Judas Priest, Heaven & Hell, Motorhead and Testament - Superpages.com Center, 8/22/08
Testament kicked off the Metal Masters show in true thrash style with classic “Over The Wall.” They also unleashed “The New Order,” “Practice What You Preach” and the title track from the new disc, The Formation Of Damnation. Guitarists Alex Skolnick and Eric Peterson practically gave a guitar clinic, as they traded licks over the thundering rhythm provided by Paul Bostaph (drums) and Greg Christian (bass). Chuck Billy’s voice was just as sharp and venomous as it appears on disc.
Up next was the venerable Motorhead. Lemmy and the gang were tight, fast and powerful as they defied the brutal heat. The small early crowd roared along.
Heaven & Hell came next and just dominated. When Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, Vinnie Appice and Ronnie James Dio exploded onto the stage between two giant gargoyles, the crowd erupted with them. Opener “Mob Rules” tore out the PA like a buzz saw. Dio’s voice was its best in many years, and the band rolled like a well-oiled machine through classics like “Sign Of The Southern Cross,” “Children Of The Sea” and of course, “Heaven and Hell” and the thundrous encore of “Neon Knights.” Far better, believe it or not, than their reunion tour last year.
Speaking of far better, one might have to hearken back to the Painkiller days to find a better sounding Judas Priest than was on display this night. They opened with “Dawn Of Creation/Prophecy,” the monstrous opener from their new one, Nostradamus, and from there it was nothing but gem after gem. Rob Halford’s voice was strong, as he growled out the lows and pierced the highs with little effort. The band played rare songs like “Sinner,” “Ride Hard, Live Free” and the highlight, “Devil’s Child,” along with classics like “Hell Bent For Leather,” “Electric Eye” and “Breakin’ The Law.” This was possibly Priest’s best show ever, right up there with the infamous Defenders Of The Faith show at Reunion Arena that ranks as an all-time fave. (Kevin White)
Texas Hippie Coalition - The Loft at The Palladium, 8/10/08 Highly regarded for their intense live shows, this five-piece Dennison band did just that. With a ferocious twin-guitar assault, Randy Cooper and Michael Hayes were flying high on Dean Guitar wings. John Exall’ bass pulsates steadily like a deep heartbeat, while drummer “Cowboy” thrashes his skins like a mega-metal monster. Big Dad Ritch adds his unique growling and snarling vocals to make this band a real heavy hitter. Stand out songs were “Pissed Off,” “No Shame” and “Leavin.”
Texas Hippie Coalition sounds like a mix of Pantera, Corrosion Of Conformity, The Black Label Society and ZZ Top. Their live performance is a deadly punch in the face to remind you that metal is alive and well in Texas. Look for their CD, Pride of Texas, produced by David Prater. (Scotty Mankoff)
Bleed Down - O’Riley’s, 8/16/08
Bleed Down showed that original music is alive and well in DFW. The tight and pure talent members are Michael Scotton (lead vocals), Kevin Mead (lead guitar), Kwin Smith (bass) and Matt Tibbitts (drums). Songs with attitude like “Push,” “To The Fallen,” “Monkey” and “Fight,” prove Bleed Down can not only play but also write. In a day of cover and tribute bands, it’s nice to see someone has the balls to perform original music, and fans loved every moment. (Kim “Kimber” Polen)
Extreme/King’s X - House Of Blues, 8/20/08
This show featured tons of guitar heroics and great music. Texas’ own King’s X got things underway with “Groove Machine,” with a set that featured five new songs from their recent XV disc. Those included “Alright,” “Pray” and the new venue rocking “Go Tell Somebody.” The crowd ate it up and provided some great backing vocals on “Over My Head.”
Boston’s own Extreme followed that top-notch performance. The band features original members Nuno Bettencourt (guitar), Gary Cherone (vocals) and Pat Badger (bass) and introduced drummer Kevin Figueiredo. Extreme showed a true sense of enjoyment while playing new songs “Comfortably Numb,” the fret-burning “Star” and great new ballad “Ghost,” which featured Nuno on piano. The crowd went nuts for classics like “Get The Funk Out,” “Hole Hearted,” “Kid Ego” and the sing along, “More Than Words.” Chreone’s voice was amazing, and Nuno showed he still has the chops on the instrumentals “Midnight Express” and “Flight Of The Wounded Bumblebee.” With their first record in 13 years, Extreme proved that they still have plenty to offer. (Travis Tutwiler)
Bullet For My Valentine/Bleeding Through – House Of Blues, 7/31/08
This year’s installment of the No Fear Tour combines the hardcore sounds of Bleeding Through and the guitar-laden groove of Bullet For My Valentine. Bleeding Through worked the crowd into a frenzy with “Orange County Blonde and Blue” and “Reborn From Isolation” from their upcoming release, Declaration. They also included favorites “Kill To Believe” and “For Love and Failing.”
The packed house really started stirring, as BFMV unloaded their first song of the night, “Scream Aim Fire.” Matt Tuck (guitar/vocals), Padge (guitar), Moose (drums) and Jay (bass) were in total sync and really enjoyed feeding the crowd. “Tears Don’t Fall” and “All These Things I Hate” had the crowd singing along. The hair-metal inspired “Hearts Burst Into Fire” sounded great, and the encore of Metallica’s “Creeping Death” tore the place apart with their dead-on cover. BFMV is definitely turning some heads in the music world. (Travis Tutwiler)
Loverboy - The Glass Cactus, 8/13/08
Canadian hard rockers, Loverboy played to a packed house this night at The Glass Cactus. The band sounds every bit as good today as in their 80’s heyday, and frontman Mike Reno can still belt out all the high notes with his powerful vocals. Paul Dean (guitar), Matt Frenette (drums), Doug Johnson (keyboards) and charismatic bassist Ken “Spider” Sinnaeve played each song to perfection. Highlights included “Turn Me Loose,” “Working For the Weekend,” “The Kid Is Hot Tonight,” “When It’s Over,” “Hot Girls in Love” and “Lovin’ Every Minute of It.” They also performed a couple of new songs from their latest, Just Getting Started including “The One That Got Away.” Immediately following the show, Mike Reno signed autographs and posed for photos with fans at the front of the stage for about 20 minutes. What a class act. (Andy Laudano)
Sunward - Club Dada 8/09/08
Seeing Sunward perform feels like you’re flying on a psychedelic rocket ship traveling through space like a shooting star. Lead vocalist Doug Kershaw (Tabula Rasa/Blender) is the captain on this musical journey, playing the violin faster than blazing speeds of light with a unique electric guitar sound. Jerko Dabelic creates melodic solos on his Vintage Rickenbacker Double Lap Steel, carrying you away on a magic carpet ride. Both Doug’s and Jerko’s solos shows that music can take you away to a place where you can forget all your troubles and feel pure music in your soul. David Perry’s bass playing is as steady as a heavy rain, and at times roars like a thunderstorm. Josh Hoover’s percussion to perfection completes this four-piece team. You must see Sunward live to truly appreciate and trip the lights fantastic. (Scotty Mankoff)
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9/6 The All-American Rejects - Image Matrix Arena, Frisco, $30 – $200
9/6 Maroon 5, Counting Crows, Augustana - Superpages.com
9/8 Trapt - The Loft (at the Palladium)
9/9 Kataklysm, Dying Fetus, Keep Of Kalessin, others - Ridglea Theater
9/11 Sigh - Lola’s
9/11 The Wailers - House of Blues, $20 – $55
9/12 Jennifer Batten - Bend Studio, $15
9/13, 14 Eagles - American Airlines Center, $45 – $175
9/15 John Hiatt with Joan Osborne - Nokia, $40 – $60
9/16 Nightwish, Sonata Artica - Palladium, $25, $28
9/17 Santana, Salvador Santana Band - Superpages.com, $25 – $85
9/17 The Hives, Eagles of Death Metal - House of Blues, $25 – $50
9/19 ODIS, Black Tie Dynasty - Palladiium
9/19 .38 Special - Glass Cactus, Grapevine, $32
9/20 3 Doors Down, Hinder, Finger Eleven - Superpages.com, $20 – $75
9/20 Silver Jews - Hailey’s, Denton, $14
9/25 Suicide Silence, Beneath The Massacre, The Architects - Ridglea Theater
9/26 Elvis (Kraig Parker) - Ridglea Theater
9/27 Overkill - Lola’s, CANCELLED
9/27 Against Me - Ridglea Theater, $16.50
10/3 Kem, Ledisi - Palladium, $36, $50
10/9 Cat Power, Appaloosa - Palladium Ballroom
10/11 Kataklysm Dying Fetus, Eleavitie, Keep Of Kalessin, others - Ridglea Theater, $15, $20
10/11 Gym Class Heroes, The Roots, Estelle - Palladium, $36
10/11 Cardinals - Nokia Theatre, $25 – $35
10/11 Trout Fishing in America - Uncle Calvin’s Coffeehouse, $18
10/16 Amorphis, Samuel - Lola’s, $16.50, $19
10/20 The Cheetah Girls - American Airlines Center, $35 – $45
10/21 Weezer, Angels & Airvaves, Tokyo Police Club - Nokia, $45 – $55
10/22 Janet Jackson - Am. Airlines Cen., $30 – $125
10/23 Ben Folds - Palladium, $32
10/24 R.E.M., The Old 97’s - Nokia, $70 – $120
10/25 Dillinger Escape Plan, Suicide Silence - Ridglea, $15, $18
10/25 Willie Nelson - Billy Bob’s Texas, $20, $40
10/25 Alanis Morissette - Nokia, $35 – $65
10/28 Horrorpops - Granada, $12, $16
10//29 Jackson Browne - Nokia, $35, – $65
10/29 Kings of Leon, We are Scientists, The Stills - Palladium Ballroom, $10 – $30
10/30 Danzig, Dimmu Borgir, Moonspell, Winds of Plague, Skeletonwitch - Palladium, $25.50
11/2 Kamelot - Ridglea Theater, $21.50
11/5 K. D. Lang - Ball Hall, $51 – $80
11/8 Bow Wow - House of Blues $30 – $65
11/12 Panic at the Disco, Dashboard Confessional, Plain White T’s, The Cab - Nokia, $50 – $250
11/19 Coldplay - American Airlines Center, $50 – $98
11/21 The Black Crowes - Palladium Ballroom
11/26 Dir en Grey, The Human Abstract - Palladium
11/28 In Flames, All That Remains, Gojira, 36 Crazyfists - Palladium
12/4 GWAR, Kingdom of Sorrow, Toxic Holocaust - Palladium
1/3 Trans-Siberian Orchestra - American Airlines Center, $40 – $50
All dates and bands subject to change
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Sunward