New Release: Jerry Cantrell- Atone

The legendary Jerry Cantrell returns with the release of his first single “Atone” out today, from Cantrell’s new solo album, Brighten. It’s been 19 years since Jerry has released a solo album. This first single “Atone” features Duff McKagan on bass, Greg Puciato on backing vocals and guitar and Gil Sharone on drums. This album was produced by Tyler Bates and longtime engineer Paul Fig. The album was mixed by Joe Barresi. Other notable guests on the record include, Abe Laboriel, Jr. (Paul McCartney), pedal steel master Michael Rozon, Vincent Jones on piano, Wurlitzer, and organ. The record is a 9 song journey and concludes with a cover of Elton John’s “Goodbye.” Speaking on the song Jerry has said “Madman Across The Water is one of my favorite records of all time,” he exclaims.  Out of respect to Elton, I wouldn’t include it unless he said it was okay. He’d played piano on ‘Black Gives Way To Blue,’ which I wrote for Layne, so I reached out to Elton, he listened to it, and told me “You should absolutely use it.” I got the signoff by the man himself. I couldn’t think of a better way to close the record!” I personally can’t wait for this album. I love Alice In Chains and Jerry’s solo albums are stellar, so you know the heart and soul is strong with this one!

Jerry Cantrell- Atone:

Memorable Live Performances: Korn at Woodstock 99

Woodstock 99 is a story all on its own. There’s a new documentary about it but, it’s such a biased and bullshit take on it, that it glosses over the positive aspects of the weekend. Yes, there were many many issues but, that is for another time. What I’d rather focus on are the performances that took place. One of those that has always stood out is Korn’s performance during night one. The sheer intensity from the stage to the crowd is astonishing. The waves of thousands of people all in unison during this set is legendary. The band was at an all time high and just about to release their fourth album, Issues. They played “Falling Away From Me” and “Beg For Me” that evening. The version of “Beg For Me” is a totally different version than what’s on the album. You can see it in the band as they rip through their set that they are all in awe of what’s happening. The energy that permeated during this hour is absolutely one of those moments that will always live on in live music history. Watching the people in the crowd singing along to every song and feel it all too, that had to be an out of body experience. Even Jonathan Davis said he had an out of body experience at the end of the night as he gave that performance his all. Soon, I’ll get into a whole thing about Woodstock 99 but, until that time, just enjoy this badass performance Korn left us all with!

Korn- Live At Woodstock 99:

Korn Setlist For Woodstock 99:

01) Blind
02) Twist
03) Chi
04) Got The Life
05) Good God
06) A.D.I.D.A.S
07) Porno Creep
08) Shoots And Ladders (with Snip of Justin)
09) Beg For Me (Alt. Lyrics)
10) Freak On A Leash
11) Falling Away From Me (Alt. Lyrics)
12) Faget
13) My Gift To You (with Snip of Seasons In The Abyss)

Secret Songs: Slipknot- Eeyore

Yesterday the music world lost a force of nature behind the kit as well as a great songwriter in Joey Jordison. He was only 46 but left quite a legacy on the 4 Slipknot albums he was on as well as the plethora of other bands he played with like Rob Zombie, Korn and Ministry. While on a deep dive through their albums, I totally forgot about the secret song at the end of their debut self titled album. “Eyeore” is the track found at the end of the song “Scissors” and it’s a banger!! I will never forget the first time I heard them play it live. Holy Hell did it go HARD as Jamey Jasta would say. RIP Joey. Thank you for all the years of great tunes and performances.

Slipknot- Eeyore (Studio Version):

Slipknot- Eeyore (Live from Disasterpieces DVD):

Track One: Faith No More- Land Of Sunshine

Faith No More’s album Angel Dust is an absolute masterpiece. From start to finish, it’s a work of art. The moment, “Land Of Sunshine” begins, you know you are in for a treat. The song itself has a very interesting history too. The song was released as the second single. The lyrics contain, amongst other things, questions from Scientology personality tests, with one of them, the question “Does emotional music have quite an effect on you?” Mike Patton also wrote more lyrics to this song, during a sleep deprivation experiment and included lines taken almost directly from fortune cookies and the Oxford Capacity Analysis personality test offered by the Church of Scientology. He also watched much late-night television to get into the right frame of mind. “Land Of Sunshine” is an absolute banger and live, holy hell is it huge!

Faith No More- Land Of Sunshine:

Land Of Sunshine (Live 1993):

New Music Friday: July 23

Lots of exciting new jams have come out this week!! New tunes from Thrice, Coheed and Cambria, Death From Above 1979, Cane Hill, Bullet For My Valentine, Love and Death, Between The Buried And Me, Quicksand, Iron Maiden, and Generation Kill. Let me know what song is your favorite of the bunch!!

Thrice- Scavengers:

Coheed And Cambria- Shoulders:

Death From Above 1979- Modern Guy:

Love and Death- Let Me Love You (Featuring Lacey Sturm):

Cane Hill- All We Know:

Bullet For My Valentine- Parasite:

Between The Buried And Me- Revolution In Limbo:

Quicksand- Brushed:

Iron Maiden- The Writing On The Wall:

Generation Kill- Rat King:

Those 90’s Songs: Butthole Surfers- Pepper

The Butthole Surfers song “Pepper” is quintessential 90’s. Not only is it a 90’s staple but, it reached number 1 on the US Billboard Modern Rock Charts. I still remember hearing this song when it came out. I was wrapping up sixth grade and this song took over for me that summer. Electric Larryland was played a ton that year. My childhood best friend and I knew all the words to “Pepper,” so much so we would drive his mom nuts singing it in the car when we would go places. The Butthole Surfers are legends in the alternative music world and rightfully so. They are unique and very influential. I’d love to hear a new album from them. I’m sure it would be quite interesting!

Butthole Surfers- Pepper:

Butthole Surfers- Pepper (Live On David Letterman-1996):

New Release: Coheed and Cambria- Shoulders

A brand new Coheed And Cambria single titled “Shoulders” has made its way online. A lyric video for the track is available below, while further details on the band’s release plans for their upcoming tenth studio album have yet to be revealed. This song definitely has some No World For Tomorrow vibes throughout as well as a tinge of Year Of The Black Rainbow. It’s also a nice little change of pace too.

Coheed and Cambria- Shoulders:

New Release: KLAE- Love

A few weeks ago I introduced you to KLAE. This very diverse drummer is really summoning some positive energy with his upcoming EP. “Stomp Out Hate” was the first single and now we are on to “Love,” and this one packs a whole different punch. Speaking on what this track deals with and means KLAE (aka Clay Barnum) said “Love without expectations is the most pure form as it holds no bias but due to the complexity of human experience is the most difficult to achieve. You have to forgo all ego and societal pressures and accept wholly the person in front of you. This is difficult enough with a significant other but exponentially more so with yourself. We hold more bias and expectation without ourselves without ever sharing with the outside world. We live within our own heads and at times it can feel impossible to escape these expectations. We must embrace all that is, as it is without expectation of what we think it could be. Love yourself first then work on everyone else.” With that in mind, it’s clear that with these expressions, there must be a change for the better.

KLAE- LOVE:

New Release: Thrice- Scavengers

On September 17th, Thrice will release their new album, Horizons/East via Epitaph Records. The new album was written and recorded by the band over the past couple years. The self produced album was mixed by Kowloon Walled City’s Scott Evans at his studio, Antisleep Audio and he did a killer job! The first single “Scavengers” has a vibe that fits in with their whole catalog. The song is deep and dark with a sense of hope, just as any Thrice song should. Live, this song is going to be huge, and I can’t wait to hear it! Pre-Orders are available HERE.

Thrice- Scavengers:

Band Of The Week: NVision

Earlier this year I took a trip to the Mississippi Gulf Coast. While on an excursion out that way for some business, my biz partner and I wound up going to one of the popular spots out there to see a band and they really impressed us. The energy they were emitting that night was contagious as everyone in attendance was super into the band. Not to mention a few of their songs were super on the money. It left me and my friend quite interested in the band. Fast forward a few months and that band is really kicking ass in their area and making quite a name for themselves in the region. Allow me to introduce you to, NVision. These guys are a ferocious and energetic rock band that are kicking ass and taking names. Their most recent single “The End” is a banger. It’s deep lyrically and the music is catchy enough to stick in your head while at the same time promoting a positive message. Another of their songs that I really dig is “She Said.” This song is a deeply personal song about one of their friend. The story told in the lyrics are quite moving. The song even inspired the band to begin their own festival to help support victims of domestic violence and abuse. NVision is the type of band that is willing to take chances and experiment with their sound. When you listen to their other songs you can pick out bits of EDM, 00’s emo and even a tinge of hip hop in the rhythms. The honest approach to the lyrics are very relatable in that they explore feelings of loneliness, despair and depression while maintaining the positive hope of a brighter tomorrow. Currently, they are working on more music for their debut album. One other thing to note, NVision is the outlier in a scene that is heavily influenced by the early 00’s nu-metal/radio rock era. Having a band like NVision break out of that and really explore their sound is just what music needs. These guys are on the verge of breaking through their region. So take notice and play it loud!!!

NVision- The End:

NVision- She Said: