ALBUM REVIEW: Touché Amoré – Spiral In A Straight Line


Spiral In A Straight Line (Rise Records) is Touché Amoré’s sixth album. They are not only more confident in who they are as a band, but continuing the journey fussy they are not capable of explosive emotional outbursts as heard in the song. This is handled in a more Punk way, with less overt emoting. The more polished production compliments the progression of their creative path, with the guitars being where growth is most evident. On a song like “Hal Ashby” they embrace the late nineties all over again thanks to the jangle of the guitars. This feels the most like what we once called Emo with a punk drive that thankfully owes more to Hot Water Music than Blink-182.Continue reading


PODCAST: The Weekly Ritual Rock and Metal News Show Live 2-16-24


Catch up on what you missed this week in the world of Rock and Metal news with our show! Continue reading


Slam Dunk Festival 2022 Announces Stage Splits


Slam Dunk Festival 2022 approaches at less than two months away, taking place over June Bank Holiday Weekend, Slam Dunk Festival has revealed stage splits for its tremendous lineup. Headliners Neck Deep, Alexisonfire, Sum 41 and Dropkick Murphys and countless more bands. See the splits below. 

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Killswitch Engage, Taking Back Sunday, Andrew W.K., Underøath, and More Booked for Furnace Fest This Fall


Bringing together the best bands in Metalcore, Punk, Rock, and Metal, Furnace Fest has been announced for this fall at Sloss Furnaces September. 24-26 this year and features a plethora of huge bands such as Killswitch Engage, Taking Back Sunday, Andrew W.K., Underøath,  Astronoid, Cave In, Converge, Defeater, Eighteen Visions, Emery, End, ERRA, Every Time I Die, All Get Out, Anberlin, The Appleseed Cast, The Beautiful Mistake, Beloved, Better Off, The Bled, As Friends Rust, August Burns Red, Bad Cop Bad Cop, Be Well, Boy Sets Fire, The Casket Lottery, Comeback Kid, Counterparts, Darkest Hour, Face to Face, Fit for a King, The Get Up Kids, Hatebreed, Zao and more! The full day-by-day lineups and tickets can be found below! 

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Slayer, Against Me!, Flaming Lips, Glassjaw, Senses Fail, Taking Back Sunday, Testament and More Booked for Riot Fest 2019


Riot Fest 2019 has announced its lineup for its 15th-anniversary event this fall in Chicago, in Douglas Park, September 13th -15th. Slayer (final Chicago & Milwaukee show), Against Me!, Flaming Lips, Glassjaw, Senses Fail, Taking Back Sunday, Testament, Avail, Dashboard Confessional, Bloc Party, Ween, H2O, Blink-182, Bikini Kill, The Raconteurs, Jawbreaker, Ween (performing The Mollusk), Bloc Party (performing Silent Alarm), Die Antwoord, Patti Smith And Her Band, Rancid, Violent Femmes, Descendents, Manchester Orchestra, The B-52s, and dozens more are booked to play. Tickets on sale now at the link below.Continue reading


FESTIVAL REVIEW: Riot Fest 2017 – Douglas Park, Chicago


Nine Inch Nails at Riot Fest 2017, by Omar Cordy/OJC PICS

Riot Fest was started a few years back in the grand spirit of the old school one-off festivals of lore. It was intended to be special from the get-go and they have done a reasonable job of sandwiching themselves into a busy summer of Lollapalooza, Chicago Open Air, and many other destination festival shows. Having a mix of alternative rock, metal, Hip-Hop, indie rock, and more has helped carve out its own niche, and between special performances, varied food and beer options, late-night after parties, and basically the cool factor Chicago offers as one of the best cities in America, it’s no wonder fans flocked to the event from all over the world.Continue reading


Riot Fest 2017 Announces Full Schedule, Late Night Concerts


Riot Fest is coming next month in Chicago with headliners, Nine Inch Nails, Queens of the Stone Age and Jawbreaker. The festival has announced the full set times and stages for the event, as well as the late night concert series. All times and ticket link details can be found below.Continue reading


The 2017 Riot Fest Lineup Includes Nine Inch Nails, Queens of the Stone Age, Jawbreaker And More


Riot Fest is returning to Chicago’s Douglas Park this September, and the initial lineup is absolutely amazing. Continue reading