I owe Jimmy Ryan a debt of gratitude. Not only is he one heck of a nice guy, but this southpaw mandolin player turned me onto a whole new musical world with his tiny instrument. And he plays it mighty fine himself, demonstrated skillfully in this release, Turn Back The World, from one of his ensembles called Wooden Leg. This recording, capturing the group live in Boston, is the band’s first release since their 1996 self-titled debut, but boy do they sound solid. Turn Back The World finds the four core members of Wooden Leg – Ryan [mandolin/vocals], Brian Dunton [bass], Mickey Bones [drums], and Joe Kessler [fiddle] – together on stage again, alongside guitarist Duke Levine, steadily rocking through an 11-song set of originals, traditional tunes, and a couple covers. They dig into a few songs from their debut, opening up with “Champaign,” a dirge-like tune whose lyrics paint a dark image in the mind, while Levine and Dunton’s guitar lines encase the words in a richly textured frame and Kessler and Ryan add flourish to the edges. While not the album performance, this rendition will give you an idea of what to expect. In this video, guitarist Russell Chudnofsky stands in for Duke Levine. They continue, tearing through great renditions of “Face Up” and “I Got A Feeling,” both from Ryan’s solo album Lost Diamond Angel, oozing energy from the stage. Meanwhile, their version of “Relax Your Mind”, originally by Lead Belly, stretches out its musical legs and makes itself at home, giving time for Kessler, Ryan, and Levine to gather fretboard kindling for a notably fiery display. Considering how well-played this collection is, one might be surprised to hear that it was recorded without the band’s knowledge, the group only discovering later that their sound technician had bottled the evening’s notes.
Turn Back The World is a welcome return for Wooden Leg as a band. Sure, there are a few rough patches present, but in an age where many live albums pick and choose the best version of songs over the course of a series of shows or an entire tour, the consistency and skill they display in a single session is both impressive and refreshing. If you like folk, bluegrass, or 12-bar blues shuffles, the fine men of Wooden Leg won’t disappoint. Purchase Turn Back The World: iTunes | Amazon | From The Band For more on Wooden Leg and Jimmy Ryan, visit: Jimmy Ryan's Official Website Wooden Leg's Official Website
0 Comments
Double Experience, the Canadian nerd-rock duo, has been setting high scores on my music preference screen for years. With their third full-length play through, they tried something a bit different. Coming off of their last album, Unsaved Progress, and a grab bag of addictive singles, they decided to release three thematic EPs based around the morality spectrum of tabletop role-playing games like Dungeons & Dragons. As of April 24, these three stand-alone releases have been combined into a single LP called Alignments, and it contains some of my favorite music these two have ever recorded. Describing characters that run the gamut from Lawful Good to Chaotic Evil, Alignments is a surprisingly cohesive album given the rag tag elements that guide the direction of each track. Bursting out of the gates with “Perish Song,” one of the Evil numbers, we have a rocking ode to a glitch from Pokemon Red. This is followed by “New Me,” putting us into the mind of Marvel’s The Punisher, and gracing us with slabs of enticing riffs and one of the cleverest chorus lines I’ve heard in quite a while. In my opinion, that cleverness isn't a one hit wonder, and is matched by another tune on this release: the ballad of sadism entitled “My List,” which is as deftly harmful in words as it is sweet in music. “My list, my list, I running down my list. Causing you harm was the last thing I wanted to do, but it was still on my list.” That song, alongside “Ghost In The Machine,” are two of my favorites tracks on Alignments. The latter, though name dropping Tetris in the opening line, also falls perfectly in line with the 1995 anime “Ghost In The Shell,” which deals with cyborgs and what it really means to be alive. Whether this is intentional or coincidence is of little consequence, because, as with everything Double Experience releases, the music is addictive regardless of the background knowledge of the listener. But, oh, how much sweeter the experience when you get it. The original three EPs are rounded out by the title track, which is the darkest, most musically dissonant of the bunch – not to ignore the poignant lyrics of “Something’s Got To Give” about gun violence in the United States. In contrast, the bonus track “Love Is Not Just Talk” is one of the most upbeat tunes on the album, using the tropes of tabletop RPGs to discuss the simple matter of romance. You have a couple different choices when it comes to Alignments. You could buy each of the Good, Evil, and Neutral EPs separately and enjoy them in their byte-size glory. Of course, doing so would neglect two of the tracks, so you’d need to purchase them digitally. Alternatively, you could get the full Alignments album, which mixes all those songs together, good and bad… ahem, I mean evil, alike. The choice is yours alone, but I for one am enjoying the entire collection as much as I’ve enjoyed anything by Double Experience. If you’re not sure, you can always let the dice decide. Buy Alignments (full album): From The Band | iTunes | Amazon For more on Double Experience, visit: Website Bandcamp YouTube Just three days into 2020, I had the pleasure to attend my first ever Bumblefoot solo show. And this one truly was solo! Ron ‘Bumblefoot’ Thal [Sons Of Apollo, Asia], guitarist and vocalist extraordinaire, has been doing storyteller-styled concerts; alone except for his guitar, microphone, and some backing tracks. Despite this minimalist setting, Thal has quite a large presence, and all I saw were happy faces in the house at Milkboy Philadelphia as he performed fretboard pyrotechnics on his double-necked Vigier guitar. Voices layered on top of one another from the audience during cover songs like “Somebody to Love” by Queen, just as Thal layered his own guitar parts for his singular arrangement of “Every Little Thing She Does is Magic” by The Police. There was plenty of time for stories as well, and Ron regaled us with how he’d painted himself into a corner with complicated guitar parts for the new Sons Of Apollo album, MMXX (out January 17), giving a sneak peak of some over-the-top riffs, licks, and solos. Joining Bumblefoot for the evening was the band Mach22, a very capable hard rock band with a great sense of groove. At the end of Thal’s set, he invited the band back onstage to have an impromptu jam on a number of classics, including “Whole Lotta Rosie” by AC/DC, “It’s So Easy” by Guns N’ Roses, and closing things out with a thrilling version of KISS’ “Detroit Rock City.” While there’s no substitute for the real thing, I captured some stills here and there that I hope will tease your appetite. You might also be interested in checking out our interview with Bumblefoot, conducted just prior to this show! Click here for the full photo gallery! Welcome to a new decade! A mere three years ago, Sons of Apollo, a super group composed of former members of Dream Theater, Guns N’ Roses, Mr. Big, and Journey, burst onto the scene with their debut album, Psychotic Symphony. They quickly earned praise for that effort and toured the world over, even releasing a live album and concert video last year from their show with the Plovdiv Symphony in Bulgaria. The onset of 2020 has brought Sons of Apollo’s new album, MMXX, aptly titled for the present day and, whenever you’re reading this, for your ears. I’ll admit to being a bit apprehensive; would this be as good as the debut? Could this be as good? Psychotic Symphony remains one of my favorite albums of 2017, mixing grandiose instrumentation with deep-set earworms. Well, after spending a good deal of December 2019 listening to MMXX, I can say that this is a worthy successor and sophomore release. The earworms have all returned to bore new homes, and listeners need look no further than the first single and opening track “Goodbye Divinity,” where I’ve found the keyboard intro and chorus slipping into my otherwise regularly-schedule thoughts. And, as it’s playing in my ears at the moment, I just cannot get enough of the ascending-descending scale runs that wallpaper the refrain from Resurrection Day. Addictive, to say the least! I can’t help but to gush a bit over King of Delusion, which currently stands as my favorite track on this record. Arising seamlessly out of the death knell which finishes off Desolate July, Derek Sherinian paints a meandering path through his staggering keystrokes, welcoming murmured whispers before an onslaught of chugging guitars, bass, and drums barrel into us. Soto’s paced verses remind me faintly of Ozzy Osbourne’s ”Perry Mason,” though I’m likely drawing erroneous connections. Over the course of almost 9 minutes, we’re marched from mildly manic to run-for-the-door soundscapes; beautifully dynamic and diverse. Returning to the previously mentioned grandiose instrumentation, Sons of Apollo have written their longest song to date with the closing track, New World Today, clocking in at nearly 16 minutes. After a swelling guitar opening from Ron ‘Bumblefoot’ Thal ushers in visions of an 80s movie sunrise (at least for me), vocalist Jeff Scott Soto regales us with societal commentary that asks us to question our role going into the future. While the listener ponders that, the music twists from chugging hard rock to speed metal velocity before opening up into more spacious orchestration and allowing each instrument to take control for a time. With three minutes to spare, it finally returns to the opening melody line, which I think may be one of the greatest points of composition on this album, and causes the record to end with an air of optimism. MMXX has launched us into a new decade with a bang! While not a huge departure in sound from the debut, it’s a great collection of songs that take us through a gamut of moods and musical flavors. As should be expected from these five respected musicians, there’s no shortage of instrumental flair thrown in for good measure, and often I find myself marveling at the synchronicity of their combined efforts. Needless to say, if you enjoyed the former album, you won’t be disappointed here. And if you’ve never checked the band out before, there’s no time like the present! You may also be interested in checking out our interview with Bumblefoot. Pre-order the album, out January 17, right here. For more on Sons Of Apollo, visit: Official Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube Last year was my first iteration of Sirbaugh Acres, which at that time was marking its fifth year running. It was a splendid affair, with five bands showcasing their musical prowess for a lawnful of onlookers. This year I returned for the sixth installment of the series, with some newcomers and returning musical champions. Unlike the previous outing, this one carried the theme of “Time Machine” and featured each band playing a tune from Ronnie James Dio’s storied career. But they weren’t limited to Dio, and explored a variety of other covers from bands like Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, Queensrÿche, and, of course, gave a healthy dose of their own material for the delighted listeners. The acts included Nero’s Fiddle, Elizabeth’s Furnace (formerly Meridian), Mindmaze, A Sound Of Thunder, and Bleeding Black, who performed their final show that night. Normally when I do concert reviews, I have difficulty connecting one-on-one with some of my favorite bands. I’ve enjoyed the relaxed setting that Tim Sirbaugh, the namesake of Sirbaugh Acres, has provided, allowing me the opportunity to both immerse myself in great music, as well as get to have real conversations with the people behind it. This is like a vacation for me, so forgive me as I forego a band-by-band review and simply inundate you with photos I captured of each set. But suffice to say, each band put on a hell of a performance and, despite a brief rain shower that took us by surprise, the entire event was a wonderful auditory adventure. While I don’t have the exact numbers, I feel the event has grown in size since I last attended, and I certainly noted more photographers and videographers this time around. If you’d like to check out some of the footage of the first three bands: Nero’s Fiddle, Elizabeth’s Furnace, and Mindmaze, you can find it here, courtesy of the Mad Shad Channel. You can find our photo gallery for all the bands below, along with links to explore their music further. Click here for the full photo gallery! It’s been six years since my wife and I braved a storm to see four sisters from Colorado play inside a D.C. barbeque restaurant and bar, putting on a fantastical show that left the both of us impressed. And on August 29, we finally got to see them again. The quaint quartet is called SHEL, and they returned to the area with a trip to Jammin’ Java in Vienna, VA, a cozy little concert hall and restaurant. Like last time, we made a point of getting a seat up front. Click here for the full photo gallery! Warming the stage first was a self-described husband & wife alt-pop duo named Wild Harbors, composed of Chris and Jenna Badeker. Armed simply with a guitar, two harmonious voices, and the occasional tambourine, they quickly turned heads with their storytelling-style performance. The audience was moved from laughter, discussing the trials of spousal conflict in “House On Fire,” to tears with “Abigail,” about the girl who almost wasn’t. Throughout their set, they spoke extensively about the changes that had occurred in their lives, and the importance of erecting monuments at those pivotal moments, whether through pictures, videos, or songs, to remember what led you to the path you’re on now. Their debut album, Monument, is one of those markers, and it’s littered with pieces of life – as full and deep as could be expected. If you’re searching for something honest and beautiful, seek them out. When I first saw SHEL live, I had perhaps three songs I was familiar with, and that was all I needed to convince myself they were worth seeing. Fast forward and the spell of mysticism is still there, this time not due to my ignorance at our initial encounter, but due to the nature of these talented women. I’m never quite sure what they’ll come up with next, but I can count on it being full of heart. I think that’s due to their differences, each pouring what they love into the mixture, and out of that synergetic concoction comes creativity and love. Eva, on vocals, mandolin, and the ‘E’ in SHEL (Sarah – Hannah – Eva – Liza), apologized for the group’s lengthy absence, but said that they needed time to work through personal struggles and to come together as sisters. I took that comment, and the thrilling performance which followed, as affirmation of my assessment. We were notified that quite a few things lay on the horizon for SHEL, including a single called “Rainbow” in September, a Christmas EP, another Spring-time EP, and a new full-length album sometime later next year. What’s more, we were treated to a huge selection of that material, and not a dud in the mix. Particular standouts for my wife and I included “Monster” and “Ordinary Fairytale Superhero Villain,” metaphoric and whimsical, which thankfully still hold a place on a future release despite naysaying by certain individuals beyond this foursome. I’m hoping SHEL never let anyone else’s opinions outweigh their own artistic desires, because those songs were fantastic and I can’t wait to hear them again. As with the last time we saw them, they once again broke out their haunting cover of Led Zeppelin’s “The Battle Of Evermore,” but on this occasion we were regaled with the time three of them had to ditch their sister and keyboard player, Hannah, in an airport to get a photo with Robert Plant. Accordions and TSA apparently do not mix. Perhaps more to the band’s surprise was when a woman yelled out a request for “Is The Doctor In Today” off their last full-length, Just Crazy Enough. “We haven’t played that for at least a year,” Sarah, the violinist, informed her. After discovering she’d flown in all the way from Colorado and had seen them play at a number of other venues, they acquiesced – “We hope this meets some expectation you have for it.” To their credit, it sounded great – another satisfied customer! If I had to pick a favorite part of the evening, I don’t think I could narrow it down to simply this-or-that song. My favorite thing was how both bands took advantage of this intimate space to tell stories about the songs. Everyone was so warm and welcoming, and the chemistry made the moments electric. Of course, if you ask my wife, her favorite part was any moment that Liza was at the front of the stage with her djembe and electric kick drum pedal, not to mention her beat boxing escapades. A close second, and this would be a personal problem, is that there was a second fellow there named Barry. Or, perhaps I was the second fellow, for this Barry was quite known by the ladies in the band, and every time they referenced him I thought they were talking to me. But I doubt you’ll experience that unusual circumstance. What you should experience is seeing SHEL live. Their current tour is limited to the Northeast of the United States, so catch them while you can – and stay on the lookout for a “Rainbow.” It’s not every day that a rock band plays a concert with a full-blown symphony. There was Deep Purple, who played with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in 1969; Metallica, who played with the San Francisco Symphony in 1999; and now Sons Of Apollo, who are set to release Live With The Plovdiv Psychotic Symphony at the end of this month, recorded while they were on tour last year in Bulgaria. While I know there are others I’m missing, I’m here to speak with you about the last of these epic endeavors. Recorded on a beautiful September evening before a thrilled Bulgarian audience at Plovdiv’s Roman Amphitheatre, Sons Of Apollo pulled together a special set. The first part largely mirrored the set list they had been performing throughout the tour, based firmly around their debut album, Psychotic Symphony, which I witnessed and spoke about here. The second part, joined by the Plovdiv Symphony Orchestra and Choir – lovingly nicknamed the Plovdiv Psychotic Symphony for this night – consisted of a set of cover songs tailored by Portnoy to both the band’s musical tastes, as well as to take full advantage of the symphony’s presence. More than once I had goosebumps along my neck from how everything fell into place just right. Running the gamut from Queen to Ozzy Osbourne, there’s a great deal at which to marvel. Being able to not only hear what’s going on, but to see the chemistry and synchronized efforts of this band, really convinces me that getting one of the releases which include the blu-ray or DVD are the way to go. Being able to see how well Sherinian’s keystrokes fall in line with Sheehan’s tremendously heavy bass notes help me understand how the group were able to create some of the remarkable lows on their debut album. It’s all the little things that really add up here, such as Soto holding Bumblefoot’s guitar while the latter plays it in lap-steel fashion, or Bumblefoot playing Portnoy’s symbols with the headstock of his guitar, or watching Sherinian perform Van Halen’s “Eruption” guitar solo while making his way around the keyboard – all these little touches really add to the experience. And the mix is beautifully balanced, allowing each instrument to come across clearly and boldly. Of course, there is a version which contains the 3-CD collection as well, including a few songs – Aerosmith’s “Dream On” and Pink Floyd’s “Comfortably Numb” – that aren’t part of the video releases due to being unable to secure clearance. While I’ve been typing this, I’ll admit to having gotten lost in their rendition of of the latter. Portnoy and Soto do a great job alternating vocals duties, Sherinian and Sheehan provide swelling accompaniment alongside the symphony, and Bumblefoot’s guitar solo just goes on and on, building in waves of emotion. I think this is the seventh time the song has played on repeat. I would have loved to see their expressions. Some might find it weird, or even presumptuous, that a band with only one album under its belt would opt for not only a live album as its second release, but one with a symphony orchestra at that. Perhaps it’s the nature of this band that makes it work so well; five extremely talented individuals, each with a storied history to draw on. This isn’t their first, or even second, rodeo, and they certainly don’t seem to be slowing down now. Their original works are inspired and precise, and they have a hell of a lot of fun regardless of the tune they’re playing, to the point that it’s infectious. I’d highly suggest everyone check this release out; I know I’d already have pre-ordered it if my wife hadn’t wanted gift ideas. To pre-order Live With The Plovdiv Psychotic Symphony in its various formats, click here. For more on Sons Of Apollo, visit: Official Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube The Royal Affair Tour: Yes, Asia, John Lodge Band, and Carl Palmer's ELP Legacy (6/22/2019)4/12/2020 On Saturday, June 22, nearly four thousand excited concert-goers filtered into the seats of Baltimore’s MECU Pavilion. They were set to embark upon a fresh voyage to the seas of nostalgia, and boy were they excited. I was excited too, as I hadn’t had the pleasure of witnessing any of these household names in the flesh before that evening. And it wasn’t too long before the show got underway. Click here for the full photo gallery! Carl Palmer’s ELP Legacy Band (ft. vocalist Arthur Brown) Official Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube “Are the drums loud enough?” Palmer asked the crowd. Purely rhetorical. He knew full well, as did all those in attendance, that he was laying a beating on those drum heads. And he wasn’t the only one getting into this set, the audience being a given. The guitarist, Paul Bielatowicz, was bouncing all around, and yet managed to perfectly place each and every note. Opposite him was David Pastorius on bass guitar, whose thick basslines stitched an aural quilt alongside Palmer’s drumbeats, occasionally jumping to the forefront with slap lines that thrilled the crowd. And not least of all was Arthur Brown, a living art piece: decked out in a post-apocalyptic costume consisting of a red jacket, black feathered wings, golden pants, cowboy boots, stunning face paint, and a helmet armed with flashlights. He made me feel as if I was watching musical theater, to the backdrop of hits from Emerson, Lake, and Palmer; Aaron Copland; and The Crazy World of Arthur Brown. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to get any photos of this set, but I assure you it was a spectacle and well worth you attending to put your own eyes and ears on it. When I heard the words of “Legend Of The Mind” dance across my ears, it was like being transported back to my childhood. Much of the music of this evening was played to me by my parents growing up, but hearing it live sounded wonderfully vibrant: a credit to the great players on stage. John Lodge’s voice was full of life and energy, and so was his band. And it wasn’t just the energy, but also the chemistry between them. At one point we saw Lodge, guitarist Duffy King, and guitarist / cellist Jason Charboneau set into a synchronized battle stance, headstocks alternating back and forth in an Iron Maiden-fashion. They were smiling and having fun! And as an audience member, seeing the band have a good time always puts me in high spirits, so by the time “I’m Just A Singer (in a Rock and Roll Band)” came on, I was cheerfully singing along (though I would have anyway). To close his set, we had the honor of seeing Yes’ Jon Davison join Lodge for a rendition of “Ride My See-Saw,” much to the pleasure of all in attendance. I have to give credit where credit is due: Asia is the reason I was able to provide you with all these photos. They were kind enough to approve my press credentials, and for that I am grateful. But please don’t think this affected my review. I do have great things to say about their set, but it’s based on the merits of the performance, I assure you. Firstly, this incarnation of Asia is different in that it features the introduction of Ron ‘Bumblefoot’ Thal as lead vocalist and guitar, replacing Sam Coulson on guitar and relieving Billy Sherwood of vocalist duties. I’ve been a fan of Thal and his expansive career for around fifteen years, first enjoying his solo career, then his lengthy stint with Guns N’ Roses, and recently his endeavors as a member of the prog super group, Sons Of Apollo. The only thing which surprised me was his role here as vocalist, not due to being ill-equipped for such a job, but rather because it wasn’t his usual role in bands like this. But within the first few notes of “Go,” I was convinced that he was going to do justice to John Wetton’s version of the songs. His voice, matched up with the dulcet backup vocals of Sherwood, truly worked well together. In fact, all of the band members seemed to work well together. Palmer was solid as ever throughout the night, but the chemistry really shined through with the duet of Geoff Downes and Thal performing “The Smile Has Left Your Eyes” with the keys commanding the atmosphere of the pavilion. Downes continued to show his prowess during his solo performance, juggling two different melodies on separate keyboards, which still boggles my mind. During the second half of the set, we were greeted with the arrival of original member and current Yes guitarist, Steve Howe, to huge applause. The five-some then, with Thal ditching his guitar, finished up the set with a four-song streak from their debut album, and ended with “Heat Of The Moment” to a thrilled, on-its-feet audience. At this point in the evening, the lights had gone out in the city and stars filled our eyes. Not stars from the night’s sky, but ones dancing across the LED backdrop of the stage. As members arrived on stage, many of which had just been on stage with Asia, they did so to a standing ovation from every member of the audience. As they launched into the first song, it was clear that they were all excited to be here and were just as in-sync as you’d expect from the legendary Yes, a fact that was evident from the woman to my right exclaiming to her friend, “I can’t believe how good they sound live!” Unlike Asia, who focused on the first few albums from their storied career, Yes’ setlist covered songs from every one of their 70s albums starting at “The Yes Album” and a few 80s tracks for good measure. Included in these was the absolutely monumental, 22-minute “The Gates Of Delirium” from the 1974 album Relayer, a tune that hasn’t seen much play since 2001. What a treat! The guys closed out the show with a cover of John Lennon’s “Imagine,” featuring drummer Alan White who had originally recorded the song with Lennon, and finally “Roundabout” which converted the seated audience into a migrating dance party. As the song came to an end and the band took their bow, I had little doubt in my mind that everyone was about to leave satisfied. In fact, all I heard on my way home were people remarking how great all the bands had been, and one stating it was the best concert they’d ever attended. Needless to say, you should do yourself a favor and check the show out when it comes your way. It’s a rare opportunity to see all of these great bands in one place. MindMaze is one of those bands that I try to make sure I see anytime I can. Their music is my kind of progressive metal, taking cues from legends such as Fates Warning and Queensryche, but producing songs that are entirely their own. There is a level of technicality and precision to their music, too often overlooked by other bands, and yet their stage show is far from admiring statues standing in place. And while my interactions with them are few and far between, they’re always kind and appreciative of those who support them and willing to spend quality time with everyone who seeks it. Their recent concert at Sparta Inn in Sparrows Point, Maryland was no exception, and I ended up talking quite a bit with Sarah and Jeff Teets, the sister-brother duo of vocals and guitars. Before I knew it, we were all doing and impromptu photo shoot outside, first with the whole band, and then just with Sarah as the others went to set up their gear. Whether it be Jeff jumping off the drum riser, or Sarah and bassist Rich Pasqualone playing a game of “let’s knock each other over,” or drummer Mark Bennett beating the the ever-loving crap out of a $200 house drum kit, the MindMaze crew are full of energy. I had a ton of fun watching this foursome rip into tracks like “This Holy War” and “Slave To The Cycle,” the latter which fans almost didn’t get to witness. Luckily, the band was given extra time on stage, and they made great use of it. And despite Sarah only recently recovering from a lost voice, you wouldn’t have been able to tell if she hadn’t apologized for it. Though she later told me it was uncomfortable to sing, she pushed through it and the crowd was left in awe. They’re heading to Hollywood’s renowned Whisky a Go Go on August 2nd, so all you West Coast fans should try to make it out. And for those of you on the East Coast, spend that time clearing your schedule so you can ensure you get to their next performance in your area. Click here for the full photo gallery! I’ll be perfectly honest: I hadn’t ever heard Blaze Bayley’s work until Friday, May 17th. Not his solo work, not with Wolfsbane, not even with Iron Maiden. But when I heard he’d be coming to Sparta Inn for his Tour Of The Eagle Spirit, I knew this wouldn’t be a show I’d want to miss. I’d heard great things about Blaze’s showmanship, and coupling that with the fact that he’d be playing tunes from all three of his Infinite Entanglement concept albums, I knew I’d regret it if I didn’t go. I mean, how often do you get the chance to catch an artist who’s touring behind a three-part concept? I didn’t have the opportunity to arrive early, but I did manage to come in with a few of the regional acts still left. Click here for the full photo gallery! Offensive is a heavy metal band out of Essex, MD, and played a combination of originals and cover tunes. The bassist and lead singer, Leon Sohail, and guitarist Maxim Sobchenko, took turns with the vocals – the former handling the harsh and the latter the clean. The standout moment for me was when they performed a solid version of “Holy Diver” in honor of Ronnie James Dio. A Sound Of Thunder is always a favorite of mine. It would be obvious if you saw me, wearing a battle jacket with their creation, Udoroth, displayed in vivid color through the artwork of the talented Trav Hart. In fact, I brought my wife along to this show and she finds the foursome as delightful as I do. And, as usually, the band didn’t disappoint with heavy hitters such as “Queen Of Hell,” “It Was Metal,” and the aforementioned “Udoroth.” Unfortunately, the song they wrote which features Blaze, “My Disease,” didn’t make an appearance that night, but Bayley did end up selling one of their CDs for them while they were rocking out onstage. I had a chance to speak with Blaze just before his set. I let him know that this was my first time seeing him live, but that I was very excited for it. He was so humble and down to Earth during that interaction, but when he took the stage, something clicked and he became larger than life. It was really like watching live theater with the way he wore his expressions so vividly. Adding to that feeling, as Blaze introduced each of the Infinite Entanglement tracks, he spoke as if a narrator, giving us background on the origins and the struggles of the main character, William Black. Somehow, despite the downtrodden position Black finds himself in, Bayley managed to carry a positivity in his performance that he imbued into each person in attendance. I think, in part, this is due to the chemistry he and his band have. They’re really having fun on stage, even at times when Blaze wants you to be certain that the guitarist (and co-producer of the Infinite Entanglement records), Chris Appleton, has committed mutiny by commandeering his vocal melody into a guitar solo. I couldn’t help but laugh as Appleton urged the crowd to be silent during Bayley’s melody sing-along, but felt too committed to helping Blaze to remain silent myself! Of course, the crowd went wild for the Maiden staples, such as “Futureal” and “Virus.” I think Blaze was excited for them too, and he made a point of commenting on how wonderful a time he had during his five years in the band. He told us that he was living the dream then, but he’s still doing it now, thanks to all of us. He told the supporting acts to never let people nay-say and discourage them, because if he could come from nothing and be the singer of one of the most renowned heavy metal bands on the planet, they could achieve their dreams as well. Honestly, his conviction makes it easy to believe, and his stage-show makes you want to dream. So if Blaze Bayley comes to your town, and you have even an inkling of doubt whether you should attend, wash that thought from your mind. Regardless of what he and his band play, you’re going to leave happier than you entered. |
|