Album Anniversary: Fear Factory- Demanufacture

The first thing that comes to mind when I think of Fear Factory’s album Demanufacture is, Game Changer. At the time of it’s release, Demanufacture was unlike anything coming out. The concept about a man’s struggles against a machine-controlled government, with each song a chapter in his life, is quite a weighty bit of subject matter. Looking back on that idea 25 years later, it’s definitely quite interesting to see how things in today’s society have played out. On top of that, there are so many elements about this album that have gone on to influence and inspire countless bands throughout the years. Everything from guitar tones, drum sounds, vocals, lyrical imagery and use of electronics are found in so many of the bands you love today.

The moment this album starts, you can already tell that this is going to hit you like a ton of bricks. The opening riff alone is devastating along with the pulse of the drums and bass. Throughout the album too, there is no escaping the sheer magnitude the guitars and drums put out. Then before you know it, the vocals kick in and the whole thing comes together and leaves you in a bit of shock and awe. I could go song by song but, that won’t do this album the justice it deserves. Because it’s a concept album, it’s best to take it all in and let it all brew in your mind. that being said though, I do have my favorites on this album like, “Demanufacture,” Self Bias Resistor,” “Zero Signal,” “Replica,” “Hunter-Killer,” and “Pisschrist.” I will never forget seeing Fear Factory live in 1999 and the moment they started playing songs off this album, the crowd went completely nuts. It’s definitely worth mentioning too, these songs are absolute classics in the metal community. Even if you are at a show and in between bands one of the songs from this album comes on, people in the audience tend to get pretty damn excited.

 
Demanufacture is and will always be regarded as a metal classic. As I mentioned in the beginning of this piece, so much of this band and this album is found in so many bands you love today. One thing in particular is the vocal style. Burton C. Bell’s harsh vocals into clean vocals were pretty much unheard of at the time and now it’s a staple in metal. The style, speed and technicality of guitarist Dino Cazares, drummer Raymond Herrera and bassist Christian Olde Wolbers are often replicated but it’s not quite the same.

It’s a shame that this band is going through so much legal turmoil over the last few years. If this era’s lineup were to reunite, it would be quite awesome. And hopefully they could work on new music together and get back to what Fear Factory is all about. At least we as fans have these albums and if you were lucky to see them live back in the day, have the memory of how good they were. Well, here’s to the day that perhaps we can see that again.

 
Fear Factory- Demanufacture:

Album Anniversaries in 2020

Happy New Year!!!! 2020 is going to be a fun year for Audioeclectica. Lots of changes will be taking place. You’ll have to keep checking back to see what happens.

Since it’s the beginning of the year and I always enjoy these types of things. Here is a giant list of albums celebrating their 10 year to 55 year anniversaries this year.

Thanks to all of you for your continued support!!

Album Anniversaries in 2019

 

2019 is upon us and Audioeclectica is going to be a lot a bit different this year. You will just have to keep reading and checking back to see what changes and what is to come.

For the first post of the year, I thought I would celebrate all the albums that are having major milestone anniversaries this year. The following albums are all hitting the 10, 15 20, 25, 30, 40 and 50 year marks. Some are absolutely legendary albums and others are just impactful albums that you and I would definitely consider to be great. While others are by bands that have had a lasting impact.

Enjoy!

Album Anniversaries in 2018

2018 is upon us and Audioeclectica is going to be a little bit different this year. You will just have to keep reading to see what changes and what is to come.

For the first post of the year, I thought I would celebrate all the albums that are having major milestone anniversaries this year. The following albums are all hitting the 10, 15 20, 25, 30, 40 and 50 year marks. Some are absolutely legendary albums and others are just impactful albums that you and I would definitely consider to be great. While others are by bands that have had a lasting impact.

Album Anniversary: The Velvet Underground & Nico Turns 50

There are certain albums that I was exposed to as a very young kid that forever changed my life. Growing up with parents that passed their music tastes down to me was beyond a gift. I was exposed to so many different great albums and bands. My mom and dad had some similar interests and some very different ones as well. My mom was a huge Lou Reed and The Velvet Underground fan so, naturally that got passed on to me. When I was around 3 or 4, I remember my mom putting on The Velvet Underground and Nico album. I was stunned at how different it sounded but, I loved it. Thus began my own obsession with The Velvet Underground.

I still remember the needle dropping on the record and “Sunday Morning” started. It was almost like a lullaby. Stunningly beautiful and so different. Then “I’m Waiting For The Man” comes in and changes the entire direction of the album. The story that Lou Reed conveys is so realistic. Granted when I was a little kid, I had no idea what he was talking about but, thankfully my mom explained it to me so I could understand it. As the album goes on songs like “Femme Fatale,” “Venus In Furs,” “Run Run Run,” “All Tomorrow’s Parties,” “There She Goes Again,” “The Black Angel’s Death Song,” and “European Son,” would strike a chord with me and so many other people. The magnitude of depth, storytelling, and the way the music hits is astonishing. Of course, the most famous song from the album “Heroin” is a classic among classics. There is a true beauty in the way the song plays out. The build up to the chaos is mind blowing. The way Lou Reed makes you feel like you are on the journey with him is unparalleled. Lou was a masterful writer and story teller. I was also a little bit obsessed with this song and would play it over and over. I even knew all the words to it, which was pretty odd and strange, especially for a young child.

The Velvet Underground were a band that inspired so many other bands. Generations of bands since the album was released in 1967, started bands because of this album. Lou Reed was a big inspiration to me as a writer. The way he was able to connect his life and stories into song is inspiring. The Velvet Underground were unique, different, and and their own thing. They were part artsy, part psychedelic, part rock, and part blues. They were the ultimate package and continued to be a great band with albums like White Light/White Heat and Loaded.  The Velvet Underground and Nico is now 50 years old and is still a great album that will stand the test of time for so many years to come.

I have to really thank my mom for getting me into such a wonderful band. The cars rides listening to music with both my mom and dad were always great. So many different bands were played and most of them are still constantly played to this day. So if you all have a chance to, go thank your parents for showing you their music and getting you into so many great bands.

 

The Velvet Underground & Nico:

 

Documentary on The Velvet Underground & Nico:

Album Anniversary: The Doors- The Doors

The Doors, one of my all time favorite bands, have just celebrated quite the milestone. Their debut album has just turned 50. Yes, I just said 50 years old. That would be 50 years of influence, inspiration and legacy. Over the years, The Doors self titled debut has sold over 20 million copies, been ranked as number 42 in Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the 500 greatest albums of all time personally I think it should have been higher), inclusion in the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry. They have also been credited as one of the pioneers of psychedelic rock. The album was recorded in 6 days at Sunset Sound studios in Hollywood with producer Paul Rothchild and engineer Bruce Botnick. Some interesting facts about the recording of the album is that the album was recorded on a four-track tape machine. The drums and bass (Larry Knechtel was brought in to add some extra “oomph” to the songs, as well as add another layer to Ray Manarek’s Fender Rhodes piano bass) on track one, guitar and organ on track two, vocals on track three, with the fourth being used for overdubs.

For me personally, The Doors first album is sacred to me. This was truly an “album.” Back in the 60’s and 70’s a lot of albums came with a bunch of filler songs, but there isn’t one ounce of filler on this album. The order of the songs beginning with “Break On Through (To The Other Side)” all the way to “The End” has a flow that breathes life into those listening. The “vibe” that the album puts out is astonishing. Jim Morrison’s words and voice strike a chord within, making you think and feel something deep in your consciousness. Robby Krieger’s style of guitar playing melded classical with jazz and rock. He perfectly complemented drummer John Densmore’s Latin and jazz feels. On a side note, I truly believe that John Densmore is one of the most underrated drummers of all time. And then there is Ray Manzarek who provided so many extra layers and melodies to The Doors’ songs.

The Doors will always be to me, one of the most important bands ever. Their legacy, mystique,  willingness to explore music and evolve, and words, are the works of legends. Their catalog alone, though only six albums, is uncompromising. Even their out there work on The Soft Parade and dabbles into more “pop” styled songs, can’t be shot down. The Doors were masters of their craft, instruments and words. There is a reason why their legacy will be everlasting.

So, let us all take a moment and celebrate a truly great band and album. Open your mind and take in the 44 minutes and 48 seconds of greatness that is The Doors first album.

 

The Doors- The Doors:

 

Album Anniversary: Temple Of The Dog

It’s crazy to think that it’s been 25 years since Temple Of The Dog released their one and only album. For those that don’t know, this band and album was a tribute to singer Andrew Wood of Mother Love Bone (The band before Pearl Jam). This is one of those albums that still stand the test of time. I remember first hearing “Say Hello To Heaven” and “Hunger Strike” and being totally in awe of how good those songs were. Not to mention the guitar solo by Mike McCready on “Reach Down.” Seriously, Mike is one of the most underrated guitar players in the last 25 years. The entire album is from start to finish tremendous. There are a few things I find very interesting about this album. One, that it was made and released before Soundgarden put out Bad Motor Finger. Two, “Say Hello 2 Heaven” and “Reach Down” were written by Cornell in direct response to Andrew Wood’s death. While the rest of the songs were written about various topics. This is one of those albums that should be in everyone’s collection. It’s just so damn good.

 

Temple Of The Dog:

Album Anniversary: Metallica- Master Of Puppets

It’s pretty crazy to think that 30 years has passed since Metallica released Master Of Puppets. Not only that but in those 30 years, Master Of Puppets has only gotten stronger. It’s widely considered to be in the top 10 heavy metal albums of all time, inspired countless bands to start up, and those songs when played live get the crowds into quite a frenzy that most of the time you can hear the audience more than you can hear James Hetfield. I remember when I first heard Metallica. And Justice For All was the album that I heard first, but of course once I fell in love with the band, I knew I had to go after the other albums that they had. Master Of Puppets, has such great use of melody and heaviness. It takes the blueprint that the band laid out on Ride The Lightning (my personal favorite Metallica album) and expanded upon it by making it more epic. There isn’t one song on this album that doesn’t fit in to their structure. Each song has a flow to it that jumps out at you as the next one begins. I really don’t even need to keep rambling at this point. You all know that Master Of Puppets is great and deserves to be celebrated. A few years ago while touring the European festivals, Metallica performed the album in its entirety. That must have been one hell of an experience to see live. Maybe one day when Metallica tours the states again, they do it for all of us out here. So with all this in mind take an hour out of your day and blast Master Of Puppets!!!

 

Metallica- Master Of Puppets:

Album Anniversary: Darkest Hour- Undoing Ruin

It’s really hard to believe that ten years has passed by this fast. It seems like just yesterday I was at the record store buying Darkest Hour’s Undoing Ruin. That album really cemented Darkest Hour as a force in the metal scene in that era. Not only that, but with the additional help of Devin Townsend on the production end, they were able to build on the sound of a lot of Swedish metal bands were doing like Soilwork and In Flames. Undoing Ruin also marked a point for the band in which they added some more melodic parts including cleaner vocals. Not to take away from their current lineup, but the five guys that appeared as the core lineup on many of Darkest Hour’s best albums made this band what it is. On the guitar side of things, Kris Norris and Mike Schleibaum complemented each other perfectly. Ryan Parrish and Paul Burnette were a beyond powerful rhythm section that pummeled through with tight precision. The album as a whole from start to finish was cohesive and tight. Each song flowed into the next without having any moments to deviate from the order. Songs like “With A Thousand Words To Say But One,” “Convalescence,” “Sound The Surrender,” “These Fevered Times,” and “Tranquil.” are standout tracks on their own, but in the context of the album as a whole, they are even better. Recently, Darkest Hour did a tour playing this album in its entirety. Sadly I missed that show and can only imagine how great it was. Here’s to hoping that this recent tour puts the band in the right mindset to release a new album soon that incorporates more of this type of sound.

Darkest Hour- Undoing Ruin:

Undoing Ruin Live (From Germany):

Unsung Masterpieces: Thrice- Vheissu

Making a statement through music and art is always a complex thing to do. On one hand you know that this is the best and most fulfilling thing you can do. So much so that the direction and influence you feel at that point is going to define you. On the other hand, there is a sense that people out there won’t get it and thus give up on you. But for those that understand and really pick up on, know that this is the album that needed to be made and up till this point, it was only a matter of time. Ten years ago, Thrice released their masterpiece called Vheissu. At first it was met with a bit of hesitation but as time settled, the album began to take on a life of it’s own. Vheissu was a dramatic and experimental departure from the bands more post hardcore roots. Thrice took chances to make an album with more substance and meaning. Not to say that their previous releases weren’t up to par, but this album just had to push past all those to leave a mark. They took a chance with adding different elements including different instruments, time signatures, and the use of electronics. All of these things really helped to ensure a true artistic approach in the writing and recording process. There are so many standout songs on this album, it’s hard to pick the absolute best. My personal favorite “The Earth Will Shake,” is a perfect example of the bands progression and how well it worked out. “Red Sky,” “Atlantic,” “For Miles,” “Like Moths To Flame,” and “Image Of The Invisible” are all standout tracks on the album. The entire record as a whole is beyond anything in the bands catalog. Take a trip back ten years ago and listen to Vheissu again.

Thrice- Vheissu: