Band Of The Week

Band Of The Week: Pinkish Black

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Within the rock world and it’s many subgenres, there is a real sense of creativity blossoming. It’s been there for a long time but, a lot of those bands are starting to really get their due. One such band is Pinkish Black. This duo of Daron Beck (keyboards and vocals) and Jon Teague (drums and synths) has been around since 2010. Since then, they have released four studio albums including their newest, 2019’s Concept Unification. Pinkish Black have taken heavy music and flipped it, creating something that is as progressive and experimental as it is psychedelic and cinematic. The synth driven approach has given this band the layers and textures it needs to stand out. I was thining of a way to describe them and I think I found a good description. Imagine Type O Negative mixed with a John Carpenter score. Their new album is quite the auspicious release. It’s an album that really gets under your skin (in a total good way) and it seeps into your veins, as each song takes you further down the rabbit hole and expands your mind. Pinkish Black is a band not only for now but the future of what synth driven music can and should be.

 

Pinkish Black- Concept Unification:

 

 

 

 

Band Of The Week: Nomad Stones

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Power trio’s in rock music are one of my favorite things to listen to. There is something so pure about three people and an explosive sound that comes alive. One such band that has really delivered the goods is Nomad Stones. Formed in 2015 by Cave In members Adam McGrath and JR Connors, and joined by Charlie Coffou, Nomad Stones, roared out of the gate with their self titled debut. The sound of 90’s alternative mixed with, cool and hypnotic effects and a wall of sound has made me really intrigued by this band. As a fan of their other work be it Clouds, Zozobra, Doomriders, etc, it’s in their blood to deliver great rock. Recently, Nomad Stones released a new song “Behind The Trigger” from their upcoming album, Unriddled. This track is as rocking as it is catchy. Nomad Stones have truly found their sound and it’s everything you’d want and then some.

Nomad Stones- Behind The Trigger:

 

 

 

Nomad Stones- Nomad Stones (Debut Album):

 

Band Of The Week: The Primals

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The sound of the 90’s is instantly recognizable. There’s an essence about it that seeps in and takes over. The “grungy” sound that mixes, rock, metal, punk and many others is one of my favorite sounds. When you take that sound and mix it with the right players and style, you get something quite good. For example, the band of the week, The Primals, have nailed that sound. This three piece comprised of John Henry (vocals/guitar), Andrew Black (drums) and Chad Fjerstad (bass) have taken the 90’s grunge sound, added a little more punk vibe to it. Their sound is catchy without being mainstream. The bands debut album, All Love Is True Love, which came out in late 2018, was produced by John Reis (Rocket From The Crypt, Drive Like Jehu, Hot Snakes). The Primals really knocked it out of the park with their first full length. The ten songs on it are full of piss and vinegar. It’s raw and infectious and just what the rock world needs. It’s bands like The Primals that show that rock music is alive and well. 

 

The Primals- All Love Is True Love:

 

The Primals- Fortune & Sons:

 

Band Of The Week: Alphamega

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There is truly something great about heavy bands that can add in the right amount of melody to their sound. Whether it’s rock, metal or whatever, it’s the melody that ties it all together. I’d like to introduce you to Alphamega. These gents have that perfect balance of heavy rock/metal with just the right helping of melody to complete their sound. Alphamega is made up of Adam Ryan (Vocals), Michael Muenzer (Guitar) and Chrissy Warner (Drums). Their first single “Lords Of The Flies” is melodic metal done right. The song has a catchy hook to it that is memorable without being over the top or cheesy. On the band’s site they have a quote that says “Beautiful things come from ugly places.” That couldn’t be more true about this band, as there is a positive and bright element about Alphamega that separates them from the pack. Look for more new music from Alphamega soon.

Alphamega- Lords Of The Flies:

 

Band Of The Week: Glassing

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There is something really interesting and creative happening with heavy music these days. Mixing genres and styles have made for some of the best new bands and albums in the past few years. Recently, I came across a band that has blended post-hardcore along with black metal with bits and pieces of ambiance and dream-pop. I’d like to bring your attention to Glassing. This three piece band hailing from Austin, Texas has released their second full length album, Spotted Horse, and it’s fucking rad. Glassing has created an album that is full on immersing with volume and magnitude as well as well thought out songs that bend genres. Listening to Glassing is a real experience. It’s equal parts experimental, heavy, disruptive and engulfing. I can imagine their live shows to be sonically bombastic, technical and full of energy (maybe even a bit of brutality) that radiates from the stage to the crowd. These guys have carved out a niche for their powerful sound and I’m quite interested to see where they continue to go.
Glassing- Spotted Horse:

 
Glassing- Sleeper (Video):

 

 

 

 

Band Of The Week: Digital Daggers

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Digital Daggers is a very unique group. Formed by a meeting in 2008 by their former music publishers, Jason “Space” Smith and Andrea Wasse, began writing songs for other artists but, soon felt that what they were creating was a bit more personal and not something they wanted someone else to use. From that point, Digital Daggers was formed. Now 11 years into their collaboration, they’ve released 2 full length albums, an EP, and a collection of remixes and b-sides. Their songs have been heard on countless shows like Revenge, Teen Wolf, The Vampire Diaries, Pretty Little Liars and CSI: NY, to name a few. Now they are releasing a new single entitled “Black Magic,” a song that really encapsulates the sound and feeling that this group emits. There’s a darkness to the song but also a very sexy vibe that crawls under your skin and gives you chills. Digital Daggers are one of those bands that when you hear it, you immediately feel drawn in and the waves of the music take over.

Digital Daggers- Black Magic:

 

 
Digital Daggers- Mixed Emotions:

 
Digital Daggers- Close Your Eyes:

Band Of The Week: Vowws

 

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There are so many good bands out there these days, sometimes it’s hard to keep up with them all. A while back I was introduced to a band that has been taking people by storm and leaving a very lasting impression. That band is Vowws. Originally from Australia, now based in Los Angeles, Vowws has made quite the impact with their electro-rock style but, it’s much more than that. Vowws have taken the electro part to another level by injecting a great deal of inspiration and influence of 80’s and 90’s alternative to their music and given it an almost cinematic sensibility. There’s elements of pop in there along with post-punk, shoegaze, new wave, goth and synthwave. The band has self described the band as “Deathpop” which is a pretty good representation of what they do. The whole of all this makes Vowws a very enticing band to delve into. Frontwoman-keyboardist-programmer Rizz along with guitarist-programmer-vocalist Matt James have taken this style of music to another level. They’ve made fans out of many of their contemporaries like The Cult,  and Chino Moreno of Deftones (Who also partook in a remix of the bands “Structure Of Love”). Vowws are the type of band that isn’t satisfied with relying solely on the electronic element to make their band. The guitar riffs from Matt James give their music a different life, similar to what Martin Gore has done with Depeche Mode albums like Songs Of Faith and Devotion. Also it’s worth noting that the beats that pulsate through the songs are fresh and moving but also feel “human” rather than electronic. Vowws are the real deal and are making waves in a way that you can tell they are about to take over.

 

Vowws- Under The World:

Vowws w/Chino Moreno- Structure Of Love II (Renholder Remix):

 

 

 

Band Of The Week: Dälek

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When I first started Audioeclectica, the eclectic part was the main point of this site. Over the years, I think I’ve been able to branch out even more from my comfort zone and explore different genres that I haven’t gotten into. Over the past year, I’ve started to take a closer look into hip-hop music. In doing so I’ve really started to take a liking to certain artists and groups that have depth and substance to what they do. Recently I was introduced to a group from Union City, New Jersey called Dälek. Upon hearing them and finding out that they’ve been around for almost 20 years, I caught myself shaking my head profusely and thinking that I’ve been living under a rock (rock music that is. Sorry that was a bad joke). So with that in mind let me introduce you to Dälek.

More than just a normal hip-hop group, Dälek has transcended the genre by adding elements of trip hop, art rock, noise, techno, and so much more. The group themselves site bands and artists like The Velvet Underground, My Bloody Valentine, Bad Brains, Public Enemy and Eric B & Rakim among their influences and it shows through in a more inspirational was than influence. So if you think about it, if you combine those elements with a bit of an industrial vibe and a bit of the DJ Shadow ambience, you get a pretty spectacular collection of sounds. Vocally Dälek, is doing something deep and thought provoking. His words are real and the flow in which he speaks is subtlety savage. Dälek is a hip-hop group down to the core but, the other elements brought in really makes them stand out and brings in a different vibe that keeps it fresh and modern without compromising the art of it. I could go on and on about Dälek but, it’s best if you just dive in and listen.
Dalek- Endangerd Philosophies:

Dalek- Negro Necro Neckros (DEBUT ALBUM):

 

Band Of The Week: Labor Hex

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Ever since rock music hit the airwaves, there’s been something about the Boston area that just really rocks. Be it rock, metal, or hardcore, there’s something in the water that really makes the music that good. There is a band from the Boston area that I’d like to introduce you to, Labor Hex. This four piece post-hardcore, punk rock band is quite the band. It’s also worth mentioning that Labor Hex features members of Doomriders and The Red Chord.  Their EP Lost In Calling, is a robust and exciting 4 song taste of what this band is. There’s an energy in these songs that harks back to a time when punk energy was free flowing and changing things. The song “I Wanna Be Ignored” is a perfect example of this. The song “Valentine Coast” is one hell of a good song. It’s a prime example of just what this band is capable of as songwriters. Labor Hex is a band at the right time and place and I’m stoked to hear more!
Labor Hex- Lost In Calling:

Band Of The Week: KANGA

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I’ll be totally honest, I was getting a bit annoyed with all the electronic music until I heard this band, I mean artist of the week. Instead of relying on the same old boring and tired electro beats, KANGA flipped the switch and brought out something I could really get behind. The sounds emitting from KANGA could be classified as “industrial”  but it’s more than that. The music and vocals are dark, mysterious and intoxicating. Taking bits and pieces from the darker side of electronic music and adding in some “hooks” and pop sensibilities along with hard driving rhythms, makes KANGA an artist the really pay attention to. She’s caught the attention of bands like The Black Queen and toured Europe and the US with them. And from all the videos I’ve seen of her live show, it’s no wonder why she’s been getting the acclaim she’s gotten. Give KANGA a listen and you’ll see why she’s one of the best around!

KANGA-KANGA (debut album):

 

KANGA- Live In Poland: