Mark Tremonti Reveals Big Plans For Alter Bridge

I got the opportunity to sit down with guitar great and Alter Bridge member Mark Tremonti right before the guys took off for Europe. It was shortly after their epic new album Fortress  was released. You can read all about it on page 16 of the new Rock Revolt Magazine:

http://rockrevoltmagazine.com/rockrevolt-magazine-issue-7/

Over 30,000 Rock All Day Long At The 2012 Carolina Rebellion

The 2^nd annual Carolina Rebellion moved its stomping grounds to the Rockingham Speedway in North Carolina this year and the masses showed up to rock. It may have only been May the 5^th, but it felt like it was in the middle of July on the day of the show. Over 30,000 people showed up in the blistering heat and humidity and they were treated to a day of rock that they will long remember.

The gates opened at 9:00am and the people started rolling in by the carload to claim their spot in front of the three stages used. The smaller stage which was sponsored by Jagermeister showcased a lot of the newer bands on the bill including Ghosts of August who kicked off the day at 11:00am , New Medicine, Red, Redlight King and P.O.D., who are poised for a big comeback with a new album due out this summer.

The two bigger stages included the Carolina Stage and the Rebellion Stage, bet you would have never guessed that. These stages were sponsored by Monster Energy Drink. The crowds in front of stage went back further than the human eye could see. As the masses rocked out all day, they managed to stir up a small dust storm that slowly covered everyone who was there. Let’s not fail to mention the huge amount of crowd surfing that went on too. Those security guards definitely got a workout that day.

Weaving the Fate kicked off the bigger stages as they performed second on the bill, but it wasn’t until later when Halestorm took the stage that the crowd truly got fired up. Lzzy Hale and her boys kicked off their set with their #1 song “Love Bites (So Do I)”. Their set was heavy on new songs off of their new album The Strange Case Of. The only complaint being heard was that their set was too short.

I would have to say that Five Finger Death Punch got the award for lighting a fire underneath the crowd. The crowd erupted in a fury of energy when they hit the stage and lead singer Ivan Moody fed off of that energy. Their set saw the crowd surfing increase at least 100%. What an energetic and over the top set these guys put on.

Recently inducted Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Slash brought his right hand man Myles Kennedy with him to perform. He performed some of his solo material, but the biggest crowd reactions and sing-along’s came when he broke out the Guns and Roses classics such as “Sweet Child O’ Mine”. Myles has such a powerful voice and sounded amazing. He had many asking “Axl who?” As the sun went down, Evanescence took to the stage. Amy Lee has been somewhat of a stranger to North Carolina since the band’s debut album came out in 2003. Amy sounded great and treated the fans to a hit filled set.

Korn took the stage as the air began to cool, but they turned up the heat on-stage and delivered one of the best sets of the day. The mixed new songs with older classics such as “Falling Away From Me” as well as their cover of Pink Floyd’s “Another Brick in the Wall”. A surprise treat was when Brian “Head” Welch took the stage with the band for the first time in seven years and performed the classic track “Blind”.

The night ended with a stellar set from the band Shinedown. Brent Smith and the band took the stage and delivered in a big way to the crowd. “Sound of Madness”, “If You Only Knew” and “45” were just some songs from their hit heavy set. Newer songs from their latest album included the title track “Amaryllis”, “Unity” and the hit “Bully”. A powerful acoustic version was performed when Smith took center stage with guitarist Zach Myers. They closed with their smash “Second Chance”.

Several bands did meet and greets where the purchase of their CD was required to meet them. FYE had a tent set up to help out with this aspect of the day. Monster Energy Drink also had a tent set up and a few of the bands did a meet and greet where the band signed a promo 8x10 photo for the fans. It was a rare treat for many to get up close to some of the people that they adore and idolize.

Overall, it was a great show! The people who put the show together listened to the complaints from last year’s show and tried to remedy all of them. There was a lot more room for the fans to move around, there were plenty of water and plenty of food vendors. There was even a hint that it may move to a two day show next year, plus the Friday night campground show. This year’s show seems to be regarded as a success and the expansion to another day next year just seems inevitable.

Slash Returns To Rock And Roll Roots On Apocalyptic Love

There are many iconic musicians who can get by with using only one name. You have Sting, Bono, Cher and Prince. There’s also an iconic guitarist that needs to be added to that list. He’s almost as iconic for his black top hat and flowing dark hair as he is for his legendary riffs in Guns and Roses.

Saul Hudson, known to his fans as Slash, released his first solo album back in 2010 and it was received well by critics and fans alike. He had numerous guest vocalists on it including Ozzy Osbourne, Fergie of the Black Eyed Peas and the one and only Myles Kennedy. Slash took Miles out on the road with him to promote the album and the two formed a musical bond that was itching to get into the studio and start recording.

Apocalyptic Love is the product of that musical kinmanship between Slash and Myles. This album is so much different than his first solo album and I mean that in the best way. It’s stronger lyrically because of the excellent songwriting skills that Myles brings to the table. Also, the fact that Myles is the lone vocalist on this album allows the connection between the singer and lyrics to be presented in a stronger, more emotional delivery.

The album kicks off with the title track and the riff that’s layed down is a strong indicator that this is going to be more of a rock and roll freight train than Slash’s last effort. Myles kicks in with his insane vocal prowess and the bar is immediately raised from the last solo effort by Slash.

