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:

Title Tracks: Deftones

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Deftones have a long history of making quite complete albums. There are a couple that are a little disjointed but, for the most part are rather perfectly sequenced. Their artistry and evolution is something that many bands from their era should have taken a cue from. They’ve managed to stay relevant by pushing themselves as songwriters and performers as well as incorporating other elements into their sound to separate themselves from their peers. On these few title track songs, Deftones, really encapsulated the sound of these albums with these songs.

Deftones- Around The Fur:

 

Deftones- Diamond Eyes:

 

Deftones- Gore:

 

Cover Song: Stephen Brodsky & Marissa Nadler- (Guns N Roses)- Estranged

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Cave In and Mutoid Man’s Stephen Brodsky is quite the busy guy. In addition to the two bands I just mentioned, he’s got a project with vocalist Marissa Nadler. Their collaborative album entitled Droneflower will be released April 26th via Sacred Bones Records. They have released a couple songs from the album. The first was an original song called “For The Sun,” which is quite a haunting introduction to the band. The second though is a cover of Guns N Roses’ “Estranged.” This is one of the best cover songs I’ve ever heard. “Estranged” happens to be my favorite GnR song of all time, so I was a tad skeptical before listening but, within seconds, I knew that this was amazing. Everything about this cover is perfect. It’s a totally different take on the GnR classic and it’s just beautiful.

Stephen Brodsky & Marissa Nadler- Estranged:

 


Stephen Brodsky & Marissa Nadler- Droneflower:

 

 

Memorable TV Performances: The Cult on Joan Rivers

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Back in 1988, The Cult performed on the late Joan Rivers late night talk show. They performed the song “Lil Devil” from their badass album Electric, along with “Born To Be Wild.” The band joins Joan on the couch for an interview and Ian’s father calls in to wish Ian a happy birthday. I still think The Cult are one of the most underappreciated rock bands ever. They continue to put out quality rock albums like Born Into This, Choice Of Weapon and Hidden City. I highly suggest you taking a listen to those and adding them to your collection.

The Cult- Lil Devil & Born To Be Wild on Joan Rivers (1988):

 

Anticipated Albums: Cave In- Final Transmission

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On June 7th of this year (2019), Cave In will release a new and final album appropriately titled, Final Transmission. This album features the last recordings of the late Caleb Scofield. The first song released, “All Illusion,” is a Caleb composition that Steve had originally written lyrics for. But that changed not long after Caleb’s passing, when Adam went to visit Caleb’s wife, Jen, and their two kids, Desmond and Sydney. “Jen found some lyrics in one of Caleb’s journals,” Adam explains. “She was going to tear them out and give them to me, but I just took a picture because I wanted her to keep it. We used the lyrics for “All Illusion,” which is a song that really haunts me. I feel like it’s a weird message from Caleb sometimes.” And what a song it is. This for me is one of the, if not most anticipated albums of 2019. You can pre-order the album HERE.

Cave In- All Illusion:

 

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:

 

Those 90’s Songs: Local H- Bound For The Floor

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I woke up this morning with Local H’s “Bound For The Floor” in my head. I have no idea how or why but, I’m sure glad I did. This is one of those 90’s songs that when you hear it, you can’t help but crank it up and then sing along. The track was released in 1996 on Local H’s album As Good As Dead, which is quite a damn good album. “Bound For The Floor” has gone on to be the bands most popular single since it’s release. This song is another wonderful example of a great song and from a legendary time.

Local H- Bound For The Floor:

 


Local H- As Good As Dead:

Anticipated Albums: Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes- End Of Suffering

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On May 3rd (my birthday!!!), Frank Carter and The Rattlesnakes will be releasing their new album End Of Suffering. The follow up to 2017’s excellent Modern Ruin, sees the band exploring more of their “alternative” side while keeping the rest of the mood dark and gritty. So far two songs have been released “Crowbar” and “Anxiety” both of which are sure to keep you wanting more!
Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes- Crowbar:

 

 
Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes- Anxiety:

 

 
Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes- Modern Ruin (Full Album):

Songs In Film: Guns N Roses- Paradise City in Can’t Hardly Wait

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The other evening while looking for something to watch, I noticed Can’t Hardly Wait was just starting. It had been quite a while since I last watched it so, I thought, why not. The scene involving Charlie Korsmo’s character and Guns N’ Roses’s song “Paradise City” is perfect. Enjoy this classic clip. And if you see Can’t Hardly Wait on TV or streaming, give it another watch, it’s still a fun movie.

Guns N Roses- Paradise City in Can’t Hardly Wait:

 

Album Review: Low Dose- Low Dose

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The resurgence of the “90’s sound” has been a welcome sound to me and so many others. That sound had such an energy to it that it made music “real” again. A few months back I introduced you all to a band from Philadelphia called Low Dose and now, they have released their debut album (FINALLY!!!!) and it deserves your attention. Low Dose has this really great grungy sound with a punk vibe. Think Nirvana In Utero mixed with L7.

The album is 10 songs of bombastic rock and filled with punk rock charm. Once the album is over, you immediately feel the need to start it again and keep rocking. Kicking off the album is the song “Low” which is the perfect tone setter for what’s to come. “Right On” comes in like a swinging hammer of doom. The slow churning riff and gritty vocals brings this song to life. “For Sure” is the first song I ever heard from Low Dose and it’s still a ripping great song. It’s one of those tracks that when it hits in sequence of the album, you know “It’s On!!” As the album moves on songs like “Away” “Sinking” and “Not Break Skin” show off a different side of the band and showcases the dynamics this band has as well as how good of songwriters they are. One of my favorite songs on the record is “Otherworldly Motives.” this song is drenched in the 90’s in a good way and it has this really epic feel to it. Closing out the album is “Legendary Divorce.” This song is one hell of a great song. This song is a great example of how diverse this band can be. It’s also the perfect song to close out the album.

Across the 10 songs on the album, you the listener get to experience a well rounded sonic assault. The bands sound while inspired by the 90’s, sounds fresh and modern without relying on nostalgia to sell it. This is definitely a debut album that you need to hear. Low Dose are the right band at the right time.

 

Overall Rating: A

 

Low Dose- Low Dose: