Album Review

Album Review: Better Lovers- Highly Irresponsible

Debut albums can tell a lot about a band. The inspiration and influence can be quite striking but, the thing I love most about a debut album is how all those elements come together. When Better Lovers first came out last year with their debut EP, it was something shot straight out of a cannon and exploded like a fireworks warehouse. Those songs became the building part for what would be Highly Irresponsible. This debut album packs that same cannon blast only with the full length album, we get to really dive into what this band is all about.

The first track starts with this really delicate intro before it goes straight into the heaviness. From that point you know it’s on! With each song and there is more and more to unpack as the spastic and schizophrenic nature of the music uncoils into a very meticulous regiment of riffs and rhythms that will find you tapping your feet and hands and possibly a mosh pit (if you can find enough people). This album is unrelenting in the way it grabs your attention and doesn’t let go. Guitarists Jordan Buckley and Will Putney have done a wonderful job of crating songs that will appease the fans of all the bands these gents are/were a part of and new ones as well. The rhythm section of Stephen Micciche and Clayton “Goose” Holyoak is devastatingly pummeling in such a way that the bounce from the low end will have you jumping out of your chair. Vocally this is quite the performance from Greg Puciato. Like a fine wine or scotch, Greg seems to only have gotten better with age. His screams are reaching new heights and the melodic sensibilities are in the foreground showcasing the versatile vocalist that he is. Found throughout too are lyrics that are quite introspective and full of emotion be it anger, frustration, depression, and dare I even say love.

Throughout the 10 songs that appear on Highly Irresponsible, there isn’t one that feels out of place. In fact, there are certain songs that when they end you wish they were longer specifically, “Deliver Us From Life,” “At All Times, and “Love As An Act Of Rebellion.” The diversity on this album explores so much that with each listen you find more and more to love about it. Their live shows are already ones you shouldn’t miss as the energy that emits from stage to audience is not only contagious it’s infectious. Each member of this band has a highlight moment (though I’m not going to point those out as it would take away from the fun) on the record and it shows. One other thing I love about this album is that there aren’t any constraints on it. Sure there are moments that hark back to other times and bands but, these songs stand out as Better Lovers and Better Lovers only. If you are looking for one hell of a good time and an album that will lift you off your feet, then be responsible and pick up a copy. Enjoy!

Overall Rating: A

Review By: Brian Lacy

Better Lovers- Highly Irresponsible:

Album Review: Jerry Cantrell- I Want Blood

During my time away from Audioeclectica, I was in a deeply contemplative state and when I was searching for answers through music, I found myself digging into familiar favorites. One of the albums that I went deep on was Jerry Cantrell’s excellent album, Degredation Trip. I highly recommend any of you out there to take a listen to that album (the deluxe 2 disc version!!!). The moment I heard there was going to be a new Jerry Cantrell solo album in 2024, I became quite excited. As much as I would love a new Alice In Chains album, it felt right that Jerry continue where he was at. The previous solo album, Brighten, was a nice change of pace and added some really beautiful songs to the catalog Jerry has written over the years but, there was something missing on that album. All that was missing on Brighten can most definitely be found on I Want Blood.

I Want Blood is a very direct and in your face album that goes deep in the way the lyrics and melodies hit you but, also the way the music shapes and leads you to places in your mind that are quite a trip. Jerry is never one to have a shortage of great riffs and throughout the album there are plenty of those signature notes that we’ve come to love. The way this album starts with “Villified” and weaves it’s intricate web all the way till “It Comes,” shows that I Want Blood is an album that is not only striking but also very emotional. One song in particular that gets me every time I listen to it is “Echoes Of Laughter.” This song could have easily been on an Alice album but, I don’t know that it would hit the same. The way this song encapsulates everything Jerry is uncompromising. Also, the backing vocals of Greg Puciato on this track adds to the haunting soundscape and deep feels this songs brings to the table.

One of the other things I love about I Want Blood is that Jerry brought back drummer Mike Bordin (Faith No More) and bassist Robert Trujillo (Metallica) both of whom performed on Degredation Trip. I’ve always loved the sound of that album and the way the three of them created an auditory assault on your ears in a good way and that continues on this album. Also on the album is Guns N Roses’s Duff McKagen, longtime Jerry collaborator drummer Gil Sharone and keyboardist Vincent Jones. The engineering and production of Joe Barresi is quite good. The tones on the guitars are exquisite and they really shine. Put on some really good headphones and you’ll hear all these great nuances that the guitars build on. Joe and Jerry working together really is a solid pairing and the end result is this killer album.

I Want Blood is one of my top 5 favorite albums of 2024. Jerry really went for it on this album and it really does have some of his best work on it. This is one of those solo albums that really shine and highlight a solo career. I can’t wait for Jerry to tour on this record and bring these songs to life. Do yourself a favor, go out to your favorite record store, buy this album, then put it on and blast it. I also had the fun pleasure of being in Seattle the week I Want Blood came out and got my vinyl copy of the album signed by Jerry at Easy Street Records! Even in the rain, this album was worth it!

Overall Rating: A

Review By: Brian Lacy

Jerry Cantrell- I Want Blood:

Solo Album Spotlight: Harvestman- Triptych: Part One

Harvestman, the psych project of Neurosis’ Steve Von Till has a really intriguing album coming out, Triptych: Part One. The releases of these albums will coincide on three of 2024’s full moons, making Triptych, Harvestman’s most ambitious undertaking yet. Triptych: Part One was recorded and mixed at The Crow’s Nest in North Idaho by Steve Von Till who creates the movements using guitars, bass, synths, percussion, percussion, loops, filters, and more. The record features guest contributions from Dave French (Yob) who performs stock tank percussion on “Nocturnal Field Song” and provides frequency consultation for the album, bass from Al Cisneros (Sleep, OM) on “Psilosynth” and “Harvest Dub,” and John Goff (Cascadia Bagpiper) who plays Northumbrian smallpipes on “Mare And Foal.”

Steve Von Till is a mastermind of sonics and this album pushes the boundaries of volume as well as tapping into tribal-esque rhythms with eerie synths that make for quite the psychedelic twist. There is a complete artistic vision amongst these songs and the the more you listen, the more you hear things you missed on previous listens. One of the most fun things about listening to this album is that it allows your mind to wander and float through the different soundscapes. Throughout the album, there are many twists and turns that captivate your attention and take you to different dimensions. Another element that this album has is an introspectiveness that unfolds with each layer of music.

2024 is really shaping up to be quite the year for artistic albums and this new Harvestman album is right up there with the best of them!

Harvestman- Triptych Part One:



Album Review: Chelsea Wolfe- She Reaches Out To She Reaches Out To She

There comes a time in the evolution of each artist where the sum of everything developed, explored, and thought about comes together in a cohesive statement that not only puts a true stamp on a body of work but, also leans into the future of where it’s all going. A perfect example of this is the latest album by Chelsea Wolfe entitled She Reaches Out To She Reaches Out To She. There is a comfort to the darkness that encases this and all her albums but, with this one it’s grasp is one that holds on and settles so delicately underneath the skin.

From the moment the album begins with “Whispers In The Echo Chamber,” the spell casting melodies enriched by the lush embrace of a sound that pulls from electronica, trip hop, industrial, darkwave, post-punk and more give this album the pronounced rebirth of Chelsea Wolfe. Working with longtime collaborators Ben Chisholm, Bryan Tulao and Jess Gowrie, and the addition of producer Dave Sitek (from TV On The Radio), She Reaches Out To She Reaches Out To She reaches new levels that are quite inqusitive as the thematic elements of the album blossom into dense stories that keep you coming back. The album continues it’s ambitious and adventurous journey with songs that lend a hand towards self realization and shedding skin like “House Of Self-Undoing,” “Everything Turns Blue,” and “Tunnel Lights.” By the time you’ve reached “The Liminal” there is a turn towards unveiling bits of light and toys with your heart strings. “Eyes Like Nightshade” has a Depeche Mode vibe to it that allows this song to slither around you. The next couple of songs “Salt” and “Unseen Wound” have a gloominess to them that build up to the very impressive and heart wrenching “Place In The Sun.” As the album comes to a close with “Dusk,” there is definitely a sense of understanding and almost a peaceful calm that settles into a clarity or focus on an optimistic outlook.

The tension created during the 42 minutes of the album is truly a defining moment for Chelsea, Ben, Jess and Bryan. This album is one of those that is not only cathartic and filled with dark yet positive energy, it’s one that won’t leave your mind. I spent a good amount of time combing through this album and letting it just take me where it wanted me to go. That feeling you get from listening to an album that really feels timeless is transcendent. Which interestingly enough is a theme found throughout the album. Funny how that all comes together in the end. What an album. I can only imagine what was left on the cutting room floor. Do yourself a favor and listen to this album multiple times. Put headphones on, light a candle and seriously just let it take you away!

Overall Rating: A

Review By: Brian Lacy

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/embed/album/4uJMF1xAEk9IgPA5UbwNA6?utm_source=generator

Apple:

https://embed.music.apple.com/us/album/she-reaches-out-to-she-reaches-out-to-she/1711265605

Album Review: Harms Way- Common Suffering

The evolution of bands is necessary for a multitude of reasons. I’ll rattle off a couple. One, you don’t want to keep churning out the same thing over and over. Your tastes change as you grow. The genre your band is in needs something more. And you want to further develop the sound of the band. All of these reasons can be found on the new Harms Way album, Common Suffering. Throughout their career, Harms Way have kept adding elements to their sound in a way that not only stands out in a good way but, also breathes new life into the genre. After one listen to Common Suffering, I knew that this wasn’t just any typical next album. This one is quite the record!

Right out of the gate you get a swift kick to the head with the very straight forward hardcore attack of “Silent Wolf.” From there the riffs really start to grab you as “Denial” takes the record to another level of heavy. “Hollow Cry” is one of the songs on the album that shows that evolution. There’s a Converge meets Helmet vibe to this song that I really dig. “Devour” is another hardcore banger with a head banging breakdown that will for sure put a crick in your neck. Next up is the very awesome and experimental track “Undertow” which features King Woman’s, Kris Esfandiari. This song has a really killer industrial tone to it. The vocals on this song are both haunting and pummeling. One of the things I really dig about this track is where it’s placed in the sequence of the album. The shift of the album happens here and it’s quite powerful. “Heaven’s Call” is the perfect follow up track to “Undertow” in the way it starts and then just cuts right to the heavy. “Cyanide” is another heavy banger that I have a feeling will be a crowd favorite when played live. “Terrorizer” is a song that brings in more of the industrial element while still being hardcore as all hell. “Sadist Guilt” has razor sharp riffs and an absolute gritty rhythm to it that could shatter glass. Closing out the album is the superb “Wanderer.” This track especially shows the band stepping further away from their comfort zone by adding some surprise elements that you wouldn’t necessarily expect from Harms Way but, in a way that is organic and on the track of their evolution.

Common Suffering is an album that you can tell a lot of blood, sweat and tears went into making it. Having listened to Harms Way for some time now, it’s quite refreshing to hear them take a few twists and turns on this album. With each album, Harm’s Way have pushed themselves to not just be labeled as a hardcore band or a death metal band. The industrial elements they add to their already hard and heavy sound adds a layer that gives them a bit more bite. While the album is still quite angry and full of rage, there’s a sense of catharsis when you listen that by the time you finish the album, a purge of emotions has taken place. Harms Way really have made an album that not only stands out amongst their peers but also shows that having variety in hardcore and extreme music is a good thing.

Overall Rating: 9/10

By: Brian Lacy

Harms Way- Common Suffering:

Album Of The Week: Filth Is Eternal- Find Out


What you find out in about 30 minutes and 14 songs is that Filth Is Eternal is on a warpath! The way this album hits right out of the gate is quite the punch to the head. Filth Is Eternal is a band that pulls from a handful of genres like hardcore, grunge, punk, crust punk, and noise rock to create a style and sound that is brash and in your face while still carrying a sense of melody. Throughout Find Out, there’s all sorts of little nuances to pick up on with each listen. It’s quite fun to find all the ear candy in this album.

There’s a depth to the songs on a musical and lyrical level that most bands in their “spectrum” lack. The myriad of subjects tackled on Find Out is quite intriguing. The way the album flows weaves an intricate web of heaviness, aggression, and catchiness that is infectious. One of the thingsI love about Find Out is that when you listen it makes you want to move. The rhythms of drummer Emily Salisbury and bassist Rah Davis and riffs of Brian McClelland give you the step to get going and then when you add Lis Di Angelo’s vocals to it you get the bounce to really get in the groove. Another great aspect about Find Out is that it really feels like an “album.” What they are able to accomplish in 14 songs and 30 minutes is pure and concise and I can’t get enough of it. Each song brings it’s own charm to the table and that’s part of what makes this album standout. I will say this, The first half will grab you and then the latter half of the album is particularly a sweet spot!

Find Out 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. Filth Is Eternal is not only one of my favorite new bands but, they are also super rad people. Do yourself a favor and soak in this Filth!

Overall Rating: A

By: Brian Lacy

Filth Is Eternal Online: https://linktr.ee/filthiseternal

Filth Is Eternal- Find Out:


Videos:

Cherish:


Pressure Me:


Crawl Space:

Album Of The Week: Baroness- Stone

There comes a time in every bands evolution when a change is needed. In the case of Baroness, they have been one of the most consistent bands in the sense of evolving. Be it member changes, color schemes, and life, there is no shortage of inspiration for this band. I still remember hearing the Red Album for the first time and digging it but, it wasn’t until the Blue Album, when I really think the band found its stride. Along the way, Baroness carved out their own little corner in the heavy music world and have pursued a path that is their own. And on their new album, Stone, Baroness have reached a true triumph as a band.

Carrying on the lineup from Gold & Grey, Baroness’s new album STONE, has defined the sound of the band. There is a resounding strength and focus found throughout this album. Musically, this album is on another level than they’ve gone before. Each member of this band Sebastian on drums, Nick on bass, Gina on guitar and vocal and of course John on guitar and vocals, are playing with a sense of confidence that takes new shapes and is quite inspiring. The rhythm section of Sebastian and Nick are quite the tandem in how they play off each other and the vibe that radiates from that part is captivating. Then you have the full emergence of Gina Gleason coming through on each song. I must say too, as a long time fan of this band and having seen all the different lineups, Gina is the perfect fit for this band. Just like Seb and Nick, Gina brought a new light to the band for the better and it’s really showing on this album. John still has a knack for those sludgey riffs and those delicate pieces that get quite tingling as each listen plays on. Thematically this record is quite the trip. One of the things that I truly enjoyed most about this album was getting swept up in journey that it takes you on. As an album enthusiast (albums are not lost on me. That’s a topic to be discussed at a later time), what you get with STONE is a piece of art that is explosive, delicate, psychedelic and introspective. Having songs like “Last Word,” “Beneath The Rose,” “Choir,” all in a row is a trifecta of YES!!!! Then there’s “Anodyne” and “Shine” that open up other worlds right into another trifecta of epicness with “Magnolia,” “Under The Wheel” and the closing track “Bloom.” One quick note that has to be made is, FINALLY, the album isn’t brick-walled into the skies above!

Listening to STONE and letting it take over is a journey you should most definitely take. It’s one of those albums that you’ve always known they had in them it just took the right lineup to make it. When you take Red, Blue, Yellow, Green, Purple, Gold and Grey and put them together it forms a colorful stone and out of that you get Baroness.

Overall Rating: A

Review By: Brian Lacy

Baroness- STONE:

BARONESS ONLINE:

https://baroness.lnk.to/STONEYT

https://yourbaroness.com

https://www.instagram.com/yourbaroness

https://www.facebook.com/YourBaroness

https://twitter.com/yourbaroness

https://tiktok.com/@yourbaroness

Album Of The Week: Will Haven- VII


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!

Overall Rating: 9/10

Will Haven- VII:

Album Review: Loma Prieta- Last

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!

Overall Rating: A

Loma Prieta- Last:

Glare (Official Video):

Album Review: Better Lovers- God Made Me An Animal EP


There’s definitely something going on in the ether to bring these forces together. Intensity, aggression, and ferociousness are just some of the words that come to mind when describing the onslaught that Better Lovers have delivered with their debut EP, God Made Me An Animal. When it was first announced that Greg Puciato would be joining Jordan Buckley, Steve Micciche, Clayton “Goose” Holyoak and Will Putney in a new band, the chills that ran through me were astounding. The thoughts of what this new band is capable of is off the charts. The first taste of their offering with “30 Under 13” definitely left you wanting more. Then out of left field comes the raging brush fire that is their debut EP, God Made Me An Animal. The chaotic and frantically controlled 15 minutes of length that their EP runs is one hell of a journey that leaves you with the want for more but, also a sense that what’s coming next is going to smash your face in.

“Sacrificial Participant” sets the tone and pace of the release. It wastes no time as the riffs flow, rhythms pummel and vocals rip your throat right out. Then it goes right into “30 Under 13” which is an absolute ripper. “Become So Small” is a track with a sense of urgency to it with the way it grabs you and twists and turns you. This is one of those songs that live will for sure get the pit in a frenzy. Closing out the EP is the title track, “God Made Me An Animal.” This is my favorite track on this release. It’s a track that shows off different facets of what this band is capable of. The aggressive nature of the song is ripe throughout and the melodic sensibility gives it another element to chew on.

There is a relentless energy that is found throughout this EP that is similar to the bands that the members come from. Better Lovers expands upon some interesting ground that each band delved into and brings it more to the forefront. This is only a taste of what this band is and will become. As much as I would love to have The Dillinger Escape Plan and Every Time I Die back, Better Lovers is a solid step in the evolution of the members as a whole. Each person brings something interesting to the table and with enough time, I have a feeling that this band will take things to a whole other level.

Overall Rating: 9/10

Better Lovers- God Made Me An Animal: