Video of Eric Eycke singing with COC!

COC with Eric Eycke - "Poison Planet" from Mann's World on Vimeo.

An unexpected part of a very cool show. I didn't get much in the way of photos, but this video is priceless.

This week's cool shows: COC, Orange Goblin and more!

If you haven't seen the "Animosity"-era trio version of COC, you'd better head to Cat's Cradle this Thursday, May 26. That show will be the kick off for the band's U.S./European tour, which means you won't see them around here any time soon. In the past year I've seen this lineup twice -- at the Pour House reunion show and the punk rock house party -- and both of those shows were among the best I had seen all year. 

And speaking of that Pour House show, I just took a look at some of my video stats for the year, and that video of "Animosity/Loss for Words" had 11, 210 plays! Thanks to Blabbermouth for making that video go viral. Scream and Devour open up for the band on Thursday. 

Also this week, Rebuilding Raleigh, a benefit for the Red Cross, takes place Wednesday and Thursday, May 25 and 26, at the Pour House. Night one features BJ Barham, Kenny Roby, The Small Ponds, Debonzo Brothers and Jack the Radio. Night two features Stella Lively, Once and Future Kings, Bitter Resolve, Appetite for Destruction and The Last Tallboy. Proceeds go to help the Red Cross in the wake of last month's tornados.

Friday night (May 27) at Kings, there's a great show with at least four of my current favorite bands: Caltrop, Black Skies, Royal Thunder and USX -- who will be doing a stripped-down, partially acoustic show.

Finally, if you're up for a drive, classic English doom band Orange Goblin, and Indianapolis' Gates of Slumber will be at the Casbah at Tremont Music Hall in Charlotte next Tuesday night. This show will definitely be worth the drive.

Volture and Twisted Tower Dire at Kings

Since I'm old enough to remember the original NWOBHM movement, I really appreciate the fact that this style of metal is getting renewed attention. I checked out Richmond's Volture when their album "Shocking its Prey" came out, and while I liked them, I didn't really love them. But last night at Kings they totally sold me with their high-energy live show. Can't wait to see them again.

Volture - "The Horde" from Mann's World on Vimeo.

I had a few technical difficulties last night. First off, I forgot my camera battery, and had to run back home, thus missing most of Twisted Tower Dire. Once I got back, I had various troubles just getting the camera to function, which is why this video starts after the band had begun playing. Unfortunately, since I was up front, you don't hear exactly how powerful vocalist Brent Hubbard's voice is.

As I said, I ended up missing most of Twisted Tower Dire, which was a shame because I hadn't seen them in a while. Also looking forward to seeing them again soon.


Twisted Tower Dire from Mann's World on Vimeo.

Video of Caltrop and MAKE!

Thank God my social hiatus has finally come to an end. I'm out again, going to shows and working on buying a new camera that will take better photos in low lighting. And what a way to get back in the saddle -- by having my ass kicked and ears shredded by Caltrop. I've seen these guys many times, and I can say that last night was the best, tightest and most powerful show I've seen by them. They're getting a lot of attention lately from national blogs, and they totally deserve it. Now I am REALLY looking forward to that May 27 show with Caltrop, Black Skies, USX (performing acoustic) and Royal Thunder. 

Caltrop from Mann's World on Vimeo.

Another of my local favorites, MAKE, opened the show -- their first as a trio since guitarist Daniel McDonald left. The new sound was much heavier, which I liked, but a little lighter on their trademark spacey elements. The video below is one of their new songs, "Valhalla." Guitarist Scott Endres had to do some extra work to carry both sounds. The real star of the evening was bass player Spencer Lee, whose guitar cord failed on the last song, and who managed to keep playing by holding the cord in place and just playing extra hard with his left hand.



Make - "Valhalla" from Mann's World on Vimeo.

This show was a benefit at the Dive Bar for the family of local metal fan Carrie Martin, who died suddenly this year. Though the circumstances were tragic, it was great to once again see how our local music scene will often come together to help each other out. I'm truly lucky to live in an area where we have awesome bands, great clubs, and devoted fans who won't hesitate to help each other out.