Rhonda’s Kiss Benefit @ El Rey Theater – Los Angeles, CA


Rhonda's Kiss concert, Los Angeles, America - 3 Nov 2015

An all star filled evening hit the El Rey Theater as musicians came together for a good cause to raise money for Rhonda’s Kiss, a charity to help those who need assistance battling cancer. Comedian Bill Burr opened up the evening with a brief set. A lineup featuring Dave Navarro (Jane’s Addiction), Josh Freese (The Vandals, etc), Duff McKagan (Guns N Roses, Velvet Revolver, etc), and Dave Kushner (Velvet Revolver, etc) performed alongside a number of guest performers including Juliette Lewis, Mark McGrath (Sugar Ray), Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top) and Billy Idol. The sets included the following:

Donovan Leitch and Dave Navarro

Donovan Leitch and Dave Navarro

“HELLO THERE” (Cheap Trick), Performed by: Donovan Leitch, Duff McKagan, Josh Freese, Dave Navarro and Dave Kushner.

• “SURRENDER” (Cheap Trick), Performed by: Donovan Leitch, Duff McKagan, Josh Freese, Dave Navarro and Dave Kushner.

Rhonda's Kiss concert, Los Angeles, America - 3 Nov 2015

• “ROCK N’ ROLL ALL NITE” (Kiss), Performed by: Mark McGrath, Dave Navarro and Dave Kushner, Josh Freese.

• “FLY” (Sugar Ray), Performed by: Mark McGrath, Dave Navarro, Dave Kushner).

Rhonda's Kiss concert, Los Angeles, America - 3 Nov 2015

• “DIRTY DEEDS” (AC/DC), Performed by: Juliette Lewis, Gilby Clarke and Dave Kushner.

Rhonda's Kiss concert, Los Angeles, America - 3 Nov 2015

• “PROUD MARY” (Creedence Clearwater Revival), Performed by: Juliette Lewis, Gilby Clarke and Dave Kushner.

• “WISH YOU WERE HERE” (Pink Floyd), Performed by: Jamie Commons, Gilby Clarke and Dave Kushner.

• “WHOLE LOTTA LOVE” (Led Zeppelin), Performed by: Kesha, Bill Burr, Gilby Clarke and Dave Kushner.

Rhonda's Kiss concert, Los Angeles, America - 3 Nov 2015

“LA GRANGE” (ZZ Top) Performed by: Billy Gibbons, Dave Navarro, Duff McKagan, Josh Freese.

Rhonda's Kiss concert, Los Angeles, America - 3 Nov 2015

• “WHITE WEDDING” (Billy Idol), Performed by: Billy Idol, Steve Stevens, Billy Morrison, Duff McKagan and Josh Freese.

• “L.A. WOMAN” (The Doors), Performed by: Performed by: Billy Idol, Steve Stevens, Billy Morrison, Duff McKagan and Josh Freese.

Rhonda's Kiss concert, Los Angeles, America - 3 Nov 2015Rhonda's Kiss concert, Los Angeles, America - 3 Nov 2015

• “REBEL YELL” (Billy Idol), Performed by: Billy Idol, Steve Stevens, Billy Morrison, Duff McKagan and Josh Freese.

Rhonda's Kiss concert, Los Angeles, America - 3 Nov 2015 Rhonda's Kiss concert, Los Angeles, America - 3 Nov 2015 Rhonda's Kiss concert, Los Angeles, America - 3 Nov 2015 Rhonda's Kiss concert, Los Angeles, America - 3 Nov 2015

By Rei Nishimoto


On The Road… with Pinkish Black and Zombi


PinkishBlackTour

Autumn is a great time to be alive and weird. Not only is there Halloween, but the darker days just lend themselves to the fuzzy jammage and oblique styles. A good time to get lost in the exploratory music muse and severely avant-garde art stuff. And it’s certainly a good time to catch two unique bands with new albums out such as Pinkish Black and Zombi. Two dynamic duo’s each challenging the perception of what music can truly mean. Pinkish Black’s new album Bottom of Mourning (Relapse) is a triumph of will, after the years since the reincarnation of Great Tyrant, their previous outfit. That bands’ solemn final release, The Trouble With Being Born (Relapse) is also out now. Zombi also has a new album out too, Shape Shift (Relapse again) that pushes the boundaries of “outer-space rock”, one that defies belief at times. Both groups took the stage at Providence, RI’s Columbus Theatre to make an art form from the beautiful sonic war going inside of themselves. Enjoy this photo set from Hillarie Jason who was on hand to capture the night for Ghost Cult.

Pinkish Black, by Hillarie Jason

Pinkish Black, by Hillarie Jason

 

Pinkish Black, by Hillarie Jason

Pinkish Black, by Hillarie Jason

 

Pinkish Black, by Hillarie Jason

Pinkish Black, by Hillarie Jason

 

 

Zombi, by Hillarie Jason

Zombi, by Hillarie Jason

 

 

Zombi, by Hillarie Jason

Zombi, by Hillarie Jason

 

Zombi, by Hillarie Jason

Zombi, by Hillarie Jason

[slideshow_deploy id=’35672′]

 

[amazon template=iframe image1&asin=B014JC18GY]    [amazon template=iframe image1&asin=B0144R8JQQ]


On The Road… with The Ghost Inside


CQAzbRtUEAA68Iz

Embarking on a month long U. S. tour known as the “Locals Only Tour” The Ghost Inside are traveling alone. Stopping in each city, they are playing with the opening support of bands native to the city they’re in for the day. TGI vocalist Jonathon Vigil has said that all bands started out as local bands, and being able to get to know them on each stop is a unique experience. In between TGI’s highly energetic songs, the frontman stops and talks , in detail, about each band, and what unique trait they bring to the stage. This is surely one of the most intimate tours that has taken place in he US this year. The band is out on the road supporting last year’s Dear Youth album (Epitaph), and the band is headed next to Europe this winter supporting Refused. At the tour stop in Birmingham at Zydeco, the locals brought a unique mash-up of sounds. From Tempter’s guttural deathcore sounds, to Noir covering Taylor Swift (‘Bad Blood’), and Veda’s technical riffs and wide vocal range. There is only about a week left on the tour, so check it out if you can. 

 

The Ghost Inside, by Brent B Photos

The Ghost Inside, by Brent B Photos

 

The Ghost Inside, by Brent B Photos

The Ghost Inside, by Brent B Photos

 

Tempter, by Brent B Photos

Tempter, by Brent B Photos

 

Noir, by Brent B Photos

Noir, by Brent B Photos

VEDA, by Brent B Photos

VEDA, by Brent B Photos

[slideshow_deploy id=’35360′]

WORDS AND PHOTOS BY BRENT BUTTERWORTH


YOB – Black Cobra – Lord Almighty – Sea Of Bones: at Brighton Music Hall


Yob-BlackCobra-2015FallTour

While the fall progresses forward and nature around us slowly dies leading up to another New England winter, nothing seems as appropriate as that of a doom metal show. The Brighton Music Hall was once again the site of another memorable show, this time consisting of Sea of Bones, Lord Almighty, Black Cobra, and YOB. The show was so heavy that I was able to go next door for a slice of pizza and know when a band was sound checking and then playing just from how hard the walls were vibrating. The only downside to such a low-end rich show is the drive home when all I wanted to do was go to sleep from the therapeutic doom riffs felt all night.

Sea of Bones, by Hillarie Jason

Sea of Bones, by Hillarie Jason

Sea of Bones kicked off the night to which I can only say was jaw dropping. Previously, I had never heard anything by the group, but was pleasantly surprised with how heavy they got. A nice mix of doom, drone, sludge, and dashes of Neurosis as well as Author & Punisher all came to mind while experiencing Sea of Bones for the first time. I will certainly be catching Sea of Bones the next time I can.

Lord Almighty, by Hillarie Jason

Lord Almighty, by Hillarie Jason

Local heroes, Lord Almighty, came on next and showcased as much of their full-length début album, Paths, as they could in their relatively short set. The progressive black metal outfit certainly made new fans this evening from all the doom fans in-house for YOB and Sea of Bones as well as the fans who like it a bit faster such as Black Cobra. Boston, once again, can be proud knowing that the city keeps pumping out some seriously fun and interesting heavy metal bands.

Black Cobra, by Hillarie Jason

Black Cobra, by Hillarie Jason

Similar to Sea of Bones, I had never given Black Cobra the time of day, but had heard their name in passing. Regardless of my ignorance to this band, I quickly became a fan of their up tempo doom riffs and pounding drumming. Also, the sound that is generated out of just these two musicians was truly amazing. From down the street you would anticipate that the band playing had five or six guys with multiple guitarists, let alone one guitarist/vocalist and a drummer. Also adding into the instant fan spell that was placed on me, I found Black Cobra to be quite similar to a long time favorite of mine in High on Fire.

YOB, by Hillarie Jason

YOB, by Hillarie Jason

Just when I thought the night could not get any better, out came the guys from YOB to absolutely crush my soul. This having been my third time seeing the Oregon doom threesome this year, I had a good feel of what to expect on the set list. Staple opener, ‘Ball of Molten Lead’ got all heads banging together. ‘In Our Blood’ and ‘Marrow’ were also in the rotation as per the usual off of their latest (and maybe greatest), Clearing the Path to Ascend (Neurot). Some may call it a little much, but I could honestly see YOB live again between now and February 2016 even if that makes it four times in a calendar year. There is just something else that YOB delivers that no other doom bands seem to have. Regardless, another amazing night for heavy music in the Brighton/Allston area which could not make me any happier!

YOB, by Hillarie Jason

YOB, by Hillarie Jason

 

YOB, by Hillarie Jason

YOB, by Hillarie Jason

[slideshow_deploy id=’35337′]

WORDS BY TIM LEDIN

PHOTOGRAPHY BY HILLARIE JASON

 


The Darkness – Jennie Vee: Live at The House of Blues, Boston


The-Darkness-2015-Blast-Of-Our-Kind-Tour

Sunday Funday turned into Girls Night Out over the weekend when one of my best friends and I ventured into Boston to catch The Darkness. Everyone knows that you can’t have a real GNO without British men in tight pants…Or British men in no pants, as we would soon discover.

Jenny Vee, by Matt Lambert

Jenny Vee, by Matt Lambert

The only opening band was Jennie Vee. They sounded like something that you would hear in a coming of age teen movie. It would probably star Ellen Page or something. It was your typical pop rock, nothing groundbreaking or shocking. There was no way that they were going to be able to compare to the energy of The Darkness. Someone else might more interested in them than I was, their music just didn’t move me.

 The Darkness, by Matt Lambert

The Darkness, by Matt Lambert

I had not seen The Darkness since the Hot Cakes (Wind-Up) tour, where they played a small venue called The Paradise. That show had been absolutely insane and I had mixed feelings about them playing the House of Blues; I was glad that there was such a demand for them but I am also very selfish and like keeping bands to myself in tiny venues. Mine! Anyway, the boys opened their set with ‘Barbarian’ off of their latest record, The Last of Our Kind (Canary Dwarf Limited), before switching gears with one of my personal favorites; ‘Growing on Me’. You can bet I sang every word. Three other tracks off the new album appeared in the set, including; ‘Mudslide,’ ‘Roaring Waters,’ and ‘Open Fire’.

 The Darkness, by Matt Lambert

The Darkness, by Matt Lambert

I got lucky with a few other favorites of mine in ‘Every Inch of You’ and an extra long version ‘Love on the Rocks with No Ice’ complete with crowd interaction and another round of Justin-Rides-a-Fan in which Justin Hawkins plays guitar atop a tall crowd member as they make their way through the audience. Always amusing. Speaking of amusing, shout out to whoever kept demanding that Justin take his pants off because he definitely did. Go you, anonymous audience member!

 

 

 The Darkness, by Matt Lambert

The Darkness, by Matt Lambert

 

 

 The Darkness, by Matt Lambert

The Darkness, by Matt Lambert

So, there you have it, British men in tight pants, British men in no pants, it was a party. Listen, I might live and die by stoner rock and the 90’s, but I love the big hair and men in tight pants that come with glam rock. I will never apologize for that (much to my editor’s dismay).

 

WORDS BY ALEIDA LA LLAVE

PHOTOS BY MATT LAMBERT


On The Road…with Five Finger Death Punch, Papa Roach, In This Moment and From Ashes To New


Five finger Death Punch Papa Roach ITM From Ashes To New

As the summer heat gets further away and we press on toward winter, all of the fall tours seem to be hitting my town at once. Earlier in the year it seems like there were hardly any tours worth going to, let alone any with a deep enough bill to make one be need to be there. Five Finger Death Punch on the strength of their new album Got Your Six (Prospect Park) put together such a bill that people came out early, and rocked out in droves. From Ashes To New energized the early crowd with their hybrid mix of modem metal and old school rap metal sounds. High energy stage shows with two front men and uplifting jams are the blood of this band, and we are going to keep an eye out for them for years to come. Following that up is In This Moment’s theatrical stage show that just floors people. Hard to believe the leaps this act has taken since starting out as a little metalcore band from Las Vegas. Front woman Maria Brink channels her inner Madonna via costume changes, props, and sheer bravado. Resurgent hit-makers Papa Roach are in the direct support slot on this tour. Their sets are always a rabid sing-a-long with fans, screaming out the words to every song and hopping around in step to the beat. At last it was time for FFDP, themselves now the modern rock and metal torchbearers in America, taking up the reigns from the mostly absent Metallica the last half decade. With larger than life staging, the larger than life band prowls all over the stage jumping off risers, all while their fans try to soak it up and hold on to what the band doles out. Everything about this band screams Las Vegas spectacle or Texas Roadhouse. Thanks to Evil Robb Photography who caught all the action for Ghost Cult with the cam in hand!

Five Finger Death Punch, by Evil Robb Photography

Five Finger Death Punch, by Evil Robb Photography

Five Finger Death Punch, by Evil Robb Photography

Five Finger Death Punch, by Evil Robb Photography
 

Five Finger Death Punch, by Evil Robb Photography

Five Finger Death Punch, by Evil Robb Photography

Papa Roac, by Evil Robb Photography

Papa Roach, by Evil Robb Photography

In This Moment, by Evil Robb Photography

In This Moment, by Evil Robb Photography

In This Moment, by Evil Robb Photography

In This Moment, by Evil Robb Photography

From Ashes To New, by Evil Robb Photography

From Ashes To New, by Evil Robb Photography
 

[slideshow_deploy id=’34505′]


Ulcerate – Bell Witch – Ageless Oblivion: Star and Garter, Manchester (UK)


11889672_949449901774096_3866595974473986637_n

This multinational bill covered three continents and crossed several extreme sub-genres, which may have accounted for a disappointing attendance. A mere dozen witnessed Hampshire quintet Ageless Oblivion take to the stage but a Death-Groove explosion, orchestrated by the phenomenal drumming of Noah See, steadily roused the populace. The brooding, savage ‘Penthos’ displayed the band’s versatility, a pensive progression offset by bone-crushing main sections, and was the high point of a dramatic and technically superb performance.

Ageless Oblivion (4)

Ageless Oblivion. Star & Garter, Manchester, 2015. Photo Credit: Rich Price

The intensity with which Bell Witch drummer Jesse Shreibman leant over his kit whilst studiously watching bassist Dylan Desmond, accurately portrayed the belief and intent with which he subsequently laid waste to it. Desmond’s huge 6-string bass towered over the bewitched throng as he softly intoned into the mic, his fingers caressing the fretboard and producing notes usually out of reach to mere mortals. ‘…Awoken (Breathing Teeth)’ was harrowing, omnipotent and bewildering: Desmond’s mournful strings weighing on Schreibman’s bowed head until he pounded back in with the force of a fucked-off juggernaut, roaring to the sky like a wounded musk ox. The track’s frame-shuddering and impossibly moving finale sent more than one person to the benches, overwhelmed by emotion.

Bell Witch (2)

Bell Witch. Star & Garter, Manchester, 2015. Photo Credit: Rich Price

Ulcerate (1)

Michael Hoggard, Ulcerate. Star & Garter, Manchester, 2015. Photo Credit: Rich Price

Auckland Technical Death purveyors Ulcerate displayed every element of their undoubted proficiency with urgency and muscular action. Guitarist Michael Hoggard and frontman / bassist Paul Kelland jerked lithely in almost reptilian fashion, their heads pouncing on the buckling beat like raptors. Jamie Saint Merat, meanwhile, considered one of the best sticksmen in the world, danced around his kit with the dexterity of Nijinsky whilst pounding the crap out of it. Involving yet brutal, the groove of ‘Soullessness Embraced’ was pushed through every bone by a wiry frontman wielding his bass like a demanding lover; while Hoggard, his freakishly long, flexing neck moving with the articulation of a Bosc Monitor, flung his instrument around like a toy in a kid’s hand. ‘Weight of Emptiness’ meanwhile, its sinister clashes and clangs shot through with brutal portent, highlighted again the incredible work of Merat who hypnotised all by slamming perfected, multiple rhythms down our throats whilst appearing to do nothing.

For a New Zealand band to perform 11,000 miles from home with this intensity to a room of 50 people was both criminal and admirable. An eclectic bill in many ways, Bell Witch just about stole it but every band played their part in a remarkable show of strength.

Ulcerate (2)

Paul Kelland, Ulcerate. Star & Garter, Manchester, 2015. Photo Credit: Rich Price

 

WORDS BY PAUL QUINN

PHOTOS BY RICH PRICE PHOTOGRAPHY


Opeth – Live At Royal Theatre, London


640x360

You have to hand it to Opeth, they certainly know how to celebrate in style. After the massively successful anniversary of Blackwater Park (Music For Nations), which saw the album played in its entirety at the prestigious Royal Albert Hall, this years’ 25th anniversary saw an equally magnificent announcement. Not only were fan’s appetites whet for another chance to see them in almost unthinkable locations as the London Royal Theatre, but the news that these shows would see Ghost Reveries (also celebrating a milestone, 10 years since its release on Roadrunner Records) played in its entirety made this an unmissable show.

