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New Music Monday Blog Evile Skull

In this Music Monday blog, we are going to get into the latest record from Evile. The record is Skull. We are going to get into the history and then into the music. Let us get into the history.

History:

Exile was formed in 2004 as a cover band but behind the scenes, they started to write some orignal songs. In 2004, the band released their first EP, which is called “All Hallows Eve.” In 2006, they released their second EP, which is called “Hell Demo.” Both of these EPs were limited runs of like 200 to 350 units each. The band went on tour with Excodus in parts of Europe. The band signed a contract with Earache in 2006. In that same year, they changed their name from Exile to Evile. In 2007, the band started to record their first full length record called “Enter The Grave.” It received some great ratings from the media. They toured with several different bands throughout 2007 to 2009. I am talking main acts like Megadeth to Machinehead. In 2009, the band began work on their second record, which was called “Infected Nation.” The band’s record had a pretty successful first week of sales. Later part of 2009, Mike Alexander, who was the bass player, was rushed to the hospital and later passed away. The band did two tribute shows for their falling band mate. They did cover songs of Mike’s favorite bands or songs. The band picked Joel Graham as their new bass player in December of 2009. They announced US tour for 2010. They supported acts like Kreator and Overkill. The Overkill tour is where I saw them and I have been a fan since. I just wished they played longer. After, they finished their set. I went down to their merch stand and brought one of each of their CDs in their music career. I know it was only two but that is saying something about the band. The band started to headline some fests or on the main stage. In 2010, the band started to work on their third record, which was called “Five Serpent’s Teeth.” The record was released in later part of 2011. There is one song, which is “In Memoriam,” on this record that is a tribute to their first and fallen bass player. In 2013, the band began working on “Skull” and it would be their fourth record. After the record was done, Ol Drake, who is their orignal lead guitar player, left the band. He was replaced by Piers Donno-Fuller in 2014. Let us get into the music.

Track List:

Underworld

There is some sound effects at the beginning of the song. The drums and guitars roll in with fast and impact to your speakers. It is fast just like the old school Evile. This is thrash metal at its finest. Matt’s singing has always remind of James from Metallica. This is what Metallica is supposed to sound like today. I love the lyrics and they are well written. There is a nice thrash metal guitar solo towards the back half of this song. It is well written. There is a nice finish to this song and the opening track. This is a solid start to this record.

Skull

There is some nice heavy music at the beginning. I am loving the drums and bass playing at the beginning of this song. Matt has some nice in face singing. I love the lyrics and some nice melody. The music change in the midpoint of the song. The guitar playing is pretty goof at this point of the song. This band is living up to the old school thrash metal. There is a nice guitar solo with some nice time and rhythm changes to it in the back half of the song. I have always love when they put a ton of reverb on back up singers to give that strong sound to their vocals.

The Naked Sun

I love the guitar playing at the beginning of the song. The music is pretty solid. There is some nice lyrics and some great singing at points. I love the length of these songs. They are just about right for this style of music. I love the start to the guitar solo. It goes into a full force towards the end of the song. Ol out did himself on this guitar solo. The drumming is hard hitting. These guys can sing and they are just screamers.

Head Of The Demon

I love the music at the beginning of this song. The guitar playing on this record has been awesome. I am glad to see a band take their time writing some good tunes. I love the slower pace of this song compare to the beginning of this record. Matt took his time and put down some well thought lyrics. I am loving the back up singing on this record so far. Nice and well written guitar solo is towards the end of the song. I love double bass on the drums but that was a little out-of-place. The double bass is so out-of-place and it over took the guitar solo to a point.

Tomb

I love the acoustic guitar at the beginning. The drumming is well place and I love the style of it. I love the singing from Matt and he wrote some nice lyrics. I love how the music is taking shape. I love the build up to the heavier part of the song. I love how they returned to the acoustic guitar music towards the end of the song. It turns into a nice guitar solo.

Words Of The Dead

I love the music at the beginning of the song. There is some nice drumming and guitar playing. I love the singing with multiple singers. I love the bass breaks and the speed of the music. There is a nice guitar solo towards the end of the song. There is some nice lyrics and singing.