It doesn’t take long before you realize that Slash is playing with a renewed sense of urgency. Don’t get me wrong, he has always been an amazing guitar player, but Myles seems to have awoken a sleeping beast. It’s been quite a few years since Slash has played with this much passion and intensity.

Speaking of beasts, “Anastasia” is exactly that. What starts off as a beautiful acoustic piece, suddenly changes gears as Slash plugs in his electric and starts wailing away on it. This is, without a doubt, one of the greatest things he has created in his illustrious career. The vocal performance by Myles is so passionate and convincing and the harmonies on the chorus just take the song to another level. As far as solos go, it may be the best solo Slash has recorded since the Use Your Illusion sessions.

 If you’re looking for a powerful ballad, then look no further. “Far and Away” is just what the rock and blues doctor ordered. It’s a beautiful composition and Myles is just amazing. It has a bit of a bluesy flavor to it and Slash slows down the shredding to deliver a slower, yet just as powerful solo. Raise your lighters high in the air on this one; it will light up an entire arena.

Now, I know some of you out there just can’t get enough of the old Guns and Roses classics. Well, fret not metal heads because there are a few tracks on here that just may take you back in time to their heyday. I dare you to play “One Last Thrill” and “Shots Fired” and tell me that they don’t have that classic G-n-R flavor to them.

It’s really hard to find any major faults with this release. Slash and Myles have definitely raised the bar on this new release. The bond that developed between the two of them while out on tour is one of enormous magnitude. I can’t take anything away from the rest of the band either. The combination of Todd Kerns on bass and Brent Fitz on drums help to round out this lethal lineup.

I can’t wait to hear this material performed live. I hope that Slash will do a tour and not just play festivals. A headline tour of his own would allow for a longer set-list and more time to highlight this amazing piece of art. We’re almost mid-way through 2012 and Apocalyptic Love is one of the most solid releases to come out this year.    

Over 30,000 Rock At The 2012 Carolina Rebellion

The 2^nd annual Carolina Rebellion moved its stomping grounds to the Rockingham Speedway in North Carolina this year and the masses showed up to rock. It may have only been May the 5^th, but it felt like it was in the middle of July on the day of the show. Over 30,000 people showed up in the blistering heat and humidity and they were treated to a day of rock that they will long remember.

The gates opened at 9:00am and the people started rolling in by the carload to claim their spot in front of the three stages used. The smaller stage which was sponsored by Jagermeister showcased a lot of the newer bands on the bill including Ghosts of August who kicked off the day at 11:00am , New Medicine, Red, Redlight King and P.O.D., who are poised for a big comeback with a new album due out this summer.

The two bigger stages included the Carolina Stage and the Rebellion Stage, bet you would have never guessed that. These stages were sponsored by Monster Energy Drink. The crowds in front of stage went back further than the human eye could see. As the masses rocked out all day, they managed to stir up a small dust storm that slowly covered everyone who was there. Let’s not fail to mention the huge amount of crowd surfing that went on too. Those security guards definitely got a workout that day.

Weaving the Fate kicked off the bigger stages as they performed second on the bill, but it wasn’t until later when Halestorm took the stage that the crowd truly got fired up. Lzzy Hale and her boys kicked off their set with their #1 song “Love Bites (So Do I)”. Their set was heavy on new songs off of their new album The Strange Case Of. The only complaint being heard was that their set was too short.

I would have to say that Five Finger Death Punch got the award for lighting a fire underneath the crowd. The crowd erupted in a fury of energy when they hit the stage and lead singer Ivan Moody fed off of that energy. Their set saw the crowd surfing increase at least 100%. What an energetic and over the top set these guys put on.

Recently inducted Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Slash brought his right hand man Myles Kennedy with him to perform. He performed some of his solo material, but the biggest crowd reactions and sing-along’s came when he broke out the Guns and Roses classics such as “Sweet Child O’ Mine”. Myles has such a powerful voice and sounded amazing. He had many asking “Axl who?” As the sun went down, Evanescence took to the stage. Amy Lee has been somewhat of a stranger to North Carolina since the band’s debut album came out in 2003. Amy sounded great and treated the fans to a hit filled set.

Korn took the stage as the air began to cool, but they turned up the heat on-stage and delivered one of the best sets of the day. The mixed new songs with older classics such as “Falling Away From Me” as well as their cover of Pink Floyd’s “Another Brick in the Wall”. A surprise treat was when Brian “Head” Welch took the stage with the band for the first time in seven years and performed the classic track “Blind”.

The night ended with a stellar set from the band Shinedown. Brent Smith and the band took the stage and delivered in a big way to the crowd. “Sound of Madness”, “If You Only Knew” and “45” were just some songs from their hit heavy set. Newer songs from their latest album included the title track “Amaryllis”, “Unity” and the hit “Bully”. A powerful acoustic version was performed when Smith took center stage with guitarist Zach Myers. They closed with their smash “Second Chance”.

Several bands did meet and greets where the purchase of their CD was required to meet them. FYE had a tent set up to help out with this aspect of the day. Monster Energy Drink also had a tent set up and a few of the bands did a meet and greet where the band signed a promo 8x10 photo for the fans. It was a rare treat for many to get up close to some of the people that they adore and idolize.

Overall, it was a great show! The people who put the show together listened to the complaints from last year’s show and tried to remedy all of them. There was a lot more room for the fans to move around, there were plenty of water and plenty of food vendors. There was even a hint that it may move to a two day show next year, plus the Friday night campground show. This year’s show seems to be regarded as a success and the expansion to another day next year just seems inevitable.