GodsmacGodsmackk RRe-Alignede-Aligned Again CONTENTS UNRATEDU N R A T E D MAGAZINEM A G A Z I N E contributors Anothony Kuzminski Melanie “Sass” Falina Tim Hargesheimer Dan Hargesheimer Anita Maree Landee Shayna Moskowitz Dan Locke Amie Mayes Terra Cooney Stefanie Newell Lori Kerr Rob Grabowski Adam Bielawski Michele Mussato Jackie Lee King Dan Hansen Niva Bringas Adam Bernard RJO Taduran www.UnRatedMagazine.com Godsmack was instigating. Sully called fi nest. With that, the guys retreated off Godsmack: Smacked IV Certain for the fans to assist and the Chicago the stage for a temporary break of the madness that was not yet quite fi nished. By Tim Hargesheimer faithful did that and more. Stopping for just a moment, he noted that this was not only the best crowd of the tour but As the seats began to thunder and Visiting us for the fi rst time since they at about 9:25pm CST with concert echo through the pavilion of the First were openers for Metallica, Godsmack also the loudest. How do you follow mainstay “Straight out of Line.” Warned something like that up? “VooDoo,” Midwest Bank Amphitheatre, the guys fell back into their leading role and by Sully that they were going to touch headlined at the First Midwest Bank plain and simple. As Tony brought his came back to IV by playing the fi fth on all of the Godsmack studio releases, track on the album titled “Shine Down.” Amphitheatre on Thursday, September the guys wasted no time diving into acoustic weapon up to the stage for an th Appropriately, Sully called for Brent 14 . Handing the opening torch over to 2006’ IV by blasting out “Speak,” “The extended introduction, the rest of the Rob Zombie for this chaotic mid-week Enemy” and “Livin In Sin.” Not fazed guys began the sinister march into the Smith (Shinedown’s front man) to event, Godsmack started the night off by this new sound at all, the crowd Godsmack-defi ning anthem. Not long accompany him and his harmonica on with a unique video montage highlighted was still thirsty for a healthy dose of after the words “…not the one who’s so this future radio release. Although not by scenes of Sully drinking and partying classic Godsmack. On the coattails fl awlessly delivered, it was a setup for backstage with Pantera and Damageplan far away” were muttered, the “Batalla Tony Rombola’s amazing guitar solo, De Los Tambores” was on. For those the eventual closing song that everyone guitarist “Dimebag” Darrell Abbott and a studio-like version of “Moon Baby” of you who have never enjoyed the raw had waited all night to hear. Awake was next on the night’s agenda. And, as the opening notes of “Re-Align” experience of a Godsmack began to chime through the sold concert, this is where Sully out pavilion, the Godsmack symbol Erna goes demonstrates descended from the skies and began his original music roots spinning and breathing fi re at the and twenty-three years now transfi xed Chicago mass of of drumming experience fans. No song could have been more by getting behind a drum perfectly placed as when Shannon led everyone into 2000’s self-titled kit. With Shannon Larkin’s album release of “Awake.” Classic platform being projected Godsmack at its fi nest. towards the front of the stage, Sully was not far Taking only a quick breath, the mood behind beating the skins at Metallica’s James Hetfi eld. Then, was slowed down with a more than a maddening pace. Going in a unique and twisted perspective, obvious Zeppelin inspired guitar solo. three for four on the drum Godsmack gave the Chicago crowd a “Trippin” was eerie, creepy and dark yet stick toss and catch game, a backstage point of view on their live stroll amazingly subtle for a rock band like release “I Stand Alone” was one fi nal now shirtless Sully Erna had his sleeve- up to the expansive stage setup. This this. Elements of “Dazed and Confused” punch in the face for all in attendance tattoos on display and a thirst for more real time camcorder feed was all set to could be heard through the instruments on Thursday night. With fans screaming classic rock. A quick medley of additional AC/DC’s “For those about to Rock.” In of four east coast rockers who have at the top of their lungs, Godsmack typical Godsmack form, pyro blasted the rock world clearly conquered. As AC/DC and Ozzy classics gave way only ended the madness about an hour the evening off as the guys quietly crept the green, purple and blue stage lights to “Whatever.” Not only was the crowd and a half after it began. On a perfect on stage before a truly thunderous then gave way from the Grammy- as loud as ever at this point, but grey summer night in Chicago, everyone left performance. nominated instrumental hit “Vampires,” and red confetti (that mirrored the cover seven fi re cannons exploded with eager the venue certain that every cent of their of IV) rained down from the sky as he Much like their DVD release Changes; anticipation. “Keep Away” tuned the ticket was paid in full. the guys from Boston led the set off crowed right back into the mayhem that shouted “Go Away!” American rock at its lot of young female West Coast Ak’Sent Goes International rappers to feel good about themselves. By Terra Cooney There are defi nitely At just 19 years old, the Los Angeles fi nally went back and was able to face people that I look up to, native Ak’Sent (nee Krystle Johnson) listening to his music and all the stuff he like Queen Latifah and is on the cusp of her musical career. did [before his death] I was fi nally like, Foxy Brown. They have Touring with Teen People and working ‘Okay, this is something I want to do.’ all given me a lot of girl with big time industry players such as It was a legacy that I wanted to keep power!” Beenie Man, DJ Quik, Scott Storch going.” and Manny Fresh on her debut album Though Ak’Sent hasn’t International is just part of the process Taking charge of her future, Ak’Sent climbed the highest she that’s helping her climb the industry began to hone her skills in rapping, is prepared to climb ladder. Having worked at it for some though her talents stretched in her career by any time though, Ak’Sent over a much more diverse means, she’s also still is defi nitely no arena. “When I was younger, not used to the fame stranger to the I did a lot of stuff,” shares the her talents have already game. star. “I sang, I danced--I loved brought to her. “The to dance. That was my fi rst most overwhelming Even before the passion, but I got bored of it,” thing has just been rapper of hot singles says the fancy foot-worker who trying to see regular old “Zingy” and “Pick once trained under Debbie Allen me in the industry. I still Up” landed a Capitol and Lula Washington. “Rapping act the same, I do the Records contract, was something I always wanted same things, my sister she was a small girl to do and I just leaned toward and I do the same silly with a mind for big that more than anything else. I stuff,” she laughs. But things. “I started to get into the industry got it in my head, if you‘re going to do she’s faring well in the world of fame, too. when I was 14, but 15 was the age something, you don’t just do something, nonstop! A lot of people tell me that “Being on TV doesn’t really get to me. It’s where I started to write and create my you have to love it.” when they see me perform and when like a job for me and it’s something I feel own songs. By 16 I had already been they hear me, it’s like night and day. like I have to do now because I started off doing my demo and was looking for Now, to live up to her moniker, Ak’Sent I think the performance is everything so good. Now I have to fi nish off good. I’m a record deal. I had to make my own is leaving more than just a small mark because once people see you always on my toes and just trying to make deadlines,” she says of the steps toward doing what she loves to do. Though the perform, that’s who you are. So I’m my next move better than my last one.” a career that was seemingly in the female rapper sets her own precedent, defi nitely working on my performance stars. In a way, the lovely voiced half she’s not unphased by the women to perfect it.” If you missed her Teen Speaking of moves, you’ll catch Ak’Sent Latina, half African-American beauty rappers that have preceded her. “I am People Rock N’ Shop Tour 2006 doing more than just “regular” stuff on grew up destined to do something with defi nitely a big fan of Missy Elliott,” she performances, get geared up to fi nd stage if you haven’t experienced it already. her talents inherited from her late father. reveals. “She’s just so talented and Ak’Sent on the road at one of her “It’s crazy!” she says of her onstage “My dad was the number one infl uence creative.