Outsider

There is some nice new school thrash metal style of music at the beginning. There is some nice well written lyrics. I am not sure I feel about the back up singing on this song. Matt’s singing is solid but I just feel he could sing a little be more than his singing talking style. There is a talking part that not go well with the song. I love the scream of “Outsider” and then the guitar solo comes into full focus. I love the music on this song.

What You Become

I love the music at the beginning. I am loving the drumming on this song. Matt’s singing fit nicely on this song. There is some well written lyrics. I love how the lead singer blends with the back up singers and back to the lead. It has a nice touch. It is hard to describe. There is an awesome guitar solo towards the end of the song.

New Truth Old Lies

I love the short acoustic guitar and hard-hitting of the heavy music that came in afterwards. I love the rhythm and melody from the singer. There is some nice lyrics. I love the guitar solo towards the middle of the song. This is part where double bass makes a little bit more sense. This is a great song to finish this great record. Evile did a great job on the music and lyrics.

Orignal Line Up:

Matt Drake – Lead Vocals and Rhythm Guitar

Ol Drake – Lead Guitar

Mike Alexander – Bass Guitar

Ben Carter – Drums

Current Line Up:

Matt Drake – Lead Vocals and Rhythm Guitar

Ol Drake – Lead Guitar

Joel Graham -Bass Guitar

Ben Carter – Drums

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.evile.co.uk

Twitter: @evileuk

Closing, I love this band and I am glad they brought back the old thrash metal sound and music. Of course, they put their twisted on it. Overall, this is a great record. I love how they kept true to themselves. Matt has done a great job on the lyrics. Some of the singing was ok but very good overall. I will be adding this record to my line up of records to play once in a while. There is some solid drums and guitar playing. I love the guitar solo but with Ol leaving the group. How will the music and sound along with guitar solos change? Will this band change too much? I hope Evile stays as close to what they were on all their records. They will change a bit because of the different and new players in the group. I am looking forward to their new music in future. This is a great band and album. I highly recommend it. Go get some! Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser16@gmail.com

Twitter: @djweiser

Instagram: @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Griffin Claw Screamin’ Pumpkin Ale (2014)

In this fall seasonal beer blog, we are going to get into another beer from Griffin Claw Brewery. I do not know why I keep coming back to this brewery. I know why for this beer because this is an old Michigan Brewery Company recipe. If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this young craft brewery. If you have not, please, read them to get to know this Michigan craft brewery. Let us get into this pumpkin ale.

It has a light amber to dark color with a semi white head. The aroma has a heavy cinnamon and nutmeg notes. The taste has really no notes but slight sweet malt. The aftertaste is a heavy cinnamon and nutmeg notes. It is so not drinkable beer.

Here is a description from their website (www.griffinclawbrewingcompany.com):

Our Screamin’ Pumkin Ale is like a slice of warm pie. Cinnamon, clove, sweet pumpkin, a little molasses. A couple sips in you’ll mistake the malty aftertaste for a crispy crust. The perfect beer to celebrate Halloween. Or Thanksgiving. Or Christmas, if there’s any left. From the time we brew it in July get it while it’s good.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.griffinclawbrewingcompany.com

Twitter: @Griffinclaw

Closing, I was a pretty big fan of the Michigan Brewery Company Screaming Pumpkin Ale. I use to make trips back from Chicago to bring some back. Later years I stop because of being busy and then they went out of business. I was pretty excited to hear that a craft brewery brought the rights to the recipe. I do not know what they did with this recipe but it is not the same beer as I remember it. It has been a long time since I had it. Maybe my taste has changed over the years. I might have to retry it but I am hoping I do not get a bad batch. Who knows, maybe this first one was a bad batch. It was not really good. Go get some! Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser16@gmail.com

Twitter: @djweiser

Instagram: @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Samuel Adams Latitude 48 IPA Deconstructed (2014)

In this beer blog, we are going to get into my second Samuel Adams IPA sampler pack. If you read my earlier beer blog posts on this East Coast Craft Brewery, you know the history of this craft brewery. If you have not, please, read them to get to know this craft brewery. Let us get into these six different single hop IPA.

