The Meister's A Dirty White Boy!: Foreigner Concert Review (Featuring Photos By Brian Ronald)

If someone had told the ten-year-old (or thereabouts) me that years later I would be going to see the band live that did that song for a beer commercial I'd have thought you were nuts! Yes, that's right way back in the 80's the Foreigner song "Cold As Ice" appeared in a beer commercial. I don't remember what the beer was, but I'm told that I quite enjoyed the tune when it came on, dancing around the family living room. I guess I was a rocker at an early age.

Some years later Foreigner became the classic rock/dock rock soundtrack of the summer as friends and I hung out at someone's cottage which included sitting on the dock ("Dock Rock") and also some "Cold As Ice" beverages. Foreigner has been with me for a good portion of my life and even though they're not something that I gravitate to for regular listening enjoyment, hearing the tunes in a live setting just makes sense.

Now some may say why would I bother to go to see Foreigner since there's no original members left in the band? Well, that's technically not wholly true as, to my understanding, Mick Jones, founding guitarist is still an official member of Foreigner but is hampered from playing and touring due to illness. That aside what you do get with a Foreigner show are professional musicians playing some of the best classic rock for that nostalgia of my youth. Among those professional musicians are vocalist Kelly Hansen in the position originally held down by Lou Gramm. Hansen has been at the helm of Foreigner since about 2005, but some may know him from the incredible late 80's band Hurricane who issued four stellar records. But even better than that is bassist Jeff Pilson. Name not familiar?
 Well, try this on for size, Jeff Pilson was the longtime bassist and member of 80's sensation Dokken featuring the vocals of Don Dokken and guitar wizardry of George Lynch who sold over 10 million records worldwide. So my question is why wouldn't you go and see Foreigner? And I wasn't the only one as two back to back nights at Casino Rama in Orillia, Ontario were both sold out, not to mention that two weeks before that the band was in Kitchener, Ontario to another sold out crowd. That's three shows circling the Toronto area, all sold out!

Looking around the casino auditorium this was a little different style of crowd than The Meister's usual concert forays...I felt young again! Things began on time with a recorded into and an announcer requesting the audience to "Please welcome ...Foreigner!" As the band filled out the stage, "Double Vision" from their 1978 Double Vision album led the charge. Whether Pilson was aware of it or not his bass was horribly loud, like in a bad way, at least from our seats way up on the mezzanine at the back of the auditorium anyway. The bass was thundering over the guitars which seemed a little dull in the mix, something that I think they should have sorted by now as this was the second of the two shows. The bass seemed to calm down a little during the second number of "Head Games" as the band had lots of space to roam around on the good sized stage. Hansen took a moment to address the crowd and when I say "address" I mean he heckled some latecomers

and was actually quite funny about it. He said that we were "already a better crowd than last night" whom he couldn't get out of their seats he added hintingly. Yes, that's right, this was the first concert I've attended in forever where the whole audience (aside from a few at stage front) were remaining seated! The beer commercial soundtrack "Cold As Ice" was next on the roster, making me crave another ice cold beverage, unfortunately, such things were banned from this auditorium. With his voice sounding amazing, Hansen vacated the stage, running up the aisle through the audience and climbing onto the mezzanine before regaining the stage to wrap up "Cold As Ice" before taking a moment to catch his breath and more humorous monolog about being out of breath. The bass had seemed to have settled down a little and the band really started sounding great. After announcing that they would be looking for the most romantic couple slow dancing for this next one, he said that there may even be a prize for that couple. A few couples began dancing in the aisles as "Waiting For A Girl Like You" started, but before long the floor aisles and even the mezzanine were packed with dancers. "Dirty White Boy" followed before Hansen informed us that the next song used to be full electric, but Jeff Pilson had concocted a new arrangement as they performed a great acoustic rendition of "Say You Will". Now it was time for the band introductions as Hansen told some jokes about each band member while introducing them to the audience. Quite a humorous bit, but a little too lengthy for my tastes and serving to notch down the energy a little. Kelley then began to virtually beg people to get out of their seats and by the first

chorus of  "Feels Like The First Time" almost everyone in the whole place was on their feet. Finally! You can't see a rock concert sitting down, it's just wrong! Alas, I was obviously outnumbered as at the completion of the song everyone was again seated. The beginning of "Urgent" saw a few return to the standing position, but for me I felt a little awkward as the only one standing in my balcony seating area and blocking those behind me. The following keyboard/drum (timewaster) solo lost any momentum gained as everyone again took their seats. The lengthy version of "Jukebox Hero" got people up again though without too much trouble. The whole band sounded absolutely incredible on this track and Hansen can sure hold a note. After a brief respite of stage silence, the cheering audience quelled down once Foreigner again took the stage with "Long, Long Way From Home". Unfortunately, a good portion of the crowd was once again seated and it appeared that there were even more than a few vacant seats as people had left the event early, something that wasn't lost on Hansen as he again quipped about the seating. He's quite the comedian with a good presence and fabulous crowd interaction, man I wish I'd been able to see Hurricane! The Orillia Vocal Ensemble choir all dressed in black filled the stage around the band for "I Want To Know What Love Is" before a little guitar solo led off "Hot Blooded" which saw Pilson and keyboardist Michael Bluestein switch instruments half way through.

Foreigner did what they could to rock this rather dull (well maybe different people just enjoy live music in different ways) crowd in what was overall a great performance. If I had one complaint, it would be the shortness of the setlist with only 12 songs performed. Yes, the show lasted for almost two hours but I would rather have heard another tune or two such as my favorite "That Was Yesterday" instead of so much talking/crowd banter and the solo portion. That aside, get out and see this band as they roll through your town....who knows maybe Mick Jones will feel up to it that night and be on stage for you!

PHOTOS SUPPLIED BY: DECIBEL GEEK STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER BRIAN RONALD (Taken at the February 7, 2015 Foreigner concert in Kitchener, Ontario)

Cheers,
The Meister

(The Meister on Facebook) (Meister on Twitter)

(Foreigner Website) (Foreigner Facebook)

Corabi's Motley Crue 94 Experience...

Well the rumors of my disappearance are now put to rest. It's been quite a while since I have contributed anything to the Decibel Geek Army, today breaks the silence "Don't tell me to turn it down!".

When I first got wind that John Corabi was bringing his "Motley 94 Experience" Tour to Toronto's Rockpile, I vowed that NOTHING would keep me from seeing this show. As soon as they announced the date, I called my Hoser Heavy Metal brother Rich "The Meister" Dillon and told him I was in! I haven't been this excited to see a concert in ages.

Many of you know that Motley Crue was my first concert back in 1984. From that moment I became an unabashed Cruehead being sure to catch every tour that came my way. Over the years, every tour that touched Toronto, I even made pilgrimages to Hamilton and Buffalo when Toronto wasn't enough. The only tour missing from my list was Motley's 94 ill fated tour that never came close enough for me to see. Within months, Vince was back in the fold and the self titled 94 album would be virtually erased from the bands history book. Well NOT MY history book! This was and still is far and away the best album of Motley's career.

Now I am sure I just ruffled a few feathers with that last statement but I stand by it. Musically it was miles ahead of anything they have ever done and vocally? C'mon, Corabi's vocal delivery on this album was pure, raw power that gives me goosebumps 20 years later. I am not slagging on Vince, he's an amazing frontman but looking at pure vocal ability, Corabi is the MAN! He is the Ronnie James Dio to Motley Crue, and there isn't anybody ever going to convince me that Ozzy is a better singer than Dio. Unfortunately many of the Crueheads just weren't ready to let go of the "good time party rock" that Crue had built their career on and the grunge movement rolling in wasn't going to accept an 80's "dinosaur" band like Motley. It's a bloody shame as this album delivers more angst, snarl and attitude than anything Cobain and his ilk ever released.

It was always a thorn in my side that I would probably never get to hear the majority of these songs live but the infinite wisdom of Mr. Corabi was going to change all of that. The Corabi Motley 94 Experience Tour was going to celebrate this excellent album that the Crue refuse to acknowledge. "Who said the music's dead in the streets? Don't know what they talk about".

As I mentioned earlier there wasn't anything going to stop me from seeing this show and I meant it. Lovely negative double digit temperatures, boatloads of snow and a badly sprained right knee all tried to damper this glorious night of rock but to no avail. We got there early, set up shop with a great vantage point to take in all the action and enjoyed a frosty beverachie or twelve as the opening bands got under way.

First up a new band for my ears. "Hollywood Sins". Great name and a solid set of melodic hard rock. Songs like "Dirty Girl", "Snake Eyes" and "Sick and Twisted" got the evening off to a great start. Catchy hooks with great sing along chorus's, these guys have everything I like about hard rock music. Be sure to check them out, I am looking forward to seeing these guys rock again very soon.

On second was the aptly named "Second Pass", a band I had not yet seen before. Meister informed me "wait till you hear this girl sing". Halfway through the first song, vocalist "Vee" (Veronica McNamee) let loose and my jaw hit the floor. Musically this band is pure dark heavy rock with groove, a lot of Sabbath, a little Goth and Vee glues it all together with vocals of a true metal maiden. I would love to see her onstage trading licks with Doro Pesch.

Third on the bill was "Crisis Cntrl Club" a young band from Toronto some might think didn't belong on bill. I couldn't disagree more, these guys played a high energy set of original music that was hook filled and very catchy, reminding me very much of Fall Out Boy. Keep in mind that Pete Wentz (Fall Out Boy) is a huge fan of Nikki Sixx and Motley Crue. Solid musicianship and radio friendly rock/pop songs will serve this band very well and I will be sure to check them out again. Certainly not cut from the metal genre but great songs are great songs and "Next Time" and "Crime" are both great songs and now sit in my ipod.

Last up before the main event was one of the Rockpile favorites and rightfully so. Three Quarter Stone brought out the big guns with an absolutely outstanding set that got the place jumping. Meister and I have seen these guys probably a dozen or so times over the last couple years. First time we saw them I loved it but they are light years from that show. With three great Cd's of music out now these guys are so tight and so totally comfortable on that stage they could easily headline this venue and I will be up front rocking along with them. For those of you feeling adventurous, go check out some Three Quarter Stone music, you wont regret it and be sure to check out their reworking of the Judas Priest classic "You've Got Another Thing Coming".

Canadians are made of rugged stock so the inclement weather did little to deter the crowd. By the time Corabi and his band made their entrance the Rockpile was pretty full of familiar faces ready to witness a piece of history. A few important friends of the Decibel Geek Podcast were in attendance to take it all in. Red Dragon Cartel's Darren James Smith and Darrell and Johnny from the Killer Dwarfs were enjoying the festivities, horns up and rocking out. Proving once again the Rockpile is Toronto's destination for live rock and metal.

When the intro to "Power to the Music" was kicked in, it was on! Confined to my chair did nothing to slow down the head banging, fist pumping and air guitarring that would continue for the next 80 minutes of so. The setlist was as expected, Motley's 94 album, track by track in order and it was absolutely spot on 100% lethal.

Meister posted to Facebook that he thought he was listening to the CD but he wasn't. Corabi and his band completely reconstructed this album note for note. Guitarists Josh "the Meistro" Dutoit and Jeremy Asbrock, bassist Topher Nolen and John's son Ian Corabi certainly put in some long hours of rehearsal putting together that show. John's vocals are every bit as strong, rich and paint peeling powerful as they were when he recorded these tunes some twenty years previous.

Back in December of 2013 I had the pleasure and privilege of interviewing John here at the Rockpile before an acoustic performance. During that interview he told me of his upcoming plans to put this Motley 94 Experience Tour together and that his son was scheduled to fill the drum spot within his band. I remember him telling the story, that his son was going to be put through the test as Tommy Lee played some bad ass drums on that album and that Ian would have his work cut out for him. Boy did Ian step up, every hit was as fierce as the album and he totally nailed it out of the park.

SMOKE THE SKY!!!!!!

Every moment of this show was killer but I will point out three personal highlights that rocked my world. "Uncle Jack" my personal favorite from the album was almost more intense live. Such a dark and tragic song that just kicks total ass. "Poison Apples" was a surprise moment that totally blew the roof of but watching Topher (sporting a very nice Kiss Destroyer shirt btw) dig into the bassline and John's maniac vocal for "Smoke the Sky" took me to another dimension.

Covering all 12 songs from the album, they saved "Babykills" one of the albums bonus tracks for a very tasty encore capping off one of the best concert moments of my life. There is absolutely nothing in the world like the feeling live music gives you and to finally hear these songs that I have loved for years with such passion and precision was truly amazing. Thank you to John for putting this tour together and thanks to your band for absolutely delivering the goods. The goosebumps are still there three days later! "I want my music waking up the dead!"

Thanks to Decibel Geek Photographer extraordinaire Mr. Brian Ronald for capturing the live photos.

Be sure to check out the links and keep supporting live music...

Hollywood Sins
Second Pass
CrisisCtrlClub
Three Quarter Stone
and of course....
John Corabi

The Decibel Geek Top Albums of 2014 - Staff Picks

Well fellow Decibel Geeks it's that time of year again and as 2014 draws to a close the staff here at Decibel Geek Podcast have compiled their list of the top ten best albums that this year has produced.  With our staff having grown by quite a bit throughout 2014, we were able to welcome new writers from around the globe to the team.  The weekly podcast reached new highs in the iTunes podcast charts, expanding the audience through exciting and informative weekly episodes and entertaining special guests such as John Corabi, Dick Wagner, Paul Taylor, Gary Corbett, Todzilla, Luc Carl, Mike Tramp, Chuck Garric, Killer Dwarfs, Wallygator & The Meister, Brighton Rock.......and more.

2014 saw a whopping amount of strong releases issued in every sub genre and with the varied tastes and interests of our staff you can imagine our top ten is quite widespread.  Each of the staff submitted their personal top ten (each of which appears below) and the bands were assigned points depending on where they ranked in that particular list (1 point for #10 and 10 points for #1).  The points were then tallied up to provide the collective top ten from all of us here at Decibel Geek Podcast.  While we might not always agree on these things one thing's for sure: we all love music and  due to some of my colleagues picks, I personally, have been inspired to revisit some albums that did not make the cut for me as well as explore some new ones and we hope that we can turn you onto some of the great efforts of 2014, if you haven't been already.

Please support these bands and all of your favorite bands to keep the music alive and flowing, by clicking on the included links to purchase.  With some already exciting releases on the horizon for 2015, don't forget to check out our "New Release" section updated regularly and follow Decibel Geek on Social Media: iTunes / Facebook / Twitter / YouTube / Instagram

DECIBEL GEEK PODCAST'S COLLECTIVE TOP TEN ALBUMS OF 2014:

(Click on the blue album name for Amazon.com purchase link)

10) Tesla - Simplicity 18pts
9) KXM - KXM 19pts / Winger - Better Days Comin' 19pts
8) Slipknot - .5: The Gray Chapter 22pts
7) Rated X - Rated X 23pts
6) Ace Frehley - Space Invader 24pts
5) Vega - Stereo Messiah 25pts
4) Primal Fear - Delivering the Black 27pts
3) Slash - World on Fire 31pts
2) Judas Priest - Redeemer of Souls 50pts
1) Accept - Blind Rage 52pts
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INDIVIDUAL STAFF'S TOP TEN PICKS:

Warren Money (Staff Writer...who was the first to submit his list)

10) Foo Fighters - Sonic Highways (1 point)
9) Winger - Better Days Comin' (2 points)
8) Diamond Lane - Terrorizer (3 points)
7) Slipknot - .5: The Gray Chapter (4 points)
6) Billy Idol - Kings & Queens of the Underground (5 points)
5) Mr. Big - ...The Stories We Could Tell (6 points)
4) Sammy Hagar - Lite Roast (7 points)
3) Judas Priest -Redeemer of Souls (8 points)
2) Ace Frehley - Space Invader (9 points)
1) Sixx A.M. - Modern Vintage (10 points)
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Bakko (Staff Writer)

10) Ace Frehley - Space Invader (1) - 10pts

9) Godsmack - 1000hp (2)
8) Foo Fighters - Sonic Highways (3) - 4pts
7) Slipknot - .5: The Gray Chapter (4) - 8pts
6) King Buzzo - This Machine Kills Artists (5)
5) Birds Of Satan - Birds of Satan (6)
4) American Dog - Neanderthal (7)
3) Orange Goblin - Back From the Abyss (8)
2) The Oddfathers - Double Live 45 (9)
1) Red Dragon Cartel - Red Dragon Cartel (10)
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Billy Hardaway (Staff Writer)

10) Winger - Better Days Comin' (1) - 3pts
9) Angels or Kings - Kings of Nowhere (2)
8) Lynch Mob - Sun Red Sun (3)
7) AC/DC - Rock or Bust (4)
6) Moonland - Moonland (5)
5) Tesla - Simplicity (6)
4) Judas Priest - Redeemer of Souls (7) 15pts
3) Work of Art - Framework (8)
2) Slash - World on Fire (9)
1) Vega - Stereo Messiah (10)
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The Meister (Staff Writer....who changed a few of his about a 100 times)

10) Mortician - Shout For Heavy Metal (1)
9) Judas Priest - Redeemer of Souls (2) 17pts
8) Ammotrack - Raise Your Hands (3)
7) House of Lords - Precious Metal (4)
6) Helix - Bastard of the Blues (5)
5) In Faith - There's A Storm Coming (6)
4) Battleaxe - Heavy Metal Sanctuary (7)
3) Accept - Blind Rage (8)
2) Sister Sin - Black Lotus (9)
1) Primal Fear - Delivering the Black (10)
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Derik Novak (Staff Writer & Twitter Guy....follow us: Twitter)

10) Rival Sons - Great Western Valkyrie (1)
9) Alice Cooper - Raise the Dead: Live From Wacken (2)
8) Crazy Lixx - Crazy Lixx (3)
7) Kix - Rock Your Face Off (4)
6) Red Zone Rider - Red Zone Rider (5)
5) Rated X - Rated X (6)
4) Krokus - Long Stick Goes Boom: Live From Da House of Rust (7)
3) Accept - Blind Rage (8) 16pts
2) Judas Priest -Redeemer of Souls  (9) 26pts
1) KXM - KXM (10)
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Andy Lafon (Staff Writer.....who can't follow simple directions and just had to go to 11!)

11) Sister Sin - Black Lotus (0pts...only need top ten albums)
10) Sinbreed - Shadows (1)
9) Sebastian Bach - Give 'Em Hell (2)
8) AC/DC - Rock or Bust  (3) 7pts
7) Overkill - White Devil Armory (4)
6) Tesla - Simplicity (5) 11pts
5) Night Ranger - High Road (6)
4) Judas Priest - Redeemer of Souls (7) 33pts
3) House of Lords - Precious Metal (8) 12pts
2) Accept - Blind Rage (9) 25pts
1) Riot V - Unleash the Fury (10)
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                                                                       David Alpizar (Staff Writer)
10) Red Zone Rider - Red Zone Rider (1) 6pts
9) X-Drive - Get Your Rock On (2)
8) Night Ranger - High Road (3) 9pts
7) Whitesnake - Live in '84: Back to the Bone (4)
6) Kobra & The Lotus - High Priestess (5)
5) Ace Frehley - Space Invader (6) 16pts
4) Tesla - Simplicity (7) 18pts
3) Rated X - Rated X (8) 14pts
2) Mike Tramp - Museum (9)
1) Winger - Better Days Comin' (10) 13pts

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The Lionsheart (Staff Writer....who has a crystal ball and included a 2015 release!)

10) Nightmare - The Aftermath (1)
9) 220 Volt - Walking in Starlight (2)
8) Helix - Bastard of the Blues (3) 8pts
7) Axxis - Kingdom of the Night II: White Edition (4)
6) Brother Firetribe - Diamond in the Firepit (5)
5) China - We Are the Stars (6)
4) Primal Fear - Delivering the Black (7) 17pts
3) The Storyteller - Sacred Fire (0pts....2015 release!)
2) Magnum - Escape From the Shadow Garden (9)
1) Accept - Blind Rage (10) 35pts
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Metal Mike (The Instagram Guy....follow us: Instagram)

10) Sixx A.M. - Modern Vintage (1) 11pts
9) Down - Down IV: Part II (2)
8) Sebastian Bach - Give 'Em Hell (3) 5pts
7) Judas Priest - Redeemer of Souls (4) 37pts
6) Lynch Mob - Sun Red Sun (5) 8pts
5) Slipknot - .5: The Gray Chapter (6) 14pts
4) Kyng - Burn the Serum (7)
3) Slash - World on Fire (8) 17pts
2) KXM - KXM (9) 19pts
1) Crobot - Something Supernatural (10)
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B.J. Kahuna (Staff Writer)

10) Cloud Nothings - Here & Nowhere Else (1)
9) Bob Mould - Beauty & Ruin (2)
8) The New Mendicants - Into the Lime (3)
7) Death From Above 1979 - The Physical World (4)
6) Accept - Blind Rage (5) 40pts
5) New Pornographers - Brill Bruisers (6)
4) Slash - World on Fire (7) 24pts
3) Steve Conte - NYC (8)
2) King Tuff - Black Moon Spell (9)
1) Heavy Tiger - Saigon Kiss (10)
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Kate Campbell (Staff Writer...who has gone back in time to include two 2013 releases!)

10) Devil Driver - Winter Kills (0pts....2013 release date)
9) Starset - Transmissions (2)
8) Lacuna Coil - Broken Crown Halo (3)
7) Islander - Violence & Destruction (4)
6) Ethan Brosh - Live the Dream (5)
5) Killer Dwarfs - Start @ One (0pts....2013 release date)
4) Linkin Park - The Hunting Party (7)
3) Slipknot - .5: The Gray Chapter (8) 22pts
2) New Medicine - Breaking the Model (9)
1) In This Moment - Black Widow (10)
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Brian Ronald (Staff Photographer....another wiseguy with a crystal ball and a 2015 release!)

10) Riot V - Unleash the Fury (1) 11pts
9) Kix - Rock Your Face Off (2) 6pts
8) Houston - Relaunch II (3)
7) DragonForce - Maximum Overload (4)
6) Silver - Idolized (0pts....2015 release) (I stand corrected-CD in      2015 / MP3 released in 2014)
5) Miss Behaviour - Double Agent (6)
4) Vega - Stereo Messiah (7) 17pts
3) Night By Night - NXN (8)
2) Seether - Isolate & Medicate (9)
1) Primal Fear - Delivering the Black (10) 27pts
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Wallygator (Staff Writer)

10) Kix - Rock Your Face Off (1) 7pts
9) Sebastian Bach - Give 'Em Hell (2) 7pts
8) Judas Priest - Redeemer of Souls (3) 40pts
7) Sixx A.M. - Modern Vintage (4) 15pts
6) Helix - Bastard of the Blues (5) 13pts
5) Winger - Better Days Comin' (6) 19pts
4) Accept - Blind Rage (7) 47pts
3) Ace Frehley - Space Invader (8) 24pts
2) Steve Conte - NYC (9) 17pts
1) AC/DC - Rock or Bust (10) 17pts
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Brian Boyle (Staff Writer)

10) AC/DC - Rock or Bust (1) 18pts
9) Devilstrip - Rise (2)
8) Mr. Big - ...The Stories We Could Tell (3) 9pts
7) Black State Highway - Black State Highway (6)
6) Accept - Blind Rage (5) 52pts
5) Kix - Rock Your Face Off (6) 13pts
4) Slash - World on Fire (7) 31pts
3) Vega - Stereo Messiah (8) 25pts
2) Rated X - Rated X (9) 23pts
1) Judas Priest - Redeemer of Souls (10) 50pts
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SOME OTHER TOP PICKS FROM OUR READER & LISTENERS:

Edguy - Space Police / Steel Panther - All You Can Eat / Sonata Arctica - Pariah's Child / California Breed - California Breed / Sabaton - Heroes / Hammerfall - (R)Evolution / Headstones - One In the Chamber Music / Gotthard - Bang / Iced Earth - Plagues of Babylon / Bloodbound - Stormborn / Bigelf - Into the Maelstrom / At the Gates - At War With Reality / Machinehead - Bloodstone & Diamonds / Shaman's Harvest - Smokin' Hearts & Broken Guns / Cripper - Hyena \ Grave Digger - Return of the Reaper / High Spirits - You Are Here / Slough Feg - Digital Resistance / Drone - Drone / Schandmaul - Unendlich / Devin Townsend - Z2 / Weezer - Everything Will Be Alright in the End / NEEDTOBREATHE - Rivers in the Wasteland / Opeth - Pale Communion / Gamma Ray - Empire of the Undead / Freedom Call - Beyond / Black Stone Cherry - Magic Mountain
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With the releases already announced for 2015, we say bring it on!  Check out some of the list: "New Release"
Cheers from all of us here at The Decibel Geek Podcast!

Running Wild in Brantford...A Helix Concert Review

Well, a night of oddities and anomalies has just dropped itself upon the ole Meister!  Make no mistake however, for the most part that's a good thing.  Allow me to elaborate some.  For anyone that has read my ramblings previously you'll know that a rather long trek (usually via public transit) to a concert gig is not out of the ordinary for me by any means, but that's where I begin my story for today.  While at another awesome live music event and subsequent drinking experience at Decibel Geek photographer Brian Ronald's house in October (Halloween to be precise) he asked me if I would be coming out to Helix.  Totally unaware that there was an impending Helix gig, I enthusiastically responded with a "Hell yeah!".  The Helix gig in question was to take place on Friday, November 28, 2014 in Brantford, a three hour public transit venture for me.  I began to chat about the event around work over the following weeks as I was quite excited to be seeing Helix again, not having seen them since 2013's Monsters of Rock Cruise.

Anomaly #1: Two co-workers began to express an interest in coming with me to the show!  Serious?  Rarely does anyone outside of my circle enjoy my musical tastes, but it turns out they were dead serious.

Since they are also from my home town of Newmarket, Ontario their attendance would also be saving approximately two hours of public transit travel time.  Excellent!  That's where the trouble began.....we set out in plenty of time, planning on having dinner somewhere in Brantford prior to the event.  En route we encountered horrendous traffic like I've never seen before, turning a 1.5 hour drive into nearly 3.5!  The public transit game would actually have been faster!  Finally after pit-stops and the assistance of Google Maps we arrived and my first impression was; "Holy crap, this place looks all wrong!".  We had arrived at a strip mall plaza and a rather desolate looking one at that.  But the illuminated light-box sign reading "Army, Navy and Air Force Club" informed us that we were indeed in the correct spot.  As we entered the shopping plaza store front I was struck by another thought....this place really, really reminds me of a wedding reception hall or a year end sports team banquet at the local Legion!

Anomaly #2: I've seen Helix at festivals, on a cruise ship and at smaller clubs, but now I'm about to see Helix play at a wedding!

This event was actually a toy drive and as we entered the venue, presenting our unwrapped toys we received hand stamps and proceeded into the "wedding reception".  A Santa-dressed gentleman, who I assumed was the promoter or organizer of the event, was on hand at the door to warmly greet us and thank us for coming.  To the right hand side near the bar was an enormous pile of donated toys awaiting their Christmas destinations to those children in need.  Every child should experience the magic of receiving toys at Christmas and I was proud to see one of my favorite Canadian bands supporting such an event.  The three of us occupied chairs next to Brian and a friend of his.  Brian and I immediately lapsed into "rock talk" with preparing our "Top Ten Albums of the Year" lists for Decibel Geek and the latest Helix effort, Bastard of the Blues among the subjects.

Anomaly #3: I have known Brian for about three years and never, ever at a show, even on the cruise, have I seen him void of his camera apparatus as he was on this night.  As happy as I am to see him cut loose with some beers, I want some damn photos for this review slacker!

Unfortunately, we had basically missed the opening act thanks to our traffic nightmare, but we were able to catch the young lady and her guitarist as they wrapped up the final song of their set.  The evening's MC then took over for a series of prize giveaways and on-the-spot auctions, as well as drawing attention to other raffles that would be going on later in the night.  We learned that this was the third annual Helix Toy Drive event and I've already marked my calendar for next year's.

Helix was welcomed to the stage with a keyboard rendition of their most popular song, "Rock You" emanating from the PA sound system.  They blasted into "No Rest For the Wicked" to lead the charge and unfortunately the sound was not the best from our position seated at a long banquet table that was only missing the wedding tablecloths!

Anomaly #4: I have never seen a Helix show where pretty much the entire audience, let alone me, were seated!

"Wild in the Streets" was the next selection and that was it for me!  I'll be damned if I'm gonna let this flaccid crowd dictate how I see Helix!  Brian and I, both with freshly replenished beverages, headed up to the stage on the right side.  The sound was much, much better up here, probably the evils of bouncing off of the ceiling further back.  Brian Vollmer (vocalist) let the crowd know that Helix had just returned from a tour in Scandinavia as Brian and I remarked on the skills of newest Helix member, guitarist Chris Julke.  They went next to their latest release, Bastard of the Blues, for "Even Jesus (Wasn't Loved In His Hometown)", the first single.  With dry ice clouds billowing out from Greg "Fritz" Hinz's drum riser I was able to capture "Dirty Dog" on video.

Post by The Meister.

Anomaly #5: While there were now several patrons standing and approaching the stage, there seemed to be a force field in the shape of a semi-circle at the front of the stage that no-one seemed to want to break.  Certainly not the style of crowd that we are used to at a show!  Actually kinda nice not to be pushing and shoving, trying to defend your position leaning on the front of the stage.

Brian Vollmer-photo by The Meister

The title track from the new album, "Bastard of the Blues", was up next featuring Kaleb Duck and Chris Julke both wailing on their guitars in an awesome display.  "The Kids Are All Shakin'" for some reason had me reflecting on the inaugural Monsters of Rock Cruise in 2012.  I had been dining alone sporting an older Helix tee and seated at a long eight person table in the buffet.  With my head down, shoveling in food in a flurry so as not to miss the next shipboard concert, I simply grunted approval without even looking up when someone commented "Nice shirt, mind if I sit at your table?"  It was a good several minutes later before it registered that it was none other than Brian Vollmer that had chosen to sit with me upon spotting my support for the band!  Kaleb Duck and Brian Vollmer now shielded their eyes and looked to the sky as the sound of an aeroplane passing overhead resonated through the PA system before Kaleb's guitar prowess lead off "When the Hammer Falls".  I've seen Helix quite a few times, but I can't recall a bass

Daryl Gray-blurry photo by The Meister

solo from Daryl Gray in previous events, so this was a new addition for me.  Gray called out "Give me some light!" and the fluorescent overheads illuminated the entire "wedding hall" as he pulled out what I believe was a violin bow to wield across the strings of his bass guitar.  I was also surprised to hear "Danger Zone" next as I don't think it's a usual inclusion in the setlist, either that or my memory's going in my old age.  One of my all time favorite Helix tracks, paling only in comparison to the rarely played "The Storm" and "Get Up!", "Running Wild in the 21st Century" saw me headbanging and singing away (apologies to those within earshot.....I'm tone deaf and tend to monotone hum the words that I don't actually know, but hey, I'm having fun!).  Vollmer made an appeal for us to support Canadian music, especially classic rock bands as Canadian radio is far from a supporter and buy merchandise from, not just Helix, but other bands as well.  This year marks the 40th Anniversary for Helix he informed us next.  He reminisced that when they first started out bar owners wanted dance bands to get the people up off their seats.  That's what the next track, "Make 'Em Dance" is all about.  The Crazy Elephant cover "Gimme Gimme Good Lovin'" followed before Vollmer told everyone that the band would be at the merchandise table after the set to sign autographs and take photos.  He then dedicated the next selection "To my lovely wife, a song from the Wild in the Streets album, "Dream On"."  "Deep Cuts the Knife" was next and after that I got the camera out again to film "Screaming At the Moon" from Bastard of the Blues.

Post by The Meister.

Getting into the festive season next with "Jingle Bells", I certainly don't remember any guitar work like Kaleb blisteringly delivered in the traditional version!  Asking about the Toronto Maple Leaf fanship in the room served as the intro for "All I Want For Christmas Is the Leafs To Win the Cup" and I sung "Go Habs Go!" in my head, not being a Leaf fan by any means.  "Heavy Metal Love" was on the roster now and as Vollmer jumped off the stage to sing in the semi-circle that still refused to be broken you can clearly see Decibel Geek photographer Brian Ronald in the "Metal On Ice" tee-shirt drunkenly rocking out in my video...way to go Bri!!

Post by The Meister.

A little instrumental break led us to Kaleb's awesome "William Tell Overture", this time with some help from Chris Julke, something that I've usually seen Kaleb play himself, came off really well with both guitarists in the mix.  As would be expected, "Rock You" wrapped things up and one or two crowd members broke the force field semi-circle, edging closer and closer.  The boys left the stage

Helix Toy Drive setlist

for a few minutes to towel off while the crowd did a fair job of making noise to bring them back to deliver "Heavy Metal Cowboys" for an encore.  As I carefully peeled the silver duct tape off of the setlist that I had pilfered from the stage, I saw the other encore choices listed that did not get played.  One was the awesome ballad that always makes me think of Maxwell House coffee, "Good to the Last Drop", and a serious surprise in "Get Up!".  Although I loved this Helix show as I do all their performances, I dearly wish they'd played "Get Up!".  There's so many Helix songs that I love, such as "Jaws of the Tiger", that will probably never see a concert, so the fact that "Get Up!" made the printing of a setlist gives me hope that I may just hear it live someday yet.

Even though I've met the guys many times over I headed to the merchandise table to do so once again and thank them for another awesome show.  I was surprised and proud when I saw my two friends, who had really seemed to enjoy the show even joining me at the front after a time, purchasing shirts and CD's!  I fear that Helix and I may have created a monster as they were very questioning about the Monsters of Rock Cruise during the drive home!  The whole band posed for a photo with them pointing at the Helix logo that appears in my full sleeve tattoo.  What an awesome night with an awesome band who truly do appreciate their fans and deliver their all on stage every single time.

Helix checking out The Meister's tattoo!

Thanks Helix.....when's the next gig?

BUY: Helix - Bastard of the Blues

Cheers,
The Meister

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