The ever radtastic The Ocean are roaring back with a new album, Holocene. This new album finds the band putting together a finishing chapter on their paleontology album series while adding new elements but, still keeping with their brand of epic heaviness. Already two songs have been released from this grand album, “Parabiosis” and the more Radiohead tinged “Sea Of Reeds.” Throughout the years, The Ocean has developed a sound that while heavy, it’s more than just a band being “Heavy.” There is a deeper thought provoking aspect to the music as well as the lyrics. One of the things that makes The Ocean who they are is their ability to evolve within the songs and the subtle moments they add that make things more captivating and intriguing to the listener. In a day and age when the single song is ruling, The Ocean is making a statement with this album!
Every year there are always a handful of albums I eager anticipate. One of the albums I am most eager to be released this year is the Solace EP from the wonderful, Iress. From the first moment I heard this band, I knew I was in for something special. When you listen to Iress, there is this vibe that overtakes you it becomes something more. Their first single off this EP “Ricochet” has been in constant rotation for me and now their newest release “Blush” is right up there as well. Both songs are astonishing and hypnotic. The way these songs hit at the right moments draws you in and never lets go. I love when I hear a band that has all the right pieces and the end result is something that is not only powerful but, it connects on a whole other level. Iress is a band that is not only great for now but, for the future, as I can tell that their evolution as a band is only going to get bigger and better from here.
I’ll never forget the first time I heard Rancid. I was about 10 years old and I heard a song on the radio that was called “Salvation” off their second album (which is quite underrated in their catalog) and I was hooked. Then a year later it all made even more sense when they released their now classic …And Out Come The Wolves. From that point I was completely enthralled. For many years, I’ve always had an affinity for this band. They are one of the most consistent and pack the same raw energy since their founding back in 1991. Now, in 2023 Rancid are about to release their 10th studio album, Tomorrow Never Comes (out June 2nd). The first single “Tomorrow Never Comes” is Rancid at it’s classic best. It’s punk as it always is and then some. Their sound and style is still true to them as it has ever been and I for one am pretty stoked that Rancid is still here kicking ass and taking names! June 2nd can’t come soon enough! Looking forward to the upcoming tour as well!
Punk music has had many ups and downs over the years. At some point it got highjacked by all these pop loving wannabe bands that made it watered down and took away all the elements that made the genre great. Thankfully there are still bands and labels out there that champion the genre the right way and make it dangerous and fun again. One of my favorite independent labels, Dune Altar, has been a huge champion of countless genres that I love and with this new release by The Lungs, both the band and label should be pretty damn stoked about how killer this new single “Sacred Stains” is. Speaking on the song bassist/vocalist Billy Goldstein said “Sacred Stains’ is a quick blast on the dichotomy of the belief of God’s plan v. Satan’s hand. Is a brain tumor part of God’s scheme? Does Satan wave his claw and impart metastases? Or is it all just inconsequential — insignificant in any way. And then you die.” Now that’s pretty thought provoking for a song that is a blast of only a little over a minute. The Lungs are also not just your everyday punk band. They have an added element of post-hardcore that takes the songs to new heights by having the right balance of melody and aggression. I like to think of The Lungs as a garage punk rock band that has a love for all sorts of different genres and styles and they have subtly sprinkled bits of those into their sound to develop a style that is true to the genre while also evolves themselves as players and artists. Their new EP, Vein will be out May 19, 2023 via Dune Altar. So make sure you pick up a copy!
Depeche Mode are back!!! Their new album, Memento Mori arrives on March 24. The first single “Ghosts Again” is out NOW! It’s one of those moody Depeche songs that after a few listens will stick in your head. The accompanying video was directed by longtime collaborator Anton Corbijn. Memento Mori is also the last Depeche Mode album to feature the late Andy Fletcher. As a long time Depeche Mode fan, I’m excited and intrigued by what their new album brings. One of the things that I really like about “Ghosts Again” is the vocals of both Dave Gahan and Martin Gore. The two of them together singing has this eerie and haunting charm to the song.
Spotlights are back with a new single and album! Ever since I heard this band a few years ago, I eagerly anticipate their next release to see where they go next. On April 28th, Spotlights new album, Alchemy For The Dead will arrive via Ipecac Recordings. The first single “Algorithmic” has a hypnotic and very distorted sense to it in the vein of Failure while also evoking some sonic territories that you would find on say a record by Dinosaur Jr. Never a band to remain complacent, Spotlights sound has evolved on each album and this one continues that path. The exploration of new sounds and textures has given the band more room to grow and further define themselves in the world of light and dark. I’m looking forward to hearing this song in context of the whole album of 9 songs. Spotlights are one of those bands as well that you should see live. There is an intensity and force to their music that really shines in concert. Definitely put this band on your radar to check out!
Back in 2021 when I went to see Quicksand, there was a band called Narrow Head that opened up for them that caught my attention. They had this really cool vibe the mixed 90’s alternative rock and shoegaze together in a way that felt fresh while at the same time paid homage to those that came before them (Swervedriver and Siamese Dream era Pumpkins to name a couple). Since then, I’ve been following them to see where they would go next. Their latest single “Caroline” from their upcoming new album, Moments Of Clarity (out February 10, 2023), is one of those songs that sways with a melodic sensibility while driven with a sheen of distortion that gives a tension to the song that is emotional on one end and revelatory on the other. Speaking on the song “I’ve always thought Caroline was such a singable name,” frontman Jacob Duarte admits. “I’ve written dozens of songs using that name but never really brought them to life. I guess Caroline is a pseudo name I use for lyrics. Just rolls off the tongue. So when people listen to this and think to themselves ‘who’s Caroline?’ I don’t think I know who they are either.”
I for one am anticipating this album as one of the albums to look out for in 2023. Narrow Head have a strong grasp on their influences and are inspired by them, thus creating a sound that while nostalgic, it feels right and fresh for the time. Be on the lookout for Narrow Head when they come through town on their upcoming tour!
Narrow Head- Caroline:
Narrow Head- Gearhead:
Narrow Head- Moments Of Clarity:
Narrow Head Tour Dates:
Feb 04: Baton Rouge, LA – Chelsea’s Live Feb 05: Birmingham, AL – The Firehouse Feb 06: Nashville, TN – The Blue Room at Third Man Records Feb 07: Lexington, KY – The Burl ~ Feb 09: Indianapolis, IN – The Hi-Fi ~ Feb 10: Columbus, OH – Newport Music Hall ~ Feb 11: St. Louis, MO – Delmar Hall ~ Feb 13: Houston, TX – Warehouse Live Studio ~ Feb 14: Austin, TX – Scoot Inn ~ Feb 15: Dallas, TX – Granada Theater ~ Feb 17: Albuquerque, NM – Launchpad ~ Feb 18: Phoenix, AZ – Crescent Ballroom ~ Feb 19: San Diego, CA – Music Box ~ Feb 21: Los Angeles, CA – The Fonda Theatre ~ Feb 22: San Francisco, CA – August Hall ~ Feb 24: Portland, OR – Hawthorne Theatre ~ Feb 25: Seattle, WA – The Crocodile ~ Feb 26: Vancouver, BC – Rickshaw Theatre ~ May 13: Las Vegas, NV – Sick New World Fest May 15: Denver, CO – Hi-Dive May 16: Omaha, NE – Reverb Lounge May 17: Minneapolis, MN – 7th Street Entry May 18: Milwaukee, WI – Cactus Club May 19: Chicago, IL – Lincoln Hall May 20: Cleveland, OH – Mahall’s May 22: New York, NY – Mercury Lounge May 23: Brooklyn, NY – TV Eye May 24: Boston, MA – The Sinclair May 25: Philadelphia, PA – Johnny Brenda’s May 26: Baltimore, MD – Ottobar May 27: Durham, NC – The Pinhook May 28: Atlanta, GA – Masquerade Purgatory May 30: Miami, FL – Gramps May 31: Orlando, FL – The Abbey Jun 01: Tampa, FL – The Crowbar Jun 02: Pensacola, FL – The Handlebar Jun 03: New Orleans, LA – Santos
On April 14th, 2023, the 12th studio album by the one and only Metallica, “72 Seasons” arrives. This new 12-song outing was once again produced by Greg Fidelman along with James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich. The first single “Lux Æterna” is out now! Speaking on the album, James Hetfield said “72 seasons. The first 18 years of our lives that form our true or false selves. The concept that we were told ‘who we are’ by our parents. A possible pigeonholing around what kind of personality we are. I think the most interesting part of this is the continued study of those core beliefs and how it affects our perception of the world today. Much of our adult experience is reenactment or reaction to these childhood experiences. Prisoners of childhood or breaking free of those bondages we carry.” The band also announced a full world tour with Pantera as part of the trek in the States!
Metallica- 72 Seasons Track Listing:
01 – “72 Seasons” 02 – “Shadows Follow” 03 – “Screaming Suicide” 04 – “Sleepwalk My Life Away” 05 – “You Must Burn!” 06 – “Lux Æterna” 07 – “Crown Of Barbed Wire” 08 – “Chasing Light” 09 – “If Darkness Had A Son” 10 – “Too Far Gone?” 11 – “Room Of Mirrors” 12 – “Inamorata”
Metallica- Lux Æterna:
Metallica Tour Dates:
04/27 Amsterdam, NET – Johan Cruuf Arena (feat. Architects & Mammoth WVH) 04/29 Amsterdam, NET – Johan Cruuf Arena (feat. Five Finger Death Punch & Ice Nine Kills) 05/17 Paris, FRA – Stade de France (feat. Five Finger Death Punch & Ice Nine Kills) 05/19 Paris, FRA – Stade de France (feat. Architects & Mammoth WVH) 05/26 Hamburg, GER – Volksparkstadion (feat. Architects & Mammoth WVH) 05/28 Hamburg, GER – Volksparkstadion (feat. Five Finger Death Punch & Ice Nine Kills) 06/16 Gothenburg, SWE – Ullevi Stadium (feat. Volbeat & Mammoth WVH) 06/18 Gothenburg, SWE – Ullevi Stadium (feat. Five Finger Death Punch & Ice Nine Kills) 08/04 East Rutherford, NJ – Metlife Stadium (feat. Pantera & Mammoth WVH) 08/06 East Rutherford, NJ – Metlife Stadium (feat. Five Finger Death Punch & Ice Nine Kills) 08/11 Montreal, QC – Stade Olympique (feat. Pantera & Mammoth WVH) 08/13 Montreal, QC – Stade Olympique (feat. Five Finger Death Punch & Ice Nine Kills) 08/18 Arlington, TX – AT&T Stadium (feat. Pantera & Mammoth WVH) 08/20 Arlington, TX – AT&T Stadium (feat. Five Finger Death Punch & Ice Nine Kills) 08/25 Los Angeles, CA – Sofi Stadium (feat. Pantera & Mammoth WVH) 08/27 Los Angeles, CA – Sofi Stadium (feat. Five Finger Death Punch & Ice Nine Kills) 09/01 Phoenix, AZ – State Farm Stadium (feat. Pantera & Mammoth WVH) 09/03 Phoenix, AZ – State Farm Stadium (feat. Five Finger Death Punch & Ice Nine Kills) 11/03 St. Louis, MO – The Dome at America’s Center (feat. Pantera & Mammoth WVH) 11/05 St. Louis, MO – The Dome at America’s Center (feat. Five Finger Death Punch & Ice Nine Kills) 11/10 Detroit, MI – Ford Field (feat. Pantera & Mammoth WVH) 11/12 Detroit, MI – Ford Field (feat. Five Finger Death Punch & Ice Nine Kills) 05/24 Munich, GER – Olympiastadion (feat. Architects & Mammoth WVH) 05/26 Munich, GER – Olympiastadion (feat. Five Finger Death Punch & Ice Nine Kills) 06/07 Helsinki, FIN – Helsinki Olympic Stadium (feat. Architects & Mammoth WVH) 06/09 Helsinki, FIN – Helsinki Olympic Stadium (feat. Five Finger Death Punch & Ice Nine Kills) 06/14 Copenhagen, DEN – Parken Stadium (feat. Architects & Mammoth WVH) 06/16 Copenhagen, DEN – Parken Stadium (feat. Five Finger Death Punch & Ice Nine Kills) 07/05 Warsaw, POL – PGE Narodowy (feat. Architects & Mammoth WVH) 07/07 Warsaw, POL – PGE Narodowy (feat. Five Finger Death Punch & Ice Nine Kills) 07/12 Madrid, SPA – Estadion Civitas Metrpolitano (feat. Architects & Mammoth WVH) 07/14 Madrid, SPA – Estadion Civitas Metrpolitano (feat. Five Finger Death Punch & Ice Nine Kills) 08/02 Foxborough, MA – Gillette Stadium (feat. Pantera & Mammoth WVH) 08/04 Foxborough, MA – Gillette Stadium (feat. Five Finger Death Punch & Ice Nine Kills) 08/09 Chicago, IL – Soldier Field (feat. Pantera & Mammoth WVH) 08/11 Chicago, IL – Soldier Field (feat. Five Finger Death Punch & Ice Nine Kills) 08/16 Minneapolis, MN – U.S. Bank Stadium (feat. Pantera & Mammoth WVH) 08/18 Minneapolis, MN – U.S. Bank Stadium (feat. Five Finger Death Punch & Ice Nine Kills) 08/23 Edmonton, AB – Commonwealth Stadium (feat. Pantera & Mammoth WVH) 08/25 Edmonton, AB – Commonwealth Stadium (feat. Five Finger Death Punch & Ice Nine Kills) 08/30 Seattle, WA – Lumen Field (feat. Pantera & Mammoth WVH) 09/01 Seattle, WA – Lumen Field (feat. Five Finger Death Punch & Ice Nine Kills) 09/20 Mexico City, MEX – Foro Sol (feat. Greta Van Fleet & Mammoth WVH) 09/22 Mexico City, MEX – Foro Sol (feat. Five Finger Death Punch & Ice Nine Kills) 09/27 Mexico City, MEX – Foro Sol (feat. Greta Van Fleet & Mammoth WVH) 09/29 Mexico City, MEX – Foro Sol (feat. Five Finger Death Punch & Ice Nine Kills)
