ShipRocked 2016 Part 2: Days 3 And 4


shiprocked 2016 logo

 

ShipRocked, by Rick Triana

Red Sun Rising at ShipRocked, by Rick Triana Photography

 

ShipRocked, by Rick Triana

The Monster Energy Girls at ShipRocked, by Rick Triana Photography

 

Halestorm at ShipRocked, by Rick Triana

Halestorm at ShipRocked, by Rick Triana Photography

ShipRocked Day 3 got under way at picturesque Costa Maya, Mexico. The cruisers who left the ship for the beach and the sun were treated to a fun day of action hanging with artists and making new friends. At night more music poured out of the speakers and onto the stage with the all-star band The Stowaways, who performed the first of two sets. The Stowaways includes a who’s who of rock and metal royalty in their lineup such as David Ellefson of Megadeth, Marcos Curiel and Wuv Bernardo(P.O.D.); John Tempesta (The Cult, Motor Sister); Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal (Bumblefoot, Guns N’ Roses); Jonny Hetherington and Tavis Stanley (Art of Dying); Lukas Rossi, Josh Newell, and Miles McPherson (The Halo Method); Carly Smithson (We Are The Fallen); Dave Buckner (ex-Papa Roach); Oli Herbert (All That Remains); Joey Duenas (Anew Revolution, ex-Unloco); . They played songs like Temple of The Dog’s 90s classic ‘Hunger Strike’, Megadeath’s thrashterpiece ‘Peace Sells’, Metallica’s ‘For Whom The Bell Tolls’, and tributes to the recently passed on Scott Weiland (STP’s ‘Vasoline’) and Lemmy (‘Ace of Spades’). Halestom and Nonpoint figured prominently on Day three as well.

The Stowaways at ShipRocked, by Rick Triana

The Stowaways at ShipRocked, by Rick Triana Photography

 

The Stowaways at ShipRocked, by Rick Triana

The Stowaways at ShipRocked, by Rick Triana Photography

 

The Stowaways at ShipRocked, by Rick Triana

The Stowaways at ShipRocked, by Rick Triana Photography

 

The Stowaways at ShipRocked, by Rick Triana

The Stowaways at ShipRocked, by Rick Triana Photography

 

The Stowaways at ShipRocked, by Rick Triana

The Stowaways at ShipRocked, by Rick Triana Photography

Day 4 was a full day at sea back to Miami which meant hijinks on the high seas the entire time. High winds canceled some of the outdoor activities, but the bands moved to the Sprinkler Lounge and the big theater too. In addition to FFDP playing an extra long set, Day 4 included Helmet, who was the band most talked about after the headliners by other bands on the cruise in terms of the “must see factor”. Up and comers like The Dead Deads and Red Storm Rising and another performance by the Stowaways. All in all ShipRocked #7 was and action packed, awesome time had by all. Once again special thanks to Rick Triana for RIPT Media Productions for throwing down behind the lens, and in front of it too; bringing Ghost Cult readers as close to the action as possible without being there. ShipRocked 2017 is already being booked, so we highly recommend this one-of- -kind, dream come true experience for music fans!

SHIPROCKED PART 1 REVIEW:

 

 

 

Nonpoint at ShipRocked, by Rick Triana

Nonpoint at ShipRocked, by Rick Triana Photography

 

Helmet at ShipRocked, by Rick Triana

Helmet at ShipRocked, by Rick Triana Photography

 

Red Sun Rising at ShipRocked, by Rick Triana

Red Sun Rising at ShipRocked, by Rick Triana Photography

[slideshow_deploy id=’39000′]


P.O.D. – The Awakening


The_Awakening_by_P.O.D

For a veteran radio rock band producing a heady concept album may seem strange, but San Diego’s P.O.D. has made a career of making left turns seem right. They have been able to shift chameleon-like from their early days as So-Cal hardcore punks, to Nu Metal, to active rock torchbearers while still writing big hits. When you are a band at this level, the choice to make a concept album at this stage of the game is a curious move, but a welcome one.

Following a day in the life of the main protagonist, with all the moral choices a person has to make daily, The Awakening (T-Boy/Universal) is tied together with little vignettes in the form of the intros and outros of tracks. Some of the acting is hammy in places, but in the context of the album, it works. Without being too preachy, the long running Christian act continues to ply its faith through lyrics firmly on each track. Opening with the posi-rock of ‘Am I Awake’, the track sets the tone. I expect arena rock ready hit single ‘This Goes Out To You’ to be heard in the PA system of every NFL stadium this fall. It’s an homage to the SoCal lifestyle the band grew up with and their fans.

The broody ‘Rise of NWO’ is going to be a hit with the bro in your life that follows Facebook groups and Reddit threads about The Illuminati, and False Flag nuts. The track is heavy and features Sonny Sandoval’s deft rhyming. Marcus Curiel, along with help from drummer Wuv Bernardo have done some of the best guitar work in the history of the band on The Awakening. ‘Criminal Conversations’ features In This Moment’s Maria Brink in the lens of an adulterous relationship. Musically the ballad works, and I can see it being a hit with fans, but I wasn’t crazy about the collabo. One exciting thing about the album is the band reconnects with its punk roots on ‘Speed Demon’ and ‘Revolución,’ which features Lou Koller from Sick Of It All. The most surprising track on the album is ‘Want It All’. In addition to the heart tugging vocals and lyrics covering the “why are we all here” stuff, it is a slick Jazzy tune, complete with smokey horns and vibraphone parts that chill you way out.

The Awakening feels like a comeback album for a band that didn’t need to make one. It’s cool to see them challenge themselves and their listeners at a time when many other bands just mail it in.

7.0/10

KEITH CHACHKES