Author: audioeclectica

Against The Grain: Cult Leader

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A few months ago when The Dillinger Escape Plan came through town on their recent tour, they brought with them Cult Leader as an opener. I had really been looking forward to seeing them. After listening to their latest album Lightless Walk, I knew I was going to be in for a treat. Needless to say, their performance left me in awe, and inspired. Cult Leader is the type of band that will steal the show, and leave the audience in a state of astonishment.

Formed in 2013, following the break up of their former band Gaza, Anthony Lucero, Casey Hansen, and Mike Mason decided to continue to make music together. They then recruited Sam Richards to join them. After spending time working on new music and releasing two EP’s, Nothing For Us Here and Useless Animal, it was time for the band to begin work on their first full length. Lightless Walk was produced by Converge’s Kurt Ballou. The album is a righteous slab of metal, hardcore and punk with bits of ambiance properly placed to give the songs the proper dynamics they need to be powerful. With songs like “Great I Am,” The Sorrower,” “A Good Life,” “How Deep It Runs,” and “Lifeless Walk,” it’s no wonder that Cult Leader has become one of the best bands in the genre of heavy music. Their live performances are intense, aggressive and hypnotic. I highly recommend seeing Cult Leader when they come though your town.

Take a moment and expand upon your musical palate… Listen to Cult Leader!!!

Cult Leader- Lightless Walk:

Cult Leader- Live (10/30/16 @ The Regent Theater with The Dillinger Escape Plan):

 

Album Anniversary: The Doors- The Doors

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The Doors, one of my all time favorite bands, have just celebrated quite the milestone. Their debut album has just turned 50. Yes, I just said 50 years old. That would be 50 years of influence, inspiration and legacy. Over the years, The Doors self titled debut has sold over 20 million copies, been ranked as number 42 in Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the 500 greatest albums of all time personally I think it should have been higher), inclusion in the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry. They have also been credited as one of the pioneers of psychedelic rock. The album was recorded in 6 days at Sunset Sound studios in Hollywood with producer Paul Rothchild and engineer Bruce Botnick. Some interesting facts about the recording of the album is that the album was recorded on a four-track tape machine. The drums and bass (Larry Knechtel was brought in to add some extra “oomph” to the songs, as well as add another layer to Ray Manarek’s Fender Rhodes piano bass) on track one, guitar and organ on track two, vocals on track three, with the fourth being used for overdubs.

For me personally, The Doors first album is sacred to me. This was truly an “album.” Back in the 60’s and 70’s a lot of albums came with a bunch of filler songs, but there isn’t one ounce of filler on this album. The order of the songs beginning with “Break On Through (To The Other Side)” all the way to “The End” has a flow that breathes life into those listening. The “vibe” that the album puts out is astonishing. Jim Morrison’s words and voice strike a chord within, making you think and feel something deep in your consciousness. Robby Krieger’s style of guitar playing melded classical with jazz and rock. He perfectly complemented drummer John Densmore’s Latin and jazz feels. On a side note, I truly believe that John Densmore is one of the most underrated drummers of all time. And then there is Ray Manzarek who provided so many extra layers and melodies to The Doors’ songs.

The Doors will always be to me, one of the most important bands ever. Their legacy, mystique,  willingness to explore music and evolve, and words, are the works of legends. Their catalog alone, though only six albums, is uncompromising. Even their out there work on The Soft Parade and dabbles into more “pop” styled songs, can’t be shot down. The Doors were masters of their craft, instruments and words. There is a reason why their legacy will be everlasting.

So, let us all take a moment and celebrate a truly great band and album. Open your mind and take in the 44 minutes and 48 seconds of greatness that is The Doors first album.

 

The Doors- The Doors:

 

Ultimate Set List: Metallica (Updated)

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A while back before Metallica’s new album Hardwired…To Self Destruct came out, I made an “Ultimate Set List” for them. But now that the album is out and it’s an absolute beast, I thought I should update what would be on my dream set list.
As usual here are the rules:

Rule 1: What line up of the band would it be

Rule 2: Where would you want to see the show

Rule 3: maximum 25 songs

 

Line up would be: James, Kirk, Lars, Cliff

Venue: Fonda Theatre in Los Angeles

Set List:

