It’s been over a decade since Eighteen Visions have been a band. In that time, many people including myself, have been wondering if and when they would get back together. Well the answer to that question is a resounding yes, Eighteen Visions are back, and are they coming back with a vengeance. Their upcoming album will be out Friday, June 2nd. Based on the few tracks they’ve released thus far, the band finds themselves returning to their metalcore roots and bringing an unrelenting assault to the genre.
Check out a few of the tracks from their upcoming return album.
I love me some Bill and Ted. I remember when Bill and Ted’s Bogus Journey came out, I thought it was the coolest movie. The soundtrack was great, and Jim Martin’s cameo (from Faith No More), was awesome. William Sadler stole the movie for sure as his role of, Death. The ending song was perfect, Kiss with Steve Vai performing “God Gave Rock n Roll To You. I’m pretty stoked on Bill and Ted 3 actually happening. Keanu back as Ted… count me in!
I have a deep love of bands from the 80’s. When I was a very young kid, the 80’s were my jam. I loved (and still do) Bon Jovi, Guns N Roses, and Metallica but, I also loved Poison, Motley Crue, Def Leppard, and all the other bands in between like Ratt and L.A. Guns. Last night was a real treat as I finally got to see L.A. Guns, and boy did they rock the house. Last year singer Phil Lewis and guitarist Tracii Guns reunited for the first time in over 15 years. They rekindled their friendship and musical chemistry and are back firing on all cylinders just like it was back in the day.
On a Sunday night in the suburbs, the venue was packed, and fans were ready for rock. As the band took the stage to a thunderous roar from the crowd, you knew that this night was going to be a treat. Starting their set off with “No Mercy” was a hell of a way to get things going. The sheer magnitude of rock coming off the stage was contagious as the crowd was beyond into it. As the show went on, the band ripped through song after song in an uncompromising fashion. Other highlights of the night were “Electric Gypsy,” “Sex Action,” “Don’t Look At Me That Way,” “Kiss My Love Goodbye,” “One More Reason,” and my personal favorite “Over The Edge” complete with Tracii playing the intro with a violin bow. Even the new song they played “Speed,” was a solid song, and shows that rock music is alive and well. Closing out the night was “Never Enough,” “The Ballad Of Jayne,” and “Rip and Tear.”
There wasn’t one moment throughout L.A. Guns’ set that slowed down. They kept the fire burning through each song, making a statement that the band is back and are going to rock you to the core. Phil Lewis sounded great. His vocals are top notch and his delivery was impeccable, especially when he would go for the high notes. Tracii Guns is one of the most underrated guitar players in the last 30 some odd years. His solo’s are tasteful and astonishing. The ability and talent he has is without question. It’s really great to see Tracii and Phil back together doing what they do best. The other guys in the band really bring out the best in those two. All night long you could tell they were enjoying playing.
What a great night not just for me as a fan of the band but, for rock music as well. Seeing a band like L.A. Guns still out there and kicking ass gives me hope that rock music will never die, contrary to what Gene “I’m in it for the money” Simmons says. L.A. Guns wasn’t the biggest band in the world but, they sure do write great songs and perform the hell out of them. Do yourself a favor and go see them when they come through your town. You’re in for quite a treat.
Since Less Art was announced, I’ve been looking forward to hearing music from them. Made up of Riley and Ed Breckinridge of Thrice (on drums and guitar) along with Kowloon Walled City’s Jon Howell and Ian Miller (on guitar and bass) and Curl Up and Die’s Mike Minnick (on vocals), you knew that the music these gents would release would be something substantial. Their debut album Strangled Light is shaping up to be a righteous slab of post hardcore with a bit of a shoe-gaze vibe. The first song released “Pessimism As Denial.” is everything you want it to be and more. Obviously with Thrice, back and going full steam, this is a side project for Riley and Ed but, I can tell that they are really dedicated to this. Check out Less Art, you’ll thank me later!
Less Art- Pessimism As Denial:
I had an idea recently to expand upon the Ultimate Set List category. I thought that if I were to put together a “dream tour” scenario into the aether, that maybe, just maybe, it might come true. The first one I came up with involves Mastodon, Neurosis and the very awesome, O’Brother. All three of these bands have released fantastic new albums. Mastodon’s Emperor Of Sand is well on it’s way to my album of the year for 2017. O’Brother put out Endless Light, one of the top 5 albums of 2016 and, Neurosis, well they continue to put out quality albums with their newest, 2016’s Fires Within Fires.
With all that in mind, here are the guidelines for this now expanded category.
1: Where would you want to see the show
2: What is the order/set lengths of the bands
3: What line up of the band would it be (If necessary)
4: maximum 25 songs (In order of how the set should go)
1) Slow Sin
2) Your Move
3) Absence
4) Bloodlines
5) Endless Light
6) Complicated End Times
7) Ascension
8) Burn
9) I Am (Become Death)
Neurosis:
1) Through Silver and Blood
2) Bending Light
3) We All Rage In Gold
4) Under The Surface
5) Left To Wander
6) Belief
7) Stones From The Sky
Mastodon:
1) Sultan’s Curse
2) Crystal Skull
3) Iron Tusk
4) Steambreather
5) Oblivion
6) Chimes At Midnight
7) Ancient Kingdom
8) Colony Of Birchmen
9) Dry Bone Valley
10) Andromeda
11) Ember City
12) The Czar: Usurper/Escape/Martyr/Spiral
13) Roots Remain
14) Sleeping Giant
15) Asleep In The Deep
16) Crack The Skye (with Scott Kelly)
17) Jaguar God
Encore:
18) Blood And Thunder
19) Crusher Destroyer
20) Mother Puncher
21) March Of The Fire Ants
This is going to be quite the interesting and fun Same Name Song Battle. In this new battle, I put the song “Mother” up for question. On one hand you have Danzig’s very classic song from his debut solo album. And the other you have Pink Floyd’s song from their seminal and very influential The Wall.
Since Chris Cornell’s unexpected passing last week, there has been a slew of bands paying tribute to him during their shows. I personally am still in shock over it and have been listening to Chris’s bands non stop.
I’m in absolute shock over the news of Chris Cornell. It’s mind boggling to think that he is gone. Chris had such a profound impact on rock music with his voice, lyrics, and songwriting. I would even put Chris on the list of greatest singers ever. I remember the first time I heard Soundgarden way back when I was a little kid around 7 or 8 and “Outshined” came on. I was mesmerized by it. My mom was really into it and she’s the one that went out and bought Bad Motor Finger. From that point, I was hooked on Soundgarden. I spent many a night when I was young listening to music and studying the lyrics of my favorites. Chris Cornell had such a poetic touch to his words. My personal favorite Soundgarden album is Down On The Upside. There is something about that album that really hits home. I can’t tell you what, but, there is something really magical about that record.
When I heard that Chris had joined forces with the remaining members of Rage Against The Machine, I was beyond excited. Then I heard “Cochise” and was instantly sold. Audioslave became such a great vehicle for Chris to expand his already poetic sensibilities, and share a different side of himself. It wasn’t until the bands last album Revelations, that Audioslave truly found their sound but, Chris really went for it lyrically and vocally on that album. Check out the songs “Wide Awake” and “Moth” and you’ll hear what I mean.
I feel lucky to have seen Chris perform 4 times over the years. Twice with Audioslave, once solo, and once with Soundgarden when they toured with Nine Inch Nails a few years ago. Chris was always great live. His presence on stage was gripping and captivating. I’ve had this thought for a while that, if Robert Plant really didn’t want to be a part of doing shows with Led Zeppelin that, they should get Chris Cornell to fill the spot. If you think about it, you know that would be something great and amazing.
Here’s to all the great music and words Chris left us. His legacy is intact with great songs and performances. I feel for his children. I hope at some point they can come to terms with this loss.
Here are a few of my favorite songs Chris has been a part of.
The other night, I couldn’t sleep and as I was flipping through the channels, I saw Airheads was just starting. It’s really fun to go back and watch movies you saw years ago, and see how much things have changed or haven’t. Airheads is still a fun movie, especially the scenes involving Lemmy. As I was watching, I realized how cool the soundtrack is. Featuring songs from Motorhead, White Zombie, Prong, Primus, Ramones and Anthrax, the soundtrack to Airheads is flush with 90’s rock and metal. And who can forget the name of the band… THE LONE RANGERS… “wait a minute, you can’t pluralize The Lone Ranger.”
One of my favorite new bands, He Whose Ox Is Gored, just released their video for their song “Paralyzer.” This track was recorded by Jack Endino (Nirvana, High On Fire) at Avast Recording Studio as part of Converse Rubber Tracks Seattle Series.
He Whose Ox Is Gored is a tremendous band, and they write great songs. Check them out when they come through your town (tour dates below).
It’s been over a decade since Eighteen Visions have been a band. In that time, many people including myself, have been wondering if and when they would get back together. Well the answer to that question is a resounding yes, Eighteen Visions are back, and are they coming back with a vengeance. Their upcoming album will be out Friday, June 2nd. Based on the few tracks they’ve released thus far, the band finds themselves returning to their metalcore roots and bringing an unrelenting assault to the genre.
audioeclectica 