Music feeds the soul when all is lost.

Music is a defining factor for many people. For most it is an escape from reality, and others it is used to understand reality. Music is something that everybody has in their life that makes them feel less alone in the world, which makes sense when you honestly think about today's millenial society where everything is digital, but also an easier way to make that escape from reality much more easier to access.. or so to speak. But this summer for everybody who needs to let go of all reality, take a break from your 9-5 groove, or just need some rock bands to listen to so you can scream and shout, I got a few suggestions that may intrigue your interest for this summer. So grab a beer, your favorite band merch, and get ready to rock!

1. Hell Yeah

This is a new personal favorite of mine just because they do a lot of covers of older pop songs that actually ( to me) improve the song's quality. The lead singer Chad Gray, really knows how to bring a great mix of regular hard rock, heavy metal and screamo and correlate them. Two of their top hits, "I Don't Care" and "Human" personally speaks to me as just a letting go feeling without actually being angry.

2. Red Sun Rising

Mike Protich (lead singer) is another new kid on the block with his band, Red Sun Rising. Their heavy metal vibes are not as popular as one would think, but when I saw them at Rockfest and they are absolutely ah-mazing (so to speak). Mike Protich also takes a nostalgic view of the world around them and their messages speak about the millenial generation and saying that people in our generation need to wake up, hear the truth whether they like it or not.

3. In This Moment

I am in love with Maria Brink, and if you live in the Northern Minnesota/Wisconsin, her band In This Moment, is touring around here more heavily this summer.

On another note, she is the perfect rock representation of Lady Gaga, where she preaches the message of how everybody is perfect in their own way and be proud to be you. Heavy metal band with good messages. What more could a girl want?

4. Nickelback

Ok, I know a lot of people are not the biggest fans of Nickelback, but ever since my 7th grade year, I have had a crush on the lead singer Chad Kroeger. This Canadian grunge band despite how many people claim they dislike them, are still going strong and are releasing a new album this June (fan girl squeal). Their heavy vocals and newer and heavier music has actually got heads turning. Keep it up Chad Kroeger and the rest of Nickelback!

5. Five Finger Death Punch

Great band, who actually hails from Southern Wisconsin! But they all met up in Vegas though. Their lead singer, Ivan L. Moody, grew up in Somerset Wisconsin and got his passion for music from his grandmother. I was a lucky son of a gun who got to see them in concert at Rockfest last summer!! They have some heavy and "adult" material in their music, but they also openly support American soldiers, Veteran programs, and Teen Suicide prevention. At their concert they brought some of the children that attended the concert on stage and had them help with some of their songs. I cannot praise this band enough. Everyone of them will hold a special place in my heart (especially Zoltan).

So lets get rockin' this summer, and de stress with some good ol' rock n roll! Maybe some headbanging, but its up to you.