Baroness have long proved to be masters of epic songs. Each of their albums have gotten better and better as time goes on. Like Mastodon, Baroness have really carved out a niche within the heavy music community. It’s wonderful to watch a band grow over the years to craft something special and epic. Personally, I really dig on the closing song off their Purple album “If I Have To Wake Up.” That song is beyond beautiful.
Dredg is one of the most underrated, artistic and intriguing bands of the last couple decades. They have been been one of the most consistent bands that chose art over the easy way out. During this time, Dredg have released 5 full length albums all of which stand on their own artistic integrity. There are 2 albums that I’d like to focus on. The bands second and third albums El Cielo and Catch Without Arms are not just artistically sound but also two albums that have helped to influence and inspire countless of other bands.
After Vince Neil quit or was fired (depending on whose story you believe) from Motley Crue in 1992, Tommy, Nikki, and Mick regrouped and recruited singer/guitarist John Corabi to be the new singer for Motley Crue. Motley would go on to record only one album without Vince as their singer but, that one album they did with John Corabi is quite an underrated album. There are a ton of fans out there that want to disregard it but they really shouldn’t. Corabi brought in something else to the band that had been missing for sometime. John’s ability to write lyrics and guitar parts gave new life to Motley Crue. The album also saw them move past their “glam” image and sound to a more rock vibe a la 90’s rock and “grunge.”
I love being a fan of different genres of music. It really is such a great feeling to hear bands from different realms and soak it all in. When you hear “that” band that just hits at the right time and place, you know it’s something special. I’d like to introduce you all to GLAARE. Soaked in post-punk, dark-wave and 90’s alternative, GLAARE deliver melancholy and melody with a sense of brightness through all the darkness. The bands latest album “To Deaf and Day” is the work of Rachael Pierce, Cameron Carlin (Black Mare) and Brandon Pierce (ex-Ancestors). This is the bands first full length album and it encapsulates everything you’d want from the genre and then some. Throughout the 8 songs on the album, you get to experience the beautiful darkness that lay inside GLAARE. They are definitely one band that deserves your undivided attention.
GLAARE- To Deaf and Day:
What else can I say about Spirit In The Room that I haven’t said before? I’m not kidding when I say that with every release they get better and better. The wealth of inspiration that flows in and out of Dennis Sanders is astonishing. There are a few groups I’ve written about here on Audioeclectica that have the same type of passion as Dennis and Spirit In The Room. Well, Dennis has done it yet again. The newest song released, “Kid” is a stark and minimalist post punk gem. Instead of describing what it sounds like, just listen and let the music take you away. Something else you should do is go see Spirit In The Room live. They are one hell of a live band. It’s an “experience” seeing them.
Spirit In The Room- Kid:
Upcoming Spirit In The Room Dates:
January 29 @ The Roxy with 10 Years
February 15 @ Mal’s Bar
February 16 @ Cafe Nela
March 31 @ Bar Sinister
Spirit In The Room Catalog on Bandcamp:
I’ve said this many times before but, I really dig when a band does a cover and makes it their own and pays homage to a great band and song. I want to share a cover Pallbearer did of the classic Type O Negative song “Love You To Death.” While the vocals aren’t Peter Steele, you can still get those “dark” tones from singer Brett Campbell. Pallbearer is definitely one of those bands that just keeps getting better and better. I love that they took a chance on a song like this. Take a listen and let me know what you think. I’m quite interested to hear your opinions on this one.
Pallbearer- Love You To Death:
Type O Negative- Love You To Death:
I was recently making a list for a new topic about bands that should call it quits. There has to come a time when a band says enough is enough. This just isn’t worth it anymore. A lot of bands stick around and become full on nostalgia acts and in some instances that’s ok. And then there are those bands that have just overstayed their welcome. With the news of Slayer saying that this upcoming world tour would be their last, I actually thought to myself, that’s probably a good thing. It’s better to leave with your dignity intact and feel like you’ve done all you can do rather than stick it out just for the sake of making money.
It’s been a minute since A Light Within has released new music. I personally have been anticipating new tunes from them and now they have released the first song, Page #9 (Shells) off their new EP Epilogue, which is the final chapter of their 3 part trilogy. A Light Within has definitely tapped into another realm of what they started as. I would say they’ve gotten more etherial and darker. The band has said “Epilogue” is the final conceptual installment in a three part series containing transcribed diary entries written from the perspective of a reflective mind. Throughout the pages be prepared to hit an emotional remembrance of life experiences, love scenarios, and a metaphorical loss of it all.” While listening to this song and the entire EP and their other ones, you can definitely feel it all. Epilogue is due to be released in February so be on the look out for that (I’ll also remind you all).
A Light Within- Page #9 (Shells):
Body Matter EP:
Preface EP:
I love when bands take on underrated and influential bands and cover their songs. More often than not, the band covering the song really brings something special to the table with their version. King Woman did just that with their cover of “I Wanna Be Adored” by The Stone Roses. Take a listen to this gem of a cover!
King Woman- I Wanna Be Adored:
The Stone Roses- I Wanna Be Adored:
I’ve been in a Pantera mood the last couple days. I’ve mainly been listening to The Great Southern Trendkill (as it’s my favorite album of theirs). While I was going through all their albums I forgot about a few b-sides and covers that they did throughout their career. So here they are. The few b-sides they have and covers. Enjoy!
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