Title Tracks

TITLE TRACKS: SYLOSIS- A SIGN OF THINGS TO COME

For the past year, there’s been a band that’s been in constant rotation through my stereo. They are also one of those bands that have gotten better and better with each album. The band is Sylosis and while I’m quite enjoying their new album, The New Flesh, it’s their previous album, A Sign Of Things To Come that’s been the one on constant rotation.

While it’s not as thrashy as their earlier albums, Sylosis really moved into this new territory with a seamlessness that really just goes to show how much evolution has been achieved through the years to this point. The title track “A Sign Of Things To Come” almost feels like it should have been track one. The push and pull of melodic aspects into barreling heaviness brings you to attention. Vocally it’s got bite and an attitude that spits venom. Musically it’s grabbing without being overly catchy. The sum of all the parts together make this a great song. The live versions of it too add even more grit to an already punishingly beautiful song.

Sylosis- A Sign Of Things To Come:

Sylosis- A Sign Of Things To Come (Live):

TRACK ONE: SOILWORK- STABBING THE DRAMA

The way a first song on an album hits can make or break a record. The impact of track one has to connect on many levels and when all those parts are properly put together, they make for one hell of a song to open up an album. In 2005, Sweden’s Soilwork, released their sixth studio album, Stabbing The Drama. The first song on the album is also the title track and once this song starts, you know there is no turning back. The groove of the song immediately pulls you in. Then the heavy riffs and in your face vocals up the ante. The chorus soars with a great melodic sensibility. When you hear “Stabbing The Drama” there’s an urgency to the song. It’s one of those songs that you want to put on repeat but also, can’t wait to hear the rest of the album. And believe me, you’ll want to listen to the whole album. It has to be said too that Soilwork are in the top five all time of Swedish bands for me. Go liten to Soilwork!!!

Soilwork- Stabbing The Drama:

TITLE TRACKS: CHIMAIRA- THE IMPOSSIBILITY OF REASON

Every band has an album in their catalog that is a complete game changer for them. Interestingly more often than not, the title tracks for these albums are the song that encapsulates the change.

In May of 2003, Chimaira released their second album, The Impossibility Of Reason. When it came out it turned the heavy music circles into quite the frenzy. What was more in vein with their previous album is now flipped into a groove driven, metal and hardcore style that truly came when heavy music needed it.

“The Impossibility Of Reason” is found at track two and immediately punches you in the face. The hits keep coming as the verse goes fast and groovy. The chorus is a slower groove that is mosh inducing. The harmonizing solo in the bridge that takes you into the end of the song could have been pulled from the mid 80’s thrash era. The lyrics and vocals come at you with aggression and are delivered in a very strong and therapeutic manner.

The album The Impossibility Of Reason is a modern metal masterpiece. Almost twenty five years later and it still sounds fresh and alive. With Chimaira being active to a degree these days, it sure would be great to have an anniversary tour of the album when the time comes! Just putting that out in the universe!

Chimaira- The Impossibility Of Reason:

TITLE TRACKS: RISE AGAINST- RICOCHET

Last year, Rise Against released their tenth studio album called, Ricochet. I will admit I had given up on the band after a few lackluster albums. Then I heard about their new album and gave it a listen and I glad I did. It’s dare I say their best album since The Sufferer And The Witness. The band sounds revitalized and the music adds in some very welcome new sound and inspiration. There is one song on the album though that has really captured my attention and that would be the title track, “Ricochet.” This song captures the energy of the band at this stage and pushes the past the predictable into something that is soaring and invigorating. Singer/guitarist Tim McIllrath’s vocals on this song are the best I have heard him in years. There is a particular part of this song that gives me chills every time it gets to that part. Give this song a good listen and check out the rest of the album. If you’ve missed Rise Against, this album and song will definitely bring you back!

Rise Against- Ricochet:

Rise Against- Ricochet (Album):

TITLE TRACKS: TOOL- UNDERTOW

I have an interesting theory on title tracks. More often than not, the title track on an album is a deeper cut, towards the end of the album. My theory is that the “title track” is a bit of a summation of what the album encompasses. It could be musically, lyrically, thematic or the all around tonality of what the album is about. There are quite a few bands that do this on a consistent basis and I quite enjoy it. One of those bands is Tool. They have successfully done this three times (Undertow, Aenima and Lateralus). As much as I love “Lateralus” I really have to say “Undertow” might just be the best of the three. The song itself has a lot of different vibes to it. You have the heavy aspects, the syncopated rhythms, but the more progressive elements mixed with a bit of psychedelia puts this one over. “Undertow” is a song you can get lost in and it’s placement in the album sequence really lets the song become its own entity. I’m glad to see that “Undertow” made it back into the set list the past few years. More songs off of the album itself need to be played live. Less Fear Inoculum and more of the songs not played enough!!

Tool- Undertow:

Title Tracks: Tool- Lateralus

It’s been quite a while since I listened to Tool but, last night I was thinking something related to them and wound up putting Lateralus on for bed. As I listened and got to track 9, I remembered why I liked this album so much. I also believe that this was the last good thing they have put out in years (but that’s for another topic and another day). “Lateralus” was actually released as a single to radio in February of 2022 with a Radio Edit version that’s about 6 minutes long (5:47 to be exact). This is also the song most well known for using the Fibonacci sequence in its creation. I’ve also heard that this song is about an acid trip. Either way this song is awesome, epic and a phenomenal title track to a great album.

Tool- Lateralus (Album Version):

Tool- Lateralus (Live 2014):

NEW RELEASE: END- The Sin Of Human Frailty

END has unleashed the title track, “The Sin Of Human Frailty” ahead of the release of their new album (out Oct 27th). This track is one of those songs that really encapsulates what END is all about. It’s heavy, pummeling, punishing and has a groove to it that is sure to get you head-banging. With each release, be it a single or album, END keeps digging in and pushing the aggression. END’s new album, The Sin Of Human Frailty is going to be one of the best albums of the year and one of the best heavy albums of 2023. Ever since I first heard END, I’ve been hooked and it’s only getting better. So, make sure you listen to END!

END- The Sin Of Human Frailty:

Title Tracks: Fear Factory- Demanufacture

The year is 1995 and an album is about to be released that changes the heavy metal game for the future. This landmark album would not only put the band on the map but it would go on to be one of the most influential and inspirational albums of the 90’s metal scene and beyond. I’m talking about Fear Factory and their undeniable masterpiece, Demanufacture. There is one story I love about the making of this album that I have to share. The album was recorded at Bearsville Studios in rural New York. Also in residence at the studio was New Jersey rockers, Bon Jovi who were in the studio recording their album These Days (which is actually a really good album in the Bon Jovi catalog and quite dark too). Anyways the story goes that Fear Factory were in the studio next door and one of Bon Jovi’s engineers asked them to turn the sound down, as it was bleeding into Bon Jovi’s drum mics, during Bon Jovi’s recording sessions. But that’s a whole other story for another time. What I want is to focus on the title track of the album. The concept for the album is about a man’s struggles against a machine-controlled government, with each song a chapter in his life. The first song on the album is the title track “Demanufacture” and as a tone setter, WOW. This song is blistering. The riffs are pummeling and the drums blast like Thor’s hammer. Then when you add Burton C. Bell’s vocals of clean singing to heavier vocals, you just can’t beat it. What a way to start off an album and a classic one at best. This song has gone on to live in infamy as one of the best title tracks but also as a track one!


Fear Factory- Demanufacture:

Title Tracks: Slayer- Seasons In The Abyss
HIGHER CRITICISM: SLAYER (PART 7) - "SEASONS IN THE ABYSS" - NO CLEAN SINGING

Slayer’s Seasons In The Abyss is my favorite album of theirs. As much as I love Reign In Blood, there is just something more intriguing about Seasons. There’s a complexity to this album and also a different vibe than their other albums. From the moment “War Ensemble” starts all the way through to the closing title track “Seasons In The Abyss” there’s no denying that this album is beyond impactful. The title track is quite a departure. It’s a slowed down song with Tom Araya almost singing. The lyrics too are a bit different as well since Tom Araya wrote them and not Jeff Hanneman or Kerry King. This album is a classic through and through. Even though Reign gets all the rah rah acclaim, I still think Seasons is better.

Slayer- Seasons In The Abyss:

Track One: The Velvet Underground- White Light/White Heat
The Velvet Underground White Light/White Heat | Classic Rock Review

The Velvet Underground is one of my Top 10 all time favorite bands. My mom got me into them when I was still a toddler. There’s something majestic about this band and what they create. Just when you think they are writing a “pop song” they flip the script and out comes something otherworldly. Lou Reed had one hell of a way of telling stories through songs. He was a profound writer and often doesn’t get the credit and respect he deserves. This song “White Light/White Heat” is also the title track of the same name. This song was released in January of 1968. Interestingly the song is about the sensations produced by intravenous injection of methamphetamines. “White Light/White Heat” was also a staple of the Velvet Underground’s live performances from 1967 on. The tune appears on numerous live bootleg albums, and the nearly nine-minute version included on the group’s posthumous 1969 Live double LP is one of the album’s centerpieces. This song holds such a candle with many artists, so much so that David Bowie even recorded a version of it. This track every time I hear it, I have to turn it up super loud and sing along! What a tremendous way to kickstart an album!

The Velvet Underground- White Light/White Heat:

David Bowie- White Light/White Heat: