Author: audioeclectica

Track One: Rollins Band- Disconnect

Rollins Band – Disconnect (1994, Vinyl) - Discogs

The other day I put an album on that I haven’t listened to in quite some time. That album was Weight by Rollins Band. I was thinking about the video for the song “Liar” and it made me realize I haven’t listened to that album in so long. So, as I put it on, I was immediately drawn into the album because of the first song, “Disconnect.” What a great song. It’s one of those tracks that hits the second “that moment” starts. The lyrics have a very introspective vibe to compliment the sort of jazz element mixed with some really great rock! Henry Rollins has always been a great frontman and lyricist but, also his vocals are beyond strong on this song/album. Live, this song is a banger. I had the pleasure of seeing Rollins Band back on their reunion shows in 2006 and I remember this song being one hell of a beast that night. Something else you might find interesting about this song is that it appeared on Beavis and Butthead twice, first in the 1995 episode “Top o’ the Mountain”, then as part of the episode “Shortcuts” in March 1997 (coincidentally the same month the band’s follow-up and very awesome Come In and Burn was released). Rollins Band is one of the few groups out there that I’d love see come back. With everything that has happened in the world, I know they would have it in them to write one hell of a great album.

Video for Disconnect:

Anticipated Albums: Quicksand- Distant Populations

The mighty Quicksand are back with a new album and first since 2017’s Interiors. Distant Populations is the title of the upcoming album and it’s definitely shaping up to be one of the best of 2021. The album will be out digitally August 13 and on vinyl September 24 via Epitaph Records. Distant Populations was produced and engineered by Will Yip (The Menzingers, Code Orange, Nothing), and mixed by Josh Wilbur (Lamb of God, Megadeth, Trivium). Speaking on the album, “Everyone is on the one hand so connected with each other, and on the other hand, is so far apart.” says frontman Walter Schreifels.“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,” he adds point out the sad irony of it all. Throughout the album’s 11 tracks, Quicksand explores the duality of our simultaneous existence in individual relationships and as part of a mass society, while also examining the alienation and loneliness of it all. Pretty fitting for the times we are living in if you ask me. Today, the band shares “Missile Command,” a song that emerged from a Quicksand rehearsal jam, recalls Schreifels, “It really kind of focuses on Sergio’s (Vega) whole motif in a very simple way. He and Alan (Cage) just have this really kind of trademark groove, and I think that really sings on this one to me. I just felt like it’s a kind of song that is very us, but we hadn’t written it yet.” Based on “Missile Command” and “Inversion” there is without a doubt the classic sound we’ve all loved since Slip all the while, a bit of a modern flair.

Quicksand- Missile Command:

Quicksand- Inversion:

Album Review: Bossk- Migration

There are some bands out there that are very meticulous and worth the wait. One such band is Bossk. Throughout their career, Bossk has developed a cult following within the Post-Metal genre and has carved their own spot among their peers. Their new album, Migration, is a post-metal, cinematic and ferocious gem. The layers and textures found throughout the album expand with each listen. There is so much to this album that you will be wanting to hit the start button all over again once it’s over.

The album brings together different elements that when fused together makes for one hell of a great listen. One of my favorite things about this album is the atmospheric approach to the songs. It’s experimental and psychedelic at the same time. The push and pull of tension found in the post-metal genre is beyond strong on this release. Each moment captivates your senses and draws you in more and more. I could go on and on about the each song but, as I’ve said in other reviews, that would just take away from the element of surprise. The production on Migration is superb. The synths shine and cut through in a way that is almost haunting. The rumble of the low end and drums makes your blood flow faster and your heart pound harder. The riffs are crunchy and crisp. On the songs with vocals, even the different vocalists help to propel these songs into another dimension.

Bossk have truly created a masterpiece of an album with Migration. There is a real ebb and flow that captures you from the first note. To be able to capture these sounds and feelings makes Migration a truly remarkable album. An album like this has the ability to bring in other listeners from different genres and expand the minds of them. The richness of Migration is on full display with each song. It’s almost like they transcended while making this album which makes the future is very bright for Bossk. Serious contention for Album Of The Year is strong with this one.

Overall Rating: A

Bossk-Migration:

Beats Per Minute: Perturbator

For a long while now, I’ve had a very interesting relationship with electronic based music. For me, when it comes to this genre, I always tend to go towards the artists with real depth and integrity. So much in the world of electronic music is fluff and just button pressing. When a real artist comes along and expands upon the norm and mixes other bits, that’s when it becomes something more. For example, one artist that I’ve been keen on for a while now is Perturbator. James Kent aka Perturbator got his start playing in Black Metal bands. If you are aware of the ambient nature of Black Metal, you know where this is going. Since 2012 though, he’s been releasing some of the best synthwave music. Armed with vintage synths, an array of instrumentation and a sort of John Carpenter vibe, it’s no wonder Perturbator has caught on with so many people. His latest album, Lustful Sacraments, is truly something awesome. It’s drenched in darkwave, post-punk, industrial and ambience. The album is sort of trippy/psychedelic in ways too. It’s one of those albums that you can put on while doing something else but, don’t be surprised if you wind up getting so into it, you forget you had something else to do.

Perturbator- Lustful Sacraments:

The Other Side: KLAE

Music is truly one of the only things in the world with no boundaries. No matter the genre, there is always something and someone out there looking to push the limits with something interesting. Part of the fun of doing Audioeclectica is writing about new bands/artists that step outside the box and offer something different. Recently I was introduced to an artist that is taking drums to another dimension. KLAE is a very diverse musician that excels in drums and percussion. His ability to shift his styles to compliment different genres makes him quite exceptional. With over 20 years of experience be it playing, writing, recording and more, it’s the dedication that shows through in his music. On his upcoming EP, Stomp Out Hate, Love, Repeat (out October 19), we find KLAE (born Clay Barnum) digging deeper to enact change in a new way. Speaking on the first single “Stomp Out Hate” KLAE said “In the last few years I’ve learned that everything has a wide spectrum of perspective. We can choose to see the rainbow of colors that surrounds us or we can choose to ignore it. We have to make the choice within ourselves everyday to stop the hate and set a better example.” Armed with that mindset and a plethora of rhythms, KLAE is working to enact change with each beat.

KLAE- Stomp Out Hate:

B-Sides: The Smashing Pumpkins- Ugly

It’s truly amazing how many great songs The Smashing Pumpkins have that are B-Sides. During the Mellon Collie and The Infinite Sadness era, not only did they write 28 songs for the alvum but also a whole plethora more which wound up being the box set, The Aeroplane Flies High. One of my favorite songs in the set comes from the “1979” single. That song is “Ugly” and it’s one hell of a great song. One of those B-Sides that you hear and right off the bat think, why wasn’t this on the album?! One day, I’d love for Billy Corgan to put together a whole album of Mellon Collie songs and Aeroplan songs into a full album and see what that sounds like.

The Smashing Pumpkins- Ugly:

New Release: The Pretty Reckless- Only Love Can Save Me Now

The Pretty Reckless Team Up with Soundgarden Members in "Only Love Can Save Me Now" Video

The Pretty Reckless is a band that I haven’t given much of a listen to since they first appeared on the scene. Though, over the last couple years I’ve gotten more and more intrigued by them. Firstly after they were handpicked by Soundgarden to open for them on what would be their final tour (We still miss you Chris!!!), and then they released an album that is beyond rockin. It’s classic in the way the music feels (think 70’s rock mixed with 90’s), and then the vocal delivery is pretty damn good. Plus a tight rhythm section that is right in the pocket, it all comes together quite well. On their most recent album, Death By Rock N Roll, there is a song that was just released as a single that has truly captured my attention. The song is called “Only Love Can Save Me Now” and it features Soundgarden’s Kim Thayil and Matt Cameron. Since I first heard this song, I’ve probably listened to it a few dozen times. This song along with the rest of the album, is one of 2021’s best. The Pretty Reckless are the real deal and I’m very interested to see what happens next for them.

The Pretty Reckless- Only Love Can Save Me Now:

The Pretty Reckless- Death By Rock N Roll (Album Stream):

Album Rank: Machine Head

Machine Head Wallpapers - Wallpaper Cave

Since last week, I’ve been on a pretty intense Machine Head kick. They released 3 new songs recently and it got me wanting to go back through their catalog. The 3 song single that just came out is one hell of a mini set of songs. While going through the bands discography, I made a ranking and think it’s pretty spot on. For almost 30 years now, Machine Head have been one of the best heavy bands out there. They’ve made 2 of the best metal albums ever (Burn My Eyes and The Blackening) and have helped to inspire and influence countless bands you enjoy today!

09) Supercharger:

08) Catharsis:

07) Bloodstone and Diamonds:

06) Unto The Locust:

05) The Burning Red:

04) The More Things Change:

03) Through The Ashes Of Empires:

01) The Blackening:

01) Burn My Eyes:

New Music Friday: June 11

This has been a really good week for new music. New banging singles and videos aplenty to enjoy. I got you covered with new tracks from Machine Head, The Pretty Reckless, Times Of Grace, Zeal & Ardor, Wolves In The Throne Room, Lorna Shore, Go Ahead And Die (Max Cavalera’s new project), Deafheaven, AC/DC, Amenra, Nonpoint and the very awesome Filth Is Eternal. I’ve gotta say the new song by The Pretty Reckless is pretty damn rockin. It features Soundgarden’s Kim Thayil and Matt Cameron.

Machine Head- Arrows In Words From The Sky: 3 Track Single:

The Pretty Reckless- Only Love Can Save Me Now:

Times Of Grace- Medusa:

Zeal & Ardor- Run:

Wolves In The Throne Room- Mountain Magick:

Lorna Shore- To The Helfire:

Go Ahead And Die- G.A.A.D.:

Deafheaven- Great Mass Of Color:

AC/DC- Witch’s Spell:

Amenra- Voor Immer:

Nonpoint- Ruthless:

Filth Is Eternal- On The Rake:

New Release: Wolves In The Throne Room- Mountain Magick

The mighty Wolves In The Throne Room are back with a new album, Primordial Arcana (out August 20 via Relapse Records). These black metal titans have conjured up one hell of a new album. Taking the reigns for the direction and production, it’s the bands first self produced offering. The first single “Mountain Magick” is a banger for sure. There’s a majestic element to the song that feels eerie and sets the tone for the whole album. This new album is one that will be on many top end of the year lists. It’s uncompromising in its delivery and finds the band even more focused than ever before. Wolves In The Throne Room have a real winner on their hands with Primordial Arcana.