Heavy music comes in all shapes, sounds and vibes. Sometimes the band is just a full on gutteral screaming band that just thrashes about with their music. Other heavier bands incorporate brutality and riffs that make for some pretty intense tunes. And then you have heavy bands that can be “heavy” and “brutal” but still have a sense of melody that doesn’t compromise their intention to be heavy. Which brings me to Westfield Massacre. These guys have made music that combines heavy guitars along with thumping bass and groovy drums and soaring vocals that range from aggressive screams and melodic harmonies.
Led by the ever busy Tommy Vext on vocals, Westfield Massacre is a band for today’s heavy metal/rock circles. The rest of the band which includes Ira Black (Guitar),
Stephen Brewer (Guitar), Erik Tisinger (Bass), and Dio Britto (Drums), add their own personal flairs to writing groove laden and hook filled songs, that doesn’t come across as cheesy or “commercial.”
Westfield Massacre are about to release their second full length album. The first single “Only The Dead” is a great step forward for the band not just as writers but, as players as well. You can tell they were inspired to step up their game on the new album.
Mutoid Man have a new album coming out June 2nd and I couldn’t be more stoked. I’ve long been a fan of Cave In and Converge, so the idea of Stephen Brodsky (of Cave In) and Ben Koller (of Converge) making a second full length album is music to my ears. Their first EP Helium Head was a great introduction and exactly what you thought the music would sound like. Then on their debut full length, Bleeder, they stepped it up about 10 notches and delivered a very ass kicking record. The two new songs from their upcoming album War Moans, are blistering and full of intensity. This is one band that you should be playing with the volume turned all the way up.
Check out what Mutoid Man has to offer on their upcoming new album!
Mutoid Man- Kiss Of Death:
Mutoid Man- Melt Your Mind:
Mutoid Man Tour Dates with Special Guest Helms Alee:
06/04 Boston, MA – Great Scott
06/06 Brooklyn, NY – Saint Vitus
06/07 Baltimore, MD – Metro Gallery
06/08 Detroit, MI – El Club
06/09 Chicago, IL – Subterranean
06/10 Indianapolis, IN – Black Circle Brewing
06/12 Dallas, TX – Curtain Club
06/13 Austin, TX – Barracuda
06/14 Houston, TX – The Studio at Warehouse Live
06/15 Baton Rouge, LA – Spanish Moon
06/16 Atlanta, GA – Masquerade (Hell)
06/17 Orlando, FL – The Social
06/19 Raleigh, NC – King’s
06/20 Philadelphia, PA – Underground Arts – Black Box
07/06 Seattle, WA – Neumos
07/07 Portland, OR – Hawthorne Theater
07/08 San Francisco, CA – Slim’s
07/10 Los Angeles, CA – Resident
07/11 Santa Ana, CA – The Constellation Room
07/12 San Diego, CA – The Casbah
07/13 Phoenix, AZ – Rebel Lounge
07/14 Las Vegas, NV – Beauty Bar
07/15 Salt Lake City, UT – Metro Music Hall
07/16 Denver, CO – Larimer Lounge
There is a rumor going around that the former singer of the band Dry Cell and X Factor contestant Jeff Gutt is going to be fronting Stone Temple Pilots. Which, if this is true, is going to be a really bad decision. To further cement why I think this would be a horrible choice, here is Jeff’s old band Dry Cell covering STP’s “Heaven and Hot Rods.”
We all know that feeling of watching a movie and noticing, wow, the music they picked for this is perfect. I really feel that way about the soundtrack for Dazed and Confused. Every song picked is perfect and really fits the vibe of the film. Having a soundtrack with Black Sabbath, Kiss, Deep Purple, and Lynyrd Skynyrd is tremendous enough. Then you add some other gems like “Sweet Emotion” by Aerosmith, and the most excellent “Stranglehold” by Lord Douche, Ted Nugent. Ok I’m done rambling on and on. Take a listen to one of the best soundtracks, and then later on go watch the movie!
The A to Z list continues to find the top ten bands/artists in the alphabet. Q is upon us and needs help to complete the list. As usual your suggestions are wanted in completing this list. These are in no particular order as well.
01) Queen
02) Queens Of The Stone Age
03) Queensryche
04) Quicksand
05) Q-Tip (of A Tribe Called Quest)
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09)
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I’ve long been intrigued by the bands people start after leaving a band they’ve been in for many years. Most of the time the new band is a departure from what they have been doing, and the new project is their way to break away from the musical path they were in with their former band. Which brings me to Bad Wolves. Formed by drummer John Boecklin, formerly of DevilDriver, Bad Wolves expands upon John’s creativity and explores different avenues of heavy, without being predictable and generic.
Joining John in Bad Wolves are vocalist Tommy Vext (Westfield Massacre, ex Divine Heresy), guitarists Doc Coyle (Vagus Nerve, ex God Forbid) and Chris Cain, and on bass Kyle Konkiel. The music they create blurs the lines of heavy rock and metal. Think a bit of Meshuggah with a bit of Sevendust. The first song released “Learn To Live,” is filled with thick riffs, aggression and melody. I personally am looking forward to seeing Bad Wolves live as well as hearing their debut album!
I’m not sure why this keeps happening. There seems to be a new thing going on in music where bands are releasing cover albums and E.P.’s. Granted things like this have been happening for a very long time, it just seems that over the past few years it’s become more prevalent. Recently, I came across a cover of Whitesnake’s “Still Of The Night” by Halestorm. I couldn’t believe what I heard. First off, when I was a kid, I was a big Whitesnake fan, as was my mom, and “Still Of The Night” was one of my jams. So, when I heard this atrocious cover, I felt compelled to have to share it with you all. This cover just doesn’t have the same “gusto” as David Coverdale singing it.
It’s been too long and the fans want it. The guys aren’t getting any younger, and there are so many people that want it. So how about Led Zeppelin gets back together. I’m not asking for new music, just play some shows. Robert Plant, Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones are one hell of a trifecta. Their legacy and influence is spread over multitudes of generations. And there are people like myself that would love to see the three of them play on stage. I do have one request that if they do decide to play some shows, don’t use Jason Bonham as the drummer. Dave Grohl needs to be behind the kit. Jason was good for the “Celebration Day” reunion they did a few years back but, it really needs to be Dave Grohl.
What do you all think? A Led Zeppelin reunion with Dave Grohl playing drums?!
Way back in 2003/2004 there was a group that consisted of Atticus Ross (Nine Inch Nails), Leopold Ross and Brett Gurewitz (Bad Religion). This group came about when Atticus was messing around in the studio and came up with some very interesting sounds that could become songs. Not long after the inception of the songs, Atticus recruited his brother Leopold to play drums and Bad Religion guitarist to play guitar and bass. On vocals Greg Puciato (The Dillinger Escape Plan) was asked to take on the vocals for the EP.
The end result of this collaboration brought 5 songs of pure electronic hardcore with a healthy dose of industrial. You can tell from listening to this EP, why Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross work so well together. The songs are blistering and uncompromising. After the 5 songs finish, the EP leaves you wanting more but, it also leaves you pumped up and ready for anything.
Sadly though it is unlikely that Error will return anytime in the future as discussed in a 2009 interview. However, in a 2011 interview with Greg Puciato, he discussed the possibility of doing a second EP with Error. I personally would love to hear a new EP. Greg will be done with Dillinger soon, so why not!
There are bands that have come out and really influenced other people and bands but, never seem to get their due. A slew of bands from Europe have left their mark on bands from the states. The only thing is, most of America didn’t embrace it or give it a chance. One such band is Placebo. Formed in 1994 in London by singer/guitarist Brian Molko and bassist Stefan Olsdal, Placebo has left their mark in the alternative rock scene for over 20 years. Brian’s unique and distinct voice along with his beyond honest lyrics, have given great inspiration to many throughout the band’s inception.
One of the great things about Placebo is that they are a band that’s never been afraid to expand upon their sound and evolve. Originally when they came out, they were received as a “glam-rock” band by critics and the press, and over the years they worked to put themselves in a position not only escape that categorization but, to be one of the best rock bands. Lyrically, Brian Molko paints vivid pictures with his words. He lets you in a little bit at a time, so you can understand where he is at in his life and what he has experienced. Hid lyrics are some of the most truthful and thought provoking of the last 20 plus years.
Since 1994, Placebo has released 7 full length albums, each of which get better and better. You might recall first hearing Placebo back in the movie Cruel Intentions, and their song “Every You and Every Me.” Their debut album (self titled), is full of angst and questions in regards to growing up. Something everyone could relate to. Without You I’m Nothing, the band’s second album, saw them grow by leaps and bound and explore a different side of themselves. This album went deeper and featured a more “mellow” sound, making Brian stand out even more. Over the course of the next couple albums Black Market Music and Sleeping With Ghosts, Placebo really began to cement their place in rock music, especially in Europe and with their influences like David Bowie and Robert Smith of The Cure.
My personal favorite album of theirs, Meds, is a great summation of everything the band is about. There is something special about this album. It’s dark and powerful yet it breathes a sense of calm and connection as the songs play through. Songs like “Meds,” Infra Red,” “Drag,” “Follow The Cops Back Home,” “Because I Want You,” “Song To Say Goodbye,” and the very amazing “Blind,” are absolutely perfect. Meds would also mark the last album drummer Steve Hewitt would play in the band. Placebo has gone on to release 2 more full lengths, Battle For The Sun and Loud Like Love, which take the band on a different approach, incorporating more electronics and synths. Both of these albums though are pretty stellar and translate to a whole other space live, especially the songs off of Loud Like Love.
Placebo is a band that deserves their due. They are one of the few bands to truly understand what it is to evolve and pursue their goals without compromising their artistic integrity. There are so many bands that owe Placebo a huge debt of gratitude, which I hope they get. They are masters at their craft and like a fine wine, only gotten better with age.
AUDIOECLECTICA 