Songs That Should Be Played Live

DEEP CUTS: DOWN- IN THE THRALL OF IT ALL

When it comes to complete albums and deep cuts, Down is a band that always comes to mind. Though they only have three full length studio albums, each one is monumental and full of songs that deserve to be well known.

While most recall songs from their classic first album, their third, 2007’s Down III: Over The Under, is one that seems to have gone a bit under the radar. The songs on this album were inspired by the aftermath of the murder of Dimebag Darrell, Hurricane Katrina and more. There are those big, giant, heavy riffs amongst them all to go along with those perfectly delicate notes. The deeper you go into the album the more “epic” it becomes.

One of those songs is the penultimate song, “In The Thrall Of It All.” A song that is bluesy and groovy at the same time sludgy and full of a heavy helping of purity. The vocals here are soaring and chock full of great melodies. It’s one of those songs where the sum of all the parts makes it great. Even the way the songs ends and flows into the masterpiece of “Nothing In Return (Walk Away).” On an interesting note it’s the lone song on the album to be solely written by Philip Anselmo.

And while on the subject of Down III, let’s get more of these great songs in the set list!

Down- In The Thrall Of It All:

ALTERNATE VERSIONS: THRICE- ALL THE WORLD IS MAD

The impact live versions can have over a studio version is quite significant. Often times the studio version, while it still has the deep thought, feeling, and emotion it’s usually too compressed and the mix can make things feel strange. While the live version has a more enigmatic feel and a more raw sound.

Thrice is a band that when you see and hear live it takes things to a different level. Their studio albums have all had different vibes to them and it makes for a great listening experience. One album in particular, Beggars, took me a bit to get into when it first came out but, then seeing them live and playing a slew of songs from said album changed it all. One of those songs has always stuck in my mind and it’s quite fitting for the state of the world we live in now. “All The World Is Mad” is the first song on Beggars and fifteen years later still sounds as alive as ever.

This live version of “All The World Is Mad” is from their “farewell” tour back in 2012. It’s an electric and excellent version of an already great song. And in a personal side note, this song needs to be played live more!! Enjoy!

Thrice- All The World Is Mad (Live 2012: San Diego):

Thrice- All The World Is Mad (Album Version):

END OF ALBUM SONGS: HELD- EMPTINESS: A SIDE EFFECT

The moment I first heard the full album of Held’s debut Grey, I knew it was record that was beyond true and passionate. But there was another moment during the listen that has stood out since. When the last song came on, it hit like a right hook out of nowhere. “Emptiness: A Side Effect” upped the level of heartfelt intensity as well as the epic nature of the music, vocal, lyrics and arrangement.

When the chorus came in and these lyrics were sung;

“I am the negative of nurture and the hate of the pure
I am the side effect of every side effect you ignore,”

that was the moment that became not just profoundly poetic and beautiful, it became a mantra. Then you add in the way it’s sung by vocalist/guitarist Douglas Robinson, and it’s the absolute cherry on top. Bassist Sal Mignano and drummer Josh Eppard’s rhythm will legitimately make your heart start pounding while the guitar plays off the delicate and more emotional parts of the song.

Songs like “Emptiness: A Side Effect” are what makes being a music enthusiast and music writer an absolute pleasure. I look forward to the day I get to see Held live and I hope that this song gets its live due!

By: Brian Lacy

Emptiness: A Side Effect:

Held- Grey:

DEEP CUTS: KILLSWITCH ENGAGE- WE CARRY ON

During my album deep dive into Killswitch Engage, I was quickly reminded of a song of theirs that is truly one of the best in their entire repertoire. For this one we go back to the band’s 2016 album, Incarnate, and find it at track eleven, “We Carry On.”

“We Carry On” what a song! There’s a deeply impassioned vocal performance by singer/lyricist, Jesse Leach throughout the album but, when you get to this song in the course of listening, there’s just something truly remarkable. The weight of the lyrics bellow out of Jesse’s heart into direct hit of optimism and hope. Guiding this vocal is music that hits the right melancholic notes with just the right amount of heaviness to push through the wall and make it past it all.

Songs like this are magnetic and beautiful. I distinctly recall when I bought this CD back in 2016 (Happy Ten Year Anniversary!! By the way), I put it on my stereo at home, grabbed my headphones, went to my favorite spot, pressed play and read the lyrics as I listened. When I got to “We Carry On” there was an instant connection to the song. One of those gems that deep in the track listing.

As great as this song is, it’s only been played live four times. And all in 2023. You lucky 4 shows! Just going to put this out in the universe to put “We Carry On” in the setlist going forward!! It’s too damn good not to play it!

Killswitch Engage- We Carry On:

MEMORABLE LIVE PERFORMANCES: TOOL- CRAWL AWAY 2025

During Tool’s most recent tour in Australia, the band pulled out songs they haven’t played live in years. I don’t just mean like 5 years. We are talking 20 years plus. Songs that fans all over the world have been anticipating to make it in the set list for years. One of those that was played just so happened to be “Crawl Away.” “Crawl Away” is in my top 5 favorite Tool songs of all time. I absolutely love this song. And of course they bring it out and play it in Australia. Fun fact, “Crawl Away” up until this point had not been played live in 26 years. Yes that’s right TWENTYSIX YEARS! Up until November 22, 2025, the last time Tool played “Crawl Away” live was August 8, 1998. That’s just absurd and way to long to go without playing this song! So, here it is, “Crawl Away” LIVE for the first time in 26 years! Thankfully someone in the audience filmed it. Sorry Maynard but, this was a necessary filming!