01) Hardwired
02) For Whom The Bell Tolls
03) Blackened
04) Battery
05) Master Of Puppets
06) Creeping Death
07) Atlas, Rise!
08) And Justice For All
09) Harvester Of Sorrow
10) Moth Into Flame
11) Fade To Black
12) Welcome Home (Sanitarium)
13) Halo On Fire
14) Orion
15) Bleeding Me
16) No Leaf Clover
17) The Unforgiven
18) Nothing Else Matters
19) One
20) Dyers Eve
21) Spit Out The Bone
22) Sad But True
23) Whiplash
24) Seek And Destroy
25) Hit The Lights

 

 

 

 

 

 

Live Review: The Black Queen

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You know that feeling you get when you hear an album and after a few minutes of listening to it, you feel compelled to HAVE TO go see the band live? In early 2016 The Black Queen which features Greg Puciato (of The Dillinger Escape Plan), Joshua Eustis (of Telefon Tel Aviv) and Steven Alexander (former guitar tech for Dillinger and Nine Inch Nails), released their debut album Fever Daydream. The album is drenched in dreamy synth pop, with industrial tinges, and stunning melodies. There is a true sense of inspiration in these songs when you listen. There is something more to The Black Queen though, and for you to really grasp it all, you must see them live.

The Black Queen are quite spectacular live. There is a sort of hypnotic trance that comes through their performance. The normally very eccentric and wild card performances that most fans of singer Greg Puciato’s other band The Dillinger Escape Plan, are toned back and instead, Greg delivers a much more subdued yet empowering performance fronting this band. Not only does Greg have one hell of a voice, but you can tell in how he delivers his words, that there is more to him than you thought. Handling the electronics and synths is the very talented Joshua Eustis of the underrated Telefon Tel Aviv. His ability to create atmosphere and a vibe through the use of synths, adds another dimension to the band. Steven Alexander adds an extra layer with his guitar playing. His use of distortion and delay, really does add a lovely sense of heaviness.

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Drenched with smoke and sparce light, the sounds of the beginning of “Strange Quark” filled the room, the smoke and lights beginning to shine, with each member appearing on stage. From there to “Distanced,” the set begins in an almost dramatic fashion, as though there is a story being told. Other highlights of the set came when “That Death Cannot Touch,” “Silent Scream, ” “The End Where We Start,” “Ice To Never” were played. The sheer volume of the audience singing along, took the show to another level. By the end of the set when they played “Apocalypse Morning” everyone in attendance was absolutely transfixed by the charm and sensations of the music.

Do yourselves a favor, pick up The Black Queen‘s album Fever Daydream and keep watch for when they come back around and play in your area. It will be a night you won’t forget, and it juts might leave you inspired and feel uplifted!

 

Review By: Brian Lacy

Photos By: Alisa Lacy

 

The Black Queen- Fever Daydream:

Thank You

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Dear Readers and Bands,

I just wanted to thank you all for a great year. I truly enjoy doing this. It’s all out of a labor of love for music and spreading the word about good music. In the past three years since I started Audioeclectica, I’ve met some very talented people, heard some really great music, and seen some pretty amazing shows.

Thank you to the bands that take the moment to re-post articles, message me back, share new tunes with me, and just chat. It’s that extra effort that makes this whole thing work.

Thank you to the readers of the site. Thanks for reading, commenting, sharing, liking and giving me suggestions. Keep them coming!

2017 will bring a lot of new things to Audioeclectica. It’s going to be a very exciting time!

See you in 2017,

Brian

 

Check out this performance from Oathbreaker. It’s truly intense and amazing:

 

 

 

 

The Results Are In…

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The 3rd Annual Audioeclectica Readers Poll Results Are In!!!

The results are based on fan/reader votes. Thank you to all that took the time to vote for your favorites.

And now…
Best Guitar Duo:

James Moore and Mitch Wayte- Moving Structures
Best Bassist: TIE

Kevin Lewis- Moving Structures
John Jarvis- Scour

Best Drummer:

Chris Marquard- Moving Structures
Best Guitarist:

Derek Engemann- Scour
Best Vocalist:

Jason Kothmann- Interstelar
Best Album Cover:

Interstelar- Resin

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Guest Musician: Dave Grohl

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Dave Grohl is one of the busiest and most collaborative musicians that have come around in a long time. I’ve been wanting to do a Guest Musician post about Dave for some time, and now seems like the great time to do it. Here are a slew of the songs Dave has guested on over the years.

 
Tony Iommi Solo Album- Goodbye Lament (Vocals/Drums):

 

David Bowie- I’ve Been Waiting For You (Guitar):

 

Pete Yorn- For Us (Drums):

 

Garbage- Bad Boyfriend (Drums):

 

Slash Solo Album- Watch This (Drums):

 

The Prodigy- Run With The Wolves (Drums):

 

Nine Inch Nails- Getting Smaller (Drums):

 

Nine Inch Nails- The Collector (Drums):

 

Nine Inch Nails- Sunspots (Drums):

 

Nine Inch Nails- The Line Begins To Blur (Drums):

 

Nine Inch Nails- Every Day Is Exactly The Same (Drums):

 

Albums Played On:

Queens Of The Stone Age- Songs For The Deaf, Like Clockwork
Tenacious D- Self Titled, The Pick Of Destiny, Rize Of The Fenix
Juliette And The Licks- Four On The Floor
Killing Joke- Self Titled

And so many more…

 

 

Album Review: Nine Inch Nails- Not The Actual Events

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Trent Reznor promised new Nine Inch Nails before the end of 2016 and he delivered. Not The Actual Events, the new EP (and first EP since 1992’s Broken) finds Trent and now full time member Atticus Ross, delving deep into the industrial landscape with a bit of shoegaze, and erratic sensibilities. There are moments among the 5 songs that hark back to the Broken days along with bits of The Downward Spiral. I can say this about the EP, if you’ve been wanting Nine Inch Nails to go back to their heavier days, then you are going to really enjoy this.

Starting off with “Branches/Bones” you know that this is Nine Inch Nails. “Dear World” is a song that take a right turn, but doesn’t lose the identity of it being a part of this EP. “She’s Gone Away” is a song that takes you on a journey all on its own. There is a real epic feel to this song. I could really see this one becoming a fan favorite like “Reptile.” “The Idea Of You” is absolute classic Nine Inch Nails from the Broken era. The distorted guitars and thrashy drums (courtesy of Dave Grohl) really make this a true stand out. This song is the type of Nine Inch Nails song, the “old school” fans have been clamoring for. “Burning Bright (Field On Fire)” is dark, heavy and deeply poetic. The screaming guitars are plyed by Dave Navarro (This marks the first time he’s played on a NIN track since the Further Down The Spiral remix album) I could see why Trent decided to put this out first.

There is a real darkness to this collection, all the while providing a sense of life, hope and relief. Trent and Atticus aren’t afraid to reach back into what Nine Inch Nails has done before, but they do it in a way that makes it feel fresh and not rehashed. Not The Acutal Events is short and sweet but, it does leave you wanting more. Either way, there is new Nine Inch Nails out there, and that makes me happy.

Overall Rating: A

Burning Bright (Field On Fire):

 

 

 

 

Cover Song: Metallica (Deep Purple)- When A Blind Man Cries

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Metallica’s version of covers are some of my absolute favorites. So much so that I almost can’t listen to the original versions anymore. Like “Turn The Page” by Bob Seger, Metallica’s version is just better. Anyways, this song was originally a B-side for Deep Purple, but it shouldn’t have been. It’s a great song, and Metallica, especially James Hetfield embodies this song as their own.
Enjoy!

Metallica- When A Blind Man Cries:

 

Deep Purple- When A Blind Man Cries:

 

 

Ultimate Set List: Korn

 

 

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2016 saw the return of Korn and their “signature” sound. The Serenity of Suffering is quite a damn good album. Recently, Korn has been on the road and I’ve had an inkling to want to go see them. So I dreamed up my “Ultimate Set List” for what I’d want to hear, if I could pick the songs.

As usual here are the rules:

Rule 1: What line up of the band would it be

Rule 2: Where would you want to see the show

Rule 3: maximum 25 songs

Lineup: Jonathan, Munky, Head, Fieldy, Ray

Venue: Roxy (Hollywood)

Set List:

01) Falling Away From Me
02) Got The Life
03) Divine
04) Chi
05) Thoughtless
06) Make Me Bad
07) Hollow Life
08) Insane
09) Seed
10) Love & Meth
11) B.B.K.
12) Clown
13) Black Is The Soul
14) Good God
15) Trash
16) Beg For Me
17) Rotting In Vain
18) No Place To Hide
19) Did My Time
20) Freak On A Leash

Encore:

21) Starting Over
22) Blind
23) Ball Tongue
24) Need To
25) Here To Stay