Month: November 2015

You Might Have Missed: Ghost Idols- Monsoons

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One of the early bands of the week Ghost Idols, released an epic 7″ early in the summer this year. The 8 minute opus entitled “Monsoons,” goes from ambient to heavy that showcases the bands ability to build sonic landscapes with their music. The cool thing about this release is the experience of listening to it. The song is split into two sides, giving the listener a really intriguing sense of what the band is all about. Ghost Idols are a great band that deserves your attention. They are currently working on a full length expected out late this year or early 2016.

Ghost Idols- Monsoons:

Album Anniversary: Darkest Hour- Undoing Ruin

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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 Masterpiece: Oceansize- Everyone Into Position

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It’s a real shame when a band releases an album that is so good and then it goes unnoticed by so many people. Ten years ago the highly underrated band Oceansize released their masterpiece Everyone Into Position. This album was something special and different. The elements of prog rock, space rock, and ambience all find their right place in this album. The band themselves have mixed feeling about this album for some reason. This is one of those albums that with every listen it all starts to sink in more and more. There were bright spots for some of the songs on this album. “Music For A Nurse” was used in an ad campaign for Orange and “Meredith” was used in an episode of The OC. Many regarded this album as a regression for the times. I instead like to look at it as an album and a band that was influenced by a lot of different bands and situations. Sure this type of music for the time seemed dated to some, but to those of us who grew up in the 90’s and loved the feelings we got out of the music, Everyone Into Position was an album that we had been waiting for. Now ten years after its release, the people that disregarded this album are starting to come around to it. It’s amazing what time can do, and how peoples listening habits change. Take this album for a listen and you’ll hear a gem that has gone unappreciated. There isn’t a song on this album that warrants being skipped. Enjoy!

Oceansize- Everyone Into Position:

By: Brian Lacy

Band Of The Week: Beware Of Safety

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Instrumental bands have the ability to take you different places. The absence of lyrics and vocals allow the imagination to stretch further with no bounds. The weeks band of the week Beware Of Safety adds something a bit different to the instrumental rock landscape. Their new release MABON, is delicate and full of soothing sounds that gets away from the heavier side of things. The use of acoustic instruments and folk influences really helps to separate them from the pack. Since their formation in 2005, Beware Of Safety has released 5 other EP’s/Albums. These guys have the sound that allows listeners and fans of many genres to just sit back and enjoy. MABON is the right step this band. Check them out!

Beware Of Safety- Mabon:

https://www.facebook.com/bewareofsafety

http://www.bewareofsafety.com/

Bands That Should Come Back: White Zombie

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This feature is so much fun to do. It allows me to think that maybe if I put this out in the ether of the internet, some of these bands might get back together (with the help of all of the others that want it too). Now I know this one is total wishful thinking, especially since Rob Zombie said that he won’t do it, but how awesome would it be if White Zombie got back together. They were such a fun band. There was something unique and fun about them. They had a really cool groove to the music. Guitarist J Yuenger really had a knack for cool riffs and licks that seemed simple but were intricate in the timing. I always wondered why he wasn’t regarded for his playing. Their two major label releases La Sexorcisto and Astro Creep 2000 were outstanding albums. And both were different in good way. La Sexorcisto had a more metal vibe to it while Astro Creep got more electronic and had tinges of industrial to go along with the groove metal riffs. Take a stroll and get back into White Zombie!

 

La Sexorcisto:

 

Astro Creep 2000:

Live Review: Soilwork At The Whisky

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One of the coolest things about going to concerts pretty much my entire life has been to be able to see so many great bands. There are times that you don’t really dig on their newest material so you pass when they come to town. Last night, a friend of mine convinced me to go to the Whisky to see Soilwork. I haven’t seen them in about 10 years, and they crushed it. Soilwork just released a really solid new album called The Ride Majestic.  A good few songs from the new one were played along with some classics and other deep cuts from their catalog. The band themselves seemed like they were really having a great time on stage. This was also the last night of their current tour, thus allowing them to leave it all out on stage. Singer Bjorn “Speed” Strid’s vocals were crisp and tight as tight can be. Even the crowd for it being a Monday night was extremely into their set. The pit was moving and the people were singing along. Not to mention that the sound inside the Whisky even sounded good. All in all it was a great night, and Soilwork made it that much better.

Also playing was Shattered Sun from Texas. Their brand of metal is akin to the likes of Killswitch Engage meets a bit of the Swedish metal. These youngsters were going all out and put on a good show. The only draw back was the banter in between songs. Given enough time to properly develop their sound, Shattered Sun could be on the rise to bigger things. On a side note their guitarist Jesse Santos is one hell of a player. His leads on the songs and backing vocals really helped gain my attention. It makes me really intrigued to see what they do next.

Before Shattered Sun was Earthside. This 4 piece instrumental band was good, and brought out a good vibe for the evening to break up some of the heavy. Their set was decent and you could tell that these guys were having a great time on their first tour. Speed from Soilwork does guest vocals on a track on their new album, but didn’t sing with the group onstage, which was kind of a let down.

It was a fun night to be back out in my old stomping grounds from my youth. Seeing Soilwork again after many years was quite fun, nostalgic, and reenergizing. I’ve been away from the “Metal” scene for a bit, but as long as bands like Soilwork are still around and commanding the stages they play, I’ll keep coming back.

Soilwork Setlist:

The Ride Majestic
Nerve
Bastard Chain
The Crestfallen
Death In General
Alight In The Aftermath
Tongue
Follow The Hollow
Petrichor In Sulfer
Stabbing The Drama
Spectrum Of Eternity
Let This River Flow
Late For The Kill, Early For The Slaughter

Encore:

Rejection Role
Enemies In Fidelity
Rise Above The Sentiment

Underrated Band: Karnivool

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There are so many bands that have been around for a while that have never gotten the due respect they deserve. Karnivool is a great example of a band like this. They have formed in 1997. Their first real album Themata, came out in 2005. The bands follow up Sound Awake, was a huge progression from their debut. this time around it was a collaborative effort on everyone part, thus making it a more natural sounding album.  During this time the band found their fan base grow in their native Australia and in Europe. Karnivool played the Third Eye Gathering in Los Angeles, helping to promote themselves to more US audiences. In 2013 they released Asymmetry. This album was a departure from the sound they developed on Sound Awake, but at the same time showed the bands progression. Karnivool is for sure a band that deserves to be on everyones radar. They expand upon the basic of prog rock and take it to an extra dimension.

Themata:

Sound Awake:

Asymmetry: