Seether capture The Paramount Huntington, NY 5-6-15 w/ Tremonti & Red Sun Rising

Following a successful co-headlining Winter tour with Papa Roach, South African Hard Rock band Seether returned to the road for a twenty-one date Spring North American headlining  tour.  Beginning on April 24th down in Charlotte, NC, the tour is scheduled to wind down on May 23rd in Maryland Heights, MO, with plenty of excitement along the way. Originally formed under the name Saron Gas back in 1999, Seether took the Hard Rock scene by storm with the release of their 2002 Wind-up Records debut, Disclaimer, but it was not until two years later that the re-released edition of the album, entitled Disclaimer II, that the band would reach a new height in the mainstream. Combining an aggressive and moody mix of Grunge, Rock, and Metal, Seether proved they were more than a one-trick pony in the years to follow with a growth in their sound from album to album. Never wanting to be pigeonholed into a mold of what people would expect from them, the band continued their growth with 2014’s Isolate and Medicate, and fans all over North America welcomed the chance to hear the new material live, along with some of their favorite Seether tunes from the past. Making their third trip to The Paramount in Huntington, NY on Wednesday May 6th, the tour buses rolled into town along with special guest Tremonti and Red Tide Rising.

First to the stage was Akron, OH newcomers Red Sun Rising. Recently signed with Razor & Tie in 2014, the band is working with producer Bob Marlette (Black Sabbath, Shinedown, Seether) for their debut studio album, Polyester Zeal, due out August 7th. Originally comprised as a three-piece Rock band, consisting of Mike Protich (vocals/guitar), Ryan Williams (guitar) and Tyler Valendza (guitar), the band has added Ricky Miller (bass/vocals). Fresh off a tour with Pop Evil in late 2014, this opening slot for Seether is just another step in a positive direction for the band. Coming out full of energy and an Old School Rock-n-Roll sound, the band played a powerful set of their original tunes including “Emotionless” and their latest single “The Otherside.” Protich possessed a strong stage presence, and a voice that shined bright as the guitars of Williams and Valendza provided melodic textures with a hard edge. Their sound can best be described as a throwback to Classic Alternative Hard Rock with dark undertones that are vastly different than what trends are dictating in 2015. Those new to Red Sun Rising need to check these guys out as they continue to spread the word across the country, gearing up for the release of their major label debut. They will be hitting the road with Nothing More through June so catch them out.

Next up was special guest Tremonti, who joined up with the tour the day prior up in Niagara Falls, NY. Scheduled for an appearance on only a handful of dates, The Paramount was very fortunate to be one of the shows the band would be performing. Originally begun back in 2011 as a side-project for former Creed and current Alter Bridge lead guitar Mark Tremonti, the band, named simply Tremonti, released their debut album All I Was in 2012. While Tremonti began to show a different side of his guitar playing upon forming Alter Bridge back in 2004, this project is vastly different than anything the guitarist has done prior. Joining up with Eric Friedman on guitar/backing vocals, Garrett Whitlock on drums, and Tanner Keegan as their touring bassist, the band hit the road in support of their forthcoming studio album, Cauterize. 

Relatively new to some fans’ ears, the moment Tremonti and the band began with “Brains,” the momentary somber guitar notes gave way to thrashing riffs that blew everyone away. With Tremonti on lead guitar as well as vocals, he continued to blister with the songs like “You Waste Your Time,” new song “Flying Monkeys,” and thoughtful “The Things I’ve Seen.” Showing his clear influence from Thrash bands like Testament, Overkill, and everything in between, Tremonti’s riffs were razor sharp while his band proved to be tight and powerful. Playing on with more new tracks to tempt the senses of listeners, they played on with songs like “Cauterize,” “Another Heart,” before completing the set with “Decay” and “Wish You Well.” Thankful for the audience’s support, Tremonti promised to make an appearance by the back bar after the band’s set and he and Friedman, Whitlock, and Keegan did just that as a massive line of fans waited for a opportunity to meet the accomplished guitarist. Tremonti continue on their touring with headlining dates in cities across the US, including their NYC show held a few days after this show on May 11th. Do not miss a chance to see the band live, it is a Hard Rock experience worth having.

Moving the night along at a steady pace, Seether came after a brief intermission. With the floor packed tight full of anxious fans ready to indulge in a set with Seether, some were overheard speaking of past Seether concerts over the recent years where the band has been very generous in visiting the Long Island area. Whether this was the first or fifth time some had seen the band, the overall mood was upbeat in the moments prior to the lights going down for Seether.

Saturated in blue and white lighting, Seether walked out, one by one, to take their positions, with lead vocalist Shaun Morgan standing stage left, bassist Dale Stewart down the center, guitarist Bryan Wickmann stage right, and drummer John Humphrey on a riser in front of the backdrop. Wasting no time to get the amps cranked up, they went into older tracks “Gasoline” before “Needles.” Both heavy hitting tracks filled with crunching guitars and polarized vocals, Morgan did a fantastic job of bringing the sober and angry tones to life, thus setting the mood for the rest of the performance. Going into the 2007 Finding Beauty in Negative Spaces track “Rise Above This,” the song still holds tremendous weight, written in the wake of Morgan’s brother tragic suicide that same year. The audience sang along with the words in an affectionate manner, perhaps having suffered their own loss at some point in their life, and finding hope in the song.

Keeping the positive energy flowing, the catchy, newer track, “Same Damn Life,” had the room moving back and forth as Morgan put his dynamic vocal range on display, going from high to low notes at ease. Taking fans deeper into the past, their signature “Fine Again” was greeted with a sea of cheers that silenced only to capture the ballad “Broken.” Perhaps two of the tracks which helped Seether launch into Rock stardom, they both still sound as fresh and relevant as they did over a decade ago. As a marker in the flow of the performance, it came time for a killer drum solo from Humphrey as he displayed stylistic flashes of Rock drum legends like KISS’ Peter Criss. Interacting with the audience and keeping their interest, the solo was executed perfectly as the groove of “My Disaster” followed. While Morgan remained deep within the trance of the music, Stewart bounced about, amping up the audience, while newest member Wickmann shouted in excitement with his hands in the air any chance he had. Going into the haunting track “Words As Weapons,” Seether continued to highlight a great assortment of tracks from Isolate and Medicate along with “Nobody Praying For Me,” but not before sandwiching in the twangy hit “Country Song.” Rightfully keeping the focus on the music, adrenaline was pumping as the set came to a dramatic ending with the anti-anthem duo of “Fake It” and “Remedy.” Resonating within the hearts of many, the chorus of each track was mirrored by thousands of voices back toward Seether which had the band smiling inside as they thanked everyone and exited.

Seether are a Rock band which continue to evolve and pave their own way. They are not afraid to take risks with their music, and Isolate and Medicate is evidence of such with the vastly broad range of sounds sprinkled throughout. That is why fans keep coming out to see this band and will continue to for years to come. There is no need for flashy stage antics, costumes, or explosions, Seether’s music speaks for itself, and that is why they are one of the most fantastic Rock concert experiences out there today.