A Killer’s Confession that was Etched In Embers was Once Erased at the Dawn Of Ascension! Oh crap, here I go again… I must be having a… METAL MELTDOWN at Brookstock Events in Dover, Arkansas!
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If you were there you witnessed it… if you were not there for some reason… well, I guess you weren’t worthy to see some of the finest Heavy Metal and Hard Rock music bands to come through the Arkansas River Valley in a long time. The Rocker Chic and I were both there to throw our hats and heads into the pit and head-bang with the rest of the crazy-cool crowd.
Speaking of cool… The lower temperatures this past Saturday night were perfect for an outdoor concert at Brookstock Events. Our canopy and chairs set up- Check! Our Ice chest filled with our favorite beverages- Check! Our bellies full from the onsite Texas Dave’s Food Company truck- Check! Our chiropractor and doctor on standby for when we go into traction from Moshing In The Pit… Nahhh, not needed. While the crowd was energetic with excitement it didn’t quite get to THAT level, although these top-tier bands definitely knew how to ROCK BROOKSTOCK!!!
Opening bands don’t have it easy on the concert circuit. First off, they have to get to the venue extra early and be the first to unload gear and set it up in front of the incoming crowd who are also loading in their gear while claiming the best viewpoint to the stage. The venue personnel are also busy scrambling to test the sound and get it dialed in to just the right balance for both the band and the audience. This harmonious dance between audience, band, and venue all culminates to one final step… SHOWTIME!
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Once Erased
Makes Their Mark
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Once Erased was the perfect band to start Metal Meltdown! This incredible new band from nearby Conway rocked their blend of melodic hard rock and metal to a music-thirsty crowd at Brookstock. Vocalist and rhythm guitarist Justin Cox has a very versatile voice to handle both hard rock tunes and the heaviest of metal songs to give this local band great variety to offer its soon to be growing audience.
I was also impressed by lead and rhythm guitarist Michael Riddle’s tone and delivery during their set. Bassist Aaron Flowers and drummer Michael Tacker both locked into some infectious grooves to the delight of an ever-growing crowd at the venue. Expect great things from this great new band from Conway!
​Dawn Of Ascension Deliver Metalcore and Deathcore!​
For those who are not quite hip to the ever-changing music scene-- Metalcore is a fusion music genre that combines elements of extreme metal and hardcore punk. As with other styles blending metal and hardcore, metalcore is noted for its use of breakdowns with slow, intense passages conducive to moshing.
What better way to shake down that awesome Texas Dave burger and clear your throat than with a little guttural growl and yell… What? We’re not in Yell County- That’s next door. Well, not even the Pope can save you from Dawn Of Ascension!
Dawn of Ascension is a 6-piece metalcore band from south Arkansas. They pair old school metal with new school, while having a deathcore edge. This kick-ass band features two vocalists with both Patrick Reames and Wesley Stringfellow, and also Logan Joyner on guitars and vocals. Cullen Cabral also plays guitars, and Josh Nations is on bass and Steven Lancaster is on drums.
I was afraid the Po-Po might show up and shut our little music-fest down when this band of musical misfits hit the stage, but let me tell you this- These guys ROCKED!!! Talk about putting the ‘Meltdown’ in the metal, these guys didn’t waste any time in taking this party up a notch or two… or three… Hell, you got me, just take it to 10 already…
Talk, or should I say SCREAM, about a little fireball of energy in Patrick Reames! What I’m trying to say is that I sincerely believe that this dudes’ vocal cords are bigger than he is. For those who have never experienced deathcore music in a live setting- Congratulations, as Jimi Hendrix would say- Have you ever been experienced? Well… Now You Have…
The rest of Dawn Of Ascension was on point also. As concert photographers, The Rocker Chic and myself couldn’t get enough pics of Guitarist Logan Joyner shredding on stage- Barefoot … and Head-Bangin’ with his long hair flying up in the air!
​Etched In Embers
“Show Me” The Fire!
I wasn’t aware of how popular the next hard rock and metal band Etched In Embers was until checking out some songs on their YouTube channel. Like a cross between Disturbed and Pop Evil- Etched In Embers moved our Metal Meltdown into the incinerator and lit a fire under everyone in attendance! Heavy beats and ripping riffs cut through the July humidity and got everyone off their lawn chairs and over to the stage to witness this great band from nearby Missouri!
Vocalist and Guitarist Russ Rhodenizer fit right into the Dover crowd’s vibe with his stories about driving down the scary two-lane highway from Missouri to Dover’s Brookstock Events and also with discussing his “father challenges” with his bass playing son Chance Rhodenizer.
Lead guitarist Tyler Kenyon also delivered great solos and catchy riffs, and I was also very impressed with new drummer Josh Newlon. Etched In Embers has nowhere to go but up the charts and into more ears… if they can only successfully navigate the Ozark Mountains and the highway of modern rock and metal!
​I Must Confess… There’s a Killer on the loose again… ON STAGE NOW!!!
​A Killer's Confession
Slays Brookstock!
If big-time Rock friends like David Ellefson of Megadeth and Brian “Head” Welch of Korn are not enough, just throw the name MUSHROOMHEAD out there also and you know you’re about to hear and witness something special with tonight’s headliner- A Killer’s Confession!
Vocalist and programmer Waylon Reavis is the mastermind behind this incredible ensemble of talented musicians; including JP Cross on bass, James Skrtich on guitar, Kegan King on drums, and Will Spodnik on drums and percussion. With four incredible albums out in addition to his work with Mushroomhead, A Killer’s Confession had plenty of material and surprises in store for the rabid Brookstock crowd gathered at the stage!
From a darkened stage and minimal lighting, you were almost made to believe you had stumbled upon a back alley-way to witness nefarious musical acts of debauchery not meant for human eyes to see!
It's one thing to put on a mask, but it’s on another level entirely to actually “BECOME” the mask you’re wearing! For those of us fortunate to witness the event, it was true poetry in motion to watch this American alternative metal band in action!
A Killers Confession unleashed a fury of hits and even an assortment of Mushroomhead classics onto a mesmerized crowd at Brookstock Events. What I liked most about Waylon Reavis was not necessarily all the spectacle and macabre performance, but it was his personable presence and interaction with the crowd. His fame and popularity took a back seat to his desire to truly connect with his audience. Even the Rocker Chic commented how cool it was that he even said “Hello Beautiful” to his lovely wife at their Merch stand! You don’t have to tell A Killers Confession the secret, as they already know the art of how to gain a huge fanbase.
Here’s my confession-- You don’t have to give A Killers Confession to admit you’re a new fan of this cool band! Rock On Reavis!!!
The Rocker Chic Danette and I would like to give a special guttural growl of thanks to both James Brooks and Tena Gosvenor Brooks for letting us crash your “Killer” concert party at Brookstock Events!
