Live Review: Cave In at Teragram Ballroom

Cave In have long been a band that I’ve been quite fond of. I still remember first hearing them around the year 2000 when Jupiter came out and thinking that this is on a whole other level. There was something about Cave In that stood out and from that point on, I was hooked. Now over 20 years later, I’m still hooked and this most recent time seeing them live was one of those shows that left you not wanting the show to end but, leaving you with the sense of wanting to create!

Riding high off the release of their fantastic new album, Heavy Pendulum (one of my Top 5 favorite albums of the year), Cave In took the stage to a roaring crowd and immediately hit the crowd with a dose of “New Reality.” From there it went into “Blood Spiller” and at that point you were engrossed with what was happening on stage. Not long after we were hit with the epic “The End Of Our Rope Is A Noose” which when you looked around the venue you could tell who goes a long way back with the band. After that was my favorite track off of Heavy Pendulum, “Reckoning.” This song is truly one of “those songs” that stay with you for years and years. Written by the extremely underrated Adam McGrath, the live version of “Reckoning” took it to another world. It was seriously a highlight of the set. And then they followed that up with “Joy Opposites” one of my favorite songs off of their (underrated album) Antenna. Those 2 songs alone made my night and to have them back to back was special. The band from there went back into the new album for a couple more “Careless Offering” and “Blinded By A Blaze” both of which were stunning. Then just when you thought things were calm, Cave In hits the crowd with “Halo Of Flies” and from there you knew that there was no turning back. Closing out the main set was “Wavering Angel” another favorite of mine off their new album. This song live too, was one of those that just hits you and stays with you. For their encore the eruption of “Big Riff” had the crowd in a frenzy and as about as loud as the band singing along. Ending the whole night was the always great and sentimental “Sing My Loves.”

Cave In delivered a show and a set that was definitely one that I will remember for a long time. Having one of my really good friends with me and it being his first Cave In show made it even better. As I mentioned above, when the show was all said and done, you could tell that there was still so much energy in the room that Cave In probably could have played longer and nobody would have left. It was that kind of show. The intimate nature of the venue too made it feel as though everyone was all together as the band rocked the night. It’s truly remarkable that Cave In, who have weathered just about every storm you can think of for a band, can collectively come together make another phenomenal album and continue onward and upward in a way that shows what the power of music and the right people together can do. If you haven’t seen Cave In, I highly recommend you change that and make it out to a show the next time they come through your town. One more thing I would like to add, Caleb Scofield was one of those guys that are pretty irreplaceable and so unique that it takes someone with the right understanding to come in and carry on their legacy and the one and only Nate Newton was the absolute best choice. Thank you to Stephen Brodsky, Adam McGrath, JR Conners, Nate Newton and Caleb Scofield for all the years of great music and shows! See you all when you come back!

Cave In Set List:

01) New Reality
02) Blood Spiller
03) Searchers Of Hell
04) The End Of Our Rope Is A Noose
05) Reckoning
06) Joy Opposites
07) Careless Offering
08) Blinded By A Blaze
09) Halo Of Flies
10) Wavering Angel

Encore:

11) Big Riff
12) Sing My Loves

Review and Photos By: Brian Lacy

2022 End Of The Year Lists: Best Guitar Duo

Next up on Audioeclectica.com’s 2022 End Of The Year Lists, the Top 10 Guitar Duos/Trios. The stipulation is that, an album/EP had to have been released this year.

Vote for your favorite in the comments section. At the end of the month, I will release the results of the readers poll.

This list is also in NO PARTICULAR ORDER!!!

01) Stephen Brodsky and Adam McGrath- Cave In

02) Ryan Osterman and Evan Phelps- Holy Fawn

03) Will Benoit, Joel Reynolds and Mike Repasch-Nieves- SOM

04) Robb Flynn and Vogg Kieltyka- Machine Head

05) Jesper Stromblad and Nicholas Engelin- The Halo Effect

06) Ashla Chavez-Razzano and Ari May- Faetooth

07) Jasan Radford and Ryan Stuber- Centershift

08) Justin Martin and Kevin Clark- If It Kills You

09) Brian Sullivan and Russ Savarese- Thoughtcrimes

10) Mark Morton and Willie Adler- Lamb Of God

Album Review: Cave In- Heavy Pendulum

Cave In are a band that have weathered every storm you can think of as a band. And no matter what is thrown at them, be it life lessons and tragedies, Cave In always comes out on top and armed with a sense of passion and delivery that most bands would and should be envious of. What Stephen Brodsky, Adam McGrath, JR Conners and Nate Newton have put together on their new album, Heavy Pendulum, they should not only be proud of but this album sets the band on a whole new journey of triumphs to be had and stages to rock.

Heavy Pendulum is an album that has one hell of an ebb and flow just like an album should. All the classic Cave In elements are here along with some new twists and turns. As the album begins with “New Reality” it’s obvious the guys are looking to move on from what they have been through and using this a new way to set forth a new path for the band. This track not only sets the tone for the album, the riffs attack with a sense of urgency similar to that of the Perfect Pitch Black era. The melodic leads provide the right amount of ear candy to wet your Brodsky/McGrath guitar appetite. The album continues at a pace that draws you in more and more with lush sound scapes, sick riffs, rhythms that will get you up rocking and maybe dancing a bit, top notch melodies not just vocally, lyrics that are reflective, deep and provide a bit more closure, and a sense that this album really just re-kickstarted a band that is just scratching the surface of where they can go now.

The 14 songs that make up Heavy Pendulum swing ferociously. From all the heavy riffs to the mid tempo drops and the more delicate moments, this album has most definitely earned its spot within the top 5 albums of 2022. I could go track by track which I did when I was listening to the album but, I really believe that takes away from your listening experience. Instead I will point out a few of my favorite tracks like “Blood Spiller,” “Floating Skulls,” “Heavy Pendulum,” “Amaranthine,” “Nightmare Eyes” and the closing song “Reckoning” which I must say Adam McGrath absolutely shines on this song.

The addition of Nate Newton to the band is very present throughout the album. His tone, style of play and passion for this band radiates through each song. After I heard the news of Caleb Scofield’s passing, I knew the only person that could ideally fill his shoes was Nate and not only has he honored Caleb but he’s continued on with same drive for the band that he had. When you hear the parts of the songs that would be “Caleb moments,” Nate drives those parts home with a sense of gusto that I’m sure would make Caleb smile.

Cave In has made an album that not only sums up their career but sets the foundation for where they can keep going. There isn’t one moment on this album that feels forced or makes you want to change a song. The whole album captures the listener like an album should. Heavy Pendulum isn’t just another Cave In album, this one is one that was destined to be made and the end result is something beyond tremendous. Personally, I can’t wait to hear these songs take on a new life when played live. Cheers to Stephen, Adam, JR, and Nate for creating one of the best albums of 2022 as well as one of the best albums in the Cave In catalog.

Overall Rating: A

Cave In- Heavy Pendulum:

By: Brian Lacy

Instrumental Songs: Cave In- Ataraxia

For the past couple weeks I’ve been on a Cave In kick. Actually it started back when Two Minutes To Late Night released the videos of their Splitsville series when Every Time I Die covered Cave In’s “Youth Overrided.” From that point, I’ve been delving back into the Cave In catalog. During this time I’ve spent a lot of time with the album Perfect Pitch Black. I remember when this album came out and how strikingly different it was from Antenna, and thankfully so. I do like Antenna a lot but, you can tell that there is something lacking about it in terms of energy and passion on certain songs. Perfect Pitch Black is a wonderful encompassing of everything Cave In had done to that point. It has the the grit and heaviness of Until Your Heart Stops, the spacey and proggy vibe of Jupiter, and the craftsmanship of Antenna. So many stand out songs are on PPD like “Trepanning,” “Off To Ruin,” “The World Is In The Way,” and “Screaming In Your Sleep.” One of the songs that has always stood out to me is the awesome instrumental track “Ataraxia.” This song is perfectly placed on the album and it gives the record a moment to reflect as you get swept away by the sea of rhythm and riffs. This is another great example of just how diverse and deep Cave In are.

Cave In- Ataraxia:

Cave In- Perfect Pitch Black:

Cave In (Led Zeppelin)- Dazed and Confused

Many years ago, the mighty Cave In did something daring and courageous. They took on one of the greatest bands of all time and put their spin on one of their best songs. That band would be Led Zeppelin and the song was “Dazed and Confused.” Seeing as though Cave In is the type of band that is willing to take a chance and expand upon what they’ve done, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that they would tackle such a song. Just listen to their opus that is Jupiter (which by the way just turned 20 years old this year). Not only did they pull it off in a great way, they even went as far as opening their sets with their version of it a few times in the early 00’s. If you are a lucky one out there that owns their Anomalies Volume 3, you get the almost 11 minute long version of it. This is just the 6 minute live version but, it’s worth every second you listen.

Cave In- Dazed and Confused (Live at Marquee Theatre 2003):

 

And just because it’s awesome, listen to Jupiter while you’re at it!

2019 End Of The Year Lists: Best Guitar Duos

Next up on Audioeclectica.com’s 2019 End Of The Year Lists, the Top 10 Guitar Duos. The stipulation is that, an album/EP had to have been released this year.

Vote for your favorite in the comments section. At the end of the month, I will release the results of the readers poll.

This list is also in NO PARTICULAR ORDER!!!

01) James “Munky” Shaffer and Brian “Head” Welch- Korn
02) John Dyer Baizley and Gina Gleason- Baroness
03) Stephen Brodsky and Adam McGrath- Cave In
04) James Root and Mick Thompson- Slipknot
05) Joel Stroetzel and Adam Dutkiewicz- Killswitch Engage
06) Albert Navarro and Nathan Najera- Seizures
07) Joe Trohman and Scott Ian- The Damned Things
08) Richard Kruspe and Paul Landers- Rammstein
09) Chelsea Wolfe and Bryan Tulao- Chelsea Wolfe
10) Andrew Diaz and Matthew Wright- Harborlights

Band Of The Week: Nomad Stones

Power trio’s in rock music are one of my favorite things to listen to. There is something so pure about three people and an explosive sound that comes alive. One such band that has really delivered the goods is Nomad Stones. Formed in 2015 by Cave In members Adam McGrath and JR Connors, and joined by Charlie Coffou, Nomad Stones, roared out of the gate with their self titled debut. The sound of 90’s alternative mixed with, cool and hypnotic effects and a wall of sound has made me really intrigued by this band. As a fan of their other work be it Clouds, Zozobra, Doomriders, etc, it’s in their blood to deliver great rock. Recently, Nomad Stones released a new song “Behind The Trigger” from their upcoming album, Unriddled. This track is as rocking as it is catchy. Nomad Stones have truly found their sound and it’s everything you’d want and then some.

Nomad Stones- Behind The Trigger:

 

 

 

Nomad Stones- Nomad Stones (Debut Album):

 

Album Review: Cave In- Final Transmission

Since the start of their career, Cave In have always been the type of band to delve deep into themselves and deliver albums that compliment those feelings and emotions. So, it’s no surprise that on their new (and maybe final) album, Final Transmission, that all the grief and thoughts the surviving members of the band have are front and center.
Final Transmission is an album that is bittesweet all the while is pure and true to what they’ve always done.

Beginning with the title track “Final Transmission,” you automatcally feel the spirit of the late Caleb Scofield. The song is actually a voicemail left by Caleb following a writing/demo session, which features Scofield playing an acoustic guitar and singing a melody over it. From there the album moves to “All Illusion”  a song that features lyrics written by Scofield that was taken from a journal that was found after his death. This is  where the album takes a turn for the sound they all created on the highly acclaimed (and my favorite) album Jupiter. The guitar work by Adam McGrath is superb. He’s use of delay and heavy guitars is masterful. Mix that with singer/guitarist Steve Brodsky’s soaring vocals, and the ferocious rhythm section of drummer JR Conners and Caleb Scofield, and you have the perfect Cave In song. The song “Shake My Blood,” is one that will have you reaching for the box of tissues, as you think about the grief that wafted over each member of this band. Other stellar songs on this album include “Winter Window,” “Strange Reflection,” “Night Crawler” “Lanterna,” and the final track “Led To The Wolves” which is quite a poignant ending to a loving tribute to their fallen brother and friend.

