Falling Rocks: The 2018 Platinum Vinyl Awards 1st Qtr - Rock

Rock Music is next as we count up the Pool Releases for the First Quarter of 2018. From now on we exceed the "Finals" every time.

Rock Music

• Ashes Remain - Let The Light In
• Boiling Point - Take Courage
• Carrollton - Everything or Nothing
• Emery - Revival: Emery Classics Re-Imagined
• Evanescence - Synthesis
• New Morrow - Ride On
• Skillet - Feel Invincible Remix
• Skillet - Unleashed Beyond

Metal is next. Until then, I am Awaiting Your Reply

Music Video Monday: Speak To Me

Welcome Back to Music Video Monday. We have been on an irregular schedule these days, but we are slowly getting regular. The best way to do these things is one day at a time.

We begin with a Lyric Video from Ashes Remain. They will be kicking off #PlatVnyl9 with the release of Let The Night In on October 27. This is RISE.
You RISE in the Morning, when there is Lights. Val is back with Skin and Earth, and she  took the Kevin Max route by combining a Graphic Novel with an Album in a concept album. I have been posting the videos as I find them. This is New Fears. Skin and Earth dropped last Friday. Go get it.
And finally, our favorite goth girl is back.  Amy Lee (aka Evanescence) is coming out of retirement once again. While the band will be back for a best of String sessions entitled Synthesis this November, Amy has been busy on her own. The video is Speak To Me, and it is the end title sequence song for the movie Voice From The Stone. Now the Movie was back in April, and it was the end of the movie, but if anyone left the theater while Amy was singing, I just don't want to know you. You just have no music appreciation. Check it out.
That's the end of this edition of Music Video Monday. One step at a time. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Heating It Up: Platinum Vinyl Awards 4th Quarter Nominees - Rock

We finally come to the end of the genre based nominees for this quarter with Rock. Again, we were well represented. Eleven entries for this one too.

Platinum Vinyl Awards 4th Quarter Nominees

Like I Said, nearly a dozen entries. This is good. Even though it makes my job a lot more difficult, I like it when the genre's are well represented.

Rock

• Ashes Remain - What I've Become
• Downhere - On the Altar of Love
• For King and Country - For King and Country EP (D)
• Icon For Hire - Scripted
• Manic Drive - Epic
• Maylene & The Sons of Disaster - IV
• Needtobreathe - The Reckoning
• Rapture Ruckus - Open Your Eyes
• Rush of Fools - We Once Were
• Switchfoot - Vice Verses (5)
• Heather Williams - This Time Around (5)

We had Two Perfect 5's this time around with Switchfoot and Heather Williams. Now that things are finished it's time to put every entry in the pool and start whittling them down. I know I am only in my second year but I'm already thinking of mixing things up, maybe making up a fan survey to see who you think makes the grade. But that can wait. Please feel free to make your thoughts known in the comments. As always, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

White Hot "Ashes" Can Still Burn Down The House

Ashes Remain may not be a household name, but they are not the new kid on the block either. What I've Become is the bands third CD (actually Red Devotion is an EP), but this marks the Major Label Debut of the band, although I have only heard of Fair Trade Services very recently. They do seem to have signed a lot of Christian Bands. A few by way of Example would be Addison Road, Caedmon's Call, Disciple, Mercy Me, and The Afters.

Actually, it is no surprise to me that this band is on the same "Label" as Disciple. They have the same Southern Rock feel. You feel the guitars and bass.  Also, I was slightly amused that I did a review of Icon For Hire with Ariel singing that She's gonna Burn the Theatre Down and if you want a show you can follow the ashes, and then I follow it up with Ashes Remain.

Handle These Ashes With Care

The Band kicks it off with the rocking Keep Me Breathing, which should be a fan favorite, even if it wasn't the first radio single. Take it Away has a definite Kutless vibe with a hint of Disciple.

If you're ready to rock, then Ashes Remain is for you. I am giving What I've become 4.5 Emeralds. This happened last year as well. A lot of good stuff comes in just as eligibility is coming to an end. If that keeps going a lot is going to be unrecognized, but the cream should rise to the top. Until next time I am Awaiting Your Reply.