This week I present you with another cover song that I’m torn on. Stone Sour put out a second covers EP and on it was their version of The Rolling Stones “Gimme Shelter.” On one hand there are moments that are really good. Then I think to myself am I hearing this right? I’m interested in what your take is on this classic song being covered.
Stone Sour w/Lzzy Hale of Halestorm- Gimme Shelter:
Rolling Stones- Gimme Shelter:
The new Killswitch Engage album is so damn good. Jesse Leach’s vocals, lyrics and melodies are exceptional throughout all the albums he’s put out. He’s one of the most underrated singers in the last 15 years. As one of my all time favorite vocalists, my curiosity was raised to find out what other songs Jesse has made a guest appearance on. So here you go!
Killswitch Engage- Take This Oath (From The End Of Heartache):
Roadrunner United- Blood and Flames:
Thy Will Be Done- Preserving The Sacred:
A few months back while scouring the music news sites I read, I came across a band that was starting to gain some traction. The band is Red Sun Rising. They are the type of modern day hard rock band that does more than follow the same pattern as most radio rock bands do. Many bands try to do the early 90’s style of music and fail miserably. Red Sun Rising, while very influenced by that era, brings in two other elements that separate them from the pack. They have a love for the 70’s, and a great sense of melody. Throughout their most recent album, Polyester Zeal, Red Sun Rising manages to blend the best of those three things along with really solid songwriting. Granted they are not reinventing the wheel in any way, this band is just doing this style a hell of a lot better than their peers. Currently they have two songs that are taking over the airwaves on terrestrial and satellite airwaves, “The Otherside” and “Emotionless.” The rest of the album is exceptional as well, especially the songs “Push,” “Amnesia,” “My Muse,” “World’s Away,” “Unnatural,” and “Awake.” Give Red Sun Rising a shot if you are looking for a jolt of really solid hard rock.
Red Sun Rising- Polyester Zeal:
One band that I’ve been a huge fan of for many years is Radiohead. They just announced that they are playing a few shows later this year. So naturally, that had gotten me in a Radiohead frame of mind. Here is an album rank of their catalog from not their best to their best.
King Of Limbs:
Hail To The Theif:
A Moon Shaped Pool:
Pablo Honey:
Amnesiac:
In Rainbows:
Kid A:
Ok Computer:
The Bends:
This is the first album that I’ve been anticipating all year. A few years back when Killswitch announced that Jesse was back in the band, it got me very excited. Disarm The Descent was a great way to welcome Jesse back into the fold. Now on this new album Incarnate, the band have stepped it up in a huge way. Taking a cue from their masterpiece Alive Or Just Breathing, the songs on the album get deep lyrically and musically they are taking chances, expanding on the melodic metal sound they helped to bring to the masses. One of the biggest things I’ve noticed on this album is Jesse’s voice. His screams are more direct and menacing in his delivery of the lyrics, while his clean singing voice has gotten better and better over the years. His range and emotion while singing is a true stand out amongst the talented musicians. One of my favorite songs “Embrace The Journey…Upraised,” really has the feel of the Alive era, but this song brings it in a different way, adding more ambience to the song, making it more epic by nature. Not to mention the positive outlook in the words. “Quiet Distress” is similar to the Times Of Grace project that Jesse and Adam have on the side. Its acoustic setting and dual vocals really drive home the message of the song. “Just Let Go” is another emotionally charged song that sees Jesse bare his soul a little more. “Strength Of The Mind,” is a classic Killswitch song, that will get the crowds going when they play it live. The song “It Falls On Me” is one of the most epic songs the band had ever put out. This is my favorite song on the album as of this writing. I hope it becomes a fan favorite and they include it in their setlist rotation. For those looking for a real head banging track “The Great Deceit” is the song you want. Closing out the album is “Ascension,” a song that sums up the entire album lyrically.
Incarnate is an album that will leave you feeling a sense of hope and positivity. One of the things I look for in bands is the ability to write strong lyrics that have depth and meaning. Jesse Leach has done just that and then some. He has bled his heart and soul out on this album. Since I first heard his voice and lyrics, I’ve been a fan of his. Not to take anything away from what Howard Jones did with the band, but Jesse has always been the voice of the band for me. If Killswitch carries on with the direction they went with Incarnate, they will have many more years of longevity to come.
Killswitch Engage- Incarnate:
I have no idea why some bands insist on covering such classic songs, only to ruin them in the end. Not to mention when the band in question covering the song is horrible. With that in mind I present to you all a horrible rendition of The Animal’s classic “House Of The Rising Sun” done by an absolutely horrible band, Five Finger Death Punch.
