Band Of The Week

Band Of The Week: Glaare

I love being a fan of different genres of music. It really is such a great feeling to hear bands from different realms and soak it all in. When you hear “that” band that just hits at the right time and place, you know it’s something special. I’d like to introduce you all to GLAARE. Soaked in post-punk, dark-wave and 90’s alternative, GLAARE deliver melancholy and melody with a sense of brightness through all the darkness. The bands latest album “To Deaf and Day” is the work of Rachael Pierce, Cameron Carlin (Black Mare) and Brandon Pierce (ex-Ancestors). This is the bands first full length album and it encapsulates everything you’d want from the genre and then some. Throughout the 8 songs on the album, you get to experience the beautiful darkness that lay inside GLAARE. They are definitely one band that deserves your undivided attention.

GLAARE- To Deaf and Day:

Band Of The Week (Updated): A Light Within

It’s been a minute since A Light Within has released new music. I personally have been anticipating new tunes from them and now they have released the first song, Page #9 (Shells) off their new EP Epilogue, which is the final chapter of their 3 part trilogy. A Light Within has definitely tapped into another realm of what they started as. I would say they’ve gotten more etherial and darker. The band has said “Epilogue” is the final conceptual installment in a three part series containing transcribed diary entries written from the perspective of a reflective mind. Throughout the pages be prepared to hit an emotional remembrance of life experiences, love scenarios, and a metaphorical loss of it all.” While listening to this song and the entire EP and their other ones, you can definitely feel it all. Epilogue is due to be released in February so be on the look out for that (I’ll also remind you all).

A Light Within- Page #9 (Shells):

Body Matter EP:

Preface EP:

Band Of The Week: Vexes

I love it when a band melds their influences into something that stands out from what they were inspired by. Sure there might be moments when one of the influences comes through a bit more but, that just shows how much of an impact that band has on others. For the first band of the week of 2018 I’d like to introduce you to the band Vexes. Made up of former members of A Life Once Lost, Vessl, and Fury of Five, Vexes has come out with a fury of thunder. Vexes takes their love of Deftones, Cave In, Thrice, Helmet and Circa Survive to new heights. Their debut album Ancient Geometry is gearing up to me quite the debut. From the three songs released so far, “Lift,” “Plasticine,” and “Helion,” you can tell that Vexes is here to make and leave a lasting impact.

(more…)

Band/Artist Of The Week: Justin Stewart Cotta

You might remember the name of Justin Stewart Cotta from the band Memento where he was the singer or the band VAST in which he played guitar during an early incarnation of the band. It has been a little while since Justin has released new music, actually it’s been 10 years. After the break up of Memento, Justin returned to Australia and got involved with theater but he never forgot about the music. Justin’s new release, the 3 song EP Amor Vincit Omnia is a delicate and expressive acoustic offering which is the perfect way to return. His powerful voice and lyrics are ever present while the subtle acoustic guitar adds a layer of melancholy without making you feel low. There is a real intimacy to the songs (“Love Yourself,” “Miracle Man,” and “Rain”) that emit a brightness to the darkness. What a way to come back. So check out what Justin has to offer the world and enjoy!
Justin Stewart Cotta- Amor Vincit Omnia:

and just because Memento was awesome:

Memento- Beginnings:

Band Of The Week: Black Wail

As I’ve said before, rock music is alive and well. You just might have to search for all the true gems. Speaking of gems, there is a band from New Jersey that is about to take the world by storm and unleash a fury of rock upon us all. That band is Black Wail. This four piece is quite spectacular. Mixing 70’s hard rock, psychedelia, punk rock and metal, Black Wail have created a sound that is more than needed for today. Their new album Chromium Homes is outstanding. It’s drenched in Black Sabbath, Thin Lizzy and southern rock (Allman Brothers and Skynyrd) influence but also with bits and pieces of punk rock a la The Misfits and Ramones and tinges of High On Fire and Sleep. What a combination of sounds, to create something so pure and full of rock. Black Wail is a band that not only stands out amongst the crowd but also decimates them with their magnitude of sound. So do yourselves and your friends a favor and check out Black Wail and tell everyone!

Black Wail- Chromium Homes:

Black Wail- Thee Ghost:

Black Wail- All You Can Eat EP:

By: Brian Lacy

Band Of The Week: Andraus

Heavy music is my bread and butter. I can’t get enough of it. Doesn’t matter the genre or sub-genre, I dig it. Recently I came across a band that will be playing with Helms Alee at their upcoming Los Angeles show. This band is Andraus and they are fantastic. As a two piece of just drums and guitars, holy wow! When I was looking into the band more I read their bio and I have to agree with what they said the band sounds like. “If the Van Halen brothers grew up listening to Metallica, the Melvins, and, well, Van Halen, you have the sound of Andraus.” That couldn’t be more true. Their self titled EP is one hell of a record. There are so many wonderful moments on this record it’s hard to pinpoint just one. From the start of the EP with “Ignition” and all the songs in between like “Getaway,” “Beast Heart,” and closer “Passage To Hell,” you know that brothers Andrew and Austin Cox are the real deal. I personally can’t wait to see them with the great Helms Alee and another Los Angeles favorite Mustard Gas and Roses.

Andraus- Andraus EP:

Show Flyer:

Band Of The Week: Valor & Vengeance

In today’s modern metal scene there are so many different sub-genres that it’s getting harder to pinpoint exactly where bands fit. That’s not the case with Valor and Vengeance. They know exactly what they are and where they fit. Their use of melodic sensibility and syncopated rhythms make them stand out among their peers. I like to think of Valor and Vengeance as sounding like Avenged Sevenfold if the latter had balls and didn’t suck. Singer Adam Ryan has a commanding presence to go along with his exceptional vocals and uplifting lyrics. The dueling guitars of Mike Muenzer and Tyler Morgan are on par with many of their contemporaries. While the rhythm of bassist Paul Perry is tight and precise. From the two songs they have released so far, “Sinking Further” and “Devil’s Highway,” you can tell they are serious about this band and their want to expand past the underground heavy circuits. Check out Valor and Vengeance and play it loud!

Sinking Further:

Devil’s Highway:

Sinking Further Video:

Band Of The Week: Darkroads

Los Angeles is flush with great bands. It always has been but these days, it takes a little bit of searching to find the gems. Recently I came across a band that really peaked my interest. They are called Darkroads. The best way to describe them is a post punk band with Bowie tendencies and a bit of 90’s alternative rock. Darkroads are the type of band that I’ve found myself gravitating to over the years. The way they hit on the darkness of life yet create these bright spots with the music is quite beautiful. The clean guitar tones provide that light while the drums, bass and vocals usher in the dark. Their first EP/demo RockDie from 2013 is quite the listen and judging by the songs new songs up on their soundcloud page, Darkroads are traveling down the right roads to new music.

Darkroads- Memento:

Darkroads- Wish:

Darkroads- RockDie EP:

Band Of The Week: King Woman

Art and music go together like peanut butter and jelly. It’s just the right combination and it works out perfectly. When you have people that are inspired they are able to create something that stands out and inspires others. Recently I was introduced to King Woman, a band that evokes so much of what I love about music these days. The transcendental and psychedelic prowess of their music creates an aura of power and desire that is stunning as it is dark. I read somewhere that compared King Woman to Black Sabbath with Hope Sandoval of Mazzy Star fronting the band. That’s a pretty damn good way to describe what you are about to hear.

The debut album Created In The Image Of Suffering is full of doom rock, and sensual vocal melodies that will leave you with goosebumps and a feeling of warmth. The album was recorded by Jack Shirley, who recorded Oathbreaker’s masterpiece Rheia. So you know that this album is powerful and sounds brilliant. Being able to create music that is artful isn’t easy but, King Woman definitely harnessed the will to make something substantial and worth while.

King Woman- Created In The Image Of Suffering:

King Woman- Manna:

King Woman- Deny:

Band Of The Week: Child Bite

There are a slew of bands in the underground that really seem to be getting the “passion” and “art” elements that are missing from mainstream music. When you are inspired rather than influenced it shows in the music that is created and the performances while on stage. A while back when I went to see Superjoint, there was a band that stole the show and left me really intrigued. That band was Child Bite. Their inspired blend of Faith No More, The Jesus Lizard, Black Flag and Mr. Bungle is unique and much needed in music today. Their most recent album Negative Noise is 12 songs full of unbridled art rock, alternative, and post punk. Child Bite are a band that when you see them live, it all makes sense. Child Bite packs a ferocious bite of enigmatic energy and ignites like a molotov cocktail. Do yourselves a favor and check out this band!

Child Bite- Negative Noise:

Child Bite- Vermin Mentality:

Child Bite- Ancestral Ooze:

	AUDIOECLECTICA INTER… on ALBUM OF THE WEEK: BLACK MAGNE…
	HAPPY HALLOWEEN: AFI… on ALBUM REVIEW: AFI- SILVER BLEE…
	SONGS THAT SHOULD BE… on ALBUM REVIEW: DEFTONES –…
	audioeclectica on SONGS IN FILM: SID VICIOUS (FR…
	ljbskibum on SONGS IN FILM: SID VICIOUS (FR…