Tri-State Rock - Latest Updates

Let me preface this review by saying I am an 80's kid through and through but I came of age in the 90's and that decade is responsible for every bit of influence music has had on my life. I fondly remember watching MTV for hours absorbing every second of every video (yes they did once actually play videos) and sitting with my finger on the record button of the vcr every time a new video premiered so I could watch it again and again. Needless to say I have a deep love for all the music of that era but from 95-99 more than anything. 

I have been waiting for 90's music to make a come back for years now since the turn of the century has with a few notable exceptions been dismal for ears around the world to say the least. When the Summerland Tour was announced earlier this year it was like a prayer had finally been answered. 

Whenever the topic of German thrash metal comes up, Germany's Kreator is always mentioned. Possibly the most successful European thrash band ever, Kreator has kept their thrash-metal style while changing it up a bit. With all of this considered, Kreator delivered on their newest album: "Phantom Antichrist".

Ridge Hill, which opened last year with a limited number of business open, is growing by the day. With dozens of shopping options and a wide variety of eating establishments, it seems the only thing that Ridge Hill could be lacking is live entertainment. The management seems to be aware of that and has scheduled a series of live, outdoor concerts that will run throughout the summer and will always be free to all in attendance.

On Wednesday night, Knoxville, Tennessee’s 10 Years brought their “Minus The Machine” tour to the Starland Ballroom in Sayrevile, NJ. This string of North American headlining dates features Fair To Midland & Kyng as support and finds the band touring in support of their 4^th record and independent label debut.

On Wednesday evening Fair To Midland made a stop on the “Minus The Machine” Tour in Sayreville, NJ in support of 10 Years who are touring to promote their new record, which shares a name with the tour. Even though I was very excited to see 10 Years’ set, I was equally interested in what Fair To Midland had to offer as I had caught their set a few years back at Bamboozle and was very impressed but hadn’t had another opportunity to see them since. My expectations, which were admittedly high, were blown out of the water within moments of the energetic and eclectic 5-piece hitting the stage.

Fair To Midland’s sound can be described as progressive-rock-meets-metal-meets-madness-meets-storytelling, for whatever sense that makes. The point is, they truly have a sound and a stage presence all their own. Vocalist Darroh Sudderth has such a remarkable range that its hard to even believe that a single vocalist is fronting this group. He juxtaposes beautiful harmonies with crushing, guttural screams that sound truly like none other. That, coupled with the band’s ability to match his intensity and the music’s clear nature of revolving around the vocals creates for a show that continues to hold interest and impress.