It’s not everyday that prog and/or death metal shows are held in such venues, much less those that greet you with posters and memorabilia for stage productions of Charlie And The Chocolate Factory, but by now it is best to expect the unexpected. Once ushered to seats, Opeth come out quite promptly to the stage, and it doesn’t take long for those recognizable clean bars to signal the imminent eruption of opening track ‘Ghost Of Perdition’.  Knowing what is coming throughout the first set does not alleviate the excitement whatsoever as they plough through a sublime, note perfect play through; with an extended ‘Atonement’ complete with extra guitar and keyboard solos proving an unexpected set highlight.

The likes of the heavier ‘Baying Of The Hounds’ and ‘Reverie/Harlequin Forest’ would surely signal bedlam if not for the seated environment, and the roar of excitement that greets the anthemic “Grand Conjuration” threatens to take the entire roof off.

With an Opeth show you can also expect a lot of dry wit and crowd banter from ringmaster Mikael Akerfeldt and tonight is no different; making light of the fiasco of the gig’s change to from the London Palladium (“Sorry, that was my fault. I decided it wasn’t posh enough”) to the self-deprecation of the band’s stage setup with “Ikea” candlelight, and never missing a beat with crowd heckles. Which is thankful, as tonight sees an absolute horde of people shouting throughout, at the rare times proving funny but for the most part a huge annoyance and embarrassment (seriously, its never been funny to shout ‘Freebird’. Ever).

Following the interval, sadly these outbursts continue as the band reopen with the recent tour opener of ‘Eternal Rains Will Come’ into ‘Cusp Of Eternity’. Next to Ghost Reveries it is clear that despite many fans remarks of the band changing their sound; the only real differences between them are the tones and the lack of growls. Rare outings of the acoustic ‘To Rid The Disease’ and the likes of ‘Voice Of Treason’ make this second set equally as rewarding as the first, as they draw to a close with ‘Master’s Apprentice’ and finally the encore of the band’s other major anthem, the visceral ‘The Lotus Eater’.

Despite the presence of those in the crowd who seemed to believe the whole show was about them, even they cannot leave to bitter a taste in the mouth after Opeth deliver an expected masterclass. A truly one of a kind setlist which those in attendance will never forget, hopefully for some reasons more than others.

 

 

CHRIS TIPPELL

 


On The Road… with Clutch and Corrosion Of Conformity


clutch-coc-shrine-admat

What year is it again? A new Star Wars movie is about two months away, Iron Maiden has a brand new album out that rules, The Muppet Show has new episodes on TV each week and other amazingness is happening. Somebody pinch me! Or don’t, because I don’t want to wake up if this is a dream. And for the kicker, Clutch and Corrosion of Conformity, frequent touring partners for the last 25 years are out on the road together once again. Playing blistering sets each night for droves of fans, neither band competes with the other. Instead they live in their own bubbles of genre defining greatness. C.O.C., now rejoined by Pepper Keenan (Down), are rejuvenated by going down memory lane for a set consisting of songs from classic 90s albums such as Deliverance and Wiseblood (both Columbia). Although they occasionally toss in an 80s crossover classic, one hopes the band hasn’t abandoned its fruitful “COC trio” work they have been doing the last few years completely. Writing for a new COC album is ongoing and a release is expected sometime in 2016. In the meantime Clutch is just crushing on the strength of their bold new album Psychic Warfare (Weathermaker). Led by the indomitable Neil Fallon, the band has mined this new album heavily live, as well as the classics that have made Clutch one of the premier American heavy rock bands going. Captured tonight by Evil Robb Photography at Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom in New Hampshire, you have one of the strongest bills of no compromise rock and metal heard anywhere this fall.

Clutch, by Evil Robb Photography

Clutch, by Evil Robb Photography

 

Clutch, by Evil Robb Photography

Clutch, by Evil Robb Photography

 

Clutch, by Evil Robb Photography

Clutch, by Evil Robb Photography

Clutch, by Evil Robb Photography

Clutch, by Evil Robb Photography

Corrosion of Conformity, by Evil Robb Photography

Corrosion of Conformity, by Evil Robb Photography

Corrosion of Conformity, by Evil Robb Photography

Corrosion of Conformity, by Evil Robb Photography

 

Corrosion of Conformity, by Evil Robb Photography

Corrosion of Conformity, by Evil Robb Photography

Corrosion of Conformity, by Evil Robb Photography

Corrosion of Conformity, by Evil Robb Photography
 

[slideshow_deploy id=’34110′]