Tool- Crawl Away (Live In Australia, 2025: First Time In 26 Years):

SONGS THAT SHOULD BE PLAYED LIVE: CONVERGE- EVE

Back in 2017 when Converge released their album, The Dusk In Us. It’s quite the album for Converge. It’s one of those albums that really spans their catalog and has become a renowned record. Before the record itself was released, the first single “I Can Tell You About Pain” came out with a b-side. That b-side wound up being the very epic and captivating song “Eve.” Why this wasn’t on the album is beyond me. This actually might be my all time favorite Converge song at this point. When you listen to the seven and a half minute opus, it definitely takes you places. The way the guitars shift from doom/sludge into etherial/atmospheric sounds, to the synths creating waves, while the rhythm drives and then pummels into a colossal explosion. While “Eve” has been in the setlist for a short period of time, and performed thrity-three times, it’s one that should be in rotation a lot more. There’s really something powerful about this song in particular that more people need to experience live. I’ve never seen it performed live and it’s “the one” Converge song I’d probably go absolutely apeshit for if I saw it live. So, let’s put it out into the universe to get “Eve” added more often!!!

Converge- Eve:

SONGS THAT SHOULD BE PLAYED LIVE: DEFTONES- MOANA

Ever since Deftones released their new album Private Music a couple months back, it’s been in constant rotation. It’s a really good album. If you haven’t checked it out yet, you should! It’s the album that should’ve come after Koi No Yokan. If you want to read more about Private Music, you can check out my review here. Earlier this week, while in the beginning stages of putting together an Ultimate Set List for Deftones, I realized how many great songs they have that don’t get played live. And there are a bunch. One track in particular that I’ve always gravitated to is the final song on their 2003 self titled album, “Moana.” According to setlist.fm, this song has only been played live twice and both happened in 2004. That must change (no pun intended)! “Moana” is one of those signature Deftones songs with the ambience, heavy guitars, pulsating rhythms and those oh so sweet vocals! So, I’m putting it out in the universe that “Moana” needs to start getting it’s time to shine!!

Deftones- Moana:

B-SIDES: LINKIN PARK- NO ROADS LEFT


This might come as a shock to some of you but, over the past few years, I’ve taken a liking to Linkin Park. A lot has gone on over those years and for a myriads of reasons I got drawn into it. One day I’ll elaborate on that. The 20th anniversary of their album Meteora really put it in my head that, I was hating on them for no real good reason. As I dug through their catalog and found the songs and albums I enjoyed, I made a note to come back to a few songs and highlight them. This one song in particular was a b-side from their sessions recording their third album, Minutes To Midnight. The song is “No Roads Left” and was a composition that was written mainly by Mike Shinoda and features Mike on lead vocals. There was a version recorded with Chester singing the song but, the band especially Chester thought that Mike’s version was the best one and they went with it. Sadly though, this song didn’t make the album. Had it made the album, I’m more than sure this song would have made that album better than it is. That’s not to say it’s a bad album, the sequencing of the song order is a bit iffy (but that’s for a whole other topic another day). This song is another example of good songwriting and shows that Mike Shinoda really is the glue that makes Linkin Park what it is. I’d love for this song to get it’s full due from fans as well as being added to their set lists. It’s too good to just be a b-side!

Linkin Park- No Roads Left:

SONGS THAT SHOULD BE PLAYED LIVE: BLACK OBLIVION By Billy Corgan & Tony Iommi

Back in 2000, Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath released a solo album that featured 10 different singers on songs he wrote. There’s songs with Ozzy, Phil Anselmo, Serj Tankian, Henry Rollins, Ian Astbury, Billy Idol and a few others. There is one song though that has always stood out to be the most and that song is “Black Oblivion” which was written by Tony Iommi and Billy Corgan. When you hear this song you can definitely get some awesome Sabbath vibes but, there’s something more to this song. It’s an epic song for one, and two, since Billy Corgan is such a giant Sabbath fan, you can really hear how much this meant to Billy to work with Tony. This is one of those songs that if The Smashing Pumpkins added to their set next time they tour, I would absolutely lose my mind. I really do love this song. I also have another idea for this. Since there is going to be a Final Black Sabbath show, and Billy Corgan will be there, how about “Black Oblivion” gets played live and with Tony Iommi joining Billy! That would be awesome!

Tony Iommi & Billy Corgan- Black Oblivion:

Collaborations:Linkin Park & Page Hamilton- All For Nothing

Back in 2015, Linkin Park released their album, The Hunting Party. This album saw the band return to more of their “rock roots” after time spent experimenting and expanding upon their sound. The Hunting Party was met with a bit of a mixed reaction but, over time has actually grown into quite a pretty stand out album in their catalog. One song on this album in particular has always had my attention and it’s one hell of a banger too. The song is track 2 on the album and it’s called “All For Nothing” and features the one and only Page Hamilton of Helmet on guest vocals as well as guitar. This song fits naturally into the signature sound of Linkin Park and it has a bit of an old school vibe with the hip-hop verses into the soaring melodic chorus. The combination of LP and Page Hamilton works out quite well. When you listen to early LP albums (Hybrid Theory/Meteora) there is a bit of a Helmet influence to the guitars so it’s only appropriate that this collaboration were to happen and work so well. I’m just going to put this out in the universe cause it would be awesome if it were to happen but, how about on Helmet’s upcoming tour, they add this song to the set for their Los Angeles date and Mike Shinoda comes out and performs it with Helmet?! Now that would be something! This song really deserves to be given the proper live debut!

Linkin Park with Page Hamilton- All For Nothing:

Making of “All For Nothing”