One of the things I love most about bands that craft actual albums is the detail they put into it. Not just the music but also the subject matter and how it relates to certain topics and imagery. A few weeks back a band was brought to my attention and I’ve really been digging what they are cooking up. Allow me to introduce you to High Command. This band is more than just your regular metal band, they take it to another level. Taking their metal cues from the likes of Dio, Mercyful Fate, with a bit of Obituarty, a tinge of Bathory and a dash of Discharge, High Command have crafted a sound that feels fresh with a throwback sense. It’s something I like to call, “Epic Metal.” I know, just what we need, another sub-genre but, it fits. The bands latest and upcoming second album, Eclipse Of The Dual Moons, the band have upped their storytelling game and expanded upon where their first album left off. The band place themselves as omniscient narrators of the world they have created making for a very intriguing and visceral listening experience. It’s refreshing to hear a band like High Command take such time and pride to craft something on a deeper level than the atypical topics. I look forward to hearing where the band continues to go with this and evolve. Cheers to High Command on a well chosen path!
PRE-ORDER: High Command- Eclipse Of The Dual Moons:
One of my all time favorite bands I’ve ever written about on Audioeclectica, Arc Angles is releasing a new EP in early 2023 and I’m super stoked on it. Arc Angles if you don’t know are a killer post-hardcore, space/noise rock band that have been a favorite of mine basically since I started this. Through the years they’ve evolved their sound a bit with each release and the inspiration that follows them makes for some really kick ass tunes. As a three-piece band, the amount of volume they emit could activate richter scales. Singer/Bassist Chris Matalone along with Guitarist Nick Bradford and Drummer Brian Hollenbeck pack quite a punch with their style and songwriting. The three of them together have created something that feels urgent and focused with substance and depth, making this a stand out amongst their peers and in within the rock world.
Their latest release, entitled Daisy, features the lead track “Hammerhead,” which has quite a message. Singer/bassist Chris Matalone had this to say about the song “The idea behind the song came while watching news coverage during the early days of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. While describing the indiscriminate violence in the war, a journalist used the adage, ‘If all you have is a hammer, everything starts to look like a nail,’ and that phrase really made an impression on me. “It captured the brutality, recklessness, absurdity, and inhumanity of the war, and it was a natural jumping off point for the rest of the imagery in the song. But I do think it’s about more than just that one conflict. Broadly, it’s about the unhinged use of power by leaders of all types, on all sides of belief spectrums and group affiliations, and how there is a difficult but righteous obligation for us all to resist tyranny in all its forms.”
Daisy will see its release on New Years Day of 2023. The EP was produced and engineered by Christopher Dwyer and mixed by J. Robbins of Jawbox. When you hear “Hammerhead” it’s a sonic assault of rock that is only the tip of what else Arc Angles have in store throughout the rest of the EP. Take a moment and check out this killer song and great band!
AUDIOECLECTICA 