SONG OF THE WEEK: EMMA RUTH RUNDLE- ENOUGH

Artistic expression through poetry and music are so synonymous its second nature at this point. The ones that make truly unique and meaningful work always seem to evoke a very intrinsic feeling that washes over the listener. One such great example is Emma Ruth Rundle. Throughout her career, she’s consistently found a way to not only keep you intrigued but also makes you listen. In her upcoming new album, These Killing Times, Emma ushers in another dimension of her art. The latest single “Enough,” is epic and grabbing. There’s a whimsical twist that creates an incredible feeling within the song. The pulsating rhythms mixed with the nuanced melodic sensibility, makes this a great song.

These Killing Times arrives on September 18!

Emma Ruth Rundle- Enough:

SHOW PREVIEW: THE COBALT PRESENTS- 5 YEAR ANNIVERSARY PT. 3

For those of you that don’t know, over the past five years, it’s been an absolute pleasure to be a part of the new Cobalt Cafe. What started off as a one off to celebrate the thirtieth anniversary of the Cobalt in 2021, has turned into five fantastic years of The Cobalt Presents. While the old Cobalt is closed, “Cobalt” Dave and I found a new way to make it feel like you are there still. These three anniversary shows take place at two of the venues we’ve been able to make into a new Cobalt, (so to speak) when we are there, Corbin Bowl in Tarzana and Hotel Ziggy in Hollywood.

Part 3 of The Cobalt Presents Five Year Anniversary shows takes place on Saturday July 25 at Hotel Ziggy. We have a lineup of 5 great bands that are from the new era of Cobalt bands!

Starting off the night is Olya K brining with her a fun vibe of alternative music with a pop tinge.

Then we move into Tempermental. If Japanese Anime and Josie and the Pussycats morphed and came to life, you’d get Tempermental!

Smack in the middle is the up and coming band Gerbil. Take parts 90’s alt rock, a dash of OC skate punk/ska from the mid 90’s and mid 00’s garage rock and you have the recipe for Gerbil rocking!

You know that saying great things come in small packages?! Well that’s one way to describe the very talented Ayva. Don’t let the smile fool you, this girl and her band absolutely rock. Equal parts melodic and heavy. Ayva is definitely one to watch.

Speaking of a band to watch, if you don’t know Minor Strut yet, you are missing out. As one of the best up and coming bands in Southern California, it’s best to make sure you see this band live! Be sure to watch their full headline set!

See You There!!!

NEW RELEASE: HATEBREED- KILL COUNT INCREASE

After six years, Hatebreed are back with a brand new album. On November 06, Fatal Paradox will be unleashed. “Kill Count Increase” the first single is also track one on the record and set things off with a bang. The song itself is an all out heavy blast of metal and hardcore. This is a great crossover sound and song. Jamey Jasta sounds superb and aggressive as all hell. The album was produced by longtime collaborator Chris “Zeuss” Harris. Very much looking forward to this record!

Hatebreed- Kill Count Increase:

ALBUM RANK: STATIC-X

For well over twenty five years now, “Evil Disco,” Static-X’s brand of music has been a consistent source of fun in music. Personally, I remember seeing them live way back in 1998 before their debut album, Wisconsin Death Trip was released. And all the way up through Start A War, going to see Static-X live was always a great time. The new “reunion” while it hits at a fun bit of nostalgia, feels a bit off putting. Which is why those two albums are not included here on Audioeclectica’s definitive album ranking of Static-X’s six studio albums. R.I.P. Wayne Static!

ALBUM RANK: STATIC-X

06) CULT OF STATIC:

05) SHADOW ZONE:

04) CANNIBAL:

03) START A WAR:

02) WISCONSIN DEATH TRIP:

01) MACHINE:

ANTICIPATED ALBUMS: EVIL ISLAND- TERRAFORM THE AFTERLIFE

Danger is an aspect of rock music that has been missing for quite a while. Certainly there are a few that resonate with being “dangerous.” So when the idea of a new band featuring original members of The Blood Brothers comes along, attention is definitely going to be needed. Enter, Evil Island, this new post-hardcore/punk/hardcore band featuring Johnny Whitney, (vocals) Cody Votolato, (vocals, guitar) Mark Gajadhar, (drums, percussion) Autry René Fulbright II, (bass) and Todd Weinstock (guitar). Who you might also know from Glassjaw and …Trail Of The Dead.

Terraform The Afterlife, their debut album, produced by the legendary Ross Robinson, and to be released on Blowed Out Records on August 14, 2026. The album also features guest spots from Guy Picciotto of Fugazi, Alexis Krauss from Sleigh Bells, Jordan Blilie from The Blood Brothers, and Michael Gatto from XCOMM. Already four eclectic and ferocious songs have been released. Each one having its own charm and personality that makes Evil Island a band that live is going to be the cherry on top.

The notion of danger, a small club and songs that will be lit like fireworks?! Bring it on!

Check Out This Taste Of Terraform The Afterlife!

Tiger Baby:

Animal:

Melted Heart (Featuring Alexis Krauss of Silver Bells):

King Death:

ALBUM OF THE WEEK: FOREIGN FILM- A LOVE LETTER

The idea of the band Will Haven going in a full on 180 degree direction than their known heaviness is beyond intriguing. Usually when you hear a band, well the majority of a band, step out of their known repertoire it can go a bit haywire. That’s not the case for Foreign Film. While there is still a bit of heavy, their debut album, A Love Letter, is an ethereal ambient melodic rock record that soars in direction that flies through the atmosphere.

Across ten songs and forty two minutes you will get lost in this new world of Will Haven’s Jeff Irwin. Along with his fellow bandmates Mitch Wheeler (drums), Adrien Contreras (bass) and Sean Bivins (guitar) he’s also joined by Rylan Kerr (guitar), Robin Florkin (piano/keys) and Tami Taracena (backing vocals), they’ve made a record that moves in a more “post” rock style that’s emotive and full of lush soundscapes. This project has long been in the making and now comes to fruition.

Each song evokes it own emotion. There’s not one song on here that feels like it repeats itself. Instead it weaves an intricate web of all sorts of inspiration making A Love Letter an album that truly captures the essence of the idea. I urge everyone to listen from start to finish to see the whole picture come to life.

Foreign Film’s A Love Letter truly is a thoughtful piece of music and art that fits stands out on its own. There’s a place for both Will Haven and Foreign Film and rightfully so. Enjoy what this album is. The evolution of what this band can be is only getting started.

Overall Rating: B+

By: Brian Lacy

Foreign Film- A Love Letter:

SAME NAME SONGS: BLACK SABBATH & DAVID BOWIE- CHANGES

I’m writing this first part as I woke up from a strange dream. For some reason, I found myself at some Blade looking blood rave type place, that was drenched in black lights and assorted psychedelic looking images. Then as I walked into an eerie elevator the beginning piano part of Black Sabbath’s “Changes” started to play and just when I thought it was going to Ozzy, nope! All the sudden David Bowie’s “Changes” plays. I don’t know what, how or why this happened subconsciously but, I’m all for it.

That being said…

It’s pretty interesting that David Bowie had his “Changes” out about a year before Black Sabbath did theirs. Also both have gone on to become legendary songs in their respective catalogs. Something else that I find quite fascinating is on David Bowie’s “Changes” the piano parts are played by Rick Wakeman. Later on in life, Rick’s son Adam, would go on to play keys for Black Sabbath and Ozzy solo. Talk about a connection. Can you imagine listening to both of these albums back in the early 70’s and having your mind blown?! Teleport me back to that time so I can experience it like that!

Black Sabbath- Changes:

David Bowie- Changes:

SHOW PREVIEW: THE COBALT PRESENTS- 5 YEAR ANNIVERSARY PT. 2

For those of you that don’t know, over the past five years, it’s been an absolute pleasure to be a part of the new Cobalt Cafe. What started off as a one off to celebrate the thirtieth anniversary of the Cobalt in 2021, has turned into five fantastic years of The Cobalt Presents. While the old Cobalt is closed, “Cobalt” Dave and I found a new way to make it feel like you are there still. These three anniversary shows take place at two of the venues we’ve been able to make into a new Cobalt, (so to speak) when we are there, Corbin Bowl in Tarzana and Hotel Ziggy in Hollywood.

Part 2 of The Cobalt Presents Five Year Anniversary shows takes place on Saturday July 18 at Corbin Bowl/Bar10 At Corbin. We have a lineup of 6 great bands that are from the new era of Cobalt bands!

Starting the night off is Heirloom. This fun young band mixes alternative rock, garage rock and a bit of shoegaze into their sound. Lively bunch of kids to really get the night going.

Next up is Strych9. This sibling band is really coming into their own. With roots in metal, punk and goth, it’s going to be a lot of fun to hear where they are headed musically!

From there we get into a more experimental alternative style courtesy of Au Jus. These guys have a very 90’s feel mixed with a bit of spontaneity that gives their live show the extra charm.

Then we get a bit heavier and melodic with Pushing Veronica. This band has been a favorite of the Cobalt for a while now. There’s a real sense of fun, rock and pop all rolled into a great band. Definitely a band to watch out for!

Witkin is one of the best and underrated bands in all of So Cal. The early glam style (from the 1970’s) mixed with fun arena rock and 80’s tinges, truly makes Witkin a band to see.

Closing out the night is Sleeper Cell. Their pop punk meets garage rock sound is catchy and packs quite the vibe. Another really fun band to dance to.

So don’t miss out!! Tickets at $10! That’s right TEN BUCKS (CA$H AT THE DOOR)!! 

SHOW IS ALL AGES!!!

DOORS AT 7:00PM!

MEMORABLE LIVE PERFORMANCES: STONE TEMPLE PILOTS- DEAD AND BLOATED WITH CHESTER BENNINGTON (2001)

Twenty five years ago, the Family Values Tour was on the road. The lineup for that year was headlined by Stone Temple Pilots along with Linkin Park, Staind, Static X and Deadsy. The tour took place during the fall of 2001.

During the tour in Toronto, STP brought out a special guest in Chester Bennington of Linkin Park to join them for “Dead And Bloated.” Seeing and hearing both Scott and Chester on this song sounds so good. And the performance aspect of it is stellar. The look of excitement on Chester’s face while getting to perform with STP is quite something to see. As things would play out later on down the line, Chester wound up fronting STP for a brief moment in time.

Enjoy this memorable moment from 2001!

Stone Temple Pilots- Dead And Bloated with Chester Bennington (Live 2001: Toronto, Ontario, Canada):

NEW RELEASE: MASTODON- SNAKES FOR DINNER

The wait is almost over for new Mastodon! That’s right, the best band of the new millennium, yes I said it and stand by it, will be releasing their ninth studio album, Marrow Deep, on August 28, 2026! The band have already released the song “Your Ghost Again” and have now served up “Snakes For Dinner.” Joining Mastodon on this song is Queens Of The Stone Age’s Josh Homme. You might remember his guest appearance on “Colony Of Birchmen” from Blood Mountain.

As we all know, this is Mastodon’s first album without the late Brent Hinds. If you’ve been listening to Mastodon as long as I have, you know that when tragedy strikes, the next album is quite the gem.

Mastodon- Snakes For Dinner:

Mastodon- Your Ghost Again: