A while back I wrote about a new band comprised of former members of DevilDriver, God Forbid and Divine Heresy called Bad Wolves. They had just released their debut single “Learn To Live” and now have unleashed a new song that steps up their game even more. The new song “Toast To The Ghost” is heavy and melodic with all the metal you need to blast through your speakers. I still stand by the comparison of Bad Wolves having a Meshuggah meets Sevendust vibe only with this song, they add some other flair to the song with the vocals. So check out “Toast To The Ghost” from their upcoming debut album which will be out in 2018.
In today’s modern metal scene there are so many different sub-genres that it’s getting harder to pinpoint exactly where bands fit. That’s not the case with Valor and Vengeance. They know exactly what they are and where they fit. Their use of melodic sensibility and syncopated rhythms make them stand out among their peers. I like to think of Valor and Vengeance as sounding like Avenged Sevenfold if the latter had balls and didn’t suck. Singer Adam Ryan has a commanding presence to go along with his exceptional vocals and uplifting lyrics. The dueling guitars of Mike Muenzer and Tyler Morgan are on par with many of their contemporaries. While the rhythm of bassist Paul Perry is tight and precise. From the two songs they have released so far, “Sinking Further” and “Devil’s Highway,” you can tell they are serious about this band and their want to expand past the underground heavy circuits. Check out Valor and Vengeance and play it loud!
Remember the band Cold? I sure do. Their album 13 Ways To Bleed On Stage is one hell of an album and is still in constant rotation in my stereo since it came out over 15 years ago. The members of Cold have been hard at work on a new album, scheduled for a 2018 release via Napalm Records. The following is a rough version of a new song called “Beautiful Life.” Check it out!
Thrice are one of the most influential bands in the post hardcore genre. For almost 20 years, the guys in Thrice have done it their way and left their mark. The 9 albums they have released are all unique in their own way and full of many memorable songs. Looking back at their catalog, they don’t seem to have too many songs left over as b sides, but the ones they do have are quite awesome all on their own. Check these out!
Since 2005 I’ve been a fan of the band 10 Years. Their major label debut, The Autumn Effect, was quite an album and set a standard for the band. Over the years through various incarnations of the band, albums and producers, 10 Years consistently put out albums, some of which were rather good (Division and Minus The Machine) and some albums that seemed to fall short of what they could have been (Feeding The Wolves and From Birth To Burial). Now on their eighth album, 10 Years have found the spark again and have delivered an album just as impactful as The Autumn Effect. (how to live) As Ghosts is a tremendous melodic rock album and the album the band needed to make. Working with famed producer Nick Raskulinecz (Alice In Chains, Deftones, Foo Fighters), got the band back on track and the songs really shine because of it as does the entire sound of the album.
One of the things that has always stood out to me about 10 Years is singer/lyricist Jesse Hasek. He has a way with melodies and a knack for writing lyrics that are not just thought provoking but also tug at your heart strings. You can hear that in songs like “The Messenger,” “Burnout,” “Ghosts,” “Phantoms (which is my favorite song on the album as of this writing),” “Vampires,” “Halos,” and the closer “Insomnia.” Something else that stands out about this album is the return of guitarist Matt Wantland who left the band after the album Division. With Wantland and guitarist (and former drummer) Brian Vodinh, they have written heavy yet catchy riffs that stand out among all their albums. Also included as a bonus track is a cover of Nirvana’s “Heart Shaped Box.” This mid tempo cover is delicate and beautiful. It’s almost haunting in the way it was arranged. It’s definitely a cover worth checking out!
10 Years aren’t the type of band that is reinventing the wheel. Instead they do rock music the justice it deserves and add the right amount of melody and aggression to be impactful. (How to live) As Ghosts is the perfect return to form for 10 Years and gives hope for the future of the band.
I’ve been working on revamping the Audioeclectica Podcast for a while now. I didn’t want to make the same type of podcast/show that I’ve been hearing so, I went another route. Don’t think of this as a podcast but rather a radio show. Instead of me talking all the time, I’m going to play you all some great music and tell you interesting tidbits about the band, album, song, etc.
This is will also be completely interactive. I will be taking requests about what bands/songs you want to hear as well as topics you’d like for me to discuss and give my take on. I will be having guest on and they will be picking some of their favorite songs to play.
This is all an experiment but totally fun for me. I hope you all enjoy the show and find some great bands, songs, and cool info from listening.
John Wick 1 and 2 are quite possibly the best action films to come out in the last 10 years. There is absolutely nothing wrong with either of the films. Keanu Reeves was made for this role as he was in Point Break, The Matrix and Bill and Ted. Besides Keanu’s awesomeness in the films, the soundtracks are stellar. There is one song in particular from John Wick Chapter 2 that should be on your radar. Jerry Cantrell of Alice In Chains wrote a song called “A Job To Do” and it’s badass!
The Netflix original series Stranger Things returns Friday, October 27 and the hype is building for it to be a monster! One of the coolest things about the show is the music, especially the theme song. Recently one of the Los Angeles’s best independent bands Kolm, did a version of the theme song and it rips! Check it out Kolm and their rad cover!
