Inkcarceration Music & Tattoo Festival 2024 Headlined By Shinedown, Godsmack & Breaking Benjamin first appeared on Game On Media.

Welcome To Rockville

2024 Lineup Announced

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Foo Fighters, Mötley Crüe, Slipknot, Jelly Roll, Disturbed, Limp Bizkit,

Queens of the Stone Age, Judas Priest, Greta Van Fleet, Evanescence, Falling In Reverse,

A Day To Remember, Breaking Benjamin, Bad Omens, & More

Lead Incredible & Diverse Rock Lineup

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Festival Expanding By Adding 5^th Stage & 50 Bands To Feature 150 Bands

In Total Over 4 Days, May 9-12, 2024

At Daytona International Speedway In Daytona Beach, FL

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Passes On Sale Now At www.WelcomeToRockville.com

With Payment Plans Available For $24 Down

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After record-breaking attendance of over 170,000 music fans over four days in 2023, Welcome To Rockville returns to Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida to kick off the festival season bigger and better than ever May 9-12, 2024. Festival producer Danny Wimmer Presents is excited to announce the addition of a 5^th music stage and 50 additional bands, bringing the total music lineup to an impressive 150 bands for Welcome To Rockville 2024.

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The initial music lineup for the 13^th year of Welcome To Rockville is the festival’s most powerful collection of artists yet and features an array of talent not-to-be-missed including Foo Fighters, Mötley Crüe, Slipknot, Jelly Roll, Disturbed, Limp Bizkit, Queens of the Stone Age, Judas Priest, Greta Van Fleet, Evanescence, Falling In Reverse, A Day To Remember, Breaking Benjamin, Bad Omens, The Offspring, Mudvayne, Koe Wetzel, Stone Temple Pilots, Primus, Cypress Hill, Sum 41, a rare appearance by Mr. Bungle, and many others. Look for festival producer Danny Wimmer Presents to announce additional bands in early 2024, including the campground kick-off party lineup.

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Welcome To Rockville passes are on sale now with payment plans available for just $24 down at www.WelcomeToRockville.com.

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Nikki Sixx of Mötley Crüe said, “We couldn’t be more excited to come back to Florida. Welcome To Rockville is one of the biggest festivals in the world, and it’s going to be a highlight for us in 2024.”

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“Welcome To Rockville isn’t just a music festival, it’s where the magic of rock meets the essence of community, creating an unforgettable experience that resonates with fans around the globe,” says Chamie McCurry, Chief Marketing Officer at Danny Wimmer Presents. “2024 marks an exciting year for us as we have our biggest lineup ever with over 150 bands (50 more than in 2023)! We’ll be welcoming Mötley Crüe to the Rockville community for the first time, celebrating 25 years of Slipknot, 50 years of Judas Priest, the return of Foo Fighters, and so many more must see moments!”

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“The record-breaking number of fans certainly proved that when it comes to rock music, there’s no place better than Daytona International Speedway,” said DIS President Frank Kelleher. “This past Welcome To Rockville produced one of the most electric atmospheres we’ve seen at The World Center of Racing, and we’re looking forward to welcoming all those fans back next year alongside a seriously talented lineup of performers.”

The current Welcome To Rockville 2024 music lineup is as follows, with more to be announced:

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Foo Fighters, Mötley Crüe, Slipknot, Jelly Roll, Limp Bizkit, Disturbed, Queens of the Stone Age, Greta Van Fleet, Evanescence, Falling In Reverse, A Day To Remember, Breaking Benjamin, Bad Omens, Judas Priest, The Offspring, Mudvayne, Koe Wetzel, Stone Temple Pilots, Primus, Cypress Hill, Sum 41, Mr. Bungle, In This Moment, Architects, Royal Blood, Anthrax, Black Veil Brides, Polyphia, Kerry King, Skillet, Theory of a Deadman, Flyleaf W/ Lacey Sturm, Wage War, Clutch, Tech N9ne, Mammoth WVH, STARSET, Living Colour, Machine Head, Insane Clown Posse, In Flames, Slaughter To Prevail, The Ghost Inside, The Struts, P.O.D., Code Orange, Electric Callboy, L7, The Amity Affliction, Baroness, Shadows Fall, Atreyu, August Burns Red, Of Mice & Men, All Them Witches, Apocalyptica, THE CHATS, Kittie, Movements, Sebastian Bach, Jehnny Beth, Stabbing Westward, All That Remains, Kid Kapichi, Reignwolf, Dirty Honey, Fear Factory, Enter Shikari, Polaris, Saliva, Magnolia Park, Amigo The Devil, Austin Meade, The Word Alive, New Years Day, Kublai Khan TX, Bob Vylan, Mushroomhead, Red Fang, Currents, Helmet, Drain, Kim Dracula, Biohazard, Nitzer Ebb, Soulfly, Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes, FLAT BLACK, Nova Twins, Miss May I, Skindred, Alien Ant Farm, Drowning Pool, Taproot, ORGY, Destroy Boys, Taipei Houston, Terror, Gel, Fleshwater, Scowl, Militarie Gun, Nita Strauss, Dead Poet Society, LACUNA COIL, PLUSH, SiM, Cold, Powerman 5000, Nonpoint, HED PE, Trust Company, Point North, Blind Channel, Adema, The Chisel, SPITE, Harms Way, Bodysnatcher, I SEE STARS, RAIN CITY DRIVE, Crobot, Sleep Theory, Imminence, Tim Montana, Gatecreeper, Return To Dust, StrateJacket, Eva Under Fire, Afterlife, Bad Nerves, Another Day Dawns, GIDEON, FIRE FROM THE GODS, Catch Your Breath, Calva Louise, VUKOVI, Citizen Soldier, KILL THE ROBOT, Moon Fever, Dying Wish, thrown, Stick to Your Guns, HotBox, TX2, Lø Spirit, and Fuming Mouth.

