Soundtrack Only Songs: Cold- With My Mind

The band Cold has long been a favorite of mine. Their album 13 Ways To Bleed On Stage is truly a remarkable album. Over the years, I’ve sought out the band’s b-sides and have found quite a few. One of the songs that I’ve come to really enjoy more and more over the years is their song “With My Mind.” You can’t find this song on any of their albums sadly but, it was released as part of the soundtrack to the video game Psi Ops: The Mindgate Conspiracy back in 2004. This track is a great song. Sadly too, it’s only been played live a handful of times. Hopefully, when shows can happen again, and Cold tours, they will add this song to their setlist.

Cold- With My Mind:

Live Review: Cold at The Viper Room

It’s always an interesting time going to see a band live that you haven’t seen in many years. There are so many thoughts that race through your mind, what are they going to play, how are they going to sound, what will these new members bring to the table, etc. Last night at The Viper Room, I got to see Cold live for the first time in well over a decade and it was full of nostalgia, good moments, as well as some interesting things.

As the curtain opened up and the lights and fog were cued, The members of Cold appeared through and began ripping through “Everyone’s A Devil” (side note, this song should have been included on the bands new album The Things We Can’t Stop). From there, songs like “Remedy,” “Give,” new song “Without You,” “No One (which is one of my all time favorite Cold songs),” “The Break,” and “Suffocate (another favorite of mine)” were played. At this point the crowd started to get louder and louder, singing along and at times singing louder than Scooter Ward. Other highlights from the night included my all time favorite Cold song “Confession” from 13 Ways To Bleed On Stage as well as “End Of The World,” “Happens All The Time,” and “Just Got Wicked.” Two other new songs “Shine” and their cover of Snow Patrol’s “Run” were played and sounded even better live, especially “Shine.” The set list covered a nice cross section of their albums and showed that they still got it!

This show was very intimate and a great way to welcome Cold back to the stage after an almost decade hiatus from playing live. There is one thing that seemed a bit off and that was the tone and sound of some of the songs. Granted I’m used to hearing the songs a certain way after all these years so, I do have a little bias. Having new members will definitely change things up and at certain moments, yes, there were times that it didn’t sound exactly right but, that’s what made this a very unique performance. The band was extremely tight though and you can tell they had finally hit their stride on that level. I have a feeling that with more and more shows and playing these songs, they will get those tones and sounds aligned and sound even better. That’s not to say, that the new members don’t play well, they do, it’s just going to take some getting used to. Playing at The Viper Room was a great choice as well. This room really brought the fans closer to the band and you could feel the unity among them all in attendance as they sang their hearts out. Here’s to Cold’s return and many more shows and albums from here on out!

 

Cold Set List:

01) Everyone’s A Devil
02) Remedy
03) Give
04) Without You
05) No One
06) The Break
07) Suffocate
08) It’s All Good
09) When Angels Fly Away
10) Happens All The Time
11) Ocean
12) Confession
13) End Of The World
14) God’s Song
15) Shine
16) Stupid Girl
17) Run (Snow Patrol Cover)
18) Just Got Wicked
19) Feel It In Your Heart

 

 

Review and Photos (I was too busy watching to take many pictures) By: Brian Lacy

Cover Song: Cold (Snow Patrol)- Run

Cold’s new album, The Things We Can’t Stop, features a cover of Snow Patrol’s “Run.” It’s a pretty close to the original version but, because of Scooter Ward’s voice, it goes to another level emotionally. He’s always had a very distinct voice and on this song, you can further hear how his interpretation means so much to him. No matter what it’s a great song, and this cover is pretty spot on!
Cold- Run (album version):

 

 

Cold- Run (live & acoustic version):

 

Album Review: Cold- The Things We Can’t Stop

After 8 years away, Cold have returned. Armed with a new album, The Thing We Can’t Stop, and a new lineup, Cold seem like they are ready to get back to the rock. The new look and sound of Cold continues the bands honest approach to very emotionally driven songs. Scooter Ward, the bands lone original member, meticulously spent time writing these songs to make sure they retained the signature style that makes Cold who they are.

The album starts off with an atmospheric intro of spoken word as it then flows into anthemic “Shine.” I’ll admit when I first heard this song, I thought it was something more fitting for Scooter’s solo project The Killer and The Star but, the more I’ve listened, it really fits in the spectrum of what Cold is. “Snowblind” is one of my favorite songs on the album. This mid tempo jam is dark yet hopeful with gentle melodies that make this song a stellar and stand out track. “The Devil We Know” has bits of classic Cold (a la their first album). This is one song that I can tell when it’s played live will be a fan favorite for sure. “Better Human” is an interesting song. It’s got a very positive message as it fits for today’s world we live in. “Without You” is one hell of a song. The heavy guitar and bass parts along with the groove, have bits of 13 Ways To Bleed in it. As of now, this is my favorite song on the album. As the album continues, it has this sway to it that takes you on a ride of emotions, like “Quiet Now,” “The One That Got Away,” and “Systems Fail” do. “Beautiful Life” and “We All Love” wrap up the album. Both of these songs are deeply heartfelt and give off a sense of hope wrapped in a warm blanket of feelings. Also on the album is a cover of Snow Patrol’s “Run.” The version on this album stays true to the original but, it’s Ward’s voice that pulls it in a different direction.

The Things We Can’t Stop isn’t a part 2 of any of the bands other albums. The closest this one remotely comes close to is A Different Kind Of Pain in the way the emotions play out. This album is a very mature look inside Scooter Ward and his life and pain. As a longtime fan of the band, at first listen you sort of feel like something is missing but, the more you listen and take it all in, the more you start to really resonate with the songs and the mood it puts you in. That’s one thing that Cold has always done well, especially on their first two albums. The new members have given Cold a bit of a different sound but, it doesn’t stray too far from what makes this band who they are.  I do wish that the production on the album was a bit more raw and more in the way that the vocals sounded on their debut and 13 Ways. Had it been like that, I think this album would have been a bit more impact. As I mentioned earlier, this record feels a little out of place in the bands catalog but, in its nature and after a few listens, it’s Cold through and through. No matter what, I and a lot of people are very ecstatic that Cold are back. I very much look forward to seeing the band live again and hearing these songs live. I have a feeling that, these songs live will take on a whole new life.

 

Overall Rating: B

 

Cold- The Things We Can’t Stop:

 

Live Review: Korn- The Nothing Album Release Show

It’s pretty crazy to me that just a couple weeks ago, I was in Irvine to see Korn and Alice In Chains, and then this past Friday, here I was seeing Korn again. Only this time, it was one of the coolest most intimate performances ever. I had no idea what to expect as I walked into this warehouse/sound stage. I really thought this was going to be a listening party with a pop up merch shop and a couple of the guys from the band would be there. What happened was, I walked into this giant room and there, all set up was the bands equipment. At that point, I knew it was on. Looking around there couldn’t have been more than 150 people there and we all were surrounding the barricade waiting for Korn to come out and play.

After about 40 minutes of waiting, the room went dark with the exception of a few scattered lights, and the band started to appear. It was then that the notes began to ring and the intro for the classic “Falling Away From Me” started, and as soon as that one note hit, the crowd was fully engulfed into it. Following that was “You’ll Never Find Me” from their new album The Nothing. They had been playing this song on their summer tour and it surely sounded huge and the crowd knew every word. After that, Munky was playing with his talk box and some effects, and after a couple minutes of noodling, “Dead Bodies Everywhere” took the audience by storm and the place erupted at that point. That song has always been a favorite of mine and live it sounds soooo good. From there, they debuted “Can You Hear Me” for the first time. This song is a standout on the album and live it sounded even better. “Here To Stay” was after and again the crowd was going nuts singing along. “Cold” another new song from The Nothing was debuted this evening and this song hit so hard, it almost felt like an eruption occurred underneath us. At this point you could tell they were playing old songs than new songs and that was pretty awesome especially, as they then blasted out “Clown.” One thing I’ve noticed over the years is when Korn plays songs from their first album, the audience absolutely is taken over by these songs, and this was no different. The sheer volume of the audience singing along with Jonathan Davis was nuts. The next song was another new one called “Finally Free.” This song is one of those songs on the new record that leaves you with chills and live, let’s just say if you go see them and they play this song live, you’ll love it even more. Ending the night with “Faget” was pretty damn awesome. That song has always been a fan favorite and it was a great choice to be played this evening. This was another one of those songs that just hit the crowd in the right way and the rest is history.

The band’s 9 song set was perfect. It was a great performance and one of the best I’ve ever seen Korn do. Looking at each member as they played, you could tell they were enjoying it and having a great time. The crowd reaction as they alternated between old and new songs was astounding as well as how loud the crowd was singing along to the new songs. I was thinking over the weekend as I replayed the show in my head and had the new album on repeat, that it’s pretty surreal to know that I’ve been listening to this band for 25 years. I’ll be honest there was a period of time that I didn’t dig on what they put out but, for the past few years I’ve been reinvigorated as a fan by their new material. The new album The Nothing, is phenomenal and outstanding. It’s surely the best album that have put out in years and it stands up with their ground breaking debut as well as my favorite album, Issues. I mentioned this in my album review but, it’s worth noting again, the original core 4 members have found their footing again in this band and having Ray Luzier on the drums really helps to elevate the band and allows them to go to different places musically. Korn is back in full swing and I couldn’t be happier to say that.

Set List:

01) Falling Away From Me
02) You’ll Never Find Me
03) Dead Bodies Everywhere
04) Can You Hear Me
05) Here To Stay
06) Cold
07) Clown
08) Finally Free
09) Faget

Review and Photos By: Brian Lacy

 

Korn- The Nothing:

New Release: Korn- Cold

 

A second single from Korn‘s new album “The Nothing” has arrived, with “Cold”. This song has the band going back to their “heavier” side. It’s a song that has a sort of Life Is Peachy meets The Serenity Of Suffering feel. Based on the two songs released so far, this new Korn album feels like it’s going to be the one that people and fans will be talking about for a long time to come.  “The Nothing” will be out in stores on September 13th.
Korn- Cold:

 

 

Korn- You’ll Never Find Me:

 

New Release: Cold- Without You

Cold have released another new song entitled “Without You” from their upcoming album, The Things We Can’t Stop (out September 13). This track is very much in the vain of 13 Ways To Bleed On Stage era and that’s a great thing.

Cold- Without You:

 

New Release: Cold- Shine

It’s been a minute since Cold has released new music (2011 to be exact). Well, the wait is over, as Cold has released the single “Shine” from their upcoming album The Things We Can’t Stop. This song is Cold at a more mature stage but, with the same emotional charge that they’ve always been known for. The new album is out September 13.

Cold- Shine:

 

Underrated Albums: Static X- Machine

Back in 2001 following on the heels of their successful debut Wisconsin Death Trip, Static X released their second album Machine and really stepped up their game. Instead of repeating what they did on Wisconsin, Wayne Static, Tony Campos and Ken Jay made an album that truly surpassed their debut. While the band always had electronics and an industrial tinge, Machine was the album that really brought that to the forefront along with strong riffs and a heavier vocal approach. Machine would become the bands heaviest album and the one that stands out the most.

I remember my dad taking me to the record store so I could buy this album. Once we got in the car I immediately put the cd in the car and let it rip. And rip it did. The moment “Get To The Gone” began, I knew that this was going to be one hell of an album. In fact every song on this album is badass. There are those songs that are heavy like “Permanence,” “This Is Not,” “Burn To Burn,” “Machine,” “…In A Bag,” and “Structural Defect.” Then there are songs that explore a bit of the melodic side like “Black and White,” and “Cold” which you might remember from the Queen Of The Damned soundtrack.

Static X made the perfect follow up album to their debut. The “sophomore jinx” was not going to hinder them even with losing a band member before the recording of this album. Another thing that makes Machine underrated is that instead of relying on drum machines and loops/samples, the band made a point to make this as organic as they could while still maintaining their “Evil Disco” sound. Static X was one of the most fun live bands of that era and continued to be throughout their career. Sadly, the band would go on to break up later on and in 2014 Wayne Static died from a drug overdose. One thing is for sure though, Static X wrote some really rad songs and Machine is probably their best album.

 

Static X- Machine:

 

Anything But This (B-Side from Machine):

 

Anticipated Albums- Cold

Remember the band Cold? I sure do. Their album 13 Ways To Bleed On Stage is one hell of an album and is still in constant rotation in my stereo since it came out over 15 years ago. The members of Cold have been hard at work on a new album, scheduled for a 2018 release via Napalm Records. The following is a rough version of a new song called “Beautiful Life.” Check it out!

 

Cold- Beautiful Life: