Soilent Green - The Door, 4/11/08
Vocal giant Falgoust showed his stamina as he pounded the stage from start to finish. The pit mirrored that aggression so much during “Mental Acupuncture,” that there were reports of broken bones from locals Turbid North. Halfway though the set was “In The Same Breath,” a ballad. No joke. It’s a sweetly-disguised tune that morphs into a sinister masterpiece showing off the band’s precision through numerous time changes.
With 20 years experience and members from Goatwhore, Eyehategod and Crowbar, this was a no-brainer for their label, Metal Blade, who has them on a short leash. Lucky for us, Soilent Green will be back at the Ridglea on May 17. If you missed them this night, catch them there, because experiencing Soilent is like watching the blood splatter at a heavy weight fight - it’s always better in person! (Marissa Bruce)

Belladonna - Rockstar Sports Bar, 4/24/08
The REAL voice of Anthrax, Joey Belladonna played a kick-ass set in front of an enthusiastic crowd at Ft. Worth’s Rockstar Sports Bar.
Together with Seven Witches’ guitarist, Jack Frost, R.C. (bass) and Paul Marciano (drums), Belladonna brought down the house. After opening with some killer cuts from his solo albums, Belladonna gave the people what they paid to hear - an onslaught of Anthrax favorites! Highlights included “Madhouse,” “I Am the Law,” “Indians” and “Antisocial.” Belladonna’s voice sounded fantastic, and Frost was a madman onstage. R.C. and Marciano had time to shine as well, especially on “Got the Time.” At least three or four times during the show, the floor exploded into mosh pits, especially during the thrash classic “Caught In A Mosh.” Another great show. (Andy Laudano)

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band - American Airlines Center, 4/13/08
For two incredible nights, Dallas was the site of a musical invasion from New Jersey. First, rock icon Bruce Springsteen and the legendary E Street Band brought their Magic tour to the sold-out AAC. The show kicked off with the classic, “10th Avenue Freeze Out,” and continued with a crowd–pleasing combination of new songs, rare gems and old favorites. “The Boss” was in great spirits, paying special attention to a group of children in the front pit, even inviting them onstage with him during “Dancing In The Dark.”
Other highlights included “Prove It All Night,” “Born To Run,” “Because The Night” (featuring an amazing Nils Lofgren guitar solo) and the epic “Jungleland” (featuring “The Big Man,” Clarence Clemons). Just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, Springsteen asks, “Do you wanna meet my neighbor?” And out walks Jon Bon Jovi (playing AAC the following night) to sing “Glory Days” with the band. Another unforgettable performance. (Andy Laudano)

Avenged Sevenfold/Atreyu/Bullet For My Valentine - Nokia
The Taste Of Chaos Tour invaded Nokia with a surprise – a maximum guitar and stellar stage show. Welsh quartet, Bullet For My Valentine, shot onto the stage like a cannon with their fist pumping track – “Scream Aim Fire.” Matt Tuck (vocals/guitar) shined on power ballad “Say Goodnight,” which brought out the lighters during the first half of the song. With the help of Moose (drums), Padge (guitar) and Jay (bass), Matt and Co. barreled through “4 Words (To Choke Upon),” “Eye Of The Storm,” “Hand Of Blood” and “Waking The Demon.”
Atreyu followed BFMV’s intense set with a rockin’ mix of songs covering their four-disc history. Crowd pleasers included; “Ex’s and Oh’s,” “Becoming The Bull” and the sing-a-long “Lip Gloss And Black,” which had everyone shouting along - Live, Love, Burn, Die!
Giving fans their money’s worth, Avenged Sevenfold delivered a sonic and visual barrage, complete with video screens and fire. From opening song “Critical Acclaim,” A7X had the crowd in the palm of their hands. “Bat Country” and “Beast And The Harlot” were fan faves, but Pantera’s “Walk” drew the loudest response. The band dedicated “Gunslinger” to the troops and closed the show with eight-minute, twisted love song “A Little Piece Of Heaven.” (Travis Tutwiler)

Roger Waters

Clutch – House Of Blues, 4/20/08
Never has a band packed more music into a 90-minute set. Clutch has long had a reputation for being simply awesome live, and this night proved no different. There simply isn’t a tighter band on the planet. Vocalist / leader Neil Fallon said very little to the crowd - simply because he didn’t need to. When you’ve got a band that can do anything live, there’s no need to speak or explain the inspiration behind your songs. At one time, Clutch could have been considered a hardcore metal band, but those days are LONG gone. They have simply evolved into one of the best blues-based rock bands in the world, and easily one of the very best live bands this writer has ever seen.
Swedish blues band Kamchatka opened the show and played American blues better than most American bluesmen could do it. (Dale Lammers)

Dallas Rockers 4 MS benefit - Vampire Lounge, 4/18, 19/08
The two-day event featured some of the best bands from the Dallas/Ft.Worth metroplex.
Unfortunately, the reason for the benefit was that Justyn (wife of guitarist Eric of Subourne) was recently diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. But that didn’t stop this trooper from attending the show to rock out. Starting six months ago Keith (SiK) and Michael (Subourne) decided to organize the D.R.4.M.S. Benefit, to raise awareness, and with all proceeds going to the MS Society. A total of 14 bands played (everything from punk to metal). A remarkable amount of $4,300 was raised the two days.
During SiK’s undeniable romper, stomper set, various members of supporting bands (Subourne, Error of Free Will, American Lab Rat, Turbid North and Southern Assault and others) all got on stage and sang Quiet Riot’s “Metal Health” for the evening’s highlight. Following SiK, Subourne carried the torch - and on fire they were.
If you missed the benefit don’t worry. There’s talk of one for next year. To view photos, video or get more information, go to dallasrockers4ms.com. (Misty Johnson)

Kid Rock Photo: Randy Bookout

Kid Rock, Gretchen Wilson - Granada, 4/23/08
Huh? Kid Rock at the Granada? Wow…must be a typo! Right? Oh contraire! my friends… Kid Rock was there, and it was killer! While his music is OK - live on stage at such an intimate venue it was a 10! As part of their “Sidekick” ad campaign, T-Mobile hosted The 50th Anniversary Grammy Awards. One of four stops nationwide, the Dallas show featured Gretchen Wilson as the opening act. Tickets were only available as part of a T-Mobile promotion. By far, this was the best corporate gig yet!… at least so far this year. (Randy Bookout)

Drowning Pool – Ridglea Theater, 4/5/08
Hometown metal heads, Drowning Pool, got a warm welcome home, when they invaded the Ridglea Theater. The packed house witnessed a high-energy show from the moment the band broke into opener, “Sinner.” Despite being ill, Ryan McCombs (vocals) nailed every song spanning the band’s three albums. “Enemy,” DP’s crushing new single, got the crowd moving. Stevie Benton (bass) enjoyed posing for the crowd and keeping the intensity high. Mike Luce delivered a thundering groove from the drum kit, while CJ Pierce (guitar) tore up the fret board during the solo on Billy Idol’s “Rebel Yell.” Of course the night wasn’t complete until the band went way back to 2001 and raised the roof with “Tear Away” and “Bodies.” There wasn’t anyone sitting down for this show. (Travis Tutwiler)

Asia - House of Blues, 4/27/08
In one of the year’s best concerts, the original Asia - Steve Howe (guitar), John Wetton (vocals/bass), Carl Palmer (drums) and Geoff Downes (keyboards) - graced the stage of the Dallas House of Blues for over two hours. Asia’s music is so melodic, with catchy choruses, pop sensibilities and Wetton’s smooth vocals, that it’s easy to forget just how technical they are. Each band member is a master of his craft with a pedigree in 70’s progressive rock.
They paid tribute to those roots with covers of Yes’ “Roundabout,” King Crimson’s “In the Court of the Crimson King,” ELP’s “Fanfare For the Common Man” and The Buggles’ “Video Killed the Radio Star.” Of course, Asia also played all their huge radio hits and a few new songs from their latest, Phoenix, but the true highlights were Howe’s acoustic guitar solo, Wetton’s solo acoustic “Voice of America” and Palmer’s unbelievable drum solo, which was on a Peart/Portnoy level! (Andy Laudano)

DORO

E.K.G. (Eric Knudson Group) - House of Blues, 4/23/08
Opening for U.F.O. at the House of Blues was a treat for E.K.G. as well as the bands devotee’s and the gang from Rob’s Billiards and Sports Bar. This was a special night of kick-ass rock and roll, as E.K.G. plunged into opener “And You Wonder Why” with a vengeance that immediately had the crowd’s attention focused on the stage. Eric’s virtuosity and skill is truly appreciated by guitar aficionados, and everyone was mesmerized.
One of the best front men of our local scene is Kevin Terry (formerly of Tornado Alley), who sings anything and everything better than anybody anywhere. He shined on “Think I’m Gonna Keep Her” (along with some excellent Harmonica riffs) as well as on “Calvary,” “Desperate For Metal” and closing number “Payin The Rent.” Other members of this talented group of professionals are bassist Mark Warner, who was tasty and solid, and wild man Rico Gutierrez (drums). EKG has a CD in the works, with plans to tour. For this night, all was right. (Skid Dickinson)

Rush’s Alex Lifeson Photo: Randy Bookout

Bon Jovi/Daughtry - American Airlines Center, 4/14/08
Daughtry opened up, playing most of the hits from his multi-platinum debut. Chris had fun leading the crowd in a Motley Crué’s “Home Sweet Home” sing-along before playing his own huge hit, “Home.” Other standouts were “It’s Not Over” and “What About Now.”
Day two of the New Jersey invasion continued when Bon Jovi took the stage for another AAC sell-out. Opening with the title track from their latest, Lost Highway, Bon Jovi delivered a two-and-a-half-hour set that thrilled both long-time and newer fans. Jon Bon Jovi sounded fantastic, and guitarist Richie Sambora showed everyone why he’s one of the best. Whether it was old-school arena rock anthems, power ballads or even the more recent country-flavored rockers, the crowd ate it up. Highlights included “Born To Be My Baby,” “Blaze of Glory,” “It’s My Life,” “I’ll Be There For You” (with Sambora on vocals), “Livin’ On A Prayer,” “Runaway” and “Wanted Dead or Alive.” (Andy Laudano)