KISS: Great Hard Rock Band or Poser Hacks?

The success of KISS is undeniable, but are they more smoke and makeup than great rock and roll? This week the gloves come off in another showdown for the ages. KISS: Smash or Trash?  Featured Loudini Artists:    Raven Black   Broken Rail   The Last Vegas   Aboleth

 

Featured Loudini Artists:

Raven Black
A Dark Metal Carnival.

Kelly Mason - Chimera Magazine
"Raven Black ‘Seven Sins’ – Album Review
Are you a fan of the macabre and the twisted? Do you have a fondness for the brutal and the bazaar? When you heard Darth Vader speak of going over to the dark side, did you think that sounded like a thought-provoking proposition to you? Then you my friend, may be interested in Raven Black, the uncompromising female-fronted metal band turning heads with their gritty tunes and dark carnival inspired visuals. It’s this mixture of fun and frightening that pulled me in, and it was their haunting hooks and sinister style that kept me wanting to know more about this band.

Last year, Raven Black released the EP ‘Seven Sins,’ which feature seven songs each as good as the last. “Twinkle Twinkle Little Scars,” the first track on the record, is the perfect introduction to the group thanks to its circus-themed rhythm which metal fans could liken to ‘Black Waltz’ era Avatar. To be honest, I loved every song on ‘Seven Sins,’ partially because it was as if someone took some of my favorite things, such as sideshows, Stitched Up Heart, voodoo, Daisy Chainsaw, Butcher Babies, vintage horror movies, unhinged vocals, unwielding guitars, and dominating drums, put them in a blender, and then added just enough LSD to make things totally unpredictable. Furthermore, I can feel the emotion behind the bands lyrics, such as in the song “Still Healing.” When vocalist Raven Black sings, “You let me fall. You Let Me Drown. You let me down. I’m still healing,” she doesn’t just throw those words away. They’re spoken in a way that makes them action verbs, bringing them to life. And isn’t that what we all want in our music? For it to transcend and help us to feel like we aren’t alone, even during our loneliest moments? “Damaged,” on the other hand, showcases the bands spirited sick side with rapid-fire pedals, a chugging hook, and seriously brutal vocals that prove just how hard women in metal can rock.
‘Seven Sins’ is delightfully demented, and offers just the right balance of sincerity and a band that does not take themselves too seriously. Raven Black is definitely one of those bands to watch, even if they make you feel as if you want to sleep with one eye open.

Kelly Mason
Chimera Magazine

Current Location
Los Angeles, CA

General Manager
Chris Bianchi
chris@cbent1.com

Influences
Too many to list

Press contact
Tom George - Publicist
tomgeorgepr@gmail.com

Booking agent
Logan Crosland | Satellite Touring | logan@satellitetouring.com

Broken Rail
Alabama rockers, BrokenRail was formed in 2008 by an all-star unit of musicians with the sole intention of rising to the top and proclaiming their place in modern music with their infectious blend of hard rock and metal.

BrokenRail has grown their following extensively over the years throughout the world. The exposure allowed the band’s music to get featured on several notable platforms such as ESPN, NBC Sports, MMA’s World Series of Fighting as well as having the band nominated in 2016 and 2017 for the Alabama Music Award for “Rock Band of the Year”. BrokenRail has also been nominated for the worldwide, 2018 Independent Music Awards (IMAs) for Rock / Hard Rock "Song of the Year" for their title 'Save Me'.

The band’s debut release, “Welcome To The Escape” came out in 2010 and made a strong impact for BrokenRail’s inception. The album was produced by Ben Trexel & Rick Beato (Shinedown, Crossfade). The band toured extensively throughout the Southern Regions before getting back into the studio for their sophomore album. BrokenRail teamed up with producer & engineer Brett Hestla (Framing Hanley) in 2011 to work on tracking and release for the EP "Never The Same". In 2013, the band release the single "When You Fall" while they ultimately headed to Los Angeles to work with producer Joseph McQueen (As I Lay Dying) on the new full length record. The final mixes were sent to Kane Churko (Papa Roach, As Lions) & Logan Mader (Gojira, Bullet For My Valentine) in Las Vegas which was completed in October of 2016.

In November of 2016, BrokenRail released a 3 track EP based off the upcoming album simply titled “BROKENRAIL” which was the first hint of the bands next full-fledged release. The release was to introduce a new and powerful direction for the band moving forward. The band released a music video for the single “Walk Again” which has attained tremendous responses from fans and press. With this EP, BrokenRail caught the attention of New York based Extreme Management Group Inc. and the partnership was inked in the summer of 2017. The EP has garnered over 1.5 MILLION spins on Spotify alone and over 20 MILLION views on Youtube through user generated content, both completely independently.

BrokenRail have shared the stage with bands such as 12 stones, Eye Empire, The Veer Union, Taproot, Digital Summer, 3 Pill Morning, Super Bob, Almost Kings, Shallow Side, Artifas and many more. As of recent, the band has been on the National “Screaming Black Curse Tour” supporting All Hail the Yeti & Invidia. BrokenRail will be performing at the 25th anniversary of Rock Fest in Cadott, WI this year alongside bands such as Disturbed, Godsmack, Sevendust, Seether, Halestorm, Trivium, & more.

The band is working to complete their 3rd studio album which will be the most predominant to date. With their extensive live history, BrokenRail is primed to support the release at a wider level and won’t let anything get in their way.

BrokenRail is:
Vocals – Blake Clawson
Lead Guitar – Dave Delacruz
Bass – Dakotah Wright
Drums – Alex Hilton

Awards
2018 Independent Music Awards "Rock / Hard Rock Song of the Year" Nominee
2017 Alabama Music Awards "Rock Band of the Year" Nominee
2016 Alabama Music Awards "Rock Band of the Year" Nominee

Gender
Male

Current Location
Birmingham, Alabama

General Manager
Extreme Management Group, Inc.
Joann Gullo: EMG.Joann@gmail.com
Amanda Hocker: EMG.Amanda@gmail.com

Influences
5 Finger Death Punch, Disturbed, Avenged Sevenfold, Bullet For My Valentine, Metallica, Sevendust, Godsmack, Alterbridge, Shinedown, Papa Roach, Seether, and many, many more.

The Last Vegas
Band Members
Chad Cherry - Vocals
Adam Arling - Guitar
Johnny Wator - Guitar
Bryan Wilkinson - Guitar
Danny Smash - Bass
Nathan Arling - Drums

Hometown
Chicago, IL

Record Label
AFM Records

About
www.thelastvegas.com

Biography
The Last Vegas are a rock band hailing from Chicago, IL. Their music draws influence from ‘70s classic rock and glam, ‘80s hard rock and heavy metal and garage and punk rock while at the same time maintaining a unique sound all their own.

Current Location
Chicago, IL

General Manager
Frank Mastalerz at FM Entertainment

Press contact
info@thelastvegas.com

Aboleth
Dirt Metal // Blues // doom // desert // stoner // heavy
Instagram: @abolethband
Vocals: Brigitte Roka
Baguitar: Collyn McCoy
Drums: Boll3t