NONPOINT and EYE EMPIRE – Syracuse NY

It was a steamy hot night in Pennellville, NY but it didn’t stop those from rocking out at Moniraes when NONPOINT and EYE EMPIRE took over the place!

First up was Eye Empire. There is no doubt that these guys bring 100% pure energy to the stage. Even if by any chance anyone in the crowd wasn’t familiar with them, they are now! Their live shows leave a lasting imprint that no one can deny! Eye Empire will be hitting the road this fall with Seether and Sick Puppies. Be sure to keep an eye out as this is one band you won’t want to miss!! Eye Empire is Corey Lowery (Stuck Mojo/Stereomud/Dark New Day), guitarist B.C. Kochmit (Switched), vocalist Donald Carpenter (Submersed) and former Texas Hippie Coalition member Ryan Bennett on drums. For a more indepth look at who Eye Empire is, check out MPJ’s review we did earlier this year at the Bogie in Albany

Headlining the night was the newly revamped Nonpoint. With new members joining vocalist Elias Soriano and Drummer Robb Rivera, this version of Nonpoint is strong as ever. They bring a high octane to the stage and live up to their reputation and name. I’ve been a huge Nonpoint fan since I first saw them on tour with Mudvayne back in the 90’s and I have to say, that although it’s new faces on the stage, Dave Lizzio (guitar), Rasheed Thomas (guitar) and Adam Woloszyn (bass) really give you the feel that they have been in the band forever! It’s hard when more than half of a band chances to still have that same feeling; but I would have to say they match the old band, if not better.

Nonpoint looks to release their next album, self-titled in October 2012. They will join forces with Taproot and continue to tour North America throughout the fall.

Eye Empire and Nonpoint were really a great match up of bands to put on a tour! High energy from both the bands and the crowd made this one excellent night of rock!