Nonpoint & Gemini Syndrome 10/26/14

Warner Brothers Records struck gold with their newest roster addition Gemini Syndrome. The easiest decision I have made to attend this show since I really sat down to watch them perform last year when they toured with Las Vegas wildstars Five Finger Death Punch. I was hooked instantaneously. Their presentation, individual styles of play and Aaron Nordstrom’s lyricism are priorities that need to be seen, in order to be believed. However, As a man who ALWAYS makes it early to see the opening performers, I was thoroughly impressed by 3 Years Hollow and Victory Records band, Islander. The Marlin Room at Webster Hall, which is the homes 2nd best stage (best being the obvious grand ballroom, and worst being The Studio in my honest opinion) held the nights festivities. This was a BIG DIFFERENCE from Gemini’s last show in this area as they played Revolution Bar & Grill out in Long Island. This room is notorious for having lights that either do VERY WELL, or VERY POOR. Lets just say, 3 of 4 bands got the right idea.

3 Years Hollow was up first. The proper method of executing melodic hard rock is within these young men. Lead singer Jose Urquiza was almost in a statuesque form. His posture determined his sound on vocals. As soon as I read his character, he got me. I was immersed in watching him sing, and found myself singing the music even though I have never heard their material before. He paced left and right but almost never did not make it to the right side of the stage where his bassist Dex and guitarist Neil were working at. Guitarist Tony Reeves shared many of the dual vocal responsibilities and those moments gave me powerful duet and single shots of both members. I enjoyed the music thoroughly, until they sang the song “Chemical Ride” I had to stop shooting and just get into the performance. Its rare, when a band, let alone an opener, has the ability to catch my attention to the point where I stop being a photographer and I become a spectator. Oh, that’s right, the other bands to do that were Starset and GEMINI SYNDROME. There is going to be that one song, that captures the entire vision of the true power of a band and the musicians involved. Chemical Ride is EXACTLY that song. Its true the band does not move or do jumps or go crazy like alot of these bands do now a day, but this band doesn’t need to do that. They focus on the music and at least for me, keep the traditional hard rock band persona alive. Go check out the album “The Cracks” on Itunes right now and enclosed with the photos is the music video for Chemical Ride. Lets see how they make you feel. There is no set-list for this night.

3 Years Hollow Photo Gallery:

What do you get when you mix Sunny Sandoval and P.O.D, with Zack de la Rocha and Rage Against the Machine? you get Victory Record’s own, Islander. After being signed in 2013, the band has released an EP and their current album Violence & Destruction back in July of this current year. They toured with The Rockstar Energy Mayhem Festival and are now on tour with all the bands in this tour package. There are influences of Korn and Deftones, but lead singer Mikey Carvajal immediately reminded me of Sunny Sandoval, back when P.O.D was signed to Atlantic Records. The golden years have yet to come for this fine band that immediately gets the crowd pumping, and puts on an energetic and domineering performance. As a four piece, each member hold a seem together to complete the stitching that is their live performance. The audience ate it up, I ate it up. With bands I grew up listening to and hearing the influences as they performed, I knew I would be a fan. Unlike Jose in 3 years hollow, Mikey was all over the place. Asking the crowd “Where You At?” every time he wanted to hear applause and screams. He jumped, screamed and even posed for my camera when I was present. Mikey also stayed in the same vicinity as Jose did. I dont know what was up with the left side of the stage, but I am glad to know that they had a hunch as to that spot being the best side for lighting. The right side was dead the entire night, not just for Islander, but for ALL bands. Never the less, Islanders set led a great energy and balance for the tour package. Every band was equally aligned in proper time slots. Assuring that the energy and flow of the show went smoothly. With Gemini Syndrome on immediately after, I knew in my mind, this show was done right. Not only by Islander, but by everyone involved. This tour was perfection. And I still had two more bands to cover. Check out Islanders music video “Chocolate Dracula”, which starts out like a Quentin Tarentino movie. NOT …. WEIRD, AT ALL.

Islander Photo Gallery:

Gemini Syndrome the second time around, HELL YEAH. Gemini Syndrome missing guitarist Richard Jyzwick? HELL NO. That’s right, the band is a four piece for this current tour. I knew about it a while ago, his departure due to personal reasons I mean. But, I did not care. The band sounded incredible. Richard was missed that night without a doubt, but we all know that Gemini can maintain their steady sound and performance regardless if everyone was present or not. Being signed to Warner Brothers Records has that responsibility, to put out your best shows no matter what the circumstances were. No disappointment here. Aaron, Brian, Mike and Alessandro were all poised to bring the noise. The funny part about it was, Aaron only had to sing the lyrics. With the audience jumping around, screaming and singing without him commanding or needing to do so, It was almost as if every single person that was there was meant to see Gemini Syndrome. They proved the band right, because even Aaron couldn’t believe the love coming from the fan-base. Gemini Syndrome’s debut album in 2013 “Lux” captivated me since I first discovered the band on the Wrong Side of Heaven and The Righteous Side of Hell tour with Five Finger Death Punch last year. I never witnessed an opening act as themselves and yet, the show didn’t end once they left the stage. Brian, the bands drummer, took camcorder footage of the crowd and even came down to say hello to everyone and hit their arms with the bands stamped logo. Calling their fans “Synners”, the annual show conversion’s are quite the spectacle. However, like I stated with 3 years Hollow, there is always one song that grabs my attention. As badly as I wanted them to play Mourning Star, they did. The performance was almost acoustic like, with bursts of energy coming through the songs chorus and also the connecting bridge lyrics. Yet, Aaron did not have to sing so loud, cause the fans, including myself, were doing so with him. It was a moment I can remember for all my days. Everytime I blast that song, I think about how the entire audience sang. How I was part of it, I will never comprehend. But sometimes, you don’t question fate. After their set, the band came out to the merch booth to take photos with fans and talk to everyone. Everyone signed my photos I took from their first show and it was an overall fantastic time. Bands like these are diamonds in the rough amongst the variety of music out there. Don’t skip on Gemini Syndrome, you will regret it. I promise you. Although there is no official video for Mourning Star, check out their msuci video of Stardust, down below. There is no set-list for this show.

Gemini Syndrome Photo Gallery:

Nonpoint was the headliner, the main event, the crowd pleaser. The crowd came, and stayed to rumble. They let the floors of Webster Hall know who was playing the middle room that night. I for one however, left halfway through their set. The poor combination of lights and or lack thereof, was an absolute killjoy for me. Throw that in with the fact that THERE IS NO PHOTO PIT in this room, and you leave venturing to the front of the stage at your highest discretion. Crowd shots were all I were able to capture. I am pleased somewhat with them, but I will be giving Nonpoint a second chance. This room wasn’t made for their stage setup and lighting systems for the show. I was disappointed having to not be able to enjoy my photographic assignment, but my second chances are usually knockouts. Keyword is… “usually” You can see what photos I manage to keep from the disastrous darkness and fighting the crowd below. Nonpoint’s new album “The Return”, debuted at #39 on the Billboard 200 list, which is a welcome back as they have not touched Billboard 200 since their 2007 album, Vengeance. A stride finally fitting for this crew, I wish them continued success. Down below, you can see the music video Breaking Skin, off the new album.

Nonpoint Photo Gallery:

Overall, Another sensational tour package with openers that SHOULD NOT be missed. Any band on this bill SHOULD NOT be missed, but people are so prone to missing openers because that’s what they are. They are “Openers” be careful how you describe bands, because those openers will one day be the headliners you don’t know nothing about until it is too late.

Catch you rockers on the flip side!

–Derek Soto–