Devilskin: Be Like The River

Written by Robin Ervolina
How about an instal-hell-yes? The first seconds of the intro track for Be Like The River paint a billboard as big as Texas, and the product it’s advertising is Devilskin.
Devilskin hails from New Zealand and is comprised of father/son Paul Martin (bass and backing vocals) and Nic Martin (drums), Nic's Aunt (and Paul's sister-in-law) Jennie Skulander (lead vocals), and Paul's "evil twin" Nail (guitar). Don't worry that you haven't heard of them. You will soon. When Halestorm is providing tour support for you, then Disturbed taps you to support them, you are just THIS close to being a household name in the U.S. too. Oh, did I mention they are a household name in New Zealand? Their debut album We Rise (2014) debuted at #1 on the Official New Zealand Music Chart, chilled there for four weeks, and eventually went Platinum.
Devilskin has a remarkably cohesive sound, with a lead vocalist who is not outdone by her band-mates, but enhanced and enhances. You get guitar solos, chugging rhythms, and layered vocals that are both clean and unclean (all Jennie's). Skulander sings soulfully while an underbelly of rock and symphonic instrumentation joins in tandem. Skulander's vocals are deep and rich, a contralto tapping into lyric and melody effortlessly. "Animal" is driving and earthy. "Closer" is the ultimate rock ballad, an act done often by many, but rarely executed so well. "House 13" is a personal favorite, a powerful and driving melody with intense lyrical delivery. Skulander scales the higher notes with sheer power and abandonment.
Devilskin is familiar but unique; it is comforting, yet calls you from your comfort zone. The safe place Devilskin has constructed will feel at home to any rock fan, and undoubtedly bring a few more into the fold. This is a don't miss for 2016. Pick up your copy now at Devilskin's Be Like The River or download instantly at iTunes.

Conspire: Interview with Parker Armstrong Part I

Written by Robin Ervolina
Conspire is a spoken-word metal band from Tampa, Fl that released its first CD The Scenic Route earlier this year. I was instantly taken with their message, and had the honor of sharing my thoughts on the CD, resulting in a great chat with lead vocalist Parker Armstrong. When he invited me to his CD release party, I had no reservations about making the four hour drive to watch him deliver this brilliant piece in person. After the show, Parker was kind enough to sit down and answer a LOT of questions his provocative content had raised. 
Shockwave Magazine: Everyone has been talking to me about you tonight: your dad, your friends, they’re all super proud of you. There was all this information coming at me at once, but I’m going to just jump in and hopefully it will sort itself out. I understand this is only your second Tampa show?
Parker Armstrong: We’ve toured a little bit, but with the lineup we have currently, this is our first Tampa show. Our first show was in July. It was at a skate park at Tampa called Transitions, but it just closed down. So, our first show ever was that venue’s last. That was pretty meaningful that we got to open that up, and nobody knew who we were. It was a lot of heavy, beat-down bands that are really sick. The reception was kind of odd because nobody knew our songs and we were performing with a spoken word kind of genre. It was cool though because even a lot of people I met from that show, I saw tonight. They came out for the second show. It was a lot bigger and better than expected.
You switched drummers during the show. Tell me about that. 
Scott was up there for nine of the ten songs. He joined up before we went on tour earlier last month. Our original drummer Ryan, he kills it. He’s awesome, did great in the studio. That was almost two years ago we recorded, so he’s been a part of the band for a long time, and it feels like a lot more than one show. He [Ryan] decided to focus on school and didn’t necessarily feel that touring is a part of his life currently for what he wants to obtain. Scott has a big-boy engineering job, and his job is just like, “Yeah, totally cool, go tour.” That was a real blessing. Him and Ryan Fabian, our guitarist— everybody has been longtime friends, but they knew for a long time they were supposed to be playing music together. Ryan Fabian plays a lot of worship type ambient music in the church primarily. Scott has drummed in church as well. Their biggest band inspirationally is August Burns Red, so they like to play heavy music, but also make ambient thought-provoking songs. It was a good transition; there’s no hard feelings with our other drummer. He’s still our close friend. We’re just thankful that Scott could hop on board. He learned the songs in all of five days, it was ridiculous. But, you know, we never doubted anything. There’s been a reoccurring theme of uncertainty, but we don’t really sweat anything; we just take it as it comes. 
Do you feel like you have the band put together that you want now? Do you feel like you guys are solid and ready to push forward?
Yeah, absolutely. Currently, we’re a four-piece as our bassist couldn’t go on the last tour, and he’s focusing on finishing school right now. So we’re moving forward as a four-piece. Ideally, I’d like to have the bass live just for the rock and roll aspect of it. I don’t like faking the funk by any means. It’s okay for the time being. Outside of that, I know that this is the core group. We shot a music video for “1971” and that got put out a little while ago. During the production the videographer almost, like, prophesied over the group. He was like “Yo, dude, just wanna let you know that you, Caleb, and Ryan Fabian, you guys are going to be like the main three that stick together. I think the drummer is going to leave, and I think that you guys are the three central parts to this to move forward.” Within a matter of months that played out. We’re here now and I’m pretty stoked on the current lineup. 
Your dad mentioned to me that one of the schools you attending was called Thousand Oaks. So let’s talk about your first single, “Thousand Oaks.”
So the album title, The Scenic Route, is pretty much just a journey throughout the post high-school years. I had originally gone to Liberty University in Virginia. Ryan Fabian went there as well. He was a year behind me.
Is that where you met?
Yeah, that’s where we met. He was worship major there in the music school. We went to the same high school but didn’t know each other. I was friends with his sister and she told me her brother was coming. I got in touch with him and kind of said, “If you need anybody to show you around campus, hit me up," and we ended up hanging out. At the time, there was no interest of making a band, but that came about later. We went to For Today’s show. We drove about three hours to Greensboro, North Carolina one night. This is the first show I’d been to since middle school that was a heavy show: For Today, Hundredth, Texas in July. That night I was like, “This is powerful. This is something that I want to get back into in some capacity, this scene.” 
I got sidetracked talking about Fabian there. I was going to Liberty University and was definitely in the religious right community, and looked to further traditional values and Western ideology and principles. Anything I’ve ever been a part of, I feel like I’ve been genuine about it for the most part. I don’t just put my toes in anything. I want to be sincere about anything I pursue. So, I would say I was a bit of an extremist. I lived in fear of people across the world that I had no understanding of, of them, their culture, or the fear that they live in. And I let that drive me. I have always been told I’ve been a nice person, and a people person, but there was an issue where I wasn’t viewing everyone as equals. That, over a matter of time, kind of convicted me. I ended up leaving Liberty University and that entire subculture. I had a little change of heart, and I tried to stick around, but now I was a bit too cynical about how I was dealing with the change. I wanted to go to a little more open-minded atmosphere to where I wasn’t too alienated for accepting change and wanting to grow as a person. 
So, I went to California and found a bible college there called Eternity. I just packed up my car and went out there and I ended up doing terrible in school. I really had no motivation academically. I was just kind of jaded by that point. Thousand Oaks was a little bit of a safe haven. My professor there for my first class, he said “I don’t know you. I think you have an interesting story that I’d love to hear.” Then without knowing anything about me, we went and shared a beer. It turned out he was writing a book on conscientious objection and pacifism within Christianity. I was able to share a bit of my story through that, and just being welcomed by a community, I really felt that I’d found the genuine place where I could prosper.
So, that's "Thousand Oaks." The Scenic Route starts with "1971," which speaks about Liberty, which I love still. I love all the time I spent at Liberty and all my friends there. It was just time for me to move on. So, I went to Thousand Oaks and then, from there it just progresses. 
I think I understand what you’re saying is, you can have faith and you can ask questions, but there are some places where questions aren’t accepted as a natural progression in faith. I think in your music you ask really tough questions. “Would you really put someone down? If you had the choice, would you really put, really put someone down there?”
Right.
And I think those are the things we fear asking. In that regard, you’re not telling me your faith was shaken; you just needed an atmosphere where you could explore and ask the tough questions. 
Absolutely. 
Personally, I don’t know that there’s a right answer to any of those questions, but at least we can always ask. That’s what I love about the honesty of your lyrics and why they connect with people who have faith. I feel like there are Christian bands, and there are Christians who are in bands. Where do you guys fall in that spectrum?
That’s a very fine line to tow because you’ve heard of bands that claim or market themselves almost — I’ll use the word market because that happens sometimes — market themselves as a Christian band. They might sell a whole ton of merch with things that appeal to that crowd. But, they themselves either might not be devoted to that faith in particular, or they, you know — you change over time so …
You should …
Right. I just don’t want to put us in a box, basically. 
I think that’s fair. I mean, what you feel, you think, and believe is always going to bleed into your music because it is honest. I think that it’s okay to say, “Look, I don’t really know where we are, and that’s where we are.”
Right, absolutely, like I said, our drummer and guitarist, Fabian and Scott, they’ve both played in the church setting and they currently do as well. Ryan has said at times that he definitely feels like he’s supposed to be doing this — somewhat of a calling he’s pursuing. I don’t necessarily call it worship. Like, I think you can worship in any capacity in life, so it just is what it is. I think that’s the coolest thing. Like tonight, there were so many people that have never been to a show like this or have even heard this type of music before, but I still — they still came up to me at the end of the show and told me that they felt, to my understanding, a little bit of what I feel when I am singing those songs. Faith in its practice is all about community. That’s the one thing I’m okay with being labeled as, as somebody that encourages community. Like we were talking about with growing, that comes about by asking questions, and just being open with one another. If we could encourage that kind of atmosphere, I’m okay sitting in that box. 
I love that. That’s a perfect.
Check back tomorrow for part II of this interview, as well as photos and commentary on The Scenic Route release party on 11/25/16 at Local 662 in St. Petersburg, FL. 

Steven Wilson at Culture Room, Fort Lauderdale, FL 11/20/16

Written by Robin Ervolina
If my dreams had a soundtrack, it would be imagined and composed by Steven Wilson. Given his history and immense musical education, I feel unqualified to critique his music except to say it's the stuff clouds and butterflies seek out to stay afloat. Wilson's music can pull things out of you, and whatever things are in my soul surfaced at The Culture Room in Fort Lauderdale, FL where Wilson ended a very brief 12-date U.S. tour.
After a stellar opening set by John Wesley, Wilson and his band commenced on a nearly 3-hour show, the first half of which was a cover-to-cover performance of Hand. Cannot. Erase.  Fan faces glowed in a sold-out crowd, eager and honored to hear commentary, glean new meaning behind lyrics through a visual arts display projected behind the band, and see Wilson interacting with his bandmates.  Layered vocals commingle with heavenly guitar work, percussion escorts a melody with increasing intensity until the music is loud and pounding in my ears, all while Wilson’s vocals sit in the background like my ego running laps around my id. While I can relate to the temptation to let Wilson's music carry you away, his lyrics deserve more than a passing comment. However, if I go there, I'll be quoting them for the rest of the piece. In three hours of genius jamming, Wilson's words paint worlds we are suspended in until the final song concludes.
I don't like to end any review on a negative note, but I'm compelled to offer a caveat for concert goers in my town. While it was not a mistake to catch this phenomenal artist live, this was not the location to do so. Culture Room as a venue can hold a lot of people, so they can sell a lot of tickets. However, the actual floor where you stand to watch the performer is 1/3 the size of the property. This creates a relatively uncomfortable, if not unsafe, venue for people to pack in and watch a 3-hour performance. It's altogether to Wilson's credit that we did, in fact, stand for three hours, and in spite of the overcrowding, walked away with no regrets.
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Epica: State Theater in St Petersburg, FL 11/28/16

Written by Robin Ervolina
The Dutch symphonic metal band Epica wound down their North American Principle Tour at State Theater in St Petersburg, FL on November 28, 2016. The crowd was a mix of very young (I stood next to a girl I'm pretty sure was still in single digits) and very seasoned (we can go ahead and put me in that category), and was as diverse as Epica's tour support.
Canadian metalcore band The Agonist opened the The North American Principle show (and the single-digit girl was whisked off the floor by her father). A few circle pits formed here and there, but it appeared people were more interested in singing every word and keeping their eyes glued to lead vocalist  Vicky Psarakis. This tiny vocal storm carries clean and shred vocals with bad-ass ferocity, and she's truly fascinating to watch.
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Russian pagan metal band Arkona took the stage next, bringing with them an arsenal of Russian folk instruments to compliment the death growls of tiny warrior "Masha "Scream" (Maria Arkhipova). This unique band draws inspiration from Russian folklore while the crowd draws inspiration from their intensity. Following in their wake was Italian death metal band Fleshgod Apocalypse. Operatic backing vocalist Veronica Bordacchini glides onto the stage, followed by the rest of the band, all in theatrical costumes and makeup. Far from gimmicky, this band is a masters class in trained musicians gone Wild. Bordacchini weaves soaring soprano tones around Tommasi Riccard's growl vocals. This is a stunning live production, and yes, I bought the hoodie.
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After a too-brief tour of Canada, Russia, and Italy, the Netherlands claimed the spotlight and Epica embarked on a 15-song journey, including one begged-for encore that reduced fans to puddles of adoration. The band displays great interaction with each other and their fans, and vocalist Simone Simmons leads them with grace and glory. Her voice is sincerely one of the purest ones I've ever had the pleasure of hearing live.
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Epica is back out on tour, but done in the U.S. for now. Follow them on their website and definitely catch them when they're near you. In fact, all the acts in this well-selected lineup are worth a listen/see live. This was easily one of my favorite tours of 2016.

Attila's Chaos Tour Winds Down at Revolution Live in Fort Lauderdale, FL 11/17/16

Written and photographed by Robin Ervolina

Oh Attila ... no, let me start over.
Oh Robin, what the hell were you thinking when you decided, "Let's go into the Attila photo pit. It will be fun," she said, "a great privilege to capture their energy," she said. SHE can kiss my ass, repeatedly.
Maybe I should start from the beginning.
It's a Thursday night in Fort Lauderdale, Fl and The Chaos Tour featuring Attila, Chelsea Grin, Emmure, and Sylar role into town. What could go wrong? I strap on the camera and head out to get metalcore wasted.

Opening the show was Sylar who were just ... adorably down to melt faces. I don't know how else to put it. They were so metal, but so damned chill. There's a great vibe and energy from these guys. I also appreciated, wholeheartedly, the little (well, it wasn't little) practical joke that occurred toward the end of their set. It's NSFW so put on your big girl panties and make sure you're logged out of the office wifi.

It's a challenge at Revolution Live to keep a crowd hot due to the zero tolerance policy on crowd surfing, but Emmure picked up the torch and stoked the flames. It's not even halfway through the night and there is a lot of sweat and missing shirts in the circle pit.

After a brief break Chelsea Grin took the stage. I've heard about wildfires, and how the heat sucks the breath out of everything before the flame consumes you. That's what happened for me, my first time seeing Alex Koehler. There were a lot more missing shirts, but mostly from the girls on the rail this time. I can't judge; Koehler's voice is perfection and his stage presence is intoxicating.
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From a spark to a flame to a fire ... let's just burn the whole place down, Attila, shall we? Standing in the pit, shooting six feet up (seriously, Revolution Live, can we do something about that ridiculsouly high stage) I'm feeling the heat. The first song ends and my spirit animal Fronz stands front and center and says, "First rule at an Attila show: there are no rules. Where are my crowd surfers? I want to see every motherfucker IN.THE.AIR!" This is the "Oh shit" moment that I ignore. The smoke alarm is beeping and I think it's just a dead battery. I move to the side to catch a few crowd surfers in my view finder, and I think, "This could be good." It was with that powerful positivity that I found myself airborne briefly, then solidly on my ass in a pit slimy with spill-over beer from eager front rail attendees. Look, what I know is I was taking pictures, then I both felt AND heard by camera smashing against the stage just prior to feeling my head contact the iron railing behind me. It wasn't until I got home that it all made sense. Please don't mind the fact that I shot through it. It's what I do.
This guy ... this first brave crowd surfer ... this is the villain in our sidebar. Tag him. He owes me a shot. Take that any way you want.

Note Chris Linck in the background. Hindsight: If you're not going to watch where you're standing, watch what you're shooting.


Note the security guard ... and that guy

Thanks Bro.
Ground control to major ass. Kids, this is what it looks like when you keep your finger on the trigger while being pummeled.

The author of this article would like to take a moment to thank Fronz and Linck for running to the stage to make sure I was okay, and for pointing me out to the crowd, who actually rushed into the pit to help me up and OUT. I will forever be in debt to some seriously cool metal heads, and to these guys. 
At this point it's obviously time for me to get the hell to high ground. I make my way through the amoeba that is the pit, losing one of my photo buddies in the process when his camera strap became a leash for an overzealous mosher. (Chris the look on your face as you got sucked into the mob was like something out of a sci-fi movie).
I limped to the bar and bought myself a well-earned shot. Checked out my gear and it was thankfully intact and functional (thanks Nikon and Tamron). I admired everything in front of me and around me. As much as I loved shooting Attila, I didn't belong there with a camera. Attila is a time to let go, and their shows are for their fans who rose to meet them spiritually AND physically. It was peace and love and metal, Baby, just the way I like it. Just ... like, from the bar, you know, as a professional courtesy.
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OpEd: An Open Letter to Ivan Moody

By Robin Ervolina
Dear Ivan,
I remember the first time I heard Five Finger Death Punch. I was on five day music cruise, and you were the opening act. I frantically called my husband and said, “Oh God. What the hell did I do?”
I remember the first time I saw you. You stuck your tongue out at my friend. You were a short guy with a tall order, and I liked you at that moment. Away from the craziness of the live experience, I put your music on and let you blast my eardrums. I got it. I couldn’t wait to see you perform live. I did, many times after that. I literally almost got stomped to death in one of your pits. Worth it.
I remember the first time I met your dad. I had the privilege of standing next to him in the photo pit. I asked him, “What was Ivan Moody like as a kid?” He grinned a proud, dad grin and said, “Like he is now, only smaller.” He told me how times weren’t always great, but how much he loved you, and how you made him proud, and how happy he was to have a relationship with you.
I love your work and your message, and I have defended you to every person that gave you shit for bringing kids up on stage. I laud your accomplishments as an artist, and I brag about your dedication to our servicemen/women. I was and am, a fan of Five Finger Death Punch. I will never negate your talent, but please stop. Stop recording and performing. Stop hurting your band members and fans and FAMILY with your alcoholism. We love your music, but this shit has to stop because it's disrespectful to all the aforementioned. Mostly, this shit has to stop because it will kill you.
Today on Facebook a memorial meme to Scott Weiland appeared on my feed. I remember the last time I saw Scott Weiland. He was a mess, couldn't perform, could barely stand. He was also dead nine months later. I don’t want you to be a meme, Ivan Moody. You’ve always written your story and that’s your right. Just maybe stare at this for a moment before you consider the next chapter.

My friend Tiffany Bernier has the real message I want to leave you with, and I really want you to hear it in her own words. I hope you’ll take the time to read this, but mostly I hope you’ll take the time to DO this. This, really, is all that matters -- not the first time I heard you, saw you, or photographed you. What matters is will there be a next time?

We don't want a VH1 special in 20 years chronicling your downward spiral into death. Another wasted talent. Another wasted life. Another human that couldn't or didn't break the chains. Another family in pain wondering where THEY went wrong. Because trust me, that's a guilt that stays with those you leave behind.
It is my sincere hope that you, not as the vocalist of one of my favorite bands, not as a rockstar but as a fellow human being, finally take the hands reached out to you. Don't just go to rehab. Stay. Stay and use the resources NOT available to most addicts. Most addicts can't afford more than a couple days in an inpatient treatment center and that's even with insurance. This is a huge advantage you have. Please, avail yourself. Pay back the fans that made you tons of money by getting help and not leaving until you're better. No, you don't owe anyone anything. You owe it to yourself. Take care of you and your devoted fans will still be right here waiting. 

 *Ms. Ervolina contributed to this article in her personal capacity. The views expressed are her own and do not necessarily represent the views of Shockwave Magazine.

Countdown to Shiprocked 2017: GET ON BOARD WITH ... SHOCKWAVE! Staff Tips for the Ship

Chances are if you're already a Shiprocker, you may have met some of us Shockwave Shiprockers. If not, we thought we'd do a little introduction via Tips for the Ship, from us to you with love.

Emilie Rae

Don’t worry too much about the schedule. Make sure you know where and when to be for the stuff you don’t want to miss. You’re never going to make it all. Pace yourself … marathon … not sprint.

Set time aside to socialize with people! We only get to do this once a year. You don’t want to leave thinking you never got to see people. 

I always start a note on my phone with people's names to add on social media, Like Instagram or twitter handles, or name as it appears on Facebook.

Don’t forget to eat! You need fuel for this bender  😜

Keep in mind some of the artists are sober. If you offer them a drink and they say no, respect that. 

Be nice to the bartenders! I've seen people being assholes every year and it kills me. Being a former bartender, I can promise being a dick will not get you any favors. We remember you.

Don’t be butt hurt when shows have to be moved from the deck stage due to weather. Safety of the artists and fans is number one.

Most importantly, leave all your worries at the port. Have fun!

Deanna Jack

Be respectful of the artists' space and the other guests. Don't interrupt.

Ginger pills [to combat seasickness]! The whole time.

Don't overpack. Plan some outfits and leave it at that.

Don't be a jerk. We are all there to have a good time. No, we will not all agree on everything but that's part of the fun. No need to get all twitterpatted.

Heaven Bassett

  Drink water so you don't look squishy in all of the pics you're tagged in later.

Don't assume the drink handed to you is water. It's never water. 

You are not too cool for sunblock.

Leave all your super valuables at home. You don't need to bring your great great great grandmother's wedding ring that she smuggled in her armpit through hostile territory.

Matty Cox

Stay hydrated.

Don't be "that" guy. 

Lateefah Douglass

Chill out when you see artists! They are normal just like us so be cool. If you see them eating don't disturb them. They are on vacation just like us!!

Always wash your hands! Norovirus is not a fun thing to have.

Robin Ervolina

Coordinate with your cabin mates on essentials and toiletries. It's unlikely you'll need four hair dryers. Someone volunteer to pack a power strip for your four flat irons. Another of you bring Poo-Pourri or V.I.Poo (that's a small bathroom in a small cabin).

Pack earplugs. Either you'll need them, or you'll gift them. 

Pack a sharpie. Aside from autographs on the fly, it's handy to write "If drunk or lost, please return to cabin 8634" on your forearm. Also, per Emilie Rae, sharpies are great for writing on other people. 

Tip, darnit. If you can't afford to tip your servers, you can't afford to order drinks from them. 

Photocopy your passport and keep it separate from your passport in case you lose said passport in a drunken stupor. 

Mary Ogden Fersner

Be nice to the staff. A "please" and "thank you" never killed anyone. No staff, anywhere, gets enough of those.

Bill Cannon

Naps!!! Ensure you can go all night.

Don't forget to put your cell phone on airplane mode because you don't want it to roam while we're out to sea. Searching for signal could charge you major on your bill.

Discuss Hook Up 101 Etiquette with cabinmates prior to embarkation. Make sure you're all in agreement on how that's gonna work. No one wants to be locked out of their cabin all night while you're getting lucky. No one getting lucky wants to be interrupted. Figure it out.