Author: audioeclectica

Title Tracks: Black Map- And We Explode
And We Explode | Black Map

Since I first heard about Black Map, I’ve been super stoked about them. I’ve had the pleasure to see them a few times as well as sit down with Ben and Mark for an interview. They are one of the best rock bands out there today and continue to impress and get better with each release. Their debut album has one of my favorite title tracks I’ve ever heard in “And We Explode Parts 1 & 2.” This song (let’s just call it one song), packs so much passion and awesomeness in it. The melody that accompanies the riffs and rhythms are pristine and are smooth as butter. It’s really a great showcase for how good of songwriters Black Map are along with players. If you haven’t heard Black Map before, you should definitely change that! Also, if you are in the Los Angeles area at the end of September (Sept 28 to be exact), Black Map is playing at The Whisky with my homies in Centershift.


Black Map- And We Explode Part I:


Black Map- And We Explode Part II:



Those 90’s Songs: Rocket From The Crypt- On A Rope
ROCKET FROM THE CRYPT - Scream Dracula Screa - Amazon.com Music

It’s very bizarre at times how I get songs stuck in my head. Half the time, they just appear out of thin air and the next thing I know, I’m singing it and it won’t leave my head. This morning while thinking of what to write, the song “On A Rope” by Rocket From The Crypt somehow got in my head. RFTC is one of the most underrated bands from the 90’s. They are unique and fun but also deep on a level that hit’s home in the right ways. This song was the third single from their 1995 album, Scream Dracula Scream. Interestingly too, while promoting this album, Rocket From The Crypt would tour with Rancid and Soundgarden. “On A Rope” would go on to also become a hit in the UK. This song is so 90’s and it holds up quite well in the 21st century as well! So, if you’ve never heard of Rocket From The Crypt, this song and the album it’s on is a wonderful place to start!

Rocket From The Crypt- On A Rope:

Live Review: Guns N Roses at Banc Of California Stadium
08/19/21 - Los Angeles, CA - Banc of California Stadium - GUNS N' ROSES - DISCUSSION & NEWS - mygnrforum.com Guns N' Roses Forum

This pandemic has been extremely difficult. We all know the hardships of it. One of the biggest things throughout the whole thing so far has been the inability of bands to tour and all of us to go to shows. So, when the opportunity presented itself amongst all the craziness recently to go see Guns N Roses, you know I had to. Not a bad way to start going back to shows. And as this review will show, Guns N Roses is still one hell of a live band and those songs, still hold up so damn well. Armed with my vaccination and mask, the night was about to begin…

It was a perfect clear night in Los Angeles and at a little before 8pm, the lights came down, the intro started and the shadow figures took the stage to a roaring and thunderous crowd. Then, it all starts with “It’s So Easy” and from that it was a barrage of great songs after another. The songs from Chinese Democracy that were played (“Better,” “Chinese Democracy,” and “Madagascar”) sounded so good. Way better than the album versions and having Duff and Slash playing on them changed them just enough that it sounded the way it should’ve when first released. I got to hear my all time favorite GnR track quite early on in the evening. “Estranged” live was everything I hoped for and more. It was beyond epic and there might have been a few tears dripping from my eyes. Throughout the rest of the night, more and more awesome songs were played like “Rocket Queen,” “You Could Be Mine,” “Civil War,” “November Rain,” and “Don’t Cry.” Even the choices of covers were outstanding. We were graced with a very extended version of “Knockin On Heaven’s Door” that knocked it out of the stadium. Also very awesome versions of The Who’s “The Seeker” and The Stooges “I Wanna Be Your Dog” with Duff on lead vocals. One of the coolest parts of the show and set were the way they extended the songs with little snippets of other songs like when they played “Civil War” they included Jimi Hendrix’s “Machine Gun” as part of the outro or Alice Cooper’s “Only Women Bleed” as part of “Knockin On Heaven’s Door.”

For the 3 hours that GnR was on stage, it’s almost as though time stood still. Everyone in the band was on their A game and looked like they were having a blast on stage. Axl was making jokes, running around, playing around with his bandmates and was on fire with his vocals. The chemistry also between the band was outstanding. Richard Fortus is a very great addition to the band. He’s one hell of a guitar player that gives Slash a run for his money but, he knows his role. Frank Ferrer is a monster on the drums. Dizzy Reed is such an underrated part of GnR. His ability to accompany the songs with the right keyboard/piano parts are so good. Melissa Reeves provides great backing vocals for Axl, especially the high notes that might be a little difficult. And of course you have the core 3 of Axl, Slash and Duff who sound better than ever together. The only thing I have to critique is the background videos they had playing. They just seemed a little outdated but, who really needs to pay attention to that with what you have on stage. Guns N Roses is back and hopefully for good. I am very intrigued by the possibility of them releasing new music. The song “Absurd” isn’t the best new song but, live it did sound good. All in all what a great show and night. My friend I was with, he and I couldn’t believe how awesome the show was. The GnR hangover lasted all weekend long too. Definitely would go see them again!

Opening the show was Mammoth WVH, Wolfgang Van Halen’s band. They were a solid opening band. Their set was a little over 30 minutes and they were able to connect with part of the crowd but, you could just tell the audience just wanted Axl and company. This was also the bands first tour and performances ever. Pretty tall order to be opening for a band like GnR but, they did a really good job.

Guns N Roses Setlist:

01) It’s So Easy
02) Mr. Brownstone
03) Chinese Democracy
04) Slither (Velvet Revolver Cover)
05) Double Talkin’ Jive
06) Welcome To The Jungle (w/ Link Wray’s “Rumble” intro)
07) Better
08) Estranged
09) Live And Let Die (Wings Cover)
10) You’re Crazy
11) Rocket Queen
12) You Could Be Mine
13) I Wanna Be Your Dog (The Stooges Cover w/ Duff on vocals)
14) Absurd
15) Civil War (w/ Jimi Hendrix’s “Machine Gun” outro- Band Intros)
16) Slash Guitar Solo (Muddy Waters “Mannish Boy” jam)
17) Sweet Child O’ Mine
18) November Rain
19) Wichita Lineman (Jimmy Webb/Glen Campbell Cover)
20) Patience
21) Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door (Bob Dylan Cover w/ Alice Coopers Only Women Bleed intro)
22) Nightrain

Encore:

23) Madagascar
24) Don’t Cry
25) The Seeker (The Who Cover)
26) Paradise City

Band Of The Week: Centershift

It’s always fun and interesting when members of other bands you like team up to create a new band. When you take the certain members and they way they play and put it all together, the end result can be quite fulfilling and such is the case with the band of the week, Centershift. Centershift is the new band featuring Jasan Radford formerly of Onesidezero/Abloom on vocals/guitar, Ted Wenri from Bemus on bass and Michael Tarabotto who played in the last incarnation of Onesidezero. Together these three have created a tour de force of a new band. Speaking on the formation of the group, “Over the years, we got together, formulated songs and always knew we wanted to play together. Finally, through the stars aligning, we created Centershift,” says Radford. Inspired by the shared human experience, Centershift communicate the nuances of life through apexes of hearty, distorted guitar overlaid with intricate, mournful riffs and punctuated by biting, contemplative vocal-driven verses. “Everything comes from an emotional starting point,” explains Radford who shares lyric-writing with his bandmates to present a unified front.  “When we step on stage, we want the three of us to be playing that song because we all feel it internally.” When you listen to their first single “9,” you can really get a sense of the passion and impact this band has. The future is quite bright for Centershift!


Centershift- 9:



Centershift- 9 (on Spotify):

New Release: Kowloon Walled City- Oxygen Tent

The mighty and very awesome Kowloon Walled City have returned with a new track, “Oxygen Tent.” According to the band, “the song is about fearlessness and resilience and not taking shit from powerful men.” This song is shows a very dynamic range of how great of songwriters they are. The production on this song too is exquisite. It’s so great to have new material from Kowloon Walled City. Can’t wait for the album and tour! If you don’t know about this band, now is a great time to get familiar with them.

Kowloon Walled City- Oxygen Tent:

New Release: Every Time I Die- Post Boredom

Today is one of the days I’ve been waiting for all year. The NEW EVERY TIME I DIE album, Radical, will be finally be released on October 22nd via Epitaph Records!!! The band has already released a few songs from the album and today they unleashed the beast that is “Post-Boredom.” This album was once again produced by Will Putney who also did the absolute masterpiece that is Low Teens. Radical is 16 tracks of peak-ETID, and it’s a culmination of everything you love about Every Time I Die. Speaking on the album’s lyrical content, vocalist Keith Buckley said “I’m dealing with difficult matters this time that isn’t only personal for me but are also universal and more communal experiences,” Keith explains. “The songs are realistic in that they acknowledge that things require a lot of work. But it’s ultimately a very hopeful and uplifting record.” I personally, can’t wait for this album to be released. Every Time I Die have been one of my favorite bands for a long time and they only keep getting better with each record.


Every Time I Die- Post Boredom:

Other Songs Released So Far…

AWOL:

A Colossal Wreck:

Desperate Pleasures:

Album Review: Quicksand- Distant Populations
Quicksand - Distant Populations | Epitaph Records

Quicksand have been one of the most underrated bands out there for so many years. Their 90’s output of the albums Slip and Manic Compression have become staples for bands and their inspiration/influences. The sound and style that Quicksand created has been often copied as well. A couple years back, Quicksand released their first new album in many years with Interiors. That album was an interesting look into where the band was at that point after being away for some time. Now though, Quicksand is roaring back with their new album, Distant Populations. This might very well be the best Quicksand has ever sounded too.

