LIVE! | Rock on the Range 2013 Concert Review & Photo Galleries

by Chris A.
- Senior Photojournalist –

May 17-19, 2013 at Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio

ROCK ON THE RANGE 2013 AN AMAZING FESTIVAL OF EPIC PROPORTIONS

“Sold Out, All Three Days… Thank you Rangers” were the words scrawled on the white board in the media tent at Columbus Crew Stadium in the early afternoon on Friday, day one of the 2013 rendition of “Rock On The Range.” It was obvious just walking around the stadium that in excess of 30,000 people were roaming from stage to stage soaking in the rock n’ roll. By the end of three days, some 105,000 people would pass through the gates at Crew Stadium to participate in one of the biggest rock festivals in America.

Now an institution and firmly established as “the big festival in the Midwest,” Rock On The Range has been so successful and so well supported by the fans that its inspired several spinoff festivals including “Carolina Rebellion” and “Rocklahoma”.

For rock fans from the Buckeye state, Rock On The Range is special because it’s the original festival and it’s the big time for Ohio. The citizens of Columbus love the festival and its residents plan vacations and party time around the massive event. The countdown to Rock On The Range starts just after the new year when the promoters start announcing the bands. In the months leading up to the show, local radio and media promote, talk, pitch and extol the virtues of Rock On The Range. While all that’s happening, local bands like Mansfield Ohio-based Error 504 fought it out with 60 other Ohio rock bands for the chance to perform at Rock On The Range.

The 2013 Rock On The Range proved to be the most highly attended show in the franchise’s seven-year history. The concert has been so successful and so well attended that a third day was added to the event giving rock fans a solid weekend of big-time rock n’ roll.
Gates for Friday opened at 3 p.m. giving rock fans a reason to sneak out of work a bit early and get the weekend started. Unlike Saturday and Sunday which would feature three stages, Friday’s venue was slightly more compact, featuring the Jaegermeister Stage and the Monster Main Stage. Opening the show was Columbus favorite, X-Factor-1 who welcomed the crowd to the show and set the bar high for every act that would follow. Over the course of the next 11 hours, Rock on The Range fans were treated to incredible performances.

While the early bands got fans warmed up, crowd favorite and one of America’s best party bands Buckcherry lit it up on the Monster Main Stage as they got the Rock On The Range fans to their feet. It has to be mentioned that Cheap Trick was absolutely brilliant and demonstrated exactly why they have been around for four decades. Rick Nielsen and crew were energetic and had the audience in the palm of their hands. It was an inspired and incredible performance. As darkness fell on the stadium headliners Korn took to the Monster Main stage, drummer Ray Luzier, illuminated by a single spotlight tapped out the opening to “Blind“ on the cymbals as the crowd roared and welcomed the return of Brian “Head” Welch on guitar. Day One of Rock On The Range was in the can.

As the day dawned on the second day of Rock On The Range, a light rain was falling and ominous clouds converged over the gigantic Crew Stadium. Thankfully, the threat of rain passed and the storm clouds diminished as the day progressed. Day two introduced the Pabst Blue Ribbon Stage into the mix joining the Monster Main Stage and the Jager Stage as the showcase for the artists.

While all the bands seemed to be performing at a high level, day two standout performances were given by Michigan based Pop Evil, Grammy winners Halestorm, Welsh heavy metal band Bullet For My Valentine, a pyro-filled Three Days Grace and Iowa’s favorite sons Stone Sour. Stone Sour’s Cory Taylor is one of rock’s most magnetic frontmen in rock as Stone Sour dominated the stage during their dynamic performance as the fans went berserk. Headliners Smashing Pumpkins performed on the main stage closing the show as Rock On The Range day two passed into history.

Before everyone knew it, day three had arrived, the final day of ROTR and like the first two days, the weather Gods smiled down upon the masses and graced the show with ideal weather. Thrilled to have earned the privilege to perform at Rock On The Range was Mansfield, Ohio’s own Error 504. Fresh off their Battle Of The Bands victory, they gave a spirited rousing performance as they welcomed the Sunday crowd to the event.

Just like Friday and Saturday the Rock On The Range crowd was massive, over 30,000 people worked their way from stage to stage to check out the bands. When it came to standout performances it was hard not to have a great time watching the bombastic pomposity of ’80s rock n posers Steel Panther. Over on the PBR stage, blond vixen Maria Brink and her very visual band In This Moment turn up the heat on the fans. A few hours later, drawing a gigantic crowd to the PBR stage was one of heavy metal’s favorite sons Randy Blythe and Lamb of God.

As Alice In Chains wrapped up their set on the Monster Main stage the sun was setting on the Buckeye State and the stadium became shrouded in an orange and gold glow as dusk fell. Soon it was the final band, Soundgarden. Chris Cornell and company sounded amazing as they performed their catalog of great songs for the masses at Rock On The Range.

Then as suddenly as it started, Columbus Ohio’s biggest concert of 2013 was over. The strains of rock n’ roll faded into the dark Ohio night as thousands of people made their way home after a rousing weekend of rock n’ roll.

Rock on the Range Photo Gallery [Show as slideshow] [View with PicLens] 123456►

Rock on the Range Day 1 Photo Gallery Korn, Cheap Trick, Buckcherry, Hollywood Undead, In Flames, Oleander, Mindset Evolution, XFACTOR1, Love and Death, American Fangs [Show as slideshow] [View with PicLens] 1234...678►

Rock on the Range Day 2 Photo Gallery Smashing Pumpkins, Stone Sour, Three Days Grace, Papa Roach, A Day To Remember, Bullet for My Valentine, Halestorm, Asking Alexandria, All That Remains, Black Veil Brides, Pop Evil, Clutch, The Sword, Motionless In White, Otherwise, Young Guns, Red Line Chemistry, Gemini Syndrome, Heaven’s Basement, Scorpion Child [Show as slideshow] [View with PicLens] 123456►

Rock on the Range Day 3 Photo Gallery Soundgarden, Alice In Chains, Bush, Volbeat, Skillet, Lamb Of God, Steel Panther, Device, In This Moment, Sevendust, Sick Puppies, Ghost B.C., Red, Big Wreck, Deuce, Middle Class Rut, Thousand Foot Krutch, Beware Of Darkness, O’Brother [Show as slideshow] [View with PicLens] 1234567►

The consensus of the folks who attended Rock On The Range 2013 was almost universal praise. A few fan comments include:

“At Rock On The Range, ROTR brings in people from all across America to be united by music. How amazing is that? I loved every minute of it!” -Tina M.
“My first show ever! It was an amazing array of music, people and rock all in one! -”Pam V

“First time Ranger here and I enjoyed it so much that I may make it a tradition now. I was most impressed with the other Rangers in attendance. Standing in line we got the most helpful advice for dealing with crowd surfers, which side of the stadium to sit on to avoid the sun during various times of day etc. Everyone was so nice and it was obvious that we were now part of one big rock family.” -Cheri D.

From the bands to the overall production and organization of the festival, for the seventh time, Rock On The Range lived up to all its hype and delivered the goods. An amazing festival for anyone who loves to rock.

Here’s to a great time and let’s all hook up and do it again next year! You can see hundreds of photos of Rock On The Range right here at www.hardrockhaven.net

For more information on Rock On The Range visit www.rockontherange.com and interact with them on their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/rockontherange

[Photos by www.chrisaphotography.com]

LIVE! | Stone Sour with In This Moment and Hell or Highwater

by Jonna Ambur
- Senior Photojournalist –

APRIL 9, OAKDALE THEATER, WALLINGFORD CT –

Hell or Highwater

Begin Again was released in August 2011. It’s not often that the first band up plays to a full crowd, but with Hell or Highwater in the house, the Oakdale Theater was full, and the fans were ready to go!!

In This Moment

In This Moment made its way through the black light that engulfed the stage. Chris Howorth (Guitar), Travis Johnson (Bass), Randy Weitzel (Guitar) and Tom Hane (Drums) set the stage for Maria Brink’s (vocals) grand entrance. She was dressed in white, and the light glowed off her white corset and cloak. With fog machines and fans set on high, Maria graced the stage amidst deafening screaming. The band’s entire set was heavy, yet sexy, metal and erotic. Performing songs, such as “Rise With Me,” Whore,” “Beast Within” and their newest hit “Blood,” In This Moment rocked!

Stone Sour

The infamous Corey Taylor (vocals), also of Slipknot, with James Root (guitar), Josh Rand (guitar), Shawn Economaki (bass) and Roy Mayorga (drums) closed the night with the force of a tank plowing through the Oakdale Theater’s dome. The energy was epic, and was was felt to your core. Every song and every note was delivered with emotion and strength.

Touring in support of the band’s newest releases House of Gold and Bones I and II, they performed favorites, such as “Absolute Zero,” “Made of Scars,” “Reborn,” “Bother,” “Say You’ll Haunt Me” and 30/30-150.” The band killed it. While they didn’t perform any songs from House of Gold and Bones II, which was released the day of the show, the fans sang along with every hit they belted out. Stone Sour puts on one hell of a show each and every time. If you can catch them on their current tour, do it.

LIVE! |Stone Sour with In This Moment and Hell or Highwater Photo Gallery

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[Photos by Jonna Ambur]

Stone Sour | House of Gold and Bones Part 1

by Cameron Edney
- Guest Columnist –

Last month American hard rockers Stone Sour released their forth studio album House of Gold and Bones Part 1. The first half of what is classed as a double concept album is also the bands first to not feature bassist Shawn Econamaki who left the band before recording started. His replacement, on the album any way, was none other than Skid Row’s Rachel Bolan, someone highly regarded as a bassist and songwriter and he’s done an amazing job on bass duties for the new Stone Sour album!

The album kicks of hard and heavy with “Gone Sovereign” followed up by the headbanging riff fueled “Absolute Zero,” which quickly became a favorite track on the album. Featuring eleven tracks of pure aggression, high-energy riffs and thumping production makes this by far Stone Sour’s finest work yet!

Corey Taylor sounds more and more amazing as time goes on and this album will certainly help cement his place as one of the greatest rock vocalists of our time. The musicianship between James Root, Josh Rand, Rachel Bolan and Roy Mayorga on this album just shows how far the band has come in recent years. It will be a pleasure to hear the band perform some of these new tracks live during the Australian visit in February.

The album is already being compared to Alice in Chains Dirt, Pink Floyd’s The Wall and Soundgarden’s Superunknown and for a very good reason, like all those previously mentioned this is certainly a bench mark album for Stone Sour. Rock fans will get a hell of a kick out of House of Gold and Bones Part 1, Look forward to Part 2 which is due out early next year.

Genre: Alternative metal, post-grunge, alternative rock, hard rock

Band:
Corey Taylor − vocals, piano (on “The Travelers, Pt. 2), writer (for House of Gold & Bones short story)
James Root − guitar
Josh Rand − guitar
Roy Mayorga − drums, synthesizer (on “Gone Sovereign”, “Absolute Zero”, “Taciturn”, and “Influence of a Drowsy God”)

Guests:
Rachel Bolan – bass

Track Listing:
1. “Gone Sovereign”
2. “Absolute Zero”
3. “A Rumor of Skin”
4. “The Travelers, Pt. 1″
5. “Tired”
6. “RU486″
7. “My Name Is Allen”
8. “Taciturn” 5:26
9. “Influence of a Drowsy God”
10. “The Travelers, Pt. 2″
11. “Last of the Real”

Label: Roadrunner Records

Web:

Hardrock Haven rating: 10/10

LIVE! : KC Rockfest Music Festival 2011

by Shawna McHenry Luehring & John Kindred
Staff Writer

Saturday, May 14th at Liberty Memorial in Kansas City, MO.

Kansas City’s Rockfest kicked of its annual metal salute with Zakk Wylde performing the “National Anthem” with an armed forces color guard to more than 50,000 crazed fans. This year’s event was welcomed by a cold front instead of an onslaught of rain. After last year’s “Mudfest” debacle, local city leaders were fired up and demanded ending the use of Penn Valley Park as the stomping grounds for Rockfest.

Thankfully for fans, AEG, the concert promoter, paid to repair the damage caused by the 2010 event. Their efforts included putting down sod on the 14 acres of damage caused by the rain and the festival goers, who trampled down grass, which created a muddy mess and troublesome trash clean up. AEG and 98.9 the Rock have put in place safeguards to keep the event as clean and safe as possible, including additional trash cans, better placement of port-o-potties, additional security and added fencing.

As always, Rockfest is hyped as the Nation’s Largest Single-Day Music Festival and a concert event with reasonably priced food and beverages. Although this year’s crowd was not a sellout, there were plenty of fans on hand for the festivities.

This year’s lineup featured two band stages. Monster Energy sponsored the main stage, which featured headliners Disturbed, Stone Sour, Papa Roach, Alter Bridge, Sevendust, Hinder and Halestorm. The second stage was sponsored by Jose Cuervo and featured Black Label Society, All That Remains, 10 Years, Redline Chemistry, Crossfade, Art of Dying, New Medicine and Evalyn Awake.

The crowd seemed to relish in its patriotic side this year as Americans flags were visible throughout the crowd. Mardi gras beads where tossed out to those willing to show their “wares” to onlookers. Besides the music, Rock radio personality, “Moose,” officiated a wedding ceremony of about 20 couples or more. Turning back to the stages, the crowd was entertained by pornstar Ron Jeremy aka “The Hedgehog,” and Moonlight Bunny Ranch owner Dennis Hof, and his lovely sidekick, Bunny Love, made an appearance.

With the exception of 15 minutes of warm, bright sunshine for Papa Roach’s performance of “Burn” (pretty ironic), fans spent the cold, gray and windy day enjoying the metal mayhem.

Monster Energy Drink Main Stage:
Halestorm 1:30pm
Hinder 2:40pm
Sevendust 3:55pm
Alter Bridge 5:10pm
Papa Roach 6:30pm
Stone Sour 8:00pm
Disturbed 9:40pm

Jose Cuervo Drink Main Stage:
Evalyn Awake 12:00pm
New Medicine 1:00pm
Art of Dying 2:10pm
Crossfade 3:25pm
Redline Chemistry 4:40pm
10 Years 6:00pm
All That Remains 7:30
Black Label Society 9:00pm

KC Rockfest Music Festival 2011 Photo Gallery

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Photos appear courtesy of Shawna McHenry Luehring

LIVE! : Carolina Rebellion Music Festival

CAROLINA REBELLION

Saturday, May 7th Metrolina Expo in Charlotte, NC.

AEG Live and Right Arm Entertainment latest production, Carolina Rebellion music festival, is proud to be sponsored by Jägermeister, Monster Energy drink and FYE. This is the same team that produces the highly successful Rock On The Range in Columbus, OH. The one day music festival features many of today’s hard hitting rock artists appearing on three stages (two main stages) at the Metrolina Expo in Charlotte, NC.

The festival featured two main stages for the biggest acts in rock today, both sponsored by Monster Energy. The bands participating in Carolina Rebellion festival included: Avenged Sevenfold, Godsmack, Three Days Grace, Stone Sour, Seether, Bullet For My Valentine, Theory of a Deadman, Alter Bridge, Hinder, Skillet, Saving Abel, Halestorm, Black Stone Cherry, My Darkest Days, Cavo, Rev Theory, Pop Evil, Art Of Dying and more.

“It seems the Carolinas are in need of a rock festival to call their own and we are honored to unleash the Rebellion to the great rock fans of this area,” says Gary Spivack, co-executive producer of the event for Right Arm Entertainment. “With our partners at AEG we locked into an amazing outdoor venue just minutes from downtown Charlotte. We are so proud of this lineup. From Godsmack to Avenged Sevenfold to Three Days Grace to Stone Sour….it’s nonstop…one great band after another.”

Cavo – 12:20pm
Halestorm – 1:50pm
Skillet – 3:30pm
Bullet For My Valentine – 5:20pm
Seether – 7:10pm
Three Days Grace – 8:45pm
Avenged Sevenfold – 10:45pm

My Darkest Days – 11:50am
Saving Abel – 1:20pm
Hinder – 2:50pm
Alter Bridge – 4:40pm
Theory of a Deadman – 6:30pm
Stone Sour – 7:50pm
Godsmack – 9:40pm

Drop D – 11:30am
Art of Dying – 12:50pm
Pop Evil – 2:20pm
Black Stone Cherry – 4:10pm
Rev Theory – 6:00pm

www.carolinarebellion.com

Carolina Rebellion Photo Gallery

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Photos appear courtesy of Steve Trager

Sydney Soundwave Festival 2011

February 27, 2011 at Sydney Olympic Park in Sydney, Australia.

by Cameron Edney
Guest Staff Writer

For those of us who have already experienced the Soundwave Festival train this past week how fucking AMAZING was that!

So many amazing sets, I don’t even know where to begin, but give me time and there will be a full coverage review going around! No doubt highlights for me included Stone Sour, Nonpoint, Dimmu Borgir, Taking Dawn, Devildriver, Rob Zombie and Iron Maiden.

After covering 26 of the 60+ artists on the bill we’ve finally compiled a ton of great photographs for your viewing pleasure. Anyways enough from me, it’s time for the pictures to tell the story of what was one hell of a kick ass day for rock, punk and metal lovers in Sydney!

Featured bands include:
30Seconds to Mars
36 Crazyfists
Breath Carolina
Bullet for my Valentine
Devildriver
Dimmu Borgir
Every Avenue
High on Fire
Ill Nino
Kylesa
Murderdolls
MXPX All-Stars
Nonpoint
Primus
Rise to Remain
Rob Zombie
Sevendust
Slash
Stone Sour
Taking Dawn
The Sword
Trash Talk

Sydney Soundwave Festival Photo Gallery

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