Week of Megadeth and Anthrax

     As famouly said by Chris Cornell on Soundgardens King Animal, "Ive been away too long", and I am well aware of that fact. I have been rather busy with a musical and overtime at work but, lets not talk about that. Let's talk about some metal. This year already has two huge metal releases, both from members of the big 4. This week I will be reviewing Megadeth's Dystopia and Anthrax's For All Kings. 

Megadeth- Dystopia Review-

     Megadeth is an American thrash metal band from Los Angeles, California. The group was formed in 1983 by guitarist Dave Mustaine and bassist David Ellefson, shortly after Mustaine's dismissal from Metallica. A pioneer of the American thrash metal scene, the band is credited as one of the genre's "big four" with Anthrax, Metallica and Slayer, responsible for thrash metal's development and popularization. Megadeth plays in a technical style, featuring fast rhythm sections and complex arrangements; themes of death, war, politics and religion are prominent in the group's lyrics.
In 1985, the band released its debut album, Killing Is My Business... and Business Is Good!, on the independent label Combat Records. The album's moderate commercial success caught the attention of bigger labels, which led to Megadeth signing with Capitol Records. Their first major-label album, Peace Sells... but Who's Buying?, was released in 1986 and influenced the underground metal scene. Despite its prominence in thrash metal, frequent disputes between its members and substance abuse issues brought Megadeth negative publicity during this period. After the lineup stabilized, the band released a number of platinum-selling albums, including Rust in Peace (1990) and Countdown to Extinction (1992). These albums, along with touring worldwide, helped bring public recognition to Megadeth. The band temporarily disbanded in 2002 when Mustaine suffered an arm injury and re-established in 2004 without bassist Ellefson, who had taken legal action against Mustaine. Ellefson settled with Mustaine out of court and rejoined the group in 2010. Megadeth has hosted its own music festival, Gigantour, several times since mid-2005.

      After the last album Supercollider and the disastrous backlash from the fans that came with it Megadeth really needed to turn things around. They didn't want fans loose faith in new releases like they have with Metallica. The problem with supercolider aside from the lack of heavy hitting songs was the attempt add genre musical diversity. Some styles and even some metal bands can pull of huge musical diverse albums, but it’s not every really worked well for Thrash Metal. This time they brought on Chris Adler from Lamb of God to bring back the old school vibe.

 Megadeth perform Holy Wars The Punishment Due Live.

1. The Threat is Real-starts with some strange atmospheric background singing before jumping in for a huge riff and Dave spitting poison and sounding great. They seem more fired up and fierce than ever. This song has some of the best drum and bass lines I have heard in a long time. New guitarist Kiko Loureiro really keeps the blistering pace set by Dave. The songs are strongly and of course crazily political, but that you should expect. This song is a highlight and a great single.
2. Dystopia- has a more melodic start but sounds like past riffs from the Youthanasia or Peace Sells era. The dueling guitar solos really make this song. Chris Adler continues to shine here with pounding drums.
3. Fatal Illusion-starts with a slowed down start with an angular chugging line before breaking into one of the best bass lines they have ever had. They follow that with an explosion of thrash and dueling guitar solos.
4. Death From Within-a muted and pounding drum solo starts before it starts up and shows of one of the best riffs Dave has ever written. The chorus is huge and has anthemic backing vocals. The guitar solo here is so good it gave me chills. This is an album highlight.
5. Bullet to the Brain-slows things down and starts with almost acoustic riff and escalates from there. The riffs don’t stop and he weaves great melodic solos over edgy riffs. the new lineup works together magically.
6. Post American World-starts with a dark and grinding guitar lines all while Adler pounds the double petal back beat. This a slower songs, but it spits fire and hate throughout. This is one of Dave's most politically angry songs on the album. The title along says all you need to know and he gives the song dark and evil sound.
7. Poisonous Shadows-starts with a quiet and slow acoustic guitar solo duel. It builds and builds around crazy solos. This a slow and haunting ballad, or at least as close as megadeth comes to a ballad. The vocals on the ballad section are scratchy as always but are very catchy. This song makes use a full blown orchestra in a very cool way.
8. Conquer or Die-also starts slow and a melodically with a beautiful Latin style acoustic guitar solo. Before escalating to a beautiful guitar solo for a great instrumental track.
9. Lying in State- Don’t worry metal fans, lying in state kicks thrash back into gear in a big way with a fast and furious song.  It all comes to a t in the last minute with the final guitar solo that is the highlight of the song. This is heaviest song on here by far.
10. The Emperor-is another solid thrash track that rips through huge solos that shine huge here. No one can say that Dave phoned it in here. Again they pull off a surprisingly catchy chorus, that ends while the solo blisters around it.
11. Last Dying Wish-is a strange closer coming close to punk with a shouted chorus and a very punk style guitar line in it. As weird as it is for them, they pull it off with the anger and instrumental skill they bring to it.

Megadeth Perform Dystopia Live.

      This is a huge and blistering return to form for Megadeth who with the new lineup additions of Lamb of God’s Chris Adler and New guitarist Kiko Loureiro seem to be in top creative form. After the dismal Supercolider Dave Mustaine put branching out musicly aside and went back to what he does best. This album is the most focused and driven I have heard them since 2009’s Endgame. As always Dave is singing about xenophobic things and his usual crazy political mumbo jumbo, but that’s just Dave and if that bothers you maybe this isn’t the right band for you. I know its early, but so far it’s the best metal album of the year.

Here is my Video Review of Megadeth's Dystopia.

Recommended Songs: The Threat is Real, Fatal Illusion, Death From Within, and Lying in State.

4.5/5 Stars

Anthrax- For All Kings Review-

    Anthrax is an American thrash metal band from New York City, formed in 1981 by guitarist Scott Ian and bassist Dan Lilker. The group was considered one of the leaders of the thrash metal scene during the 1980s. Of the "Big Four" thrash metal bands (the others being Metallica, Megadeth and Slayer), Anthrax were the only band from the East Coast. As of 2016, the band has released eleven studio albums, a number of singles and an EP with American hip hop group Public Enemy. According to Nielsen SoundScan, Anthrax sold 2.5 million records in the United States from 1991 to 2004, with worldwide sales of 10 million. Anthrax signed with the independent label Megaforce Records (which released the band's debut studio album in 1984). Lilker soon left the band to form Nuclear Assault, and was replaced by roadie Frank Bello. Vocalist Neil Turbin was replaced after two years by Matt Fallon who was then subsequently replaced in 1985 by Joey Belladonna. With a new lineup, the band recorded Spreading the Disease (distributed by Island Records) in 1985. Anthrax's third album, Among the Living, was released in 1987 to critical praise. The band experienced another lineup change in 1992, when John Bush replaced Belladonna as lead vocalist. Sound of White Noise was released the following year, peaking at number seven on the Billboard 200. Studio recordings during the 1990s saw the band, influenced by other genres, experimenting with its sound.
Anthrax's lineup has changed several times over their career. The band has had a number of vocalists including Neil Turbin, Joey Belladonna, Dan Nelson and John Bush. Founding member Scott Ian and early arrival Charlie Benante, who joined Anthrax in 1983, are the only band members to appear on every album. Bassist Frank Bello has played on every album except the band's first. In 2010, Joey Belladonna returned to Anthrax and has since recorded two more studio albums with the band, Worship Music, released in 2011, and For All Kings released in 2016.

    

  Anthrax had a huge return album with 2011’s Worship Music and the much sought after return of Joey Belladonna as lead vocalist. This was a huge moment for anthrax fans like Bruce Dickenson's return on Brave New World was for Maiden fans. That reunion and the hype around it brings sometime distracts from the music itself. Not to say that Worship music wasn’t great, but the expectations are distracted by the fact that the old gang is back together. Now with For all Kings the smokescreen is gone and all eyes are on consistency, can all your old friends conjure up the magic again beyond that initial exciting reunion.

Anthrax Performing Indians live.

1. You Gotta Believe-Starts off with a slow drum build before exploding into full thrash riffs. This song seems like a homage to persistence of time. This song is one of the best and heaviest songs on the album.  This song would be so fun to scream along to live, definitely a highlight. Its full of trash and melodic riffs and slows down in the bridge before exploding again at the end.
2. Monster at the End-Slows things down a bit and let’s Joey Belladonna shine on power vocals. There are huge riffs here but what really brings the song together is the powerful chorus sections that brings us the feel of huge concert singalongs.
3. For All Kings-has one of the best openings on the album with a huge screaming “For All Kings” from joey before breaking into the huge riffs. This song trashes hard but also really works the huge chorus sections that are destined for a live performance and crowd participation. This song has huge vocals and riffs and a lot of thrash. I think its an album highlight.
4. Breathing Lightning-is probably the best song on the album combining a lot of 80s era Anthrax sounds with a more modern metal style. This song really has something for all metal fans. It layers the melody of powerful harmonic chorus over huge chugging riffs. The verses jam out and the chorus's soar to huge vocal breaks. This track combines it all perfectly.
5. Suzerain-Has some huge chugging metal riffs but looses a little steam in the choruses, they don’t soar as much as other songs and tend to take a little bit of the wind out of the sails of the song.
6. Evil Twin-this song picks up the steam dropped on suzerain and rocks along a one of the heaver songs on the album. I hear a lot of classic sounds in this song that reminds me of 80s Anthrax.
7. Blood Eagle Wings-This song makes the same mistakes as some of Death Magnetic's it just goes on for way too long and its way too repetitive. The song does rock out, but I just feel like a much faster more aggressive song here would have served the album better.
8. Defend Avenge-picks the pace back up a little bit with huge riffs right out of the gate and puts the album back on track with a much more aggressive sound.
9. All of Them Thieves-continues the rise back up with even faster and more aggressive riffs and vocals. This song brings us back to the height of the first half of the album with impressive riffs and aggressive vocal lines.
10. This Battle Chose Us-Then comes my least favorite song on the album. This song is just very generic and feels like a generic radio rock song from a far worse band. The pace sucks all the progression from the last two songs and just bores me. I’m glad it didn’t end here because it would have been very disappointing
11. Zero Tolerance-The actual album closer is a ten times better song with some of the best riffs and solos on the album. Its a straight balls to wall trasher and it washes the last song from your mind. This is a great song and the heaviest song on the album. It is defiantly an album highlight.  

Anthrax Performing Antisocial Live.

     Overall through all its ups and downs this is a very good trash album and a very good Anthrax album. I was a fan of Worship Music, but to me this feels like a much better return to form than the former. It also show lots of references to older album like Persistence of Time, which was my favorite Anthrax album. This album has a few moments where it looses steam and has a couple of tracks that seem like filler from a hard rock band. However majorly front loaded this album combines the sounds of classic 80s thrash with some sounds of modern metal in a good way. It also has some of the best song writing from Anthrax in a very long time. They combine huge choruses with great riffs to make an album that will stick with fans of Anthrax old and new. 

Here is my Video Review of Anthrax's For All Kings.

Recommended Songs: You Gotta Believe, For All Kings, Breathing Lighting, and Zero Tolerance.

4/5 Songs

Week of David Bowie and Panic at the Disco

    This past week has been one of the worst in a long time and I know every one of us music fans is feeling down. That's when I personally need music most, so lets talk about some music to distract from this horrible start to 2016. This week I will be reviewing the very last album from music innovator and legend David Bowie and the new album from the pop punk boys in Panic at the Disco. So here are my reviews of David Bowie's Blackstar and Panic's Death of a Bachelor. This week I am going to be doing a video and written review, because I figured I write up a guide anyway. Now you can read it instead if you would rather. 

David Bowie- Blackstar Review-

    David Robert Jones was born in Brixton, London on January 8th 1947. 

    I admit i have been having trouble finding the words to start this review. I still can’t believe that the man David Bowie is no longer here. It feels like hole has been ripped in the creative world that will never be filled. The man is gone but the legend and music with live on forever. It would be wrong not to review this last gift from one of the most creative and talented musicians who ever lived. If The Next Day looking back is the start to David Bowie’s final chapter then Blackstar is the ethereal beautiful end to a long and wonderful story. This album was Bowie pushing himself to make something creative and different one las time with the help of the ever present Toni Visconti and an all-star lineup of jazz musicians. Before his death people thought this was just a man looking back on his life and looking for the answers to the big questions in life, but after his death it’s clear when listening to this it’s the story of a man who sees his own death coming just out of site and wants to describe the feeling of the end and the meaning of his life as it happens. It’s a very dark and deep record and as a fan it’s a very challenging listen as you try not to break down and cry. 

      Bowie attended Stockwell infants school until he was six years old, acquiring a reputation as a gifted child. In 1953 the family moved to Bromley where he attended Burnt Ash Junior School. He was told he was way above average in singing and dancing even that young. He took up piano, ukulele, and bass at 9 years old.  In 1962 he formed his first band the Konrads. After that he moved on from band to band for a while and changed his name to David Bowie in the mid 1960s after 19th century American frontiersman Jim Bowie. In 1967 he released his first solo album David Bowie. In 1969 he released Space Oddity to huge critical success. Bowie met Angela Barnett in April 1969 and they married within a year. He followed it with two heavier full band albums. After this he changed into the weird styles we know today as The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars era, a weird era that legitimized him as a rock star. 

          He moved from there with two more records into the Thin White Duke era, marked by funk, soul, and a wild future in a post apocalyptic city. This marked huge cocaine addictions and three new albums. Bowie moved to Berlin in 1976, this became the Berlin era. This era was marked by even more cocaine and a trilogy of minimalistic albums. Following that he released Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps) in 1980, and the mega hit "Under Pressure" with Queen soon followed. In 1989 he had a short lived band Tin Machine that didn't do very well. In 1992 he Married his current wife Iman and moved into the Electronic Bowie stage. This was marked by electronic and hip hop explorations on new dance albums. The Final Bowie Stage is Neoclassicism Bowie, moving away from electronic to more minimalism. With Heathen, Reality, and The Next Day. Blackstar came out on Bowie’s 69^th Birthday and two days later he died of cancer.

     David Bowie Performs Heroes

     1. Blackstar-I ordered the album in advance and didn’t get it till after he died so when I finally listened this monday afternoon it hit me like a truck. Blackstar’s title track is a ten minute long sparse and empty void of a song that seems to swirl all the instruments arounds the voice that sounds weathered and powerful. The song is held together by a voice in a void of hypnotizing noises and random jazz saxophones. It all comes together to create a Phychodelic, jazz epic. It’s powerful and painful with truly deep lyrics about a man looking back on his life on the day he died.  He shines here vocally and even the weariness feels perfect. This is an album highlight.

2. ’Tis a Pity She Was a Whore-is a very strange song that starts with a solid drum beat and a jazz sound. This song is driven by the winding saxophone lines. The song is a great jazz song with David singing a story of a strange interaction with a women who he called a whore and punched him. It’s hard to tell here if this is him looking back at an actually interaction and regretting his choices or created character. It was inspired by a 17th Century play of the same name.  

3. Lazarus-is the best song on the album and one of the best songs he has ever written. This is David’s beautiful swan song. When I first heard this song I broke down and cried and I don’t do that easy. “Look up here I’m in heaven, Ive got scars that can’t be seen.”, is the beautiful and painful first line of the song. He is singing with raw power as the saxophones and guitars slowly grind behind him. This is a jazzy ballad and it’s gorgeous and powerful. This song is the moment that his life flashes before his eyes and he is forced to recall every aspect of his life and he embraces life and love one last time and he lets go to be finally free. This song is a highlight is the understatement of the century. This song is actually based on his character he played in the man who fell from earth, and has since been developed into a stage show of the same name. I love this song. “This Way or No Way, You Know I’ll Be Free”. 

4. Sue (Or in a Season of Crime)-starts with a rocking bass line and jazz percussion beat. It’s more of a kind of a big band jazz song with heavy bass lines and sparse synth waves thrown in. The rock jazz style all plays under the vocals of David as he sings of a murderous intent of Sue. The song is a dark and creepy jazz horror story. The intensity is driven by the bass line. 

5. Girl Loves Me-makes the first use of the David Bowie scream that he has perfected over the years. The song is led by the catchy almost rapped line “Where the Fuck did Monday Go?”. It’s strange and instantly catchy. Apparently Bowie was listening to Kendrick Lamar when this song was inspired. The vocal style is very sing song almost pixies like. This song is a lot less horn infused then other songs using only synths, bass, and drums over his lines. I love this song. It’s weird and so very bowie. This to me feels like a song about where did all my time go. Is this really all I have left. My last monday I learned you died so I can definelty relate to the core message. This is an album highlight.

6. Dollar Days-starts slower and less angrily with a smooth sax solo. This song is a jazz pop song that sees Bowie looking back on all the things he will never get do do again, and convincing himself that it’s ok. The great sax solos really drive this great contemplative look back and his long and great life. 

7. I Can’t Give Everything Away-The album closer leads in with syth lines and horns. Bowie shows the very full length of his still great vocal range. it’s raw and powerful. This track has the least amount of layers, stripping back to hear much more of Bowie in his vulnerable state. The simplest song on the album is one of the best and most beautiful. The things and relationships he leaves behind and how people will remember him is what he thinks of as the last song fades out. It ends with a classic fade out and the that's the last of Bowie’s final album.

David Bowie's final music video Lazerous. 

     This album is  the final masterpiece from the masterful musician and innovator David Bowie. He really goes out on top here with the best band he has played with since the spider from mars. It’s a jazz combo in New York led by Donny McCaslin. This album is not anything traditional and that’s the point. He goes out exactly as he wanted to with a an album that pushes boundaries and defies the norm one final time. He will be missed so much and it hurts so much to know that he was actually recording  demos for followup when he died. This album may not be the last music we hear from Bowie as demos will surly surface, but it’s the last thing with his magical touch and perfect production. The album was dark and dealt with Bowie as he sees his life coming to an end captures the moments at the very end in such a haunting way with beautiful lyrics, it really blew me away. I never really liked to think David Bowie would die. I always pictured he would just get in his spaceship and fly home. So where ever you are up there in space thank you for everything Major Tom. 

Here is my Video Review of David Bowie's Blackstar.

Recommended Songs: Blackstar, Lazerus, Girl Loves Me, and I Can’t Give Everything Away.

5/5 Stars

Panic at the Disco- Death of a Bachelor Review-

     Panic began began as a emo pop punk band at the height of that craze with the likes of Fall Out Boy and soared to huge popularity with we write not trajeties, the song we all know the words weather we like it or not. Following that they made a weird indie rock styled album that I actually liked, and a pop rock throw back that was ok. Their last album To Weird To Live To Rare To Die was a dark synth and electronic driven pile of crap that I reviewed and hated every second of it. This time around singer Brendan Urie is the only member left leading the band. He writes an album on the verge of marriage saying goodbye to his bachelorhood in grand fashion. 

         Panic at the Disco is an American rock band from Las Vegas formed in 2004. The band was founded by Ryan Ross, Spencer Smith, Brent Wilson, and Brendon Urie. Brendon Urie is now the sole remaining member. They got Famous off of the lead single "I Write Sins Not Tragedies". The album was certified double platinum. In 2008 they debut a new sounds on the second album Pretty Odd. Following this principal song writer and guitarist Ryan Ross as well as left basist Jon Walker left the band in favor of the new sound. The third album Vices and Virtures went back to the vaudevillian pop sound. In 2013 they releases Too Weird to Live, Too Rare to Die! and Spencer Smith left leaving Brendon as a solo artist. That leads us to Death of a Bachelor.

Panic at the Disco I Write Sins Not Tragedies. 

    1.Victorious-opens with a background chorus before become a party pop anthem destined to be played in night clubs everywhere. The song is about a hang over from a night of praying on the verge of a big life change. He is very whitty with his lyrics here as always. The music plays like a pop song mixed with a sample driven beat. It’s not a good or a bad song, it’s the lead single on a modern pop rock album aimed to rejuvenate the image of a band and put them back in the limelight. I think that it might just work. 

2. Don’t Threaten Me With a Good Time-This song samples Rock Lobster strangely and way too many times. The lyrics here while clever but the music doesn’t keep up with his wit. I’ts more just a modern pop song with dj and rock lobster samples in it. 

3. Hallelujah-starts with horns and explodes into huge chorus with Brendon’s vocals shining. This song is destined to become a drunken singalong and future ring tones. The song is destined to play in dance clubs as a pop song fused heavily with dance beats and dj samples. It’s a better song then others on here and it stands out.

4. Emperor’s New Clothes-contiues where the rest of the album has taken off. It’s is very much a party anthem album made to pre gaming, drinking, and dancing. It’s admittedly not my thing but I think the choruses are huge and catchy with cleaver lyrics and people will eat this shit up. It also has a strange Nightmare before Christmas sounding sample. 

5. Death of a Bachelor-is a very different song then the rest of the album combining jazz lounge singer style with modern pop and dance beats. I think it works because of its weirdness and the fact that it he sings huge high to help this track stand out from the rest of the album. This is a song that I actually like it’s a guilty pleasure. I think it’s an album highlight.

6. Crazy=Genius-It follows with another jazz pop song that is just insanely catchy. This song unlike the last one has a more a pop punk jazz sound to it. The song about how many famously crazy people were also famously talented. This song really shines with the jazz horns and fun dj samples. Again I really like this song for its weirdness I think that’s where this band really shines, like on the album pretty odd. An album highlight for sure.

7. LA Devotee-This song is a love letter to Los Angeles after his move from Las Vegas. This song abandoned the jazz for a modern pop sound with more dj samples. 

8. Golden Days-Is a straight up pop song that sounds like it could have come off a Katty Perry album if she sang it. It really doesn’t do anything for me, and it seems destined for the radio. 

9. The Good, The Bad and The Dirty-is another highly dj sampled modern pop song about death in general. This song does have some of the most cleaver and witty lyrics on here.

10. House of Memories-features Dylan Schwab in a synth driven song that is insanely catchy and just try to get it out of your head. It sees Brendon looking back on all of his past life of romances and parties as he reminisces.

11. Impossible Year-The last song on the album is way different sort of song from the rest of the album. It’s more a straightforward lounge singer ballad. It’a beautiful song that really shows how truly talented Brendon is. This concept album about the death of his bachelorhood persona for his married life ends here. The final song is like a eulogy to his single life.

Panic at the Disco Crazy=Genius

     I expected to hate this album like last one, just kidding not like the last one most things aren’t that bad, but they made a huge shift in style and made an album that will serve as a commercial comeback. The album is a modern pop album that is fussed with glam, jazz, electric, and rock styles. As the only member left Brendon shines vocally here like never before and creates an album destined for radio play and dance floor but with enough wit and weird musical diversions for most casual music fans and panic fans alike. It’s not the best album they have written, but it’s not the worst and its a worthy chapter for a former pop punk band going modern pop. 

   

                             Here is My Video Review Panic's Death of a Bachelor.

     

Recommended Songs: Death of a Bachloer, Crazy=Genius, House of Memories, and Impossible Year.

3/5 Stars

Top 20 Albums of 2015

     I have listened to a ton of music this year good band and in between. I love this part of the year but the hardest part is limiting down the list of best albums. keep in mind this is my personal favorite albums, so don't get offended if your favorite album isn't here. I may not have gotten to it yet or we may just have a difference of opinion. Also important to note before I go into this that although I am very open minded I don't like hip hop, country, dubstep, or pop for the most part so any album that falls under that will not be on here. Yes, I have heard Kendrick Lamar's To Pimp a Butterfly and it is very good. I don't know enough about hip hop to really review it. All that said here is my top 20 albums of 2015. 

20. Florence and the Machine- How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful-

     Florence and the machine have never put out a bad album but throughout the time she has evolved as a song writer. This time around she crafted her best song writing yet, cutting all the pomp and circumstance of the pervious albums and letting her grief and voice do all the talking. She's matured here in a way that only years on the road and real artistry can craft. 

19. Turbowolf- Two Hands-

     Once in a while a sophomore  album comes along and breaks the slump and really shines and says something that even matured veterans can't muster up. Turbowolf created a cluttered but interesting fuzz rock debut but on the second album they really put it together. They craft the the sonic hard rocking fuzz album of the year. Even the fuzz man Ty Segall himself would be proud. They have a lot of promise and talent, hopefully they keep it up. They are a very promising young band.

18. Faith No More-Sol Invictus-

     Faith No More come out with reunion album that didn't seem like they were ever apart at all. So many reunion albums fail and ruin the legacy of the band. This time the band proves by making it that they belong back in the game in the first place, and making weird alt metal albums like they always have. Mike Patton does what he always does and shines with insane vocal range and variety that puts him back as he was at the top of the lead singer ladder. For a bunch of 50 year olds they still sound heavy and weird as they ever did.

17. Foals- What Went Down-

     Foals continue what was started on 2013's Holy Fire and take it up a notch to make this their best albums since Antidotes. The rockers are bigger, the ballads better, and the layers are deeper. This band has now figured out the perfect line between danceable alternative and pounding alt rock. They make the best of both worlds here with the best vocals and song writing so far. The days of math rock may be gone, but they have transformed into one of the best alt rock bands of the decade. 

16. Alabama Shakes- Color and Sound-

     Alabama Shakes are still fairly new to the game with this just being their second album but after raw talent and lot of promise on their debut, they have now ascended to rock royalty with the their second. This band went from playing clubs to playing duets with Paul McCartney at Lollapalooza. Sound and Color is an extremely elaborate album that bends and molds genre lines as it sees fit crafting a hard to describe rock album with elements of blues, soul, r and b, and many others. It all stems behind the amazing vocals of Britney Howard, who lets loose like she is on fire. 

15. Iron Maiden-Book of Souls-

      Speaking of Rock royalty, no one earns that title more then metal legends Iron Maiden. This album amazes me on so many levels. When news of singer Bruce Dickinson's throat cancer struck the album itself wasn't even metal fans minds. We all prayed to metal gods for the health of Bruce Dickinson. Then on a shocking turn of events the band announced the completion of a double album. They floored fans not only on its existence but with what was on it, it was amazing. To me they have crafted the best Iron Maiden album since Fear of the Dark. Now that Bruce Dickinson is in remission we can fully appreciate the magic of this album and the world tour to follow. Iron Maiden in many ways deserve a huge victory lap for this and once again sit a top the thrown with this years top releases. 

14. Bjork- Vulncura-

     Bjork has been around making phenomenal albums for years and years. So this album should come as no surprise to some. This album is one of Bjorks most personal albums ever made as it deals with the heartbreak and breakup of her longtime relationship. This album practically bleeds of the page and its hard to believe that this is only the second best breakup album of the year. As with all Bjork albums she pushed the boundaries of pop music, if you can even call what she makes pop, in whole new directions that boggle the mind. No one comes up with avant-garde pop music like her. I have yet to see her live, but Ive heard she pushes the boundaries of that as well. 

13. Torche- Restarter-

     Torche have been rocking the doom/sludge metal community since 2005 and have become one of the top live and album favorites since then. I had the pleasure of seeing them live this year with Melt Banana and it blew me away. This band is one of the best sludge and doom metal bands to come since early Mastodon and Kyuss before them. They play the heaviest baselines of the year.

12. The Districts- A Flourish and a Spoil-

      Every now and then a debut album comes around thats so good that it takes the music world by storm. This album is one of those albums. This band was a group of high school friends that played classic rock covers and then went on the road to play their own music. They now write indie rock infused with classic rock. They are just musicians and friends who travel and do what they do best play great rock music. The future here is very bright and I can't wait to see what they do next. 

11. Strung Out- Transmission Alpha Delta-

     This album reminds me why this bands was cool years and years ago and it reminds me why people love punk rock to this day. Strung Out have been around for a long time, but It's been a long time since they put out an album six years to be exact. This albums bring back their classic fast paced huge metal guitar riffing sound with fiery lyrics that pull no punches. This is the band that took off from where Bad Religion started and just like Bad Religion they still kick ass to this day. If your a fan of punk this is an album you need!

10. Puscifer- Money Shot-

     Maynard James Keenan finally breaks his musical silence and put an album, not Tool but his first album since 2011's Conditions of my Parole, so Ill take it. This side project started out as a joke on the Mr Show program but it became a real project in 2007. It wasn't until 2011 that they started taking themselves seriously and put out a very different, but very good album. It was a combination of A Perfect Circle and a new sonically deep electronic sound. This album takes that electronic sound up a few notches and becomes something truly its own. This side project is something good enough that I hope when he goes back to Tool and A Perfect Circle he doesn't forget about it, because it's worth revisiting. 

