This is a re-post from our family travel blog, written in 2005.

Wednesday, May 04, 2005

Do You Remember Napster? 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.

Full Music Lineup Announced For

Blue Ridge Rock Festival

September 7-10 At VIRginia International Raceway In Alton, Virginia

Slipknot, Five Finger Death Punch, Staind, Danzig,

I Prevail, Flo Rida, Lorna Shore, Knocked Loose, Polyphia, Insane Clown Posse, Vanilla Ice & More

Just Added To The Lineup

Festival To Feature Performances From Over 100 Bands In Total Over Four Days

Single Day Passes On Sale Now At blueridgerockfest.com

The full music lineup has been announced for Blue Ridge Rock Festival–America’s Largest Rock & Camping Festival–which takes place September 7-10, 2023 at VIRginia International Raceway in Alton, VA. Newly announced artists include: Slipknot, Five Finger Death Punch, Staind, Danzig (performing his self-titled album in full), I Prevail, Flo Rida, Lorna Shore, Knocked Loose, Polyphia, Insane Clown Posse, Vanilla Ice, Project Pat and more.

Blue Ridge Rock Festival features performances from more than 150 music artists including Slipknot, Pantera, Five Finger Death Punch, Shinedown, Evanescence, Limp Bizkit, Till Lindemann: The Voice of Rammstein (exclusive U.S. performance), Staind, Megadeth, Papa Roach, Danzig, Rise Against, Lamb of God, Three Days Grace, Pierce The Veil, Chevelle, Coheed & Cambria and many more.

The festival also hosts a one-of-a-kind Club Experience Thursday through Sunday from 11:00 PM to 2:00 AM, after the Main Festival with performances from some of the biggest and best ‘90s/2000s hip hop/rap legends, including Flo Rida, 2 Chainz, Three 6 Mafia, Soulja Boy, Vanilla Ice, Insane Clown Posse and Project Pat. The Club Experience is only available to three or four day festival campers and is an additional pass purchase.

The daily music lineup for Blue Ridge Rock Festival is as follows (subject to change):

Single day passes have just been released, and are on sale now at https://blueridgerockfest.com. 4-Day General Admission and VIP passes, as well as 3-Day VIP passes are now at level 5 pricing. 3-Day General Admission passes are at level 4 pricing. Fans save by purchasing early, and with the Blue Ridge Rock Festival 3-month payment plan, fans can purchase weekend or single day passes for only 25% down, with no additional fees.

The festival has seen record-breaking sales so far, with 4-Day Rockstar passes and Artist Meet & Greet Passes already SOLD OUT (wait list available). Premium tent camping, TV camping and glamping sites are also SOLD OUT, but a wait list is available. A limited number of standard 5-night tent camping sites are still available, but fans are advised to purchase soon before passes sell out. Blue Ridge Rock Festival has also partnered with Fuse to provide exclusive hotel packages.

Visit https://blueridgerockfest.com/festival-passes/ for full details and to purchase passes.

Independently-owned, Blue Ridge Rock Festival is the home of the “Fan Driven Experience,” with fans voting on the lineup and festival experiences through surveys across social media. What started as a one-day event in 2017 expanded to a 4-day festival in 2022, featuring almost 200 bands and proudly hosting a community of over 150,000 at the VIRginia International Raceway in Alton, Virginia.

Watch the Blue Ridge Rock Festival 2022 after movie here:

www.facebook.com/BlueRidgeRockFest/videos/1629611474183192

Blue Ridge Rock Festival is located at VIRginia International Raceway, 1245 Pine Tree Road in Alton, VA, within a few hours of many major cities including Raleigh, Greensboro, Charlotte, Richmond, Virginia Beach and Washington, DC. In 2022, Blue Ridge Rock Festival  entered into a multi-year agreement with Virginia International Raceway, which allows festival organizers to work on the site year-round.

Blue Ridge Rock Festival is sponsored by ZYN, Monster Energy, on! Nicotine Pouches, URW Credit Union, Fizzy – CBD Infused Soda, Mortus Viventi, and more.

For more information on Blue Ridge Rock Festival, visit:

Website: https://blueridgerockfest.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/BlueRidgeRockFest

Twitter: https://twitter.com/blueridgerock

Instagram: www.instagram.com/blueridgerockfest

Hashtag: #BlueRidgeRock

BRRF22 Day 1

17 photos

BRRF22 Day 2

12 photos

BRRF22 Day 3

12 photos

BRRF22 Day 4

10 photos

Slipknot, Pantera, Shinedown, Evanescence, Limp Bizkit Lead Full Lineup For Blue Ridge Rock Festival 2023 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

17 photos

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.

98ROCKFEST 2022

4/22/22 ◊ Amalie Arena

Godsmack ◊ Three Days Grace ◊ Black Veil Brides
Motionless in White ◊ Ice Nine Kills ◊ Wage War ◊ Jelly Roll ◊ Lilith Czar 

How to get tickets

98ROCKFEST Is On Sale Now – Click Here To Purchase

Follow us on social media | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Ticket Prices

Godsmack to Headline 98 Rockfest 2022 in Tampa first appeared on Game On Media.

 

WJRR Earthday Birthday 28 Returns to Central Florida Fairgrounds in Orlando April 23, 2022 first appeared on Game On Media.

Korn, Disturbed, Breaking Benjamin, Evanescence To Headline 2022 Inkcarceration Music & Tattoo Festival first appeared on Game On Media.

Saint Asonia Start Virtual Social Distance Tour first appeared on Game On Media.

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT:
SΔINT ΔSONIΔ

What happens when you mix members of Three Days Grace, Staind, and Art of Dying? You get a legendary supergroup called SΔINT ΔSONIΔ! Vocalist Adam Gontier, guitarist Mike Mushok, bassist Cale Gontier, and drummer Cody Watkins came together to create their signature raw sound. Although ansonia means tonedeaf-ness, the band is anything but that. If you’re ready to rock out to heavy riffs and vulnerable lyrics, be sure to listen to their October release FLAWED DESIGN, and check out SΔINT ΔSONIΔ Saturday May 16th on the Main Stage.

LEARN MORE

Want to see SΔINT ΔSONIΔ on Saturday, May 16th?!

BUY PASSES NOW

Sonic Temple Artist Spotlight – Saint Asonia first appeared on Game On Media.

N.A.T.I.O.N. TRACKLIST: 1.  I’ll Be There 2.  No Messiah 3.  Learn To Walk Again 4.  Killing Me Slowly 5.  Better Off This Way 6.  Foe Or Friend 7.  Sober 8.  Back In The Days 9.  The Consumerist 10. Heaven So Heartless 11. Crying Game 12. LA Song

Bad Wolves Release Powerful New Track “Sober” first appeared on Game On Media.

GET A SNEAK PEEK OF THE FORTHCOMING VIDEO FOR SAINT ASONIA’S “THE HUNTED” — STARRING YOU!

Insert Yourself Into The New Saint Asonia Video “The Hunted” first appeared on Game On Media.

Breakout rock band Bad Wolves announce their sophomore album, N.A.T.I.O.N., and release date, Friday, October 25th, via Eleven Seven Music. Pre-order HERE and receive an immediate download of tracks “Killing Me Slowly” and “I’ll Be There.” Bad Wolves have proven to be the unprecedented global breakthrough rock act of 2018 and aim to continue that momentum with N.A.T.I.O.N. The stunning 12-track follow-up to their debut album, Disobey, is a bit of a departure – staying in the same realm musically, but breaking beyond. As vocalist Tommy Vext explains, “We’ve honed it in and really delivered a more focused version of Bad Wolves’ sound. Basically, it’s like pouring steroids on everything we love about the first record to create an album that’s a roller coaster of emotional experience.” Founding member and drummer John Boecklin adds, “N.A.T.I.O.N. is definitely a big step in the right direction, we’re still evolving. It’s only our second record and I’m very excited about it.” Stream the newly released melodic rock anthem “Killing Me Slowly”  in addition to their previously released heavier, riff-driven track, “I’ll Be There,” and video HERE. The band is wrapping up the last stretch of their summer tour with Papa Roach, which ends on Sunday, September 1st, in Las Vegas, Nevada. They will support Five Finger Death Punch on their headlining arena tour, beginning Friday, November 1st, in Las Vegas, through its 28 dates, culminating on Wednesday, December 18th, in Omaha, Nebraska. Tickets and VIP offers are available HERE. Full routing available below. Bad Wolves consists of vocalist Tommy Vext (ex-Divine Heresy), drummer John Boecklin (ex-DevilDriver), guitarist Doc Coyle (Vagus Nerve, ex-God Forbid), guitarist Chris Cain (Bury Your Dead), and bassist Kyle Konkiel (ex-In This Moment). They released their debut, Disobey (May 2018), via Eleven Seven Music. The album reached #22 on the Billboard Top 200, #2 on the Hard Rock Chart, #4 on Rock, and #8 on the Top Current Albums Chart. Their global breakout single, “Zombie,” is platinum in the U.S. and Sweden, double platinum in Canada, gold in Australia and IMPALA Diamond in Europe. The track has topped charts worldwide, including the U.S. iTunes overall and rock charts, Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Songs chart, Spotify’s Global Viral 50 chart, while also reigning atop the Active Rock radio chart for three straight weeks. The album yielded the follow-up tracks “Hear Me Now,” featuring label-mate Diamante, and the soaring ballad “Remember When,” which both reached #1 at Active Radio. The official music video for “Zombie,” a tribute to the late singer Dolores O’Riordan of The Cranberries and an homage to the original, has garnered over 255 million views across platforms. On June 19th, 2018, Bad Wolves presented a $250,000 check to Dolores O’Riordan’s four children, with a continued promise to donate all of their royalties to the children. BAD WOLVES 2019 TOUR DATES: Festivals August 28, 2019 – Grand Island, NE – Heartland Events Center at the Nebraska State Fair w/ Papa Roach, Asking Alexandria August 23, 2019 – Chicago, IL – Aragon Ballroom August 24, 2019 – Bonner Springs, KS – Providence Medical Center Amphitheater August 27, 2019 – Denver, CO – Fillmore Auditorium August 30, 2019 – Phoenix, AZ – Comerica Theatre August 31, 2019 – Hollywood, CA – Hollywood Palladium September 1, 2019 – Las Vegas, NV – Downtown Las Vegas Events Center- DLVEC w/ Five Finger Death Punch, Three Days Grace, Fire From the Gods November 1, 2019 –Las Vegas, NV –The Joint @ Hard Rock November 2, 2019 –Las Vegas, NV –The Joint @ Hard Rock November 5, 2019 –Tucson, AZ –Tucson Arena November 7, 2019 –El Paso, TX –Don Haskins Center November 9, 2019 –Corpus Christi, TX –American Bank Center November 10, 2019 –Beaumont, TX –Ford Park Center November 12, 2019 –Baton Rouge, LA –Raising Cane’s River Center Arena November 13, 2019 –Huntsville, AL –Von Braun Center Arena November 15, 2019 –Pensacola, FL –Pensacola Bay Center November 16, 2019 –Estero, FL –Hertz Arena November 18, 2019 –Jacksonville, FL –Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena November 20, 2019 –Columbia, SC –Colonial Life Arena November 22, 2019 –Greensboro, NC –Greensboro Coliseum November 23, 2019 –Chattanooga, TN –Mckenzie Arena November 26, 2019 –Columbus, OH –Nationwide Arena November 27, 2019 –Youngstown, OH –Covelli Centre November 29, 2019 –Knoxville, TN –Thompson-Boling Arena November 30, 2019 –North Charlestown, SC –North Charlestown Coliseum December 2, 2019 –Norfolk, VA –Ted Constant Convocation Center December 3, 2019 –Allentown, PA –PPL Center December 5, 2019 –Toledo, OH –Huntington Center December 6, 2019 –Lexington, KY Rupp Arena December 8, 2019 –Peoria, IL –Peoria Civic Center- Expo Hall December 9, 2019 –Fort Wayne, IN –Allen County War Memorial Coliseum December 11, 2019 –Madison, WI –Alliant Energy Center- Veterans Memorial December 12, 2019 –Duluth, MN –Amsoil Arena December 14, 2019 –Des Moines, IA –Wells Fargo Arena December 15, 2019 –Omaha, NE –Chi Health Center BAD WOLVES 2020 TOUR DATES: Tour dates with FFDP and Megadeth to be announced 9/9/19.

Photo credit: David Jackson

Bad Wolves Album N.A.T.I.O.N. Arrives October 25 first appeared on Game On Media.

 

Chevelle Announces Intimate Headline Dates and Festival Appearances first appeared on Game On Media.

SAINT ASONIA RELEASE BRAND NEW SONG “THE HUNTED” FEATURING GODSMACK’S SULLY ERNA — LISTEN! U.S./CANADIAN OUTFIT FOUNDED BY CURRENT + FORMER MEMBERS OF STAIND + THREE DAYS GRACE SECOND STUDIO ALBUM + SPINEFARM DEBUT “FLAWED DESIGN” DUE OUT THIS FALL SAINT ASONIA — featuring vocalist Adam Gontier, guitarist Mike Mushok, bassist Cale Gontier, and drummer Sal Giancarelli — have just dropped “The Hunted,” the first single from their forthcoming second album and Spinefarm Records debut “Flawed Design,” due out this fall. Listen to “The Hunted,” featuring Godsmack’s Sully Erna HERE and HERE. “‘The Hunted’ is a song about struggling to find your place in life,” Gontier said. “It’s a solid representation of the direction Saint Asonia is headed. I’m excited to share this with the world. And it’s an awesome bonus having Sully from Godsmack guesting on it.” Mushok concurs, “I’m very excited for everyone to get a taste of what the new Saint Asonia album is going to sound like and I think that having ‘The Hunted’ as our first single is a great representation of where the band is going. It’s also a huge honor to have a longtime friend — Sully Erna, whose musicianship I’ve admired for years — be a guest on this song.” Right from the start, Saint Asonia – named Loudwire’s Best New Artist of 2015 – have been fueled by a single vision: to put music and emotion first and to deliver recordings that aren’t overly produced or messed around with. It’s a vision that’s reflected in the very name of the band, which is derived, with a grin, from the desire to block out distraction and focus on the purely creative. “Asonia” is the term for “tone deafness” and it’s a vision that very much underpins the latest studio recordings. Saint Asonia sparked into life four years ago when former Three Days Grace frontman Gontier and Staind guitarist/founding member Mike Mushok (also an important part of the Newsted setup in 2013) decided to turn their joint ambition to make music that is “raw, real, and straight from our hearts” into a new band and a fully-fledged studio outing. The result was their acclaimed self-titled debut, released in 2015, which charted Top 10 in Canada and entered the Billboard U.S. Rock Albums chart at #2. The album was driven by the Top 10 radio tracks “Better Place” and “Let Me Live My Life,” as well as the high-concept video to the featured track “Fairy Tale.” Given the pedigree and profile of the musicians involved —they are collectively responsible for 28 Top 10 U.S. Rock Radio hits, including 17 #1s — the demand was immediately there for Saint Asonia to take to the road. Following an inaugural main stage appearance at Rock on the Range in 2015, the band set off on U.S. amphitheater tours with Breaking Benjamin and Disturbed. In Europe, they guested on an arena run with Mötley Crüe, visiting the UK, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Sweden, and Finland, as well as playing several dates in Russia and Eastern Europe. As a consequence, Gontier has been back to the region for extensive solo acoustic shows. With Adam’s cousin Cale Gontier of Canadian band Art of Dying on bass and Staind’s Sal Giancarelli on drums, the latest Saint Asonia lineup is now primed for a comprehensive live campaign in support of the forthcoming sophomore release; this will include key festivals and headline shows, both at home and abroad. With a new deal in place and a new chapter primed to unfold, the four musicians are keen to place as much emphasis on the international arena as continuing to build their success story at home. “This new album is a giant step forward for us in many ways,” says the frontman. “Of course, there’s those elements that have always been present in the music, like the heavy riffs and the vulnerability within the lyrics. But there’s also a completely new element that takes things to a different level. Our goal is to raise the bar on every record, so we’re incorporating a lot of different sounds and instruments on this one. For me, this is the best stuff I’ve written since 2005. I guess you’ll have to hear it to judge for yourself!” SAINT ASONIA ONLINE: https://www.facebook.com/saintasonia https://twitter.com/saintasonia https://saintasonia.com/ https://www.instagram.com/SaintAsonia/ Spinefarm Records: https://www.facebook.com/spinefarm https://twitter.com/Spinefarm http://www.spinefarmrecords.com/usa/ https://instagram.com/spinefarmrecords/ https://www.youtube.com/user/SpinefarmRec

Sully Erna of Godsmack Joins Saint Asonia on New Single first appeared on Game On Media.

Louder Than Life

The World’s Largest Rock ‘N’ Roll Whiskey Festival

Returns To Louisville Bigger And Better

With Most Thrilling Music Lineup In Its History Featuring

Friday: Slipknot, Staind, A Day To Remember

Saturday: Guns N’ Roses, Godsmack, Ice Cube

Sunday: Disturbed, Rob Zombie, Marilyn Manson

Including Guns N’ Roses First Performance In 2019

And Staind’s First Show In Five Years

September 27, 28 & 29

At Festival’s New Home

Highland Festival Grounds At KY Expo Center

Tickets On Sale Today, April 8 At 9:00 AM ET

Starting At Just $69.50

Louder Than Life, the World’s Largest Rock ‘N’ Roll Whiskey Festival, returns to Louisville, KY even bigger and better in its fifth year, with festival producers delivering the most spectacular music lineup since the festival began in 2014. Louder Than Life will feature the Danny Wimmer Presents debut of quintessential rock band Guns N’ Roses (in their first appearance since performing in Hawaii in December 2018), the return of chart-topping, festival favorites Slipknot and Disturbed, a reunited Staind (in their first public performance in 5 years), Godsmack, Rob Zombie, A Day To Remember, Ice Cube, Marilyn Manson, Breaking Benjamin, Chevelle, Halestorm, and many more.

Produced by premier independent festival producer Danny Wimmer Presents, Louder Than Life will be held at its new home at Highland Festival Grounds at KY Expo Center on Friday, September 27, Saturday, September 28 and Sunday, September 29.

Louder Than Life will feature more than 50 music acts, with performances on three stages, along with award-winning bourbons, whiskey, spirits, craft beer, and the best food Louisville has to offer. Festival attendees will also enjoy a variety of onsite food and beverage experiences, as well as sponsor activations that celebrate the bourbon culture and culinary heritage of this unique American city.

“We wouldn’t be living up to the name Louder Than Life if we didn’t come back bigger and badder than ever, giving fans something they can’t see anywhere else,” says festival producer Danny Wimmer. “Getting Staind back together and plugged in on the main stage is something that I’ve been working on for years. These are songs that need to be heard, that fans have been dying to hear — Staind has been one of the most requested bands on our socials, and it’s an honor to be bringing their music back for the fans at Louder Than Life.”

Wimmer continues, “Slipknot has always had some of the most loyal, rabid fans in rock, but now they are at that pivotal moment when they’ve crossed over into iconic status; Disturbed has had their best touring numbers to date this year; then top it off with one of the biggest rock bands of all time in Guns N’ Roses…this year is our most massive lineup yet.”

Louder Than Life exclusive VIP packages, General Admission  tickets, camping and hotel packages go on sale today, Monday, April 8 at 9:00 AM ET.

Visit www.LouderThanLifeFestival.com for details.

Fans interested in attending all three DWP weekends at KY Expo Center, also including Hometown Rising Country Music & Bourbon Festival (September 14-15) and Bourbon & Beyond (September 20-22), can purchase a special Trifesta Pass, which allows General Admission weekend access for the discounted rate of only $229.00 plus fees. Visit https://trifestapass.com for more information.

The current music lineup for Louder Than Life is as follows (subject to change):

Friday, September 27:

Slipknot, Staind, A Day to Remember, Chevelle, I Prevail, Architects, Beartooth, Motionless In White, Philip H. Anselmo & The Illegals, GWAR, The Crystal Method, Graveyard, Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes, New Years Day, All Them Witches, Crown Lands, Joyous Wolf, Dead Posey, Santa Cruz and more

Saturday, September 28: Guns N’ Roses, Godsmack, Ice Cube, Halestorm, Dropkick Murphys, Stone Temple Pilots, Suicidal Tendencies, Melvins, Andrew W.K., Badflower, Knocked Loose, Anti-Flag, Redd Kross, Parlor Mob, Like A Storm, Jelly Roll, Dirty Honey, DED, JunkBunny and more

Sunday, September 29: Disturbed, Rob Zombie, Marilyn Manson, Breaking Benjamin, Die Antwoord, Three Days Grace, Sum 41, [artist TBA], Deadland Ritual, White Reaper, Demon Hunter, Ho99o9, Angel Du$t, Sick Puppies, Amigo The Devil, Fire From The Gods, Broken Hands, Anemic Royalty and more

Danny Wimmer Presents is proud to announce a collaboration with Metallica’s Blackened Whiskey and Enter Night Pilsner. Blackened, a super-premium American whiskey blend crafted by the late Master Distiller Dave Pickerell and finished in the earth shattering music of Metallica, and Enter Night Pilsner, a collaboration with the rockstars of craft brewing Stone Brewing Company, will come together under one roof to offer guests a one-of-kind musical festival experience. The massive BoilerMaker pop-up will feature a Blackened & Enter Night Boilermaker, as well as craft cocktails and ice-cold Enter Night Pilsner. This exciting collaboration marks the latest in a long line of amplified guest experiences only available through Danny Wimmer Presents music festivals. More info to come…

The festival’s centerpiece, Kroger’s Big Bourbon Bar presented by Louisville Courier Journal, will feature more than two dozen hand-selected bourbons from top distilleries, and a unique opportunity to enjoy bourbons and exclusive one-time specialty cocktails from 1792, Angel’s Envy, Barrell Bourbon, Coopers’ Craft, Elijah Craig, Four Roses, Jeptha Creed Four Grain Bourbon, Kentucky Peerless, Michter’s, Old Forester, Rebel Yell, StoneHammer, Wild Turkey and more to be announced.

Fred Minnick’s Mini Bar–hosted by the Louder Than Life bourbon curator, bourbon author/expert, and Amazon Prime host (Bourbon Up)–will showcase craft selections from Louisville’s world-renowned distilleries. Acclaimed Louisville whiskey bar The Silver Dollar will operate The Hunter’s Club, where attendees can find vintage bourbons dating as far back as the 1930s, as well as contemporary collectibles.

The initial list of participating bourbon brands at Louder Than Life includes 1792, Angel’s Envy, Barrell Bourbon,Coopers’ Craft, Elijah Craig, Evan Williams, Four Roses, Jeptha Creed Four Grain Bourbon, Jim Beam, Kentucky Peerless, Larceny, Maker’s Mark, Michter’s, Old Forester, Rebel Yell, StoneHammer, Wild Turkey, Willett, and Woodford Reserve.

Whiskey sponsors also include Jack Daniel’s, Southern Comfort and Uncle Nearest.

Additional bourbon, food & beverage, and other experiences available onsite include:

• Jack Daniel’s No. 7 Sports Bar, where guests can enjoy NFL and college football games
• Tiki Barrel Bar presented by Jim Beam
• Jack’s House presented by Jack Daniel’s
• Jailhouse BBQ Presented by Larceny Bourbon
• Buffalo Club
• Mardi Gras Bar presented by Southern Comfort
• The Speakeasy
• Tree Bar
• Monster Energy Experience
• f.y.e. Fan Experience
• Craft Beer Bar
• Fxck Cancer / Dyin 2 Live Dreams Program
• Mint Julep Experiences (exclusive distillery excursions)
• Take Me Home
• The Music Experience

In addition, attendees can enjoy a variety of local and regional food and beverage offerings provided by DWP’s affiliate concessionaire, Southern Hospitality Concessions LLC. Festival attendees will be able to experience a taste of Louisville with selections from the following restaurants: Boss Hog BBQ, Couvillion, Doc Crow’s Southern Smokehouse & Raw Bar, Ehrler’s Ice Cream, Eli’s BBQ, Heine Brothers Coffee, Hull And Highwater, Joella’s Hot Chicken, Martin’s BBQ, Merle’s Whiskey Kitchen, River Road BBQ, Sarino, Seviche, and more.

Look for more food experience details to be announced soon.

Ticket prices for Louder Than Life will be as follows:

• 3-Day Weekend General Admission: starting at $149.50 + fees
• 3-Day Mint Experience VIP: starting at $449.50 + fees
• 3-Day Top Shelf VIP: $1,399.50 + fees
• Single Day General Admission: starting at $69.50 + fees
• Single Day VIP: starting at $199.50 + fees

Camping spaces for cars, tents, and RVs start at just $145.00 and include 4 nights’ stay in the Louder Than Life campgrounds. Camping passes also allow patrons re-entry privileges to and from the festival site all weekend long.

Mint Experience VIP tickets include access to VIP Hang—an exclusive hang area with dedicated bars, comfortable furniture, and live audio/video streams of the Monster Energy Barrel Stage and Oak Stage, plus front-of-stage viewing of the Oak Stage—as well as a dedicated merchandise stand, premium dedicated food offerings, air-conditioned and flushable restrooms, dedicated entrance lanes into the festival and a commemorative laminate and wristband.

Top Shelf VIP tickets include access to all Mint Experience VIP amenities, plus access to the Top Shelf Hang and other amenities including: air-conditioned lounge/tent with live audio/video streams of Monster Energy Barrel Stage and Oak Stage, front-of-stage viewing area for Monster Energy Barrel Stage, shaded viewing deck, all-inclusive premium drinks at dedicated bars within the hang area, complimentary hors d’oeuvres during lunch and dinner hours, dedicated air-conditioned and flushable bathrooms, massage station, complimentary lockers with cell-phone chargers, complimentary Wi-Fi access, Top Shelf VIP Concierge staff and a commemorative Top Shelf VIP laminate and RFID wristband.

Louder Than Life sponsors include Kentucky Tourism, Louisville Tourism, Monster Energy, Jack Daniel’s, Kroger, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Southern Comfort, Uncle Nearest Whiskey, f.y.e., The Music Experience, Fxck Cancer, Take Me Home, Against The Grain, and Zyn.

The Highland Festival Grounds At KY Expo Center are located at 937 Phillips Lane in Louisville, Kentucky. Festival doors open at 11:00 AM daily.

Louder Than Life is produced by Los Angeles-based Danny Wimmer Presents, one of the largest independent producers of destination music festivals in America. Additional DWP events include Aftershock Festival, Bourbon & Beyond, Chicago Open Air, Epicenter Festival, Hometown Rising, Rock Allegiance, Sonic Temple Art + Music Festival, and Welcome To Rockville.

For more information on Louder Than Life please visit:

Website: www.LouderThanLifeFestival.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/louderthanlifefestival

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ltlfest

Instagram: http://instagram.com/louderthanlifefest

Hashtag: #LouderThanLife

We believe in quality before quantity. Please drink responsibly.

Guns N’ Roses, Slipknot, Disturbed Top Louder Than Life Festival Lineup first appeared on Game On Media.

2018 was one of the best years in recent memory when it comes to quality album releases from some of the biggest names in hard rock. The most common theme was struggling with the past couple of years, both internally and externally, while searching for a path to better days and a hopeful future.

Most people don’t listen to music on hard media these days, but if any of you happen to have any of these on vinyl, give it a spin and let us know how much better it sounds.

Here are our 33-1/3 favorite hard rock albums of 2018.

	1. Shinedown – ATTENTION ATTENTION Not only a great collection of individual songs that grow on you as time passes, but a concept album exploring the human condition and fragile state of mind. Best song: GET UP
	2. Tremonti – A Dying Machine On Mark Tremonti’s 4th solo album, the band is at the top of their song writing game, and Mark’s vocals are his best yet. Best song: Bringer Of War
	3. Halestorm – Vicious Halestorm continues to elevate, expanding their style and always delivering substance. Lzzy Hale’s voice reaches insane heights on this album, full of swagger and a wink of the eye. Best song: Do Not Disturb
	4. Bullet For My Valentine – Gravity A biting tale of betrayal and redemption, with gnarly guitars and snarling sing along choruses. Best song: Over It
	5. Adelitas Way – Live Love Life An exploration into sound and instrumentation, with a lot of heart. A band that keeps getting better with time. Best song: Still Hungry
	6. Atreyu – In Our Wake This album just moves you physically and emotionally, a nonstop assault on your senses. Best song: Anger Left Behind
	7. Sevendust – All I See Is War Some bands improve with age, and Sevendust is one that keeps writing better and better songs. Best song: God Bites His Tongue
	8. Godsmack – When Legends Rise Godsmack returned with their best work since the first two albums. Killer lyrics and a few chances vocally and musically that really pay off. Best song: Under Your Scars
	9. Like A Storm – Catacombs If you don’t know this New Zealand band of brothers, you are missing out. Creative sounds and meaningful lyrics. Best song: Complicated (Stitches & Scars)
	10. Judas Priest – Firepower The Metal Gods put together their best album since Painkiller, almost 3 decades ago. Shreds upon shreds, and Rob Halford just killing it. Best song: Rising From Ruins
	11. Disturbed – Evolution Disturbed extended themselves on Evolution, exploring new sounds while addressing the lost of loved ones to addiction and depression. While not quite the grand slam that Immortalized, it is still another home run from a band who is now 7 for 7. Best song: A Reason To Fight
	12. Pop Evil – Pop Evil Pop Evil self titled this album, fittingly so as it sums up all of the best qualities of the band. Tight musicianship, inspiring vocals and meaningful lyrics. Best song: Be Legendary
	13. All That Remains – Victim Of The New Disease The mysterious death of founding guitarist Oli Herbert shortly before the album’s release lends an otherworldly quality to this powerful performance. The songs are full of guitars and intense vocals. Best song: Everything’s Wrong
	14. P.O.D. – Circles P.O.D. knocks it out of the park on this one, mixing old school hip hop into their Cali vibe rock and roll. Best song: Soundboy Killa
	15. Alice In Chains – Rainier Fog The last ones standing are still setting the bar for the Seattle sound. Best song: Never Fade
	16. Ghost – Prequelle Perhaps the first concept album based on the Plague and the Black Death which killed off half of Europe, Prequelle is spooky, spiritual and catchy. Best song: Dance Macabre
	17. Nonpoint – X Nonpoint continues their unique phrasing and riffing on their 10th album, another stellar effort. Best song: Fix This
	18. Red Sun Rising – Thread Red Sun Rising continues the hit-making momentum on their second effort, proving that they will be around for a long time. Best song: Veins
	19. Parkway Drive – Reverence This is the heaviest album on the list, and probably tops most metal lists for the year. Very aggressive, but also full of hooks. Best song: The Void
	20. Ice Nine Kills – The Silver Scream Each song is based off of a classic horror movie, a concept that could get corny but never does here, as the tunes stand on their own and the lyrical content touches on an aspect of the movie without becoming cliff notes. Best song: A Grave Mistake
	21. Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators – Living The Dream One of the most complete albums that Slash has delivered in some time. The Conspirators are a tight band and this sounds most like a band album, rather than a solo act. Best song: Mind Your Manners
	22. Five Finger Death Punch – And Justice For None 5FDP has a formula and they are sticking with it. Fast songs, ballads, and interesting cover songs. Best song: When The Seasons Change
	23. Breaking Benjamin – Ember The band who practically invented the rock radio sound does it again, showcasing their immense vocal talent and musicianship. Best song: Torn In Two
	24. Three Days Grace – Outsider Three Days Grace finally comes into its own with this version of the band, ditching the self-loathing for an optimistic view on life. Best song: The Mountain
	25. The Alarm – Equals Legendary rebels The Alarm returned with an outstanding record, still questioning the status quo and pushing for peace. Best song: Peace Now
	26. Dorothy – 28 Days In The Valley Dorothy Martin has one of the best bluesy rock voices that you will ever hear. This trippy album could be the soundtrack to a Quentin Tarantino movie. Best song: Ain’t Our Time To Die
	27. Jonathan Davis – Black Labyrinth The leader of Korn has been quietly working on his solo album for years, and we finally got to experience the fruits of his labor. Very personal and very deep. Best song: Basic Needs
	28. Myles Kennedy – Year Of The Tiger Somehow Myles Kennedy found time between Alter Bridge and Slash commitments to put out a solo album. This is all Myles, which means it is amazing. Best song: The Great Beyond
	29. Suicidal Tendencies – STill Cyco Punk After All These Years A sort of new album, which is actually a re-recording of an old Mike Muir solo album. Doesn’t matter, it’s new to me and it is infectious. Best song: Ain’t Gonna Get Me
	30. Avatar – Avatar Country Dilly Dilly! Avatar returned with an album exclusively about the King. Always heavy and always fun. Best song: The King Wants You
	31. Amaranthe – Helix Amaranthe fears nothing, blending all kinds of music, with three vocalists getting into the mix. Best song: Inferno
	32. Skillet Side Dishes: Ledger – LEDGER, Fight The Fury – Still Breathing The members of Skillet took a hiatus and produced 2 separate EP’s. Drummer/vocalist Jen Ledger put out a strong solo album, co-produced by guitarist Korey Kooper. Bassist/vocalist John Kooper got his metal on with guitarist Seth Morrison. Best song: Not Dead Yet, My Demons
	33. Greta Van Fleet – Anthem Of The Peaceful Army Hot newcomers Greta Van Fleet, the family band with the Zeppelin sound, put out their first full album. While not as strong as their EP From The Fires, it still boasts some great tracks. Best song: Lover, Leaver (Taker, Believer)
	33-1/3. Them Evils – Rollin’ Stoned and Livin’ Free (EP) Them Evils is a throwback rock band on the rise. This EP showcases the promise of what is to come, real rock and roll shaking our asses. Best song: Practice What You Preach

33-1/3 Best Hard Rock Albums Of 2018 first appeared on Game On Media.

The Pechanga Arena in San Diego, California was full of Disturbed Ones on January 9, 2019, as Disturbed kicked off their Evolution Tour. Their massive stage protruded out into the middle of the arena, a multi-level angled structure that resembled an Imperial Star Destroyer, providing plenty of front of the rail spots. There was a massive curved screen behind the stage, basically the biggest TV you have ever seen. The show began with a lengthy introduction video, featuring video footage of the band through the years, narrated by vocalist David Draiman. The theme was deciding how to overcome your demons and darkness, using music as a weapon. Quotes were displayed over the images, such as:

WHEN MUSIC IS THE WEAPON, WE ARE ALL INDESTRUCTIBLE

WHEN MUSIC IS THE WEAPON, YOU MUST BELIEVE IN THE CAUSE

WHEN MUSIC IS THE WEAPON, THE SICKNESS IS THE CURE

WHEN MUSIC IS THE WEAPON, A WORLD ARMY UNITES

WHEN MUSIC IS THE WEAPON, EVERY FIST HAS A VOICE

WHEN MUSIC IS THE WEAPON, WE MUST EVOLVE

The band then emerged from the darkness, blasting into “Are You Ready”, the lead single off their latest album. This was followed seamlessly by “Prayer”. Draiman welcomed the excited crowd with his immortal greeting, “My brothers and sisters, my blood!” before launching into “The Vengeful One” which brought the first flashes of fire into the arena.

The video screen was used to great effect, adding visual texture to the light show, combining recorded clips and distorted footage of the actual performance. The energy was highest during this stretch, with much of the floor section turned into a swirling mosh pit as they played “The Animal”, “Immortalized”, “Stupify” and “Voices”, which opened with a Dan Donegan guitar solo that turned into an instrumental as bassist John Moyer and drummer Mike Wengren joined in.

Disturbed Photos by Matthew Belter:

Draiman apologized for not being his best self, as he is still getting over pneumonia. You would have never known that anything was wrong if he hadn’t mentioned it. His voice was outstanding throughout the night. He immediately proved that by adding an acapella intro to “Land of Confusion”. That was followed by a new acoustic song, “Hold On To Memories” accompanied by a touching video montage of photographs of the band members with their families and friends interspersed with live footage of some of their musician friends who have left us too soon, including Chris Cornell, Chester Bennington, Scott Weiland, Dimebag Darrell and Vinnie Paul. Draiman explained the song’s meaning by asking us to remember our lost loved ones – “Hold them in your heart. Hold them in your soul. They are always with you.”

With the crowd’s emotions running raw, John Moyer changed the mood with a funky bass solo, which lead into a Mike Wengren drum solo, which turned into the funky dance tune from the first album, “The Game”. After that emotional release, it was right back to heartfelt pleas to intervene, with a pre-recording asking fans to help those who are in crisis and fighting battles for their very lives. Hotline numbers were shown, along with a call to action:

IT’S UP TO US TO SHOW THEM THAT THEY AREN’T ALONE, THAT THEY HAVE NOTHING TO BE ASHAMED OF, THAT WE UNDERSTAND, AND THAT WE WILL FIGHT WITH THEM, AND FOR THEM. FOR THOSE YOU KNOW, WHO ARE WAGING THIS INTERNAL WAR, THE TIME TO BE A TRUE FRIEND AND ADVOCATE, AND TO INTERVENE, IS NOW. TO HESITATE, IS TO LOSE A CHANCE TO SAVE THEM YOU MAY NEVER GET AGAIN.

National Addiction Hotline – 1-800-662-4357

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 1-800-273-8255

Disturbed then emerged on a second, hidden stage in the middle of the arena, to deliver the powerful new ballad “A Reason To Fight”. They then made their way back to the main stage, where a piano had been placed for a Dan Donegan piano solo intro to “The Sound of Silence”. They were joined by an acoustic guitarist, string players, and timpani drums for Mike Wengren. The song continued to build in drama, when the piano burst into flame which burned through the rest of the song! Draiman’s vocals were insanely powerful despite his illness and having already performed a full set.

They kicked things back into high gear with “Indestructible” and “Inside The Fire”, quite literally with fire bursts behind the drum kit and all around stage that lit up ropes hanging from rafters. After the song, the crew set out fire boxes for the still burning ropes to drop into and then extinguished them off stage, thus completing more than 90 minutes of passion and emotion.

They were not done yet. Draiman joked that “No sickness, no injury shall stop me from my scheduled duties of rocking you.” The crowd provided the special effects for the next song, shining their phone flashlights during each chorus of “The Light”. To top it all off, everyone was “Stricken” “Down With The Sickness”. As everyone already knew, WE ARE ALL DISTURBED!!

Do NOT miss this tour. With Three Days Grace opening up, this is one of the best nights of rock you will ever witness. Find tour dates on the Disturbed website.

http://www.disturbed1.com/

Three Days Grace Photos by Matthew Belter:

Disturbed Kicks Off Evolution Tour in San Diego first appeared on Game On Media.