Ultimate Set List: Thrice

thrice-tickets_06-04-16_17_56562cf7102e6.jpg

Ever since Thrice released their new album To Be Everywhere Is To Be Nowhere, I’ve come back around and am really digging on the band again. Perhaps their time away was much needed, as they returned with an album that really shows depth, growth and maturity. Thrice has always been a great live band. Interestingly enough, the only way I have ever been able to enjoy songs from their Alchemy Index albums are on the Live at the House of Blues album. What I have for you today is my Ultimate Set List for Thrice.

 

As usual here are the rules:

Rule 1: What line up of the band would it be

Rule 2: Where would you want to see the show

Rule 3: maximum 25 songs (In order of how the set should go)

 

Lineup: Dustin, Teppei, Riley, Ed

Venue: Fonda Theatre

Set List:

 

01) Firebreather
02) Like Moths To Flame
03) Stare At The Sun
04) Whistleblower
05) See You In The Shallows
06) The Long Defeat
07) Silhouette
08) Don’t Tell We Won’t Ask
09) Wake Up
10) Stay With Me
11) Atlantic
12) Salt And Shadow
13) Digital Sea
14) Death From Above
15) Black Honey
16) For Miles
17) The Earth Will Shake
18) Red Sky

Encore:

19) Hurricane
20) As The Ruin Falls
21) Blood Clots And Black Holes
22) Deadbolt
23) Torch To End All Torches
24) Where Idols Once Stood
25) All That’s Left

 

Album/Songs:

Identity Crisis= 2
The Illusion of Safety= 3
The Artist and the Ambulance= 5
Vheissu= 5
Alchemy Index= 2
To Be Everywhere is to Be Nowhere= 8

Guest Vocalist: Mike Patton

Patton.jpg

Mike Patton is one of the most prolific vocalists in music. Notice how I didn’t just say rock! Patton has one of the most unique voices and ranges too. All of the projects he has been a part of are interesting and fun. I’ve always been fond of Mr. Bungle and Peeping Tom especially. Here are a few of the songs Mr. Patton has guested on over the years.

 

Sepultura- Lookaway:

 

The Melvins- G.I. Joe:

 

Rise Above (24 Black Flag songs to benefit the West Memphis 3)- Six Pack:

 

Bjork- Pleasure Is All Mine:

 

Team Sleep- KoolAid (Previously Unreleased):

 

The Dillinger Escape Plan- Irony Is A Dead Scene EP:

 

 

Album Rank: Megadeth

d680aca4db449a8abd4ad0cd2b892fe3.jpg

It’s been a while since I really sat down and listened to Megadeth. So the other day I put on their new album Dystopia and found I quite enjoyed it. To me it sounds like Dave was trying to recapture the feeling he and the band had during Rust In Peace. So much so, that Chris Adler’s drumming on the album has a Nick Menza feel to it. Anyways, I realized that Megadeth has 15, yes 15 albums, and I felt the need to rank them.

 

15) Super Collider:

 

14) The World Needs A Hero:

 

13) Thirteen:

 

12) United Abominations:

 

11) Endgame:

 

10) Risk:

 

09) Cryptic Writings:

 

08) The System Has Failed:

 

07) Dystopia:

 

06) So Far, So Good…So What:

 

05) Youthanasia:

 

04) Killing Is My Business…And Business Is Good:

 

03) Countdown To Extinction:

 

02) Peace Sells…But Who’s Buying:

 

01) Rust In Peace:

Album Review: Black Map- In Droves

17155423_734222820088474_8107971578215515130_n.jpg

Rock music is alive and well. Armed with inspiration, influences and artistry, Black Map has officially cemented their place in rock with their new album In Droves. Consisting of 15 songs, well technically 12 if you don’t count the three interludes, In Droves breathes a much needed breath of fresh air to the rock world. Ben Flanagan (Bass/Vocals), Mark Engles (Guitar) and Chris Robyn (Drums) play off each other tremendously. They have the ability to be heavy without compromising melody.

Starting off the album is “Run Rabbit Run” this is a great start to the record. It’s rifftastic, heavy hitting and thumping with soaring vocals. From there the album takes a turn towards the melancholy with “Foxglove” then back to the rock with the melodically heavy “Ruin.” As the album continues with songs like “Heavy Waves,” Dead Ringer, “Octavia,” and “No Color” you can tell that Black Map has really dialed in their sound. By the time “Indoor Kid” kicks in, you can tell you that you’ve been experiencing an “ALBUM.” “White Fence” is drenched in atmosphere. While “Just My Luck” is a solid rocker. ” Cash For The Fears” is a solemn track that is full of depth and emotion. Closing out the album is the epic “Coma Phase,” which is a great summation of the album.

Black Map is a band for the times. Their sound is full of 90’s rock without being a copy. If I were asked to describe what Black Map sounds like I’d say Failure mixed with Helmet. The vocals and lyrics of Ben Flanagan are full of melody and deep. Mark Engles guitar work is showcased brilliantly. Bringing some of the ambience and atmosphere from Dredg, really helps to make the heavy riffs, their own. Chris Robyn is one of the most underrated drummers. His work in FAR alone deserves that nod, and his playing on this album is just as good. Black Map are the “X marks the spot” type of band if you are looking for the next great rock band.

Overall Rating: 9/10

Run Rabbit Run:

Ruin:

Just My Luck:

Heavy Waves:

No Color:

Worst Cover Songs: Limp Bizkit (Ministry)- Thieves

10697292_723168117777156_4168158518538488340_o.png

I absolutely love finding bad cover songs and sharing them with you all. This one isn’t necessarily horrible but, it leaves a lot to be desired. Ministry is a hard band to cover and if you don’t do it right or justice, it’s going to end up a disappointment. Here is Limp Bizkit covering “Thieves” by Ministry.

 

Limp Bizkit- Thieves:

 

Ministry:

Anticipated Albums: Mastodon- Emperor Of Sand

 

 

mastodonemperorofsandcover.jpg

Mastodon are one of the best bands to come out since the turn of the century. They have evolved as a band in the best possible way without compromising their artistic integrity. All of their albums, with the exception of The Hunter, are classics and influential. Their ability to write “albums” sets them apart from their peers in the rock and metal circles. Their new album Emperor Of Sand (in stores March 31,2017), is gearing up to be an album of the year contender. From the three songs released, you can tell that Troy, Brann, Bill, and Brent are in sync and ready to deliver another gem.

Sultan’s Curse:

 

Show Yourself:

 

Andromeda:

 

The Making of Emperor Of Sand:

 

Part 1:

 

Part 2:

 

Part 3:

 

Part 4:

 

Part 5:

 

Album Review: Darkest Hour- Godless Prophets & The Migrant Flora

3000x3000pxDarkestHour-resize-720x720-584f510886093.jpg

I will be the first to admit that after the past two albums Darkest Hour released, (The Human Romance and their Self Titled album) I had lost interest. The line up changes and musical shift that was happening really just wasn’t cutting it for me. But now on their ninth studio album, Darkest Hour has found their way back to what made them great. I’ve always regarded the band as a very underrated treasure. Musically they combine all the elements I enjoy from punk, thrash and Swedish melodic death metal. On this new album Godless Prophets & The Migrant Flora, Darkest Hour have cemented themselves as a force to be reckoned within the heavy music circles.

The moment the first song “Knife In The Safe Room” begins, you know that you are in for a treat. Every single song on this album is something special. In particular ” Timeless Numbers,” “None Of This Is The Truth,” “The Flesh and the Flowers of Death,” “Those Who Survived,” “Enter Oblivion,” “In The Name of Us All,” and closer “Beneath It Sleeps.” Guitarists Mike Schleibaum and Michael “Lonestar” Carrigan have never sounded better together. Along with the input and contributions of former member Kris Norris, the guitar work on this album is what fans have been wanting for years. Drummer Travis Orbin and bassist Aaron Deal have finally hit their stride as a rhythm section. As much as I miss Ryan and Paul in the band, if this is the direction Travis and Aaron are going to go, I’m more than satisfied. Vocalist John Henry has really stepped up his game lyrically and vocally. Personally I think this is the best he has sounded since Undoing Ruin.

The choice to work with producer Kurt Ballou was a great choice. Kurt was really able to dial in on the tones needed to make this a special album. In fact this album is one of the best I’ve heard Kurt produce and record outside of Converge, since High On Fire’s De Vermis Mysteriis. Armed with this album and a renewed sense of purpose, Darkest Hour are roaring back with a no holds barred approach. Godless Prophets & The Migrant Flora is an album that will be looked back up in the bands catalog as a standout. The band should be really proud of what they have created. I as a fan, am really stoked on this album. This is everything that Darkest Hour should be.

Overall Rating: A

 

The Making of the Album:

 

Album Rank: Black Sabbath (Ozzy Era)

Black_Sabbath_(Logo).png

The first six Black Sabbath albums are highly regarded in the rock and metal circles. I personally think the first four are the ones that should be the ones that are highly touted. The other two contain quite a lot of filler. That’s just my opinion though. So, with all this in mind here are the Ozzy era Black Sabbath albums ranked from not their best to the best.

9) Technical Ecstasy:

8) Never Say Die:

7) 13:

6) Sabotage:

5) Sabbath Bloody Sabbath:

4) Volume 4:

3) Master Of Reality:

2) Black Sabbath:

1) Paranoid:

Unsung Masterpieces: Led Zeppelin- Presence
presence_front.jpg

Looking back at Led Zeppelin’s catalog there is an album that hardly ever gets its due. The first 6 albums are all acclaimed and highly regarded but, there is one in particular that really needs to be in the conversation as well, and that album is Presence. Released in 1976, Presence is an album that strips it down to the root of drums, bass, guitars and vocals. Presence was written and recorded after Robert Plant was recovering from a serious car accident. Jimmy Page and Robert Plant spent time in Malibu, California working on the ideas that Plant had written during his convalescent period. After some time Page and Plant joined up with John Bonham and John Paul Jones for rehearsals before they went to the studio. After 18 days in the studio, Presence was recorded and mixed.

The songs on the album are quite substantial and poignant. Starting off the album with “Achilles Last Stand” is a statement all on it’s own. This song is the epitome of what Zeppelin is. The 10 and a half minute epic that is “Achilles Last Stand” sets a standard on how to kick off an album. “For Your Life” oozes with blues and pain, as Robert was in a wheelchair while he recorded his vocals for the song. “Royal Orleans” has a funk vibe to it, allowing John Paul Jones to show off his seriously underrated bass skills. “Nobody’s Fault But Mine” is a classic Zeppelin blues jam. Jimmy Page really shines on this song. His guitar playing is astounding and beyond influential. “Candy Store Rock” is probably my least favorite song on the album. It seems like a filler song to an extent and doesn’t have the gusto that other songs on the album have. “Hots On For Nowhere” has an interesting history. The first making of the song goes back to Physical Graffiti as well as live renditions of when Zeppelin would play their extended version of “Dazed and Confused.” Ending the album is “Tea For One,” one of my all time favorite songs by the band. The slow mid tempo build that evolves into a blues epic, along with Robert Plant’s vocals and lyrics. “Tea For One” is also the perfect compliment ending to the album.

Presence is a rock n roll album to the fullest. The guitar tones on this record have been copied throughout the years. Not to mention the overall sound of the album. There is a purity about Presence that shines through and through. Perhaps it’s because of what Robert Plant was going through, or even the bands need to capture their roots again but, I will say this, Presence is a game changing album for any music lover. If you are a fan of rock music, then you need to listen to this album and feel all that it has to offer.

 

Led Zeppelin- Presence:

Happy Birthday Kurt Cobain

 

Nirvana-Kurt-Cobain-630x420.jpg

Today is February 20, 2017, also what would have have been Kurt Cobain’s 50th birthday. I thought today would be a good day to pay tribute to him. Over the course of his short yet very influential career, Kurt’s music took on a different life. Listening back to Bleach, there was a healthy dose of pop sensibilities in that album. Kurt’s love of The Beatles, especially John Lennon really resonated with that album. By the time In Utero came out, his attitude towards what was happening in his life was a complete 180. The sharp and abrasive In Utero was logical and made the most sense in his mind. Rather than repeat the same things they did on Nevermind, Nirvana opted for raw and uncompromising  songs and production. I still think to this day that In Utero is Nirvana’s best studio album. One of the most poignant things Nirvana did in their career was the MTV Unplugged. Hearing those songs stripped down to the core, brought out a different side of Kurt and the band. If Kurt were still alive, I could see him doing acoustic tours and albums. Today is a day to look back and remember the music that helped to connect a generation and inspire so many.

Happy Birthday Kurt!

 

Here are my 10 favorite Nirvana songs (In No Particular Order):

 
01) Aneurysm:

 

02) Breed:

 

03) All Apologies:

 

04) The Man Who Sold The World (David Bowie Cover):

 

05) Pennyroyal Tea:

 

06) Heart Shaped Box:

 

07) You Know You’re Right:

 

08) Scentless Apprentice:

 

09) Drain You:

 

10) Something In The Way: