursome. The moshpit intensified and got much bigger during their set. They talked inbetween songs about paying their dues sleeping on couches and in a van in parking lots while playing to empty rooms. Their big break was touring with Avenged Sevenfold. They stayed true to themselves, have built a following, and are finally getting recognition. I liked them enough that I bought their latest cd, Unstable.

By now it is only 10 minutes after 8PM and I already feel like I got my money's worth. Tickets were $25 (+fees) which is more than reasonable for five bands, especially after not having toured for at least 18 months. Next up was Crown the Empire out of Dallas, Texas. The band currently consists of singer "Andy Leo" Rockhold, guitarist Brandon Hoover, bassist Hayden tree, and drummer Brent Taddie. They performed at Warped Tour 2014 and have toured with bands such as Asking Alexandria, Motionless in White, Volumes, and Ice Nine Kills. Crown the Empire's songs "What I Am" and "Blurry" get played in heavy rotation on SiriusXM Octane. Blurry is one of their best songs, but one of the most pop-oriented. A lot of their songs have more screaming. The guys seem a little scummy, but also fun. The crowd was dancing at all three bars, and down front. I was jumping and headbanging myself. Fans were also providing them shots of tequila and whiskey which they proudly indulged in. As they walked off stage Andy said "smoke weed every day!"

Finally, at about 9:40PM it was time for Atreyu. They amped up the crowd a little more by playing Bon Jovi "Livin' On A Prayer" as their introduction. It isn't just pandering, as they actually covered Bon Jovi's "You Give Love A Bad Name" for the Mr. and Mrs. Smith soundtrack. I first saw Atreyu in 2004 at one of my first shows at Starland Ballroom. I remember being close to the stage barricade and being wowed by their energy. I knew they would be successful, but I had no idea that I would be watching them 17 years later as headliner. Back then Alex Varkatzas was the lead singer and they were more emo-metal. Brandon Saller had been the drummer, but he also sang on a lot of the songs as co-lead or backing vocalist. I remember him being really good back in the day. Brandon has now stepped out in front of the kit to become the lead singer with a mostly clean style. Bassist Marc "Porter" McKnight sings unclean backing vocals. The new drummer is Kyle Rosa. They still have long time rhythm guitarist Travis Miguel and original lead guitarist Dan Jacobs. The sound is still alternative metal, but they aren't afraid to play around with different sounds, even leaning more commercial rock. They aren't as tight as they once were, but they are fun. When a fan yelled out "You're the fucking man!" to Brandon he said, "Aww, thanks, you're the fucking man." Then he said that we need to bring that positive energy into our daily lives, for instance, if we get a plate of nachos with 80% coverage of cheese and toppings we should yell "Fuck yeah, this is fucking awesome!" I was really disappointed that they didn't play new song "Catastrophe" but they did play Baptize, Broken Again, Save Us, Untouchable, and Warrior from the new album along with classics Becoming the Bull, Right Side of the Bed, Bleeding Mascara, Ex's and Oh's, and Lip Gloss and Black which was the encore song. 

All in all, it was a five hour show with five awesome bands at a great value that made for the perfect Saturday night.  I was pleased to see three bands representing POC, all the bands shouted out the crowd and the other bands, the moshpit was lively but they were keeping people safe, the attendance was probably double that of Buckcherry, and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves.  This is what it is all about, brothers and sisters in metal.  Rock on!

3 Doors Down - The Better Life Anniversary Tour

 3 Doors Down - The Better Life Anniversary Tour: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

The short summary:

The Good - Concerts are back!  Anniversary of Debut Album!  Free parking and good venue

The Bad - Seether cancelled last minute

The Ugly - Litter and traffic in Philly

For those that want the full details, please read on!

Twenty-one years ago, before their video for Kryptonite made the TRL countdown, I discovered 3 Doors Down on Napster.  Remember Napster?  I discovered a lot of good bands there, and built up my music catalogue (Thank you for sharing, as the slogan goes).  But even as a recent high school graduate without much money, I liked to support the artists I found for free.  I couldn't tell you the first song I heard for certain, but I soon downloaded every song I could find by them.  It seemed as if each song was better than the last.  I couldn't believe how awesome they were.  I immediately looked up their website and bought a t-shirt (to support them with the purchase and advertising).  Fast forward a little bit and soon they were blowing up.  Their three singles all did well and The Better Life went 7x platinum!  Fast forward to 2021, and they celebrated their 20 year anniversary, plus one, because as Brad said last night "last year didn't count."

