When art and music come together the results can sometimes vary but, when that right blend is poured out on to a canvas or in this case music, everything just comes together. I’d like to introduce you to Old Blood. Taking influence and inspiration from Classic Rock, Metal, Trip Hop, Desert Rock, Stoner Metal, Doom, Sludge and bits of Jazz, Old Blood have created a style which they call “Acid Doom.” Their debut self titled album is chock full of head bobbing rhythms, charging riffs and vocals that cut like a diamond. They stand out from their peers not just musically but with their artistic stage show, leaving those in attendance with a sense of being a part of something more than just a show. Do yourself a favor and check out what fresh takes Old Blood has to offer.
On March 28 the music world lost one of the most talented musicians. Caleb Scofield, the bassist for the underrated band Cave In as well as Old Man Gloom and his own project Zozobra, tragically passed away at age 39, in a devastating car accident in New Hampshire, when his truck burst into flames after crashing at high speed into a toll plaza. According to the report, police stated the truck was traveling north on the F.E. Everett Turnpike shortly after 1PM when he attempted to change lanes before entering the toll plaza and ended up crashing into the barrier.
Caleb was a tremendous player and will be greatly missed. His work in Cave In especially influenced and inspired countless bass players over the years. Personally, I borrowed many things from Caleb including his bass tone and that guttural scream of his. I’m glad I was able to see Cave In and Old Man Gloom. This is a great loss for those of us that are fans as well as his family and friends. There is a donation page up to help offset the funeral costs and for his wife and 2 kids. Condolences to his family and friends.
I’m sure most of you are like me and get all giddy when you hear a band you really like do a cover of another band you like and that cover is really good. During their recent tour with Pop Evil, Black Map has been doing pre-show meet and greets and mini acoustic sets. At their show at the Roxy Theatre in Los Angeles, Black Map’s Ben Flanagan (bass/vocals) and Mark Engles (guitar/vocals), pulled out a surprise cover of Failure’s “Stuck On You” and it turned out great. Check it Out.
Jamey Jasta is one of the hardest working guys in all of music. From his bands, Hatebreed, Kingdom of Sorrow and his own solo project Jasta, to his running of Stillborn Records, and his well known podcast The Jasta Show, there is no shortage of all things Jasta related out there. In between all the above, Jamey has lent his vocals to quite a few band’s songs over the years. Here are a few of my favorites he has guested on.
As a music enthusiast since a very young age, I’ve been able to see the power and effect specific bands from a point in time have on genres and on their peers. It’s truly a remarkable thing to see and hear. There is one band in particular that never really got their due and that is a bit unsettling in my mind. That band is Prong.
Back in 1998, the Matthew Broderick version of Godzilla was released. Now, the movie is absolute garbage but the soundtrack is actually pretty good minus one song (Come With Me which had P. Diddy and Jimmy Page collaborating… what an abomination). Anyways among the other songs on the soundtrack the one song that always stood out to me was “No Shelter” by Rage Against The Machine. “No Shelter” has always been a favorite Rage song of mine. It does suck that the song only appeared on this soundtrack though it was a bonus track on the Australian, Japanese and European releases of The Battle Of Los Angeles. Anyways enjoy this great gem by Rage Against The Machine.
Over the last few years, as I’ve mentioned before, there is a resurgence of the post-punk sound. Some bands have been able to do it really well like GLAARE and The Black Mare. Those bands and a few others have not only taken that sound to new heights but, have added something else to that sound to make it their own. Which brings me to the band of the week, HIDE. This Chicago based duo led by visual artist/vocalist Heather Gabel and percussionist Seth Sher, has taken elements of post-punk and added a huge industrial twist to their music. HIDE’s debut full length CASTRATION ANXIETY is eerie and dark yet it’s full of the traditional sense of what an industrial band should be. In particular the song “Wildfire” (which is my favorite off the album) is much more than a thunderous industrial song. Lyrically it delves much deeper into psychological ideals. The album as a whole is quite a listen. There is a lot going on that will make you want to dance a little but also smash a wall with a sledgehammer. You can tell listening to HIDE, that in order to fully get what they are all about, you need to see them live. And from their live videos online, that is absolutely true.
Today in a surprise move, Bad Wolves unleashed a ferocious EP with songs from their upcoming debut album Disobey. Since their incarnation and release of their first song “Learn To Live,” I’ve been really into this band. They really do have that Sevendust meets Meshuggah vibe going for them. Recently, Bad Wolves have made an impact with their great cover of The Cranberries’ classic “Zombie.” On this new EP, Bad Wolves have really brought the goods. The song “Officer Down” is quite topical and pretty heavy. “Better The Devil,” is one of those songs you know will be a great song live. “Shape Shifter” is a solid rocker with some sharp rhythms. Also included is their cover of “Zombie.” Personally I can’t wait for their album, which comes out in May (May 11th is the actual date). Take some time out of your day and check out what Bad Wolves have to offer.
The A to Z list continues to find the top ten bands/artists in the alphabet. W is upon us and needs help to complete the list.
As usual your suggestions are wanted in completing this list.
These are in no particular order as well.
01) The Who
02) Ween
03) Wu- Tang Clan
04) Weezer
05) White Zombie
06) With Our Arms To The Sun
07) Chelsea Wolfe
08) Will Haven
09) Wilco
10) Tom Waits
Back in the mid 90’s, Sacramento, California had a very artistic music scene. Bands like Far and Deftones were starting to leave their mark not only in their area but everywhere. During this time though, there was another band that would take a slightly different turn from what their friends in Far and Deftones were doing. Instead of taking the melodic plunge, Will Haven opted for more of a dissidence approach with churning riffs and pummeling rhythms. Through the 20 years the band has been together, even with different line ups, one thing that can’t be mistaken is the impact Will Haven has left in heavy music.
Now in 2018, Will Haven are about to release their (final?) album Muerte (via MinusHEAD records). This album is a complete encapsulation of everything that the band has put into their music and albums. The heavy is still heavy only this time, they have added a bit more atmosphere to their sound. In 2001, Will Haven released an album called Carpe Diem that truly cemented the bands place in heavy music circles. Muerte seems like it’s the album that would have followed that one up. Beginning with the smack in the face of “Hewed With The Brand” and “Winds Of Change” you can tell that this album is not going to let up. In fact the unrelenting nature of Muerte carries through with songs like “43,” Unit K,” “The Son,” “Bootstraps,” and “Now In The Ashes.” The songs “No Escape” featuring Mike Schiedt of YOB and “El Sol” which features Deftones guitarist Stephen Carpenter, really take the album to another level from all their others.
Vocalist Grady Avenell sounds as good if not better than he did at the height of the band way back when. Jeff Irwin (guitar), Adrien Contreras (bass) and Mitch Wheeler (drums) have crafted riffs and rhythms that will draw you in and then attack with a ferocious thunder. If Muerte is Will Haven’s final album, then they really are going out with a bang. The only thing left would be for Deftones to go out on tour and bring Will Haven along (like they did way back when) and let Will Haven destroy the audience. (I’m just putting that out in the aether).
audioeclectica 