WINGER Album Review

Winger - Karma

Frontiers, 2009

9/10

Crank this album up, stand back from your speakers, and prepare for your jaw to drop at the hard, heavy edge that Winger takes on their fifth album, Karma. Sure, it’s easy to mock the bubble gum, pop rock image the band fostered with their first two albums, but the musical talent in Winger could never be dismissed. Clearly now not worried about writing songs for the radio, Winger continues with a heavier sound that really began with their third album, Pull. Most of the songs here are pretty short (three to four minutes long) except for the ballads, which hit the six to seven minute mark that doesn’t fit into a radio-friendly format. Two scorchers, “Deal With The Devil” and “Stone Cold Killer”, immediately set Karma off, and “Stone Cold Killer” has one of the best fist-pounding, neck-snapping choruses I’ve heard in a while. “Big World Away” has a heavy, grinding riff and huge melodic chorus that leads into the dark tones of “Come A Little Closer”. The breakneck pace of “Pull Me Under” picks up the album again and contains a wicked twin guitar solo. The middle of the record slows down a bit for the grand melodies on “Supernova” and “Always Within Me”. “After All These Years” is a blues-tinged ballad that brings to mind early Whitesnake and “Solider Of Fortune” by Deep Purple, but at over six minutes long it seems to drag. A big highlight is the epic ballad-esque song “Witness” at the tail end of the album. This song has a massive, layered chorus and big, lengthy guitar solos that stretch out the last three or four minutes. “First Ending”, a short piano and acoustic guitar instrumental, closes the album on a soft note that feels like a recovery from the rest of the record. Most people would be very surprised at the intensity of Karma if they were willing to listen with an open mind. Let’s face it – many of Winger’s contemporaries such as Dokken, Poison, and Mötley Crüe have released a slew of bad albums that tarnish their legacies. Winger only seems to be getting better, and Karma ranks as one of their best albums to date.

Winger performs Friday, October 8 with legendary Southern rockers Blackfoot at the Medina Entertainment Center in Medina.

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AVIAN To Release "The Path" EP On September 28; Reissue "From The Depths Of Time" on October 26

Minneapolis power metal band Avian will release a four-song EP, The Path, on September 28 through Blinding Force Recordings. Two of the songs, "S.S. (Instrumental)" and "The Fear (Acoustic)", are exclusive to the EP, while "The Path" and "When The Night's Undone" we will be featured on Avian's next album Midnight At The Tower, slated for a mid-2011 release. The Path is the first Avian recording to feature Brian Hollenbeck on lead vocals, who has switched from bass to replace Lance King. Lance left Avian in June to focus on other professional and personal commitments. Taking over on bass is Jaden Adair. The Path will be available in CD and digital formats through major retailers such as Amazon, CD Baby, and iTunes.

If you've seen Avian or Hollenbeck and guitarist Yan Leviathan's other band, Echoterra, you know that Brian is fitting replacement for Lance King. Avian has made "The Path" available for streaming, and you can also hear Brian sing lead on "Say, Try, Lie, Die" from Echoterra's performance in May 21 in Minneapolis (below).

Lastly, Avian will reissue their 2005 debut album, From The Depths Of Time, as a Special Edition through Blinding Force Recordings on October 26. Megadeth bassist Dave Ellefson played bass on this excellent album. The reissue will contain three unreleased bonus songs: "Sentinel On The Horizon" (with Brian Hollenbeck on vocals), "Two Sides Collide" (Japanese bonus track), and "As The World Burns" (live acoustic version). Avian has made "Sentinel On The Horizon" available for streaming (below).

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BLIND GUARDIAN To Tour North America, Minneapolis Date November 30

The final concert announcement for now comes from power metal band Blind Guardian, who will embark on a month-long North American tour in November and December to support their At The Edge Of Time album. Opening bands on the tour will be Holy Grail and Nightmare Records recording artist Seven Kingdoms. This tour lands in Minneapolis on Tuesday, November 30 at The Cabooze, and the complete itinerary is:

November 19 - Philadelphia, PA

November 20 - New York, NY, Nokia Theatre

November 21 - Worcester, MA, The Palladium

November 23 - Montreal, QC, Metropolis

November 25 - Quebec city, QC, Theatre Capitole

November 26 - Toronto, ON, Kool Haus

November 27 - Royal Oak, MI, Royal Oak Music Theatre

November 29 - Chicago, IL, Bottom Lounge

November 30 - Minneapolis, MN, The Cabooze

December 1 - Winnipeg, MB, The Garrick Centre

December 3 - Calgary, AB, MacEwan Hall Ballroom

December 4 - Edmonton, AB, The Starlite Room

December 6 - Seattle, WA, Showbox At The Market

December 8 - San Francisco, CA, The Regency Ballroom

December 9 - Los Angeles, CA, Henry Fonda Theatre

December 10 - Tempe, AZ, Marquee Theatre

December 11 - Albuquerque, NM, Sunshine Theater

December 12 - Denver, CO, Bluebird Theater

December 14 - Dallas, TX, Tree's

December 15 - Houston, TX, Scout Bar

December 17 - Asheville, NC, The Orange Peel

December 18 - St. Petersburg, FL, The State Theatre

December 19 - Atlanta, GA, The Masquerade

December 21 - Raleigh, NC, Lincoln Theatre

December 22 - Springfield, VA, Jaxx

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DANZIG's Blackest Of The Black Tour - Minneapolis Show Added

Glenn Danzig's disdain for extended touring is well known, so it's welcome news that his annual Blackest Of The Black Tour is coming to Minneapolis for the first time on Tuesday, November 9 at The Cabooze. Tickets for this show go on sale this Friday, September 10 at 11:00 am CDT through Ticketmaster. The full lineup for the tour includes Possessed, Marduk, Toxic Holocaust, and Withered, so this will be a great show for fans of extreme metal. Unfortunately this is the same night as Nile, Ex Deo, Psycroptic, Keep Of Kalessin, and Pathology at Station 4 in St. Paul! The complete routing for the Blackest Of The Black Tour follows. Danzig recently released his latest album, Deth Red Sabaoth.

October 23 - Pala, CA, TBA - Danzig only, warm-up show

October 25 - Albuquerque, NM, Sunshine Theatre

October 27 - Little Rock, AK, The Village

October 29 - San Antonio, TX, San Antonio Live

October 30 - Houston, TX, Warehouse

October 31 - Dallas, TX, Palladium

November 2 - Knoxville, TN, Valarium

November 3 - Louisville, KY, Expo Five

November 4 - Buffalo, NY, Town Ballroom

November 5 - Columbus, OH, Alrosa Villa, no Danzig

November 6 - Royal Oak, MI, Royal Oak Music Theater

November 7 - Chicago, IL, Congress Theater

November 9 - Minneapolis, MN, The Cabooze

November 10 - Fargo, ND, The Venue

November 12 - Denver, CO, Gothic Theater

November 14 - Spokane, WA, Knitting Factory Concert House

November 15 - Seattle, WA, Showbox SODO

November 16 - Portland, OR, Roseland Theater

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Two Twin Cities Shows For DEADSEA On US Tour

Deadsea, a self-described "prog/doom/tech/stoner/metal" trio from Columbus, Ohio have announced a US tour for most of October. Two dates in the Twin Cities are booked for this tour: Sunday, October 3 at the Turf Club in St. Paul, and Monday, October 4 at Memory Lanes in Minneapolis. The October 4 show at Memory Lanes is free! The band has released two albums, and their new record is expected later this year. Go learn more about Deadsea at their Myspace page. Here's the full itinerary for Deadsea's US tour:

October 1 - Chicago, IL, TBA

October 2 - Milwaukee, WI, Bong Ward

October 3 - St. Paul, MN, Turf Club

October 4 - Minneapolis, MN, Memory Lanes

October 5 - Lincoln, NE, Bourbon Theatre

October 6 - Denver, CO, TBA

October 7 - Salt Lake City, UT, Burt's Tiki Lounge w/Laughter

October 8 - Boise, ID, Red Room Tavern

October 9 - Portland, OR, Berbati's Pan, Fall Into Darkness Festival

October 11 - Arcata, CA, Alibi

October 12 - Oakland, CA, TBA

October 13 - San Francisco, CA, Elbo Room w/Grayceon

October 15 - Los Angeles, CA, TBA w/Landmine Marathon

October 16 - San Diego, CA, TBA w/Landmine Marathon

October 17 - Phoenix, AZ, Sound Kontrol w/Landmine Marathon

October 18 - Albuquerque, NM, Burt's Tiki Lounge

October 19 - Midland, TX, Pine Box

October 20 - Austin, TX, Headhunter's

October 21 - Dallas, TX, Nightmare w/Christian Mistress

October 22 - Nashville, TN, TBA

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KAMELOT Postpones North American Tour; ProgPower USA XI Performance Still On

I'm currently in Europe until the end of the week, so I haven't had the chance to update the site with some news in the last couple days. First up is yesterday's news from Kamelot that they are postponing their North American tour a couple days after announcing that vocalist Michael Eriksen from Circus Maximus would substitute for the ill Roy Khan. Despite this, Kamelot will still headline the ProgPower USA XI festival in Atlanta, Georgia this Friday, September 10. Leaves' Eyes and Blackguard, who were slated to support the Kamelot tour, will also still be performing at ProgPower this Friday.

Additionally, although ProgPower is sold out, the promoter has released 25 extra tickets for Kamelot fans. For more information about how to get one of these tickets visit the ProgPower website.

Here's the complete statement from Kamelot about the tour cancellation that was sent out by press release:

"Hi Kamelot Nation.

As many of you know, Roy has fallen ill and could not make the North American tour. We have been rehearsing like madmen here in Tampa -- the band is tighter than ever and Michael from Circus Maximus is truly an amazing singer; if there is one male vocalist in this world who is on par with Roy, it is Michael! However, after today's rehearsal, we all decided that we do not feel right about doing the North American tour as anything less than a 100% Kamelot Experience. We appreciate that many fans have waited more than 2 years for new material and to see us perform together. Our new album, Poetry for the Poisoned represents a labor of love from us, and to present it at anything less than full strength seems a disservice to all involved.

Though we will suffer financial losses on this late hour cancellation, we still feel it’s the right decision for us as a band to make – we regret disappointing all those who worked so hard to shape this tour, and especially those fans who were still so willing to come through and support us despite Roy’s absence. We are humbled by that type of support, and we sincerely hope that our return in full form Kamelot strength will be more reward for your unwavering loyalty!  We will reschedule all shows in the near future, once Roy is able to return. To thank Michael for his effort, the band will still appear at the sold-out Progpower Festival, as a one off show with him and many special guest singers from the festival. Again, we want to thank all of you for your amazing support!!"

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SUICIDAL TENDENCIES Fall Tour, Minneapolis November 18

Thrash/crossover pioneers Suicidal Tendencies will embark on a US tour this October and November to promote their new No Mercy Fool!/The Suicidal Family album that will be released tomorrow, September 7, through the band's Suicidal Records. The new album features re-recorded tracks from Suicidal Tendencies' second album, Join The Army, alongside songs intended for the second No Mercy album. Suicidal Tendencies play in Minneapolis at The Cabooze on Thursday, November 18; the full tour itinerary is:

October 15 - Reno, NV, Knitting Factory

October 16 - Portland, OR, Roseland

October 17 - Seattle, WA, Showbox

October 20 - San Francisco, CA, Fillmore

October 22 - Las Vegas, NV, House Of Blues

October 26 - Colorado Springs, CO, Black Sheep

October 29 - Detroit, MI, Harpo's

October 30 - Milwaukee, WI, Eagles Ballroom

October 31 - Cleveland, OH, Peabody's

November 2 - St. Louis, MO, Pops

November 4 - Houston, TX, Meridien

November 6 - Dallas, TX, Palladium Showroom

November 7 - Austin, TX, Fun Fun Fun Fest

November 9 - Tampa, FL, State Theatre

November 10 - Orlando, FL, Firestone

November 12 - Washington, DC, 9:30 Club

November 13 - Worcester, MA, Palladium

November 17 - Chicago, IL, Metro

November 18 - Minneapolis, MN, The Cabooze

November 20 - Denver, CO, Summit

November 21 - Albuquerque, NM, Sunshine Theatre

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Legendary 70's Rockers CAIN To Perform September 17!!

If you know anything about forgotten 70's hard rock you have heard of Cain. This Minneapolis-based band was one of the heaviest bands out there in the 70's, and their LPs command big bucks if you can find them. Cain independently released two albums on the ASI label, A Pound Of Flesh and Stinger, and third album wasn't completed before the band broke up. The Monster Records reissue of A Pound Of Flesh a few years ago generated new interest in this cult band, and fans today still rave about the thick guitars and Jiggs Lee's vocals.

As I was flipping through the City Pages a couple days ago, I was stunned to see Cain listed as performing at the Mid America Music Hall Of Fame Induction Award Show on Friday, September 17 at the Sheraton in Bloomington, Minnesota. This appears to be the real deal, as an earlier version of the advertisement (below) lists "Jiggs Lee and Cain". I've never heard of Cain doing any reunion shows, so this could be your only chance to hear their songs live. Former members are now an anesthesiologist and a popular radio personality here in Minneapolis.

The other performing acts probably won't be of any interest to readers here, but Cain is worth the price of admission alone. I'll try to find out more information about Cain's performance and report back. Get your tickets in advance as this event is expected to sell out.

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KILLER IN THE WORKPLACE - Minnesota Dates Announced

It's been a while since anything has been heard from Bonz, former vocalist for rap-metal pioneers Stuck Mojo. His new band is called Killer In The Workplace, and also features former members of Soulfly and Primer 55. There's no word yet on when any recorded material will be released, but the band is hitting the road later this month through October in a lot of out-of-the-way places in the Upper Midwest, including shows in Circle Pines (October 14) and Rochester, Minnesota (October 16). Here's the current list of tour dates for Killer In The Workplace:

September 24 - Middletown, NY, Orange County Fair Speedway
October 1 - Orlando, FL, The Haven
October 2 - South Ft. Myers, FL, Skeeter B's
October 7 - Louisville, KY, Phoenix Hill Tavern
October 8 - Peoria, IL, The Brass Rail
October 9 - Green Bay, WI, Players Lounge
October 10 - Spooner, WI, Stone Pony
October 14 - Circle Pines, MN, Bamboo Betty's
October 15 - Northwood, IA, Bar Games
October 16 - Rochester, MN, Midwest Skate Park
October 17 - Fort Dodge, IA, Eagles Landing
October 22 - Sandusky, OH, The Underground
October 23 - Murfreesboro, NC, Zakk's Coffee House
October 31 - Atlanta, GA, Lenny's
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KISS - From The Vault

Kiss played at the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand last night, and although I didn't go I thought it'd be fun to reminisce about some past times that I've seen the legendary rockers. One of the very first concerts I went to was Kiss and Dokken in March 1985 in Dubuque, Iowa at the Five Flags Center, a small arena. Kiss had recently recruited Bruce Kulick to replace guitarist Mark St. John in support of Animalize, and Dokken was just starting to get some legs with Tooth And Nail. Me and my junior high school friends were too young to drive, so my friend's parents drove a carload of us 90 minutes to Dubuque for this. My friend's stepfather who drove us later went on to become a United States Congressman, haha! We thought it was funny that a small crowd was protesting the "Satanic and evil" Kiss outside the venue. Tooth And Nail is easily one of my favorite 80's albums, and Dokken tore the roof off playing most of the album, including "Heartless Heart", "Tooth And Nail", "Don't Close Your Eyes", "Just Got Lucky", "When Heaven Comes Down", "Into The Fire", and "Alone Again". Kiss blew we away, too, and I remember them playing a great set that included "Firehouse", "Black Diamond", "Under The Gun", and many, many of the usual favorites.

I didn't see Kiss again for another five years, however, I caught them three times on the Hot In The Shade tour in 1990. The first two times were in Cedar Rapids and Des Moines, Iowa (I posted an uncirculated audio bootleg of the Cedar Rapids show here) with two of the worst opening acts you could have asked for, Faster Pussycat and Slaughter. For the second leg of the tour, Winger replaced Faster Pussycat and Kiss changed around the set list a little bit (they brought back "I Was Made For Loving You"). By the time I saw this show in East Troy, Wisconsin, Slaughter had taken off in a huge way. The pyramid stage set for Kiss on this tour was completely over the top!

The Revenge album was the first album from Kiss that had excited me in a long time, so I was glad Kiss returned to Cedar Rapids in 1992. Great White and Trixter opened this show, but we got there late and missed both bands. Kiss never disappoints, so this was another great show although one without any surprises.

It's hard to believe that it's been 14 years now since I last saw Kiss. This 1996 show in Kansas City sold out instantly because this was the first reunion tour with makeup and the four original members. Despite all the hype, it probably wasn't any better than any of the other Kiss shows I've seen. Unfortunately, this show has become legendary because Alice In Chains was the opener and it was the last public performance of singer Layne Staley. That's Alice In Chains guitarist Jerry Cantrell's signature on the ticket stub. I met him in 2001 at a club in San Diego before one of his solo shows where he also autographed my We Die Young EP.

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