A few years back, I went to a house party show out in the boonies of Los Angeles. While I was there to see a specific band, there was another band that peaked my interest that evening. Looking at them as they played, I realized certain members were from other bands that I used to really dig. Their set that evening was quite excellent and they had me hooked at that point. The band I’m talking about is Fake Figures. Hailing from Southern California and featuring members of bands such as Atreyu, Hotwire and Scars of Tomorrow, Fake Figures has been making their presence known with their music that mixes bits and pieces of metal, alternative and punk with a bit of a 90’s tinge. Since the bands inception, they have released two EP’s with their third one on the way. Fake Figures have also been an MTV Buzzworthy band as well as being featured in magazines like Revolver and Alternative Press. Most recently, they have released a couple songs from their forthcoming EP. The songs “Hole In The Sky” and “Bury The Hatchet” are quite the rockers and the type of songs that when played live, will be very impactful. Fake Figures are a band that deserve your attention. Especially if you are searching for a heavy rock band that will rattle your ears!
Korn will be celebrating their 25th year as a band this year (2019). On top of that, they are releasing their 13th studio album, The Nothing, in September. This band has been going non-stop for so many years. Throughout that time, they’ve amassed quite the catalog of songs. So many songs, that a lot of them didn’t make it to the albums and got used in other ways, whether it was soundtracks, b-sides, etc. I thought why not delve into some of Korn’s b-sides.
Sean Olson (from The Crow City of Angels Soundtrack):
Proud (from I Know What You Did Last Summer Soundtrack):
This Broken Soul (from Debut Album):
Kick The PA (from Spawn Soundtrack):
I Can Remember (from Follow The Leader):
Layla (from Debut Album):
Camel Song (From End Of Days Soundtrack):
Christmas Song (From Debut Album):
Haze (From “Untitled”):
Out Of You (from The Serenity Of Suffering):
Baby (From The Serenity Of Suffering):
Calling Me Too Soon (From The Serenity Of Suffering):
Well, it’s happened… After 20 years, Mr. Bungle Is Back!!! I’ve waited so long for them to get back together and the stars have aligned. Mike Patton, Trevor Dunn and Trey Spruance will be reuniting the band for a handful of shows in 2020. Joining them will be Dave Lombardo and Scott Ian. The band will be performing their early material from The Raging Wrath Of The Easter Bunny. This makes the first performances of the band in 20 years and 30 years since some of these songs have been played live. Mr. Bungle is one of the most influential bands of the past 30 years. You can hear their influence in countless bands like Korn, Incubus, Glassjaw and many many more. Their albums Disco Volante and California are 2 of the most interesting and intriguing albums to be released in the 90’s. I personally hope this isn’t a one off reunion and more shows will come from this.
Back in 2002, Incubus released a DVD called The Morning View Sessions. This was a concert they did in New York on the day of the release of their Morning View album. At this show, they performed a slew of songs, one of which has always stood out to me. “The Warmth” off their album Make Yourself (which turns 20 this year, and it’s also my favorite song off that album), is that song. This version is quite exquisite and takes the song to a whole other level.
Ever since they released their Red album, Baroness have been on one hell of a journey. One that would take the band to different highs and lows both musically and personally. Through all that though, Baroness has always persevered and used all of that to create albums (yes I said albums) that encapsulate everything into a beautiful piece of work. Now in 2019, with the release of Gold and Grey, Baroness have rediscovered parts of themselves with an album that is truly a work of art from start to finish. This album is one of the best of 2019 without a doubt.
The moment the album begins with “Front Toward Enemy” there is a feeling that overtakes the listener with a sense of “here we go.” There’s a section in the song lyrically that I like to think of as foreshadowing “We’re headed for disaster, But I won’t close my eyes until it’s over, So carry on.” To me that is such a powerful statement and one that thematically resonates throughout the entire album. As the album continues on, the songs have this wonderful ebb and flow that really pulls you in and crawls under your skin in such a way that you find a sense of comfort in the music, words, and melodies. Songs like “I’m Already Gone,” “Seasons,” “Tourniquet,” “Throw Me An Anchor,” “I’d Do Anything,” “Emmett- Radiating Light,” “Cold-Blooded Angels,” “Broken Halo,” “Borderlines,” and “Pale Sun” are all stunning on their own merit but, as a whole they really deliver something spectacular.
The addition of guitarist/vocalist Gina Gleason has given Baroness the touch they’ve always needed. Gina’s guitar playing is outstanding and she and singer/guitarist John Dyer Baizley play off each other in wondrous fashion but, her vocal ability is what really takes this album and it’s songs to anther level. The delicate textures on this album courtesy of the harmonizing vocals makes Gold & Grey stand out even more in the bands catalog. Drummer Sebastian Thomson and bassist Nick Jost, provide this album with a rhythm that is thunderous and pummeling but, in a way that is delicate and dense. The band has always been a stellar band but, this lineup is truly the essence of what Baroness is. There’s only one thing about this album that is off and that’s the mix. It’s pushed a bit too far into the red making for a distorted fuzz sound that at times, overtakes the music and the textures. That’s really the one fault this album has. Other than that, what a great album.
Gold & Grey is an album that with out a doubt stands out not just in Baroness’s catalog but, also in today’s musical climate. The creative elements that brought these songs together shine ever so bright. If you would have told me when I first heard Baroness, that one day they’d release an album like this, I wouldn’t have believed you. But, here we are and they have made a remarkable piece of work, one that will be a pinnacle for bands to follow and be inspired by.
The first song officially released from Tool’s LONG AWAITED new album, Fear Inoculum, is finally here. The band has decided to release the title track from the album as the first offering. All I will say about this is it’s very much a Tool song.
Tool- Fear Inoculum:
I love finding songs that have the same title as another band. It makes for a very interesting listening experience as well as makes you wonder which song is better. Over the years, there have been many many same name songs that have led to great conversations and this one I believe will do just that. Two very prolific bands, with two very well revered albums that both happen to have come out around the same time (at least a couple years close). The song in question today is “Drowning Man” and both The Cure and U2 have songs by that name. I’m curious to know what one you think is the “better” one. Personally I enjoy both tremendously but, if I had to pick one, I’d probably go with The Cure but, only my a small margin.
Slipknot’s new album We Are Not Your Kind comes out this Friday (August 9). They’ve already put out 2 songs from the album (“Unsainted” and “Solway Firth“) and this new one “Birth Of The Cruel” is quite good. Kind of has a bit of a first album vibe to it. This album is shaping up to be something quite good, I hope.
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:
One of the most anticipated releases of 2019 for me is finally here. En Minor, a new (well sort of new) project from Philip H. Anselmo, have released their first song and it’s absolutely fantastic. Jokingly self-described as “depression core”, the music represents a far more somber side of Philip that is seldom seen. A while back when En Minor was first announced, Philip described the project as having a brooding, gothic approach that was less metal and more Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. The first song released “On The Floor” is a very dark and eerie song that takes some cues from Nick Cave. Getting to hear Philip like this is wonderful. His voice is perfect for this style of music and it couldn’t come at a better time.
AUDIOECLECTICA 