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FUELED BY FIRE unveil music video for “Disrupt”
Los Angeles thrashers FUELED BY FIRE unveil music video for “Disrupt”.
Los Angeles thrash metal force FUELED BY FIRE have unleashed the music video for their newest single, “Disrupt.” The track is the A-side from their newest release, “Past…Present…No Future” Part 1, the first in a pair of two-song 7-inch releases recorded by Allen Falcon (Exmortus, Blade Killer), mixed by Carlos Cruz (Hexen, Warbringer) and mastered by Toxic Holocaust’s Joel Grind (Power Trip, Midnight). The limited to 300 copies physical 7-inch release – which is pressed on white vinyl – was released last Friday, November 12th and are available now at http://www.smarturl.com/
Says guitarist/vocalist Rick Rangel, “‘Disrupt’ is a song that touches on Fear, Greed, Corruption, Ignorance, Oppression, Manipulation, Hypocrisy and all-out Anarchy happening around the world. Having gone through one of the craziest times in modern history, I think this song reflects the dire feeling that has been felt by everyone that has been affected by a global pandemic, media manipulation, corporate greed, corrupt politicians and police brutality all going on at the same time. Ultimately, this song is about a bleak future for everyone and that there are no happy endings… just endings.“
Having gone on hiatus in 2014 after a string of impressive European festival performances, FUELED BY FIRE reconvened at the beginning of 2020 to record new music. Initially set to be released in fall 2020, the four songs put together by the new lineup – consisting of returning members Rick Rangel (guitars/vocals), Anthony Vasquez (bass) and Carlos Gutierrez (drums), who are now joined by Gutierrez’s bandmate in Blade Killer, guitarist Jon Rubio – were further refined during the COVID-19 pandemic. The band’s first new music since 2013 was unveiled in September 2021 with a visualizer video for “Bloodshed,” which can be viewed at https://youtu.be/Xzvu-CBJogY. The first of two 7-inch singles to come, “Past…Present…No Future” Part 1 – which features “Disrupt” on the A-side and “Bloodshed” on the B-side – showcases FUELED BY FIRE as a group ready to re-stake its claim to thrash metal supremacy, with the second 7-inch single to come in early 2022.
Says Rangel, “‘Past…Present…No Future’ is a 4-song EP that was two years in the making. After numerous setbacks with writing and recording, these recordings seemed doomed to never be released. But as fate would have it, not even a global pandemic could stop it! If anything, the pandemic only fueled the anger and aggression felt on these songs. The reason we chose to release a 4-song EP as opposed to a full-length was to get music out a lot sooner and we were anxious to announce to the world that FUELED BY FIRE has returned to fuck shit up! We feel like this is the pinnacle of what we have to offer as artists and musicians and we hope to have that bleed over to our next offerings and we can’t wait for you to play these songs at full volume!“
FUELED BY FIRE was formed in 2002 by a group of Southern California teenagers that bonded over a love of ’80s thrash metal acts such as Exodus, Testament and Possessed. The group recorded their first demo in 2004 and emerged as a persistent presence on local concerts throughout the greater Los Angeles region. Those shows saw them open for many of the iconic acts that they grew up worshipping, as well as performing alongside other burgeoning thrash bands that were emerging around them in Southern California such as Warbringer and Hexen. The group initially self-released their 2006 debut album, “Spread The Fire.” The album was praised by AllMusic.com for its “authentic thrash,” and the combination of their impressive studio effort and prolific live performances earned the attention of Metal Blade Records, who reissued the record a year later.
The group soon spread their sound on stages across the United States alongside fellow rising thrashers such as Bonded by Blood and Merciless Death before re-emerging with their self-released 2010 follow-up record, “Plunging Into Darkness.” That album was applauded by Metal-Rules.com for serving as a reminder of “just how vibrant thrash metal can be,” and the band followed up that momentum by touring Europe alongside heavy hitters such as Kreator, Morbid Angel and Nile. The group applied a more sinister tone to their lyrics and compositions on 2013’s “Trapped in Perdition,” which was released by NoiseArt Records and produced by Erik Rutan (Hate Eternal, Cannibal Corpse). The album received accolades from Burning Ambulance for being “their best album yet” and – alongside well-received performances the following year on European festivals such as Hellfest and Metalfest Open Air Loreley – cemented FUELED BY FIRE‘s reputation as generators of powerful thrash metal.
More information on new music from FUELED BY FIRE will be unveiled in the weeks to come by M-Theory Audio and at www.facebook.com/
FUELED BY FIRE is:
Rick Rangel (guitars/vocals)
Jon Rubio (guitars)
Anthony Vasquez (bass)
Carlos Gutierrez (drums)
7 Tips for Excelling on Popular Free Poker Apps
7 Tips for Excelling on Popular Free Poker Apps
Poker looms large in the American cultural zeitgeist. From literal rock star players like Slash and Lemmy through to movies like Oceans Eleven and Casino Royale, almost everyone has been exposed to the game at some point in their lives. Even if you haven’t played, you’re likely to have seen the classic paintings of dogs playing poker, or similar pop culture references.
Yet when it comes to learning to play poker themselves people often have reservations. For instance, they might be afraid of looking stupid or even confused about the legality of online poker where they live.
In reality, though, none of these reasons are valid ones for delaying your entry into the world of poker. Popular apps give new players the chance to dive into the world of Hold’em and Omaha, learn the lingo, boost their skills, and learn the ropes without risking any of their hard-earned cash.
1 – Use Play Money to Begin With
Free-play online poker apps like Zynga Poker, World Series of Poker, and Poker Heat are among some of the top mobile gaming apps on the App Store. They allow players to compete in the same way that you would a real casino or a virtual one, but without laying down their real-world currency. Instead, contests are given chips, and fake capital called ‘play money’.
While all of these apps are great entry points into online poker, you’ll enjoy their game best once you’ve begun to learn the ropes. If you’re playing for money then it’s advisable to have a solid foundation of experience in the game – so be sure to use the play money for a while before graduating to cash.
2 – Remove Distractions
Your first starting point with online poker should be to create a setting where you feel comfortable and free from distractions. Online poker can be great for lunch breaks, or the evening time when you’re less likely to be distracted by other commitments. Otherwise, switch your cell to aeroplane mode and get stuck in.
3 – Prepare Yourself
If you’ve raised the stakes to bring real money to the table then your hardware mustn’t let you down. Having a strong internet connection and a phone that can run the app without any hitches along the way is critical. Deleting old photos or apps that you’ve rarely used can help free up some space and allow your cell to run faster.
4 – Spot the Difference
Online poker apps often have unique features. This could be in-app purchases for bonus content, a live chat display, or actual gaming differences. For instance, many online poker games have a time bank which means you only have a set period to make a decision. Understanding the platform and the app itself is key to a good result.
5 – Avoid Multi-Tabling
In online poker, you can often play more than one table at a time. However, if you want to excel then you don’t want to be a jack-of-all-trades and a master of none. If you’re new to online poker then it makes sense to concentrate your efforts in one place before you find the confidence to take on multiple games at once.
6 – Take a Refresher
If you’re coming unstuck then it might be time to revisit some of the basics. It pays to spend some time brushing up on the rules and even those who know how to play already may find it helpful to have a brief refresher before they begin. A brief study of beginner poker tips will help you to feel confident enough that you understand the rules and key strategies.
7 – Keep Records
The best online poker players are slaves to spreadsheets. Logging how long you’ve been playing and which types of games you’ve done well at or struggled with can be a rewarding practice. Analyzing our playing habits with spreadsheet apps can help us to spot patterns and learn from our mistakes.
Anyone can be a winner on online poker apps if they are willing to put in the work. Practice these seven tips and see what you can achieve!
Caitlin Strez
Caitlin Strez is the Slickster Girl of the Week. She ism tanned and toned, bronze goddess. She loves to visit warm weather and have cool drinks. Recently, she has traveled to Miami, FL and Newport Beach, CA. Her weakness is Pina coladas. So if you like Pina colada and…. Anyway, you know the rest of the song.
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Ashley Sannicolas
The 2021 NFL season is off to a roaring start, and the Arizona Cardinals are on a hot streak. Another hottie from Arizona is Ashley Sannicolas. This Phoenix-based stunner is the Slickster Girl of the Week.
Sannicolas soaks in all of the sunshine and scenery that the warm desert offers in her native PHX. She loves to travel, visit with old friends and, of course, go shopping. Sharing a meal with a glass of wine and lots laughs is the best way to pass a night she says. She is also a dedicated GF and always stressing the importance of taking care family.
Check out her social media links
The Roseline Balance the Joy and Pain of Aging with New Single ‘Catalpa’
Lawrence, Kansas-based folk-rockers The Roseline released “Catalpa” on October 22nd. It’s the latest single from their upcoming full-length record Constancy, out this Friday.
In their latest single, The Roseline blend folk sensibilities with some rather un-folk sounds. The combination creates a mellow atmosphere over which they lay the lyrics. The slow tempo, spacey synths, and brushed drums make this the kind of song that you can kick back and relax to. The guitar work and vocals bring to mind solid folk-rock acts of the past. Overall, It’s a nice-sounding song. However, the track contains plenty of relatable pain for those of us of a certain age.
Lyrically, The Roseline spin a yarn about growing up and getting old in a college town. Being from Lawrence, Kansas, home of the Jayhawks, it’s something they know about. “Catalpa” doesn’t have a chorus. However, the two verses are clearly defined by the emotion behind them.
In the opening verse, The Roseline talks about laughing at the kids being loud, irreverent, and irresponsible. I think if you’re over 30, you’ve been there. These damn kids and their weird pants and noise music are as funny to us as we were to the generation before us. Furthermore, life was so much more complicated back then. They nail this down near the end of the verse. “Couldn’t pay me to go back/ To black-out curtains and curses of panic attacks.”
The second verse, though, focuses on missing the good old days. Sure, kids these days are laughable, but our generation really got it. We were cool. I don’t care how old you are, you’ve probably been there. That’s probably why we make fun of the youth because they make us remember just how old we are. Again, they take a few lines to really encapsulate that emotion. “Now I’m old and boring / Swollen and beholden to statuses / Of friends I hold dear.”
The Verdict on The Roseline’s New Single:
It’s a solid release that personally has me ready to check out Constancy this Friday. I love a well-written folk song and if you pulled out the synths and played it acoustic, “Catalpa” would be just that. The addition of the more modern production elevates rather than detracting from it, though.
If you dig this track, don’t expect an entire album of songs like it this Friday. In an interview with Buzz Music, The Roseline said “Catalpa” was an outlier on the album. They said it’s “…kind of a breather moment in the sequencing of the album tracks. It explores similar existential quandaries seen elsewhere on Constancy but also has a little humor thrown in too.”
If you enjoyed “Catalpa” you should check out the other single from Constancy, “Seven Hundred Second Chances” it’s another well-written folk song with the addition of some sounds that don’t line up with traditional folk music. I sense a theme between the two, and I hope this sound extends into the remainder of Constancy. The Roseline is a band to keep your eyes on.
Izabela Izycka
Izabela Izycka; She has a name that is hard to pronounce, and a beauty that is even harder to obtain. Izycka is from Poland, but now calls Los Angeles her home. She is a popular social figure and content creator. Currently, she has is growing her followers on her Tik Tok and Onlyfans page.
Izabela absolutely loves traveling and spending time with her friends. Most recently, she was in the sun drenched coastal beach of Italy for a photoshoot. Cochella, Spain and Paris are just a handful of locales that she has been to. Her modeling career necessitates a jet-set lifestyle, as she frequently in front of the lens.
Check out her social media links
The Before And After Effects Of The Gruden/Raiders Conundrum
The Before And After Effects Of The Gruden/Raiders Conundrum
The 2021 NFL season has had it all, both positive and sadly, negative episodes. Yes, we’re talking about you Jon Gruden. Now, we could talk about which teams have been looking like the best fits for Las Vegas NFL odds experts, maybe talk about which coaches are sitting on the edge of being handed their walking papers, or even which players are making a strong case to be considered early MVP candidates. But no, we can leave that for another day. For now, let’s focus on what surely has been the most surprising talking point, at least from a social perspective that this new NFL season has given football fans around the world, the Jon Gruden email scandal.
What was of the Las Vegas Raiders before the scandal, and what awaits the team as they continue to move forward, trying to forget this dreadful episode in their history? Let’s take a look.
The 2021 Season Started Out Amazing For The Raiders
It’s 2021 and yet here we are talking about how social justice warriors, virtue signaling from keyboard commandos, and cancel culture are still ruining the way in which we live our day to day lives. In the NFL, while there have been scattered episodes of cancel culture, the league has usually been quick to acknowledge it but focus on the sport. But sadly, what happened this season with former Las Vegas Raiders head coach Jon Gruden, goes to prove that to this day, the battle against social justice warriors, virtue signaling and cancel culture is still far from over.
Gruden, who was in the third year of his famous 10-year, 100-million-dollar deal as head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders was looking like he was finally ready to make the Raiders a championship contending team. He was able to revive Raiders QB Derek Carr’s career, he managed to form a roster full of a perfect mix of seasoned veterans and up and coming young football stars and he did this all while the team moved from Oakland to Las Vegas. Gruden had everything going for him, especially after Las Vegas started the season undefeated and they were being touted as one of the most exciting teams in the league. But then safe space mob lynched him.
Then The Emails Came
Earlier in October, emails that Gruden had sent the former Washington Football Team general manager Bruce Allen from 2011 all the way to 2018 where he used a plethora of comments that triggered some people as well as showcasing behaviors within those same traits, surfaced. The emails, which were found after the NFL had an investigation over workplace misconduct complaints on Washington’s team be put into place, brought Gruden’s career to a screeching halt, with him resigning from his post as Raiders coach days after the emails were found and released. This brought the Raiders team to fall into a spiral of disbelief, disappointment and confusion, especially since the architect of their amazing start of the season was now gone because his choice of words offended some professional victims.
It goes without saying that as soon as all the information surfaced, both the team and the league, as well as Gruden’s former team, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who he helped lead to a Super Bowl victory in 2002 all were quick to part ways with anything regarding themselves and the Hall of Fame coach. As of recently, Gruden was also vanished from Madden 22. Cancel culture knows no limits and no one is safe.
New Look Raiders
After the whole Gruden email incident died down, it was time for the Las Vegas Raiders to pick up where they left off and try to continue to make the 2021 season, one where still being taken as a contender for a significant playoff run is in the horizon. The first move made by the Raiders, and one which has proven to be very positive and rewarding for everyone involved, is the promotion of former assistant coach Rich Bisaccia to interim head coach.
Bisaccia, who is a veteran of the football sidelines, both in college and in the pros, is one of the most respected assistants in the league, and his promotion to interim head coach of the Raiders feels like the perfect dose of good news and feels that the Las Vegas team were in dire needs of getting. With Bisaccia in charge, the Raiders bounced back from a two-game losing streak to win their next two and still hold first place of their division, with rivals like the Los Angeles Chargers, Kansas City Chiefs, and Denver Broncos all trailing behind. What’s left here is for the Raiders to continue shaping up to be a postseason contender and if all goes well, Bisaccia staying with the Raiders head coaching job permanently.
The Most Important Rock ‘n’ Roll Hotspots in LA
The Most Important Rock ‘n’ Roll Hotspots in LA
Fans of rock and roll have no shortage of historical landmarks and hotspots around the country to visit. From iconic recording studios and famous venues to after-hours spots and the eateries that catered to touring bands, there are plenty of locations to visit and grab a photo. In this article, we’ll share some of the most important rock and roll hotspots in and around Los Angeles, California.
Capitol Records Building
Constructed to resemble a stack of records sitting on a turntable, the iconic Capitol Records Building is home to its record label – Capitol Records – as well as many of the recording studios for Capitol Studios. While it’s not typically open to the public, visitors are welcome to take photos in front of the building. Known to host recording sessions with its artists, just a few who have performed there include Frank Sinatra, Paul McCartney, Nat King Cole, The Beach Boys, Green Day, the Goo Goo Dolls, and The Beastie Boys.
RockWalk
While many tourists enjoy walking the famous Hollywood Walk Of Fame to see the sidewalk stars dedicated to their favorite celebrities, there is also a RockWalk where you’ll find handprints and plaques honoring famous rock musicians. Here you’ll find the handprints for rock and roll stars such as Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, Jimi Hendrix, Van Halen, KISS, The Cure, ZZ Top, Def Leppard, AC/DC, and Aerosmith.
Canter’s Deli
After a long day of touring the city, it’s always good to find a great spot to eat. Opened in 1953, Canter’s Deli has a long and proud history with rock and roll music. In its early days, it was a favorite spot for many entertainment industry leaders and key players, which continues today. The Jewish-style deli is open 24 hours a day except on Jewish High Holidays. The deli also has a bar called the Kibbitz Room that regularly books bands to perform. The next time you’re in town, get a table at Canter’s to enjoy a quality sandwich while checking out the history told on the walls.
Canter’s Deli adds to the rich rock and roll history of Los Angeles and has been a staple in the local community for decades. If you’re thinking about relocating to the city, search Los Angeles homes for sale to find an ideal neighborhood that’s close to your favorite attractions.
Whiskey A Go Go
For over 50 years, Whiskey A Go Go has been a launching pad for many of the most well-known rock stars. Located in West Hollywood, this famous nightclub has hosted The Doors, Janis Joplin, Van Halen, Guns N’ Roses, and Mötley Crüe just to name a few. If you’ve ever been to a club and seen go-go dancers hoisted high in the air performing in cages then you have Whiskey A Go Go to thank for that.
Amoeba Music
As one of the largest record stores in the world, Amoeba Music is considered to be a musical mecca by its most loyal fans and shoppers. Customers can find their favorite music selections, DVDs, games, posters, and other related merchandise. From time to time the store even hosts live shows for its patrons to enjoy while they shop. In fact, in 2007 Paul McCartney surprised shoppers with an unannounced live performance and recorded the EP Amoeba’s Secrets during the show.
These are just a few of the many important rock and roll hotspots found around Los Angeles. Make sure to add these spots to your itinerary the next time you’re visiting the city.
Claire Crenshaw
Mega MILF, Claire Crenshaw, is the Slickster Girl of the week. This stunner has recently been featured on Barstool Sports and Sports Illustrated.
All American girl, Claire Crenshaw, embodies all that guys want. She is a super mommy/wifey and super model wrapped up into one package. Crenshaw takes care of business at home as well as manage her successful modeling career. Recently she was the face of Barstool Sports, and also featured in Sports Illustrated.
Because Crenshaw is an accomplished woman, she naturally attracts a strong man. Unlike most of the losers that read Slickster Magazine, Claire attached herself to baseball pitcher. So maybe if you can develop the discipline and regimen to hone your sports skills to pro-levels, you might be able to hit a homerun with some like her.
BELLATOR MMA 269: FEDOR VS. JOHNSON
THE ‘GREATEST OF ALL-TIME’ FEDOR EMELIANENKO TO CHALLENGE NO. 2 HEAVYWEIGHT TIM JOHNSON. AT BELLATOR MMA 269: FEDOR VS. JOHNSON AT VTB ARENA IN MOSCOW, RUSSIA.
LOS ANGELES (Oct. 12, 2021) – Capping a historic month of exceptional BELLATOR MMA action, Russian heavyweight legend Fedor Emelianenko (39-6, 1 NC) will make his highly anticipated return to the cage following a nearly 22-month absence when he squares off against No. 2-ranked contender Tim Johnson (15-7) at BELLATOR MMA 269: Fedor vs. Johnson Saturday, Oct. 23, at 3 p.m. ET live on SHOWTIME. In the co-featured bout inside the VTB Arena in Moscow, Russia, former BELLATOR Heavyweight Champion Vitaly Minakov (22-1) will return to combat for the first time in more than two years when he faces No. 8-ranked Said Sowma (7-2).
SHOWTIME will televise the fantastic four-fight BELLATOR MMA 269: Fedor vs. Johnson main card live at 3 p.m. ET. Additionally, all eight must-watch preliminary fights will stream live three hours earlier at Noon ET on the BELLATOR MMA YouTube channel, SHOWTIME Sports YouTube channel and Pluto TV.
Tickets for BELLATOR MMA 269: Fedor vs. Johnson are currently on sale at Kassir.ru.
Hailing from Belgorod Oblast, Russia, the 45-year-old Emelianenko is widely regarded as the greatest heavyweight in mixed martial arts history. Sporting first-round knockouts in three of his last four BELLATOR MMA contests, the former PRIDE heavyweight champion has shown no signs of winding down a celebrated career. In his most recent fight against Quinton “Rampage” Jackson on Dec. 19, 2019, at BELLATOR MMA 237, Emelianenko once again proved that age is just a number when he dismantled the former UFC champion at 2:44 of the opening round.
Fighting out of Las Vegas, Nev., Johnson has defeated three of his last four opponents, including two by opening-round knockout. Prior to his interim title loss to Valentin Moldavsky at BELLATOR MMA 261, the Minnesota-born southpaw tore his way through the 265-pound division with victories over Cheick Kongo and Tyrell Fortune. The 36-year-old Johnson hopes to continue his ascent toward a heavyweight world title as he challenges an MMA icon fighting in front of his Russian compatriots for the first time in five years.
Rounding out the four-bout SHOWTIME telecast will be the previously mentioned co-main event between former Heavyweight World Champion Minakov and Sowma, Team Fedor’s Anatoly Tokov vs. Sharaf Davlatmurodov in a middleweight clash, and undefeated Russian phenom Usman Nurmagomedov (13-0) vs. Patrik Pietila (11-8). A previously scheduled bout between No. 8-ranked Andrey Koreshkov (24-4) vs. Rustam Khabilov (24-4) has been cancelled due to an undisclosed injury.
Sharing a lifelong dream of fighting together in front of friends and family, brothers Anatoly and Vladimir Tokov (6-1) will compete on the same card for the third time. The brothers are undefeated when competing at the same event with each having achieved victories at BELLATOR 218 and BELLATOR 229. With three of his six professional victories coming by way of stoppage, Vladimir will make his fourth consecutive BELLATOR MMA appearance in a lightweight scrap against the explosive Aymard Guih (15-11-1). Additionally, sibling middleweight brawler Anatoly Tokov (29-2), fresh off a pair of impressive finishes, is eager to put the 185-pound class on notice when he takes on hard-hitting Russian Sharaf Davlatmurodov (18-3-1).
BELLATOR MMA 269: FEDOR VS. JOHNSON MAIN CARD:
SHOWTIME (U.S.) | OKKO (RUS) | BBC iPlayer (U.K.) | Virgin Media Sport (IRELAND)
Saturday, Oct. 23 – 10 p.m. MSK / 8 p.m. BST / 3 p.m. ET
Heavyweight Main Event: Fedor Emelianenko (39-6, 1 NC) vs. No. 2 Tim Johnson (15-7)
Heavyweight Co-Main Event: Vitaly Minakov (22-1) vs. No. 8 Said Sowma (7-2)
160-Pound Contract Weight Bout: No. 6 Usman Nurmagomedov (13-0) vs. Patrik Pietila (11-8)
Middleweight Bout: Anatoly Tokov (29-2) vs. Sharaf Davlatmurodov (18-3-1)
PRELIMINARY CARD
BELLATOR MMA YouTube channel | SHOWTIME Sports YouTube channel | Pluto TV (US)
OKKO (RUS) | BBC iPlayer (UK) | Virgin Media Sport (IRELAND)
7 p.m. MSK / 5 p.m. BST / 12 p.m. ET
Heavyweight Bout: Kirill Sidelnikov (12-6) vs. Rab Truesdale (10-7-1)
Lightweight Bout: Vladimir Tokov (6-1) vs. Aymard Guih (15-11-1)
Flyweight Bout: Darina Mazdyuk (4-1) vs. Katarzyna Sadura (4-4)
Flyweight Bout: Irina Alekseeva (3-1) vs. Stephanie Page (5-2)
Bantamweight Bout: Brian Moore (14-7) vs. Nikita Mikhailov (7-1)
Welterweight Bout: Grachik Bozinyan (11-4) vs. Alexey Shurkevich (12-4)
Featherweight Bout: Aiden Lee (9-5) vs. Alexander Osetrov (8-2-1)
Featherweight Bout: Gadzhi Rabadanov (16-4-1) vs. Alexander Belikh (9-4)
*Card subject to change.
Updated schedule of BELLATOR events
Sat. Oct. 16 // BELLATOR 268: Light Heavyweight World Grand Prix Semifinals // Footprint Center // Phoenix, AZ
Sat. Oct. 23 // BELLATOR 269: Fedor vs. Johnson // VTB Arena // Moscow, Russia
Fri. Nov. 5 // BELLATOR 270: Queally vs. Pitbull 2 // 3Arena // Dublin, Ireland
Fri. Nov. 12 // BELLATOR 271: Cyborg vs. Kavanagh // Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino // Hollywood, FL
About BELLATOR
BELLATOR MMA is a leading global mixed martial arts organization featuring many of the best fighters in the world. Under the direction of veteran fight promoter Scott Coker, BELLATOR events take place in major cities worldwide and can be seen on television in over 160 countries to an available audience of over one billion people. In the United States, BELLATOR can be seen on SHOWTIME. BELLATOR is comprised of an executive team that includes top industry professionals in television production, live event orchestration, fighter development/relations, venue procurement, sponsorship creation/development, international licensing, marketing, advertising, publicity, and commission relations. BELLATOR is based in Hollywood, Calif. and owned by entertainment giant ViacomCBS, home to the world’s premier entertainment brands that connect with audiences through compelling content across television, motion picture, online and mobile platforms.
Cashavelly Morrison Takes a New Shape with ‘Metamorphosis’
Cashavelly Morrison’s new album Metamorphosis is aptly named. With this release, Morrison steps out of the trappings of Americana that brought her acclaim in the past. Those familiar with her 2015 record The Kingdom Belongs to a Child know her sound was once tenuously rooted in Appalachian-tinged Americana. The West Virginia native blended the sounds of her home with indie sensibilities and a dash of world music for extra flavor. With this new album, Morrison created an ethereal listening experience.
Cashavelly Morrison Calls You Into the Dark
Cashavelly Morrison’s earlier releases brought to mind the hills and hollers of West Virginia. However, Metamorphosis brings to mind dark forests and cold winds. There’s something of deep-rooted mountain magic in the modern and surreal-sounding tracks on this album. Morrison’s voice floats through those dark forests, riding the cold gusts like a mournful ghost, calling in curious passers-by. Cashavelly tempts listeners to follow her into the mysterious world just beyond her sonic tree line. Metamorphosis may seem like alien territory – uncharted and strange – to those who enjoyed her earlier releases. However, the journey into the shadowed world of the record is a rewarding one.
However, you don’t need to be familiar with anything Cashavelly Morrison did in the past to take that journey. Those going in blind might compare Morrison’s vocals to Sarah McLachlan or Tori Amos. There’s a difference there. The spirits of Appalachia’s Celtic forebears twist their way through her voice. At the same time, there’s a haunting sorrow to nearly every note on the album that makes this record the perfect soundtrack to a gloomy fall day or a passionate night lit only by flickering candles.
In Metamorphosis, Cashavelly Morrison lays her voice over a dreamlike soundscape. For most of the album, the guitar is front-and-center. At times, like in “Rafters,” you’ll hear a steel guitar that harkens to her previous releases. Even then, it is draped in effects that lend a dark, dreamy, almost surreal sound to the instrument.
Highlights from Metamorphosis
This album had me utterly entranced from the moment I clicked play. If you just turn the album on and let it go, it all blends together. I mean that in a positive sense. It only builds on the feeling of being called to a dark, mysterious, and undisturbed place. However, after a couple of listens, I can pick a couple of favorite tracks.
Hounds
I compared Cashavelly Morrison’s voice to Tori Amos before. “Hounds” really highlights the comparison. At the same time, it seems most lyrically steeped in the shadowed woods of West Virginia. There’s a hint of old mountain magic in the lyrics. When she sings about personal cures and territory lines, it brings to mind rootworkers in the hills. That, laid over the modern and ethereal-sounding instrumentation makes this song one of the most haunting on the record.
Match Me
“Match Me,” opens with a riff that reminds me of the earlier days of grunge rock. That riff continues and blends with the synth and drums to create a driving yet dreamy backdrop for Cashavelly Morrison’s voice.
Lyrically, it’s kind of a love song. However, it’s not all hearts and rainbows. Instead, it’s a demand for vulnerability from the other half of the relationship. At the same time, it’s a celebration of the strength one can find in vulnerability. The line, “Show me your weakness and you’ll be stronger,” really brings that side of the message to a fine point.
There’s also a tantalizing dark sensuality to “Match Me.” Some of the lyrics are laced with double entendres that lend a more carnal subtext. Much like many relationships, it starts with the physical and unfurls into the deeply emotional. That is, however, just my interpretation.
Should You Check out Metamorphosis by Cashavelly Morrison?
The short answer to that is yes. Yes, you should. Metamorphosis is packed with emotional and poetic writing. Morrison’s voice is stellar and her band lays the perfect backdrop for it. If you need something slow, dark, and dreamy this album is definitely for you.
Check it out on Spotify. If you’d rather have a physical copy, you can grab the double LP vinyl or a CD from Morrison’s website.
Cynthia Tran
You are your longest commitment in this life & you owe it to yourself to put you first,” says Tran. She believes in contact improvement. Feeling better about herself helps her to support others.
Her favorite foods are seafood, sushi and Asian food.
Ashes in Sapphire – From Twilight to Light
From Twilight to Light Review
Overcoming fear is a central theme of new progressive metal album.
Cristhian Zambrano left his native Venezuela six years ago. Socio-political upheaval in the South American country was epically dire then. According to Zambrano, it’s only gotten worse.
Zambrano, age 28, is an ambitious young musician. His inaugural album, From Twilight to Light, was released on February 26, 2021. The main theme of the lyrics are overcoming fear.
Twilight contains nine tracks of original progressive rock music. Many of the tracks are over six minutes in length, with the titular epic, “From Twilight to Light” crossing into twelve minute territory. While Zambrano, in true DIY spirit, composed, produced and performed every instrument on the album, there are handful of guest artists on the album as well.
The entire project was more than a four years journey in the making. Any creative endeavor worth undertaking has emotional highs and lows in it. Zambrano felt these wide ranges of emotion while crafting Twilight. At times he struggled to find fellow musicians whose passion rivaled his own.
Zambrano says, “I started writing maybe four years ago in my free time, until I felt I had a good amount of music. But I was lacking guitars, bass parts and vocals. So, I tried to find local singers, but I couldn’t find anyone who was committed enough for the job. In the end I decided to learn how to sing and do it myself.”
Keyboards are Zambrano’s primary instrument. A variety of different synth and piano sounds form the backbone of Twilight, however catchy guitar hooks and grungy picked bass is also present. Track eight on Twilight, really encapsulates the keyboard work and production values that Zambrano poured into the album. The album tends to favor moods and atmospheres over speed, power or tempo.
While a native Spanish speaker, the lyrics of Twilight are in English. Zambrano comments, “Most of the songs lyrics are about overcoming fear in various situations. The last song, “From Twilight To Light”, always felt to me like a journey so I waited until I felt I had a good concept for the lyrics.”
Zambrano further elaborates on the meaning of the album and how he came up with the name.
“I was asking a friend about her opinion on the songs and while we were talking the sun came down,” Zambrano said. “I finally got the name for the album. Soon after that it made sense that missing lyric was in the name of the album.”
Twilight was released independently. It is available for purchase on Ashes In Sapphire’s Bandcamp page. There is no set price for Twilight. A “name your price” is an option, and buying the album helps musicians like Zambrano continue to create new music.
Zambrano acknowledges the struggle for musicians, especially those from his native Venezuela.
Protests in Venezuela soared to a fever pitch in 2015, which is when Zambrano left the country. Citing high levels of criminal violence, inflation, and chronic scarcity of basic goods, many Venezuelans took to the streets.
“I left the country about 6 years ago, so I can only talk about the time I was there,” said Zambrano. “However since the situation in the country has gone worse, the music scene has declined as well. Many musicians had fled the country in order to pursue their passion.”
Zambrano continues, “Those (musicians) who stayed in Venezuela are without streaming services such as Spotify or Apple Music. These are platforms to which most other Latin American musicians have access. The diversity of options for new projects in the country are limited.”
Sol Navan
Sol Navan is the Slickster Girl of the Week. Each week we feature one rising star that focuses on health and beauty. With Navan’s fitness background and her upbeat attitude, she was an obvious choice. She works out five to six time per week and enjoys challenging new exercises. Her workout partners all claim that is so hard to keep up with.