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In addition to 150 music artists and five stages during the four-day event, Welcome To Rockville also offers amusement rides, a giant water slide, artwork installations, partner experiences, award-winning spirits, and delectable eats.

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Metal Injection called Welcome To Rockville “the undeniable crown jewel of large-scale musical events” and WKMG-TV praised it as “a heavy metal and rock fan’s paradise.”

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All passes for Welcome To Rockville are on sale now, after selling out the Early Bird allotment, setting the stage for the biggest Rockville yet. The full list of pass options and prices can be viewed at https://welcometorockville.com/passes/. Festivalgoers are encouraged to buy early to save, as pass prices increase throughout the coming months, based on quantities of each pricing level. A limited number of specially priced tickets for military personnel and first responders are on sale now via GovX, while supplies last.

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Festival attendees can enhance their Welcome To Rockville experience by camping right on the field at Daytona International Speedway. Camping offers the quickest access to the stages and comes with in and out festival privileges. The festival campgrounds are open Wednesday, May 8 through Monday, May 13. Details for the official Welcome To Rockville pre-party for campers and the 2024 camping theme will be announced early next year. RV and tent camping passes are on sale now as an add-on to festival pass purchases. Driver/Owner Lot and Red RV camping passes are sold out, but a waitlist is available. Camping amenities include indoor restrooms and showers, in and out privileges, and a general store for supplies.

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The JamPack hotel package also allows patrons to bundle festival passes, hotel and more and save up to 41%. Visit https://welcometorockville.com/passes/ for details.

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Fans are also invited to experience the thrill of Welcome To Rockville in an enhanced way with a VIP experience pass. VIP passholders have access to an array of exclusive privileges that elevate the festival experience to a new level. VIP passholders have access to all GA areas as well as a commemorative VIP laminate and wristband for access to dedicated Festival VIP Fast Track entrance lanes, and exclusive access to all VIP lounges, which feature shaded patio areas with misters, comfortable furniture, and live audio and video streams of both headliner stages. VIPs will have dedicated viewing areas at each main stage, access to a private festival merchandise booth**, dedicated guest services team, private locker rentals with charging capabilities**, air conditioned and flushable restrooms, and premium food and drink offerings** (**for additional purchase).

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In addition, the coveted Daytona Owner’s Club VIP returns and offers exclusive access to an enclosed air-conditioned lounge with a private hosted bar, comfortable seating, and live audio and video of both main stages, as well as access to an elevated and shaded platform to view a main stage. Additional amenities include complimentary hors d’oeuvres and light bites curated by renowned Chef Anthony Lamas during lunch and dinner hours, a dedicated festival merchandise booth**, complimentary Wi-Fi, air-conditioned and flushable restrooms, private locker rentals with charging capabilities**, a dedicated “Owner’s” services team, dedicated Owner’s Club Fast Track entrance lanes, and one premium parking pass included with each Daytona Owner’s Club Pass order (**for additional purchase).

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Welcome To Rockville is produced by Danny Wimmer Presents, one of the largest independent producers of destination music festivals in America.

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Welcome To Rockville is proud to announce its 2024 premier partners: Bud Light, Bud Light Seltzer, Jack Daniel’s, and Lyte.

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For more information on #WelcomeToRockville, visit:

Website: www.WelcomeToRockville.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/welcometorockville

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rockvillefest

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/welcometorockville

#welcometorockville

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(2023 Welcome To Rockville crowd by Nathan Zucker)

Welcome To Rockville 2024 Expands to 5 Stages and 150 Bands Led By Foo Fighters, Mötley Crüe, Slipknot, Limp Bizkit first appeared on Game On Media.

The Blue Ridge Rock Festival tried to improve on the previous year’s festival, once again taking over the campgrounds near the Virginia International Raceway in rural Alton, Virginia on September 7, 2023.

On the plus side, they reduced the number of stages down to 4, and laid them out in a way that you could easily move between the side-by-side main stages and the two supporting stages. They seemed to have more accessible food and drink stations. Reports from the campgrounds were that facilities were improved.

The day started out great, with scorching sunlight and slamming sets from a variety of metalcore bands. We were able to catch sets on all 4 stages, including Stitched Up Heart, Vince Neil and Highly Suspect on the Zyn Main Stage; Kingdom Collapse, Stephen Pearcy and Coheed & Cambria on the Monster Energy Main Stage; Vended on the Famous Monsters Stage; and D.R.U.G.S. on the Smartpunk Records Stage.

Suddenly, just as Coheed & Cambria finished their first song, the PA was cut and the screens and big voice alerted the massive crowd that a storm was coming and we needed to evacuate. Campers were sent back to the campground. Everyone else was instructed to wait in line for the “dozens” of school buses which the festival had purchased to drive them back to their parking lot, which was 5 miles away down single-line, winding country roads, where they could wait out the storm in their vehicles, before later being shuttled back to the festival grounds to watch whichever bands remained on the schedule.

I don’t know the actual math, but the logistics of moving tens of thousands of people five miles away in “dozens” of school buses ahead of an impending storm simply did not add up. In fact, it took longer than 4 hours to shuttle everyone back to the remote parking lots, meaning that the majority of them were just standing in a cattle call lineup as the storm did hit the festival for about 15-20 minutes of high winds, driving rain and even hail. It seems unlikely that they would be able to return anyone from the parking lots back to their cars in time to see any more performances. Perhaps the only ones who would have been able to see any more shows were the ones who had already been standing in line for more than 3 hours, waiting on a bus.

The first evacuation message came at 7:01 PM. At 7:15 PM, the message was sent that “Shuttle busses are continually loading now.” and that fans waiting to be returned to their vehicles should “Please be patient.”. Around 8:00, after the storm had ended, there was a social media post explaining that the remote venue had no curfew and the festival organizers were working with the 4 headliners for each stage to be able to return fans to the venue and get those performances in. At 10:14 PM, the message was posted claiming that the festival grounds and equipment were “good to go” but that the artists were claiming equipment damage which made it impossible to play. This was a confusing explanation, as none of the headliners had their equipment on stage yet, since their set times were hours away.

The end result was a half day of music, and the passionate and dedicated fans of hard rock music were robbed of the chance to experience Evanescense, Rise Against, Cypress Hill, Five Finger Death Punch, Tech N9ne, Machine Head, Blessthefall, Staind and Three Days Grace. This left a bad taste in the mouths of many, but hope remained for a rocking 3 days to come.

BRRF23 Day 1

7 photos

Blue Ridge Rock Festival 2023 Day 1 Half Review first appeared on Game On Media.

The first 100 artists have been announced for Blue Ridge Rock Festival 2023, taking place at Virginia International Raceway in Alton, Virginia from Septmber 7th – 10th, 2023. With 5 headliners yet to be announced, and a total of 144 acts scheduled to appear,

BRRF 23 is shaping up to be THE rock festival of the year.

Get tickets, camping spots, and all lineup and venue information at https://blueridgerockfest.com/

Blue Ridge Rock Festival actively involves their fans in the selection of artists, using social media polls to help set the stage. The first 100 performers for 2023  have been announced:

Pantera, Shinedown, Limp Bizkit, Evanescence, Megadeth, Three Days Grace, Chevelle, Parkway Drive, Pierce The Veil, Motionless In White, Coheed And Cambria, Beartooth, Highly Suspect, Corey Taylor, Coal Chamber, Flyleaf with Lacey Sturm, Bad Omens, Black Label Society, Machine Head, Blue October, The Ghost Inside, Asking Alexandria, Spiritbox, VV, Tech N9ne, Testament, Biohazard, Job For A Cowboy, Cavalera Conspiracy, Jinjer, Vince Neil, Avatar, Static-X, The Amity Affliction, Slaughter To Prevail, Stephen Pearcy, The Black Dahlia Murder, Exodus, Overkill, Electric Callboy, Sleep Token, Atreyu, Finger Eleven, Taproot, Death Angel, Drowning Pool, Trustcompany, Memphis May Fire, Crown The Empire, Dayseeker, Senses Fail, Stabbing Westward, The Color Morale, Cold, CKY, Dope, After The Burial, Emmure, Northlane, Bury Tomorrow, Escape The Fate, Attila, Fit For An Autopsy, Gemini Syndrome, Adema, Alpha Wolf, Woe Is Me, Make Them Suffer, Holding Absence, Born Of Osiris, Kublai Khan Tx, Like Moths To Flames, Upon A Burning Body, Caskets, I Set My Friends On Fire, Vended, Landmvrks, Psychostick, Rain City Drive, Bleed From Within, Bodysnatcher, Stitched Up Heart, Eva Under Fire, Thousand Below, Angelmaker, Paleface, No Resolve, Tallah, Catch Your Breath, Ten56., Hanabie, Patient Sixty-Seven, Until I Wake, Dropout Kings, Eternal Frequency and Heartsick.

Campers get a free bonus on-site pre-party on Wednesday night, featuring Scott Stapp of Creed, 10 Years, Nonpoint and Tantric.

One of the great features of Blue Ridge Rock Festival over the years has been its ability to deliver unique special performances. So far, this year’s event promises:

• Parkway Drive bringing their full pyrotechnic performance usually only seen in Europe.
• Cavalera Conspiracy performing a special set of Sepultura songs.
• Electric Callboy exclusive U.S. festival appearance.
• Finger Eleven rare U.S. performance.
• Hanabie U.S. debut.
• Patient Sixty-Seven U.S. debut.
• Cold 30th anniversary performance of “Year Of The Spider” in its entirety.
• Attila performing “About That Life” in its entirety.
• Heartsick fan voted talent search winner.

Once again, BRRF will satisfy its fans desire for band reunions, including:

• Lacey Sturm and Flyleaf original lineup reunion.
• Biohazard original lineup reunion.
• Trustcompany original lineup reunion.
• Woe, Is Me original lineup reunion.
• Coal Chamber reunion.
• Job For A Cowboy reunion.
• Taproot reunion.
• The Color Morale reunion.

In addition to most of your favorite bands playing shows, this fest also showcases some speical lead vocalist solo performances:

• Corey Taylor of Slipknot and Stone Sour.
• Ville Valo of HIM.
• Vince Neil of Motley Crue.
• Stephen Pearcy of Ratt.
• Scott Stapp of Creed.

Blue Ridge Rock Festival offers VIP upgrades, hip-hop after parties, acoustic performances and artist meet-and-greets. Plus plenty of music-based vendors and charities, and all the food and drink options you have come to expect.

Don’t wait. Get tickets, camping spots, and all lineup and venue information at https://blueridgerockfest.com/

For reviews and photos from previous editions of the Blue Ridge Rock Festival, click here.

BRRF22 Day 1

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BRRF22 Day 2

12 photos

BRRF22 Day 3

12 photos

BRRF22 Day 4

10 photos

Blue Ridge Rock Festival 2023 Announces First 100 Artists Including Pantera, Shinedown, Limp Bizkit, Evanescence first appeared on Game On Media.

2022 saw the return to full time touring and consistent album release cycles. With many artists forced off the road for 2 years, creativity flourished and a ton of great music was released in 2022. Nothing gets your heart racing and blood pumping like heavy music. Here are our Five Fave: 2022 Hard Rock & Heavy Metal Albums.

#5 – Slipknot – The End, So Far

Slipknot released “The End, So Far” and it is a unique chapter in their history. Within an hour of music, the band travels roads both familiar and unexpected. The songs are heavy without being frantic. Corey Taylor uses all of his range, from guttural growls to plaintive pleas. If this is “The End”, it is a fitting final chapter. If not, then there are even more exciting days ahead for Maggots around the world.

Standout Tracks: Yen, H377, Finale

#4 – Soulfly – Totem

Soulfly has been a metal machine, turning out 12 albums since 1998. Vocalist / guitarist Max Cavalera has always led the way. His son Zyon Cavalera has been on the drums since 2012 and bassist Mike Leon on bass since 2015. “Totem” plays upon the elements of traditions such as meditation and tribal prayer ceremonies. The trip is bumpy and loud, but well worth taking.

Standout Tracks: Spirit Animal, The Damage Done, Totem

#3 – Motionless In White – Scoring The End Of The World

Chris “Motionless” Cerulli and Motionless In White continue to refine their sound and their songwriting skills. “Scoring The End Of The World” is yet another master class in accessible modern metal. Few vocalists can sing clean and dirty with equal skill, and few bands can wring melodies out of the typical nu-metal chug. Guitarists Ricky “Horror” Olson and Ryan Sitkowski drop in and out of the special effects with perfect timing. Drummer Vinny Mauro and bassist Justin Morrow drive the beat to fit the current mood within each song. MIW has created another dose of horror-pop which should draw even more fans into their wicked web.

Standout Tracks: Werewolf, Masterpiece, We Become The Night

#2 – Machine Head – OF KINGDOM AND CROWN

Robb Flynn, lead singer and guitarist of Machine Head, has done it again. The first album with new band members guitarist Wacław Kiełtyka and drummer Matt Alston is another banger. Jared MacEachern has covered bass and backing vocals for a decade, and the overall sound is familiar. Similar to Dave Mustaine and Megadeth (who narrowly missed this list with their excellent The Sick, the Dying… and the Dead!), you know who you are listening to, no matter who else is filling out the lineup. The concept behind this album is an intertwined tale of Ares, who loses the love of his life and goes on a murderous rampage, and Eros, who loses his mother to overdose, gets depressed and goes on a killing spree, ultimately murdering Ares’ love.

Standout Tracks: N0 G0ds N0 Masters, Arr0ws In W0rds Fr0m The Sky, Bec0me The Firest0rm

#1 – Parkway Drive – Darker Still

Thirty seconds into the opening track of “Darker Still”, fans of Parkway Drive get everything they have come to love from the Australian powerhouse. “Ground Zero” quietly sums up the last 3 years of isolated uncertainty which gripped the world. Winston McCall painfully whispers “The fights, the falls, the scars and broken bones. Beneath it all, the cracks begin to show. The hate, the hurt, we’re no better off alone.” then screams as only he can. Guitarists Jeff Ling and Luke Kilpatrick enter with the heavy, yet hummable riffing and bassist Jia O’Connor and drummer Ben Gordon blast beat into the fray. Just like that, we are off and running and the passion and precision never let up. There is not a missed step on this entire album. It is pure perfection and an emotional journey through the darkness, headed towards the light at the end of the tunnel.

Standout Tracks: Ground Zero, Glitch, Darker Still

Five Fave: 2022 Hard Rock & Heavy Metal Albums first appeared on Game On Media.

Towards the end of every decade, a couple of artists emerge with something different, that leads to new trends for the following decade. In 1969, Led Zeppelin took the final step towards what became heavy metal, which Black Sabbath unleashed upon the 1970’s. In the late 1970’s, Van Halen took the world by storm, leading to a guitar explosion in the 1980’s, with one path towards glam metal and another towards thrash. Guns N’ Roses absorbed everything around them and broke it back down as the 80’s ended. This led to the grunge movement of the 1990’s, where the music and the image was more raw and natural. The 90’s were full of actual alternatives, and by the end, hip-hop was making its way into the mix. The 2000’s launched with rap influences found in the music of Linkin Park, Disturbed, Papa Roach and others. As the 2000’s evolved, bad-ass artist such as Shinedown and Halestorm made music personal, sharing the deepest, darkest parts of themselves, while still inspiring us. When the 2010’s wound down, and sharing had become a way of life, artists began looking outwards, writing about the world around them and hoping to bring about positive changes. Bands like Fire From The Gods and Fever 333 led the way to rocking out for social justice.

2020 has been different in many ways, and music has been a reflection of our shared reality. With a global pandemic, a massive social justice movement, and a heated political situation as background, many artists stood up tall to address everything that was going on all around us. There seem to have been more standalone singles recorded and released this year than any other. Some were cover songs, some were re-imagined, and some were written in direct response to the times. Bon Jovi even went so far as to hold the release of their album (mainly due to the cancellation of their summer tour), and recorded 2 new songs – one about the pandemic, “Do What You Can”, and one about racial injustice, “American Reckoning”.

The first trend to hit was a response to the year’s first crisis. As it quickly became apparent that our doctors, nurses and other essential frontline workers were being impacted the most, bands offered emotional and financial support. Nonpoint re-imagined their pro-soldier song “Frontlines” into a pro-healthcare worker anthem “Remember Me (A Frontlines Tribute)”. Shinedown polished off an unreleased track, “Atlas Falls”, and used it to raise money for Direct Relief, who provides personal protective equipment. Bring Me The Horizon unleashed the song of the year, “Parasite Eve”, perfectly capturing the anxiety and fear that continues to grip us all. Halestorm supported #RoadieStrong, an effort to support suddenly out of work concert crew.

The next gut punch to our collective consciousness was the deliberate murder of George Floyd, which sparked the Black Lives Matter movement to achieve worldwide support. FEVER 333 released “SUPREMACY” in their continuing efforts to inspire Community, Charity, and Change. Robb Flynn and Machine Head released “Stop The Bleeding”, and enlisted Jesse Leach from Killswitch Engage to join him. Black Veil Brides recorded a Bruce Springsteen song from the 1990’s, “American Skin (41 Shots)”.

Everyone expected a fierce political battle as the American Presidency was up for grabs, with the current occupant being our most polarizing figure ever, but his strategy of ignoring and minimizing both the pandemic and racial justice poured fuel on a country quite literally on fire for most of the year. Lamb Of God released an album chock full of sociopolitical commentary. They enlisted Jamey Jasta and Chuck Billy to lend their voices. Tom Morello, Shea Diamond & Dan Reynolds combined on “Stand Up”. Amy Lee and Evanescence released the single “Use My Voice”, accompanied by Within Temptation’s Sharon den Adel, violinist Lindsey Stirling, Halestorm’s Lzzy Hale and The Pretty Reckless’ Taylor Momsen. The band used the song to publicize HeadCount, which encouraged voter registration. System Of A Down responded to the attacks on Artsakh and Armenia with their first new song in 15 years, “Protect The Land”.

In addition to the trends of releasing singles, and supporting social justice causes, the other thing that should be evident by now is the increased level of collaboration between artists. The hip-hop industry has long used guest vocals as a way to enhance each other’s status, and introduce new artists to their audience. The rock world finally seems to be catching on. Hyro The Hero tapped Hellyeah’s Chad Gray on this week’s “Fight”, capping off a year that saw many interesting combinations. This was preceded by Hollywood Undead featuring Papa Roach & Ice Nine Kills on “Heart of a Champion”. They also have Hyro The Hero and Tech N9ne on new tracks. Corey Taylor also tapped Tech N9ne on his solo debut track “CMFT Must Be Stopped”. Islander added AJ Channer of Fire From The Gods on “Freedom”. I Prevail added Joyner Lucas to “DOA”. Breaking Benjamin enlisted Lacey Sturm on a new version of “Dear Agony”. Sixx: A.M. returned in 2020 to headline the opioid crisis Global Recovery Initiatives Foundation benefit single “Maybe It’s Time”, with an all-star cast that includes Corey Taylor, Joe Elliott, Brantley Gilbert, Ivan Moody, Slash, AWOLNATION and Tommy Vext. The Struts enlisted Joe Elliot and Phil Collen of Def Leppard on “I Hate How Much I Want You”. Even Ozzy Osbourne featured Post Malone and Elton John on 2 of his best tracks in decades, “It’s a Raid” and “Ordinary Man”.

If these trends hold true, we can look forward to an exciting decade of rock music, as worlds collide, sounds expand and artists work together to not only make great music, but to leave a positive impact on the world. When concerts and festivals resume, we can only hope that we get to experience some of these musical mashups in person, live on stage.

Top New Trends For Rock Music In The 2020’s first appeared on Game On Media.

Seven months into the 2020 global pandemic, and all we can do is dream about attending festivals, photographing concerts, and interviewing artists. Summer has come and gone, with no Knotfest, Ozzfest, Mayhem or Louder Than Life to satisfy our metal needs. That doesn’t mean we can’t imagine. In the meantime, GameOn.media presents Fantasy Festival Friday – a fictitious concert performed by 5 bands we wish we could watch live in person, at full volume, with all of our rock family in attendance.

On Fantasy Festival Friday #6, get ready to have your eyes and ears blown. Lights, props, costumes, masks, fire – you won’t know where to feast your eyes while your ears are bleeding. Get set for Slipknot, Rob Zombie, In This Moment, Machine Head and Beasto Blanco.

Beasto Blanco kicked things off with a bang. The band is Chuck Garric on guitars and vocals, Calico Cooper on vocals, Brother Latham on guitars, Jan LeGrow on bass and Sean Sellers on drums. They are as exciting visually as they are sonically.

Fantasy Festival 2020 Beasto Blanco

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Machine Head came roaring out of the gate with the 2 singles they released this spring in response to the many social issues facing our country – ‘Stop The Bleeding’ and ‘Bulletproof’. They then pulled from a 3 decade catalog of classic metal, creating a tight set that could have gone on 3 times as long. Robb Flynn has been active and vocal this year, trying to have a positive impact on people. We thank him for it.

Fantasy Festival 2020 Machine Head

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In This Moment was up next, finally getting the chance to perform tracks from their 2020 release “Mother”. Nobody puts more into their stage presentaion than Maria Brink and ITM. The boys in black were clearly enjoying being back on the stage, and played with aggression.

Fantasy Festival 2020 In This Moment

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Kudos to the stage crew for breaking down In This Moment’s gear and revealing Rob Zombie’s elaborate setup, all in the time it took to get a refreshing beverage from concessions. John 5, Piggy D and Ginger Fish emerged from the props, video screens and oversized characters to blaze through a ton of fun sing along grooves. Zombie is a creative genius and force of nature, who just keeps raising his own bar on performance.

Fantasy Festival 2020 Rob Zombie

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If you thought that nothing could top what had already happened, Slipknot put that thought to rest. Boasting the largest band in rock and roll, and perhaps the heaviest songs as well, they are undeniably top shelf. This show featured many songs from the 2019 classic “We Are Not Your Kind”. The Maggots were going wild, with the possibility that this could be the last time they see the band live. As the set continued, they continued back through their catalog, leaving everyone satisfied.

Fantasy Festival 2020 Slipknot

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Quarantine Dreams – Fantasy Festival Friday – Slipknot – Rob Zombie – In This Moment – Machine Head – Beasto Blanco first appeared on Game On Media.

Disciples Of Verity (D.O.V.) Reveals Lyric Video for “The Lost Ones” first appeared on Game On Media.

2020 has been a tumultuous year, to say the least. A worldwide pandemic, an historic human rights movement, and the death of legendary musicians has rocked the world unlike any year in recent memory. Live concerts, festivals and tours have come to a stop. Planned album release cycles have been put on hold. Several artists have released singles that help us connect and deal with the issues that 2020 has forced upon us. These are our Five Fave Rock Singles of 2020 So Far.

#5 – Shinedown – Atlas Falls

“We need music, and each other, now more than ever as we all are witnessing a global pandemic, unlike anything we’ve ever seen in many generations. Years ago during the writing and recording of the ‘Amaryllis’ album, there was a song that meant a great deal to us titled “Atlas Falls.” It has never been more clear to us than right now, that the time has come for the never before heard song, “Atlas Falls” to arrive. We’ve partnered with an incredible organization, Direct Relief, who are doing important work globally to help the medical community receive the protective equipment they need in order to save lives. As the world responds to this global pandemic, we want to offer a message of optimism and faith in humanity. We ask that you share this anthem of strength and show the world how you’re delivering optimism and awareness during this time.” – Shinedown

It won’t pull me down
The weight of impossible days
I’ll stand tall
I’ll rise up and carry us all the way

#4 – Black Veil Brides – American Skin (41 Shots)

“‘American Skin (41 Shots)’ is a song originally written and performed by Bruce Springsteen inspired by the police shooting and death of a young black man named Amadou Diallo in New York City in the late 90’s. Tragically the subject matter of this song is as relevant today as it’s ever been and so we wanted to share with you our own rendition of this song and urge you to donate to support the movement for justice and anti racist organizations. While obviously a song alone will not be an inflection point for societal change, we as artists wanted to share something in support of this incredibly important time in history and direct you to organizations who are at the forefront of effecting real change and fighting against the systemic oppression and racism that the black community and people of color face every single day.” – Black Veil Brides

If an officer stops you
Promise me you’ll always be polite
And that you’ll never ever run away
Promise Mama, you’ll keep your hands in sight

#3 – Machine Head (feat. Jesse Leach of Killswitch Engage) – Stop The Bleeding

“I wrote and sang the lyrics on Wednesday May 27th, 2020, the day that the four officers who murdered George Floyd were (originally) not charged with anything. This day was engulfed in protests and riots across America. I drove into Oakland, past large demonstrations already happening and, in a fury, wrote down everything I was feeling after watching the horrific footage. Within hours, what I wanted to say, what I needed to say, had been recorded in the song.” – Robb Flynn, Machine Head

I stare and look out at the world in disgust
These men are dying over nothing just
Good men stand up and show your bravery
For a lost democracy
Our democracy

#2 – FEVER 333 – Supremacy

“The advantages we predict we will see if crossing demographics musically to proliferate a message that MUST find its way over the barriers of genre. Music and art have served as the catalyst for socially inclined movements for as long as we can remember, but for some reason, at a time where we are now granted the ability to see how deeply flawed our system is, we have slowed the charge for change. FEVER 333 has dedicated its entire platform to that change from its inception with its music, activism, even its own charity fund that sees a percentage of proceeds funneled from all profits the project receives. This is not a marketing method this is a tool for change. Please consider widening this message for the people with FEVER 333 by joining us in this effort.” – FEVER 333

When time turns into history
The story that we’ll tell will be
When we were marching for our lives
You stood on the other side

#1 – Nonpoint – Remember Me (A Frontlines Tribute)

“Essential by definition is something that is absolutely necessary; extremely important. A worker can be defined as person who does a specific kind of work. A person who achieves a specified thing as in, ‘They are working miracles.’ With this video our band is celebrating only one thing. We hope you will join us to honor, give thanks, cheer and revere those who are essential. Who work countless hours and months on end. Who put their lives at risk to keep you safe. Who leave their families just to help you feed yours. Who give their service to brave the frontlines of something mankind faces together. Who you may never meet, have the opportunity to say thank you to or whose name you may never know.” – Nonpoint

Will you remember me?
Can’t you remember why?
Even though you didn’t ask me to
I risk my life for you

Full Lyrics:

Shinedown – Atlas Falls

The push is always part of us
And gravity’s never a friend
Deciding on who we can trust
And finding our way to crescendo, to the unknown

We’ll never make it outside
Lest we unlock the past and release
The future that we’ve left to die
For too long we’ve taken placebos
But the unknown, is awakening

Don’t give up now, there’s already so much at stake
If Atlas falls, I’ll rise up and carry us all the way

No, we can never look back
Return to the salt and the sea
The quiet is only a trap
And I will not take the placebos
‘Cause the unknown is awakening
But I will crescendo

Don’t give up now, there’s already so much at stake
If Atlas falls, I’ll rise up and carry us all the way

It won’t pull me down
The weight of impossible days
I’ll stand tall
I’ll rise up and carry us all the way

Keep moving forward now
Keep your head above the clouds
I’m right with you, I will lift you
Just hold on

Don’t give up now, there’s already so much at stake
If Atlas falls, I’ll rise up and carry us all the way

It won’t pull me down (moving forward now)
The weight of impossible days (keep your head above the clouds)
I’ll stand tall (I’m right with you, I will lift you, just hold on)
I’ll rise up and carry us all the way
I’ll carry us all the way
(Keep moving forward now)

Black Veil Brides – American Skin (41 Shots)

41 shots
And we’ll take that ride
Across this bloody river
To the other side
41 shots
Cut through the night
You’re kneeling over his body in the vestibule
Praying for his life

Is it a gun? Is it a knife?
Is it a wallet? This is your life
It ain’t no secret (It ain’t no secret)
It ain’t no secret (It ain’t no secret)
No secret, my friend
You can get killed just for living in your American skin

41 shots
41 shots
41 shots
41 shots

41 shots
Mary gets her son ready for school
She says, “On these streets, Alex
You’ve got to understand the rules
If an officer stops you
Promise me you’ll always be polite
And that you’ll never ever run away
Promise Mama, you’ll keep your hands in sight”

Is it a gun? Is it a knife?
Is it a wallet? This is your life
It ain’t no secret (It ain’t no secret)
It ain’t no secret (It ain’t no secret)
No secret, my friend
You can get killed just for living in your American skin

Is it a gun? Is it a knife?
Is it in your heart? Is it in your eyes?
It ain’t no secret (It ain’t no secret)
It ain’t no secret (It ain’t no secret)
It ain’t no secret (It ain’t no secret)

41 shots
And we’ll take that ride
Across this bloody river
To the other side
41 shots
I got my boots caked in this mud
We’re baptized in these waters (we’re baptized in these waters)
And in each other’s blood (and in each other’s blood)

Is it a gun? Is it a knife?
Is it a wallet? This is your life
It ain’t no secret (It ain’t no secret)
It ain’t no secret (It ain’t no secret)
No secret my friend
You can get killed just for living in your American skin

Machine Head (feat. Jesse Leach of Killswitch Engage) – Stop The Bleeding

The endless scroll of human tragedy
I swipe along as the days go by
Another brother murdered out in the streets
I connect to the shame, we don’t know what it’s like

Born lucky ’cause the color of skin
America, your heart is caving in
Somehow I thought this was the land of the free
Where is our humanity?
Our humanity

Beating after beating
Throat choked under knee
Help me, please
Because I can’t breathe
Just stop the bleeding
Body after body
Piled up in the streets
Stand and fight
Not another life
Just stop the bleeding

And some will claim it’s a conspiracy
The fake news out to undermine
When riots fight off white supremacy
Never given a choice, so they’re drawing a line

I stare and look out at the world in disgust
These men are dying over nothing just
Good men stand up and show your bravery
For a lost democracy
Our democracy

Beating after beating
Throat choked under knee
Help me, please
Because I can’t breathe
Just stop the bleeding
Body after body
Piled up in the streets
Stand and fight
Not another life
Just stop the bleeding

Our strife
Our struggle
Fight through these open wounds
Our strife
Our struggle
Fight through these open wounds

Beating after beating
Throat choked under knee
Beating after beating
Throat choked under knee
Help me, please
Because I can’t breathe
Just stop the bleeding

Body after body
Piled up in the streets
Stand and fight
Not another life
Just stop the bleeding now
The bleeding now
The bleeding

Our strife (our strife)
Our struggle (our struggle)
Fight through these open wounds

FEVER 333 – Supremacy

Born into a world
Where we’re dying to be free
But we’re living underneath their supremacy
Yeah, yeah, yeah

See I was raised in the west
Where we stay stressed
Where they lie if they have to
To make an arrest
‘Cause we living in the shadow of the suburbs
While the price of this house is going upwards
I don’t understand how
The poor get robbed by the rich
And they calling it a handout
(Aw, hell nah)
And it’s evident
The neighborhood fucked up
Got us sending letters to the president

Tell me, can you hear us?
Through the sounds of the sirens
And you wonder why the streets getting violent
Another mother shed tears at the cemetery
Burying a first born child (damn)
I’ve been watching through the years
Got my nerves firing, waking up screaming
And we live in a cold sweat
Segregated, they consider us a known threat
So we hopeless, ayy

Born into a world
Where we’re dying to be free
(I just wanna be free, let’s go)
But we’re living underneath their supremacy
(Looking out from, we ain’t out from their supremacy)
One day you’ll see us
But until then we’ll all sit and wait
For the rapture
(Ain’t no more waiting)

They trying to relegate my DNA
Break it down into something easier to hate
They afraid of the outcome
‘Cause the race they call human
Keep evolving and they know they will get outrun
(That’s why, huh?)
Still behind on the times, yeah
Protest culture on strike like lightning (damn)
Losing hold and control, so we rising
Put the muzzle on, but we won’t stay silent

Born into a world
Where we’re dying to be free
(I just wanna be free, let’s go)
But we’re living underneath their supremacy
(Underneath, under their supremacy)
One day you’ll see us
But until then we’ll all sit and wait
For the rapture (What you waiting for?)
(Go and get it)

When time turns into history
The story that we’ll tell will be
When we were marching for our lives
You stood on the other side

When time turns into history
The story that we’ll tell will be
When we were marching for our lives
You stood on the other side

When time turns into history
The story that we’ll tell will be
When we were marching for our lives
You stood on the other side

Nonpoint – Remember Me (A Frontlines Tribute)

Will you remember me?
Can’t you remember why?
Even though you didn’t ask me to
I risk my life for you

You may never know my name
You might not even care
But when the world is burnin’ down
You’re gonna want me there
Gonna want me there

On the frontlines
Fightin’ for your life
On the frontlines
Knowin’ tomorrow, I may not be alive
On the frontlines
Fightin’ for your life
On the frontlines
Fightin’ for your life

Fightin’ for your…

When you need protection
Without an agenda
Without an intention
When you’ve given up
You’ve lost your direction
I’ll be your glimmer of hope
I’ll be your north star
I’ll be your north star

On the frontlines
Fightin’ for your life
On the frontlines
Knowin’ tomorrow, I may not be alive
On the frontlines
Fightin’ for your life
On the frontlines
Fightin’ for your life

On the frontlines
Fightin’ for your life
On the frontlines
Knowin’ tomorrow, I may not be alive
On the frontlines
Fightin’ for your life
On the frontlines
Fightin’ for your life

Fightin’ for your life

Five Fave: Rock Singles Of 2020 So Far first appeared on Game On Media.