Queens Of The Stone Age are one of those bands that have a catalog of albums that are ever evolving. From their debut through their peak into the now, Queens have always been a group to not rest on what they’ve done before. Sure certain things will always be a part of the sound and style of the band but, the opportunity to exist in a different alternative realm, is much more interesting than being generic. And while not every album can be the best, there are those that truly stand out and a couple that really don’t quite hit the mark. Take a moment and delve into this pretty trippy catalog from Queens Of The Stone Age. And while you are listening, find something new to enjoy about these records! And now Audioeclectica’s Definitive Ranking Of The Albums By, Queens Of The Stone Age.
When you have such a distinct voice, hearing it in other bands and songs can be a real treat or pulverizing in both good and bad ways. One such voice is Chester Bennington. His time with Linkin Park literally brought his voice into millions of cars, headphones, houses, parties, arenas and more. Though not known for his guest spots, the ones he did each have their own charm. Check these out and let me know what your favorites are. Enjoy!
About a month as of this writing, the debut album from Held. will be released. Since the beginning of the year, Held. has been unveiling themselves via now three singles and three intense performance videos. The first single “New You Anthem” was right out of the gate a welcome introduction. The catchiness of the riff and the chorus, if that doesn’t strike you, there’s something wrong with you. Seriously, it’s heavy, melodic, packs quite punch to the gut. Then you add in Frank Iero’s guest vocal spot and how his voice hits the perfect counter balance to vocalist/guitarist Douglas Robinson. The second single “Constant Tension” (which of the three released is my favorite. When you get to the bridge of the song, you’ll know why), is a song that could’ve been released during the 90’s evolution of “emo” music. There’s a really cool Sunny Day Real Estate/Jawbox vibe mixed with a bit of a hardcore element. The rhythm section of Josh Eppard and Sal Mignano really shines here. They are beyond tight yet combustable in the best way. I can only imagine them on stage and this song is played. The lyrical connection here is real and very personal. The honesty is pure as you can hear in Douglas again here. “Knifepoint” is the one of the three released that hits the more “alternative” side of the band so far. The syncopated riff/rhythm has a cool push and pull that hits in a very striking way with the vocal as well as the guest spot from Graham Sayle of High Vis.
So here we are at three songs into their debut and it’s shaping up to be quite the explosive one. This combination of Douglas, Sal and Josh sounds even better than you’d think. As a fan of Josh’s playing, he really gets to go for it here in Held. That’s not to say he doesn’t in Coheed And Cambria, you can just hear a different excitement in his playing here. After Douglas left Night Verses, I was pretty bummed not to get to hear him as a part of that band. I really enjoyed the two albums they made and thought they were really on to something. The Ross Robinson produced second album, Into The Vanishing Light, is very underrated and has some truly deeply gritty vocal performances by Douglas. Getting to hear Sal in a different light than The Sleeping is a treat too. As a fan of that band too, you can hear where the roots come from. The sum of the parts here in Held. is going to be something special to see live. I look forward to what’s to come. And let’s just put a proper Los Angeles show out in the universe to happen soon!
There’s a feeling that happens when you hear a new band, where you can hear where a band is rooted but, also where it’s going. Each time the band Tredici has released a new song I’m constantly intrigued. There is something quite interesting going on here and I’m all for it. Vocally you have a band that can hit every note! I mean EVERY note! Along with the melodies it’s a one / two punch that comes out of nowhere. Rhythmically it’s right up the alley of alternative and jazz. Then you add in the keys/piano aspect as it acts to accentuate and add dramatic flair. The guitars add a whimsical touch in the bluesy realm while still being rock. On their latest single, “Bad B!tch,” Tredici goes all out to show just what the possibilities are in music these days. This is what alternative music is all about. Enjoy!
For well over twenty years now and ten full length studio albums, Trivium have cemented themselves at the forefront of heavy metal. Each of their albums shows growth as a band and as songwriters. The word consistency is synonymous with Trivium as they have truly been working hard since their debut being out on the road and in the studio. The last three albums of theirs especially have put Trivium into the upper echelon of metal bands. Currently the band is working on their eleventh album with producer Josh Wilbur. In the mean time, check out this very definitive ranking of their ten albums.
Some bands have such a distinctive sound that the instant you put one of their albums on, you just know it’s them. That’s exactly how it’s been for Corrosion Of Conformity since the early/mid 1990’s. The sound is one of those “you know it when you hear it” type of things. For those that don’t know, it’s a sound that feels like Black Sabbath went down to New Orleans and leaned heavily into the sludginess of the area and then got shot out of a cannon. At least that’s how it is when I hear Corrosion Of Conformity. Now in 2026, COC have regrouped to deliver an album that has all you’ve come to love about the band and then some. Good God / Baad Man is an album that comes out of the gate with a loose feel that makes you strap in for the ride.
This is a double album in case you were wondering. Each half of the record has its own vibe and sense of fun. That’s right, FUN! From the first note of this album there is an instant feeling of good vibes and a whole lot of fun to be had. That’s a really rare thing these days. That’s not to say the subject matter of the record isn’t urgent or personal but, the overall presentation of Good God / Baad Man feels like a celebration of life. Across the hour plus each song pulls you into the riff and rhythm. Songs like “Good God/Final Dawn,” “You And Me,” Bedouin’s Hand” and the epic “Run For Your Life” highlight the Good God side. Then you have “Baad Man,” Lose Yourself,” my favorite as of this writing in “Asleep On The Killing Floor” and the left field song “Brickman” on the Baad Man side that accentuate just how good this album is. It’s interesting too when you listen to C.O.C., the amount of bands that have blatently copped a good chunk of their style. Sometimes it can be a form of flattery while others not so much.
Much like albums of the 1970’s and early/mid 1990’s, there is a total push and pull with this album in a good way. The driving nature of the songs propel Pepper Keenan, Woody Weatherman, Bobby Landgraf and Stanton Moore into another realm. The inspired group really created a record that stands out not just amongst their peers but as a classic in their stellar catalog.
Melody and heavy music goes together like peanut butter and jelly. Strange thought to think about but, it’s quite true. That being said, one of the things I really do enjoy about a good melodic song is the way it feels infectious and hooks you. A couple years back while booking a show for the band Will Haven in Los Angeles, I came across a band that struck the right chord with my ears and that band was, Curse. Curse are a very rocking melodic heavy rock band. Big riffs, pulsating/driving rhythms, soaring vocals and hooks for days is what listening to Curse feels like. The first release “Cruel” from their new EP, Dimming Sun, is chock full of that rich 90’s heavy alternative sound with the best of early 00’s melodicism. As an added bonus Kemble Walters of Chevelle/Aeges produced Dimming Sun. There is more to come from Curse as they will be unveiling a new video for each song over the course of the next few weeks.
It’s only been about a month since Converge released their tenth studio album, Love Is Not Enough. That album has not left my rotation since. Now, we get word that another album is on its way in the form of, Hum Of Hurt. When the band got together to write for their new album, they had a wealth of material. As work began the band realized they had two separate albums and charged forward as such. The first song released from this new album is the title track, “Hum Of Hurt” and it’s a blistering song that confronts one’s inner self. What a song! Converge are truly on a creative run and what a time to be here for it. Hum Of Hurt will be out on June 5th! Enjoy!
The way songs can strike a chord within a person is quite a feeling. It could be a simple thought or even something you see that can make a song bloom into something else all together. As I woke today on a gloomy Southern California day, there was instantly an album that felt perfect. As I listened to it and got to the end, the final song struck the day as though it was it’s soundtrack. It’s quite fitting too as this album celebrates it’s tenth anniversary this year. The song is “Apocalypse Morning” by The Black Queen from their debut album, Fever Daydream. Every time I put this album on, I get completely swept away by it. The mood and vibe it presents and gives as you listen is astounding. Seriously, Fever Daydream is a truly visceral album that will sweep you away in the best of ways. “Apocalypse Morning” as an end of album song is a treat. The mellow and delicate nature feels soothing and calming. This is one of those songs too that feels like a perfect transition into a new dimension be it in your mind or physically. Greg Puciato’s vocals throughout the album truly shine. Each word is sung in such a passionate way that each song has it’s own special place on the album. “Apocalypse Morning” though, is a great way to end this sensational debut album that ten years later now is still just as good as it was when released.
I am very excited and proud to present this Audioeclectica Interview with the one and only Paul Fig. Not only was Paul a part of the band Amen during their epic run, he’s been an in demand producer and engineer for the last 20 years. You’ve heard his work on records by Alice In Chains, Deftones, Ghost, Coheed And Cambria, Slipknot and so many more. We talk about growing up in LA, first musical memories, Amen, Sound City Studio, Engineering/Producing, and then some. So get comfortable and enjoy this fantastic conversation with the great Paul Fig!
