Op Ed: Why Slayer Calling It Quits Is A Good Thing

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I was recently making a list for a new topic about bands that should call it quits. There has to come a time when a band says enough is enough. This just isn’t worth it anymore. A lot of bands stick around and become full on nostalgia acts and in some instances that’s ok. And then there are those bands that have just overstayed their welcome. With the news of Slayer saying that this upcoming world tour would be their last, I actually thought to myself, that’s probably a good thing. It’s better to leave with your dignity intact and feel like you’ve done all you can do rather than stick it out just for the sake of making money.

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Band Of The Week (Updated): A Light Within

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It’s been a minute since A Light Within has released new music. I personally have been anticipating new tunes from them and now they have released the first song, Page #9 (Shells) off their new EP Epilogue, which is the final chapter of their 3 part trilogy. A Light Within has definitely tapped into another realm of what they started as. I would say they’ve gotten more etherial and darker. The band has said “Epilogue” is the final conceptual installment in a three part series containing transcribed diary entries written from the perspective of a reflective mind. Throughout the pages be prepared to hit an emotional remembrance of life experiences, love scenarios, and a metaphorical loss of it all.” While listening to this song and the entire EP and their other ones, you can definitely feel it all. Epilogue is due to be released in February so be on the look out for that (I’ll also remind you all).

 

A Light Within- Page #9 (Shells):

 

Body Matter EP:

 

Preface EP:

Cover Song: King Woman (The Stone Roses)- I Wanna Be Adored

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I love when bands take on underrated and influential bands and cover their songs. More often than not, the band covering the song really brings something special to the table with their version. King Woman did just that with their cover of “I Wanna Be Adored” by The Stone Roses. Take a listen to this gem of a cover!

 

King Woman- I Wanna Be Adored:

 

The Stone Roses- I Wanna Be Adored:

 

Great B-Sides: Pantera

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I’ve been in a Pantera mood the last couple days. I’ve mainly been listening to The Great Southern Trendkill (as it’s my favorite album of theirs). While I was going through all their albums I forgot about a few b-sides and covers that they did throughout their career. So here they are. The few b-sides they have and covers. Enjoy!

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Great Debut Albums: Buckcherry- Buckcherry

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I was originally going to make a giant list of the best debut albums of all time but, I thought doing an individual series would be more fun and frankly more interesting. There are zillions of great debut albums out there. Some of which are legendary and influential while others are just plain awesome. Some of you reading this might not agree with all the ones I pick and that’s ok. I just really want to showcase some great albums, some that you might have missed and some you probably haven’t listened to in a long time.

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Band Of The Week: Vexes

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I love it when a band melds their influences into something that stands out from what they were inspired by. Sure there might be moments when one of the influences comes through a bit more but, that just shows how much of an impact that band has on others. For the first band of the week of 2018 I’d like to introduce you to the band Vexes. Made up of former members of A Life Once Lost, Vessl, and Fury of Five, Vexes has come out with a fury of thunder. Vexes takes their love of Deftones, Cave In, Thrice, Helmet and Circa Survive to new heights. Their debut album Ancient Geometry is gearing up to me quite the debut. From the three songs released so far, “Lift,” “Plasticine,” and “Helion,” you can tell that Vexes is here to make and leave a lasting impact.

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Album Review: Corrosion Of Conformity- No Cross No Crown

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Comeback albums are quite difficult to make. When the band has been gone for a good amount of time, there is always a specific question that comes up. Does the band still have “it” to make a great album? Well in the case of Corrosion of Conformity, you bet your ass they do. The bands first new album with singer/guitarist Pepper Keenan back in the fold since 2005’s In The Arms Of God, is everything you’d want from the band and then some. Their new album No Cross No Crown is every bit a classic COC album but it’s fresh and full of rip roaring riffs and thunderous rhythms, not to mention some of the best vocal performances of Pepper’s career.

From the moment the instrumental intro “Novus Deus” begins, the feeling of epic awaits. “The Luddite” is one hell of a way to start things off. This song has Sabbath worship all over it with bits of a High On Fire vibe too. “Cast The First Stone” is one of those signature rip roaring songs that COC does best. There are so many songs on this new album that are badass that it’s hard to pin point an absolute favorite. I will tell you though that songs like “Wolf Named Crow,” “Forgive Me,” “Nothing Left To Say,” Old Disaster,” “E.L.M,” “No Cross No Crown,” and “A Quest To Believe (A Call To The Void),” are all outstanding songs. I would put money on these songs going over so well live, people would be clambering for a live album of the material from this album. Something else about this album that really stands out are the little interludes between songs. It really gives the album a real “album” feel, something that is definitely missing from a lot of bands these days. The album and band’s longtime producer John Custer really knows how to get the absolute best tones for all the guys in the band as well as making sure they deliver the best performances.

It’s all very refreshing to have this version of Corrosion Of Conformity back. The band originally started as a three piece way back during the beginnings of Hardcore Punk but in the late 80’s early 90’s shifted to more a heavy rock band with the inclusion of Pepper Keenan. Their legacy has never been questionable. They have delivered great album after great album, from Deliverance and Wiseblood to this new one. If you have not known about COC, or are rediscovering the band, No Cross No Crown is a great way to get into the band. Throughout listening you will find yourself grooving your head along to the rhythms and riffs. You might even break out into a sudden air guitar moment with how good the riffs are.

Thank you Corrosion Of Conformity for putting out a sheer contender for Album Of TheY Year, and it’s only January.

Overall Rating: A

Corrosion Of Conformity- Cast The First Stone:

 

Corrosion Of Conformity- Wolf Named Crow:

Anticipated Albums of 2018

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2017 brought us a slew of great albums. From the new Mastodon, With Our Arms To The Sun, Mutoid Man, Pallbearer, Converge and so many more.

2018 is shaping up to be quite a year for new music as well. The following bands are either releasing new music this year or are supposed to. Either way these are the most Anticipated Albums of 2018 (so far).

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Album Anniversaries in 2018

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2018 is upon us and Audioeclectica is going to be a little bit different this year. You will just have to keep reading to see what changes and what is to come.

For the first post of the year, I thought I would celebrate all the albums that are having major milestone anniversaries this year. The following albums are all hitting the 10, 15 20, 25, 30, 40 and 50 year marks. Some are absolutely legendary albums and others are just impactful albums that you and I would definitely consider to be great. While others are by bands that have had a lasting impact.

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End Of The Year List 2017: Best Albums

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I present to you all… The Top 25 Best Albums of 2017

I encourage you to vote for your favorite in the comments section. At the end of the month, I will release the results of the readers poll.

THIS LIST IS IN ORDER!!!

Honorable Mention:

Brand New- Science Fiction
The Melvins- A Walk With Love and Death
Depeche Mode- Spirit
Archspire- Relentless Mutation
Ryan Adams- Prisoner
Cons- The Burden Of Knowing Why
Polkadot Cadaver- Get Possessed
Glassjaw- Material Control

25) Foo Fighters- Concrete and Gold

24) Black Wail- Chromium Homes

23) Black Map- In Droves

22) L.A. Guns- The Missing Peace

21) Black Mare- Death Magick Mother

20) Wear Your Wounds- Wear Your Wounds/Dunedevil

19) Scour- Red EP

18) Mastodon- A Cold Dark Place

17) Chelsea Wolfe- Hiss Spun

16) 10 Years- (how to live) As Ghosts

15) King Woman- Created In The Image Of Suffering

14) Trivium- The Sin and The Sentence

13) God Mother- Vilseldd

12) Darkest Hour- Godless Prophets and The Migrant Flora

11) Eighteen Visions- XVIII

10) Dead Cross- Dead Cross

09) Nine Inch Nails- Add Violence

08) Converge- The Dusk In Us

07) Royal Thunder- Wick

06) Pallbearer- Heartless

05) Less Art- Strangled Light

04) With Our Arms To The Sun- Orenda

03) Spotlights- Seismic

02) Mutoid Man- War Moans

01) Mastodon- Emperor Of Sand