During this Holiday season, why not make BlitzMas a yearly tradition? That’s right, there is no reason what so ever! If you are a metal or rock head, the freezing cold won’t matter to you.
BlitzMas 2016 at the Express Live! Venue on December 15, in downtown Columbus, hosted by our 99.7The Blitz station friends including: Loper, Randi, Nuber, Ronni, Hunter, Hales, Codi, Hagar, Baker and Joe.
Now, I want to give quick thanks to everyone who made this event possible for us rock lovers! Thanks to one of the event sponsors: Teleperformance, Thank you to The PromoWest company for giving a slot for the event at Express Live! And THANK YOU to all the amazing bands and talent for sharing a tour date with us in Columbus! Let’s get these holidays started!
Even though it was freezing outside, it got steamy hot when everyone entered the incredible Venue! The staff got everyone in safely, quickly and just in time for everyone to get their beverages to warm them up some!
This is one of the nicest venues I have been too in my experience. They have three levels that you can choose from; dance floor (in front of stage), floor (where you can stand and get drinks) and an upper level balcony where there is seating. The place was packed, but there were more people wanting to sit in the top balcony and I don’t blame them, those are great seats! However, if you want the energy exchange and experience, I recommend watching at the floor in front of the stage.
As everyone waits for Citizen Zero to go on, The Blitz members came out on stage and pumped us up for the first band of the night and threw out candy in the audience and if that didn’t pump us up, who came on the stage next surely did.
Here comes Citizen Zero! I swear that this band is way better live than any recording can do for them. Spend your money and get out there to see them live! When I say that they are better live, they really know how to connect to the crowd and stay on the same page with them. It’s easy to tell that they love their fans and appreciate them. During the set, the lead singer would bend down and pose for pictures and selfies with the crowd, while singing! Pretty rad, right?
The band definitely knew they were rad too ’cause you could tell that nothing could bring those guys down from playing on stage and they knew that they were way more than what some of the crowd expected. The singer said between songs “We are kicking this thing off right, aren’t we?” Oh hell yes they did!
The guitarist kept the same grin throughout the set but when he did a kickin’ solo, he would be cool and calm, but his grin expanded to an infectious level that took over the crowd, myself included!!
Their style can almost be categorized as one that stepped straight of out of the 70’s; however, it is more than style, it is a confidence of being themselves, and a confidence with which they surprised the crowd with the gift of a Ted Nugent “Stranglehold” cover! If anyone in that crowd wasn’t familiar with Citizen Zero, they were in love with them after that amazing performance! Take a listen!
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Here’s Bobaflex! This band was created in 1998 by brothers Shaun and Marty McCoy and both are guitars and vocals, Dave Tipple is also guitar/vocals, Tommy Johnson on the drums, and Jymmy Tolland on bass/vocals! I tell you what – this band is so rock hard! They could even rock you back to the 80’s! Bobaflex puts on an amazing show, showcasing their band comradery, reminiscent of old school 80’s rock shows.
Bobaflex put on a flashy show that makes you wanna scream “Metal man!” Not only are they a high-energy show, they also give their audiences surprises! We were lucky enough to have a Pink Floyd present when Bobaflex covered the song “Hey you”. You must get out and see them – and beyond their showmanship, the newest songs they have out are super sexy!
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Something good came out of this “fly-over” state Ohio, when it popped out a screaming band named: Red Sun Rising! Now THIS band is dynamically talented and recognize how to pick their battles when it comes to breaks and emotions of a song. This creates works of art that are equally danceable and relax-able.
Red Sun Rising illuminated the stage with their presence and complimentary music. Watching them live gives the watcher a side effect of having a spiritual experience and it does help when the front man (singer) dances like nobody’s watching, creating an even greater physical presence to the music.
Everyone thought it was a nice touch when they held out the guitar and the guitarist jumped through the strap and started ripping the gasps out of it! Protich shouted “I wanna see you guys levitate and leave the ground!” This band is deep and the live performance is a transcending a personal experience. Such a bad-ass and beautiful performance for sure! Check it!
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Pop Evil is one of those bands that know themselves so well, that they named their band after the genre they created for their sound. They are one of the few “raw dog” rock bands living today, rolling on raw instruments. Pop Evil writes their raw rock music in the style of pop and pumps fans up in a positive way, you can’t help but dance that ass off and smile real big baby!
They wrapped up BlitzMas 2016 with a bang! Interacting with the crowd, they facilitated the over the top experience by beckoning us to illuminate our phone’s flashlights and creating an other-worldly experience. Leigh was a master of showmanship as he initiated a mannequin challenge where mid-song he would yell “Freeze!” and “Go!”. I hope Ohio nailed it, it looked magnificent!
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BlitzMas 2016 was a very magical and magnificent experience and we all have the producers to thank and the bands that made it special to give their all as the audience gives it back! If you are wanting to experience this next year and are in town, go kick it there. What can I say? You won’t regret it.
Review by Lotus Reigns, RockRevolt Contributor
Photography by Patrick Desmond, RockRevolt Photographer