Latitude 48 IPA

This beer is one of their everyday six-pack bottles. It has your normal IPA amber to copper look to it with a white constant head. The taste of this IPA gives a nice hop taste with nice bitter ending. You can taste beer from the front of the pallet which gives off sweet to bitter tastes notes. The aftertaste is something I really do not like about this beer. It has a dry hoppy bitter finish. For what Samuel Adams is today, this is a well made beer. I hate to say it because I know it is a slap in the face to any brewmaster but this is a nice beginner IPA for people wanting to get into this great beer style. Overall a nice drinkable and easy drinking beer for the beer style. This IPA is better than their Rebel IPA.

East Kent Goldings IPA #1

It has a clear copper color with a white constant head on this English IPA. The smell has a heavy floral notes. The taste has a floral to earthy notes. The aftertaste is an earthy dry hop finish. It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

This single hop IPA is brewed using only East Kent Goldings. These classic English hops create a mellow bitterness with earthy, floral, and apricot notes that are balanced by a subtle malt sweetness.

Mosaic IPA #2

It has a clear copper color with a white constant head. The aroma has a pineapple to citrus notes. The taste has a pineapple to a slight smooth caramel notes. It is has nice bitter hop aftertaste. It is a pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

This single hop IPA is brewed using only Mosaic hops . These distinctive American hops contribute subtle fruit notes of pineapple and Mandarin orange along with hints of eucalyptus. These delicate notes are complemented by the sweetness of the malt.

Hallertau Mittelfrueh IPA #3

It has a clear copper color with a white constant head. The smell has hints of citrus to piney notes. The taste has a light carbonation to some notes of piney and citrus. The aftertaste is a dry hop finish. It is a pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

This single hop IPA is brewed using only Hallertau Mittelfrueh Noble hops from the Halletau region of Bavaria. These hops create a soft bitterness, along with delicate citrus and resinous pine notes that are balanced by a subtle malt sweetness and body.

Simcoe IPA #4

It has a clear copper color with a white constant head. The aroma has a heavy grapefruit notes. The taste profile is a heavy grapefruit notes with a dry crisp grapefruit dry hop finish. It does not hang around like #1 to #3. It is a pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

This single hop IPA is brewed using only Simcoe hops that bring a distinct punch of grapefruit character and piney notes. The subtle malt sweetness helps balance and round out the concentrated hop character.

#5 Zeus IPA

It has a clear copper color with a white constant head on this IPA. The smell has an earthy notes. The taste is an earthy to piney notes with a dry bitter hop aftertaste. It is kind of drinkable beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

This single hop IPA is brewed using only American Zeus hops, which create an intense piney and resinous character. This brew leans strongly towards the hop character, but is balanced by the malts sweetness.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.samueladams.com

Twitter: @SamuelAAdams

In the end, we are going to break this IPA sampler pack down. Being a huge Hophead, I am always looking to try new IPA’s in the market or retry old ones. I love when craft breweries take one IPA and mess around with it. I like to try different hops or malt with one recipe. Samuel Adams did that with Latitude 48 IPA, which is one of their everyday IPA six-pack and their best everyday IPA. I have had their newer IPA, which is Rebel IPA, and I am not a fan of it. It is not an American IPA. It is English IPA. I feel Rebel IPA is something that one of the mass-produced beer companies. Latitude 48 IPA is a nice gateway drug into craft beer and IPA world. They did a great job on some of these beers but there are a few in this pack that I could do without. I will give them credit for the effort on these brews. #1 is a pretty good English IPA but nothing close to Goose Island IPA and Brooklyn East India Pale Ale. The more that I start thinking about #1 is pretty good version of IPA than Brooklyn East India Pale Ale. I like this one. #2 has some nice tropical notes that the hops kick off in this brew. I love that in this beer. This is one of the best one in this pack. #3, I can do without this IPA. This was a bad mix with this hop. I just found Hallertau Mittelfrueh is a good hop with other hops. By itself, it is just not good. Maybe, it is this brewery. I just do not know. #4 is average but it is growing on me. I love this hop, which is Simcoe Hop. I am starting to think that the malty backbone in Latitude 48 is not mixing well with these other hops. This brew did grow on me. The last one #5 is really good along with the aftertaste. It keeps me coming back for some more. I normally get on any brewery about their aftertaste on IPA. I do not know why but this aftertaste makes me keep drinking more of this beer. The best beer #2 in this pack. The worse is #3. Overall, this is average IPA pack. They did an awesome job like three years ago. The last two years they did different IPA styles that I passed right by in the store. I give them credit for trying and make sure we still call Samuel Adams a craft brewery still. Go get some! Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser16@gmail.com

Twitter: @djweiser

Instagram: @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Goose Island Oktoberfest (2014)

In this fall beer blog, we are going to get into the 2014 version of Goose Island Oktoberfest. If you read my earlier beer blog posts on this Midwest craft brewery, you know the history of this 1980’s craft brewery. If you have not, please, read them to get to know this Chicago Orignal craft brewery. Let us get into this fall beer.

It has a dark clear copper color without a head. The aroma has a slight sweet malty notes. The taste has a sweet malty to slight but faded caramel notes. The aftertaste has a dry malty finish. It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.gooseisland.com

Twitter: @gooseisland

In the end, I have to say this year’s version is so much better than last years. I was not a fan of last year’s beer. It is night and day compare to these beers. I am pretty stun and impressed. The layer of depth has some notes of caramel notes. I did not really pick up too much of the toffee and apricot notes that is marked on the bottle. I am not too sure and I came up with these tasting notes before reading the bottle. I had a chance to try it on draft and it is pretty constant from bottle to keg. This is a great beer and I highly recommend it. Get it while it last if you are outside of the Chicago market. Go get some! Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser16@gmail.com

Twitter: @djweiser

Instagram: @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Great Lakes Brewing Oktoberfest (2014)

In this fall beer blog, we are going to get into this year’s Great Lakes Brewing Oktoberfest. If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this Midwest Craft Brewery. If you have not, please, read them to get to know this Ohio craft brewery. Let us get into this fall beer.

It has a clear copper color with a white constant head. The aroma has a sweet malty to caramel notes. The taste has a depth of sweet malt, slight caramel, and nut notes. The aftertaste has a dry crisp malty finish. It is a pretty drinkable fall beer.

Here is a description from the beer bottle:

Our Oktoberfest is the noble brother of the Vienna lager…. As if wearing “lederhosen” and getting your “oompah” on didn’t make you noble enough. Oh, and enjoy this German lager in our energy effcient Beer Garden, complete with a retractable roof, straw bale wall and radiant heat fireplace and floor.

Cleveland’s celebration of Oktoberfest dates to the mid 1800s when German immigrants gathered at outdoor beer gardens like Haltnorth’s and Kindvater’s St Clair Gardens. Our amber lager with rich malt flavor and noble hops honors Cleveland’s diverse cultural heritage.

In keeping with the Bavarian Purity Law of 1516, this beer is traditionally brewed from all natural ingredients: barley, hops, yeast and water. no chemicals or preservatives are used.

Here is a description from their website (www.greatlakesbrewing.com):

An amber lager with rich malt flavor balanced by fragrant noble hops.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.greatlakesbrewing.com

Twitter: @GLBC_Cleveland

Closing, it has been forever since I had a Great Lakes Oktoberfest. I was happy to get a bottle in my hand. I have to say I was not disappointed. So far, this year’s fall seasonals has not been disappointing asides New Belgian Brewery Tour De Fall. I am not going to get into it on this review. Just like Goose Island Oktoberfest, there is some nice depth of malty notes. I am getting some nice hints of sweet caramel notes. It is nice drinkable and easy to drink beer. It is true to the classic beer style and I will have a few more pints before the end of the season. I highly recommend this beer. Go get some! Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser16@gmail.com

Twitter: @djweiser

Instagram: @djweiser13

New Music Monday The Black Dahlia Murder Everblack

In this Mondy Music blog, we are going to get into the latest record from The Black Dahlia Murder from Michigan. The record is Everblack which is their sixth studio record in their music career. We are going to get into the history and then the music. Here is the history.

History

The Black Dahlia Murder was formed in late part of 2000 in Waterford, Michigan. It was named after unsolved murders. They were signed to Metal Blade Records in 2003. Ryan Williams joined the band to replace David Lock just in time to record their first record, which is “Unhallowed.” The band toured and then released their second record, which was “Miasma,” in 2005. After the tour for Miasma, Zach Gibson, who was the drummer, and Pierre Langlois, who was drummer, left the band. Pierre was on drums after Gibson. The band replace Zach Gibson with Shannon Lucas. In 2007, the band released their third record, which was “Nocturmal.” The band went on a World Tour with Cannibal Corpse to support their new record and celebrate 25 years of Metal Blade Records. In 2008, they joined tour with several different metal bands for Summer Slaughter Tour. After the tour, John K guitarist left the band and was replaced with Ryan Knight in 2009. In the later part of 2009, the band released their fourth record, which was “Deflorate.” They tour to support the record. In 2010, they kept on touring while writing their next record. In 2011, they released their fifth record, which was “Ritual.” In 2012, the band gets another line up changes. Max Lavelle replaces Ryan Williams on bass. Shannon Lucas steps down as the drummer and was replaced by Alan Cassidy. In 2013, the band released their new record called “Everblack.” Let us get into the music.

Track List:

In Hell is Where She Waits For Me

Heavy and hard-hitting music at the beginning from the drums, bass, and guitars. There is some talking but I can not make it out because it is not loud enough. The lead singer comes in screaming. The guitar playing on the main part is solid. The singing is the type you can barely understand what he is saying. The lyrics that I have picked are pretty solid. There is some nice back up singing too. I love time changes towards the middle part of the song. There is some nice double bass from the drums about that time. This is a pretty solid song. I love slower guitar solo at the beginning of it and then it picks up towards the middle and end of the solo.

Goat Of Departure

I love the guitar playing at the beginning. The drumming is good but it starting to sound the same from song to song. I love the lyrics they wrote for this song. I really not a fan of the back up singing on this song. I love the guitar solo towards the end of the song.

Into The Everblack

I love the guitar work and the drums fit perfectly even though it is the same beat. It changes a bit when the singer comes into the song. I hate the chopping guitar playing. I get it fits but it sounds very messing during the main part of the song. I love the keyboard part in this song. It gives a break to the same old in the song and the record. The guitar playing coming out of it. It is some pretty impressive playing. It leads into a short guitar solo.

Raped in hatred By Vines of Thorn

I love the guitar playing at the beginning and the slower drum beat. This song has a nice pace and I love it. It gives you a different feeling unlike the rest of the record. I love double bass but this is a bit overkill. I love the lyrics and the singing. The listeners can understand the singers a bit. I do not know how I feel about the lyrics but it is what it is. There is a pretty well written guitar solo towards the end of the song.

Phantom Limb Masturbation

The song starts with the vocals in your face. This song echos the songs at the beginning. The drumming slight different but about the same. I love the lyrics they placed on this song. I love the chorus music. There is a nice short guitar solo at the quarter point of this song. There is another guitar solo towards the middle part of the song that is a little longer than the last one. This one is a little well thought about it. I love the pace of the music and solo itself.

Control

Just like the last song, the vocals start it out but the music is right there after the start of the song. I cannot pick up the lyrics. There is some well written guitar riffs on this song. The drums are pretty complex and well written. He has been kicking some serious ass throughout this record. This song is short and to the point. There is a nice guitar solo towards the end of the song and I love how the guitar solo keeps on going to the end of the song.

Blood Mine

I love the guitar playing and bass too. The drums can let off on the double bass at least one song please. Asides that, I have been loving the drums towards the end of this record. I cannot understand the vocals so I cannot pick up the lyrics. I love the title of the song. I am not sure on the duo singers at least on this song. There is a guitar solo towards the end of the song but it is short and sweet to the point.

Every Rope A Noose

Oh my God, I love the drumming at the beginning. It has pretty awesome beat. I love the guitar playing. I love the singing but I cannot understand the singers. This song has a nice fast pace and it is perfect towards the end of the record. The double bass makes so much sense at this point of the song. There is a well placed guitar solo towards the end of the song. There is a nice piano playing at the end that comes into full focus to end the song.

Their Beloved Absentee

I love the singing from the group of singers at the beginning but they were so far in the background and volume is to low. This is a straight driving song. It has a nice pace. This is a classic extreme metal song. I love the pace. I love the music on this track. I love the guitar solo towards the end and it is well placed.

Map Of Scars

There is some nice well-written music from the drums and guitars. The bass playing is pretty simple but it is perfect. I cannot understand the singer so I cannot judge lyrics. I guess I could look up the lyrics on the net. This is a perfect song to finish a great record from this Michigan band. Great song and nice ending to this record.

Original Line Up:

Trevor Strnad – Vocals

Brian Eschbach – Guitar

John Kempainen – Guitar

David Lock – Bass

Cory Grady – Drums

Current Line Up:

Brian Eschbach – Guitars

Alan Cassidy – Drums

Max Lavelle – Bass

Ryan Knight – Guitars

Trevor Strnad – Vocals

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.facebook.com/theblackdahliamurderofficial

Twitter: @bdmmetal

Closing, overall, this is a great record and I really enjoyed this song. I wish I could understand the singers a bit more but I understand because it is the singing style. There is some nice music on this great. I kind of wish drums were a little bit different from song to sing but that is hardest job in this band. I get what he is trying to do and it is pretty limited. They place guitar solos in the right spots to break up the song. I love how some times the guitar solos keep going during main part of the song at the end. It gives a nice and different sound. Great Job! It is a nice touch for someone that does not like this singing type but love the music. It seems every song of this type of metal needs a guitar solo to break up song. If they do not put the guitar solos in the songs, the songs will become white noise. I love this band and I cannot wait to hear their next record. I highly recommend this band and this record. Go get some! Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser16@gmail.com

Twitter: @djweiser

Instagram: @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Atwater Brewery In The Park

In this beer blog, we are going to talk about my visit at Atwater Brewery In The Park. I did not take tasting notes but I will talk about the food and kind of what I had to drink. I also will talk about my experience there. If you have read my earlier beer blog posts about their beers, you know the history of this Detroit craft brewery. If you have not, please, read them to get to know this craft brewery. Let us get into this dining and drinking experience.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.atwaterbeer.com

Twitter: @atwaterbeer

Ending, I know there is other craft breweries using churches as their brewery. I know there is one in Pennsylvania. I have never been there. I would love to go. I will be the first to say that I am not a fan of this brewery but I wanted to check out this new brewpub in the Grosse Pointe, Michigan. I might not like the beer from the brewery but I like going to brewpubs. Sometimes, it might be the traveling that might be have an effect on the beer. The staff is super nice and helpful. The inside and outside area is very welcoming to their guests. They have two beer menus. One is beers that are brewed there and the other list is brewed at their main brewpub. I had two beers exclusive to the brewpub there. I had their Poorboy, which was a smoked porter, and Black IPA. I love these two beers and I was pretty impressive. I believe the main brewmasters need to look at some of these beers being made at this brewpub. The other two were Detroit Pale Ale and Bloktoberfest. I kind of like Bloktobeerfest. It is true to the beer style but I felt it was a little light for the style. Pale ale, I just felt it was a little weak on the hop and not strong malty backbone. I had two more that were not on any of these photos. I had GP IPA and Scherthing Cream Ale. These beers are part of the exclusive to Grosse Pointe brewery. The food came out. It was a German theme food menu. I love apps we order. It was a basket of Pretzels. They were awesome. There were different sizes with cheese and honey mustard, which were homemade there. There is a spicy mustard that was also made there. The main course was Turkey Burger with fries. I loved it. It was cooked just right and I love the spices. Overall, I had a great time and I will be back. I would love to try all the exclusive beers brewed there. I will be upfront and honest. I am not a fan of their everyday beers. There beers brewed there need to be packaged. Go get some! Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter: @djweiser

Instagram: @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Short’s Brewery Strawberry Shortcake Ale (2014)

In this beer blog, we are going to get into a special release from Short’s Brewery. It is their Strawberry Shortcake Ale. If you read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, you know the history of this craft brewery. If you have not read my earlier beer blog posts on their beers, please, read them to get to know this Michigan craft brewery. Let us get into this dessert beer.

It has a cloudy amber color without a head but there is a white head at first. The aroma has a heavy strawberry notes. The taste has a light body with strawberry notes with a crisp finish. It is pretty drinkable beer.

Here is a description from their website (www.shortsbrewing.com):

Strawberry Short’s Cake is a golden ale. The addition of strawberries and milk sugar transform this beer into a rose-colored nectar that has hints of cream and is pleasingly sweet. Biscuit flavors and aromas arise from the great amounts of Victory malt used in the brewing process.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.shortsbrewing.com

Twitter: @shortsbrewing

Ending, these are the beers that give me hope that Short’s can be something special again. Most of their flagship beers I am really not a fan of them. I use to be a fan. I do not know if my taste bud changed or their beers changes. I know there are many craft beer drinkers like their beers. There is nothing wrong with it. This is my thought pattern of their beers. However, I love this beer, I do not put this beer as a fruit beer. I look at it as a dessert beer like their Key Lime Ale, which I did a review of it earlier. This beer reminds me of Fruli Strawberry Beer. I have done a review a few months ago. Both beer are great. I just feel Short’s focus on their special releases and not on their flagship beers. I highly recommend this beer. Go get some! Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter: @djweiser

Instagram: @djweiser13

New Beer Blog Finch’s Beer Company Threadless India Pale Ale

In the beginning, we are going to get into Finch’s Beer Company Threadless India Pale Ale. As you know I was at the brewery a few months ago. I thought I would start writing up reviews of their beers. If you read my review on their brewery tour, which I highly recommend doing, you know the history of this craft brewery. If you have not read it, please, do so get to know this Chicago craft brewery. Let us get into this IPA.

It has a cloudy dark golden to light copper color with a semi white head on this IPA. The aroma has a nice citrus notes. The taste has a light carbonation citrus notes with a dry hoppy finish that hangs out a bit. It is pretty drinkable IPA.

Here is a description from their website (www.finchbeer.com):

Finch’s Beer Company’s Threadless IPA is the gold medal winner in the IPA category at this year’s World Expo of Beer, Michigan’s largest international beer sampling event. Our Threadless/Finch collaboration IPA is a balanced experience of both perceived hoppiness and true bitterness. It pours a darker amber color and finishes with a citrus flavor, and when combined, will require this to be the last IPA you ever drink!

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.finchbeer.com

Twitter: @finchbeer

Ending, I really enjoyed this IPA. It is one of my favorite ones that I can get into Michigan market. It is one of my non Michigan craft IPA that I can get in my market. Later, found out that they are not in this market anymore. The hops have a great balance with the well designed malty backbone. When they released this beer, I was nervous because to be honest, I was not a fan of their Golden Ale or Pale Ale. I am glad that I did try it. This beer was the turning point for this craft brewery. This beer might be my second favorite beer from this craft brewery, today. My favorite is their Black IPA and it was a no brainer to try it after enjoying their IPA. I highly recommend this beer and a review of their Black IPA is coming soon. Go get some! Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser16@gmail.com

Twitter: @djweiser

Instagram: @djweiser13

New Music Monday Blog Halestorm The Strange Case Of…

In this Music Monday Blog, we are going to get into the latest and second record from Halestorm. It is called “The Strange Case Of…” and was released early last year. We are going to get into the history and then the music from Halestorm. Let us get into the history.

History

Halestorm started back in 1997 from Lzzy and Arejay, who are brother and sister. The two put out an EP, which was called “Don’t Mess With The Time Man” in 1999. Their father played bass for the band before Josh Smith in 2004. The band was finished up the band with Joe Hottinger, who joined in 2003. The band signed record contract with Atlantic Records in 2005. They released their second EP, which is out of print like their first one, and it was called “One And Done.” Their full length record, which was self titled, was released in 2009. Their first single “I Get Off” received heavy air play. They released several more singles off this record. They are also known to tour a ton and they have toured with several different bands. In 2010, they released their first live record, which was called “Live In Philly 2010.” In 2011, they released their third EP, which was cover record, and it was called “ReAnimate.” In 2012, they released their fourth EP, which is called “Hello, It’s Mz. Hyde.” This EP was a sneak peek on their second full length record, which is called “The Strange Case Of…” “The Strange Case Of…” was released in 2012 and is the record that featured on this blog. In 2013, Halestorm won a Grammy for Best Hard and Metal Performance Category. They became the first female fronted band to win and be nominated for this award. “Freak Like Me” is the first single to reach #1 on Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks in 2013. Let us get into the music.

