By: Anthony Cannella

The Ukrainian Metal powerhouse, Jinjer, and The Browning made a stop in Chicago, Illinois at the Bottom Lounge and sold it out with ease with special guests Sumo Cyco! As tours get to their final stretch, we all know sets could tend to get rough, but that was certainly not the case as Jinjer came out strong with their Groove/Progressive Metal style. In addition, The Browning got the crowd hyped as they crushed Bottom Lounge with their Metal/Electronica music that has been taking this industry by storm since 2005. 

​Eugene Abdukhanov (bass) and Vladislav Ulasevish (drums) compliment each other to perfection as they feed off one another giving this album and live performances their insane riffs and breakdowns. You can purchase this album at the link below!

​Although this tour is over, Jinjer is nowhere near being done for 2019 that lead into 2020! Since then, Jinjer released a new music video for “Pit Of Consciousness” via Napalm Records and prepare to embark on their European Tour! New music video, tour dates and festival dates can be found below!

Author and Photographer:  Jonathan Stark (Stark Raving Mad Photography LLC.)

The Devil Wears Prada has been one of my favorite bands over the last decade.  I remember seeing the video for Danger: Wildman while holding my first child in the living room of our house in Florida.  I was amazed at their sound (the drums especially) and the lyrics.  I immediately started digging into the meat and potatoes offered in their three albums of that time.  Like the Marlin on the end of Santiago’s line, I was hooked.     

​Today I have five kids, live in Colorado, and TDWP has released their seventh studio album, “The Act.”  This recent album is a treasure, a joy.  With each listen I’m drawn into and excited to partake of the creativity that I’ve come to expect from TDWP.

​Not only have I listened to The Devil Wears Prada consistently throughout the decade, I’ve also been blessed enough to have seen them perform countless times.  I’ve seen the transition, the peaks and valleys, and the maturity that has resulted.  There has never been a time that I walked away from their concert unsatisfied. I’ve always thought they killed it every show.  

​However, there was something that they had a few years back that got lost along the way, a happiness, a light perhaps.  I’m writing the article and that’s what my ears have heard and my eyes have seen.  On this current tour that happiness is back.  The general disposition on the stage and in the audience has been positively affected by whatever renewal occurred.  I was thrilled to see, hear, and perceive the change.

​The Devil Wears Prada have perfected their performance over the years.  The packaging was spectacular, like a gift from your grandma. The lighting, stage setup, and song order all wrapped up tight.  Mike is noticeably a changed man on stage, reborn into this next phase of their career.  Everyone played their little hearts out.  Jeremy nailed the cleans as Giuseppe nailed the beat. Kyle was as rich as Hershey’s chocolate on the six shooter and Andy shook the snow off of the peaks of Mount Bassdome.  I’ve met a few of the guys over the years and can say that they are kind and gracious.  On stage it comes across- pure professionals. 

As to the current tour, don’t miss it.  See for yourself the awesomeness that is TDWP.  Also, do yourself and your neighbor a favor and pick up the new album.  While you’re at it, pick up Norma Jean’s new one, All Hail, as well.  Norma Jean is on the tour so you can pick up both at the same time. Convenient right?  Well, I suppose convenient would be seeing Gideon and picking up their new album at the same time.  Wait a second, you’re in luck because Gideon is also on the tour.     

The Act tour continues for a few more days then TDWP will be heading overseas.  Until next time….. ​

The Devil Wear Prada slideshow below:

Bonus Norma Jean slide show below:

Recently, Incubus made a stop in Chicago, Illinois at the Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom on their 20 Years of Make Yourself and Beyond Tour with supporting act Elise Trouw. Incubus, who formed in 1991, still is selling out massive venues till this date and on 10/18 they proved to Chicago why this is still happening! Band members, Brandon Boyd, Mike Einziger, Jose Pasillas, Chris Kilmore and Ben Kenney have complimented each other well for years now and by the look of their performances, that is not going to end anytime soon. From the second they are on that stage; they own the entire venue as everyone sings along with songs that range from their very first album Fungus Amongus (1995) to their last album 8 (2017). Before the set starts though, prepare yourself for an amazing production video that will recap their entire career. It takes you through live footage of some of their most memorable times leaving you ready for an unforgettable show! 

Lastly, the opener Elise Trouw is an absolutely stunning performer as she is truly a one-person band. She does it all, leaving you in awe with her instrumentals and vocals. Elise is someone you definitely need to keep on your radar as well, due to the fact that she will not disappoint and leave you with a performance you will not stop talking about! Check out her info below as well!