I like anniversary tours so I was intrigued by this.  When I saw Seether was opening for them, I bought a ticket to the earliest show in my area.  Unfortunately, at 5PM, only two hours before door time, Seether posted on their social media that they would not be performing due to a "family emergency."  Third hand news from the box office claims that the band was already at the venue when they got some bad news and bolted.  At this time no further information has been released.  I love Seether, so I hope for their sake that it is nothing too devastating.  Curiously, 3 Doors Down did not mention Seether at all during their set.

I thought about staying at home because I really wanted to see Seether most.  It was also projected to rain, and I didn't know anything about the Mann Center in Philadelphia.  However, I hadn't waited 18 months for a concert to let a little uncertainty keep me at home!  Despite a little traffic getting into the city, I arrived in plenty of time for the 8PM start time.  Parking was free, although it was on grass.  I was a little worried about getting stuck in the mud, but was luckily parked near a tree where the ground was sturdier.  I met some nice folks on line and we talked about Seether while a double rainbow appeared overhead.  The base rainbow was nice and complete.  Security consisted of a metal detector.  There was no pat down, and they were not policing masks.  Once through the gate there is a patio area with concessions.  T-shirts looked moderately priced, with many at $30.  Drinks and food were outrageous, but I expected nothing less.  The Mann Center is an open-air pavilion with a balcony and a lawn area in back.  My ticket was for a middle seat in the middle section, right next to the sound board.  I had a great view of the stage.  It turned out there was no replacement opening band.  There was a DJ who played a few Seether songs along with classics like Dio and ZZ Top.  At 8:45 he went off stage and the PA played ACDC and some more rock.  I went to the bathrooms (which were clean!) and got an overpriced drink while I waited and hoped 3 Doors Down would go on early.

They took the stage at 9:05PM.  While I hoped they would do a longer set to make up for the fact that Seether wasn't there, they played the same 17 songs as the previous night in Baltimore.  For it's anniversary, they played the Better Life in its entirety and in order.  This means they started with their most infamous song, Kryptonite.  Honestly, I enjoy this album top to bottom, so it was fun to hear it all in person.  The band sounded great, but toned down from the energy they had in 2000 and 2008 when I had seen them previously.  There was also just a small drum riser and a diamond video screen.  Gone are the pyrotechnics and running around on stage like when they were younger.  The lack of pyro is likely a cost saving measure after not touring for so long.  Also, the venue was not close to a sell out.  A few times Brad thanked us for being there and gave little stories in between songs.  One standout was about the song "Be Like That."  Brad described how this was written after they had been signed by Universal, but before the debut album was finished, and he was thinking of rock stardom and following his dreams.

After "So I Need You" the band walked off signifying the end of the album.  They returned with "Away From the Sun," but only with guitar (Chet) and vocals (Brad).  They followed this with "Let Me Go, Landing in London, and It's Not My Time."  They then left the stage again.  Lights dimmed, but stayed blue-green over the drum kit.  The crowd did some clapping and chanting to bring about an encore.  Since it is not uncommon to skip the encore these days, I was happy to have them return for two more songs.  They finished with "Here Without You" first with only guitar and vocal and then with bass and a shaker for percussion.  "When I'm Gone" was the last song played, and was dedicated to the military and first responders.  By 10:30PM the lights came up, and it was over.

All in all, I was left satisfied, but wanting more.  3DD has several more great songs that they could have played to fill two hours in the absence of Seether.  I also would have switched out "Landing in London" because it is not one of their better known singles, and it added nothing to the set.  It rained, but I was nice and dry under the pavilion roof.  Most people did not wear masks.  I was lucky to have empty seats next to me, and when I moved over I had nobody on either side or directly behind.  There was a nice breeze in my face too which kept the humidity from being too uncomfortable and circulated more air.  I made it out of the parking area without issue, although if I backed up instead of pulling forward there could have been an issue as there was standing water in back of me.  I would go back to this venue again.

Two Tasty EPs

 

Eve 6 has been one of my favorite bands since I discovered them on MTV (yes, they've been around since 1995, and MTV still played music).  Their albums Eve 6 (1998) and Horrorscope (2000) still get regular plays by me, the latter being one of my favorite and most played albums front to back.  I was even a fan of 2003's It's All in Your Head, even though there were more slow songs.  Lackluster sales led them to be dropped by their label in 2004.  They reunited a few years later, but didn't put out new music until 2012's Speak in Code.  I was finally able to catch them on this tour and they still sounded great.  The album was my least favorite, however, as they went in a decidedly more dance-pop direction compared to their previous alt-punk leanings.  

Just this week they dropped the Grim Value EP.  The first track "Black Nova" has a dance groove to it, but also fuzzy distorted guitar and a deep echo in the vocals reminiscent of a garage band.  Track 2, "I Wanna Bite Your Face" sounds even more like the garage band stylings of the Strokes.  The song is carried by a driving bass line, steady drum beat, and classic tongue-in-cheek lyrics by Max Collins.  Track 3 has almost the same beat, but the guitar parts are faster tempo, and Max's vocals go up high as he sings "Can We Combine."  Track 4 has a high pitch guitar riff and low driving bass to back the most punk rock song of the EP, complete with comical lyrics of an infatuation with the "Angel of the Supermarket."  The fifth and final track, "Good For You" is more straightforward rock reminiscent of something from early Weezer.  In my opinion, this EP shows that Eve 6 is alive and well.  I would recommend checking it out, and I hope this is a sign of more good things to come from this band.

Crobot just released their new EP entitled Rat Child.  I have seen them live once, opening for Chevelle, and own their three LPs Something Supernatural (2014), Welcome to Fat City (2016), and Motherbrain (2019).  If you are not familiar with them, Crobot comes out of Pennsylvania, but they sound like Southern-hard-stoner rock.  Their debut album is particularly amazing top to bottom, and is my #4 album of the previous decade.  The other two have several great tracks as well.  The new EP begins with current single, "Mountain" featuring Frank Bello (Anthrax) on bass.  It has typical Crobot style with sick rhythms, headbanging riffs, and soaring vocals.  The video for Mountain is trippy and fun with a mix of live action and animated demons, castles, skulls, and more.  The second track doesn't hold back either.  We get even heavier riffage and guest vocals from Howard Jones (Light the Torch; ex. Killswitch Engage).  The video also makes me feel like I'm on mushrooms.  The third song is a ballad called "Everyone Dies" featuring Stix Zadinia (Steel Panther).  It is an easy one to sing along to.  The fourth and final track is the eponymous "Rat Child."  This one has the dirtiest grooves of the bunch and a slick guitar solo enough to satisfy, but leave the listener wanting more.  

I would have preferred another full length album from these guys, but they show no signs of stopping anytime soon.  This summer they are touring the midwest, but hopefully they come back east soon.  In the meantime, I might try their barbecue rub.  Check out merchandise and tour information at https://crobotband.com/

Van Weezer: A throwback

Van Weezer is the latest release from Weezer who has been pumping out the alternative rock since 1994.  This is being called their 15th studio album which apparently doesn't include Death to False Metal which was a compilation, but still was a studio album of newly released tracks.  Thanks to the pandemic, Van Weezer comes out the same year as OK Human which for some reason came out sooner even though this album was mastered first.  Weezer fans from any era in their catalogue should find some new songs to latch on to in this one.

End of the Game: Reminiscent of Maladroit Weezer 15-20 years ago, this was the first single released way back in September 2019.  It is one of the better tracks on the album that most Weezer fans will appreciate.

All of the Good Ones: An ode to an earlier, simpler time, this could easily have fit on the Red Album.  There's not much substance here and neither the girl or the good times are specifically named.

Hero: Reminiscent again of Red Album Weezer with a marching beat and short verse lines that tell a story.  The video is a creative one that was released to pay homage to frontline workers in the pandemic.  The chorus is an earworm more about being a loner and an outcast, which is classic Rivers.

I Need Some of That: Claps in the verses and a sing-along chorus with simple pop-rock melody reminiscent of Green album.  This is the newest single, and a fun little track.

Beginning of the End: Introspective lyrics over a pop-rock track with a driving rhythm.  A surprising guitar solo perks the ear two thirds of the way through the song.  This could easily have fit on Make Believe.

Blue Dream: Unapologetically samples the guitar riffs to Ozzy's Crazy Train but takes a left turn with quirky lyrics about octopus and rejection.  It's like Teal album mixed with White album. This is one of the most unique songs on the album and the effects to evoke sounds of being under water are cool.  I just can't love this song as much as I would like to.

1 More Hit: An unusual song about hardcore drugs.  It's weird and awkward like some of the songs on Hurley and Raditude.  The lyrics "pump it up, please daddy" are kind of creepy.  The guitar parts are dark and get darker in the solo.  Then there is a key change which brings the song back up again, reinforced by falsetto from Rivers.  Odd song again that I would like to love more.

Sheila Can Do It: This song was reworked from the original version written in 1996.  It definitely has that old school Weezer sound closest to the Blue album, and has one of the most catchy choruses.

She Needs Me: A slower tempo to start as Rivers sings about getting a jar of peanut butter from a girl picks up tempo and turns to a celebration of a relationship.  It's not as emo as some songs Pinkerton, but I could see it fit in there.

Precious Metal Girl: Ironic title for an acoustic ballad.  Rivers seems to like to end albums with these lighter songs.  This song mentions leather jackets and Faster Pussycat, but it is a simple pop song.

All in all, 10 songs in 31 minutes which harkens back to the early album formula.  In just a few days I've already listened to it several times all the way through.  I certainly appreciate the return to upbeat alternative rock songs which I vastly prefer to the straight pop of Pacific Daydream, Teal Album, Black Album, and OK Human.  For me, this is the best thing they've done since 2016's White album and renews my faith that Weezer can still make fun music.  I give it 6.5/10

Chevelle - NIRATIAS, 3/5/21

If you're like me you might be wondering what NIRATIAS means. It stands for Nothing is Real and This is a Simulation. Lead singer Pete Loeffler said he is not into conspiracies, but that he did draw some inspiration from thoughts of space exploration such as that which is currently happening through NASA and SpaceX.  This is Chevelle's first album release in five years following 2016's The North Corridor. That album was kind of an industrial experiment. This one harkens back to the riff rock of 2014's masterpiece La Gorgola, and many even say their early albums from 1999-2004. To me, it has that unbridled energy, but with much more mature writing. The timing of the release might lead you to think that this was a quarantine written special, but actually Chevelle recorded throughout 2019 and into early 2020 and were basically done with this record by the time the pandemic hit. In 2019 their bassist of 14 years called it quits to focus on family, and Chevelle essentially became a duo with the original founding brothers Sam (drums) and Pete (guitar, vocals). Pete wrote everything except the drum parts on this record, and it was produced by Joe Barresi [Tool, Queens of the Stone Age] who has done every Chevelle album since 2011's Hats Off to the Bull. I'll do my best to describe it, but this music certainly has to be heard and experienced.

1. Verruckt - The title means "crazy" in German. Surprisingly the album opener is an instrumental with a series of beefy riffs that sound like they could just as easily be from a groove metal band.

2. So Long, Mother Earth - This song starts with some clean guitar picking at a frenetic pace then settles into some slower riffs and then into these looping chords. This sound reminds me of Muse. The lyrics are not explicitly telling a story, but obviously refer to man's overconsumption of natural resources saying "how dare we" and "so long" to Mother Earth.

3. Mars Simula - Since Earth was left for dead this song is about inhabiting Mars.  It's pretty heavy with deep chugging bass lines.  You can bang your head to this for sure.

4. Sleep the Deep - a one minute interlude. Eerie. Unnecessary except that it gives you time to catch your breath after the assault you just heard at the top of the album.

5. Self Destructor - This is the first single, and this is Chevelle at the top of their hard rock game. "They don't care what the science says. They don't wanna talk." Pete laments. This is the most social commentary I've heard from Chevelle. The riffs are strong and punishing. Pete sings and screams like only he can do. See the video here https://youtu.be/QhPn5EPGN4c

6. Piistol Star (Gravity Heals) - An upbeat song structure, but with lyrics that sound like an apology: "Not like I sold the world. Not like I stole your best. I'll never learn. Look right into the sun"

7. VVurmhole - a 20 second interlude; skippable

8. Peach - A song about Trump and all of his lovely qualities "Little Man ... Little Hands ... Gentleman, he says, just grab that peach ... This narcissist with his conscious fits"

9. Test Test…Enough - This song has a real simple riff played through a delay effect. Pete's vocals are heavily echoed. At only 2:09, this song definitely makes you long for more.

10. Endlessly - This is the most emotional song, and the closest thing to a ballad, yet it has a driving rhythm. I can definitely picture a video where someone is running in slow motion.  There's a feeling of loneliness and helplessness.  In the verses, the percussion drops to just a bass drum that sounds like a heartbeat with a click over top.

11. Remember When - This song has a slower tempo with a very basic drum beat, some silky riffs with phazer effects, and melodic vocals I might go so far as to describe as haunting or dreamy.  Classic Chevelle sound in the vein of Vitamin R (Leading Us Along).

12. Ghost and Razor - The dirty riffs are back!  Vocals echo. The lyrics seem to imply a day of reckoning and suffering for past transgressions.

13. Lost in Digital Woods - The outro is basically a musical poem; Pete is whispering to a piano/keyboard backdrop melody, but he is talking about "raising a hand" which to me sounds like a call to arms. Two and a half minutes in there is some noise and then a very distorted guitar playing a callback to the riff of Test Test...Enough until the record fades out with the faint sound of a whistling UFO.

I love how all Chevelle albums are different, and yet you know you are going to get good guitar rock from these guys.  Pete is not real verbose with his lyrics, but he is poetic, and he fits the words to fit the song.  There are songs to bang your head to and songs to sing along with.  If this is a concept album, it is a concept album that very much works for me.  I can listen to it top to bottom.  I have a high bar for these guys and they have had albums with more signature singles.  Overall: 8/10