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3 weeks ago | 
bravewords.com | Mark Gromen
The beautiful Landis Theater is located in Vineland, an economic enterprise zone, one hour outside of Philadelphia: an area better known for its blueberry farms than entertainment. The 1937 movie house has a neon & chrome makeover and typically plays host to AOR/hair metal cover bands, each weekend. About once a month, there’s some touring act: Accept has played here, as did Burning Witches.
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4 weeks ago | 
bravewords.com | Mark Gromen
Like metal, pizza comes in many flavors and if you’re a fan, you’ll probably sample any/all styles, while always returning to your favorites. Legions Of Metal festival provides a sampler, a smorgasbord of metallic sub-genres of inquisitive fans to mull over, digest and hopefully go home with a doggie-bag” morsels to enjoy at a later date.
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1 month ago | 
bravewords.com | Mark Gromen
Of the two days, this had more “must see” performances, on paper, including the headlining Crimson Glory. With a baker’s dozen acts set to play (as opposed to 10, yesterday), the show kicked off two hours earlier, at 3:30, with the operatic/symphonic power metal of After Time. First two bands were on the main stage, before alternating between there and the adjoining Joint set-up, inside Reggies bar/dining area.
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1 month ago | 
bravewords.com | Mark Gromen
Calendar says the first weekend in May, but as Great Lakes denizens know (Detroit, Cleveland, Buffalo, Toronto), spring is often late. While out-of-towners long ago packed away jackets, jeans and long sleeves (in favor of shorts & tank tops), Chicago greeted them with (hopefully) the last blast of artic air: just “high” temps in the 50s and overnight lows precariously close to freezing. Thankfully, the festivities were all inside Reggies, although the weather did curtail roof-top patio pre-gaming.
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1 month ago | 
bravewords.com | Mark Gromen
(Rata Mutante)Been three years since leader Esteban and his clan of speed metal Colombians have graced us with new music. Album #10 offers eight ripping additions to the Revenge canon. Looks like an upgrade in production and cover art, dispensing with the frequent cartoon characters in favor of a more Victorian horror vibe (Headless Horseman, apparently drawn by the same artist that did the Harder Than Steel artwork).
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1 month ago | 
bravewords.com | Mark Gromen
(Doomentia)Fresh on the back of last year’s full-length, comes a new, limited edition (300 pieces) 12″ vinyl, four-song EP from the rough, speed metal Spaniards. All are exclusive to this release. “Heavy Metal Rush” comes tearing out of speakers, with a bit of simple, staccato, punk aggression (“Hey! Hey! Hey!”). Only the guitar break identifies it as a true metal construct. By contrast, the 4:04 mostly instrumental “The Catapult” is fleet fingered, repeated runs up/down the fretboard.
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2 months ago | 
bravewords.com | Mark Gromen
Most years, the vast majority of the Decibel lineup is a mystery to me, yet invariably, I discover a couple of acts that warrant future investigation and support. However, in 2025, nearly half the bands I’d not only seen, prior to the fest, but deemed most of them enjoyable. Saturday seemed a far cry from the fare. Somebody’s tastes are changing!Speaking of tastes, on Day 2 some breweries rotate their line-up, giving people something different than Day 1.
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2 months ago | 
bravewords.com | Mark Gromen
The annual confab in the mag’s Philly hometown (not to be confused with the defunct series in Los Angeles, or the ongoing winter adventure in Colorado) brings together beer drinkers & Hellraisers. The craft beer world is almost as segmented as musical sub-genres. Brewers seek to introduce a “new” theme on a variation, something no one has seen/heard or sampled, previously. As with the bands, there’s always one or two that stand apart from the rest.
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2 months ago | 
bravewords.com | Mark Gromen
Was sort of surprised to see Jag Panzer main man/guitarist Mark Briody attending both days of this festival, alone, a fair piece from his Colorado home base. Asked what brought him to Tulsa, his response was very eloquent. “How can I expect people to come see my band, if I don’t go to shows?
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2 months ago | 
bravewords.com | Mark Gromen
The second, and final, day of this cozy festival was headlined by a rare appearance from Lizzy Borden, complete with masks and costumes. Speaking of masks, that hooded musical menace, Midnight were also in town, playing the first show without Kommander Vanik. Helstar played the city of Tulsa for the first time in their lengthy career. The seemingly always touring Haunt, also made the trip north, from Texas. Hitten were enjoying their last week of shows, before heading back to Spain.
