Comeback albums are not easy to make. Well they are but, to make an album that stands out and reaches new heights is a whole other level. After many years away (a decade to be exact), Genghis Tron have returned with their new album, Dream Weapon.
Dream Weapon is an album that will leave you with your mind blown. The surreal textures that accompany this album make for a very introspective and psychedelic listening experience. Throughout the very expansive 8 song album that is Dream Weapon, there are a plethora of new and exciting auditory elements to enjoy. The rhythmic punches of percussion are expansive and compliment the synth heavy tracks. Hypnotic is a great way to describe this album. The lush layers and sound design are hypnotic and trippy. I could elaborate on the amazingness of each song but, that would ruin this album for you. Instead I will say that Dream Weapon is epic beyond proportions. The moment the album starts, you are immediately drawn in.
Genghis Tron have made 2021’s first truly masterful album. The core of Hamilton Jordan and Michael Sochynsky is astounding. The additions of vocalist Tony Wolski and drummer Nick Yacyshyn are impecable. Throughout Dream Weapon, there is a calming sense that feels tranquil and invigorating. When concerts come back, I can’t wait to go see Genghis Tron destroy venues with these new songs. I have a feeling these songs live are going to be other worldly. Do yourself a favor and spend some time with this album. It’ll make 2021 feel right!
Over the past year one of the bands I’ve delved deep into is Anthrax. I’ve always enjoyed them and have seen them a few times. My favorite era of theirs is the John Bush years but, that’s for another topic and day. One of the things I really honed in on during my delve was just how good of a rhythm player Scott Ian is. He’s got the perfect tone, style and other awesomeness that makes him a badass axe slinger. Between Anthrax, S.O.D., and The Damned Things, you can definitely tell Scott is a madman! So, as I always do when I go into a band’s catalog, I also went pretty far into Scott’s career and found some jams he’s guested on over the years. Check out these tracks!
Brian Posehn- Metal By Numbers:
Brian Posehn- Grandpa Metal:
Necro- Evil Rules:
Mr. Bungle- The Raging Wrath Of The Easter Bunny:
Scott is also featured on his wife Pearl Aday’s albums
Tonic Immobility is Tomahawk’s first album in 8 years and the end result is something quite intriguing. Adding to the already well established hard rock sound they’ve developed since their debut, Tonic Immobility is one of if not the most diverse album this group has released thus far. There’s something more to this album than the previous one, 2013’s Oddfellows. This album expands on what you’ve heard before and adds some very interesting new curveballs.
As much as people love Mike Patton and his vocal deliveries, the real star on this album is the band. Bassist Trevor Dunn, drummer John Stainer and guitarist Duane Denison have really crafted songs that transcend genres and boundaries alike. The textures on the album along with the riffs and rhythms create a sonic adventure with the icing on the cake being Patton. You can hear all the different sonic waves on songs like “Recoil” and “Sidewinder.” You still have the vintage sound fans of this band have come to enjoy like “Business Casual.” Then you can’t forget how the album starts off with the assault of “Shhh” and “Valentine Shine” which adds a thrash element to the vocals. One of my favorite tracks on the album is “Doomsday Fatigue.” I’m not going to say anything about this one as I’d much rather hear what you think about this one.
Tomahawk delivers the goods on this album. There is plenty for longtime fans of the band to enjoy. If you are a new fan too, this album is a nice way to get into the band. I still will always have a fondness for their first two albums. I even had the pleasure of seeing Tomahawk open for Tool back in 2001. That’s where I really began to develop my appreciation for them. I will say too that it’s very awesome to hear Duane, Trevor, John and Mike all back together again and make an album like this. These guys are too talented to stay in one lane. Tonic Immobility is a strong album and a very welcome return!
Mississippi Gulf Coast rockers Silent Trust, have released the second single from their upcoming debut album. “Into The Storm” is a really deep and heartfelt song. Written at one of the lowest moments of singer/guitarist Andrew Cospelich’s life, this song is the epitome of honesty and reflection. This song also shows a whole other side of the band and their willingness to be vulnerable and open. Musically the melodic nature helps to give a bit of a chill as the song continues on. And if you listen closely, there is a guest vocalist on the track. Jasan Radford of Onesidezero/Abloom/oNe, is featured on the song. The band’s debut album was produced by Jim Wirt (Incubus, Hoobastank, and many more) and it captures the sound these guys have been dreaming of since they formed. This song is the type of track that can help to push Silent Trust to the forefront amongst their peers and help ignite the scene that’s brewing where they are from.
Silent Trust- Into The Storm:
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The Bronx are back!!! Well to me they are. It’s been a little while since I’ve enjoyed anything new from The Bronx but, thankfully their new single “White Shadow” from their upcoming Joe Baressi produced album, The Bronx VI (out August 27) is one hell of a rockin song. I’ve been waiting for them to find the fire again and it sure seems like they have found it. Having Evil Joe at the helm seems to have helped some too. The production and tones on this song are fantastic. “White Shadow” feels like there’s a sense of urgency to it and it’s crushing. The 11 song album is sure to be one hell of a record. I for one am very excited by this news!!
Yesterday, I was listening to Suicidal Tendencies. While listening, I thought back to watching Mike Muir and Infectious Grooves playing the prom in Encino Man. They played “Feed The Monkey” and absolutley rocked the prom. I still think the dance sequence with Pauly Shore, Sean Astin and Brendan Fraser is perfect and hilarious. It’s fun to go back and watch that movie. It still holds up and is still funny. If there were ever to be a sequel (though it’s been a really long time), they need to bring Infectious Grooves back to play.
Infectious Grooves- Feed The Monkey in Encino Man:
Infectious Grooves- Feed The Monkey (Album Version):
I still remember the first time I heard “At The End Of August” by 36 Crazyfists. I was at home and watching either Uranium on Fuse or Headbanger’s Ball when Jamey Jasta hosted, and the video aired and I immediately was hooked. I looked them up and a couple days later I went to the store to buy their album, A Snow Capped Romance. If you’ve never listened to this album and you are a heavy music fan, I suggest you check it out. It’s really quite good.
When I first started doing this topic, one of the first bands I wrote about was the very excellent, And We Are Them. Sadly, they disbanded but, thankfully the core members would go on to start a new project. Now, it’s my pleasure to introduce you to, Arc Angles. Taking inspiration from bands like Cave In, Metz, Failure, Quicksand and more, Arc Angles have made a bombastic sound that any fan of the post-hardcore genre will enjoy. Their debut album, Apocalisp, is a ferocious assault of spacy/mathy riffs and rhythms, melodic sensibilities and urgent vocals. Arc Angles pack one hell of a punch as a three piece. There is a feverish passion that is emitted in each of these songs. The production by producer/engineer Christopher Dwyer is crisp, punchy and articulate. The end result is a record that is needed right now. Arc Angles is a band that should be on your radar. I can imagine too that when live shows happen again, this band is going to be quite a force to be reckoned with on any bill they play.
Back in late 2003, Blink 182 released their fifth album. On this self titled album, it not only showed these guys growing up and maturing but, also showed a whole other side of themselves with the songs written for this one. I remember liking this album a lot and over the years I’ve really come to appreciate it even more. I’ll never forget listening to this album for the first time and when it got to track number 12, I was completely taken aback by the song. Robert Smith from The Cure collaborated on this song and it’s quite possibly one of the best Blink 182 songs they’ve ever written. Interestingly too, this song would have been a single for the band had they not broken up in 2005. Another fun story about this collaboration is that, Robert Smith recorded his parts in England and took a significant amount of time recording the song, to the point that the band was unsure of whether or not his contribution would make the record. The band was waiting on Robert’s contribution to the song which showed up only mere hours before they had to turn the album into the label. If you’ve never listened to Blink 182’s 2003 self titled album, you should. It’s quite a good album full of great well written songs. It’s also not the same childish Blink that you would normally associate them with.
Rob Zombie has done it. He’s come out with a new album that is an absolutely killer. It’s been a long time since I’ve said those words but, I full stand by them. On his seventh solo studio album, The Lunar Injection Kool Aid Eclipse Conspiracy, Zombie and company have created an album that not only will we the appetite of long time fans but, also those that have been chomping at the bit for a return to the classic White Zombie sound. This is without a doubt the strongest solo album he’s put out since, dare I say his first. Armed with 17 tracks on this album (there are a few interludes that accompany the flow), Rob along with longtime guitarist John 5 have crafted some pretty awesome songs that will no doubt be bangers live but, will also become classic Zombie songs.
I usually like to do a track by track breakdown but, I really don’t want to give away the awesomeness that is this album. The first single “The Triumph Of King Freak (A Crypt Of Preservation And Superstition)” totally caught me off guard the first time I heard it and immediately played it again. This track is superb and a great way to kick things off. It’s even got a bit of the classic White Zombie feel to it. Other stellar tracks on the album include “The Ballad Of Sleazy Rider,” “Shadow Of The Cemetery Man,” “The Eternal Struggles Of The Howling Man,” “The Satanic Rites Of Blacula,” and the album closer “Crow Killer Blues.” There are a few songs though, that are out of left field and bring in some really cool new vibes to Zombie’s classic sound. Those songs are “Boom-Boom-Boom,” “Get Loose,” and “18th Century Cannibals, Excitable Morlocks And A One-Way Ticket On The Ghost Train.” These three songs will make you want to press play again and turn up the volume. Even the interludes are interesting and complimentary. My favorite one is a bit of an interesting one. “The Much Talked Of Metamorphosis” is a stunning piece of music.
The Lunar Injection Kool Aid Eclipse Conspiracy is one of the best albums Rob Zombie has been involved in. I was a big White Zombie fan back in the day. I have for the most part always enjoyed his solo albums but, this one, this is the one that needs to be listened to closely by everyone who has ever been a fan of either White Zombie or Rob solo. Month’s back, guitarist John 5 said something in an interview that this album was the best one Rob has done. And he is 100% correct. It’s quite refreshing too that this album has so much to offer. Musically it’s on another level than the other solo albums. Lyrically, Rob stepped up his game a bit and wrote some pretty intriguing and crowd pleasing lyrics. The production is crisp and fits the vibe to a tee. To say this is a good album is an understatement. This is a terrific album and one that Rob and everyone involved with it should be proud of. It’s been a long while since I’ve been to a Rob Zombie concert (think the last time I saw him was 2007?) but, I will most certainly go see him live to hear songs from this album played. What a great return album. Go do yourself a favor and take a listen to this one. You’ll thank me later!
Overall Rating: A
Rob Zombie- The Lunar Injection Kool Aid Eclipse Conspiracy:
audioeclectica 