END has unleashed the title track, “The Sin Of Human Frailty” ahead of the release of their new album (out Oct 27th). This track is one of those songs that really encapsulates what END is all about. It’s heavy, pummeling, punishing and has a groove to it that is sure to get you head-banging. With each release, be it a single or album, END keeps digging in and pushing the aggression. END’s new album, The Sin Of Human Frailty is going to be one of the best albums of the year and one of the best heavy albums of 2023. Ever since I first heard END, I’ve been hooked and it’s only getting better. So, make sure you listen to END!
The sounds track to 1996’s Escape From L.A. is quite a good one. It features songs from White Zombie, Tool, Ministry, Clutch, Deftones and many more. The film itself is still a fun movie but, the soundtrack is what holds up most. One song from it that I’ve always enjoyed and have hoped for years that would be played live is the contribution from Deftones and their song “Can’t Even Breathe.” It’s an early Deftones track that is a bit of a pre-cursor to where they were headed after Adrenaline. This is one of those soundtrack only songs that should be celebrated!
There are some bands that have a certain aura about them that when they play live. It’s almost as though there is a cosmic shift that delivers an amount of energy that permeates through each person on stage and then into the audience. One such band that has this is the mighty Will Haven. Their most recent tour stop in Los Angeles (well technically North Hollywood) was a prime example of this aura taking over and infecting the crowd.
Opening the night was Arc Angles. If you haven’t heard Arc Angles, you should fix that. This three piece is a band that is explosive, creative and methodical in what they do. Not only did they set the tone for the evening, they sure made it a hard act to follow with their high energy set that showcased songs from their debut album Apocalisp and their most recent EP, Daisy. Having seen Arc Angles a few times and written about them a bunch, it’s been a pleasure to see how they keep pushing themselves to evolve and write songs that are both catchy yet slap you in the face.
Next up was Stronger Than Machines. These guys are one hell of a force to be reckoned with. If Arc Angles set the tone, Stronger Than Machines then raised the bar even more. Their metal-core style fit perfectly for the evening. Another band with a ton of energy that flowed right into the audience. One of the things I really like most about this band is their want to play hard and deliver a show that not only is true to them but also really gets the audience involved. Having a bit of a melodic tinge to their songs shows the dynamic range that they are capable of and they are only just getting started.
Right in the middle was Curse. These guys brought the rock to the night and in a way gave a bit of breathing room of all the heaviness happening. Their set was fun and energetic. Armed with catchy hooks and melodic touches, Curse was definitely not cursed this evening.
Before Will Haven was the Venice legends, Cycotic Youth. They brought a punk rock energy to the night that opened up the pit a bit and started to get the frenzy going. Rocking songs from their first album in many years, Cycotic Youth tore through song after song, and even had a little time for some stories about the early days of the band. They brought the audience to a level that was hungry for Will Haven, which was quite perfect.
Now, Will Haven took things to a whole other level of heavy. Celebrating their now 20 year old classic album, Carpe Diem, Will Haven ripped and tore North Hollywood a new one with their no holds barred performance. That aura I was speaking about at the beginning of this review was all over the stage and then filtered to the audience. With each song, the crowd got more and more into the show. Will Haven kept delivering killer riffs, rhythms and vocals that could be felt throughout the whole building. I’ll never forget hearing Carpe Diem for the first time. It’s one of those albums that when you hear it, it immediately inspires you to want to go make heavy music. Will Haven are one of the best to do this style of heavy music. So much so that when you hear a band imitate it, it makes you want to just go listen to Will Haven. After they ran through Carpe with brilliance, it was time for a couple new songs from their exquisite new album, VII. These new songs and album are one of the best of 2023. Here’s a crazy thought too, Carpe Diem was released 20 years ago and it left a mark on heavy music, and now 20 years after that, Will Haven has delivered another classic album with VII that will and should influence another generation of bands. What a great set Will Haven put on. One of those that I will definitely remember for many years to come.
One last note about the night, this was a pleasure to help put on and curate. Working with The Cobalt Presents (aka The Cobalt Cafe) and The Radford Media Group on putting shows together has been a blast. I highly urge you to come check out what we have coming up. We have been putting shows on for the past 2 years and it’s only getting better!
Back in 1995 there was a song that you absolutely couldn’t escape. It was all over MTV, VH1 and the radio. The song is “Breakfast At Tiffany’s” by Deep Blue Something. Interestingly the song is from their 1993 album, 11th Song but, this song wasn’t released as a single until 1995. The song was so popular that it peaked at number 5 on the Billboard Top 100 and elsewhere across the world, the song would dominate the charts. At the end of the day, it’s one of those catchy 90’s songs that you couldn’t escape and even to this day when it gets mentioned, the song immediately pops in your head. I’m sorry but not sorry hahahaha.
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):
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!
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.
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!
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
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.
