Best Band: The Waiting Room
Why?: Formed by ex-Fear members Paul Reeves and Logan Spills this band have been recording a highly anticipated 5th album which features collaborations from Ryan Ross Hernandez, Jakey Comatose, Raven Comatose, and more! This band has always been a great live band as well and are planning to rise back on top.
Best Solo Artist:
Regan Futrell
Why?: This man started out in the goth rock band Casting Thin Shadows and after 13 studio albums and a death of a band member the band called it quits and Regan started a new band called Quarantine. During Quarantines breaks he has released 2 really great solo albums and is planning to release a third one late April. Anyone who knows Regan knows how talented he really is.
bunker18(Vincent Hale from Quarantine)
Why?: bunker18 is Vincent Hales solo band that he has had before joining Quarantine and recently released a solo album with help from Regan Futrell, Paul Reeves, Lewis Mason, Marcy Smith(Ex-Casting Thin Shadows), Jakey Comatose, and others. It is a remarkable debut album for a solo artist and looks to be very promising. He has also opened up for Pilot and plans to do a headline tour soon.
Best Newcomer
bunker18
Why?: Like I said before with lots of help from big names it sure looks to be very promising.
Best Artwork
bunker18 - "The Ego & It's Own"
Why?: The artwork represents how dark and crucial this album really is.
Best Album
Regan Futrell - "Empathy"
Why?: Although not released yet this album is to be Regan speaking out emotionally but not to emotionally. It is rumored some songs are suppose to be about his co-owner label partner Jakey Comatose and others are suppose to be about the musicians he looked up to that are no longer living. He also collaborated with Enoch members Mark and Langdon on the album. They recorded bass and drums for him and added more of a darker vibe to the album according to Regan.
bunker18 - "The Ego & It's Own"
Why?: Highly anticipated debut album from bunker18 is finally here! It is to be dark, up-beat, and danceable according to Vincent. Vincent shows a side that he couldn't show with Quarantine on this album and he does it good.
The Waiting Room - "Paradox of Hedonism"
Why?: This album has been delayed so many times and is finally being released April 16th. The first single "Fallen From An Elevator With No Escape" which features bluesman Ryan on the guitar and back-up vocals is the first single and was released for free yesterday. The album was produced by Regan Futrell and is said to be a very up-beat and relaxed listening record to listen to.
Best Single
bunker18 - "Underground Sidewalks"
Why?: The first single from "The Ego & It's Own" talks about whores and how filthy the underground scene of New York really is. Averox was defintely an influence to Vincent on this track.
The Waiting Room - "Fallen From An Elevator With No Escape[Feat. Ryan Ross Hernandez] E.P."
Why?: This song is the darkest and most experimental song The Waiting Room have put out. Ryan Ross plays a minute and a half solo and also sings back-up vocals on the song. If that isn't enough Paul and Ryan do a dual solo after the breakdown in the song. The new single and album is to be very progressive and this is only just a taste of whats to come from the album according to Paul Reeves.
Regan Futrell - "Comatose(See The Hole In The Sky?) E.P."
Why?: Released to keep fans waiting for the first single "Ghostwalking" and for the album "Empathy". This E.P. is a tell all 3-track E.P. about Regans closest friends. From Jakeys battle with cancer, to Regans hero Raven from Thunderwolf to Regans battle of depression with alcohol this E.P. surely shows a side we never thought of with Regan and the three tracks are three b-sides from the new album.
Best Live Act
bunker18
Why?: Vincents live members features two ex-Casting Thin Shadows member Alan Kidd and Marcy Smith. Also the line-up are to be joined by a special guest each night on tour and the band are crowd favorites.
The Waiting Room
Why?: Paul Reeves and Logan Spills use to be in one of the best live band in the world band Fear so they know exactly how to please the crowd.
Quarantine
Why?: Regan Futrell has surely improved on his live performances since his last days with Casting Thin Shadows. The band know exactly what and how to please a crowd to it's full potential. They were going to release their first live album this spring but have hold it off until the next album and tour is done.
Best Gig/Tour/Festival
Aftermath 4
Best Record Label/Management
Comatose Records
Why?: Co-run by Jakey Comatose and Regan Futrell this label serves home to some of musics big time names such as Jakey Comatose, Quarantine, Pilot, and many more!
