Rock concerts have become a cornerstone of American culture. They symbolize the decline of formality in mid-20th century society, and their appeal has spread around the globe.
At this sold-out show at the Welmont Theater in Montclair, New Jersey, two bands that are shaping their generation came together for an evening of raw, hard-driving rock.
Toxic Holocaust
Oregon thrasher band Toxic Holocaust is one of the most influential rock acts in its genre. Started by guitarist and vocalist Joel Grind as a one-man project, they soon expanded to include backing live acts. Toxic Holocaust has earned a devoted fan base thanks to their unique style of music and high-energy performances. While classified as classic thrash metal, members also enjoy synth tracks and other genres outside the genre. Joel Grind, bassist and vocalist for Toxic Holocaust, has released synth tracks under the moniker War Ripper and has also created side projects such as Yellowgoat Sessions and The Sodom Project. You can check out their latest video for “New World Beyond” below along with all their upcoming tour dates!
Sacred Reich
Since 1985, Sacred Reich has been an essential element in the thrash metal scene. They were part of the second wave along with Testament, Death Angel, Destruction and Dark Angel; during their 38-year career the band has toured around the world performing at numerous major venues and festivals around the world. Additionally they have earned numerous accolades and awards such as the esteemed Golden Reel award and Metal Blade reissue label.
After a brief hiatus from 2000 to 2006, the band has managed to resurface as a live act. Their latest addition is guitarist Joey Radziwill who joined after playing for another local Phoenix band. Throughout the course of their gig, he demonstrated his talents with some impressive snare rolls and intense solos.
The band has released an array of high-quality albums over the years and always find the right time to perform. Many shows are intimate affairs where fans from around the world come together. If you’re a fan of thrash metal, be sure to mark your calendar for their next big time show!
Journey
Journey has been a force in music for decades, dominating radio playlists and arena rock concerts worldwide. From their early albums to their current lineup, Journey continues to release albums that seamlessly combine rock anthems with creative songwriting.
The group has released 25 studio albums and scored 25 top 40 hits, making them one of the world’s best-selling bands ever. Their music can be heard on television shows, sports games and concerts around the globe.
Steve Perry joined San Francisco-based band in the mid-1970s and brought with them a more melodic style of rock. Their early albums featured jazz fusion and progressive elements, but ultimately their sound was defined by Perry’s soulful voice.
Over the course of 14 years, Journey underwent several lineup changes as they rose to become an acclaimed touring and recording act. While its core members — guitarist Neal Schon, keyboardist Jonathan Cain, bassist Ross Valory and drummer Deen Castronovo — changed frequently throughout this time period, Journey never lost its drive or ambition.
In 2008, Arnel Pineda – a Filipino singer whom Schon had discovered while watching him perform the Journey ballad “Faithfully” online – joined them as frontman and has been with them ever since, releasing their most recent album Freedom in 2022.
On stage, Pineda’s upbeat show provides a welcome break from Schon and Cain’s more subdued performances. He pats Schon on the back, fist bumps Cain, claps along with the band and stays long after they have left to take selfies and sign autographs for fans.
When not performing, Pineda takes his band on tour to record albums and thank fans who have helped make them successful. These efforts have produced several documentary films and cemented Pineda’s place as one of concert industry’s most sought-after artists.
Journey has sold more than 48 million albums worldwide, cementing themselves as one of the top selling bands in America and inspiring musicians around the world with powerful, memorable anthems. Recently inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Journey plans to release their new album Freedom in 2022.