9. Baroness- Purple-

    This is Baroness's first album since the terrible bus crash and lineup change. Not much has changed sonically as this band puts another super star entry in color form of purple. The choruses soar, the twin guitar lines battle each other for supremacy. The songs are metal, but also songs for all fans of rock with huge anthemic lines that are perfect for concert sing alongs. The rhythm section is new and hugely inventive here with soaring atmospheric sections. If you liked them before, you will love them now. If you have never heard of Baroness, Purple is as good a point as any to start. They have never had a bad album and that streak continues here. 

8. Tame Impala- Currents-

     I thought they had completely mastered the Psychedelic style with their last album, I couldn't praise it enough. On currents they go even farther down the rabbit hole and come out in entirely new territory with hypnotic and atmospheric psychedelic sound that feels like a mix of Syd Barrett from Pink Floyd and John Lennon's style of pop song. Kevin Parker shines his beautiful falsetto all over the album. This albums is a lot lighter than the past two albums, but even that said it enters new territory. Some people call it watered down pop music, but if you listen to it a few times and really explore what it is trying to say I think you will love it too.

7. Deafheaven- New Bermuda-

     2013's Sunbather was an Atmospheric Shoegaze Metal album and my album of the year. On this years New Bermuda they change things up and push forward into new territory. This album is more straight forward black metal with some melodic gutar lines. They still have elements of Shoegaze in the guitar lines. The vocal delivery is also slightly different on this album but not worse. This album is not as good as Sunbather in my opinion but i'm glad they pushed forward to a new sound instead of trying to create Sunbather 2. This album is still a great album and one of the best metal albums of the year. 

6. Sleater Kinney- No Cities to Love-

     I didn't actually know who Sleater Kinney was before No Cities to Love but after being recommend to check out their reunion album, I did and I loved it. This is one of the best riot girl punk bands ever. I'm glad to get to hear them digging into their back catalog live because its great and the new one is not just a great addition to the past albums, but it might be the best album they have ever made. This album could fit under a ton of different genres, its rock, punk, alternative, and even could be called hard rock. This album is not just a little hipster alt rock album it really flies and rocks hard. Rock is not a genre just for men, it never has been, but sometimes people forget that and this album is a reminder of that simple fact.

5. Farther John Misty- I Love You, Honeybear-

     After leaving Fleet Foxes Joushua Tillman created a new moniker for himself and starting performing as solo act called Father John Misty. his first album was a beautiful and weird mix of folk humor and brilliantly witty lyrics. For the second album he decided to tell a story of a relation ship from start to violent end and did so in a way that even know the couple isn't real we really felt for them. This isn't just your Taylor Swift breakup writing Josh goes into detail on each part of the relationship including his characters shortcomings and screw ups. This is loosely based on his own marriage but considering he's still married, it's not all factual. This album is hands down the best break up album of the year and the second best folk album. It's truly heart wrenching and beautiful stuff.

4. Between the Buried and Me- Coma Ecliptic-

     Between the Buried and Me started off as a Black Metal band but just like Opeth they have been slowly transitioning to progressive metal. Just like Opeth before them I love the new music they have been making. Between the Buried and Me have created the best Progressive metal album of the year. Every track on Coma Ecliptic is a separate story played out in an epic and huge way. Don't worry though long time fans the death metal screams are still there and they rock as hard as they ever have. This time around thought their song writing has hit an all time high and future of the band and progressive metal as a whole has never been brighter. 

3. Refused- Freedom

      Refused are finally back and they have been dearly missed. Refused even went so far after breaking up to make a documentary called Refused are fucking dead, so the reunion that came after was a huge surprise, and the reunion album even more so. This album is everything I wanted it to be, even if some fans were disappointed. The whole point to refused was to make punk music more varied and diverse. The punk of the future, this album has a different genre infused with every song, and has different instruments infused in punk rock that have never been used before. At the same time it freaking rocks and sounds like nothing but a Refused album.

2. Sufjan Stevens- Carrie and Lowell-

      This is the only album of the year that made me cry. Sufjan Stevens past work has implicitly avoided going into his own life so when Carrie and Lowell dived into the most personal subject he could write about people took notice. He goes back to his folk roots here with a story so heartbreakingly painful you can't help but choke up. This is the story of how his mother abandoned him and his step dad when he was little and he dealt with hating her for it his entire life. He finally got to meet her again, but it was in the last year of her life as she died of cancer, talk about some deep shit seriously! The whole album has some of the best lyrical writing I have ever heard, like old school Neil Young or Dylan. This man is one of the last of a dying breed of true lyricists that spin beauty and poetry into every thing they write. 

1. Titus Andronicus- The Most Lamentable Tragedy-

     When Titus Andronicus made The Monitor I honestly thought there was nothing they could ever do to top it, then came this album. The Most Lamentable Tragedy is a double album punk rock opera. Its as good as the best rock operas ever written, your Tommy's, Jesus Christ Superstar, The Wall, The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway. I know how big that praise is, but they deserve it. This is one of the best punk albums I have ever heard, and it tells a rock opera for the punks. I know it will never been as praised as it deserves and hell I think even the band knows that. It doesn't matter though, that isn't why they wrote it. Just listen to it and let your self get swept away into one of the best albums I have ever heard.

Week of Coheed and Cambria, Puscifer, and MuteMath

     I took a month off for my own sanity but now i'm going back to catch up on the important albums I missed in this time. Coheed and Cambria's first album without the armory wars The Color Before the Sun. Mayanrd finally got off his lazy butt and put out his first album in four years, sadly not a tool album, but Puscifer's new album Money Shot does not disappoint. Lastly one of my favorite bands MuteMath is back with a new album and a new style on Vitals. 

Coheed and Cambria- The Color Before the Sun

Here is my review of Coheed and Cambria's The Color Before the sun.

Recommended Songs: Island, Ghost, The Audience, and Peach to the Heaven.

3.5/5 Stars

Puscifer- Money Shot

Here is my review of Puscifer's Money Shot.

Recommended Songs: Galileo, The Money Shot, The Remedy, and Autumn.

4.5/5 Stars

MuteMath- Vitals

Here is my review of Mutemath's Vitals.

Recommended Songs: Joy Rides, Vitals, Used to, and Remain. 

4/5 Stars 

Week of Riot Fest

     Riot Fest has become my festival. Before Riot Fest I went to Lollapalooza every year since 2007, but I've skipped the past two years in favor of a better festival, Riot Fest. I have been going since 2013 and I haven't looked back since. In my time at Riot Fest I have learned a few things; it always rains and wrecks the park, every year I run into a celebrity in the park, and every year it has one of the best line festival lineups in the world. This year's bill was topped by No Doubt, System of a Down, Faith No More, and many others. After doing 100,000 dollars worth of damage they had to mover from Humboldt park to Douglas park.

Friday September 11th

      Before we even got to the park the rain came down hard just like clockwork. I knew we were in for a mess of a weekend. We go to the park and the rain had stopped, but it had already done a ton of damage. No time to worry about that now though, into the fray. We stopped in for some italian sandwiches and then made our way to the park. 

Mustard Plug 1:30-

     This was our first band today and nobody warms up fans like a good ska band. Emphasis on good because a bad ska band can be the worst thing you have ever heard. With songs like Skank by Numbers, Mr Smiley, Brain on Ska, and many other they were easily able to win over the crowd with fun danceable songs and even had a bit of a pit going. I was a good way to start the weekend after a quick 30 minutes it was on to the next ska band. 

Fishbone 2:00-

     Fishbone is one of most energetic ska bands ever and their live show did not disappoint. This band has been playing for 25 years and show no sign of stopping. They have become this generations Parliament like Rancid have become this generations Clash. The show had circle pits, inflatable crabs, interpreting dancing, stage diving, and tons and tons of ska. The crowd was going nuts stealing the inflatable crab and letting the lead singer crowd surf on top of it. The singer had ton of crowd interaction and hilarious stage antics. After a quick mosh filled 45 minutes the band took center stage did a jig and bowed.

Living Colour 2:45-

     The Living Colour are very talented rock band who have been playing for 25 years, but most people know them as the band the wrote the Cult of Personality. They did play that song later, but their set had a lot more to it then that. The only real problem with the show was that it was a little bit too quiet. They played 8 songs splitting the songs between core and vivid with a cover of The Clash's Should I Stay of Should I Go. The last two songs were a lot louder than the rest of the set giving the great band the energy they deserved. The lead singer had an amazing voice and gave it everything. They overall music and performance was great, the volume was a bit too quiet until the last two songs. 

88 Fingers Louie 3:30-

     88 Fingers Louie are local Chico punk band that actually had former member move on to start Rise Against. I didn't know anything about this band going into this show but this band was recommended to me over and over again. They played a solid hour of punk music and drove the crowd into a frenzy with a mosh pits that didn't stop until the band left the stage. This band broke up a while ago but are back with a new album on the way. They played 10 songs in an hour of music from 5 albums. You have to love these local punk bands coming back to play riot fest, they always end up having some of the most lively pits in the whole festival. 

Eagles of Death Metal 4:15-

     

The side project from Queens of the Stone Age has been resurrected. Josh Homme played a part in recoding the album, but unfortunately was not a part of the touring band. That aside it hardly mattered as they put on one of the best shows of the weekend. This is how to bring the sexy back in a rock show. The members itself don't do much for me, but this is old school dark blues driven rock just explodes in a live setting. The lead singer/queens of the stone age rhythm guitarist had some frozen fingers but delt with it in a humours was by inciting a guitar battle with the mighty bearded lead guitarist and having the bassist sub in for him. They played ten songs off of all their albums including the upcoming zipper down. The biggest moments were during hits Cherry Cola and I Want You So Hard, where of all people Ke$ha made a cameo on backup vocals. It was not appreciated by the lead singer who gave her a death glare the whole song. This show was blisteringly awesome rock and roll and a highlight of the festival. 

Coheed and Cambria 5:45-

     The next band was a band I have been a fan of for quite some time and was highly anticipating. On the beggining song the speakers crapped out ruining their entrance, but they scoffed it off with a joke. The show served as a greatest his show with songs off of all of their albums including a live debut of Here to Mars from their new album The Color Before the Sun. The band is now 10+ years into this and perform like a well oiled machine. The whole set being greatest hits led to the audience matching singer Claudio word for word on every song, not just Welcome Home, that was the obvious set closer. The biggest crowd reactions actually came during songs like The Devil in Jersey City, Ten Speed, or A Favor House Atlantic. The band was spot on and as always Claudio sounded amazing. They are in the road worthy veteran stage of their career and then do it well.

Anthrax 7:15-

     I tired to make it over to Flogging Molly for a few songs before making it to the section of immovable crowd and just gave up and made my way over to Anthrax. They we're one of the only metal bands I wanted to see to this weekend. I got there and quickly made my way to the front of the crowd as the band kicked into Madhouse and the audience erupted into a huge mosh pit. It was huge and every way and didn't stop until the final note of Indians ended. They only had time for 7 songs in an hour but it was a monster set of only greatest hits. In truth I would have loved more time with the band, an hour isn't enough for metal legends. From Caught in a Mosh, Got The Time, Antisocial, Fight Em Till You Cant, In the End, and of course Indians they gave the metal crazed crowd something to headband for. After headbanging and watches moshpits for an hour I checked my watch as I had come to the hardest decision on the weekend. Anthrax and Faith No More were overlapping and even with Faith coming on late I was going to have to miss the first song from Faith or the last song from Anthrax. Should have been easy with Indians but Faith weren't pulling punches opening with the new single Motherfucker. I looked back and forth at each stage and then dived back into Anthrax. It was the right decision. Following Indians I sprinted over to Faith No More.

Faith No More 7:45-

     I made my way to the stage just as they were finishing up Be Aggressive into Caffine and Mike Patton was absolutely slaying it. A couple of guys standing next to me agree saying, “Holy Shit he’s underrated, that’s amazing." Next he brought out the biggest one two punch of the weekend with Epic into Midlife Crisis. It was one of if not the best moment of the weekend. After the two biggest hits he said, “Now get out of here you casuals, were digging deeper into this shit.” They played songs off of all of their albums including the great new ones. Separation Anxiety, Superhero, and ive heard Motherfucker was amazing in a live setting. Mike Patton is one of the best live vocalists I have ever seen, up there with Bruce Dickenson and Brandon Boyd. The band was dressed in all white and surrounded by flowers like they were leading a cult to slaughter instead of performing a concert.  They quipped about how calm the audience is asking them if this what a riot looks like and that’s not how they did it in the 90s. They ended their superstar set with a surprise inclusion from Introduce Yourself from their first album. I could have seen another hour from them easy.

Motorhead 9:00-

     After the show I caught a few seconds of No Doubt as was not pleased, Gwen Stefani’s voice annoys me. I made my way over to Motorhead to pay my respects to the rock legends. We weren’t sure this show was even going to happen after Lemmy’s health failed again and he was forced to cancel two shows leading up to this. He came out to huge response of collective respect for the legend. They had to accommodate for his condition slowing down the songs so he could perform, but it didn’t matter this show was as much for him as it was for us. He performed an hour of rock music and we stayed and ate ever minute of it. Come time for the famous Ace of Spades, me and the guy next to me made eye contact and started one last most pit in honor of the living legend, it was only right. They left the stage and ended the show with overkill saying “God gless every fucking one of you”, and that was it.

Saturday September 12th

     This year has gone so much smoother than last. Just not coming back to a homeless person sleeping on my car was a huge improvement for me. Yes that actually happened. This year we stayed down town. So after making a short walk to the train we were back and ready for day two. A quick breakfast and to the park.

FIDLAR 12:50-

      The days first show was again a strong one. I have to keep reminding myself this isn't lollapalooza and good bands can play early. FIDLAR played their brand of skateboard stoner punk and this killed it.   It was a little too light for my friends,, but it was right up my alley. They played for 45 minutes with songs off of both albums including Cheap Beer and Bad Medicine. They actually focussed more on the new sobering up album Too and although it's lighter it still packs a punch. They sounded great but we were too distracted for what came next and left early for GWAR.

GWAR 1:40-

     GWAR have become a yearly staple of Riot Fest's line up, even last year right after lead singer Oderus Urungus past away. That show was a little off then and even the fans knew it, but the grieving has helped and they came back this year with renewed vigor. The show started with a riot fest rep  with a false head coming out and insulting the crowd as GWAR came out and decapitated him shooting his blood on the crowd. This is everything I love about Riot fest, huge mosh pits, giant monster costumes, fake blood, crude jokes, and loud rock music. A GWAR show is just plain fun and at Riot fest even more so. They only had time for 9 songs but they used that time for more important things like giant monter fights and spewing fake blood on the audience. After the horrible loss of their lead singer it's great to see them back to what they do best. I will be back next year and they will be a highlight again.

The Joy Formidable 2:15-

      We used this time slot to get some food but the Welsh band The Joy Formidable were a good backdrop for the afternoon. They only got through 7 songs from their first two albums. I was kind of expecting a sample from the upcoming third album. They last couple of songs were jammed out for upwards of ten minutes each with the set closer Whirring going on for 15 minutes and escalating to a huge blast conclusion. The last time I saw them play whirring they broke their instruments but that must get very expensive, so it's cool I understand. I did really enjoy it maybe next time. Overall though they play a great show. 

The Dead Milkmen 3:00-

     This band takes the cake for being the funniest band of the weekend and that's saying a lot considering Tenacious D played this weekend. This band had some of the best rants I have ever seen. I can't even begin to describe the songs he played it was some of the best written satire songs. They had a lot of time and some of the choruses of the 16 songs seemed yelled at us in improve style. My favorite  quip at the audience was at a fan looking at his phone, "If you don't like us why are you here, they have like 10 bands playing right now. Make up your mind and pick one, or stay and get yelled at, your choice". My favorite song was the one where he told us that the gay people of  Des Moines were building space ships to sneak the gay martians home. There was another one about a small town written from the perspective of the racist. This band was one of the best of the weekend and although definitely not PC, and who cares they are going on my iPod.

The Thurston Moore Band 3:45-

     There wasn't much to say about this band aside from that it's the new project from legendary Sonic Youth singer Thurston Moore. That's not to say that the show was bad but it was really just one hour long jam session, four songs were played but I dare you to show me where they started and ended it all blended together. As for a band to listen to while holding down a great spot for Desaparecidos it was perfect. I probably won't be adding it to my iPod unless i'm in need of droning black metal elevator music. 

Desaparecidos 4:30-

     I already had a good spot for this leading into Thurston Moore and I went up and joined the Connor Oberst fan club in the front row. I love his work with Bright Eyes but I this punk project of his is my favorite. They played a thrashing 13 songs from both albums Read Music/Speak Spanish from 2002 and the one from this year Payola. The set was explosive and amazing from start to finish. Later in the set they brought out fellow punkers the So So Glos for Slacktivist. The audience moshed, jumped, and shouted along to every word as true die hards would.  This set was an hour long and I could have used more as this was one of the best sets of the weekend. I always love Conner Oberst especially live, but his voice fits so well in punk hope it's not his last foray into it. It would be a shame. The set closer of Greater Omaha was one of best moments of the weekend. 

Drive Like Jehu 6:40-

      These guys are hidden gem and in some circles one of the best post hardcore bands of this generation. This was a long jammed out hour with some absolutely blasting instrumentals. They only got through 8 songs because they jammed the absolute hell out of them. I didn't know any of their music going into the set but I have a new band to check out now. Some of the best hardcore jamming I have heard since I saw Mogwai.

Rancid 7:40-

     This was hands down the most exciting show of the weekend for me. I love Rancid and Out Come the Wolves is one of my favorite punk albums of all time. The crowd at the show was literally vibrating with excitement. When the band launched into from the opening notes of Maxwell Murder to the closing notes of The Way I Feel the crowd exploded, moshed, threw down, and screamed like you wouldn't believe. The circle pits was so big and so full of mohawks it looked like spin art. This was one of the best punk shows I have ever seen. It was just so huge for a punk festival to have a conert like this, I mean it's why we have punk festivals. Moments like this are the reason that concert addicts like me keep on going. I loved ever second and after the encore of Honnor is All We Know, Fall Back Down, and Radio I quickly made my way over to another huge show but a very different vibe. As I write this Out Come the Wolves spins in the background and the afterglow lives on. 

System of a Down 8:45-

     I full on sprinted over to the System of a Down show making my was as quickly as I could snaking my way behind a chain of hot girls, the best was to move up at a show. Somehow by pure miracle I made it up to the mosh pit just as the opening notes of Deer Dance were still ringing out. I moshed for a few minutes for Tentative and the beginning of Ariels before the mosh pit got out of control and the band had to stop the show because there were people being trampled and face down in the mud not moving. I saw that and got out of there, any mosh pit that doesn't follow rules isn't for me. It was  actually terrifying they had to carry people out on stretchers. I didn't even know until after that they were ok. After backing up and listening to BYOB they had to stop the show a second time to carry out more injured people. The band sounded great playing music from all the albums but Steal This Album. They actually ended up having to cut songs for time lost to injuries which is a shame on so many levels. the fact that the mosh pit couldn't follow the rules it hurts people and lessens the show for everyone. That all said the band still had the biggest singalong of the weekend with Chop Suey!. They ended up closing the set with Prison Song, Toxcitity, and Sugar. I backed up again during Prison song afraid the mosh would loose their cool even more, but they didn't and I got to enjoy the end of the night. People can sometimes get way too hyped up on testosterone and get too violent in pits, but that didn't happen at Rancid. Mosh rules are unwritten law of rock shows for a reason, it keeps people from getting hurt and allows everyone to enjoy the shows. It was a great performance, but Rancid showed the fest in a better light. 

Sunday September 13th

     After the mess that was Sunday with the violent trampling in the System of a Down pit and my friend having serious low blood sugar issues and having to be picked up from the park, we were all a little shaken up. The park was officially destroyed at this point. I'm beginning to wonder if they will have to move to another park next year. Overall the music still ruled the day, and today was a ligther day. So time to relax and chill into the third mud soaked day. 

The Dwarves 2:10-

      Day three was a bit weaker overall and the first band we wanted to see didn't come till 2:10. The Dwarves also happened to be one of the only punk bands on the day. The band brought out special guest Nick Oliveri from Queens of the Stone Age's classic line up. This made me so very happy, the band also has a mascot in the lead guitarist dressed like a gymp. This band is a very fun and funny punk band, but a more mean fun and less cleaver like the Dead Milkmen. They played they whole album Blood Guts and Pussy all the way through and like 17 other songs. Their songs are very short and they had the time to play a lot of them. At the end of the set the gymp took of his jock strap and threw it in to the crowd, the full monty everybody!

New Politics 3:00-

     This band is one of the biggest examples of how the music business can suck the real talent out talented musicians. This band is from Denmark and their first album was actually really good. From there they let american pop music influence their next two albums and all the rock was gone. They are now just another pop rock band with a singer who can break dance. It's truly just sad. 

Less Than Jake 3:45-

     This band was the most fun I had all sunday. As I have always said, a good ska show is hard to top in almost every way. These guys came out swinging, "I'm sorry we know how disappointed you were when had to step in as last minute replacements for Limp Biscut. Yeah I heard Fred Durst had a manscaping appointment." Just like that they were off. From men in pink suits, toilet paper launchers, mascot costumes, and the biggest circle pit I have ever seen, this show had it all. They stuck to a greatest hits show and that was exactly what Sunday needed. They said they wanted to create the biggest circle pit of the weekend and after dancing for a solid 45 minutes I was so tired I didn't know if I wanted to participate, but they played my favorite song Plastic Cup Politics. That was that, I jumped in and it was the biggest circle pit I had ever seen. This show was perfect and exactly what Sunday needed. The set was mostly from Boarders and Boundaries, Anthem, Hello Rockview, and Losing Streak. They dedicated All My Best Friends are Metalheads to riotfest and ended the set Gainsville Rock City as an ode to where they are from. I hope they bring more ska bands next year because they are always some of the most fun.

Kongos 4:25-

       I'm not the biggest fan of Kongos but I have to say that I do really like their song Come With Me Now and their accordions are fun. I really didn't need the rap added in but I really never listened to the whole album. I learned from listening to their set that I really didn't need to listen to the whole album I really only like the one song. Like I said the day was a little weaker, but their wasn't much else to do so I checked out a new band. You win some and you lose some.

Andrew W.K. 5:05-

     Next up was the king of partying and at one point Cultural Ambassador to the Middle East, Andrew WK. The first thing he does is storm the stage and scream, " Who's ready to Party", before jumping into   the opener from I Get Wet, It's Time To Party. The band had four guitarists, one bassist, and three back up singers and dancers. He played most all of I Get Wet as well as Close Calls With Brick Walls. Later in the set he brought out his pizza guitar and threw down an epic guitar solo. His punk and metal infused party anthems really work wonders in a live environment. The thing that really makes his live shows a blast is his unbelievably over the top energy. The man can party like none I have ever seen.

Rodrigo Y Gabriela 5:50-

     Rodrigo Y Gabriela are acoustic duo that play covers of metal and rock anthems. This was the only time we could eat so we made our way to get food and listen to this as our background music. They played a cover of Mettalica's Battery, Megadeth's Holy Wars and punishment Due, Led Zeppelin's Stairway to Heaven, and Iron Maiden's The Trooper. They are amazingly gifted instrumentalists slaying solos in a way I hadn't heard before. I didn't get to watch much of the show because of waiting for food, but I heard it all, and it sounded great!

L7 6:40-

         L7 is one of the most famous Riot riot girl bands of all time and it was a blight on my music knowledge that I hadn't heard of them going into this. I love their style though, it's like someone combined Garbage and Alice in Chains. They took the stage in typical riot girl force blasting into Deathwish. This tour is actually the reunion tour and both the band and the fans seemed to be having a blast at one of a very few reunion shows. Throught the show the band would banter with the audience, “Put those cameras down. With that angle I would need a lawnmower to cut my nose hair out of the shot." They had and an hour to play 14 songs off of 4 albums. They mostly stuck to bricks are heavy and Hungry for Stink. They thrashed their way through a very tight set of grunge tinted punk songs. They finally got to the song even I knew and launched into Pretend That Were Dead, and the whole audience sang along. Following that they ended the night with a lightning speed Fast and Frightening. They may have been the only riot girl act of the weekend, but after their set I hope to see more next year.

Tenacious D 7:40-

     

Modest Mouse may have been the set headliner but if you looked at the crowd it became obvious that Tenacious D were the real headliner of the night. They wasted no time jumping right into Tribute and stirring the crowd into a frenzy and a giant sing-along. Jack’s voice sounded great as usual and Cage strummed the guitar almost perfectly. But it doesn’t hurt that their band is made up of all-star rock musicians. The last time I saw them it was members of Bad Religion. From Tribute they jumped into three songs from Rise of the Phoenix; title track, Low Hanging Fruit, and Throw Down. Afer that Jack gave a speech about he loved Chicago and he wasn’t just saying that because he was in the city at the time. He also made a jab at 2^nd city. The giant sing-alongs to Kickapoo, The Metal, Beelzeboss, and Fuck Her Gently were up there with the best parts of the whole festival. Throught the night we was hilariously demeaning his roadie making him change his shirt repeadedly and insulting him. It was all a set up to the song Roadie made for Brutal Legend. For the intro for Beezleboss they did a bit about how their guitarist was looking strange and had become possessed by the devil  and had taken him over. The best bit of the night was the song Jazz where they announced that they only played the old stuff because they were contractually obligated and wanted to show us their new direction.  They fucked around for a few minutes playing the music of their new record and Jack joked they would have to kick them off the stage because they were never going to stop playing jazz. This was overall one of the best set of the weekend and I can say that without it’s inclusion in sudays lineup it would have been pathetically weak.

Modest Mouse 8:45-

     I walked over to Modest Mouse and caught  few minutes of Snoop Dog as he came on 20 minutes late he was just now playing Drop It Like Its Hot. After receiving a message from the side he yelled at the audience that no one was going to cut his set short, but a few seconds later they did and he was pissed. As Modest Mouse started up I seemed to be the only one that noticed a hot air balloon inflate behind and snoop dog jump on before it quickly took off. It was very strange. Modest Mouse opened the set with Night on the Sun. They seemed a little quiet so I spend a lot of time slowly making my way up to the front. They played songs off of all of their records even the older stranger ones, but focussed on Strangers to Ourselves and We were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank, as they should. The backing band is huge with; horns, strings, guitars, basses, and several drummers. The first half of the set was a very random set of old songs from weird albums and new ones with the exception of Missed The Boat. I wasn't until halfway thought the set when the hit parade started with Lampshades of Fire quickly followed by Dark Center of the Universe from The Moon and Antartica. The show quickly became the zany dance party we all wanted it to be. The next few songs really stired the crowd up as Dashboard, Float on, The Ground Walks With Time in a Box concluded the hit frenzy and they said they were incorrect on time and had to end the show with Float On. I started to make my was a way back as I heard them come back on and say the strict curfew was now limp curfew and ended the show with an encore of Spitting Venom. 

     This festival has now become my yearly festival and after three years I have noticed a few constants.  Every year this festival gets hands down one of the best festival lineups of the year, every year it rains and turns the fest into mud fest, every year the park get destroyed by punks who mosh anyway, and every year regardless of all the festivals logistical problems it is one of the most fun weekends ever for a bunch of rock music fans. The other fun bit is that for the past two years I have had a celebrity interaction. The first year I ran into Tom Delounge of Blink 182 in a mosh pit, and last year I pissed off Pete Wentz of Fall Out Boy and he kicked me into a pit. This year sadly I didn't have a direct celeb interaction, but I did see a very awkward back up singer as Kesha sang back up for the Eagles of Death Metal without the groups permission. I also saw an angry Snoop Dogg leave the fest in a hot air balloon. It remans to be seen after destroying another park again if they will be back in Douglas park next year, but wherever they go next year I will be there. Here are some of the cool photos I took in the park.