Wow what another great year in concerts.   Logging more than 30 national and countless local shows,  it’s been one busy year.     Stand out shows for me were Amon Amarth and Symphony X. There is absolutely no comparison to seeing a favorite band, superior performance , up close, in a great venue, with great friends.   These shows were the perfect storms.  10 Years, of course,  always ranks in the “best of” category for me as they are my fave.  Seeing them up close at the Social, and State was a huge treat; and the meet n greet with Mark was the icing. 

SURPRISES

This year there were some surprises, like Priest.  Ticket was a gift and wow I was totally blown away by the caliber of show.   Not to mention the seats were 5^th row center, with the ability to walk to the rail for the Zakk Wylde parts.  Another great surprise was Ozzy.   I wasn’t sure I’d love this concert, but he played 5 Black Sabbath songs including War Pigs and I was in heaven. Also mind blowers were Alice Cooper and Def Leppard.  There is something about the “big” popular shows that make it worth the price, they spare no expense I guess, and the shows are simply top notch.   Each of these shows was a surprise to me mostly because of the vocals and the staying power of these artists.  

LET DOWNS

There were some “let downs” as well and from my favorite bands.   Opeth did not play any of their old death metal songs and chose to focus on the new mellower album;  very disappointing for me.  Mastodon, although still a great show, I seriously missed the Crack the Skye tour, it was much more flamboyant and beautiful then this go round at the HOB. I was sad to see Disturbed which will probably be the last time for a while, as they are now on extended hiatus.  Unfortunately David’s voice was not fully mended that day and he was nothing compared to the way he was in earlier show before all of his vocal issues. (or even last year).

ORLANDO BANDS

As far as local Orlando shows, it’s pretty impossible to count the number of shows attended by-show. Instead I made a list below of some memorable bands (below the national list).   There were a countless number of times seeing Traverser, Empyrean and 5 Billion Dead. These bands continue to be a staple (and faves)  in Orlando metal.   Some new bands captured my heart this year, Druid Lord, Prophecy Z14 and Putrescent Secretancy.  These bands have some serious chops and will for-sure make 2012 amazing for local metal.   I was also very happy to finally see Ring of Scars, after their recording break they came back with a vengeance and delivered to us a new album.  Also very cool is our friend Dexter's band Autumn Empire, I'm sure these guys will go far.  And of course there were THEM, and seeing Celeste and meeting her husband Craig who I hope to see frequently for shredding lessons. 

WHAT’s NEXT

2011 certainly was an amazing year for metal.  The HOB, Firestone, and Hard Rock did an outstanding job bringing us some of the best national tours.   2012 is already off to a killer start. Tickets already in hand for Tool, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Symphony X and Rammestein.   

CYNS 2011 LIST: 

NATIONAL SHOWS   Backwards in Date order (starting Dec 11)

1. Adelitas Way,  Art of Dying, Seether
2. Arkona, Korpiklaaini
3. Alice Cooper
4. Mastodon, Dillinger Escape Plan, Red Fang
5. Judas Priest, Black Label Society, Thin Lizzy
6. Sevendust, Eye Empire
7. Five Finger Death Punch, All that Remains,
8. Yngwie Malmsteen, 5 Billion Dead
9. Dream Theater, Trivium
10. Firewind, Nightrage
11. Opeth
12. Eye Empire
13. Fair to Midland, Empyrean
14. 10 Years in Orlando and in St Pete
15. Mayhem Festival, Disturbed, Godsmack, Trivium, Megadeth,
16. Animals as Leaders, Intronaut
17. Big Business
18. Children of Bodom, Obscura, Devin Townsend,
19. Blackguard, Otep
20. Rick Springfield
21. Sick Puppies
22. Def Leppard,  Heart,
23. Primus
24. Deftones, Dillinger Escape Plan
25. Symphony X, Powerglove
26. Danzig
27. Amon Amarth
28. Iron Maiden
29. 98 Rockfest, Stone Sour, Halestorm,  3 Doors Down, Seether, Skillet, Eye Empire,
30. Accept
31. Eye Empire
32. Taylor Dayne
33. Hell Yeah, Buck Cherry, Damned Things
34. Cradle of Filth
35. Ozzy
36. Hinder, My Darkest Day
37. Nonpoint, Straight Line Stitch
38. Trouble

 ORLANDO SHOWS:   These shows are in no particular order and not all inclusive. This is a list of the memorable ones for me.  Some of which I made it out to see on numerous occasions.  

1. Traverser
2. Druid Lord
3. Empyrean
4. 5 Billion Dead
5. Them
6. Ring of Scars
7. Prophecy Z14
8. Putrecent Secretancy
9. Autumn Empire

First Friday Night

Lets assume you know what Fringe is all about, and you are cool enough to want to engage in some of the best fun Orlando has to offer. 

Simple Fringing – go to the website, choose  link to  “this years shows" , pick a night and choose a play.   Read a summary of the play by clicking it’s name.  Buy tickets.   DONE that easy.    http://orlandofringe.org/

However,  there are some advanced Fringing techniques that I will now share with you to enhance your Fringing experience.

 About the  Loch Haven Park and the Fringe Area.  Parking is usually best at the Science center garage unless you are attending early/late or off primetime.  Shows are in 2 buildings which are located on either side of the park.   The Orlando Rep and Shakes Center.   Each building has a couple of prime venues and some smaller ones.   Which leads to the next point. 

Know the venues and understand that some of the larger venues generally show some of the more elaborate plays and those destined to pull in larger audiences. Venue guides will be available at Fringe, but it’s key to  know the best ones before you attend.  At Shakes, one can always plan on The Orange venue having the biggest and best cabaret/comedy shows.  When you are torn, it’s best to go Orange.   At the Rep, depending on what they have going on, generally speaking Silver tends to be where they put some of the best shows.  However,  green is the next largest venue after Orange and Silver so keep an eye on green shows.   Every venue has some unique things to offer, but it’s a general rule that some of the smaller/one man shows will be in smaller venues.  (note there are some exceptions and I will point out those troupes on my Fringe blog as we get closer)

Buying tickets.  You can pre-buy tickets or wait and simply buy them at Fringe inside one of the venue buildings.  You MUST buy a Fringe button which gets you into the festival.   After that,  you must buy tickets individually  to each show.  There is usually a $1 up charge for the online service.   There are NO assigned seats at Fringe.  Once you buy your ticket, you must arrive early for the best seat.  Lines DO start early for the best shows.

Planning your Fringe schedule.  The web-site allows you to print one .pdf of the entire schedule.  This is HIGHLY recommended.  Then you can choose shows you wish to see by day.  I review each show summary and then assign a priority value A thru C.   I will pre-buy the A shows and attempt to see them early before they sell out.  

Know what genre you are looking for.  I have tried a taste of all that Fringe has to offer, and I prefer comedy and the cabaret shows.   I have less of a taste for physical humor and one man stand up so I  target shows in this direction.   Sometimes it’s difficult to discern these details from the web-site show summary, but sometimes it will clearly state if the show is one-man.  I am not a fan of the dance shows with one HUGE exception.  Varie-a-Tease is the best show every year in my opinion.  More of a Cabaret show really and a must see. 

 Watch the Blogs for the best recommendations.  The Orlando Sentinel, Elizabeth Maupin, myself and several other Fringers will publish show summaries or reviews.   These are extremely helpful when picking shows.   Generally speaking the known /local troupes will sell out right away so it’s best to check the blogs daily and even ask around when you get to Fringe.

Have an open mind.  Fringe is NOT for the easily offended.  Remember this is uncensored, artist driven theater.   The artists do/show whatever they want.   And I mean WHAT EVER.  There is a screening process since Orlando Fringe is the largest in the US, however be prepared for open minded, opinionated and in your face entertainment.   It’s worth it!!!!!

 

What an amazing opportunity to spend 5 days with favorite bands.   This was probably a once in a lifetime experience.   

THE PRICE

Are you really the humankind

To stand up and feel what's hidden behind

The perversion of soul has taken hold

And actuality has left you blind. 

 

Can you feel what's deep within

And peer beneath the charred black skin

And find some meaning not left screaming

When forced to turn away from sin

 

(Chorus)

Feel the reality, embrace the humanity

Turn from the machine

It leaves you wanting more

Feel the reality, embrace the humanity

Ignore the machine

And consider what's under the door

 

Is there really another way

Will you remember to find emotions today

And ignore the tech, it seeks no respect

It's the people that have something to say. 

 

Step out into the daylight sun

And cast out the night you have become undone

Put away the device, it comes with a price

You have so much further to run. 

 

(Chorus)

Feel the reality, embrace the humanity

Turn from the machine

It leaves you wanting more. 

Feel the reality, embrace the humanity

Ignore the machine

And consider what's under the door

 

(Bridge Screamed)

How can you be sure

You have become pure

Cleansed by the cure

Not falling into more

 

Cleansed by the cure

Don't go back for more

Believe and be sure

You are now true and pure

 

Written By Cynthia Thomason; September9^th 2010         (FirstPublished on Poetry Soup.com 9/9/10)

All Copyright Rights Reserved

The real highlight of my 5 concert marathon - Sick Puppies.   The pups never ever disappoint.  This counts as somewhere in the neighborhood of 6th or 7th show, I'm really not sure b.c their shows are buried in my AW pix.    I lost count of how many times I have seen these guys.   I know at least 3 w AW, plus w Shinedown once before and w Nickleback.   So maybe this is 6th.  

Anyway, since many of their shows were w AW, I missed some of their entire sets plus I never took the chance to get photos with them.   This time, thanks to Alyse, we had entry to the WJRR Studio show and a very personal experience with Shim and Emma.    Alyse was even brought on stage by Shim at WJRR-all caught on video by the studio.   She knows the pups so well b.c a while ago she was a contest winner "roadie for a day" and has maintained her relationships with the Pups since then.

I was so happy to meet and have a few moments w Shim and Emma.   Very cool. 

Alyse on Stage w Pups at WJRR Studio

Pups Concert Shots

Rip Tide Video fm Concert

This was going to be the highlight of my 10 day concert marathon.   5 concerts in 10 days.   This show was number 3 plus Mark was attending.    It was a great concert no doubt but sandwiched between Scorps and Sick Puppies, this festival ended up being just a plain ole concert. 

It was really cool that I arrived at the venue at noon and met cool new concert friend Jamie T from Tampa.    As a result, we got some pix with Shinedown and I did get to say hi to Shawn Hammer who is tour managing 10 Years now that they are back out on the road.  I brought him a Frapp as a thank you for how nice he has been to us.

For this show I bought front row seats in the best section plus GA floor.   I knew 10 Years was opening the show and I MUST be dead center in front of Jesse.   Mission accomplished.   10 Years was awesome as always.   I just LOVE LOVE LOVE their music.      Here are all the pix:

10 Years Concert Shots

Shinedown, Chevelle, Sevendust and Puddle of Mudd




Jesse from 10 Years "What I am to you is not real" 



Cyn w Eric Bass from Shinedown (Bass)