RichRock

Share

In some cases the crowds and revenues have rivaled those of the 1980s.
 
Ratt and Poison just wrapped up a long, large-venue summer tour where they played regularly before 8,000 to 10,000 fans.
 
“When I’m 60 and some cool grandpa dude, I’ll be rocking.” -RATT’s Stephen Pearcy Read More
 

Share

 
Anyone who has the chance to see the reunited Van Halen, ought not miss the opportunity. From the first night of the tour in Charlotte, NC, VH has continued to stun crowds nationwide with their electrifying and high energy shows.
 
I can say having seen several dozen shows from rocks greatest, including Iron Maiden, Motley Crue, AC/DC, Aerosmith, Jimmy Page & Robert Plant, Van Halen (with Sammy), The Rolling Stones, Kiss, Def Leppard, Rush (over 30 times), and too many others to mention, that this show was one of the best I’ve ever seen.
 
Not to spoil it with a setlist, the guys did not leave you wanting to hear anything more. This show was the most straight forward in your face rock show I’ve ever seen. Diamond Dave, although a little less acrobatic, didn’t miss a step, and sounded great. Eddie is as sharp as ever and always amazing. There were few special effects and video sequences to detract from the music.
 
I would highly recommend that you not only attend the show, but you beg, borrow, or steal to make sure you get good seats. The closer you are, the harder they will kick your ass, and make you thank them for it in the morning.
 
Jay Taylor
Beaufort, SC
 

Share

 
The Hollywood Key Club was the place to be March 8th as VH1 presented Metal Mania Stripped with live performances from Jani Lane, Dokken, Great White, Slaughter, Tesla and Queeensryche.
 
METAL SHOP was granted an exclusive backstage warm up show by Queensryche. Here’s a few pictures from the show, enjoy -Ralph.
 
[print_gllr id=1828]

Share

 
You haven’t heard it until you’ve heard it live. I have a whole new perspective of Queensryche’s ‘Operation: Mindcrime II’ after seeing the band play live October 12, 2006 in Portland, Oregon.
 
It’s no surprise the sequel to Operation: Mindcrime hasn’t received praise like the original, but geez, the first album was one of the best in rock history – for any band. That’s a tough act to follow, but played live, and in context with the first album, this Queensryche concert put it all together and brings closure (R.I.P. Nikki).
 
Standing center-stage, about 10 feet back, I had a great view of the show as Queensryche opened with ‘I Remember Now/Anarchy X.’ This is such a killer opening and with Scott Rockenfield’s drumming felt through my entire self, I was ready to rock with bassist Eddie Jackson and guitarists Michael Wilton and Mike Stone. Then Geoff Tate hit the stage and the band was off with the blistering ‘Revolution Calling’ complete with Geoff holding a handwritten sign that read ‘U.S. Out of Iraq.’ He brought another handwritten sign out later in the show that read ‘Will Someone Please Give George Bush A Blowjob So We Can Impeach Him’ – damn funny, unless you support W.
 
With actors playing the parts of Nikki, Sister Mary and Dr. X from Operation: Mindcrime, it really brought the album to life. However, with the stage in the middle and your attention drawn there, it became clear to me that the band was literally, brushed to the side of the stage. I’m not sure if they cared, but they did appear a little more excited during the encore – more on that coming up. With ‘Eyes of A Stranger,’ Queensryche ended their first set… highlighted by an electric performance of ‘Spreading the Disease,’ where Pamela Moore as Sister Mary was introduced.
 
After a 20 minute intermission, the band returned with ‘Operation: Mindcrime II.’ You’ve heard some of these songs on METAL SHOP – ‘I’m American,’ ‘The Hands,’ ‘Hostage’ and ‘The Chase’ with Ronnie James Dio as Dr. X. These are great songs, but they sound so much better live. ‘The Chase’ highlighted this set and it would have been amazing to witness a Dio cameo like they did in L.A. this past weekend, but the band played live with a pre-recorded Dio on video and it still kicked ass.
 
Like the album, the show really slowed down after that, but at least we got to see some closure… Nikki offed himself and joined Sister Mary in the afterlife and that’s the end of the Mindcrime story. When the ‘Mindcrime II’ set ended, the fans in Portland were not going to go home quietly, and Queensryche returned for an encore.
 
With the acting scenes behind them, they got to be just a band again and we were blown away by ‘Walk In The Shadows’ and ‘Jet City Woman.’ On Jet City, the crowd say the chorus with such passion, I think Geoff was taken back a little… that song did really well here back in 1990 and he may have been reminded he was only 170 miles from home – Queensryche played Seattle the very next night.
 
The tour continues through the end of November with stops in Canadian cities, East Coast USA, Texas, Arizona and Vegas. If you haven’t seen ‘Mindcrime’ live, you should go – they may never do it like this again.
 
Special thanks to Queensryche publicist Jeff Albright at The Albright Entertainment Group for making this happen. Here are some pictures of the show, enjoy -Rich Rock (Review) -Ralph Cartel (Photos).
 
[print_gllr id=1820]

Share

 
The 2006 Gigantour, featuring Megadeth made a stop in Southern California. This year’s show was as good as last year. All of the bands on the tour sounded great and Megadeth played a new song called ‘Washingtons’ and let me tell you it kicks ass. It was fun to hang out backstage while Megadeth did an autograph session. Sorry I didn’t get any pics of the session because security were being pricks! Hope every Megadeth fan will get a chance to see this year’s Gigantour. Here are some pictures of the show, enjoy -Ralph.
 
[print_gllr id=1812]

Share

 
Anthrax wrapped up their U.S. tour with a sold out show in L.A. Special thanks to Izzy from Anthrax for making this happen for METAL SHOP and a very special thank you to Daisy, who showed me a good time out on the patio. Here are some photos. enjoy -Ralph.
 
[print_gllr id=1805]

Share

 
The Unholy Alliance Tour featuring Slayer managed to get all fans in a frenzy with pits on the floor during a 5-hour kick ass event. Special thanks to Adrenaline PR and Heidi Fitzgerald for making this happen for METAL SHOP. Here are some pictures of the show. enjoy -Ralph.
 
[print_gllr id=1785]

Share

 
What a way to start the long 4th of July weekend with a concert by the Scorpions. Right off the top, the Scorps rocked playing hits ‘Bad Boys Running Wild,’ ‘The Zoo’ and ‘Blackout.’ Thanks to Jeff at Pac Amp for making this happen for METAL SHOP. Here are some pictures of the show. enjoy -Ralph.
 
[print_gllr id=1778]

Share

 
Dokken rocked the house with a blistering set… playing all their hits, including: ‘Just Got Lucky,’ ‘In My Dreams’ and ‘Alone Again.’ Special thanks to the House of Blues and Trisha for making this happen for METAL SHOP. Here are some pictures of the show, enjoy -Ralph.
 
[print_gllr id=1770]

80s Metal Trending

Ozzy Osbourne has teamed up with Birmingham, United Kingdom "alternative" make-up brand Jolie Beauty to produce a unique collection of cosmetic and makeup products. The limited-edition, officially licensed collection, which [...]

In a new interview with Meltdown of Detroit's WRIF radio station, KILLSWITCH ENGAGE singer Jesse Leach spoke about Ozzy Osbourne and BLACK SABBATH's farewell concert, which will take place this [...]

Following the runaway success of their surprise physical-first album "Big Ole Album Vol. 1", A DAY TO REMEMBER are back with a brand new music video for their current, Top [...]

In a new interview with The Music Zoo, ANTHRAX bassist Frank Bello reflected on his early days as a musician. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): " I grew up in [...]

See what some of the biggest names in rock and metal had to say about their favorite Black Sabbath albums. Continue reading… [...]

In a recent interview with Brazil's Heavy Talk, former KAMELOT singer Roy Khan was asked if there are any plans for new music from CONCEPTION, his pre-KAMELOT band which reformed [...]

On August 22, ARCADEA will return with "The Exodus Of Gravity" (Relapse Records), a futuristic synth-rock odyssey unfolds in a world where gravity no longer holds us down and emotion [...]

From genre-defining early cuts to underrated gems, these are the Black Sabbath songs you need in your life [...]

NEFARIOUS, the new California-based thrash metal band featuring Katon W. De Pena (HIRAX) on vocals, Rick Hunolt (EXODUS, DIEHUMANE) and Doug Piercy (HEATHEN, ANVIL CHORUS) on guitar, Tom Gears (BLIND [...]

CATEGORY 7, the new band featuring former MACHINE HEAD and current KERRY KING guitarist Phil Demmel, ex-ADRENALINE MOB guitarist Mike Orlando, ARMORED SAINT/ex-ANTHRAX singer John Bush, SHADOWS FALL/ex-OVERKILL drummer Jason [...]

Osbourne plans to say a fifth and final farewell to the stage this weekend. Continue reading… [...]

Get a closer look at what Ozzy solo songs have thrived and which have struggled on Spotify. Continue reading… [...]

The official programme Back To The Beginning is a unique collaboration between Black Sabbath, the Big Issue, and Metal Hammer and Classic Rock [...]

Zakk Wylde takes some time to dive into Back to the Beginning, celebrating his love of Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath ahead of the historic concert. Continue reading… [...]

In a new interview with Stoyan Tsonev of Bulgaria's Z-Rock radio, W.A.S.P. leader Blackie Lawless once again spoke about the status of his long-in-the-works autobiography. Asked how the book is [...]

Pre-Black . The post Pre-Black Sabbath recordings to be released as ‘Earth: The Legendary Lost Tapes’ on July 25th first appeared on Sleaze Roxx. [...]

In a new interview with Ronni Hunter of the 99.7 The Blitz radio station, Wolfgang Van Halen was asked if the upcoming third album from his MAMMOTH project will include [...]

Which is the better Ozzy-featuring album - his solo debut 'Blizzard of Ozz' or the Black Sabbath classic 'Paranoid'? Vote in the Loudwire Nights poll. Continue reading… [...]

The 'Prince of Darkness' actually has a very present nice side. See some of the wholesome moments from throughout his career. Continue reading… [...]

A total of 10 summer concerts have been canceled as a result. Continue reading… [...]

Seventeen-year-old Mark Neal had no idea his stunt would become one of the most infamous tales in rock history. Continue reading… [...]

British heavy metal veterans SAXON have announced the immediate cancellation of 10 summer shows and festival appearances while singer Biff Byford undergoes an emergency procedure. The recovery period for the [...]

From who’s playing to how to stream it, we answer all your questions about this summer’s Back To The Beginning extravaganza [...]