 

Final Transmission was unintended to be released in its form, the band obviously was working on making a complete and full album before the passing of Caleb. There is a slight feeling of this being more of a collection of songs rather than an “album” but, the more you listen, the more it all starts to really gel. One thing that is lacking is the absence of Caleb’s screams which helped to give Cave In more of an aggressive edge as found on Perfect Pitch Black and White Silence. Still, It’s a collection of tracks that see a band who has been gone way too long deliver the goods and really make sure that this is something that Caleb would be proud of.
Overall Rating: A-

 

Cave In- Final Transmission:

 

Review By: Brian Lacy

 

New Release: Cave In- Shake My Blood

June 7th is only a few weeks away, and that is when we get the new (and final?) Cave In album Final Transmission. Today, they have released another new song entitled “Shake My Blood.” This new song is a pretty deep and heavy track. It also has a sort of Jupiter feel to it. Granted there have only been two songs released so far, this one and “All Illusion” but, I can already sense that this album is going to be one of the best albums of the year and be in constant rotation for a long time to come.
Pre-Order the album HERE

Cave In- Shake My Blood:

 

 
Cave In- All Illusion:

Anticipated Albums: Wear Your Wounds- Rust On The Gates Of Heaven

I love side projects. Especially when they deviate from the style of music you’ve associated someone with for so long. Wear Your Wounds is one of my favorite side projects I’ve ever heard. Wear Your Wounds was created by Converge founder Jacob Bannon. Initially conceived as a solo project, it evolved into a five-piece band that often works with collaborating musicians. In 2017, the debut self titled double album was released followed closely by the even more experimental Dunedevil, which was also an accompaniment to Bannon’s abstract art book of the same name. Now, Wear Your Wounds, prepare to release their new album Rust on the Gates of Heaven (out July 12 via Deathwish Inc.).  The release marks the first time the official lineup of the band; Jacob Bannon (Converge), Mike McKenzie (The Red Chord, Stomach Earth, Unraveller, etc), Adam McGrath (Cave In, Nomad Stones, etc), Sean Martin (Twitching Tongues, ex-Hatebreed, ex-Kid Cudi), and Chris Maggio (ex-Trap Them, ex-Sleigh Bells, etc) have properly written and recorded together. It also features musicians Ben Chisholm (Chelsea Wolfe, White Horse) and Gared O’Donnell (Planes Mistaken For Stars, Hawks and Doves) collaborating throughout. Watch and or listen to the music video for the album’s eponymous first single now. Personally I can’t wait for this album to come out. So do yourself a favor and dive in to this great band and their work.

Wear Your Wounds- Ruse On The Gates Of Heaven:

 

 

WEAR YOUR WOUNDS, ON TOUR:

May 8  Louisville, KY @ Zanzabar *

May 9  Chicago, IL @ Empty Bottle *

May 10  Toledo, OH @ Ottawa Tavern *

May 11  Detroit, MI @ Sanctuary *

May 12  Cleveland, OH @ Grog Shop *

May 14  Richmond, VA @ Gallery 5 *

May 15  Baltimore, MD @ Metro Gallery *

May 16  Philadelphia, PA @ Voltage Lounge *

May 17  Brooklyn, NY @ Saint Vitus *

May 18  Boston, MA @ Sonia *

May 26  Seattle, WA @ Highline ^

May 27  Portland, OR @ Tonic Lounge ^

May 28  San Francisco, CA @ Rickshaw Stop ^

May 29  Los Angeles, CA @ The Satellite ^

May 30  Santa Ana, CA @ Constellation Room ^

May 31  San Diego, CA @ Casbah ^

June 1  Mesa, AZ @ Underground ^

* w/ Uniform

^ w/ Author & Punisher, Xasthur