Review: Insomnium @ The Agora Ballroom

Insomnium opened "Winter's Gate" in its entirety upon Cleveland, Ohio last night as the Finnish melodic death metal band kick-started the tour last night at the Agora Ballroom. I marked this show on my calendar since its announcement back in late November and snatched a couple of VIP passes and tagged my girlfriend for the ride. I got a whiff of their music last spring when my girlfriend introduced me to "Shadows of the Dying Sun" and instantly peaked as one of my favorites. Directly supporting Insomnium on this tour is the metal/progressive band, Oceans of Slumber who reigns from Houston, Texas. Both of whom associated with Century Media Records.

Oceans of Slumber

I had a slow uphill approach reaching anything I liked from Oceans of Slumber. Their sound is unconventional, very dark, and tranquil at most. After listening to a few of their songs last night, I began to realize the name Oceans of Slumber makes perfect sense. Much of their songs dwell in the shadows. The heaviness isn't what you'd expect from a metal band on the same bill of Insomnium. Their "heaviness" resides deep in the soul. Pain, sorrow, heartache, and shattered dreams are what comes to mind. Towards the last song of their set entitled, "No Color, No Light," Vocalist, Cassie Gilbert shows her emotions running down her face that left an empty pit in my stomach just because of the somber sadness in her voice. It was the most beautiful thing I've witnessed at a show. Now that I know what to expect, I would like to give this band another chance and certainly would appreciate them more.

Insomnium

I can’t say enough about Insomnium. A melodic death metal band from Finland, the group, has curbed my appetite in every shape and still refuse to change their formula. Insomnium has created a recipe, and their method hasn’t changed for the 10+ years they have been around. All the ingredients that fall down the list have checked off of what I come to ever love in a metal group. Harmonious guitar scores accompanied with solos that genuinely speak the feelings of each ballad. Niilo Sevanen's throaty growls rumble the underbelly of the beast leaving viewers anxious to raise their horns as if the whole Insomnium army is about to rush the field of battle. It's a blazing hearth-fire storm that gets your adrenaline pumping.
The "Winter's Gate North American Tour" kicked off here in Cleveland on May 24 at the Agora. The band is still celebrating their 7th studio album, Winter's Gate, released in September 2016 by playing the album in its entirety followed with a second set of fan favorites. Now, this show since its announcement back in later November has been marked in my calendar, and this time, I immediately decided to meet the band and finally get one of my prints I photographed when they were here in September with Lacuna Coil. It was a surreal experience to talk with them and get props on the metal print of the band performing on the Agora Theatre stage.
Hands down the best show I've been to this year and probably entering the Top 10 of the best shows I've attended. At this time, I would like to thank the band's tour manager, Sami, the whole crew of Insomnium and Right Angle PR for getting all this set up!

Insomnium Setlist - 5/23/18
1. Winter's Gate, Part 1
2. Winter's Gate, Part 2
3. Winter's Gate, Part 3
4. Winter's Gate, Part 4
5. Winter's Gate, Part 5
6. Winter's Gate, Part 6
7. Winter's Gate, Part 7
Encore 1:
8. The Primeval Dark
9. While We Sleep
10. Revelation
11. The Killjoy
12. Weather the Storm
13. Ephemeral
14. The Promethean Song
Encore 2:
15. Only One Who Waits

Photo Review: The Crooked Teeth Tour @ The Agora Theatre

What an awful 2-weeks! Hit with a pulsating sinus infection that's been WW3 in my head. Still feeling the effects, but battling away with antibiotics and lots of rest. I've been meaning to post this show for awhile but needed a clear mind to gather my thoughts. On April 21st (god, this feels forever), Papa Roach, Nothing More, and Escape the Fate traveled to Cleveland for a sold-out show at the Agora Theatre. This show has been sold out for a good month and a half prior April 21st, and since not being approved until the last minute, made things a little nerve-racking. Papa Roach has been on my list of bands to cover considering these guys have been playing alongside me since high school, but ever since discovering Nothing More and the praise their newest album "The Stories We Tell Ourselves" has received, I felt I was killing two birds with one stone. The level of emotion spilled out from Jonny Hawkings, lead singer of Nothing More, captivated what a real lyricist displays through music.

All in all, it's just a tremendous opportunity to photograph an extensive lineup of back-to-back talent like this. I said it many times before and it indeed won't be that last, but I F***ING love the Agora! Mucho thanks to Mike and the crew there. Memorable!

Escape The Fate

Nothing More

Papa Roach

Review: Nightwish's "Decades Tour" @ The Agora Theatre

Finnish symphonic metallers Nightwish played the newly remodeled Agora in Cleveland, OH on March 24th. The 9-month worldwide tour entitled, "Decades" presented a special setlist, featuring rare material from the early years of the band's career (1996-2015). On top of that, a 2-disk compilation also titled "Decades" was handed out to each fan who purchased a ticket to the show. 

It's been almost 3 years since Nightwish returned to Cleveland, so when the band announced this mammoth tour with the never-before-heard material, I had the curiosity how this would be different from prior shows. One, straight off the bat, there were no openers. The band lowered the lights around 8:30 and the LCD screen on stage illustrated the band's main backdrop as the Decades graphics flashed on the screen. A lengthy 6-minute intro played the theatre when finally you hear the announcer start rambling about a time before cell phones, hinting to shut it up as a "no cellphone" graphic flashed on the screen. Well, it wasn't enforced, but implying fans to experience this rare show through their eyes rather than what's on the screen. It was all comically in good taste. The band opened with "End of All Hope" from the 2002 album, "Century Child" and from their, each song displayed theatric flashy lights and on-screen visuals that hasn't been done by the band in some time. 

Setlist:
Intro + Swanheart
1. End Of All Hope
2. Wish I Had An Angel
3. 10th Man Down
4. Come Cover Me
5. Gethseman
6. Élan
7. Sacrament Of Wilderness
8. Deep Silent
9. Dead Boy's Poem
10. Elvenjig + Elvenpath
11. I Want My Tears Back
12. The Carpenter
13. The Kinslayer
14. Devil & The Deep Dark Ocean
15. Nemo
16. Slaying The Dreamer
17. The Greatest Show On Earth (Full)
18. Ghost Love Score

Photo Gallery:

Review: In This Moment @ The House of Blues (Cleveland)

Two years ago, I didn't know very much about this band but here I am covering In This Moment's show for the third time. Yes, this band is freaking unstoppable and they keep producing pure gold along the way. February 9th, the hard rock/metal band outta Los Angeles beguiled the sold-out crowd at the House of Blues in Cleveland with dazzling theatrics that left an exclamation on the entire show.

In This Moment never gets tiresome to cover. Their stagecraft is merely untouchable compared to other bands today. You're always getting something new and something old. A twist and an unexpectable turn. Beauty and horror all intertwined to produce something you don't dare turn your head away. This show was the successor of the "Half God, Half Devil Tour" entitled "The Witching Hour Tour". Now that the band's sixth studio release dubbed, "Ritual" which was released this past summer, we got a more heavily tracked setlist from the album including, "Roots", "River of Fire", "Oh Lord", "Lay Your Gun Down", and "In The Air Tonight" a cover from the great Phil Colins. Also, much of the visuals massively played a role in how the appearance and sound shaped this album. And sadly, no Murder Dolls in appearance. *sad face*

Showtime! The lights dim in the venue. All you see is a storm approaching projected onto a white screen (which happens to be the dressing room used for Maria's costume changes) center stage. Two female hooded figures draped in black cloaks walk out of the tent wearing lifeless masks with a marked black cross. Frontwoman Maria Brink enters into view through the white tent wearing her signature power halo illustrating her as the Witch or Goddess she has become. The band launched the night into "Blood", a forceful testimony off the band's 2012 album of the same name. Throughout the night, In This Moment hammered off hits, many fans came to love. Each song illustrating something visually new. After each number, Maria retreats back to the white tent to transform herself into a new wardrobe to visualizes the story of the next song.  

This was the hardest In This Moment show I had to cover. Nothing on their part. The stage was different, smaller than what they're usually playing on, and the lights were a little more menacing than usual. None-the-less, any In This Moment is pure gold for any photographer and I was thoroughly enjoying what was in front of me. Not only do you get a wide arrange of costume and stage changes, but the band allows the media to cover their whole show where a lot of national bands are restricted to just the first three songs of the night.

The small take away was the "Monster Jam" section where each musician solo'd their instrument which was followed by a lengthy sermon from Maria as she eventually introduced the band. I found myself impatiently waiting for the next song around the 10-minute mark. Also, I'm not sure if Maria wasn't feeling 100% or has toned down her signature screams from over the years, but "Big Bad Wolf" fell flat that night. These were just minuscule observations I noted, but couldn't compete with the petri dish of amoebas floating around the venue which happened to find my girlfriend and her friend to put them out the rest of the week. Oh, did anyone else skip over the vomit that laid in the walkways of the downstair general standing area? Note to self, "remember to take your Airborne before the next show."

In This Moment Setlist (House of Blues-Cleveland)
1. Blood
2. River of Fire
3. Adrenalize
4. Roots
5. Burn
6. Lay Your Gun Down
7. Monster Jam
8. Big Bad Wolf
9. In The Air Tonight (Phil Collins cover)
10. Sick Like Me
11. Oh Lord
Encore:
12. Whore

Review: Avatar Country @ The House of Blues (Cleveland, OH)

We're nearly two months into 2018 and finally got numero uno in the books. With a few month stint of wallowing around from old man winter, it was time to de-ice the camera and snagged this memorable show from the Swedish group, Avatar. Immerse yourself in Avatar Country folks. Where imagination and theatrical pleasures are the centerpieces of a land of people. Your king has courtly invited you to the show and reserved you a seat at the head roundtable. What's in store? Raise a glass as the curtain reveals the first act of the night.

Hellzapoppin Circus Sideshow Revue

Labeled as one of the world's last authentic circus sideshow with performances using the human anatomy and death-defying stunts of mind over matter, yet no blood, no pain. Hellzapoppin is a world renown theatrical rock-n-roll circus stunt show where some of the deadliest stunts in live entertainment are performed to a LIVE audience with emphatic rock music. 

Shorty E. Dangerously, the 3'3" man whose legs are replaced by his hands. Shorty has no regard for gravity. The half man is considered a one-stop for sideshow performances. He 's a fire-breather, knife thrower, and acrobat. Hell, he dumped a pile of broken glass on the stage, climb the ladder and took a leap of faith landing feet first, strike that, hand first on the glass shards. No blood. Amazing!

My favorite and well gut cringing, Ryan Stock stole the show for me. With over 30 world records to his name, Ryan swallowed swords, one being curved in which he had to bend his body to fit it down his esophagus, dangled weights and a bowling ball from his eyelids, 5 finger fillet to the chicken dance song, balancing a running chainsaw in his mouth with the dangerous end greeting his taste buds. Oh, and if balancing a chainsaw wasn't enough to sell ya, he balanced an electric mower on his face while running on full power as performers tossed objects into the blades, showering the crowd with paper confetti everywhere.

Shock illusionist, Dan Sperry displayed mesmerizing stunts of magic. One included swallowing a Life Saver breath mint and wedging a piece of string in his neck to pull out the breath mint from his throat. The end result was a Life Saver necklace.

The Gothenburg-based metal band headlined the House of Blues on February 8th representing their own tour entitled "Avatar Country" which also is the latest title of their seventh full-length album. You can agree (or not) there are endless examples of new metal artists that take themselves too seriously. Perhaps they're compensating for something or actually have a message to get across. Well, for Avatar, it sure as hell is over-the-top and remarkably entertaining. Their flamboyant nature capitalizes on the music they write all the way to the flashing lights and wardrobes they guys wear on stage.

The Brains

Just to iterate. Nothing on this tour is conventional. No lines to stay inside and everything is fair game. The first musical act to hit the spotlight was a rockabilly trio band from Montreal, Canada called The Brains. I'm not too familiar with the "rockabilly/psychobilly scene, but The Brains had their own sound to call their own. If you took rock, punk, and traditional swing music, put it in a pot and cranked the heat to high, you just may have the perfect recipe for The Brains. Admittedly, I couldn't get into it. My girlfriend who was in attendance raved about them. Met with drummer Guillaume Lauzon for The Brains and found out the dude played the entire set with his left leg, as his right ankle was restrained in a brace. I think Hellzapoppin should consider him part of their lineup!

Avatar

These days, you see a lot of metal artists taking themselves far too seriously. The Gothenburg-based band, Avatar isn't one of them. In fact, being flamboyant and off-the-wall makes them one of the more recognizable metal bands in Europe. I can't think of any band off the top of my head (especially in the states) that go this far to centralize their fans into this circus-style theme. We're a little over a month into the release of their seventh full-length entitled "Avatar Country". The album is a tribute to the "King" of Avatar Country which is illustrated by guitarist, Jonas Jarlsby.   

Covering this show, I for one felt like I was transported out of Cleveland and into this mad world of Avatar Country. As the main curtain opened, a tall banner dropped with the King's profile on both sides and a verse narrating the lyrics from "Glory To Our King". Moments later, the stage is presented and Jonas rises behind the drum kit sitting on a throne, guitar propped lap in his full king attire. It was so majestic to witness a grand entrance. As the rest of the band entered, they broke into their lengthy 8-minute ensemble entitled, Legend Of The King". Here you were greeted by lanky statuesque, Jonannes Eckerstrom. If you're new to this band, Jonannes can be a little intimidating as his long hair, white clown makeup, accompanied by his cane as he snarls and slithers his tongue at the crowd.

The highlight of the night and most everyone in attendance would agree was when the band capped off the night with, "The King Welcomes You". From here, the room was instantly filled with bubbles. Bubbles on the stage, bubbles on the general admission floor, bubbles in the balcony, and yes, bubbles in your FACE. It was something straight out of the bubble room in "Willy Wonka" where Charlie and grandpa consume the Fizzy Lifting drink.

Check out additional photos from the show below:

Photo Review: Davey Suicide @ The Foundry Concert Club

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Quite possibly the last show of 2017. I'm throwing in the towel until that damn New Year pulls around. It's been a successful and trying year, to say the least. Shooting a show is never the same from your previous. I'm just glad this last one involved a dedicated and hard-working artist who values the work he puts in and doesn't let failure run his career off the tracks when a bigger train comes rolling through town and throws a log in the spokes. If you can catch the metaphor, then you know what/who I'm referencing.  

Last Sunday, the 10th of December, Davey Suicide headlined the Foundry Concert Club on his "Made From Fire Tour". Now granted, I wasn't too keen or excited about photographing since this venue makes me work for the shot. Luckily I was doing some research on Davey's stage setup and notice he brings his own lighting rigs. "Hellyeah! I might actually come away with something other than Pink Floyd's 'Dark Side of the Moon'". The challenge was still there, so I decided to just use a prime lens, but use the power and precision of the Sigma Art f/1.4.

It's been awhile since Davey has taken his band out on his own tour, so fans that night could catch a more intimate side of Suicide. Davey has had a rough 5 years primarily to his previous label Standby Records here in Cleveland. So it was only fitting midway through his set, to dedicate and give Neil Sheehan of the label a big "f-you". This was Davey's first album and self-released from the label since 2014. Other key mentions from the night, Drayven Davidson was missing from the band that night, so Stitched Up Heart's own drummer, James Decker filled in and did an amazing job just giving the crowd psychotic blank stares the whole evening. Niko Gemini played beautifully as he orchestrated his Dean guitar with a screamin' solo mid-set.

The band will be back in Cleveland at the Odeon this February as they open for the irrelevant Crazytown.  

Photo Review: Metal Holiday Food Drive

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Chris Olathia and Iron Ingo Sthührenberg

This year's Metal Holiday Food Drive which took place last Saturday (12-2) evening at the sold out Beachland Ballroom reached recording breaking heights on several stages. Hosted again by Iron Ingo Sthührenberg & close friend, Chris Olathia, the two did an amazing job spreading the positive metal vibes and making sure everyone there was well welcomed. I made it a priority to get around to everyone considering I was battling flu-like conditions that night. So if anyone got sick, you may know the culprit. *Sorry*

Currently, in its ninth run, founder Bill Peters of WJCU Metal On Metal Show celebrated the show's 35th anniversary that night with a commemorative t-shirt designed by James Bulloch. The event was stocked to the brim with driven and well-known metal acts stretched across the country. Some popular acts to grace the two stages included Lady Beast, Shok Paris, Resistance, Olathia, the original lineup of Breaker, and Night Demon closing the evening with a special 90-minute live album recording. With all the great entertainment provided, the event closed out the evening with over 4 tons of food to the Greater Cleveland Food Bank and generated little over $10,000 in cash donations. Night Demon also pitched in $400 of their merch sales to the food drive. It's true when people say "Metalheads" have one of the biggest hearts in the music industry.  

Check out some images from the evening.

Bill Peters, the man behind the Metal Food Drive and Metal on Metal

Photo Review: Motionless In White @ The Agora Theatre

It's been a good month. Exciting opportunities have happened to me outside the world of photography. One, I started a new job that not only excels myself as a graphic designer but also allows me to wear multiple hats where I'm working as their official photographer. The one bad incident that took place took place right before this show even opened their doors. Decided to bring my back up camera with my Sigma Art lens for MIW as I know the lighting was going to be shit. So there I am, walking up to the entrance, full line of fans lined up outside waiting to get in the door. My right shoulder dips down as I start to head for the metal detectors. I turn and look to my left and I see my D600 drop to the sidewalk dismembering and destroying the lens mount. Devastated! Now I wait for its return from Nikon for the repair. The lens looked fine, but that too was sent in since part of the mount snapped to the rear of the lens. All I have to say is, "fuck you Black Rapid!" This was the second time I near lost a camera to this POS strap system. I now am tossing the strap and buying a second Peak Design Slide strap where I can have a little more piece of mind.

The last time Motionless In White came to Cleveland was exactly two years ago around this date. Yet again, headlining their tour - The Graveyard Shift Tour with William Control, Miss May I and Amity Affliction as support. The band's 2017 release of "Graveyard Shift" took front with many hits including "Loud (Fuck It)", "Necessary Evil", "Rats", "570", "Soft", and "Eternally Yours" performed on the bill.

Aside from my small mishap, it was another fantastic show at the Agora. The staff did an exceptional job, as usual, catching bodies that came over the barrier. Wished a few things went differently, but the challenges that I faced that night, I put my best foot forward and rolled with the punches. Bring me my next fix!

Motionless In White Setlist
1. Rats
2. Reincarnate
3. Necessary Evil
4. Soft
5. Loud (Fuck It)
6. 570
7.A-M-E-R-I-C-A
8. Sick from the Melt
9. Dead As Fuck
10. Not My Type: Dead As Fuck 2
11.Immaculate Misconception
12. We Only Come Out At Night
13. Voices
14. Queen For Queen
15. Devil's Night
Encore:
16. Eternally Yours
 

Photo Review: The Ultimate Principle Tour @ The Agora Theatre

"The Ultimate Principle Tour" landed in Cleveland on September 5th at the Agora Theatre. Elantris, Insomnium, Lacuna Coil, and headliner, Epica played the post-Labor Day weekend that consisted primarily of symphonic metal. This was the tour's fifth date which concludes in New York at the end of September.

Elantris (Lisbon, Ohio)

Elantris, the locals from Lisbon, Ohio who are currently supporting the tour, opened the flood gates of metal in Cleveland. The band consisting of two "ying and yang" fronted singers who play off each others style. Thomas Ullom supplies the deep under belly growls where Lindsay Ketchum serenades us with soothing soprano-esque notes. It's been a few months since their last performance at the Theatre, but I notice a bigger step in their stride as they all displayed more confidence in the show. Kudos to Elantris for the hard work. It was awesome to see them again. Congratulations guys and thanks for having me out again!

Insomnium (Joensuu, Finland)

If you want to experience a bond of brotherhood, the Europeans know a thing or two about it. Insomnium doesn't shy away from it and their music shows it on stage. Hearing Insomnium announced on this tour was another reason to attend. After listening to their latest studio album entitled, "Winter's Gate" four times front to back this week, it made me appreciate the dedication that went into this album. The guitar writing orchestrated by veteran guitarist, Markus Vanhala is something really to marvel and listen carefully. It's no surprise he had become a favorite musician of mine since hearing/seeing him perform last year when his band, Omnium Gatherum played in Cleveland last November. 

Lacuna Coil (Milan, Italy)

Still riding the success of their eighth studio album entitled, "Delirium" back in May 2016, Lacuna Coil stepped onto the Cleveland stage wearing blood stained straight-like jackets looking like the band just escaped the state insane asylum. It certainly for me was a memorable experience seeing them give Epica a run for their money. The band is peaking their 20th anniversary next year and mentioned a huge show in London to celebrate the milestone. 

Epica (Netherland, Belgium, Germany)

Epica, the Dutch symphonic metal band, known for their orchestra and opera choirs backed by lead vocalist Simone Simons, headlined the Agora Theatre. Shooting Epica was a little more of a challenge than the other bands. The flashy strobes behind Simone had me working a little harder and getting a properly exposed shot of the drummer, keyboardist, and bassist was non-existent due to the dense fog and sporadic strobes. So keeping my attention to the other members was what I had to work with in the pit. 

Photo Review: Texas Hippie Coalition @ The Agora Ballroom

Last Friday night, Texas Hippie Coalition rolled back into Ohio a month after their Ink in the Clink performance to the Agora. I was so impressed with their last show in Mansfield I jumped at the chance when the venue announced them via Facebook. Now I could enjoy seeing a headlining show where time wasn't too much of a factor and I can enjoy more of THC's hits.

My Nikon D750 was in the shop getting an upgrade, so I had to rely on my back up D600 to get the job done. These two cameras are ideal for live music or in low light situations, but recently, I determined the D750 takes the reign when it comes to its dynamic range. I am able to pull more shadow detail better than my D600; where noise grain starts to appear more using the D600 at the Agora. Upon arrival, I camped out a spot right up front to really dial in for more of an intimate experience and make sure I could include the audience's interaction this time around. Since seeing Texas Hippie Coalition from Ink in the Clink, I knew I wanted to grab more shots of Nevada. The guy is exciting to watch. Smiles flash the crowd as great hair whips are twirled throughout the songs. Seeing he stays prominently stage right, I focused my time in that area as no photo pit was available for me to move around.