There are certain songs by my favorite bands that I can’t help but listen to on a constant basis. Some of those songs are played at perfect times of the day or night. On such song that I’ve loved since the day I first heard it is “Nothing In Return (Walk Away)” by Down off their album Down III: Over The Under. This song is epic and beautiful. There’s something so powerful about this song that it gives me chills each and every time. The vocals by Philip H. Anselmo on this song are superb. I have had the opportunity to hear this song live a couple times and it’s been one of the highlights of those Down shows. This is not only one of my all time favorite Down songs, it’s one of my favorite songs ever. As an album closer too, this is just perfect. It’s one of those songs too that when it’s over, you want to start it all over again. What a majestic song!
A few days ago, Chvrches released a new song featuring Robert Smith of The Cure. The song “How Not To Drown” is a stunning song. The driving synthpop sensibilities mixed with bits of electronica and a hint of post-punk. The song is featured on their upcoming album, Screen Violence (out August 27th). I’ve probably listened to this song at least 50 times since it’s release. It’s super catchy but, not in the annoying Top 40 Pop way. Chvrches definitely have depth to their sound and style. They are also one of the bands that I like to put on to break up the heavy in my listening. Stoked to see what else they have in store on this new album!
The many sub-genres of rock music are quite fun to delve into. There are certain ones that definitely take some interesting turns and leave you intrigued. Sludge and Stoner metal are two of my favorite sub-genres. Over the years there have been a few bands that have taken the a chance within those genres and explored them deeper. One such band that I’ve been fond of is Red Fang. Since I heard their album, 2011’s Murder The Mountains, I’ve been very interested in what they do on each album. Now in 2021, Red Fang have released their new album, Arrows, and it’s one hell of a ride.
Arrows is a very complete album chock full of great riffs and rhythms. The experimentation on this one shines quite bright too. Rather than rely on the same old tones and sounds that their peers have exhausted, the members of Red Fang meticulously crafted these songs to stand out on their own merit. This album sounds and feels a bit darker than previous albums. There are elements of punk and hardcore that peak out at times giving a new dimension to shift towards. The melodic sensibilities found on these songs are quite strong too. A lot of the times with sludge/stoner metal things get lost among all the fuzz and distortion but, one thing Red Fang has always done is make sure there is room for the melodic. Songs like “Arrows,” “Unreal Estate,” “My Disaster,” and “Anodyne” are my favorites so far, with the latter being one of the best songs the band has ever written.
Arrows is a very strong album. The experimentation works and takes things to another level. This is one of those examples of a band evolving in the right way without leaving their roots behind. The one thing I found a little eh about the album is the production and mix. At times the rumble of the bass and distorted guitars take over too much drowning out the drums but, in a way, it all makes sense. Live though, these songs will be on a whole other level. If you are out there looking for something a little out of left field, than Red Fang’s, Arrows, is the album for you.
I’ve long been intrigued by solo albums. The solo album can be a little tricky but, if you have the right drive and vision for it, than the end result pays off in the end. Recently, I came across a band or what I thought was a band that peaked my interests. End You is the solo project of Philadelphia native Eric Smith formerly of The Catalyst. His first solo album entitled Aimless Dread is an sonic assault of heaviness. “Aimless Dread” tells a story common to a generation that watched thousands of people die on live television while still teenagers — the creeping realization that perhaps nothing good will ever happen again. Lyrically, the album darts artfully from the personal to the political and back again. From Smith’s struggles with social anxiety and substance abuse to ruminations on contemporary issues like rampant police brutality and the resurgence of international fascism, “Aimless Dread” takes stabs at various demons both real and imagined. Armed with a passion and fury, Eric Smith has delivered an album that is drenched with urgency as well as being pummeling and crushing. Aimless Dread crosses a few different genres including punk, hardcore and noise rock along with the right amount of melodic sensibilities to bring you an album that is very fitting for where we are at as a society in 2021.
Daughters frontman/vocalist Alexis Marshall has released “Hound In The Abyss,” the first single from his upcoming solo album, House of Lull . House of When out July 23 via Sargent House. This is one of those songs that the tension keeps building and building. The unease of the video also helps guide the listener a bit. The album was recorded in Providence with producer Seth Manchester (Daughters, Battles and the Body) and features Marshall’s Daughters bandmate Jon Syverson who made contributions, as did Young Widows’ Evan Patterson and Kristin Hayter, better known as Lingua Ignota. I loved the last Daughters album a ton. It didn’t leave my rotation for quite some time. I’ve been looking forward to this solo album since it was announced. Pre-orders are available HERE!
On July 2, 2021, The legendary At The Gates will be releasing their new (and 7th) album, The Nightmare Of Being. Since the band’s reunion a few years back, At The Gates have been on one hell of a roll with new music. The Nightmare Of Being is their third album since getting back together and it’s shaping up to be one hell of an album. As one of the pioneers of the Swedish Death Metal sound, this is the 30th anniversary of the bands formation so, it’s only fitting that this new album has tinges of their classic albums. The album is about the realization of your own mortality and focuses on nihilism and pessimistic philosophies and comes almost 3 years to the date after the release of To Drink from the Night Itself. At The Gates are back with a vengeance and it shows!
For a short time in late 1998 to early 2000 on the USA network, Farmclub was all the buzz. The show’s content featured “it” musical artists of the moment and promoted unsigned bands through national exposure and website interaction. It was hosted by music industry vet Matt Pinfield and model/actress Ali Landry. During the time it was on air, the show was responsible for a bunch of artists signing to major labels. One of the most legendary of these signings was when Chimaira performed on the show. On this night, they performed the song “Dead Inside” and it was one of those magical moments of TV performances that has gone on to live in infamy. Not long after this, Chimaira and Roadrunner Records would go on to work together. Between Farmclub and Reverb on HBO, we are definitely missing shows like that!
Over the past year there is a band that has peaked my interest. Instead of releasing an album right away, they instead started dropping a single at a time. With each single released, you couldn’t help but at least check it out and then there is “that moment” in the song when it all clicks. Now, on September 17, 2021, Spiritbox is finally releasing their debut album. This album features songs like “Holy Roller,” “Circle With Me,” “Constance” and new single “Secret Garden.” Also, Architects singer Sam Carter lends his vocals to the song “Yellowjacket.” Spiritbox is one of the newest bands to really start making an impact. They have the appeal to cross over to more straight-forward rock fans as well as curing the craving for the heavier music fan.
A couple weeks ago I wrote about the upcoming DC Comics Dark Nights Death Metal soundtrack. The soundtrack features new songs from Mastodon, Greg Puciato, HEALTH with Chino Moreno, Idles and many more. Today though, the song with Chelsea Wolfe was released and it’s drenched in haunting beauty. The song was written by Chelsea Wolfe, Tyler Bates and Ben Chisholm. Jess Gowrie provided the drums and absolutely crushed the performance. I do hope this song makes it into Chelsea’s set for future shows. I can picture this one being pretty damn amazing live.
A while back a good friend of mine told me to check out a band that she thought I might dig. Considering she’s never steered me wrong, of course I gave it a shot. What I heard was something I definitely dug on and it made me even more curious to see what they are all about. Allow me to introduce you to the band, ERRA. These guys have a sound that mixes a heavy prog sound mixed with mid 2000’s metalcore. If I had to name a band they are sort of similar to, I’d go with Architects. Through the course of their career, they’ve released five studio albums and three EPs. Their latest offering, a self titled album is chock full of the right amount of brutality, massive riffs, hard hitting rhythms and soundscapes that create a really cool ebb and flow between parts. Finding yourself lost within the odd time signatures, technical aspects and ambience makes listening to ERRA quite fun. You might have seen them on tour with Born Of Osiris, August Burns Red, After The Burial and Northlane. Through a few different lineup changes as well, the band has evolved to incorporate different textures and intricacies in order to separate themselves from their peers. It’s going to be interesting to see where ERRA goes after this album. I look forward to checking them out live and seeing them rock the place.
