LIVESTREAM REVIEW: Staind –  ”Break The Cycle” 


To some music lovers, the music of a certain artist can become almost like the soundtrack to their life. A specific song can act as a time portal whisking a person back in time to a specific moment. In terms of bands whose music causes spontaneous bouts of nostalgia, few bands can hold a candle to the band Staind. The reactions of fans as they watched the live stream of Staind’s 20th Anniversary Performance of Break the Cycle alone are a testament to this. One week after streaming the reunion show of their greatest hits, Aaron Lewis along with guitarist Mike Mushok, bassist Johnny April and drummer Sal Giancarelli delivered a live stream that far exceeded any expectations, playing the band’s 2001 mind-blowing, unparalleled album, Break The Cycle (Flip Records) live in its entirety.  Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: Tetrarch – Unstable


In this day and age, it can be a daunting task for Heavy Metal music fans to decide what music to purchase due to the influx of new music available. Thank goodness there are bands like Heavy Metal powerhouse Tetrarch whose music never disappoints and is always the right choice. The band’s second full-length studio album, and first for Napalm Records, Unstable, unleashing ten tracks of mind-blowing Metal.

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EP REVIEW: Wednesday 13 – Necrophaze Antidote


Let’s just face facts, the past year has been grueling. The pandemic affected the human race tremendously, changing life on earth. Musicians, of all genres, have started to release music they made during the shutdown of everything everywhere, and most of it echoes the angst of being on lockdown. Enter Wednesday 13’s newest release, Necrophaze, Antidote (Nuclear Blast). Although the songs were recorded during the recording of Necrophaze (Nuclear Blast), the four tracks were a welcome reprieve from the current melancholy atmosphere of the music industry.

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ALBUM REVIEW: Chevelle – NIRATIAS


 

It is no secret that in the world of the music industry creating a unique signature sound is generally first on the list of goals for fledgling bands. Few bands have a sound that is as instantly recognizable as the music of Pete and Sam Loeffler, otherwise known as Chevelle. The long-awaited ninth studio album, NIRATIAS (Epic Records) dropped this week, and good golly miss molly, the brothers Loeffler do not disappoint.

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ALBUM REVIEW: The Pretty Reckless-Death By Rock And Roll


 

Motivational speaker John C. Maxwell once said Change is inevitable, growth is optional. In the world of Rock and Roll, an artist must embrace change and allow their music to evolve. Case in point, The Pretty Reckless released their fourth studio album this month, Death By Rock And Roll (Fearless Records) and it is glaringly apparent the band is not just embracing change but giving it a big ole bear hug. The twelve-track album is tinged with the ghosts of the tragic events that the band has experienced since their last studio album, 2016’s Who You Selling for (Razor & Tie).  Continue reading


EP REVIEW: Razor Candy – Razor Candy


I like to think I am a tough nut to crack, an enigma, if you will, shrouded in a mystical cloud of mystery. My editor proved to me that when it comes to my musical tastes he has me all figured out. Case in point, the new self-titled EP by Razor Candy (Sensory Recordings). My editor said I would really dig the newly released profoundly immoral brainchild of Paul Wiley (Marilyn Manson, Deveraux) and Chad Cherry (The Last Vegas, The Claws) and he was not wrong. I may be a self-described metalhead, but I am also a self-described lover of musical ingenuity and raw talent, which Razor Candy not only possesses but showcases in an eloquently macabre way. The EP contains five tracks that are available in all streaming formats, but for you vinyl loving freaks (myself included) there is a bonus track included only on vinyl, how fanfreakingtastical is that?Continue reading


LIVE REVIEW: Cold: Live at Fine Line, Minneapolis, Minnesota


I can still remember the very moment the band Cold came hurtling into my atmosphere like a brilliant meteor, hell-bent on causing upheaval. Scooter Ward and his musical cohorts were the direct support band for the St. Louis, Missouri Industrial band, Gravity Kills. Cold, with their first studio album, just released, was still flying under the radar as far as getting mainstream exposure and radio play. The small venue in La Crosse, Wisconsin was sold-out on that balmy summer evening. I was unaware of how my life would be altered forever by a band I had never even heard of when I walked into that venue.Continue reading


REVIEW: Shinedown – Papa Roach – Asking Alexandria – Savage After Midnight: Live at Lacrosse Center


Music, throughout history, has had a way of influencing the social behavior and norms found in human societies. Music is a universal language that is capable of bridging the gap between disparate people and entire social classes, cultures, and continents. Music can also be a tremendously personal thing, a song that has certain significance to one person may hold no meaning for the next. The current immeasurable dissonance in the social climate that spans the entire globe seems to push lost souls to seek comfort in music. In my humble Skullgurl opinion, that reason alone is why the world needs more bands like the four I saw on the second day of October 2019.Continue reading


CONCERT REVIEW: Sebastian Bach – Kobra and The Lotus Live at the Q Casino


Let’s face the facts, folks, the music industry has changed drastically in the last 30 years. I firmly believe that change is inevitable and most of the time I embrace change with open arms. The recording process has been completely revolutionized to the point that musicians can produce their own albums right from home on their computers. The problem with having the ability to record and release music so easily is the plethora of music that is flooding the market that just does not stand the test of time. Think of some of the current songs you hear on Fm radio stations, most of them will spin themselves out of rotation and vanish to the isle of forgotten songs within 6 months of their release. Career longevity has become an elusive beast in the music industry, so when an artist who released his first album over thirty years ago is touring and selling out venues, a Skullgurl must pay attention. Of course, I am talking about the original untamed mane rock star, Sebastian Bach.Continue reading


ALBUM-REVIEW: HELLYEAH – Welcome Home


I believe that it is human nature to want to find a lasting way to immortalize a loved one that has passed away. History has proven that the custom of creating a tangible or abstract method paying homage to the deceased has been a mainstay in almost every culture bringing comfort and solace for centuries. Humans that possess the soul of an artist seem to process loss and grief on a completely different level, most of the time creating something ethereal from their pain. Case in point, the sixth studio album from Heavy Metal badasses HELLYEAH, Welcome Home (Eleven Seven Music) is a fitting and spine-tingling tribute to their dearly departed drummer, Vinnie Paul Abbott. The album as a whole possesses some very tasty stand out tracks.Continue reading