To say the three members of The Aristocrats are virtuosi is an understatement. Last night in Tel Aviv Guthrie Govan (guitar), Bryan Beller (bass) and Marco Minnemann (drums) displayed almost superhuman mastery of their instruments. As well as a fantastic sense of humor.

The June 26th concert was held in Reading 3, a beautiful music venue on the Tel Aviv port. Previously, I have seen two of my childhood guitar heroes perform at Reading 3 — Paul Gilbert and Yngwie Malmsteen. It is possible that Govan and co surpassed them both in their dexterity and skill.

The band walked out before a packed house while Devo’s “Can’t Get No Satisfaction” was still playing over the sound system. So the band joined right in. Then without missing a beat, they segued into “Stupid 7.”

After that, each song was introduced with a story, usually with an element of comedy. So, Govan asked the audience to envisage a rockhopper penguin, patrolling Antarctica on a snowmobile wearing a policeman’s cap before the band played a brand new song — “Sgt. Rockhopper.” He also spoke of his sadness at the asteroid which wiped out the dinosaurs 65 million years ago, at the end of the cretaceous period, before launching into “Bad Asteroid.”

Marco spoke of his pride at getting a “Parental Advisory” sticker attached to the band’s first album, even though, like all their albums, it was an instrumental. That was because of a song called “Bluesf***er” which tonight began as a five-minute vamp on “Hava Nagila” — probably the most interesting rendition of the song I’ve ever heard.

While Minnemann performed his 10-minute drum solo, Beller sat on a stool at the side tapping time on his legs, while Govan sat cross-legged on the floor, filing his nails with various gradations of emery board.

Minnemann displayed an impressive Hebrew vocabulary, whereas Beller, who described himself as, “a stubborn Jewish kid from New Jersey” didn’t manage much more than “good evening” in Hebrew.

Occasionally, Minnemann would punctuate a song with an “oink” from a squeaky plastic pig he placed on his cymbal. Beller would reply with a “squawk” from a rubber chicken.

In between songs, Govan managed to sign a couple of his signature Charvel guitars that fans had bought along with them. He also apologized that he wouldn’t be throwing picks out to the front row, but he only had three to last him the year.

The Aristocrats have performed several times in Israel, and tonight the venue was sold out.

The full setlist was:

• (Intro: Devo “Satisfaction”)
• Stupid 7
• Drink Package
• Sgt. Rockhopper
• Bad Asteroid
• Bonnie and Clyde
• Aristoclub / Drum Solo
• Through the Flower
• Ohhh Nooo
• Furtive Jack
• Last Orders
• Encore: Blues F***ers

With release of new album ‘Diversum’ progressive black metal band tour with European Neofolk band Rome to support

Norwegian avant-garde metal/progressive black metal In The Woods… are set to perform in Tel Aviv for the first time, on June 24, 2023 in the Haazor Club in Tel Aviv (Harechev 13). The opening band will be the Luxembourgish neofolk band Rome.

Norwegian band In the Woods released their sixth album, “Diversium” on  November 25, 2022.

The band has been active since the early 1990s. The band’s music can be described as a blend of black metal, folk, and progressive rock. In their early years, In The Woods… was heavily influenced by the Norwegian black metal scene, but they evolved into a more experimental sound over time. The band’s music is characterized by complex song structures, atmospheric soundscapes, and haunting melodies.

In The Woods… released their debut album, “Heart of the Ages,” in 1995. The album received critical acclaim and is considered a classic in the black metal genre. However, the band’s sound began to evolve with their second album, “Omnio,” which was released in 1997. “Omnio” marked a shift towards a more atmospheric and experimental sound, incorporating elements of folk and progressive rock. The album was also notable for the addition of clean vocals, which became a key element of In The Woods…’s music.

Despite their critical success, In The Woods… faced numerous lineup changes and eventually disbanded in 2000, after releasing “Strange in Stereo.” However, the band reunited in 2014 and has since released two albums, “Pure” in 2016 and “Cease the Day” in 2018. These albums continue to showcase the band’s unique sound, blending black metal with elements of folk, progressive rock, and even jazz. In The Woods… remains an important and influential band in the Norwegian metal scene, and their music continues to captivate fans around the world.

Rome is a neofolk band formed in Luxembourg in 2005 by Jerome Reuter. Reuter is the primary songwriter and vocalist for the band, which also includes a rotating cast of musicians. Rome’s music is often described as a blend of neofolk, post-punk, and martial industrial. The band’s lyrics often deal with historical and political themes, exploring topics such as war, revolution, and nationalism.

Rome’s debut album, “Nera,” was released in 2006 and received critical acclaim for its unique blend of neofolk and post-punk. The album was followed by a string of successful releases, including “Confessions d’un voleur d’ames” (2007), “Masse Mensch Material” (2008), and “Flowers from Exile” (2009). Rome’s music is characterized by Reuter’s baritone vocals, which are often accompanied by acoustic guitar, piano, and atmospheric soundscapes.

Over the years, Rome has established a loyal fanbase around the world, particularly in Europe and North America. The band has also collaborated with a number of other artists, including Death in June and Current 93. Rome’s music continues to explore complex themes and challenge listeners with its thoughtful and provocative lyrics. The band’s unique blend of neofolk, post-punk, and martial industrial has made them one of the most distinctive and innovative bands in the genre.

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About the venue:

Haazor (The Zone) is a live music venue situated at Harechev 13, 67771 Tel Aviv.

About the promoter:

Raven Metal, founded by Yishai Schwartz, has been bringing international metal bands to Israel for years. Additionally, Raven Metal distributes records and CDs that are otherwise unavailable in Israel. Yishai is also the bass player for Israeli band Tomorrow’s Rain.

Kaleo to perform in Israel for first time as part of their ‘10 Years of Unforgettable Music’ tour

The Icelandic band Kaleo will play Raanana Amphipark on June 22, 2023. Tickets are available from Eventim starting at NIS 294. This is the band’s first visit to Israel, as part of their “10 Years of Unforgettable Music” tour.

Icelandic Sensation: Kaleo’s Meteoric Rise

Hailing from the land of fire and ice, Icelandic rock band Kaleo has taken the international music scene by storm. Formed in 2012, the quartet features Jökull Júlíusson on vocals, Þorleifur Gaukur Davíðsson on guitar, Rubin Pollock on bass, and Davíð Antonsson on drums. With a unique blend of folk, blues, and rock influences, Kaleo has managed to captivate audiences across the globe through their soul-stirring melodies and powerful performances.

A/B: The Turning Point

Kaleo’s breakthrough came in 2016 with their debut international album, “A/B”. Featuring the hit singles “Way Down We Go” and “All the Pretty Girls,” the album quickly gained traction and catapulted the band into the spotlight. “A/B” showcased Kaleo’s musical versatility, with tracks ranging from haunting ballads to bluesy rock anthems. The album’s success led to numerous accolades, including an Icelandic Music Award for Best Album and a US Billboard Chart appearance.

Kaleo’s Impact on the Global Stage

Since their international debut, Kaleo has continued to make waves in the music industry. They’ve performed on the stages of renowned festivals such as Bonnaroo, Coachella, and Lollapalooza, and have also been featured on popular TV shows and movie soundtracks. The band’s distinctive sound and evocative lyrics have resonated with listeners and critics alike, earning them a dedicated fanbase and a growing list of achievements.

The Aristocrats, a progressive rock/fusion supergroup comprised of guitarist Guthrie Govan, bassist Bryan Beller, and drummer Marco Minnemann, will perform in Reading 3 in Tel Aviv on June 26.

This will be the band’s fifth trip to Israel, having played here previously in 2012, 2014, 2016 and 2019. The promoter, RK Promotions, just announced that the two Laney cabinets Govan will use in the show will be available for purchase (at just under NIS 2,000) to be collected from Govan after the performance.

The Aristocrats’ music has been described as “impossible to categorize” because it incorporates so many different musical styles and influences. The band calls their unique genre “woozy prog-pop.” While their music may be challenging to play, The Aristocrats try to keep their songs melodic and accessible to listeners not familiar with progressive rock. They are known for balancing technical skill with musicality.

Govan has been called, “Rock’s scariest guitarist” by Rick Beato. He is known for his virtuosic guitar playing and has collaborated with a variety of artists, including Steven Wilson and Hans Zimmer. He has also worked with Asia, GPS, the Young Punx and the Fellowship.

Beller just got off tour with Joe Satriani on June 5th and almost immediately headed back out with the Aristocrats. He has also played with Steve Vai, Mike Keneally and Dethklok, among others.

Minnemann is a versatile drummer who has played with numerous artists, including Steven Wilson, Terry Bozzio, Adrian Belew, Joe Satriani, and The Mute Gods. A decade ago, he formed LMR, named for the initials of the members Tony Levin, Marco Minnemann and Jordan Rudess.

The Aristocrats formed in 2011 and have released several albums, including “The Aristocrats” (2011), “Culture Clash” (2013), “Tres Caballeros” (2015), and “You Know What…?” (2019). Their music is characterized by complex rhythms, intricate melodies, and virtuosic instrumental performances. The band has been praised for its technical proficiency, humor, and improvisational skills.

Some of The Aristocrats’ most popular songs are:

• Bad Asteroid – This is one of their signature songs, featuring odd time signatures, blistering solos, and a very catchy melody. It’s considered a classic among their fans.
• Sweaty Knockers – A fun, upbeat track with a funky groove and witty title. It really showcases their musical chemistry and sense of humor.
• The Ballad of Bonnie and Clyde – A beautiful, melodic tune that demonstrates their ability to write softer, more emotive music in addition to their usual high-energy rock songs.
• Boing!…I’m In The Back – One of their most playful and bizarre songs with strange noises, cartoonish sounds effects, and an overall zany vibe. The title gives you an idea of their quirky humor and anything-goes approach.
• Blues F***ers – A bluesy hard rock track with attitude. As the title suggests, it’s one of their heavier and more aggressive songs with plenty of distortion and attitude. The contrast shows their range between lighthearted and abrasive. This is often played as an encore at live shows.

The Venue

Reading 3 is a concert venue that was established in 2002 in the Tel Aviv port area. The address is Hatarucha 3, North Port, Tel Aviv. There is usually parking available nearby.

See a list of other upcoming concerts in Israel