Author: Chris R. Smyth

Live Review: Gary Clark Jr. @ The Anthem — 3/30/19

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Gary Clark Jr. performs at The Anthem on March 30, 2019. (Photo by Chris Smyth)

Trying to paint Gary Clark Jr. into a box is an exercise in futility. When you started to believe that he’s “just” the next great guitar virtuoso, Gary dropped a soul song that featured a vocal range showcasing his falsetto. When you could not stop dancing along with one of his upbeat and catchy rock hits, Gary played an R&B number that would fit into Motown. And if you ever dared to think that Gary doesn’t have something new to say, he went ahead and released This Land in February, an album and title track that tackles racism in America.

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Live Review: Anvil @ Rock and Roll Hotel — 3/21/19

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Anvil performs at the Rock and Roll Hotel on March 21, 2019. (Photo by Chris Smyth)

Heavy metal filled the Rock and Roll Hotel as speed metal pioneers Anvil rocked the stage recently. Known for being an influence on some of metal’s most famous bands, including Metallica and Anthrax, Anvil has been rocking for over 40 years.

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Live Review: Sevendust @ Rams Head Live — 2/10/19

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Lajon Witherspoon fronts Sevendust at Rams Head Live on Feb. 10, 2019. (Photo by Chris Smyth)

It may look difficult to pull off a major stage show on the intimate confines of the Rams Head Live stage in Baltimore, but don’t try telling that to Sevendust, who put on a display that could counter any arena act. With exquisite lighting and smoke machines put to use with purpose, the guys in Sevendust brought a major stadium feeling into the club recently.

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Live Review: Tremonti @ Rams Head Live — 2/10/19

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Mark Tremonti fronts Tremonti at Rams Head Live on Feb. 10, 2019. (Photo by Chris Smyth)

With an opening machine gun of a riff, Tremonti started the night with “Cauterize,” the title track off of their 2015 album. The band, created by and named after lead singer and guitarist, Mark Tremonti, brought their brand of melodic, yet aggressive heavy metal back to Rams Head Live in Baltimore this past Sunday to open Sevendust.

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Live Review: Savage After Midnight @ Baltimore Soundstage — 1/27/19

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Savage After Midnight 8 Savage After Midnight performs at Baltimore Soundstage on Jan. 27, 2019. (Photo by Chris Smyth)

Finding an opening band for Pop Evil seems like it may be difficult task due to the fact that the band’s songs can vary so greatly from melodic to heavy. But Savage After Midnight were more than up for the challenge at Baltimore Soundstage recently.

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