SHOW REVIEW: Saint Asonia (08/28/2015)

September 4, 2015 MelodicEnmity 0 All Posts, Bands, Blog News, Events, Hard Rock, Melodic, Metal, Reviews,

Saint Asonia – Live @ Starland Ballroom – August 28^th, 2015 – Coverage By: MelodicEnmity

What could be better than spending a Friday night with Saint Asonia, rock’s latest super-group created by some of my favorite musicians? Well, maybe by adding a couple of extra great bands to the bill such as Red Sun Rising and Saving Abel to fill out the night. That’d do it.

08/28/2015 was the show to see at Starland Ballroom, located in Sayreville, NJ. This concert was actually put together and sponsored by local rock radio stations, 105.5 WDHA and 95.5 WRAT, as a one-off date for each of these bands, as each one of them are currently out on their own respective tours.

Red Sun Rising:

Not newcomers to the rock scene, but newcomers to record label Razor & Tie, Red Sun Rising are phenomenal. If you listen to Octane on Sirius/XM, I am sure you have heard their single “The Otherside” by now. What a tight performance live, tons of energy, and man can Mike Protich wail on vocals. I highly suggest you pick up their label debut “Polyester Zeal” now!

Setlist:

1) Push

2) My Muse

3) The Otherside

4) Amnesia

5) Blister

6) Emotionless

7) Imitation

Saving Abel:

Okay, here’s where some of you may hate me, but I will just come out and say it. I am honestly not a fan of the new direction Saving Abel is going with singer Scotty Austin. Not that I feel that he is a bad vocalist, quite the opposite actually…something just does not click. Oh well, simply my opinion. But, to give credit where credit is due. They do put on one hell of a live show. They know how to bring it, how to distribute energy evenly on stage, and through the crowd. That is what impresses me most about Saving Abel. I may not be into their latest music, but they still keep pulling out tricks that could impress even the most cynical of cynics.

Setlist (Cut due to technical difficulties):

1) Drowning (Face Down)

2) 18 Days

3) The Sex Is Good

4) Addicted

Saint Asonia:

What can be said about Saint Asonia that has not already been said about Staind, Three Days Grace, Finger Eleven, Eye Empire…? That’s right, pretty much nothing. All of those bands were some of the finest specimens in modern rock industry, period. And, if that was not enough, you take some of the best musicians from those bands and place them into one singularity? Mind…blown. Saint Asonia is the culmination of decades of experience and mastery rolled up into one tightly knit and executed outfit. There is really nothing I can criticize regarding the performance. IT WAS FLAWLESS…well, besides a couple of lyrical mistakes, but we’re all human. Half the time I screw up my own name, and I’ve been practicing that my entire life!

To describe Saint Asonia: You have Mike Mushok’s almost psychotic (in a good way, of course) stage presence and energy from Staind. Adam Gontier’s pitch perfect, grungy, and heartfelt vocals that can fill a room ten times the size that he is playing in. Rich Beddoe’s aggressive and charismatic style of drumming from back in the old school days of Finger Eleven is back. Finally, you have Corey Lowery of Eye Empire, Stereomud, Dark New Day, who has been on so many great records with his creative and flowing bass lines; leading to my final conclusion that Saint Asonia is not as much a super group, but more of a “dream team.”

During the set, Adam Gontier made it clear to everybody that Saint Asonia is not just another super group, like another passing fad. He wanted the fans to know that they are here to stay. Saint Asonia are here to make more records, here to keep on touring, and here to keep building up to name. To tell you the truth, I’m glad, as I want to see more from Saint Asonia!