Back in August of 2022, Thoughtcrimes released their full length debut, Altered Pasts. That album quickly became a favorite of mine and it’s still been in rotation. Now, a new song has been unleashed upon us and it’s a banger! Speaking about “Natural Imprudence,” Billy Rymer said “The initial inspiration came about with a conversation Russ and I had about HM-2 distortion. He then brought his Evil Ned pedal to my place and we made a demo. This is probably the fastest we have written and released a track. We are all excited to share something that is still fresh even to us.” That being said, it’s pretty awesome to get a surprise new track from Thoughtcrimes. Now all that is needed is a proper Los Angeles show date!
It’s taken me a few days to truly process what I witnessed last Thursday night at The Resident in Los Angeles and I’m still a bit at a loss of words to properly describe it. The other night, I ventured out to finally go see Iress live and it was everything I’d hoped for and more. As the lights dimmed, the sold out crowd roared as Iress took the stage. From the first note till the last of their set, I was completely hypnotized. Musically, the band moves from shoegaze, doom, slowcore and rock in such a seamless way that it all feels cinematic in how it plays out. Bassist Michael Maldonado has a menacing tone that as the songs play, you become connected to them even more as each note hits your heartbeat. Drummer Glenn Chu propels the beat even more with his precision drumming and guitarist Graham Walker adds a delicate/brightness to the songs. Then you add in the vocals of Michelle Malley, which are quite powerful and absolutely beautiful. When you put all of these elements together you truly get one hell of a tour de force. Iress’s set covered songs from their debut Prey, to their latest EP, Solace. Songs like “Blush,” “Ricochet,” “Shamed” and “Wolves” were beyond stunning live. I’m not kidding when I say that I was hypnotized watching and listening. The raw and gut wrenching power being delivered song after song was seductive and astounding. The chills I got from listening and watching, I haven’t felt that at a show in quite some time. When you listen to and or see Iress, not only do you get a band that is truly passionate about what they do but, you can truly believe it all through the journey of love, loss, pain, anguish and more. Being able to weave intricate webs of heaviness with ambience is no easy feat but, when you see Iress live it all comes to life in a hypnotic way that will leave you breathless. I can’t wait for the next time I can see Iress live. They are without a doubt one of the top 5 bands in all of the greater Los Angeles area. Do yourself a favor, go listen to Iress and see them live!
Review and Photos* By: Brian Lacy
*Photo’s aren’t the best, I was too into the show to really focus on taking pictures.
Since Crosses announced their upcoming new album, Good Night, God Bless, I Love You, Delete., I’ve naturally gone back to listening to their debut. While doing so, I remembered a track that wasn’t on their album or previous EP’s. The song I’m talking about is “The Years” and it was featured on the soundtrack to the video game for Batman: Arkham City which was released back in 2011. The soundtrack also features tracks from Coheed and Cambria, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Blaqk Audio, The Damned Things and more. The Crosses track though is pretty damn good. It’s an eerie song that packs one hell of a punch. I’d love to see this song on their upcoming tour.
My tastes in music has changed a lot over the years. Perhaps it comes with getting older and tastes change or it could just be that I hear something that hits at the right time and place. A little while back I was introduced to a band by a friend of mine that was a bit different from my norm. It all still fit within the things I enjoy but, this had something a bit more uplifting and optimistic about it. Allow me to introduce you to the band, Nightcars. Comprised of Nick Marchena (vocals/guitar), Cial Rodriguez (guitar), Adrian Rego (bass) and Mebs Rosales (keys/synths), Nightcars propels a powerful groove that is elevated by rich bass lines, complex rhythms, distinct synth and keys, all the while being accompanied by funk/jazz/rock guitars with pop accents that make the city light up at night. Their music and songs set up the soundtrack for a great sunsetting drive or even a stargazing night. There is a “sound” to their style that keeps you coming back. Perhaps there’s a bit of a nostalgic vibe to their approach, which hits at the right feels. No matter how you put it, Nightcars has the soundtrack to your destination.
Yesterday I saw a post that Cave In’s album Jupiter is now 23 years old. It’s absolutely crazy how fast time is flying by. I remember when this album came out and going to Tower Records during my lunch break in High School to buy it. I’ve listened to this album hundreds of times over the years and I’d more than likely say that Jupiter is my favorite Cave In album. That being said, there is one song I’d like to pinpoint as a standout and that would be the final song on the album, “New Moon.” It’s one of those songs that in the context of the whole album encapsulates what an epic record Jupiter is. The way the song starts as this delicate piece and ends with quite a ruckus is quite the testament to the band as writers and musicians. “New Moon” has only been played live a handful of times (9 according to setlist.fm). I did finally get to hear it live at the Caleb Scofield Tribute show in LA back in 2018 and it was absolutely beautiful. Songs like this that end powerful albums should be celebrated as such.
Just like many of you, I’m pretty excited about a new full length album coming soon from Crosses. Their long awaited second album, Goodnight, God Bless, I Love U, Delete. will be arriving on October 13th! The album also features guest spots from Robert Smith of The Cure and EL-P of Run The Jewels. The first single “Invisible Hand” is out now and it’s quite infectious. Here’s to hoping Crosses takes this new album out for quite the journey.
Over the past few weeks I’ve been on a mini kick of listening to The Cure. Mainly I’ve been listening/watching live shows from different eras. While on this journey, I came across a show of theirs from 2000 in Australia. The recording of The Cure’s version of “Love Will Tear Us Apart” was recorded backstage. This version is very much more aligned to The Cure’s structure without losing the integrity of Joy Division’s original. There are only a handful of bands that can do Joy Division justice, The Cure being one of them (Nine Inch Nails is an obvious other one). Robert Smith channels Ian Curtis in a way that is hauntingly beautiful and very much Robert.
I love it when I put on an album with zero preconceived notions and it absolutely rattles me in a way that I can’t get enough of it. Recently that happened when Loma Prieta released their first album in eight years, Last. From the moment this album starts till the end, it will captivate you and compel you to keep listening as you find all sorts of nuances and intricate moments that leave you wanting more. For a band that’s been around for 20 plus years, you can tell that Loma Prieta still has a lot left to say.
Last is an album that takes many different shapes and turns. Their ability to shift from genres in songs is astounding and it pulls you in even more. Throughout this album there is no shortage of sonic assaults that push boundaries. The chaotic elements breathe musical life into the songs in a way that it’s almost poetic. The intensity that flows through this album is violent yet beautiful. It’s like watching a frozen rose crack. The beauty of it all is encapsulated within these 11 songs. There is a sense of ferocious urgency to songs like “NSAIDs,” “Dose,” and “Fire In Black & White.” Then there’s the songs that are more visceral and epic like “Symbiosis (my favorite on the album),” “Glare” “Dreamlessness” and the closing track “LLC.” I could elaborate more descriptively but, I really don’t want to give anything away.
The cross section of genres explored on Last stem from hardcore, post hardcore, noise rock, space rock and everything in between, shows that they have continuously evolved while still keeping true to their roots. The quiet to loud moments have a clarity that is reminiscent a bit of The Pixies with way more distortion. While the heavier moments hit with an explosiveness that would ignite a wildfire. Loma Prieta have delivered an album that not only hits it out of the park but, also gets down to the nitty gritty of life and the trials and tribulations. There is an intense emotion that soars throughout the album that shows truth and humanity in a way that so many other bands that strive for this, should take note of. Do yourself a favor and listen to this album! It’s without a doubt in my top 5 albums of the year!
Back in 1998 Twisted Sister frontman, Dee Snider’s horror film Strangeland was released. I don’t remember much about the movie but, I do remember the soundtrack quite well. The soundtrack features songs from Sevendust, Megadeth, Pantera, Anthrax, Coal Chamber, Marilyn Manson, Soulfly, System Of A Down and Snot! That’s quite a banging collection of bands and songs. The song that I will always remember most from this soundtrack is “Absent” by Snot. This would be the last recorded song by the band before singer Lynn Strait’s tragic car accident. There is a different version of “Absent” found on the Strait Up tribute album. This soundtrack is one of those that came out at a time when soundtracks still meant something. If you haven’t heard this soundtrack before, it’s definitely worth your time!
I quite enjoy waking up with a song in my head. How it gets there is a story for another time. This morning I woke up with an instrumental part in my head and it didn’t take long to figure out what song it was. “The Noose” by A Perfect Circle is the song that started things off this morning and what a great track it is. It’s one of those songs that not only captivates you as your listen but, the lyrical content makes you think too. The Thirteenth Step is a concept album that pulls from the different aspects and perspectives of recovery and the 12 steps. “The Noose” definitely pulls from the step of making amends. It’s quite a song both lyrically and musically. This is one of those album/deep cuts that make an album strong and prove that a band is more than just the singles they release. One can hope that if A Perfect Circle regroups, and get back into writing/recording, that they find their way back to where they left off on The Thirteenth Step.
