The A to Z list continues to find the top ten bands/artists in the alphabet. V is upon us and needs help to complete the list.
As usual your suggestions are wanted in completing this list.
These are in no particular order as well.
01) The Velvet Underground
02) The Verve
03) Van Halen
04) Vision Of Disorder
05) Vast
06) The Ventures
07) Vanilla Fudge
08) Violent Femmes
09) The Vandals
10) Vexes (one of the best new V bands)
One of my favorite things about writing and running Audioeclectica is when I get an email from a band that is personalized and asking me to check out their band. Recently I got a message from a band called Knaaves. I was immediately impressed with the message that was sent that I stopped what I was doing to check them out. What I heard was a blistering heavy band that was full of dark riffs and an attitude that compliments the music superbly. Knaaves, based out of Milwauke, is a four piece band featuring Andy Parmann (Vocals), Amanda Daniels (Bass), Jamie Kerwin (Guitar), and Antonio Ninham (Drums) that mixes metal, hardcore, and bits of melody to create a hard charging, groove filled sound. Knaaves isn’t a “metal-core” band, instead they take bits of post hardcore and add it to their already heavy groove. Their 2 song EP JANUARY, featuring the songs “January” and “Nine Lives Lost” will have you banging your head and possibly erupting into a one person mosh pit (which is totally possible). Do yourself a favor and check out Knaaves and let the power of heaviness guide you on your way to where you are headed.
Knaaves- January EP:
Every now and then a band comes along and reignites a genre that hasn’t been relevant in a while. Depending on what time you grew up, you just might have a connection to that specific genre. The mixing of rock/metal and hip hop has been around for almost 30 years now. Some bands were able to do it extremely well like Rage Against The Machine, and some more underground bands like Downiest and Hed PE (their first album). Recently a band has come out that has brought back that sound but have done it in a way that isn’t cheesy like Limp Bizkit. I’m speaking of the band Fire From The Gods. Based out of Austin Texas, Fire From The Gods have incorporated hip hop into their music along with with a generous helping of melody, hardcore, and metal. I’d like to note that not all their songs feature the rap-rock sound, only a handful of the songs have rapping in them, like the song “Excuse Me.” Instead the band focuses on melody and hooks to gain your attention. The band, fronted by the very charismatic AJ Channer, is definitely a band that you need to look out for. I like to think of them as a more melodic Sevendust, only a bit more socially conscious. Their album Narrative is one hell of an album. It’s full of all the above I mentioned but also a very uplifting feeling. Musically the band is tight and churn out some tasty riffs and rhythms. From their videos I’ve seen, their live shows are full of energy and heaviness. It’s no wonder why Fire From The Gods are a band to watch out for.
Fire From The Gods- Narrative (Retold):
By: Brian Lacy
It’s always a pleasure to see and hear a band evolve in the right direction. A couple years back I featured the band Dead Empires as Band Of The Week, and now they have come roaring back with a new album, Designed To Disappear, and it is absolutely crushing. From the time the opening song, “Spectacular Ruin” kicks in, you the listener know you that Dead Empires are coming to take over. The progressive nature of the Designed To Disappear not only lets the songs stand alone, they are have a perfect ebb and flow to create an album. There are parts that are reminiscent of The Dillinger Escape Plan which makes for some really cool jazzy breaks. Songs like “The Form,” “Reverse Speak,” “A Summertime Song,” and the closing title track “Designed To Disappear,” all have a sense of urgency and depth that a lot of instrumental bands seem to lack. Now armed with a vocalist, Dead Empires are about to cause some serious damage to stages and speakers. Something else about this album that stands out is the production. There is a crisp and heavy feeling about these songs that helps to resonate what the true nature of their playing feels like. Dead Empires are alive and well, and are ready to take over.
Dead Empires- Designed To Disappear:
Back in 1993 there was a movie that came out that was pretty mediocre but the soundtrack was an absolute beast. I’m talking about Judgement Night. The movie had Emilio Estevez, Cuba Gooding Jr, Jeremy Piven, Stephen Dorff and the great Denis Leary. The movie is less than memorable, though Denis Leary plays one hell of a bad guy. The soundtrack though became a cult classic and really was instrumental in bringing hip-hop and rock/metal together. Collaborations like Helmet and House of Pain, Biohazard and Onyx, Living Colour and Run DMC, Slayer and Ice-T really stood out as the go to tracks. Then there were others that were quite interesting like Pearl Jam and Cypress Hill, Sonic Youth and Cypress Hill, Dinosaur Jr and Del The Funky Homosapien. All in all this soundtrack was badass. There was even a collaboration between Tool and Rage Against The Machine but, neither band was happy with the end result so it didn’t make the album.
Judgement Night Soundtrack:
Tool and Rage Against The Machine- Can’t Kill The Revolution:
For many years now, Howard Jones has been a well respected vocalist in the heavy music world. From his time in Blood Has Been Shed to Killswitch Engage and now with Light The Torch (formerly known as Devil You Know), Howard’s voice and lyrics have resonated with countless amounts of people. Since Light The Torch is getting set to release their new album, Revival (out March 30), I thought it would be fun to put together a bunch of songs Howard has guested on over the years.
36 Crazyfists- Elysium (from Rest Inside The Flames):
Eighteen Visions- One Hell Of A Prize Fighter (from Vanity):
Throwdown- The World Behind (from Vendetta):
Roadrunner United- The Daggar (from Roadrunner United- The All Star Sessions):
Every Time I Die- Punch-Drunk Punk Rock Romance (from Last Night In Town):
Within Temptation- Dangerous (from Hydra):
Jasta- Chasing Demons (from The Lost Chapters):
Asking Alexandria- Until The End (from From Death To Destiny):
Post Punk has fast been gaining and growing as one of the most popular genres these days. I’ve seen a lot of people from heavier bands going in this direction as side projects or after they’ve left their bands. There is a band hailing from Vancouver, Canada called ACTORS that have really nailed the post punk/darkwave sound. Actors have taken the classic post-punk sound and added a bit of a modern twist to it without losing the true essence of what the genre is. Their synth drenched scores could easily be found in countless films, all the while the songs have a dance vibe to them that fit in clubs. Led by singer/guitarist Jason Corbett, ACTORS have taken their well studied sound and delivered the goods. Their album It Will Come To You is chock full of dark sounds but with a sense of light underneath the beats.
Actors- It Will Come To You:
Actors- L’apple Du Vide (Live):
One of my all time favorite TV shows is Miami Vice. I still remember sitting with my dad and mom watching it when I was a little kid. What a great show it was. There were so many really great things about the show, especially the music. The way they chose the songs and where they were placed in scenes are absolutely legendary. One song I’ll never forget along with the scene is when Phil Collins’ song “In The Air Tonight” was played. The entire scene, the way it was shot, the drama, and the mood, perfectly captures the feeling of the song.
In The Air Tonight in Miami Vice (Season 1):
Solo albums are quite interesting to make. On one hand you want to make something different than the band you are/were in. And on the other you want to still be yourself. Recently a friend of mine told me I needed to check out the solo album from Oasis singer Liam Gallagher. At first I was a little hesitant but, after the first song was over, I was completely sold. Liam Gallagher’s debut solo album As You Were, is outstanding. The voice of Oasis is alive and well and it feels like a rebirth of sorts. Following the break up of Oasis, Liam and the remaining members started a new band called Beady Eye. That band seemed to fall short of what their previous band did. Though on this solo album, Liam is right back where he belongs. From the start of the first song “Wall Of Glass” all the way through to “I’ve All I Need” you get a sense that this is the album Liam was meant to make since Oasis’s (What’s The Story) Morning Glory. There are so many stand out songs on this album like “Bold,” “Greedy Soul,” “For What It’s Worth,” (which is my favorite song as of this writing), “When I’m In Need,” “I Get By” and “Come Back To Me.” All the songs flow in the way an album should but, they also stand out on their own. The only complaint I have about the album, is that the production is a little too slick at times. Part of what makes Liam stand out among other singers of his time, is the gritty and raspy vocals he emits. That part aside, this album is truly great. As You Were deserves your attention and to be in your collection.
Liam Gallagher- As You Were:
It seems like these days electronic music is at the forefront of all genres. There are a lot of electronic “artists” and it’s hard to keep up with this growing genre. Luckily, I’ve developed a filter for finding the good ones. Which is why you need to check out Ritualz, the one-man army of producer/vocalist JC Lobo. Rather than be inspired by the likes of the DJ’s of today, JC has taken his love of bands like Nine Inch Nails and Depeche Mode to create music that stands out from the pack. Ritualz new album entitled DOOM, is lush with emotionally charged dark goth pop songs along with a layer of gloom and hooks that captivate your ears.There are songs on the album that will make you want to dance and then there are others that will hypnotize you. It’s great to hear electronic music with more of a post punk edge to it as opposed to the same stale beats and rehashed hooks. JC Lobo is on the right track to captivate audiences and leave his own mark in the genre.
Pre Order Ritualz album DOOM HERE:
Ritualz Upcoming Shows:
Mar 9 – Mexico City, MX @ Foro Bizarro
Mar 22 – San Diego, CA @ Space Bar
Mar 23 – Los Angeles, CA @ Das Bunker
Mar 29 – San Francisco, CA @ Elbo Room
April 1 – Vancouver, BC @ Astoria
