Month: August 2023

Memorable Live Performances: The Velvet Underground Reunion 1993

One of my all time favorite bands is The Velvet Underground. I’ve been enamored with them ever since I my mom for introduced me to them when I was seriously a really young kid. I’ll never forget hearing them for the first time and thinking this is totally different and really cool. Immediately I fell in love with songs like “White Light/White Heat,” “Venus In Furs,” “Sunday Morning,” I’m Waiting For The Man,” “Sweet Jane,” “Heroin,” and so many more. Through the years, I’ve delved quite deep into their catalog and found a treasure trove of demos, live versions, alternate versions and more. One of my favorite things is to find old live footage of them from their start in 1964 till their end in 1973. Some of the shows from that era are absolutely astonishing. Today though, I’d like to take a moment and recognize their reunion in 1993 which as of this year was 30 years ago. The classic lineup featuring Lou Reed, John Cale, Sterling Morrison and Mo Tucker reunited for a brief European tour including a stop at Glastonbury. During these shows John Cale would sing the Nico parts live, as she passed away in 1988. Also at this time, and I’d have loved to have been there, the reunited Velvet Underground was hand selected to be the support act for 5 shows during U2’s Zoo TV tour. The performance that I’m sharing with you is taken from June 15-17 in Paris, France where the band performed a 3 night residency. The setlist featured many of the bands well known songs, really great choice in deep cuts as well as two new songs “Velvet Nursery Rhyme” and “Coyote.” Sadly though, not long after this tour, the relationship between Reed and Cale became contentious yet again and that was that. The Velvet Underground is not only one of the most influential bands of all time, they are (to me) one of the best bands ever. Take some time and get familiar with The Velvet Underground and you’ll hear and see why I make such a claim.

The Velvet Underground- Live 1993 (Classic Lineup Reunion):

https://youtube.com/watch?v=C_ExmXKFgMI%3Fsi%3DELfBFDuhDTrRPG7J

The Full 1993 Reunion Album:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=h-ZOfZfO3Qw%3Fsi%3DYZhx9idGfhc7ZeC4

Album Of The Week: Will Haven- VII


The mighty Will Haven are back with a new album that is absolutely intense yet has a balance of atmosphere and experimentation that only they can deliver. VII is the band’s seventh studio album and it takes no prisoners. The record is filled with riffs and grooves while at the same time pummeling rhythms that propel the gut wrenching vocals.

From the moment the album starts with “Luna” you know that this album is just waiting to explode. The sludgy/hardcore elements found throughout the album are classic yet feel fresh. Throughout the album it’s more and more apparent that this isn’t a heavy record for the sake of being heavy, there’s a lot to uncover as each song unfolds. The most prevalent aspect found throughout the album is the use of atmosphere. As each song grabs you by the throat, there is a bit of air between the grasp that explores different grooves and textures not found on most hardcore albums. I’d even go as far as to say there’s some psychedelic vibes going on here. For example the songs “For All Future Time” and “Paloma’s Blessing” both showcase Will Haven at it’s experimental finest. Then you also have a song like “Feeding The Soil” that is eerie as it gets under your skin. And then you have my favorite track on the album (as of this writing) “No Stars To Guide Me.” This song is a true highlight on the album but also in the bands catalog. This song is exactly the song I’d point to if I were to tell someone about Will Haven. It encompasses everything and more to love about this band and album.

Will Haven have indeed left their influential mark in heavy music throughout the years. The band’s cult status has only grown over the years, and for a band this far into their career, to put out an album that has it’s own identity and signature is quite the statement. VII is one hell of an album. I urge you to listen to it loudly and on repeat, because once it stops, your hunger for it will only grow deeper! Be sure to come out to The Knitting Factory in North Hollywood on Wednesday August 30, 2023 to witness Will Haven LIVE along with Cycotic Youth, Curse, Stronger Than Machines and Arc Angles TICKETS HERE!

Overall Rating: 9/10

Will Haven- VII:

Track One: Alice In Chains- Rotten Apple

One of my all time favorite albums to put on to end a night or to fall asleep to is Alice In Chains, Jar Of Flies. It’s an absolutely astonishing album or EP. No matter how many times I put it on, I always get swept away by the first song, “Rotten Apple.” I love the way it starts the record and the way it just takes over is magical. This is a great example of how the first song on your album sets up the rest. This is a perfect song. Layne’s lyrics and vocals on this song are pure, raw and honest. Not to mention the harmonies with Jerry. Plus musically, this song is just so damn good. Just as the words and melody hit you, the music pushes and pulls you along the wave. Simply put, “Rotten Apple” is one of the best track one’s of all time.

Alice In Chains- Rotten Apple:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=poo2xaEhrHE%3Fsi%3DRTF8u5irYDNmSVSJ

New Release: Filth Is Eternal- Pressure Me

It’s always exciting when a band you really like/love releases something new. So it’s no shock that I’m pretty damn stoked that my friends in Filth Is Eternal have released a new single, “Pressure Me” from their forthcoming new album Find Out, which comes out September 29 via MNRK. This new song is grungy gut punch that’s infectious and ferocious. Their upcoming album was produced by Paul Fig who has worked with Jerry Cantrell, Alice In Chains, etc but, is also remembered by me most of all as being a member of Amen! Filth Is Eternal is a band that should be on your radar. Not only do they have the chops with their songs but, their live show is one hell of a beast on its own. Do yourself a favor and dig into this Filth!

Filth Is Eternal- Pressure Me:

Filth Is Eternal- Crawl Space:

New Release: END- Gaping Wounds Of Earth

If you haven’t heard END yet, you are really missing out. Ever since I first heard their 2017 EP, From The Unforgiving Arms Of God, I’ve been hooked. Their debut full length, 2020’s Splinters From An Ever-Changing Face is one of the best heavy albums in the last decade! Now, here we are in 2023 and END has entered the room again to destroy with their new album, The Sin Of Human Frailty which features the blistering new single “Gaping Wounds Of Earth.” END is heavy through and through with bits of hardcore, black metal, grindcore, and straight up metal. Their new album will be out on October 27, 2023 via Closed Casket Activities. Do yourself a favor and listen to END!!!!!

END- Gaping Wounds Of Earth:

See END on Tour with Full Of Hell, Inter Arma, and Wake:


10/26 — Philadelphia, PA — Underground Arts 
10/27 — Baltimore, MD — Baltimore Soundstage 
10/28 — Cincinnati, OH — Legends Bar & Venue 
10/30 — Oklahoma City, OK — 89th Street 
10/31 — Austin, TX — Elysium 
11/02 — Mesa, AZ — Nile Theater 
11/03 — San Diego, CA — Brick By Brick 
11/04 — Los Angeles, CA — Lodge Room 
11/05 — San Francisco, CA — Great American Music Hall 
11/07 — Albuquerque, NM — Launchpad 
11/08 — Denver, CO — The Bluebird Theater 
11/10 — St Paul, MN — The Amsterdam 
11/11 — Chicago, IL — Avondale Music Hall 
11/12 — Detroit, MI — Sanctuary 
11/13 — Cleveland, OH — No Class 
11/14 — Toronto, ON — Lee’s Palace 
11/15 — Montreal, QC — Les Foufounes Electriques 
11/16 — Cambridge, MA — Middle East/Downstairs 
11/17 — Hamden, CT — Space Ballroom 
11/18 — Brooklyn, NY — Monarch 

New Release: Venera- Hologram (feat VOWWS)

Last month, I saw a video floating around different sites that had zero information, other than the title of “Swarm,” there was no pre-sale, simply the three-minute single released in tandem with a mysterious screed and a pulsating black-and-white video. I listened/watched it a few times and it definitely left me intrigued. Well the mystery has been revealed. Introducing Venera, a new group featuring Korn’s James “Munky” Shaffer and composer/filmmaker, Chris Hunt. Today, the pair have released a new song “Hologram” which features piano and vocals of Rizz from VOWWS. Speaking on “Hologram” Shaffer and Hunt, explained: “’Hologram’ emerged quickly from our first session together. A nearly unchanging drum machine pattern nested in warbling guitars. We don’t interact much with holograms but they seem to offer an image of an alluring emptiness and light, which resonates well with the universe we are driven to explore.” “Hologram” is a really intriguing track. It has a bit of a trip-hop vibe mixed with a bit of Depeche Mode and a smidge of Sade. Several guests join Hunt and Shaffer on Venera. Drummer Deantoni Parks (Mars Volta, John Cale) plays on “Erosion” and “Disintegration,” HEALTH’s Jacob Duzsik contributes vocals on “Ochre” and Alain Johannes lends his voice to “Triangle.” Their self-titled, debut album arrives Oct. 13 via Ipecac Recordings.

Venera- Hologram (Featuring Rizz of VOWWS):

Venera- Swarm:

Venera Online:

Facebook.com/veneramusicofficial

Instagram.com/_veneramusic

New Release: Thoughtcrimes- Natural Imprudence

Back in August of 2022, Thoughtcrimes released their full length debut, Altered Pasts. That album quickly became a favorite of mine and it’s still been in rotation. Now, a new song has been unleashed upon us and it’s a banger! Speaking about “Natural Imprudence,” Billy Rymer said “The initial inspiration came about with a conversation Russ and I had about HM-2 distortion. He then brought his Evil Ned pedal to my place and we made a demo. This is probably the fastest we have written and released a track. We are all excited to share something that is still fresh even to us.” That being said, it’s pretty awesome to get a surprise new track from Thoughtcrimes. Now all that is needed is a proper Los Angeles show date!

Thoughtcrimes- Natural Imprudence (Official Video):

On Bandcamp:

https://purenoise.bandcamp.com/track/natural-imprudence

Live Review: Iress at The Resident

It’s taken me a few days to truly process what I witnessed last Thursday night at The Resident in Los Angeles and I’m still a bit at a loss of words to properly describe it. The other night, I ventured out to finally go see Iress live and it was everything I’d hoped for and more. As the lights dimmed, the sold out crowd roared as Iress took the stage. From the first note till the last of their set, I was completely hypnotized. Musically, the band moves from shoegaze, doom, slowcore and rock in such a seamless way that it all feels cinematic in how it plays out. Bassist Michael Maldonado has a menacing tone that as the songs play, you become connected to them even more as each note hits your heartbeat. Drummer Glenn Chu propels the beat even more with his precision drumming and guitarist Graham Walker adds a delicate/brightness to the songs. Then you add in the vocals of Michelle Malley, which are quite powerful and absolutely beautiful. When you put all of these elements together you truly get one hell of a tour de force. Iress’s set covered songs from their debut Prey, to their latest EP, Solace. Songs like “Blush,” “Ricochet,” “Shamed” and “Wolves” were beyond stunning live. I’m not kidding when I say that I was hypnotized watching and listening. The raw and gut wrenching power being delivered song after song was seductive and astounding. The chills I got from listening and watching, I haven’t felt that at a show in quite some time. When you listen to and or see Iress, not only do you get a band that is truly passionate about what they do but, you can truly believe it all through the journey of love, loss, pain, anguish and more. Being able to weave intricate webs of heaviness with ambience is no easy feat but, when you see Iress live it all comes to life in a hypnotic way that will leave you breathless. I can’t wait for the next time I can see Iress live. They are without a doubt one of the top 5 bands in all of the greater Los Angeles area. Do yourself a favor, go listen to Iress and see them live!

Review and Photos* By: Brian Lacy

*Photo’s aren’t the best, I was too into the show to really focus on taking pictures.

IRESS LIVE AT THE RESIDENT- 08.11.23:

IRESS ONLINE:

https://www.weareiress.com

https://weareiress.bandcamp.com

https://www.instagram.com/weareiress

https://www.facebook.com/weareiress

Soundtrack Only Songs: Crosses- The Years

Since Crosses announced their upcoming new album, Good Night, God Bless, I Love You, Delete., I’ve naturally gone back to listening to their debut. While doing so, I remembered a track that wasn’t on their album or previous EP’s. The song I’m talking about is “The Years” and it was featured on the soundtrack to the video game for Batman: Arkham City which was released back in 2011. The soundtrack also features tracks from Coheed and Cambria, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Blaqk Audio, The Damned Things and more. The Crosses track though is pretty damn good. It’s an eerie song that packs one hell of a punch. I’d love to see this song on their upcoming tour.

Crosses- The Years:

Crosses- The Years (Making Of):

The Other Side: Nightcars- Kind Of Relief

My tastes in music has changed a lot over the years. Perhaps it comes with getting older and tastes change or it could just be that I hear something that hits at the right time and place. A little while back I was introduced to a band by a friend of mine that was a bit different from my norm. It all still fit within the things I enjoy but, this had something a bit more uplifting and optimistic about it. Allow me to introduce you to the band, Nightcars. Comprised of Nick Marchena (vocals/guitar), Cial Rodriguez (guitar), Adrian Rego (bass) and Mebs Rosales (keys/synths), Nightcars propels a powerful groove that is elevated by rich bass lines, complex rhythms, distinct synth and keys, all the while being accompanied by funk/jazz/rock guitars with pop accents that make the city light up at night. Their music and songs set up the soundtrack for a great sunsetting drive or even a stargazing night. There is a “sound” to their style that keeps you coming back. Perhaps there’s a bit of a nostalgic vibe to their approach, which hits at the right feels. No matter how you put it, Nightcars has the soundtrack to your destination.

Nightcars- Kind Of Relief: