By: Terrell Stewart

​It had been a few years since I last saw Alestorm and was really looking forward to covering their show in Denver. Joining them were Gloryhammer and Glyph. Alestorm were touring supporting their new album, The Thunderfist Chronicles. I arrived at the Summit about a half hour before doors opened to a line of people down the block and around the corner. The show was sold out, no surprise there and you could feel the energy from hanging out with the crowd. Once inside I made my way to the pit as I always do to say hi to the security guys and stash my gear. Looking at the stage, it was very tight with all three bands set up and ready to go.

Glyph didn’t just take the stage—they stormed it. The venue was packed tight, bodies shoulder to shoulder, and the crowd roared as the band emerged under flickering lights and a haze of fog. It was my first time seeing them live, and anticipation buzzed through the room—especially for their new lead singer, Barbara Blackthorn. I’d first heard her with Empress, where her voice cut through like steel wrapped in velvet. Seeing her front Glyph felt like watching a storm find its center.

They launched into “March of the Northern Clan”, the sound was massive—drums like warhammers, guitars slicing through the air, and Barbara’s vocals soaring above it all like a battle cry. Glyph doesn’t just play fantasy-metal—they embody it. Their mythic themes, thunderous riffs, and commanding presence turned the room into a battlefield of sound and story.
Glyph topped off their amazing set with “Defy the Night” and set the tone for a high energy to a very very enthusiastic crowd!

Glyph members:
Darin Wall - Bass (2022-present)
Rob Steinway -    Guitars (2022-present)
Jeff Black    Keyboards - (2022-present)
Damien Rainaud - Drums (2025-present)
Jeff Potts - Guitars (2025-present)
Barbara Blackthorne - Vocals (2025-present)

SetList:
March of the Northern Clan 
Eldenfire 
Rune MasterWhen the World Was Young 
A Storm of Crimson Fire 
Defy the Night 

​

As the lights dropped a deafening roar of Hoots, Hoots, Hoots yelled out by their fans filled the venue. Gloryhammer took the stage dressed in armor and continued a night of fantasy metal as Sozos Michael (Angus McFife) announced in a loud and enthusiastic voice, we will now take you to “The Land of Unicorns”. From this point on, the energy in the venue broke the scale! It was a very packed house and their fans were singing and moving, if they could, along with the band. Throughout their set of amazing music and great stage presence, Gloryhammer powered through a great set of songs, “Wasteland Warrior Hoots Patrol”, and “Keeper of the Celestial Flame of Abernethy”. 
The volume in the venue was as unreal as the energy poured out from the crowd. I don’t remember a time when I heard a crowd this loud and energized! Gloryhammer finished with “Hootsforce” which their fans went crazy over and “The Unicorn Invasion of Dundee”. ​

Their fans wanted more but it was time for Alestorm to take over the night. 
​
When the stage set, it was something to see, (see pics below). With the keyboards and drums set up high, you can’t miss the giant yellow duck set between them, adding to the silliness of what was to come. And If I thought that Gloryhammer made things crazy, Alestrom took it up about 10 notches! Let the mosh pit and pirate metal begin. Opening their set with, “Keelhauled” taking you back to 2009, the craziness began and it only got crazier as the night went on. Frontman Christopher Bowes took over the stage AND the crowd as Alestrom took their fans in a time capsule of their music. From 2011 came, “The Sunk'n Norwegian”, “Under Blackened Banners” from 2022 and they couldn’t forget, “Zombies Ate My Pirate Ship” from 2020. On command, a mosh pit opened up and it wouldn’t be a metal show without the crowd surfers. 

From their new 2025 album, The Thunderfist Chronicles came, “Frozen Piss” yes, I mean sarcasm was a big part of the night so why not! And “Voyage of the Dead Marauder”. It was indeed a night of silly humor, when you have songs titled, “Nancy the Tavern Wench” from 2006 and “Shit Boat” from 2020. An exasperating, crazy, but fun night came to a close as Alestrom finished with a 3 song encore topping it off with “Rumpelkombo” from 2011.

What an amazing night of music! The three bands played their hearts out and it was obvious by the reactions from everyone there. There are 12 shows left on this tour and I can’t recommend seeing them highly enough! Get a good night's rest before you go, you’ll need it!

Alestorm members:     Supporting their new album, 
Christopher Bowes – lead vocals, keytar (2004–present), keyboards, tin whistle (2004–2011)
Gareth Murdock – bass, backing vocals (2008–present)
Peter Alcorn – drums, percussion (2010–present)
Elliot Vernon – keyboards, unclean vocals, tin whistle (2011–present)
Máté Bodor – guitars, backing vocals (2015–present)

Setlist:
Keelhauled 2009
Killed to Death by Piracy
The Sunk'n Norwegian 2011
Uzbekistan
Mexico
Frozen Piss 2025
With Glyph
Under Blackened Banners 2022
Banana
Zombies Ate My Pirate Ship 2020
With Glyph
Voyage of the Dead Marauder 2025
With Glyph1
Hangover (Taio Cruz cover)
Nancy the Tavern Wench 2006
Alestorm 2017
Over the Seas 2008
The Storm
P.A.R.T.Y. 2022
Shit Boat 2020

Encore
Drink 2014
Fucked With an Anchor 2017
Rumpelkombo 2011

​

Writer: Kathi Gullage
Photography: Holly Roy Photography​

Staind’s Fall 2025 Tour was only nine dates, with the last one at Foxwoods with Lakeview as support.

I had never heard of Lakeview but our trusty photographer Holly Borden was fast becoming a fan of theirs and another fan mentioned they were southern rock. They are marketed as a duo, co-vocalists Jesse Denaro and Luke Healy, however they were joined on stage by drummer Cory Muro and two lead guitarists Jordan Tomb and Alex Drizos. I didn’t see a bass guitar. They have one self titled studio album and it has eighteen freakin tracks on it! Jesse and Luke hit the stage full throttle, leapt onto front risers, and commanded the room. “We’re psyched to play in Staind’s hometown tonight! If you wanna party with us you gotta get off your asses! Wave your arms like this!” There were Lakeview fans in the house and they immediately responded. The single “Hits Different” was the eight song set opener. I instantly thought to myself, “holy shit I’m at a country concert”. Despite Jesse and Luke’s rock and roll vibe, the set was honky tonk heavy. “Make some fuckin noise! Foxwoods, how ya doin tonight?” “That’s not good enough. How ya doin tonight?!?” The audience hooted and hollered adequately. “You feel like you’re walkin around this world like you’re the last of a dying breed? This song’s for you.” This was the segue to “Dying Breed”. “Put your hands up like this!” Jesse held his hands up like a signal for a NFL touchdown, before they belted out “Wrong Side Of The Track”. Jesse and Luke turned around and chugged water in unison. “Lemme tell y’all sumthin real quick, they (Staind) believe in the same shit we believe in. On the stage, if you flap your mouth, you better be ready to back it up!” Fan favorite “Money Where Your Mouth Is” was on deck. Finally a dose of rock and roll in the mix! More people rose to their feet for that song. “We’re gunna play a country song, if you know it sing it, if you don’t you’re a liar!” Luke grabbed a guitar and the crowd waved their phone flashlights in the air. The band performed a cover of Hinder’s “Lips Of An Angel”. I’m personally not a big fan of covers. It was a solid song choice but
didn’t outshine the original. Jesse chugged a beer before they churned out “Bad Day To Be A Beer” which included the lyrics “a bill that ain’t been paid yet and my truck breaking down, waiting on that paycheck or my girl leaving town”. Did I mention it felt like a country concert? “OK, y’all havin a good time? We are Lakeview from Pittsburgh, PA…..” Wait a minute, Pittsburgh?!? I was expecting Georgia or Alabama. “...Do I have any red, white and blue collar people in the house?!” More people were on their feet as they performed “Son Of”. “Do you care if we play one more for ya? This song goes out to Charlie Kirk and his own family. They need us. If you’re military or first responders, get up! I want my carpenters to get up! This one’s for the home team!” The set wrapped with “Home Team”. Lakeview may not fit neatly into a genre, part country, part rock, part something all their own, but they did get the crowd fired up. I didn’t know them walking in, but I do now. They would be fitting opener for one of Aaron Lewis’ country solo shows.

Hailing from Springfield, Massachusetts, Staind has gone platinum multiple times and sold over ten million records. With eight studio albums under their belt, they built a fifteen-song set that pulled from six of them — a perfect blend of old and new. The lineup remains tight as ever: original members Aaron Lewis (vocals), Mike Mushok (guitar), and Johnny April (bass), with Sal Giancarelli (drums) on board since 2011. They opened with “Lowest In Me” (Confessions Of The Fallen) and they were a well oiled machine. No big explosions or fireballs required, just a few splashy graphics and raw fukin rock and roll. A large majority of the audience chanted “USA! USA!” between every song. Aaron addresses the fans as part of his duties as frontman. “Welcome to the show.” He doesn’t have to yell or be flashy, the fans blanket him with love regardless. “Eyes Wide Open” (Staind) and “Fade” (Break The Cycle) were on deck. The sound mix was perfect, the
music didn’t overpower Aaron’s beloved signature voice. “How’s everyone doin tonight? Some of you used to come see us in Springfield when I got high with everyone in the parking lot. That was thirty fucking years ago. Thank you for letting us play for you all these years.” The fans lost their shit and were rewarded with “Right Here” (Chapter V), which had everyone on their feet. The crowd took over and sang the chorus at Aaron’s signal. Another cut from Staind, “Not Again”, kept it rolling. “Epiphany” brought the tempo to a crawl — not a personal favorite, so I made a quick merch run while the line was dead. “With one shot, they thought they silenced us. They unleashed an army. This song is dedicated to Charlie Kirk.” The song was “Something To Remind You” performed by just Aaron and Mike. It’s a hauntingly beautiful song and Aaron’s emotions peeked through as he mixed a whisper with spoken word at the end. The set went in a completely different direction as the frontman announced, “I musta smoked a lot of weed the day I wrote this. Thought it would be funny to rap and it turns out I was right.” “Wannabe” was the tune and Aaron yelled “What else do you do with your miserable fucking life?!?” for the last line. Back to the slower pace with the song that put them on the map. “Take your cell phones out and light this place up.” And the fans lit that place up like fucking daylight for “Outside”. “Better Days” followed and I missed the feminine touch that the studio version offers where Aaron duets with Dorothy. Aaron announces that they “wrote the next song with Mr. Jon Wysocki (former Staind drummer that passed away in 2024)”. It was one of my faves, cuz I luv their heavy shit, “Paper Wings”. “We’re gunna play another song we don’t play much.” “So Far Away” was the tune, one that they always play. Images flashed on screens of the band with fallen heroes like Dimebag Darryl and Scott Weiland and many others. The primary set ended with “For You” and the band exited with the crowd begging for more. We didn’t have to wait too long for the expected encore. “It’s been thirty fucking years. We appreciate it greatly. Gunna play a few more songs for you that we hardly ever played before.” We laughed because we knew better. But we didn’t get a “few”, we got two. “It’s Been Awhile” and the classic nu metal anthem “Mudshovel”. Staind thanked and waved to the
crowd before the house lights came on, signalling the end of the gig.

I’ve seen Staind more times than I can count, and they’ve never delivered anything less than a tight, powerful performance. Aaron’s voice? Still unmatched. Mike Mushok? An absolute beast on guitar — that low-slung axe move where he holds his guitar two inches off the floor is signature. Aaron showed a tad more emotion at this gig. He’s no stranger to letting his political views bleed into his performances, and at times, this show took on a rally-like vibe. Whether that’s your thing or not, it didn’t overshadow the music — the fans were there for Staind, and they got what they came for. After three decades, the band isn’t just surviving — they’re thriving. If you’re a longtime fan, revisit them and catch a live show. If you’re new, buckle up and grab a copy of 2023’s Confessions Of The Fallen — Staind is still cookin’, and the fire’s far from out.

I noticed just before Enforcer took the stage that the crowd was growing and by the time they were done, quite a few more people had shown up.

The stage was set for Rhapsody of Fire and there was excitement in the air including from me. Making their way onto the stage, Rhapsody of Fire received a rousing cheer from their fans and they started their set with “The Dark Secret” from 2004 and an evening full of symphonic power metal began to the delight of everyone. Giacomo Voli’s voice carried through the venue, creating a mesmerizing atmosphere as the crowd became fully immersed in the medieval fantasy themes woven into the lyrics. This was an atmosphere that would last throughout the night. Being my first time seeing and hearing them live was amazing! This beautiful sound, shaped by a collective of passionate souls, feels like a heartbeat shared—intimate, powerful, and unforgettable. Like the sound itself is alive and shared between artist and audience. Going back and forth in time with songs, “Rain of Fury” from 2019, “The Magic of the Wizard's Dream” from 2004, “Dawn of Victory” from 2000.  

Their fans were singing along with the songs and getting lost in the music. Some with their heads back, eyes closed and slowly swaying back and forth. Giacomo would interact with the fans bringing smiles to the faces of many as his amazing voice carried out over the crowd. To finish their set, Rhapsody of Fire went way back to 1997's  “Land of Immortals” and 1998’s “Emerald Sword”. 

An amazing night of music by 4 bands that poured out their hearts and souls through their music. It was such a pleasure to cover this show, thanks to them all!

Rhapsody Of Fire members: Italy
Alex Staropoli – keyboards (1993–present)
Roberto De Micheli – lead guitar (2011–present), rhythm guitar (2013–present)
Alessandro Sala – bass (2015–present)
Giacomo Voli – lead vocals (2016–present)
Paolo Marchesich – drums (2020–present)

Setlist:
The Dark Secret 2004
Unholy Warcry
Rain of Fury 2019
I'll Be Your Hero 2021
Chains of Destiny 2021
The Magic of the Wizard's Dream 2004
Challenge the Wind
Kreel’s Magic Staff
Dawn of Victory 2000
Triumph for My Magic Steel 2000
The Village of Dwarves 2000
Dargor, Shadowlord of the Black Mountain 2000
Holy Thunderforce
A New Saga Begins
Land of Immortals 1997
Emerald Sword 1998

​

By: Adam Bakelman
Thursday, September 11, 2025
Boston’s House of Blues was set for a night of pure rock and heavy metal as local rising stars Zeneth and the legendary Bruce Dickinson shared the stage.
Opening the night, Zeneth, a band hailing from Johnston, Rhode Island, brought back the sweet sound of iconic rock and roll with a perfectly executed five song set. Their performance included their single “Good Looking Girls”, which quickly caught the crowd’s attention, and concluded with a phenomenal cover of Black Sabbath’s “War Pigs” in tribute to the late Ozzy Osbourne. The audience roared every lyric in unison, harmonizing with the final soaring guitar outro. Vocalist Alex Rodriguez delivered a commanding vocal performance, while guitarist Matthew Sabitoni impressed with exceptional precision and energy. Bassist Cameron Sabitoni and drummer Michael Perrotta provided flawless rhythm and groove, holding the set together with power and consistency. Reflecting on the night, Cameron shared: “It was an honor to share the stage with a rock god in a place that is close to home.” Zeneth proved that rock and roll will forever remain alive, leaving no doubt they are a band with a bright future ahead.
As anticipation grew, the almighty Bruce Dickinson took the stage, opening with “Accident of Birth”. Immediately, Bruce and his band set the tone for an unforgettable evening. Songs like “Shadow of the Gods” and “Chemical Wedding” showcased both his vocal prowess and his storytelling presence. Pausing mid set, Dickinson acknowledged the significance of the date, reflecting on witnessing the tragic events of September 11, 2001, while in New York. In a moving tribute, he delivered an a cappella performance of The Star Spangled Banner, silencing the crowd in respect before reigniting the energy with Iron Maiden’s “Flash of the Blade” from 1984’s Powerslave.
Backed by an incredible band Philip Näslund and Chris Declercq (guitar), Tanya O’Callaghan (bass), Mistheria (keyboards), and Dave Moreno (drums), Bruce guided the audience through a powerhouse 16-song set. Highlights included their jammed-out rendition of The Edgar Winter Group’s “Frankenstein”, featuring a flawless drum solo by Moreno, and a triumphant closing run of “Tears of the Dragon”, “Gods of War”, and “The Tower”.
Bruce’s energy throughout the night was as strong as ever, his voice soaring as the crowd threw devil horns into the air and sang along to every word. House of Blues proved the perfect setting for an evening that celebrated both the future and the legacy of rock and metal.

​

Written by: Cheryl Frishman 

Cheap Trick delights Grand Rapids,Michigan fans with a headlining concert date at Frederik Meijer Gardens Amphitheater for their Fifth Third Bank Summer Concert Series on August 11, 2025. The band has been opening for Rod Stewart on his “One Last Time” 2025 tour. Cheap Trick was able to add some of their own headlining shows on nights off from their work with Rod Stewart.

This was the first time that Cheap Trick has played at Meijer Gardens and the show sold out quickly. Meijer Gardens is a beautiful outdoor venue that accommodates 1900 guests. It has become very popular with fans who want to enjoy great shows in a smaller and more personal setting. Artists that play there often return for the same reason.

The evening started with a local opener. Serita’s Black Rose gave a very strong performance.  Serita, the singer, chatted with the audience between songs. She was charming,funny and very engaging. The audience loved her! 

Despite being one of the hottest nights of the summer, the audience was excited and ready to see Cheap Trick.  Cheap Trick still has three of its original members, Robin Zander on vocals, Rick Nielsen on guitar and Tom Petersson on bass. Rick Nielsen’s son Dax is now the band’s drummer. 

The show started with “Hello There” and continued with hits like “Come on Come on” and “California Man”. It was amazing to see the original members, now in their seventies, still doing what they love. Rick told stories and proudly showed off a red guitar that he said was made in Michigan. Robin’s voice still sounds amazing and Tom was very charming and smiling at the audience. Clearly, all of them are still loving what they do! Daxx did a great job on the drums and was a perfect replacement for Bun E. Carlos. 

About half way through the show,the band started playing some lesser known songs and the audience seemed to be getting restless. They soon turned this around by starting to play their biggest hits like “Dream Police”, “The Flame”, and “I Want You to Want Me”. 

One highlight of the show was when Tom Petersson took over part of the lead vocals and sang “I Know what I Want”.  He sang some parts solo and some parts with Robin. They were having so much fun and it really was a magical part of the show! 

The band did an encore singing “Surrender”, “Auf Wiedersehen” and ended with “GoodNight”.  Cheap Trick is known for having awesome live shows. They may be a little older and move a little slower, but they still know how to make magic on the stage! The show was very enjoyable and the audience was clearly loving their night with Cheap Trick! ​

It is always a great pleasure being asked to cover a band from the bands pr representative. Especially when it’s the second time and you love covering the band. This would be my third time covering Train. Add to that, this would be my first time covering a show at The Ford Amphitheater just north of Colorado Springs, Colorado. The venue has been open just a little over a year and has its own unique style. With a capacity of 8000, there are outdoor suites with fire pits for those chilly nights. And this night was just that with off and on light rain throughout the evening.

When I was not familiar with an artist, I used to go to YouTube and watch videos of the band. I stopped doing that a few years back because I wanted to be surprised. I have never been disappointed doing this and this evening with Edwin McCain was no exception. With 30 years behind him, his song writing and story telling continues to bring his shows filled with great music and has fun telling stories and interacting with the crowd. Edwin backed by his strong band members opened his set with, “I've Seen a Love” and his fans fell into the music. Edwin moved back and forth through time with songs, “Jesters Dreamers and Thieves” from 1995, “Walk With You” from 2013. Between songs, Edwin would tell stories with a humorous touch which only added to a fun night. From his new album Lucky came the song, “Kool Miles” which brought a loud appreciation from his fans. He finished his set with 1999’s, “Anything Good About Me” and the venue air was filled with applause and cheering from the crowd for a show filled with great music and some fun story telling.

The Edwin McCain band:
Edwin McCain - guitar, vocals
Pete Riley rhythm guitar, backing vocals
Larry Chaney lead guitar 
Craig Shields keyboards, saxophone 
Jason Pomar bass guitar, backing vocals 
Tez Sherard drums, percussion

Set List:
I've Seen a Love 
Jesters Dreamers and Thieves 
I Could Not Ask for More 
Kool Miles 
Take Me 
Kool Miles 
I'll Be 
Anything Good About Me 

​

Though the rain was off and on and on the lighter side, it didn’t stop Train’s fans from exploding into a roaring cheer and jumping as the band members made their way onto the stage. Gathering in front of the drummer they started with the song “Brokenhearted” then Pat Monahan joined them with a smile that could light up the venue and the energy level broke the scale. Pat flows across the stage effortlessly engaging with his band members and the fans. Having covered the band twice before, I know what to expect, and it’s such a pleasure to photograph them and looking through my pictures, you will see the energy that I capture! 

The set list went back and forth through time mixed with originals and covers and Train’s fans were on their feet dancing and singing along with each song. The song “Meet Virginia” smoothly moves into “The Joker” (Steve Miller Band cover). From 2009, “Save Me, San Francisco”. And we can’t forget a tradition that I am not sure how long it’s been going on but, the cell phones began to fly onto stage. And without missing a beat, Pat takes them one by one and does selfies with the crowd in the background and videos of the band and the crowd. I don’t know how this was started, but it’s something Pat enjoys doing. I think he gets just as big a kick out of it as do his fans. 

Train is a very solid band with great musicians that pour out their energy every single show. As their set was whining down, Edwin McCain joined Pat for the song, “Hotel California” (Eagles cover) and the crowded venue loved every note! Train topped off their set with their Grammy award winning song, “Drops of Jupiter”. 

There are 9 more dates for this tour and honestly I can’t recommend enough for you to get out and see their show. High energy, great music and a lot of fun, you won’t be disappointed!

Train members:
Pat Monahan – lead vocals, percussion, occasional trumpet and saxophone (1994–2006, 2009–present), drums (1994)
Jerry Becker – keyboards, rhythm guitar, backing vocals (2009–present)
Hector Maldonado – bass, backing vocals (2009–present)
Matt Musty – drums, percussion (2019–present)[65]
Taylor Locke – lead guitar, backing vocals (2021–present)

Set List:
Set list:
Brokenhearted
Calling All Angels
If It's Love
Get to Me
Meet Virginia / The Joker
(Steve Miller Band cover)
Lose Control
(Teddy Swims cover)
This'll Be My Year
Save Me, San Francisco
Play That Song
AM Gold
Angel in Blue Jeans / Too Sweet
(Hozier cover)
Mississippi
Marry Me
50 Ways to Say Goodbye
Bruises
Hey, Soul Sister / Come and Get Your Love
Drive By / Hey Jude
Hotel California
(Eagles cover) (with Edwin McCain)
Drops of Jupiter

​

BY: TRACY HECK

Cool temps and a bit of rain didn’t stop 80’s rock fans from packing into Pine Knob Music
Theatre in Clarkston, Michigan on Thursday, August 28 to enjoy power packed sets from Billy
Idol and Joan Jett.

Playing to around 11,000 enthusiastic fans, the rock veterans brought out all the hits while still
showcasing new tracks that prove they are not anywhere close to hanging it up. Jett and her Blackhearts band opened the show with a non-stop array of rock anthems from “Cherry Bomb” to “I Hate Myself For Loving You” to “Bad Reputation.” She got everyone on their feet for “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll” and even brought a rock edge to Sly and the Family Stone’s “Everyday People.”

Just before 9 pm, Idol exploded onto the stage for a 95-minute set that included 15 songs
comprised of hits and material from his latest release Dream Into It.
He kicked it off with the aptly named new track “Still Dancing,” as the almost 70 year old
worked the stage from one end to the other in fantastic fashion.
In good form, he replicated his famous growls and showcased his impressive bare chest as if it
was still 40 years ago. The crowd responded favorably to the new material that included “77,” “Too Much Fun” and “People I Love.” With a fantastic band fronted by long-time guitarist Steve Stevens, Idol ruled the stage with one hit after another from “Cradle of Love” and “Flesh for Fantasy” to “Eyes Without a Face” and “Rebel Yell.” Set highlights included a soulful rendition of Rose Royce's “Love Don’t Live Here Anymore” and a touching tribute to Ozzy Osbourne from his close friend and Idol’s other guitarist, Billy Morrison.

After exiting with a flourish, Idol and his band returned to the stage for an encore of “Dancing
With Myself,” “Hot in the City,” “People I Love” and “White Wedding.”