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Features, Interviews

New Year’s Music Resolutions For 2013: Part 10

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new year's music resolutions

Whew. How are you all doing? Are you still with me as we press on towards the final stages of our “New Year’s Music Resolutions for 2013”? Man I sure hope so because this has been a ride like no other and I am loving getting the plans of the Metal and Rock greats out to your computer or mobile device screens. Here we go with Chapter Ten. Enjoy.

1. Jason Lekberg (Ikillya): My resolution for 2013 is to make the best album of my career thus far and hopefully share it with as many people as possible. 🙂

2. Michael Scondotto (The Last Stand/Inhuman): My New Year’s Music Resolution is to play as many shows as possible with The Last Stand, as our debut full length “The Time Is Now” comes out on January 22nd on Eulogy Recordings. Aside from that, look for another Inhuman vinyl edition and maybe my Metal project will surface sometime in 2013???

3. Alberto Rigoni (Solo Artist): Hey world, wanna still hear some good quality music in the future? Please support the bands and artists purchasing their music, digital or CD.. otherwise they will disappear!
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Events, Reviews

Soilwork @ Gramercy Theatre (7/16/2010)

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Logo - Soilwork

Artist: Soilwork
Venue: Gramercy Theatre (New York, NY)
Opener: Death Angel, Augury, Mutiny Within, Swashbuckle
Date: 7/16/2010
Label: Nuclear Blast Records

It’s been a little over a year since we last saw Soilwork headlining the stages of the venues in NYC and for some that was a good thing because there was a time when the band was performing too often and forced to play a lot of the same material. Believe me, no one wants to get bored when they see the name Soilwork on the marquee so the fifteen month breather was going to make this something many of the Metal Republics fans were looking forward to. The show was going to be exciting for a number of different reasons and the first was that it was an 80% Nuclear Blast Records artist roster and found Death Angel as direct support while both Augury and Swashbuckle performed earlier sets. It was rounded out by Roadrunner Records newcomers Mutiny Within. With so much Metal to absorb I arrived super early on this hot summer night to be able to witness the onslaught in full. Here is how the “Panic Over North America” went for those who did not manage to secure a ticket.
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Events, Reviews

Korpiklaani @ Gramercy Theatre (1/14/2010)

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Artist: Kopiklaani
Venue: The Gramercy Theatre (New York, NY)
Opener: Tyr, White Wizzard, Swashbuckle, Desdemon
Date: 1/14/2010
Label: Nuclear Blast Records

Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the forest, Korpiklaani was back and headlining another tour that was bound to increase the energy and alcohol levels of many a Metal fan in the region. Tonight’s adventure would effectively be my first Metal show of the year and considering it was going to be the return appearance of Finland’s Korpiklaani, I could think of no better way to start off 2010. The band last visited these shores when they headlined the second Paganfest USA back in May of 2009. That was an exemplary show that found Ireland’s Primordial, Finland’s Moonsorrow and Montreal’s Blackguard all on point for the causes of Metal. While my first Metal show of the year this was not my first actual show as I had gone to see legendary Blues guitarist Johnny Winter only a couple of days prior to this event. After expanding my mind with the sounds of the inspirational guitarist I felt that I was absolutely ready for the rousing blast of Folk Metal fun that Korpiklaani brings to the beer pint stocked table. Joining them for the tour would be Tyr, Swashbuckle, White Wizzard and the whole shebang would be started off by one area band. I made sure to get in early enough to see everyone because from beginning to end I knew this was going to be a fun night.
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Features, PiercingMetal Says

PiercingMetal’s “Best Of” 2009: The Concerts and Events

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Now that I’ve lined out all the music that blew me away during the 2009 year, its time to lend my focus on the Concerts and Events that we attended. In looking back on it, I would have to say that 2009 was probably the biggest year that I ever had as a music writer and photographer based on not only how many cool concerts there were, but how many I was able to find myself taking part in for your eventual entertainment as readers of the site. I think that I caught something like 95 shows which is a new record for me and probably one that will be very difficult to beat but of course I have been saying this for three years. Below are some of the events that I felt were the most exciting of them all.

The Best Concerts of 2009:

“Paganfest USA – 2”: This time around the tour would feature Korpiklaani, Moonsorrow, Primordial, Blackguard and Swashbuckle and really be an impressive one. What made it exciting for me was the chance to see Korpiklaani, Moonsorrow and Primordial for the most part because none of these bands had ever done a proper tour in the USA. I found Blackguard to be a nice surprise as well.

Judas Priest & Whitesnake (Epic Records/SPV Records): Judas Priest would celebrate their 30th Anniversary of the “British Steel” albums while the Snake would be celebrating two incredible releases of their own. The show featured a solid set from both bands and was a gig that many would talk about for months. According to reports, Priest recorded one of the shows and plans for the video/audio to be released with a special edition of “British Steel”. Whitesnake in turn also released deluxe editions of both “Slide It In” and “Slip Of The Tongue” this year.

Marduk @ The Gramercy Theatre (Candlelight Records): After having missed the Blackenedfest a few months earlier, Marduk was on US Soil to crush the Metal legions. This was an intense show that delivered on all counts and impressed all those fans who had wanted to see them a few months earlier.

Saxon @ B.B. King Blues Club (SPV Records): Saxon had not done a proper US tour in some years and this NYC show would be one of two appearances and be done for a sold out room. The mood and the Metal were intense this evening and proved to many that the Old School glory of traditional Metal had not and will never subside.

Paul McCartney @ Citi Field: I was lucky to catch one of the three performances by Sir Paul McCartney who did a night of wonderful tunes. Lots of Beatles and lots of Wings, which is all classic stuff and still relevant to all fans of good ole Rock & Roll. A DVD/CD would be released of this historic visit.

The 69 Eyes @ Gramercy Theatre (The End Records): The Helsinki Vampires were “Back In Blood” supporting a new album that really delivered the goods and reminded their fans why they remain so special to them. It also featured the talents of Dommin and The Becoming. A very dark night in NYC to say the least.

Mayhem @ The Fillmore NY (Season Of Mist Records): This was called the Blackened Metal Fest and while it depressed some that Marduk was off the tour, the True Mayhem delivered a frightening and powerful set of Black Metal that focused on the bands influential years.

KISS @ Madison Square Garden (KISS Records): Love them or hate them, NYC and Madison Square Garden are nothing less than home for KISS and their show always pulls out all the stops. The rousing good time celebrated the 30th Anniversary of the “Alive” CD and found much of the set focused on that live classic. A lot of other different and more unexpected numbers were in place this time around which made it a great experience. I could have done without Buckcherry as they bored me with their set.
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Events, Reviews

Korpiklaani @ Blender Theater at Gramercy (5/4/2009)

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Logo - Korpiklaani

Artist: Korpiklaani
Venue: Blender Theater at Gramercy (New York, NY)
Opener: Primordial, Moonsorrow, Blackguard, Swashbuckle
Date: 5/4/2009
Label: Nuclear Blast Records

Last September the Big Apple played host to the first-ever “Pagan Fest” and this exciting show featured the might of Ensiferum, Turisas, Tyr and Eluveitie all on one stage. To my knowledge none of those bands had ever appeared in New York before much less did a proper US tour so it was good fun for all around who made their way into the packed B.B. King Blues Club. Many were impressed at how good the draw was that night especially since both Dream Theatre and Opeth were playing a little further uptown. The success of the first Pagan Fest was bound to merit a second go at it and lucky for us this turn of the Metal page would continue the practice of bringing over bands that were not regular faces to the concert goers of the region. Headlining the show would be Polka-Metal fanatics from Finland Korpiklaani who had direct support from Ireland’s Primordial. The appeal of these two acts alone could have made for a solid tour but we would also get the likes of Moonsorrow, Blackguard and Swashbuckle. Moonsorrow are also Finnish while Blackguard from Canada. Swashbuckle hail from that distant land known only as New Jersey and they would be the first band up for the show. Here is how the night went down for those who missed out on the show.
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