Live Review: Baroness at The Bellwether

I love when I go see a band live that I haven’t seen in a while and I’m completely blown away. That happened the other night when I ventured out to The Bellwether in Los Angeles to see the one and only, Baroness! Riding high on their exceptionally great new album, Stone, Baroness delivered a show and set that shows that there is no slowing down for this band. If anything, they’ve only gotten better over the years. Having seen different lineups of the band over the years, I have to say this line up of John Baizley, Gina Gleason, Nick Jost and Sebastian Thomson is the best the band have ever sounded. It’s almost as though these 3 members were the missing ingredient for Baroness.

As the clock struck 9:00pm, the lights dimmed and the giant Baroness backdrop lit up and as they entered to “Embers” the opening of their new album, it was clear that business was about to be handled. Ripping right into “Last Word” it was apparent that Baroness is on a whole other level live these days. After “Last Word” it went straight into “A Horse Called Golgotha.” then onto “March To The Sea.” That trifecta alone was intense. Then came the awesome “Beneath The Rose” and from there we went into another exceptional new song, “Under The Wheel.” After that it was a nonstop onslaught of great song after great song including a personal favorite of mine “Tourniquet” from their Gold & Grey album. For their encore, they unleashed “Take My Bones Away” and “The Sweetest Curse. What a way to end the show.

Baroness are one of those bands that have such a vast catalog and cross section of influences which makes for great art, music and live shows. One of the things I loved most about this night and their set were the little extended jams to certain songs. When you listen to a Baroness album, especially those epic songs, you get swept up by it all and then live when those songs are played and they extend those parts ever so sweetly, it’s like hearing the song again for the first time. It’s quite a beautiful feeling. Another thing I have to mention is the intensity in which each member of the band played with. Watching them on stage put out the level of energy they did and play as hard as they did really upped the ante. As I mentioned in the opening, having Gina Gleason, Nick Jost and Sebastian Thomson in the band really completes the core. Their abilities as players and writers have pushed Baroness to explore different avenues which has made the band truly stand out and not be defined by one genre. This night showed that Baroness is here to stay and they are only getting better. If you haven’t seen Baroness live, I highly suggest you do as well as listening to their new album, STONE.

Baroness Set List:
01) Last Word
02) A Horse Called Golgotha
03) March To The Sea
04) Beneath The Rose
05) Under The Wheel
06) War, Wisdom and Rhyme
07) Anodyne
08) Chlorine & Wine
09) Tourniquet
10) Shock Me
11) The Gnashing
12) Isak

Encore:
13) Take My Bones Away (Tour Debut)
14) The Sweetest Curse

Review & Photos By: Brian Lacy

Baroness Live:

New Release: Xtine & The Reckless Hearts- 8 Meet 6

Being a part of putting shows together with The Cobalt Presents (aka The Cobalt Cafe) the past couple years has been quite fun. I’ve gotten to see a ton of really great bands because of it. There have been a few bands that have played Cobalt shows that I’ve really taken a liking to. One of which just recently played one of our shows and released a new single/video. If you aren’t familiar with Xtine and The Reckless Hearts, you should change that! This all female rock band is the real deal. They are infectious, energetic, and one hell of a rocking band. Their new single “8 Meet 6” is about the current attacks on women’s rights. It’s about how we must all come together and fight for eachother, strength in numbers, unity among the masses. The fight against the war on women! And it’s one hell of a song to boot! Do yourself a favor and check out what Xtine and The Reckless Hearts have going on. I have a feeling you will dig it!

Xtine & The Reckless Hearts- 8 Meet 6:

New Release: Chelsea Wolfe- Whispers In The Echo Chamber

About a month ago, Chelsea Wolfe released “Dusk” from her upcoming new album. Today, we have further details on the album, She Reaches Out To She Reaches Out To She, which will be out February 9, 2024 and the first single “Whispers In The Echo Chamber” has been released. Speaking on the song Chelsea said “This song is a rebirth. It’s my sincere hope that this song and ultimately the full album will help inspire others to empower themselves and step into their authenticity. I’m right there with you on that journey- as I wrote these songs, they demanded to be lived.” I look forward to this new chapter in the catalog of Chelsea Wolfe!

Chelsea Wolfe- Whispers In The Echo Chamber:

New Release: Osnova- Octavian

A couple months back, I ventured out to an old familiar spot I used to frequent in Hollywood, Boardners, to go see my friends in The Baby Goats during their residency for Club Decades. If you haven’t seen The Baby Goats live, I suggest you do, they are “Fun As Fuck.” No joke, they are seriously one of the most fun, entertaining live bands in Los Angeles. It was on this night that I saw a band before them that caught my attention. As they played, I kept getting more and more drawn into their dreamy soundscapes and shoegaze vibes. With that in mind, allow me to introduce you to Osnova.

The origins of Osonovo began in 2018 as former music journalist and DJ at KXLU FM in Los Angeles, Jean- Claude Vorgeack (aka JC) went looking for a drummer and Sam Ribeyro answered the call. The two would spend time bringing life to JC’s home recording demos throughout the pandemic. It wasn’t until July of 2022 that the final piece was found in vocalist Caroline McLaughlin. With the final puzzle piece in place, Osnova could now begin to hone their sound. Their sound is dreamy and cinematic with bits of shoegaze and alternative rock that all together create an atmospheric yet edgy style that stands out amongst the other shoegaze bands of their ilk. The band released its self-titled debut EP in fall of 2022, and finally made their live debut in November of the same year to a rapturous audience. Osnova has continued to find favor in the Los Angeles dark and dreamy music scene and has now partnered with LA record label Dune Altar (one of the best Indie Labels around) for the release of their latest single “OCTAVIAN,” which is otherworldly!

Osnova- Octavian:

Find Osnova Online:

Bandcamp

Instagram

Youtube

Live Review: Better Lovers at The Roxy

When the news first came out about Better Lovers, the level of excitement in my mind about it was pretty high. Then came the first release “30 Under 13” , then their surprise EP and from there I was in. It’s never easy to start again but, thankfully, the passion and drive found in each member of Better Lovers exists on a level that is on another stratosphere and the end result is one hell of a punch to the face in a total awesome way. This night at The Roxy was just that and then some.

Opening the night was Entry. They were the perfect band to start this night off. Having just seen them about a week or so ago when they opened for Converge, I knew that right as they started that this was going to be “a night.” Their set was blistering and ravenous as they blazed through song after song. In fact, I tend to think they were even better this night than when I saw them a couple weeks back. Entry are fast becoming one of my favorite Los Angeles based bands to see live. Definitely check them out!

Next up was Roman Candle from Las Vegas and they went off. While still keeping with the hardcore element, Roman Candle has more of a metallic/melodic edge to them which offers up different dynamics within their songs. Their set, was an onslaught of heaviness that not only was a great pre-cursor of what was to come but, made me a fan as well. I look forward to the next time Roman Candle is in Los Angeles.

Finally as the clock hit 10pm, the lights dimmed down and over the PA a ton of different snippets of songs played all with the word “love” accented. Then the curtain rose and from there for the next 40 minutes, the Roxy absolutely exploded. Opening with “Become So Small” was one hell of a way to kick things off. Then after that my favorite song released so far, “God Made Me An Animal” took things to a whole other level. With bodies flying off the stage both band and audience members, you knew right away that this was the real deal. “Sacrificial Participant” had a ton of crowd participation singing along. Two new songs were played and those ones went off with one hell of a bang. Just wait till you hear these new ones, this band is only getting started. Being that Better Lovers only have so many songs, they pulled out a cover of Soundgarden’s “Rusty Cage” and absolutely nailed it. So much so that they made it their own by adding their own signature touches to it. Closing out their short yet oh so sweet set was “30 Under 13” and at this point it was no holds barred. By the time it was all over, you could tell the audience was all into it and didn’t want it to end. In fact, I wouldn’t have even minded if they had taken a mini break and played all those songs again.

Better Lovers have arrived and they are just getting started. Their time on the road this summer definitely made them a very tight band. The intensity that each member brings to this band permeates from the stage to the audience. It’s infectious and it doesn’t want to stop nor should it! I look forward to the next Better Lovers release and tour. If more bands took cues from the bands that played this evening, live music would be thriving again. This show was just what I needed after one hell of a week. I left this show not only inspired to want to get back into playing music but, with the feeling that good heavy music is alive and well. You just have to be looking at the right places to find it!

Review and Photos By: Brian Lacy
(note on the pics- I was having too much fun enjoying the show to really want to take pictures)!

ENTRY:

ROMAN CANDLE:

BETTER LOVERS:

NEW MUSIC FRIDAY: October 6, 2023

Lots of new music came out today and this week and I thought, I’d put them all in one article to share with you all. As usual, it’s a very eclectic mix of things for you to delve into! In this batch there’s new music from Mike Shinoda, Lived-In, Lamb Of God, Myrkur, Health, Prong, Eighteen Visions, and Fake Figures. Dig into these and let me know what you think! ENJOY!

Mike Shinoda- Already Over:

Lived In- Something In The Way (Nirvana) & Videotape (Radiohead):

Lamb Of God- Evidence (Omen’s Album B-Side):

Myrkyr- Valkyriernes Sang:

Health- Children Of Sorrow & Sicko (feat Godflesh):

Prong- State Of Emergency:

Eighteen Visions- Ravenous Ways:

Fake Figures- From Within EP:

Alternate Versions: Led Zeppelin- Ten Years Gone (LIVE)

I’ve been on a bit of a Led Zeppelin kick as of late. I found myself the other night putting all their albums on and just letting it all take me on a quite the musical trip. When I got to Physical Graffiti, there was one song in particular that hit at the right moment, and that song was “Ten Years Gone.” This song is an absolute gem in the Zeppelin catalog. It’s dark and sultry and full of great melody. “Ten Years Gone” is one of Jimmy Page’s epics. Interestingly, originally the song was meant to be an instrumental song. This song live goes to a whole other level. The alternate version that I have always dug comes from their 1979 concert at Knebworth. This would be one of the bands final concerts before the passing of the one and only John Bonham. This version particularly is quite simply superb.

Led Zeppelin- Ten Years Gone (Live At Knebworth- 1979):

Led Zeppelin- Ten Years Gone (Album Version):

Album Review: Harms Way- Common Suffering

The evolution of bands is necessary for a multitude of reasons. I’ll rattle off a couple. One, you don’t want to keep churning out the same thing over and over. Your tastes change as you grow. The genre your band is in needs something more. And you want to further develop the sound of the band. All of these reasons can be found on the new Harms Way album, Common Suffering. Throughout their career, Harms Way have kept adding elements to their sound in a way that not only stands out in a good way but, also breathes new life into the genre. After one listen to Common Suffering, I knew that this wasn’t just any typical next album. This one is quite the record!

Right out of the gate you get a swift kick to the head with the very straight forward hardcore attack of “Silent Wolf.” From there the riffs really start to grab you as “Denial” takes the record to another level of heavy. “Hollow Cry” is one of the songs on the album that shows that evolution. There’s a Converge meets Helmet vibe to this song that I really dig. “Devour” is another hardcore banger with a head banging breakdown that will for sure put a crick in your neck. Next up is the very awesome and experimental track “Undertow” which features King Woman’s, Kris Esfandiari. This song has a really killer industrial tone to it. The vocals on this song are both haunting and pummeling. One of the things I really dig about this track is where it’s placed in the sequence of the album. The shift of the album happens here and it’s quite powerful. “Heaven’s Call” is the perfect follow up track to “Undertow” in the way it starts and then just cuts right to the heavy. “Cyanide” is another heavy banger that I have a feeling will be a crowd favorite when played live. “Terrorizer” is a song that brings in more of the industrial element while still being hardcore as all hell. “Sadist Guilt” has razor sharp riffs and an absolute gritty rhythm to it that could shatter glass. Closing out the album is the superb “Wanderer.” This track especially shows the band stepping further away from their comfort zone by adding some surprise elements that you wouldn’t necessarily expect from Harms Way but, in a way that is organic and on the track of their evolution.

Common Suffering is an album that you can tell a lot of blood, sweat and tears went into making it. Having listened to Harms Way for some time now, it’s quite refreshing to hear them take a few twists and turns on this album. With each album, Harm’s Way have pushed themselves to not just be labeled as a hardcore band or a death metal band. The industrial elements they add to their already hard and heavy sound adds a layer that gives them a bit more bite. While the album is still quite angry and full of rage, there’s a sense of catharsis when you listen that by the time you finish the album, a purge of emotions has taken place. Harms Way really have made an album that not only stands out amongst their peers but also shows that having variety in hardcore and extreme music is a good thing.

Overall Rating: 9/10

By: Brian Lacy

Harms Way- Common Suffering:

Secret Songs: Glassjaw- Losten

Glassjaw’s debut album, Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Silence, is one of the most influential post hardcore albums. I remember when it came out while I was in high school and it definitely had a huge impact on a lot of bands. Recently I had a Glassjaw song stuck in my head and it got me to go back and listen to them. While going back to Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Silence, I remembered that there was a hidden track called “Losten” which can be found after “Motel Of The White Locust.” The hidden track really does tie the whole album together. I personally miss bands putting secret songs on albums. It really made things fun! Let’s go back to that!!

Glassjaw- Losten:

Live Review: Converge, Deaf Club, King Yosef & Entry at Echoplex

I have a list of bands that any time they come through Los Angeles I have to go see them. One of those bands is Converge. It doesn’t matter how many times I’ve seen them (I think this was number 9 or 10), I just am compelled to go see them live. Converge aren’t just one of the best live bands around they are downright legends. Their catalog is one of those that you’d be hard pressed to find an album that isn’t good. And like a fine wine or scotch, Converge seems to only get better with time. This West Coast run got started this past Friday night along with Entry, King Yosef and Deaf Club and what a show it was.

Getting the night going was Los Angeles’s own, Entry. I’ve been fond of this band for a bit and they came out swinging. They really got the crowd ready for the evening. Though their set was short, only about 20 mins, they made every second count. Entry was on fire throughout their set as they blazed through song after song. I can see why they are garnering the street cred they have. They are the real deal and I look forward to their evolution as a band.

Next up was King Yosef. What he brought to the evening was a bit of Industrial Hardcore. Thankfully it wasn’t just one guy up there with a laptop. The live band aspect of drums and guitar definitely helped bring the sound to reality. Thee set though short, was direct and to the point, just as hardcore should be. The industrial element to the songs gave them a bit more bite. His latest album, An Underlying Hum is quite good and live those songs really came to life. I would be interested to see King Yosef again.

Before Converge was the mighty, Deaf Club. They really came out guns blazing and got the crowd up in a bit of a frenzy. Deaf Club has a great mix of punk and hardcore in their sound with a bit of a grungy undertone to it a la Nirvana. Never one to be still, frontman/vocalist Justin Pearson immediately commanded the stage and with each song got the audience more and more involved. It was quite a fun thing to witness. One of the things tht I really like about Deaf Club is the added dynamics to their songs. While they are don’t lose their hold on their roots, their ability to add off time parts and some cool shoegazey moments makes them not only stand out amongst the other bands during the night but, it gives the audience more to listen to.

Now the main event of the night, Converge. I really don’t know what else there is to say about this band that I haven’t already said throughout the years. They still pack one hell of a punch and a ferociousness that is untouchable. Their set this night was one that I quickly found myself absolutely enthralled by. Converge played a good chunk of songs off my favorite album of theirs, Axe To Fall, along with other gems from Jane Doe, You Fail Me, All We Love We Leave Behind and The Dusk In Us, including a close personal favorite of mine “I Can Tell You About Pain.” When you watch Converge live, it’s like poetry in motion. Each member from Nate Newton, Ben Koller, Kurt Ballou and Jacob Bannon give their all each night and it shows. The precision that they play with combined with the explosive nature of the songs makes for one hell of a show. There are many things I love about going to see Converge live and one of them is watching the audience get so into the songs. At times throughout the set, I’m pretty sure the crowd was louder than the band. Converge are without a doubt pioneers and legends in heavy music. They prove time and time again that they are band that you just can’t mess with. I look forward to hearing what they have coming up in the near future as the world does need more Converge in it!

Converge Set List:

01) Eagles Become Vultures
02) Dark Horse
03) Under Duress
04) Axe To Fall
05) Heartless
06) You Fail Me
07) All We Love We Leave Behind
08) Predatory Glow
09) Hell To Pay
10) Bitter And Then Some
11) Eye Of The Quarrel
12) Reap What You Sow
13) Cutter
14) Worms Will Feed/Rats Will Feast

Encore:

15) I Can Tell You About Pain
16) Concubine

Axe To Fall= 5
Jane Doe= 3
The Dusk In Us= 3
You Fail Me= 3
All We Love We Leave Behind= 2