Tonight - AMBASSADOR GUN in Minneapolis, HINDER in Duluth

Fans of extreme metal and hardcore will want to get down to The Nether Bar at Mill City Nights in Minneapolis to catch local Prosthetic Records recording artist Ambassador Gun (their latest album Golden Eagle is reviewed here, 7/10) as they roll through home on their current tour. Joining them will be Nerves, Much Worse, and Call Of The Void. Things get under way at 9:00, and this 18+ show is only $5 at the door.

Watch Ambassador Gun's video for "Wounded Knee" that has them playing while riding in a van and screaming into a CB radio.

If you're up north and didn't get to see Hinder (the review of their Welcome To The Freakshow album is here, 1/10) last night in Minneapolis, they'll be playing tonight with Acidic and Clyde Iron Works in Duluth. It's a 21+ show, showtime is 8:00, and tickets at the door are $27.

Tonight - SOILWORK; HINDER; BLACKTHORNE

There's three shows of note tonight - the big one is Sweden's Soilwork at Station 4 in St. Paul (I reviewed their The Living Infinite album here, 5/10). Opening up the show is former Nevermore guitarist Jeff Loomis, Blackguard, The Browning, and Wretched. Doors are early at 6:00 pm for this 16+ show, and it's $20 at the door.

Commercial hard rock fans will want to get down to First Avenue in Minneapolis tonight for Hinder (review of the Welcome To The Freakshow album is here, 1/10), The Last Vegas, and Acidic. Things get underway at 7:00 - it's an 18+ show and tickets are $25 at the door.

At the Cause Spirits & Soundbar in Uptown Minneapolis, you can catch local extreme hardcore band Blackthorne and Bisento. There's no cover charge for this 21+ show.

Album Review - HINDER

Hinder – Welcome To The Freakshow

Universal, December 2012

1/10

I won’t make this review longer than necessary because Hinder encapsulates everything that I hate about radio-friendly hard rock. The first track, lead single “Save Me”, and “Ladies Come First”, both harmless mid-tempo rockers are about as good as it gets here on the band’s fourth album. Problems are already apparent, however, as the production sucks all feeling and life from the songs. The snare drum is pathetically weak, there’s little to no bass in the mix, and the frequent use of electronic drums and beats is distracting (and downright offensive on “Wanna Be Rich”). What really sets me over the edge are the lyrics, which generally take a lame storytelling form or consist of wallowing in self-pity about relationships and how life sucks. At least half of the songs are ballads or limp soft rock tunes that unfortunately make the lyrics easy to understand. I’m sure it will hard to avoid some of these songs as more are unleashed as singles, but be advised to try your best. I honestly thought that commercial hard rock couldn’t sink any lower than Nickelback or Creed, but Hinder have done it. At least give Nickelback and Creed credit for writing some songs with teeth and respectable melodies. Run for the hills and avoid this like the plague.

Hinder performs Wednesday, March 27 at First Avenue in Minneapolis with support from The Last Vegas and Acidic. They also play with Acidic at Clyde Iron Works in Duluth on Thursday, March 28.

In Concert This Week - March 21, 2013

There’s a huge number of concerts coming town  over the next three weeks, so brace yourself!

On Sunday, March 24, former Anthrax guitarist Dan Spitz brings his new band Red Lamb to Station 4 in St. Paul as part of the band’s inaugural tour which benefits children with autism. Local support will come from Candy Machine Guns, Prophets Of Aether, Monster Of Creation, and Pandemic. This is a 16+ show.

Also playing on Sunday, March 24 at the Triple Rock Social Club in Minneapolis is sludge doom band Jucifer together with local sludge monsters Witchden for an 18+ show.

Long running German industrial dance troupe KMFDM returns to First Avenue in Minneapolis on Monday, March 25 for an 18+ show with Legion Within and Czar.

A big night of metal will ensue Wednesday, March 27 when Sweden’s Soilwork returns to Station 4 in St. Paul with former Nevermore guitarist Jeff Loomis, Blackguard, The Browning, and Wretched for a 16+ show.

Commercial hard rock heroes Hinder bring The Last Vegas and Acidic with them to First Avenue in Minneapolis on Wednesday, March 27 for an 18+ show.

Wednesday, March 27 also has locals Blackthorne and Bisento playing Cause Spirits & Soundbar for a free 21+ show.

Twin Cities-based Prosthetic Records recording artist Ambassador Gun will unleash their insanity at The Nether Bar in Mill City Nights in Minneapolis on Thursday, March 28. This is an 18+ show, and support will come from Nerves, Much Worse, and Call Of The Void.

If you’re up north, Hinder and Acidic play a 21+ show in Duluth at Clyde Iron Works on Thursday, March 28.