The day has come. The final day of the 2023 Monsters of Rock Cruise. What an amazing week it was, once again it was an experience of a lifetime. Let’s go out with a bang!
The last adventures started at noon in the Royal Theater with Lynch Mob. The band has had an ever-changing lineup even in their early days, but the current lineup features guitar icon George Lynch, vocalist Gabriel Colon, bassist Jaron Gulino and drummer Jimmy D’Anda. Lynch and Colon stood back and did their thing, not interacting with the crowd or moving around much, but the rhythm section brought the show alive with smiles and head-banging.
I headed up to the pool deck for the down n’ dirty Pennsylvania rock n’ rollers Dirty Looks at 3:15PM. Their set included songs from the band’s 2 most successful releases, ‘88’s Cool From The Wire and ‘89’s Turn Of The Screw. Dirty Looks are one of those groups that have had countless member changes throughout the decades they’ve been playing live and releasing albums. Three of the members from the time of the band’s peak success remain, bassist Jack Pyers, guitarist Paul Lidel and drummer Gene Barnett with a couple of Texan heavy metal connoisseurs, frontman Jason McMaster and guitarist David Beeson, rounding out the lineup. As always, the boys brought a high-energy, gritty, sweaty rock show – one that the Monsters of Rock Cruise crowd yearns for each year.
Next up were Reckless Love, a group of Finnish rock n’ roll heartthrobs. After how amazing their first performance in Studio B was, myself and many other cruisers made catching shows #2 a priority. Let me tell you, that was certainly not a mistake. Unlike their first set, this one included primarily older Reckless Love tunes which was a treat for long-time U.S. fans who have had few opportunities to see the band. Throughout the week, many fans complained about not being able to see in the Star Lounge because the stage is so low. In an effort to combat this, the band’s frontman Olli Herman requested that everyone stay seated so nobody’s view was blocked. While there were also complaints about having to sit during a rock show, the majority of crowd members were grateful for the band’s efforts to allow everyone a chance to see the band.
My night ended in the Royal Theater with Hardcore Superstar, who started about an hour later around 9:30PM. As always, these Swedes brought a high-energy set filled with heavy riffs, booze, and a party attitude. Toward the middle of the set, a couple was brought up onstage and a beautiful marriage proposal unfolded on the HCSS stage. For this Monsters of Rock Cruise, the band has Joel Cirera of Crazy Lixx filling in on drums. Despite the cards stacked against them, Hardcore Superstar rose to the occasion and put on a set just as stellar as their first.
The lineup for next year’s Monsters of Rock Cruise features many fantastic artists from Ace Frehley to Joe Satriani to Accept to The Darkness to Quiet Riot and many many more.
BOOKING FOR GENERAL PUBLIC BEGINS 5/24: Book Now – Monsters of Rock Cruise 2024
You may also like
-
Concert Review: Heavens Edge & Child’s Play @ Brooklyn Bowl in Philadelphia, PA 11/25/23
-
Concert Review: Killer Dwarfs @ Biltmore Theater in Oshawa, ON 11/10/23
-
Concert Review: Dirty Honey @ Danforth Music Hall in Toronto, ON 11/8/23
-
Concert Review: Danko Jones @ Axis Club in Toronto, ON 10/13/23
-
Concert Review: KIX Walkin’ Away, The Final Show @ Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, MD 9/17/23