Author: audioeclectica

High On Fire w/ Kvelertak and Windhand @ El Rey Theatre

The ever loud and mighty High on Fire rolled into Los Angeles on a brisk Thursday night. The almost packed house in unison got their heads banging when shirtless Matt Pike and company took the stage. The clouds of smoke from the crowd wafted through the El Rey as High On Fire pummeled the audience with their blaring wall of distortion. The set list spanned their albums The Art of Self Defense to their most recent De Vermis Mysteriis. In particular, Cometh Down Hessian (off Blessed Black Wings) got the crowd in frenzy as the floor opened up and the pit took shape. Matt Pike with all his towering presence managed to smile and grin at the crowd and seemed to really be having a great time on stage. Each song rang heavy and the other members of the band were really dialed in on. There was no banter just shouting of the next song title and a flood of feedback in between songs helping to guide the next one.. All in all, anyone in the audience could tell, High On Fire was firing on all cylinders that evening.

Also on the tour was Kvelertak, the much buzzed about Norwegian rock band. Their most recent album “Meir” (produced by Converges Kurl Ballou) has been getting lots of acclaim as well as their energetic live show. Coming to the stage to a roar of an audience, the singer draped in a taxidermy owl atop of his head, took over the crowd and worked them into frenzy. The 3-guitar attack helped to propel the bands melodic sensibilities. There was no lull in the momentum of Kvelertak’s set, with a very interesting use of jazz hands.  The band had all the chops to steal the show away from High on Fire, which they did.

Opening the show was Virginia’s Windhand. Riding high on their 2013 album “Soma,” the bands doom laden sound fit very well for the soundtrack to the evening but did not have the chops to open for either band. The way their sound was mixed was very bass heavy and the vocals so low it seemed that the singer was just mouthing the words.  The roar of their distortion over powered every ounce of the El Rey. Not to take away from the band, who put out a great album, lack any real presence on stage and their sound just doesn’t translate well live. If I hadn’t heard the band before the evening, I would’ve been even more disappointed.

Having seen High on Fire multiple times over the years, the show itself was one of their best. Matt Pike really seemed to be back in the groove of playing and with a reenergized sense of self. There is one thing that tends to happen at a mostly “doom” genre show, and that is every song tends to bleed into the other.

 

Review by: Brian Lacy

Crosses (not just a “Supergroup” or “Side Project”)

When the term “side project” is thrown out in the public most people’s reactions are quite speculative. Throughout the past few years there has been a number of “Supergroups” that have formed and have failed miserably, though there are now two that stand out and surpass the “supergroup” and “side project name. The first being Them Crooked Vultures (featuring Josh Homme, Dave Grohl, and John Paul Jones) and followed in a close second is Crosses (featuring Chino Moreno of Deftones, Shaun Lopez of Far/The Revolution Smile, and Chuck Doom)

In late 2011, Crosses released their first EP. This collection was met with great anticipation and was quite intriguing to fans of all the members involved. From the moment the first song “This Is A Trick” kicks in there is no denying that this was going to move you. Every ounce of the individuals working on this project is included in the songs especially my personal favorite (from the first E.P. “The Holy Ghost”. It’s a wonderful blend of electronic music mixed with the warm subtleties of alternative, all the while showcasing the talents of Chino Moreno as a vocalist and lyricist and Shaun Lopez’s guitar and production work.

Come to January of 2012 and E.P. number two was released, continuing where the first one left off. The collection of songs on the second E.P. have a more live feel to them allowing the listener to really grasp the raw feel but at the same time have the same effect that they felt from the first E.P. The stand out track “Telepathy” has a fun good time dance vibe to it that makes you want to get up and and start moving.

Crosses recently went out on tour and I had the wonderful opportunity of getting to witness their first show at the Glass House in Pomona. They played every song they had including the B-side “The Years” and a new track that had the audience silent just listening. While it was the first show, and of course there were the fair share of routine sound issues, they certainly didn’t disappoint. Their live band consisted of Chris Robyn (from FAR on drums), Dino Campanella (from Dredg on drums/keyboards), Jono Evans (From Endless Hallway on guitar/keyboards), Chuck Doom (bass), Shaun Lopez (guitar/keyboards) and Chino Moreno (vocals).

The set while short, sure hit every note and struck a chord with all in attendance. There is no denying that once these guys have a few more shows under their belts, Crosses will be one amazing entity live.

Do yourself a favor and head over to their site www.crossesmusic.com and download both E.P.’s you will be completely satisfied that you did, and it will leave you wanting more from them soon!

The Album That Got Me Into Music

I still remember the day when I was 3 years old. My parents were having work done at our house and the workers had music playing as they worked. The words shook me and stuck in my head to this day. “Shot through the heart, and you’re to blame, darling you give love a bad name!” Bon Jovi- Slippery When Wet is that album for me. Looking back on that record, it still holds its own amongst the great albums of that era. Slippery is one of the quintessential albums of the 80’s and of all time selling an astounding 28 million copies worldwide and counting. Some of the most memorable songs in rock music come from that album; “Wanted Dead or Alive,” “You Give Love A Bad Name,” and of course the anthem “Livin’ On A Prayer.” There is way more to the album than just those hits.

The first track which kicks it all off, “Let It Rock” is a statement that the boys from Jersey are here to take names and rock your ears to the core. “You Give Love A Bad Name” continues the excitement. I still remember seeing the video on MTV (when MTV actually played music videos), thinking to myself wow this is great. “Livin’ On A Prayer” is probably the most popular song and more that likely can be found on 4 out of 5 people’s ipods in this day and age. Track 4 “Social Disease” is full of tongue in cheek lyrics probably written about one of the bands many trips to the strip clubs in Vancouver (where they recorded the album), yet it’s got a great riff and drum beat (compliments to Tico Torres) to rock to. The next track begins in epic fashion and has such a great ambience to it provided by David Bryan’s keyboard playing. “Wanted Dead Or Alive,” the best “power ballad” (in my opinion at least) rips and roars like there is no tomorrow. The lyrical content is heartfelt and honest. The guitar playing is sultry and bombastic. There is nothing about this song that doesn’t rock. “Raise Your Hands” steps it up a notch after slowing it down for a bit. This song has all the elements of 80’s metal at it’s best. “Without Love” is a more upbeat ballad that tells a great love story. “I’d Die For You” is signature Bon Jovi. “Never Say Goodbye” is another very personal journal entry from Jon. Though this song isn’t a sappy love song, instead it’s one that reminisces of great times and the hope of more to come. The closing track “Wild In The Streets” ends the album where it began, rocking your face off!!

Bon Jovi has been rocking audiences the world over continuously for close to 30 years. They have sold over 100 million albums worldwide and rocked all those faces. Their last album “The Circle” debuted at number 1 on the billboard charts when it was released in 2009. Not only that but they are one of the top concert draws in the world to this day. They were my first concert ever back in 1989 when they were on the “New Jersey” tour when Skid Row (yes that Skid Row) opened up for them, along with the late great Sam Kinison as the MC of the evening.

Thanks to Bon Jovi for getting me into music and helping me to discover all the other great bands the world has to offer! And a special thank you to my parents for taking me music shopping when I was a young lad!

2011’s Album Of The Year: Foo Fighters- Wasting Light

Yes it is June and the year is half over, but the winner for album of the year has already been declared. Foo Fighters released the epic album “Wasting Light” back in April of this year. With a fresh outlook on the band after taking some much-needed time off to explore other projects (Dave Grohl had Them Crooked Vultures featuring Josh Homme of Queens Of The Stone Age and John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin; Taylor Hawkins released a second solo disc from his side band Taylor Hawkins and the Coattail Riders entitled Red Light Fever; Nate Mendel rejoined his former band Sunny Day Real Estate, along with William Goldsmith the Foo’s original drummer for a reunion tour; and Chris Schifflet released a solo effort called Chris Shiflett & The Dead Peasants).

As seen in the documentary Back & Forth, this record was recorded in Dave’s house and garage on analog tape. This recording also marked the first time since Nirvana’s “Nevermind” that Dave and producer Butch Vig worked together (though that isn’t entirely true, Dave had contributed drum tracks to Garbage’s Bleed Like Me in the early 2000’s Garbage being Butch Vig’s band). Wasting Light features guest appearances by Bob Mould of Husker Du, Krist Novaselic and it welcomes back Pat Smear back into the band as a full-fledged member again.

The album kicks off with the hard-hitting in your face “Bridge Burning,” and it grabs you right away and doesn’t let go. “Rope,” the first single continues in true Foo fashion, taking you to the next step on the journey of the album. Yes I said album, there is absolutely no filler on this release. Everything was meant to be on this record!! “Dear Rosemary” (my personal favorite cut from the album) has such a cool swagger to it, that you find yourself bobbing around when listening to it. Bob Mould’s vocals add such a wonderful essence to the listening experience. You’ll know what I mean when you listen. “White Limo,” this track is quite metal for the Foo’s, but given Dave’s influences it’s very apparent that this is indeed a gem. Check out the video for it as well. It’s a winner. The next track “Arlandria” has one of the best sing along moments on the album and begins to take the listener on yet another step on the cycle of the album. While there are no ballads on Wasting Light, “These Days” could easily be that, but instead it keeps rocking. “Back and Forth” features what the band does best and showcases it quite well. Next up “A Matter Of Time” has some elements of “The Color and the Shape” era Foo’s. Every instrument on this song shines brightly and provides that genuine trademark Foo rock sound. “Miss The Misery” seems to start yet another stop along the road, and begins its entrance into the very personal topics (not that the other songs aren’t personal at all, these next few just seem to have a cohesive flow to them). “I Should Have Known” perhaps the most poignant of them all is one of the most sensitive and sincere songs the band has ever put out. Krist Novaselic contributes bass and accordion to this track and you’ll know it’s him when you hear it. The strings and keys on the track give it such atmosphere, that along with the vocal melody really captures you and refuses to let you even attempt to steer away. The closing track on the album “Walk” puts the listener on a new path (perhaps toward the next album????). Everything you have come to know about the Foo Fighters on this album seems to be answered in this song. The resilience and fight (no pun intended) they have shown, leaves ten footprints on this song and takes a giant leap for the future.

Foo Fighters have made yet another great album and perhaps have achieved their masterpiece on this one. While it’s open to debate as to what album everyone thinks is their best, this one sure gives you a run for your money. So do yourself a favor and take a few bucks and go buy a copy of this album, put it on and play it loud!

The Beginning…

Today is a new day filled with multiple opportunities. As the famous quote says “Carpe Diem.” And that is why I’m here. I’ve set out to guide others on a musical journey, to capture the imagination of those who might be lost, those who are searching for something more. Help the people out there that are longing for things that will influence themselves to do something great and break away from the generic norm. Granted there are a few things out there that are your standard run of the mill types, that might be construed as good. We accept them allow as guilty pleasures, hey we all have them.

So sit back and enjoy all that encompasses music and what it has to offer. There are no boundaries to what is accepted here. Delve into what makes the band you love so great and where that sound comes from. Here at audioeclectica it is our goal to guide you along that path and help you succeed!.

Enjoy