Metal | Music Junkie Press

Dir En Grey captivates San Francisco crowd and an interview with Toshiya

December 12, 2013

Last month we had the pleasure of catching Dir En Grey as they returned to San Francisco at the Regency Ballroom. It was a full night of incredible metal to include amazing opener Dagoba. This was at the tail end of their spectacular 14 date tour in North America. Dir En Grey once again put on a world class, cross cultural performance. This Japanese quintet has a strong and dedicated following and when we arrived, we got to see many of their dedicated fans waiting outside in line for hours to get in decked out with their theatrical Dir En Grey makeup. We had the opportunity to have our Ben Mitchell interview bassist, Toshiya prior to their performance and we are pleased to bring that interview to you here in it’s entirety: The performance of Dir En Grey that night was truly captivating. Vocalist, Kyo can take you on a ride with his vocals as he goes from deep growls to theatrical vocals and truly has one of the most remarkable vocal ranges out [Read More]

Calling all “THE CRAZIES”, it is time to Rock! New video by Beauty in the Suffering

December 10, 2013

Beauty in the Suffering have just released their much anticipated video for “The Crazies (The Zombie Song)” and it is everything you want in a zombie song! The video was directed by Jonathan Shahan andMike Walsh of Rev Hi-Fi Productions, the mixing performance footage with a horde of zombies descending on the band. Beauty in the Suffering really have a great sound, think a blend of Rob Zombie, Murderdolls and Marilyn Manson. They bring their Electro-Metal Hard Rock to life and raise the level of intensity and energy. The Crazies is set to be the first of three zombie themed songs and we can’t wait to see what they come up with next. Beauty in the Suffering is the brainchild of the talented DieTrich Thrall and has become a supergroup featuring an ever-expanding lineup that includes veterans from American Head Charge, Dope, Genitorturers, Skinlab, Razorblade Dolls and many more. This Check out their video for “The Crazies (The Zombie Song)” which is written, programmed, arranged, performed, and produced by DieTrich Thrall: “BEAUTY IN THE SUFFERING is one of the most exciting projects [Read More]

12 Days of Bands You Have to Know starts with Centerlink!

December 9, 2013

So here we are again, that time of year where you not only get in the holiday spirit, shopping mode but also a time to appreciate new music! This year we are starting our 12 Days a bit early so you can make sure to pick up the music in time to give or enjoy. Today we start one of our 12 Day Features…. 12 Days of Bands You Have to Know. Day 1 starts right now with the heavy rock trio Centerlink from Boston. We wrote about them earlier this year and you can read that post here. To relive that moment when I first listened to Centerlink….. “I went to watch it and was BLOWN AWAY. Seriously just BLOWN AWAY. I thought I had found the lost recording of Metallica of 1985! I went back to check the message so I could see the band name only to see David’s response to them about how the singer had some Hettfield in him! Oh ya, we were on the same wavelength! It was like true old [Read More]

Butcher Babies to join In This Moment for HellPop II Tour!

December 9, 2013

We have been thoroughly enjoying BUTCHER BABIES debut album “Goliath” and I love their just released video for “Magnolia Blvd.” They have had quite a busy year touring in support of this awesome album and finished the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem festival, supporting DANZIG on his 25th anniversary tour and we were glad to catch them at the Aftershock Festival in Sacramento in September. They will be having a brief break and then setting out on January 2nd for the 16 city Hellpop II Tour with Century Media labelmates In This Moment. The tour also includes Devour the Day and All Hail the Yeti. After the Hellpop II Tour, they are going to set out on the sold out Shiprocked cruise from January 26- 30th and then return to play some dates in Florida with Sevendust. Make sure to get your tickets for the Hellpop II Tour! We had the opportunity to catch In This Moment and All Hail the Yeti on the Hellpop I Tour that came to San Francisco just a couple weeks [Read More]

In This Moment delivers another spectacular performance for Hell Pop Tour

December 3, 2013

Last week, we had the pleasure of covering the Hell Pop Tour with All Hail The Yeti, Kyng, Motionless in White and In This Moment. From the first time I heard In This Moment, I fell in love with them. This was the sixth time covering their show and they never cease to amaze me with their performance. When you see In This Moment, is not just like seeing a band on stage with their backdrop, etc. is a production like no other and you can’t help but be adrenalized by it! In This Moment has Maria Brink on vocals and she has excellent stage presence. For the first time I saw her live, I haddubbed her the Metal Version of Lady Gaga, she just has a presence that you can’t ignore. Her vocals are spot on and is definitely a crowd pleaser. Then you look to each side of Maria and you are blown away by the guitarists; Chris Howorth on Lead guitar, Randy Weitzel on guitar and Travis Johnson who reminds my son [Read More]

Check out your NEW favorite hard rock band, September Sky

December 2, 2013

As you know we have our annual 12 Days of Music coming up in a couple weeks but I don’t think I can wait that long to feature this band, September Sky. They are just too incredible and I have to share them with you. My great Twitter friend Bill @MetalGod41 sent me their video tonight to check out and it was one of those times where the whole family got involved. I was playing it and from the other room, came my 15 year old Rockin Ryan to ask, “who is that??”, shortly after my husband Steve came from the garage to say, “turn it up, who is that?”. I think if my youngest Brandon wasn’t so involved in his SpongeBob game he would of ran over to do his usual headbang to it! September Sky is a hard rock metal band from Indianapolis, IN and includes Scott Bernhardt on vocals, Larry Craigon guitar, Mark Lentz on lead guitar, Martin Baker on drums and Tobias Konnersman on bass. They have a powerful in your face sound that you can’t [Read More]

The Broken Ravens new single; Pressure is out NOW!

December 1, 2013

It is that time! I told you a couple weeks ago about an amazing new rock band from Scotland, The Broken Ravens who were out Tuesday Travels Pick of the week. You can read more from that post here. Well, they just released their new single, Pressure and it is incredible. Hailing from from the Stornoway from Isle of Lewis, Scotland, The Broken Ravens are soon to be one of your favorite new bands. They remind me of a mix of Black Sabbath with Soundgarden. The Broken Ravens are Kevin Clark on Drums, Lotto Ferguson on Bass/Vocals, Calum ‘Thrash’ Macaulay on Guitar/Vocals and Bugsy Maclean on Guitar/Vocals. The band has been working hard on putting the final touches on their debut album. Kevin says, “Just now we are putting together demo’s for an album. We have quite a few finished (11 or so) and want to put out the strongest album we can. We are also releasing our first single in a couple of weeks, available through every major digital retailer, we recorded, mixed, produced and will be releasing ourselves [Read More]