Five Finger Death Punch- House Of The Rising Sun:
The Animals- House Of The Rising Sun:
I remember the day I bought Massive Attack’s Mezzanine very clearly. I was at Tower records and was browsing through the aisles and came across this very peculiar cover. It looked like one of the bugs from Starship Troopers. Needless to say, this made me curious as to what this could be. So I took it up to the counter and the guy working told me I made a wise choice. And what a choice I made. Mezzanine is an album that expands the dark undercurrents which had always been present in Massive Attack with textured and darker tones that features abstract and ambient sounds.Subtly drenched among the songs, lies deep influences of The Velvet Underground, The Cure and hints of John Bonham’s ferocious drumming. On an interesting note, and I think this helps to play into the darker vibe of the album, is that while making this album there was quite a lot of tension in the group causing one founding member to leave after the album was completed.
The album begins with a brilliant one, two, three, four, five punch of the songs “Angel,” “Risingson,” “Teardrop,” and “Inertia Creeps,” and “Exchange.” As the album moves on from that point it takes a step back into the darker corner. First with the dramatic “Dissolved Girl,” and then with “Man Next Door,” which features primitive beats, a catchy melody and soulful singing. As the album continues, the psychedelic atmospheric vibe continues to guide the songs through to the end.
There is something truly hypnotic about the way the album flows. Mezzanine is one of the best albums to come out in the last 20 years. It’s also an album that belongs in every music fans collection. So if it’s been a while or you’ve never heard Mezzanine, take the time to get acquainted with it, you’ll thank me later.
Massive Attack- Mezzanine:
The wounds are still fresh and the scabs haven’t even begun to form. Now is not the time. Since Scott Weiland’s passing late last year, the surviving members of Stone Temple Pilots have taken it upon themselves to continue on. On one hand I totally understand their need and want to get back out there, but it’s just too soon. Their failed attempt to move on while Scott was still alive was atrocious. Their picking of Chester Bennington was awful. Have you seen the footage of it? I mean seriously, what are you guys thinking? The clips that I saw just showed Chester trying to emulate Scott all the way down to dying his hair pink, and swaying and moving on stage just like Scott would. Not too mention that Chester’s voice is too high and sounds nasally. It’s as though they created a tribute band already with the addition of Chester. At least when the band took a hiatus in the 90’s, the guys had the decency to start a new group under a different name. Remember Talk Show?
With enough time, I think that people would welcome an STP return. Look at Alice In Chains. When Layne passed away, they all did their own things and came back when enough time had passed. Granted there were quite a few doubters, but those that took the time to see the new Alice, saw that it’s a breath of fresh air that does the band justice. Jerry, Sean and Mike found the right guy in William DuVall. And now people are loving what William has done for the band.
What I’m saying is that now isn’t the time to get back out there. Let the people have the chance to get over Scott’s passing. Dean, Robert and Eric take some time and do something else. By getting STP going again, you are tarnishing the memory of what a great band you were. All people will think is that who ever you pick to sing for the band, it isn’t Scott and won’t come close. Start up Army Of Anyone again. I’m sure Richard Patrick from Filter would be down to get that rolling again. Or just start a new band and call it something else. You can play a few songs from your STP catalog, but don’t make an entire set from it. With enough time the wounds will heal enough for you guys to get the band back together with the right person.
As it says in the song “Creep”… “Take time with a wounded hand, cause it likes to heal.”
Filter is about to release a new album called Crazy Eyes. So naturally that has put me in a Filter mood as of late. I recently went back and did a full catalog listen of Filter and have come up with an album ranking of their releases from not their best work to the best.
Anthems For The Damned:
The Sun Comes Out Tonight:
Crazy Eyes:
The Trouble With Angels:
The Amalgamut:
Title Of Record:
Short Bus:
The band of the week feature is my absolute favorite category to write on my site. Not only do I get to discover new music, but I get to share that all with you. This week I present to you InAeona. This three piece from Boston combines epic and eerie melodies with space rock, post metal and bits of electronica (mainly from the ambient/industrial side). The band themselves have been at it for a while, developing their sound and gaining a passionate following. Their latest release Force Rise The Sun, is ferocious in its intensity and delivers an astounding amount of hope and passion. I had the pleasure of seeing InAeona a few months back when they played with Sidewave (a favorite of Audioeclectica’s), and their live show was intense and striking. InAeona is a band that needs to be on everyone’s radar. They really have the chops and package to really deliver a blast of rock that is needed in today’s music climate.
InAeona- Force Rise The Sun:
InAeona- Soldier:
InAeona- Sun|Moon:
https://www.facebook.com/inaeona
AUDIOECLECTICA 