The moment the album starts you are totally pulled in. There isn’t a song on this album that feels out of place. The flow of the songs on the album is perfect. The moment the album ends, you immediately want to start it over. That’s how good this is. There isn’t a song on here that you will skip. Songs like “Inversion,” “Colossus,” “Phase 90,” “Missle Command,” and “The Philosopher” have been my favorite tracks so far. This album packs some of the best songs Quicksand have ever written. Sonically, dynamically, lyrically, Distant Populations is a beast of an album. This album is 11 songs of unrelenting pounding rock music. The production by Will Yip (Nothing, Circa Survive) is top notch. He really nailed the classic tones and gives it enough of an added oomph to really bring these new songs to life. The mix by Josh Wilbur absolutely bangs! This album too, I have to say, is the follow up to Manic Compression we’ve been waiting for.

Like a fine wine or scotch, Quicksand only gets better with age. The songs from their past are gems and the songs they have released now are just as good. There is also a maturity to this album that shines bright. The songs on this, like the others are deeply introspective and current. The lyrics on the album as explained by frontman Walter Schreifels said, “Everyone is, on the one hand, so connected with each other, and on the other hand, is so far apart. We’re checking out each other’s social media and we know what everybody’s doing. But when we’re sitting in the same room together, we’re looking at our phones.” The societal impact of how we live our lives topped off with the pandemic sure made for some great material. Quicksand have made an impact over the years but, with Distant Populations, they have truly cemented their place!

Overall Rating: A


Quicksand- Distant Populations:

Band Of The Week: GosT
GOST releases “Coven”, first track + video from new album “Rites of Love and Reverence” – R o c k 'N' L o a d

The synthwave genre is an interesting one to delve into. There are certain aspects of it that have been fully accepted by the mainstream like, the music for Stranger Things. Then there is a whole other level to synthwave that is even better and thanks to groups like the band of the week, we get to experience so much more that world has to offer. Allow me to introduce you to GosT. GosT is more like the exception to the rules of synthwave. Like many other peers like Perturbator (who I featured not too long ago) and Carpenter Brut, GosT channels many different vibes and sounds. Mixing a more metallic edge to accompany the post-punk, goth and electronic aspects, the new material from GosT is uncompromising. Founder and mastermind James Lollar, has really found his niche with the new album, Rites of Love and Reverence. The album itself is chock full of hidden gems and blistering sonic dimensions. It’s creepy and eerie in places yet has this really cool pop sensibility that gives the darkness the right amount of shine to really leave a lasting mark. GosT is well on the way to being a force to be reckoned in taking the synthwave genre to a whole other level.


GosT- Rites Of Love And Reverence:

Anticipated Albums: Trivium- In The Court Of The Dragon

From their inception till the current present, Trivium has been one of the hardest working bands in music. Their relentless work ethic has seen them become an absolute force in the heavy music world. Today, Trivium have announced that they will release their tenth album, titled In The Court Of The Dragon, on October 8 via longtime label Roadrunner Records (Pre-Orders available HERE). The record was produced and mixed by Josh Wilbur and recorded in the Fall of 2020 at Full Sail University in Orlando. The band already released their new track “In The Court Of The Dragon” a couple weeks back and now they have released another single, “Feast Of Fire.” The accompanying video was shot at the bands HQ in Florida which they recently converted an airplane hanger to be their base of operations. The past couple Trivium albums, The Sin And The Sentence and What The Dead Men Say have been quite exceptional and show real mature growth not just as players but as songwriters and this album seems to continue along that path. Trivium is part of the Metal Tour Of The Year featuring Megadeth, Lamb Of God and Hatebreed (who replaced In Flames on the tour). I would bet money that Trivium will be stealing or close to stealing the show each night.

Trivium- Feast Of Fire:

Trivium- In The Court Of The Dragon:

New Release: Danny Elfman & Trent Reznor- True
Listen: Trent Reznor guests on Danny Elfman's reimagined version of True — Kerrang!

Well this was a welcome surprise. Danny Elfman AND Trent Reznor on a track together?!?!?! YES PLEASE!! This song is a remix of sorts of the song “True” from Elfman’s album, Big Mess. Speaking on the collaboration, Danny said “This is the first duet/collaboration I’ve ever done in my life, so to do it with Trent was a real surprise and a treat,” Elfman explained in a statement. “He’s always been a big inspiration to me, not to mention he has one of my all-time favourite singing voices.” Well, the results are excellent and this song sounds even better now.

Danny Elfman & Trent Reznor- True: