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In the ever-turning wheel of existence, where past, present, and future blur into a singular, cyclical motion, Gemini Syndrome unveils their latest offering, “Carousel”—a haunting meditation on the cycles we trap ourselves in and the courage it takes to break free. "I am my own worst enemy." A confession. A revelation. A truth buried beneath layers of pretense. We sabotage ourselves in the shadows, hiding behind the illusion of control. The turmoil within is relentless, unseen yet omnipresent. “Carousel” rips the mask away, exposing this eternal conflict—the conscious self at war with the unconscious. The driver and the passenger. The master and the captive. "We can often be our own worst enemies," says drummer Brian Steele Medina. "There’s this illusion of control, like we’re holding the reins, but sometimes we don’t realize we’re just along for the ride. ‘Carousel’ captures that duality—the war between who we are and who we want to be." To break the cycle requires an act of will—but true will is more than defiance; it is surrender. The courage to let go of the illusions that bind us. How can we evolve if we refuse to release the weight of our past? How can we ascend if we remain tethered to a wheel that never stops spinning? "How can we become better than our present selves, when we live our lives like we’re on a carousel?" The question lingers like an incantation, a challenge to all who dare to listen. “Carousel” is not just a song—it is a rite of passage, a moment of reckoning for those willing to look into the mirror and confront the storm behind their own eyes. "At some point, you have to face the mirror," vocalist Aaron Nordstrom adds. "The song is about that reckoning—when you finally admit that you’re the architect of your own suffering. But acknowledgment is the first step to change." With towering riffs, hypnotic rhythms, and a chorus that lingers like a whispered truth, “Carousel” embodies the struggle between stagnation and self-awareness. This is the journey of Origin: From Nothingness to Everything—the transmutation of the self through trial and tribulation. The endless fight to wake up, break free, and become more than the sum of our past mistakes. The ride is not over. But the choice is yours: remain in endless repetition, or shatter the cycle and step beyond. As Gemini Syndrome continues their journey of musical and philosophical alchemy, “Carousel” stands as a call to arms for those willing to step off the loop and forge a new path. 
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I had been looking forward to this show for some time and when I was approved to cover the show I was very excited. As I arrived at the Gothic Theater, one of my favorite venues to cover shows in, the line was already around the block with more people making their way into the line. The air was filled with anticipation as fans talked about the last time they saw Geoff Tate at this very venue a few years back. One more thing stood out, I saw a lot of parents with their kids, I love seeing this at shows. The stage was set, the fog machines were pouring out and it was time for the opening act to start the night off. Tomas McCarthy singer and songwriter from Ireland along with his wife Clodagh McCarthy and good friend, James Keegan took the stage and opened their set with, “Stand Your Ground” from his upcoming EP, Colours due out on May 30th. Tomas was asked by his good friend Geoff Tate to open for him on this tour. His sound has been described as, “gravelly, blues-laden vocal that lilts with the agility and melisma of his Irish spirit, accompanied by nimble, melodic guitar-playing and raucous, hard-rock based grooves.” Tomas along with his wife Clodagh who was on the saxophone, shared lead vocals as well as they moved through their set. Though their set wasn’t long, I believe they left a wonderful lasting memory for everyone there, including myself. Tomas MCcarthy - lead vocals - guitar Wife - Clodagh McCarthy - lead vocals and saxophone James Keegan - guitar Setlist: Stand Your Ground Siuil a Ruin Battle My Way Freedom Colours Out On The Western Plains TOMAS MCCARTHYGEOFF TATEWith a flash of the stage lights, a roar came from the crowd as drummer Baker wearing a mask steps behind his kit raising his hand to the roaring crowd. Then one by one, lead guitarist James Brown followed by lead Guitarist Amaury Altmayer, lead Guitarist Dario Parente, Bass Guitar Jimmy Wynen, and keyboardist and vocalist Clodagh McCarthy. The four guitarist’s face Baker as the opening tape for Operation:mind begins. Then all at once they turn, moving to the front of the stage playing the opening track and soon to follow timing his vocals, Geoff Tate steps onto the stage with the crowd cheering, the four guitarists move back as Geoff (wearing a hat and glasses) moves to the front and with his powerful voice starts singing and immediately the venue crowd joins in with him. This wasn’t just another concert, this was a show by everyone on stage. With the lights dancing through the fog, everyone moved about the stage to different points displaying their amazing musicianship. Throughout the course of the show, Geoff would showcase each member, at times stepping back as each guitarist moved forward and wowed the crowd with their skills and interacting with them as well. As most of us in the crowd had seen the Operation:mindcrime tour a few years ago here at the Gothic Theater, tonight was different, Geoff took the show to a higher level! As they moved from song to song, the stage presence of the band was something to witness. Keyboardist Clodagh was back next to Baker and you could see headbanging and singing. It was a real treat when Clodagh joined Geoff to sing with him but, when Clodagh joined Geoff on the song “Suite Sister Mary” the venue crowd loved it and as Geoff had be doing when the song finished, Geoff put a hand toward Clodagh an the other to the crowd and roar was deafening for her. As Operation:mindcrime came to an end, the crowd cheered and applauded as Geoff stood at the front of the stage thanking them. But he didn’t leave, everyone relaxed for a few minutes as Geoff talked with his fans. He finished his talk with, “I’m American” and that led into the song from Operation:mindcrime II. When the band started “Jet City Woman” the crowd was as loud as it could be. To finish their set, the song that is my all time favorite, “Silent Lucidity”, the crowd sang along but in a much softer tone. As the crowd applauded, Geoff introduced his band members and then, one last song “Take Hold of the Flame” from the 1984 album, The Warning. The crowd cheered with the band members arm in arm taking their bows and waving goodnight. And an amazing night it was! Operation:mindcrime are, Lead vocals - Geoff Tate (Germany, USA) Lead Guitarist - James Brown - (Ireland) Lead Guitarist - Amaury Altmayer - (France) Lead Guitarist - Dario Parente - (Italy) Drums - Robert Baker - (USA) (He goes by Baker) Bass Guitar - Jimmy Wynen - (Australia) Clodagh McCarthy - (Ireland) Keyboards - Vocals (She also was vocalist in duet with Geoff for Suite Sister Mary Setlist: I Remember Now Anarchy-X Revolution Operation:mindcrime Spreading the Disease The Mission Suite Sister Mary The Needle Lies Electric Requiem Breaking the Silence I Don't Believe in Love Waiting for 22 My Empty Room Eyes of a Stranger I'm American Jet City Woman Murderer? If I Could Change It All Empire A Junkie's Blues Silent Lucidity - preceded by band introductions Take Hold of the Flame 1984 "BELOW IT ALL" dives into the relentless battle for approval and the weight of expectations, only to remind us that true validation comes from within. The message is clear: if you're chasing the impossible standards of others, you'll always be looking up from below. But if you stand firm in who you are, their opinions don’t matter. Because those who think they ‘know it all’ often find themselves "BELOW IT ALL" - Lane Steele "BELOW IT ALL" ACCOLADES #2 on the SMR TOP 10 ADDS THIS WEEK #6 on the SMR TOP 10 GREATEST GAINERS Tied for #3 on the MEDIA BASE MUSIC INFORMATION CENTER add board.  HEARTSICKThe wait is over. Prepare for the sonic storm of the year as industrial metal trailblazers Gillsaw prepare to unleash their highly anticipated debut EP, "Fog Watch", out NOW. This six-track powerhouse will pull listeners into a relentless world of crushing rhythms, eerie atmospheres, and guttural intensity. With a unique blend of industrial noise, sludgy metal riffs, and haunting electronic landscapes, Gillsaw carves out their own space in the genre. "Fog Watch" showcases the band’s ability to blend chaotic energy with thought-provoking storytelling, offering an immersive experience that’s both exhilarating and unsettling. FOG WATCH Narrative: "Fog Watch" tells the tragic story of Ian, a man descending into madness. Through a series of increasingly distorted experiences, we witness his journey from isolated lighthouse keeper to drug-addicted nomad.
"FOG WATCH" explores themes of isolation, the search for meaning, and the destructive power of delusion. GILLSAW'S SOUND Gillsaw's sound is a meticulously crafted fusion of heavy metal's muscularity and industrial music's stark, electronic edge. This powerful core is layered with intricate progressive structures and ethereal new age ambient textures, creating a dynamic and immersive atmosphere that defies genre boundaries.  Popeye The Slayer Man actress, Angela Relucio, and musicians, Kyle Brian Abbott (Vigil of War) and Dustin Treinen (Paria) just unleashed “Sailor to Slayer,” an explosive alternative metal song that serves as an anthem to the much discussed horror film, Popeye the Slayer Man, which hits select theaters as well as VOD on Friday March 21, 2025. The trio, performing collectively as The Man From Alphabet, also dropped an accompanying high-octane music video that pays homage to the Popeye of yesteryear as well as the reimagined, darker version. In fact, Treinen said,” I was driven to create a dark mood for the song as a whole, but begin with something energetic that kicks in hard and has a lot of groove, eventually using a syncopated rhythm to build into a big open chorus with a thick and powerful wall of guitars and haunting vocal melodies.” Relucio, who stars in the movie, adds, “Having been in the film, I knew the script intimately, so I wrote lyrics that go deeper than Popeye’s monstrous facade while honoring the other characters’ experience, and capturing the sort of raw chaos that makes you feel on edge. I also wanted to convey that intensity in my music video performance. So you get a taste of what you can expect from the film.” For Abbott, whose YouTube channel with drum content has garnered over 30 million views, it was a no-brainer to jump on board; while stuck in LA traffic, he heard a radio show host raving about the movie’s announcement. Abbott recalls, “Coincidentally, Dustin called me up a few hours later and asked me to co-write the theme for it [themovie]. I was, like, ‘Fuck yeah! Dustin came in with some riff ideas and structure, and then we finalized the instrumentation and matched Angela’s lyrical ideas to the music. I’ve been producing rock and metal for about 15 years, but this was one of the first times I really got to take a song from demo to the final product and not feel any imposter syndrome through the process. It slaps, mayne." Both the “Sailor to Slayer” song and video are set to make waves in the alternative metal scene, and with Popeye the Slayer Man soon hitting theaters and VOD, this powerhouse collaboration promises to leave a lasting mark on fans of both horror and music. STREAM "SAILOR TO SLAYER" SPOTIFY APPLE MUSIC YOUTUBE MUSIC OFFICIAL BAND WEBSITE POPEYE THE SLAYER MAN which releases to theaters and on VOD on Friday March 21, 2025 via Vantage Media (and is available for Pre-Order NOW on Apple TV), is directed by Robert Michael Ryan from a screenplay by John Doolan (Remains), and is a co-production between Salem House Films, Millman Productions, Ron Lee Productions, and Otsego Media. Jeff Miller (The Toy box), Cuyle Carvin (Ouija Witch), and Ryan also contributed to the story. Producers include - along with Miller, Carvin, and Ryan-Alexander Tucker, Nathan Todaro, and Alysa Blasetti. Reads the synopsis for Popeye the Slayer Man, “A group of friends sneak into an abandoned spinach canning factory to film a documentary on the legend of ‘The Sailor Man,’ who is said to haunt the factory and local docks, only to find out that the legend is all-too true.” Popeye the Slayer Man stars Sean Michael Conway, Elena Juliano, Mabel Thomas, Marie -Louise Boisnier, Jeff Thomas, and Steven McCormack, along with “scream queens” Angela Relucio (Code Black, The Cabining) and Sarah Nicklin (The Black Mass, Garden of Eden). Jason Stephens plays the title role. Special makeup effects are supervised by R.J. Young with cinematography by Korey Rowe. Said Ryan of Popeye the Slayer Man, a film which has been featured on Drudge Report, CBS News and outlets around the world since its announcement in November of 2024, “We went old-school with this movie, using practical effects for the horror. I wanted this film to have a more visceral feel reminiscent of the classic horror films of the ‘70s and ‘80s.” Added Miller, “We hope audiences will have as much fun with this movie as we had making it. Grab a can of spinach, sit back, and enjoy!” Said VMI Worldwide COO and Head of Acquisitions Jessica Russo, who negotiated the deal, “Popeye the Slayer Man’s dark reimagining of the classic Popeye character delivers a fresh take on a beloved icon that audiences will die for."  I got to the Oriental Theatre about an hour before the doors opened on a cold windy evening. There were people in line and Delain’s meet and greet was going on inside. Of course the conversations were about tonight's show and people were talking about the last time they had seen the bands perform this evening. Always fun to hear stories that fans have experienced. I was looking at the flyers of bands that are coming to the oriental over the next few weeks. I turned just in time to see Margarita Monet of Edge of Paradise round the corner and she saw me and put the things she was caring down and I got a big hug and we talked for a bit. I cover the band's shows when they come to Denver and we have become friends. The doors opened and we all moved inside and got warm and talked with some of the staff there that I know. I have covered a number of shows here and they have a great staff. As always, I head down to the pit and say hi to the security guys and stash my gear, then hang out with friends. The lights came down and rousing cheer came from the crowd as one by one, the members of Edge of Paradise came onto the stage. They started their set with “Prophecy Unbound” from their new album, Prophecy which was released just a few days ago on Napalm records. The band states “that the album is their most powerful yet and explores themes of the human subconscious and the impact of artificial intelligence”. The power coming from the band filled the venue with high energy and the crowd soaked it all up. The stage at the Oriental is larger than the previous stages I covered the band on and they had a lot of room to move around and they used it up. As Margarita moved about, her powerful voice rang throughout the venue backed by superb musicianship. Throughout their set and watching the band interacting with each other and the crowd while pouring out intense energy with their music was electrifying. Most of their set of songs was from the new album but they stepped back in time with “Hologram” from their 2023 album of the same name and “Digital Paradise” from their 2021 album, The Unknown. Edge of Paradise closed out their set with “Falling Light” off their new album. A cheer roared from the crowd for a great set as the band said goodnight. Edge of Paradise members: Margarita Monet – vocals (2011–present) Dave Bates – lead guitar (2011–present) David Ruiz – rhythm guitar (2017–present) Jamie Moreno – drums (2020–present) Kenny Lockwood – bass (2023–present) Setlist: Prophecy Unbound The Other Side of Fear Hologram Death Note n Give it to Me (Mind Assassin) Digital Paradise Falling Light EDGE OF PARADISEXANDRIAAfter a short break the stage was set and the crowd was ready for Xandria. This would be my third time covering Xandria and I was as excited as I was the first time to see them again. As each member took the stage waving to the crowd they started their first song and Ambre timed her entrance to the explosive song, “You Will Never Be Our God” from their 2023 album, The Wonders Still Awaiting. The power of this song is amazing, especially hearing it live. The crowd in the venue were going crazy and it didn’t stop there as Xandria moved right onto “Reborn” from the same album. The power these amazing musicians were pouring out into the crowd is something you will want to hear live! With their stage presence and lighting that danced across the stage, this photographer was in heaven as well as the crowd. Watching each of them stage interacting with each, or displaying their skills for the crowd brought cheers from everyone. Their high energy set continued with “200 Years” and “Two Worlds” and the venue rocked, hands in the air and head banging and cheering after each song. Finishing their set, Xandria stepped back in time to 2014 and from the Sacrificium album poured out, “Nightfall” and their fans roared with appreciation of a great finish for a great show! Xandria members: Marco Heubaum – rhythm guitar (1994–present), keyboards (1997–present), vocals (1994–2001) Ambre Vourvahis – vocals (2022–present) Rob Klawonn – lead guitar (2022–present) Tim Schwarz – bass (2022–present) Dimitrios Gatsios – drums (2022–present) Setlist: You Will Never Be Our God Reborn Universal 200 Years Two Worlds Live the Tale Nightfall 2014 Sacrificium DELAINThe stage was set and the fog was heavy across the stage and into the crowd. With cheering from their fans, each member made their way onto the stage through the fog. The opening of “The Cold” from their 2023 album, Dark Waters started as Delain took to the stage and Diana made her way out to the cheering crowd and another powerful energizing set of music exploded throughout the venue to their roaring fans. Diana’s vocals poured out over the crowd and all eyes were on her as she moved about. Moving right into 2016’s “Suckerpunch” had Delain fans jumping and singing along with the song. This would be only the beginning of moving back and forth through two decades of great music. As the lights danced on stage and Delain took to moving about interacting with each other and their fans. Many songs brought out memories for their fans, such as 2020's “Burning Bridges”, 2014’s “Stardust”, from their newest album, “Dance With The Devil” from the album of the same name. Each song was as powerful as ever and their fans were going crazy for every one of them. Towards the end of their set, another song that lit up the hearts of the crowd was 2012’s “April Rain”. Another powerful set of music was about to come to an end, but it would end with a song that everyone knows and most likely can sing it without any help, “We Are The Other’s” from the 2012 album of the same name. Delain said goodnight to a cheering crowd. It wasn’t a packed house this evening but you would have thought it was by the volume of the crowd that was there. On another note, Martijn Westerholt was not at tonight's show, he had to return home for family matters and we all hope all is well with his family. He said would be back for their show on the 16th at the Forge in Joliet, IL. Delain members: Martijn Westerholt – keyboards (2002, 2005–present) Sander Zoer – drums (2006–2014, 2021–present) Ronald Landa – guitars, backing vocals, harsh vocals (2006–2009, 2021–present) Ludovico Cioffi – bass, backing vocals, harsh vocals (2022–present) Diana Leah – lead vocals (2022–present) Setlist: The Cold Suckerpunch The Reaping Dance With the Devil Burning Bridges Creatures The Quest and the Curse Stardust Get the Devil Out of Me Your Body Is a Battleground Queen of Shadow The Gathering Don't Let Go Moth to a Flame April Rain Not Enough We Are the Others With the first single release on 3.13.25 titled, “FxCK YOU”, we wanted to just start out with the “no rules, no expectations” vibe to this album. We have never had explicit lyrics in any of our music in the past 10 years. It’s past due. Being authentic is more important to us than what is expected in today’s trends of what people may think metal music should be. We think our music is a Sonata. Our Black Sonata A collection of RAVEN BLACK'S darker metal carnival. Familiar but unexpected new oddities find themselves thrown into the metal madness with dark, fun, quirky, weird, creepy and disturbing chaos. Sing, scream, dance, cry, pit or all of it! Exactly what was intended. Music that moves you into another world. This world, in the 13th Hour, of RAVEN BLACK. Raven shares, “when you’re faced with loss, grief, sadness and anger all at the same time, it is hard to focus on anything in your life. The pause button is necessary. I paused for a moment to do what I needed to do for my own physical and mental health. I found myself. All of me, all the pieces, even the hidden ones”. This album is so special. With my husband, Ryan “Muppet” Cox, and friend, Maezi Kacey, and working with Ulrich Wild, at WURMgroup, this has become our best work since we started in 2011. No more rules. Our Art is expressed.  There comes a moment when the weight of existence feels insurmountable—when every push forward is met with an equal and opposite force dragging you down. “2B1” is the sound of that battle. A brutal confrontation with despair, and the relentless pursuit of something more. "They say I’m off the deep end, but I don’t care. I never learned to swim." Doubt and defiance. Fear and resilience. “2B1” is a raw confessional—peeling back the layers of struggle, revealing the jagged edge between survival and surrender. How many times can you fight the same battle? How many times can you bleed before you break? "This song embodies that internal war," says drummer Brian Steele Medina. "There’s a moment when you realize the fight isn’t just against the world—it’s against yourself. And that’s the hardest battle of all." Through crushing riffs, relentless rhythms, and soaring vocals, Gemini Syndrome dives deep into the abyss, confronting the cyclical torment of doubt, exhaustion, and the endless search for meaning. "I spent some time with my depression, just to learn it’s all a state of mind." The mind is both prison and sanctuary. To break free, you must first acknowledge the cage. “2B1” isn’t just about enduring the pain—it’s about transcending it. Choosing to keep moving forward even when the odds seem insurmountable. "Is it all for nothing? I’m running out of energy. Is anybody hearing me?" The question echoes in the void. A plea, a challenge, a mantra for those who refuse to fade into silence. "At its core, ‘2B1’ is about persistence," says vocalist Aaron Nordstrom. "It’s about pushing past your limits, even when it feels like you have nothing left to give. Maybe the victory isn’t in winning—but in refusing to quit." This is the essence of Origin: From Nothingness to Everything—a cycle of destruction and rebirth, of breaking and rebuilding. The path is treacherous, but to walk it is to prove you are still alive. Gemini Syndrome invites you into the fire, daring you to push, to pull, to ache, to bleed—until you decay, or until you transcend.  ROCK LANSING has announced that rock giants SALIVA has taken top billing for the May 10th Festival as Badflower isn't going to be a part of ROCK LANSING due to circumstances beyond our control. ROCK LANSING will be announcing the full epic lineup soon! The May 10th event currently features heavy hitters Saliva, Ayron Jones, Crobot, Any Given Sin along with Conquer Divide, Shallow Side, Heartsick and many more rising stars (See Current Lineup Below) ROCK LANSING promises an adrenaline-packed weekend of pure rock energy. No need to break the bank at ROCK LANSING as our Throwback prices start at ONLY $45 or upgrade to a VIP Experience! Low Cost tickets, food & drink options are JUST the beginning! General Admission (GA) Tickets:$45 regular / $50 week of / $55 day of
Gates times updated: Gates will open at 11:30am (11:00am for VIP). Full day of music coming at you!  |
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