Author: audioeclectica

Band Of The Week: Lost In Society

1521405_10151848894085009_213500851_n

I’ve always been a big fan of anthemic punk rock. Bad Religion has that genre down to a science. Rise Against had it going for them before they pretty much caved into the pressures of major labels. Luckily though I recently heard a band that has that old vigor of Rise Against mixed with a healthy helping of Hot Water Music. Lost In Society is a three piece anthemic punk rock band from New Jersey. Unlike The Gaslight Anthem, Lost In Society is a rush of excitement. Recently, Lost In Society released a new split on Panic State records with the UK band River Jumpers. The band is getting ready to head out as Dead Sara’s direct support on their West Coast Tour. Lost In Society is authentic in their approach and music. They are definitely worth checking out!

https://www.facebook.com/lostinsociety

http://lostinsociety.com

By: Brian Lacy

Album Review: Failure- The Heart Is A Monster

600x600xfailure_lj_180615.jpg.pagespeed.ic.ZVZahcJ34B

Since they announced their reunion, I was hoping for a new Failure album. When I first heard Fantastic Planet way back when, I became hooked and was left wanting more. Thankfully in 2014 they returned and took everyone by storm by picking up right where they left off. Their new album The Heart Is A Monster is well worth the almost 20 year wait. Not only does the album seamlessly pick up where Fantastic Planet left off, it takes you further down the rabbit hole only to come out on the other side with an entirely fresh outlook. Songs like “Hot Traveler,” and A.M. Amnesia kickstart the album in a very upbeat way. “Counterfeit Sky” is an absolute stellar track. I had the pleasure of hearing this song live recently, when you hear this song, you’ll know Failure means business! The softer side of the album has songs like “Mulholland Drive.” This song is a little bit Pink Floyd mixed with The Beatles. Other highlights from the album are “Come Crashing,” “The Focus,” “Atom City Queen,” and two older songs that were reworked “Petting The Carpet,” and “I Can See Houses.

Failure have released what I consider to be the absolute album of the year. The dynamics of this band are unparalleled and inspiring. There is something truly special about the music that is made by Ken Andrews, Greg Edwards and Kellii Scott. The Heart Is A Monster is a modern classic without being a throwback album.

By: Brian Lacy

Bands With a Different Singer Than Their First

When a band replaces a singer in the band, it usually doesn’t hold a candle to what the original singer did. Sometimes though it completely reinvigorates the band and they go on to flourish. Below is a list of bands who replaced their first singers and went on to become really awesome bands. In No Particular Order!!

Pantera: Terry Glaze/Philip Anselmo
ACDC: Bon Scott/Brian Johnson (Bon Scott was great though, had he not died, who knows what would have happened)
Slipknot: Anders Colsefni/Corey Taylor
Norma Jean: Josh Scogin/Cory Brandon
Shadows Fall: Phil Labonte/Brian Fair
Black Flag: Keith Morris/Henry Rollins
In Flames: Mikael Stanne/Anders Friden
Alice In Chains: Layne Staley/ William DuVall
Black Sabbath: Ozzy Osbourne/ Ronnie James Dio
Deep Purple: Ian Gillan/ Rod Evans
Iron Maiden: Paul DiAnno/ Bruce Dickinson
Genesis: Peter Gabriel/ Phil Collins
Judas Priest: Al Atkins/Rob Halford
Anthrax: Neil Turbin/Joey Belladonna
Faith No More: Chuck Mosley/Mike Patton

Album Rank: Killswitch Engage

Killswitch_Engage_by_V1N3_wallpaperSince their album Alive Or Just Breathing, I’ve been a fan of Killswitch Engage. Their original singer Jesse Leach has one of the best voices in heavy music. His lyrics stretch beyond the generic norm of what everyone writes. After he left and was replaced by Howard Jones, Killswitch went on to further success and released a great album in The End Of Heartache. Although the albums that followed weren’t as good as their first two, they were still scattered with some really great songs. A couple years back Jesse came back to the band and their album Disarm The Descent was a great comeback. So here is a ranking of their albums from not the best to their best.

Killswitch Engage (2009):

Killswtich Engage (2000):

As Daylight Dies:

Disarm The Descent:

 

Incarnate:

The End Of Heartache:

Alive Or Just Breathing:

Cover Thursday: Korn (Metallica)- One

Back in 2003, MTV did an ICON tribute to Metallica. Of all the performances of the evening, there was only one performance that really still stood out during that evening, and that was Korn’s version of “One.” Korn has done a bunch of covers over the years and sadly most have fallen flat, but their rendition of “One” is a highlight. Check it out!

Korn-One:

Underrated Band: Sponge

619P6UwLRaLAs many of you have read, I’m a big proponent for 90’s rock. I love that I grew up in the era when music transcended a generation just as it did in the 60’s ad early 70’s. One band that I remember hearing way back was Sponge. When I first heard the song “Plowed” in Empire Records, I was hooked. Their debut album Rotting Piñata was a pure slab of alternative rock. Some critics wrote them off as a Stone Temple Pilots ripoff band, but the Sponge had a different vibe. Sure they had the quiet to loud moments, and the deep vocals, but they added a little bit of a punk element and blues to their music. Rotting Piñata was certified gold and was the bands best selling album. Their follow up Wax Ecstatic was a great follow up. Their song “Have You Seen Mary” was featured in Kevin Smith’s Chasing Amy. in 1996 Sponge was asked to replace Stone Temple Pilots for Kiss’s reunion tour. Over the years Sponge has continued on with different lineups but have been constantly on the road and releasing albums. They have shared stages the world over with Guns N’ Roses, Nickelback, Iggy Pop, Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, Kiss, to name just a few. Their most recent came out in 2013.

Sponge is definitely one of the bands front he mid 90’s that got a lot of flack but were really great and still deliver the goods. If you haven’t listened to them ever or it’s been a long time, reach for Rotting Piñata and Wax Ecstatic, you’ll really enjoy yourself.

Rotting Piñata:

Wax Ecstatic:

https://www.facebook.com/Spongerocks

http://www.spongetheband.com/

By: Brian Lacy

Video Of The Week: Failure- Hot Traveler

As June 30th gets closer, my excitement for the new Failure album is growing by extremes. I really think their new album The Heart Is A Monster is going to challenge anything so far and will come out, for album of the year. On Monday, Failure released their video for the first single from their long awaited follow up to Fantastic Planet. Here it is in all it’s glory!

Failure- Hot Traveler:

By: Brian Lacy

Best Albums Of 2015…So Far

Well it’s June and there have been a slew of really great albums released so far, and so many more great ones to come out soon too. Well here’s a recap of the ones that have come out so far IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER.

1. Marilyn Manson- The Pale Emperor
2. Royal Thunder- Crooked Doors
3. Faith No More- Sol Invictus
4. Coal Chamber- Rivals
5. Papa Roach- F.E.A.R.
6. Sleater- Kinney- No Cities To Love
7. Noel Gallaghar’s High Flying Birds- Chasing Yesterday
8. The Bloodline- We Are One
9. Dekades- Dekades EP
10. Anakin- Celestial Frequency Shifter
11. Vanishing Life- Vanishing Life 7″

Coming Soon:

Failure
Refused
Deftones
Fidlar
Team Sleep
Wild Throne
Sidewave

Band Of The Week: Set & Setting

10615423_10152690533272859_574862118202477385_nOne of the things I really enjoy about instrumental bands is the way the music dictates how your mind will react. Being able to touch on emotions without words is quite intriguing. Florida based  Set and Setting are doing just that and bending genres. Their ambient yet heavy music is reminiscent of Explosions In The Sky mixed with parts of Pelican and Russian Circles. Set and Setting’s music cascades with the flow of each note. Relentlessly touring on their own and the release of their first album they developed a name for themselves in the underground scene. Their second album A Vivid Memory was released on Prosthetic Records in 2014. Set and setting show no signs of coming to a halt while touring and playing shows with bands such as Mouth of the Architect, Eyehategod, Pelican, and Pallbearer. Look for Set and Setting when thy come to your area.

Set and Setting- Coping:

https://www.facebook.com/setandsetting

https://setandsetting.bandpage.com/

http://setandsetting.bandcamp.com/

By: Brian Lacy