Song List:

Love Bites (So Do I)

This is the first single off this record. There is a nice pace with some killer to hard-hitting drums. There is a nice guitar and bass playing. I love the singing from Lzzy. The lyrics are not my style but they are well written. There is a nice guitar solo towards the end.

Mz. Hyde

This is the fifth and final single off this record. I love the guitar and drumming at the beginning. I love her singing. I love the lyrics. The music is pretty solid. There is some nice time changes throughout this song. The ending is a little weird.

I Miss The Misery

This is the second single off this record. I love the music and singing at the beginning. I love the lyrics. Lzzy singing is pretty solid. I love this song. The ending is pretty solid.

Freak Like Me

This is the third single off this record. I love the guitar playing so far on this song. The singing is pretty solid with some great lyrics. I love the lyrics. The music is pretty solid. I just feel the drums are pretty calm for a Halestorm song. The guitar solo towards the end is pretty solid.

Beautiful With You

This song is off pace with the record. It is a good song but it is not their style. I just feel the record company made them make a song like this. It is good. It is too mainstream for a band that were themselves make the mainstream. I am not a fan of this song.

In Your Room

What the hell is up with the last two songs? I cannot listen to it. The lyrics are too thoughtful for this band. The music is solid if it was 1984 and they were Heart.

Break In

Again!!! I am starting to get pretty upset. This one is kind of in their style than the last two songs. I have a feeling half of this record. I will not be listening to again. I will be passing on this one too.

Rock Show

Yay!!! Finally a rock song. I love the guitar playing and the music at the beginning. I do not like the lyrics but the music is pretty solid. I love the bass playing. There was a solid guitar solo towards the end of the song.

Daughters Of Darkness

The beginning of this song is pretty dark. The music is pretty solid. I am not a fan of the lyrics but the song is pretty solid. I will listen to it again.

You Call Me A Bitch Like It’s A Bad Thing

I love the drumming and the music at the beginning. There is a guitar part that reminds me of something of an Alice In Chains song. I love the lyrics and they are pretty well written. I love the short guitar solo towards the middle of the song. I feel this song needs some kind of music break. It is the same thing over and over. It is kind of boring towards the end of the song.

American Boys

I love the guitar playing and drumming. It has a nice pace and great music. I am not a fan of the lyrics and it kind of kills the song for me. I will pass on this song.

Here’s To Us

This is the fourth single off this record. I love the acoustic guitar. I love the music and it has a nice pace for a slower song. The lyrics are pretty solid and well thought. I love this song.

Here’s To Us (Guest Version)

The only different from the first version. I love the guitar solo and there are different singers available and singing. I love this version better.

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website: www.halestormrocks.com

Twitter: @halestorm

Closing, I have been a fan of this band since their first record. I loved their first record. I was pretty excited to see them do a few EP’s and this one, which is their second record. It took me a long time to write a review and I am sorry to my readers and the band. I enjoy doing these music reviews but they are pretty time-consuming. I will get better when it is all said in done. Anyways, this record starts out pretty solid. I am loving it until I made it to the middle part of the record. There were three songs I could do without. They are not my style of music. I always look at this band as a hard rock to slight metal band. They are not a pop act and I felt those songs they were trying to be a pop act. If anything how they were themselves on their first record, mainstream music came to them. They are good songs if you like that type of music. The back half of the record was pretty solid with some rock tunes. The lyrics overall was average. There were some songs where they were above average. Overall, I was pretty disappointed with this record. There are some songs I will be listening to again and I enjoyed them. Give this band a listen. They are still upcoming band. I believe their next two records will be awesome. Go get some! Drink it! Enjoy it! Metal it! \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email: djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter: @djwieser

Instagram: @djweiser13

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