On Thursday, March 7, Boise's premier hard rock and metal radio station 100.3 The X, presents its second free show of the year. This time around they bring Sweden's Avatar along with Eye Empire to The Knitting Factory. Local giants, Midline and Black Tooth Grin will set the stage. Tickets for this free event can only be won by listening to Xrocks 100.3 FM win.
Avatar released one of 2012's most stunning metal albums, "Black Waltz", mixing melodic hard rock elements with death metal. The combination proved a winning combination for the quintet which has spent the winter on its first U.S. tour, hitting the road with Sevendust and Lacuna Coil. The band leaves that tour which will be here in Boise on March 21, to headline the March 7 event. With monster songs like "Torn Apart" and "Let It Burn" and a spectacular stage presence, fans will be blown away by Avatar.
With "Black Waltz" Avatar has ascended both sonically and visually, offering up a sound that encompasses everything from Southern rock to melodic death metal. Call it avant-garde metal, if you will. Whether you are a fan of Soilwork and In Flames or Marilyn Manson, Avenged Sevenfold, or even Rammstein, Avatar has something you’ll want to smear on your body and jam in your ears.
You can listen to my interview with Avatar vocalist Johannes Eckerström here.
Hailing from the Midwest, the South, and the heart of Texas, Eye Empire is preparing to shake the Earth’s crust, or at least the music scene. With its edgy, energetic, and intelligent brand of rock and metal this quartet is ready to make people take notice. The seeds of Eye Empire were planted as far back as 2007. Bassist Corey Lowery (Stuck Mojo, Stereomud, Dark New Day) and guitarist B.C. Kochmit (Switched) began kicking up some dust and waiting to see what settled. The empire was founded on that ground. Former Submersed frontman Donald "DC" Carpenter joined the fray, and former Texas Hippie Coalition drummer Ryan Bennett became final piece. The band is touring in support of its debut album, "Impact".
You can catch my interview with Eye Empire vocalist Carpenter here.
Longtime Boise favorites Midline came out of hibernation for the five year anniversary of The Morning After show on The X. That one off show rekindled a fire in the quartet, which features two members of other Boise favorites, Karin Comes Killing. The veteran rockers have since performed a few more shows, and it seems they may be back to stay. At least fans are hoping so.
Boise metal juggernaut, Black Tooth Grin, has been busy working on recording new music this winter, but the band is always quick to destroy any stage that will allow footing. The Knitting Factory is a second home for these hard driving groove metallers, and while normally a local headliner or main support act, this show was too good not to jump on.
This will be the first heavy show of March which is packed with so many weighty shows, we may not survive to see April. Crank your radio to 100.3 and win those tickets because you do not want to miss this event.
Music is the universal language: Speak it loudly!
Rustyn Rose is a veteran music journalist who owns and operates Metalholic Magazine and Metalholic Radio.
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