Brutal News
CHEVELLE: “Bright As Blasphemy” (Album Review)
I’ve been riding with Chevelle since Point #1 came out in ’99, and every new album is like checking in with an old friend—you want to see what’s changed and what’s stayed the same. With […]
Articles by Alan Ronson
Brutal News
ZAO: 08-09-25 @ American Legion in Saint Paul, MN
Zao’s recent St. Paul stop was less a concert and more a sonic brawl—a sweaty, unpolished, beautiful mess of noise and emotion. Born in the mid-90s metalcore scene, Zao has survived countless lineup changes, shifts […]
Album Reviews
dead7: “LOVE WHAT YOU CAN WHILE YOU STILL GOT SOMETHING LEFT TO LOVE” (Album Review)
A couple of weeks ago, I received the promotional link to a band called dead7 (Jason Kozik-vocals, Dexter Greer-guitar, Tim Quinn-guitar, Stephen Salyer-bass, and Zach Guinn-drums). I had never heard of this band before, but […]
Album Reviews
BUCKCHERRY “Roar Like Thunder” (Album Review)
Buckcherry’s Roar Like Thunder is straight-up rock ‘n’ roll. No gimmicks, no trying to be something they’re not—just a band doing what they’ve always done best. This is their 11th album, and you can tell […]
Brutal News
AWAKEN THE FALLEN TOUR (ft Breaking Benjamin, Staind, and Wage War)
The Awaken the Fallen Tour made a loud and memorable stop at the Target Center in Minneapolis this last Wednesday evening. When this tour was first announced, I snagged tickets right away because I adore […]
Brutal News
MEMPHIS MAY FIRE: 05-04-25 @ The Varsity Theater, Minneapolis MN
I have an embarrassing confession…I’ve been following Memphis May Fire for years, but this was my first time seeing them live! Last night, May 4th, my son and I headed to The Varsity Theater in […]
Album Reviews
PARADISE SLAVES: “With Hell In His Eyes” (Album Review)
If you’re in your late 30s or 40s and still love heavy music with real emotion behind it, With Hell In His Eyes might be just what you need. Paradise Slaves is a new band, […]
Brutal News
THE POISONED ASCENDANCY TOUR ft Trivium, Bullet For My Valentine, and August Burns Red: 04-25-25 @ Prior Lake, MN
The “Poisoned Ascendancy” tour rolled through Mystic Lake Casino on Friday night, and for a lot of us in the crowd—dudes who wore out these albums in high school or college, it felt like a […]
Brutal News
LITA FORD ft DEE SNIDER @ Treasure Island Casino in Welch, MN 03-28-25
I was just a small child in the eighties, and my mom hated rock’ n roll, so I never saw all of the “good bands.” I found some redemption last Friday, however, when FireHouse, Lita […]
Album Reviews
KATLA: “Scandinavian Pain” (Album Review)
It’s always fun discovering new bands, and I was recently introduced to a Danish band called Katla. Their debut album, “Scandinavian Pain,” is heavy, raw, and full of emotion. What initially grabbed me was the […]