Pearl Jam’s new album Gigaton comes out this Friday. And ahead of it’s release, the band has released a new single, “Quick Escape.” This song definitley is a rocker and it harks back to their Yield days. Which by the way, I highly suggest you taking another listen to. That is one hell of a good album. Anyways, Gigaton seems like it will be a pretty diverse Pearl Jam record with something for everyone on it.
Pearl Jam- Quick Escape:
Alternate versions are quite fun to dive into. They give you a different experience from the original version. And sometimes, these versions turn out better than what you heard first. Converge have released a new version of their song “Aimless Arrow” entitled “Endless Arrow.” This version was created by the bands guitarist Kurt Ballou and is a 30 minute experimental/ambient version of the song. “Aimless Arrow” originally appeared on the bands 2012 album All We Love We Leave Behind. This new version was created “To keep people entertained in these challenging times.” It’s definitely a different take on the song. Personally, I’d be interested to hear them do this with a few other tracks of theirs and maybe even expand this into their Blood Moon project as well.
Converge- Endless Arrow:
Converge- Aimless Arrow:
A while back, Oathbreaker released a new song called “Ease Me” on the Adult Swim Metal Swim 2 compilation. Now, a new EP release featuring the song along with a few different remixes by Jesu, Chelsea Wolfe and others, will be released May 8th (via Deathwish Inc.). Oathbreaker is one of the best bands I’ve heard in a long time and their 2016 album Rheia is an absolute masterpiece. If you’ve never heard it, I urge you to do so. Check out Ease Me and the Ease Me (Jesu Remix) below!
Oathbreaker- Ease Me:
Oathbreaker- Ease Me (Jesu Remix):
One of my favorite new(ish) bands, If It Kills You, has released a stunning version of the Fugazi song “Rend It.” For those of you that don’t know, “Rend It” is on the Fugazi album, In On The Kill Taker (which is my favorite Fugazi album). This cover is true to the original but, with just enough oomph and grit to make it their own. Do yourself a favor and play this loud and when the mood strikes to start moving around to the music, go with the flow! And while you’re at it, check out the EP, Infinite Hum, by If It Kills You. It’s superb.
If It Kills You- Rend It:
If It Kills You- Infinite Hum:
For a while now, I’ve really been digging on the Los Angeles based band, Fact Pattern. They’re one of the few bands that I’ve heard that actually understands what industrial music is all about. Their blend of industrial and doom music is something that stands out. The fact that they’ve been able to take inspiration and influence from bands of the past and make it their own is pretty great. By adding lush landscapes of sounds to really set the mood and a melodic nature, the songs are accessible but not in a way that it’s watered down. Their most recent album, Fallen Language, is all that wrapped into one. And on the song “Under The Knife,” it’s all very present. Plus the video for said track is quite cool. Do yourself a favor and check out what Fact Pattern has to offer. I have a feeling you’ll dig. Plus with everything happening in the world today, they are quite good band to play as a soundtrack to it all.
Fact Pattern- Under The Knife:
Fact Pattern- Fallen Language:
Greg Puciato from The Black Queen and The Dillinger Escape Plan is gearing up to release his first solo album this summer entitled Child Soldier: Creator Of God (via Federal Prisoner). This album finds Greg tackling the bulk of the instruments on the record with the exception of the drums which were taken on by former Dillinger Escape Plan drummer Chris Pennie. The first song from this new venture, “Fire For Water” is a pretty killer and badass song. It’s got a bit of a vibe you’d recognize from his Dillinger days but, also a nice side of Nine Inch Nails/Godflesh, and Alice In Chains too.
To elaborate on the album, Greg has stated, “I started writing in May or so of 2019, for what I thought would be the next Black Queen album, except that’s not at all what came out. So, just like with everything else that’s been born from necessity, it felt like the right time to create a home for anything that I do that didn’t fit neatly under any other existing roof. The misfits needed a place to go. This particular song came out really quickly. I guess it’s me reclaiming and owning the abrasive part of me. This whole album is, in a way, a very extreme statement of ownership.” Personally, I’m beyond stoked for this. I have a feeling this album is going to be one hell of an experience.
Greg Puciato- Fire For Water:
On April 24, Trivium will be releasing their new album (and 9th all together), What The Dead Men Say. Today though, the band has released the first single from the record, Catastrophist. This song is definitely a Trivium song through and through, with the riffs, blasts and a good amount of melody. Personally, I’m interested to see where this new album goes. I quite enjoyed their last album, The Sin and Sentence, so this one should continue to build on that.
Trivium- Catastrophist:
I’ve always enjoyed when a member of a band you really dig, steps away from the comforts of their group and spreads their wings with different projects. After some time away from his previous group, former Memento singer, Justin Stewart Cotta has returned with another stellar collection of songs. The 5 songs that make up this new self titled EP are full of the emotional prowess that Justin was known for in Memento as well a bit of a dramatic tinge from his time on stage in his native Australia. These songs are introspective and full of charm. My favorite song as of this writing is “Stranger.” There is something truly hauntingly beautiful about this song. The lyrics and melody along with the piano, dissident guitar, and subtle drums (all of which are played by the esteemed Kellii Scott of Failure) really make this come alive. I personally am looking forward to hearing more from Justin. And it would be pretty awesome if there was some new Memento in the near future too.
Justin Stewart Cotta:
Pearl Jam’s new album Gigaton comes out soon (March 27th to be exact) and they just released another single ahead of its release. “Superblood Wolfmoon” is a pretty rockin jam complete with a killer Mike McCready signature solo. They really seem to be having fun experimenting with new sounds and structures on this record. Lets hope this new album is a good one.
Superblood Wolfmoon:
Spirit In The Room has released a new single & video for their song “Sunset Nightmare” and let me tell you, it’s FUCKING BADASS!!! I say this every time Spirit In The Room releases something new but, it’s true and MUST BE SAID, “This band is fan-fucking-tastic.” The purity you hear in the music and the honesty conveyed in the vocals are unrivaled. There is real danger in this music and that’s what is missing from a lot of the new bands coming out these days. Take note people! Spirit In The Room is the absolute real deal. Plus, their live shows are something else on a whole other level, that you need to see.
Spirit In The Room- Sunset Nightmare:
Spirit In The Room Upcoming Shows:
Weds Feb 5 @ Bunkhouse Saloon- Las Vegas
Thurs Feb 6 @ SPACE Bar- San Diego
Friday Feb 7 @ Gold Diggers- Los Angeles
Saturday Feb 8 @ The Brick- Nevada City
