Making these lists of the greatest bands/artists by letter is quite fun and a bit challenging at times. There are certain letters that make you really think does this band or artist really belong in a top ten all time list. H is the letter upon us now. Below are my picks for the top (in no particular order). Add to it and help me finish the list!!
1) Hum
2) Helmet
3) Jimi Hendrix
4) How To Destroy Angels
5) Husker Du
6) PJ Harvey
7) High On Fire
8) Don Henley
9) George Harrison
10)
One of my favorite things about going to shows is when the lineup fits. Each band that plays the evening fits the bill, and nothing is out of place. Especially when you have a night full of artistic and progressive bands. Last night at the Viper Room, was just that. With Our Arms To The Sun, Socionic, Mal, and Kolm all delivered. The theme of the night for me was passion, and each band had it.
First up for the evening was Kolm. Their blend of prog rock, and metal really set the tone for the night. As a three piece, playing that style is no easy task but they pull it off with passion and great musicianship.
Next up was Mal. Their sound is a mesh of prog rock and 90’s rock. The three guys playing have the ability to mix genres and make something genuinely creative and passionate, and extremely tight. Amongst the songs are heavy grooves and sensible melodies led by singer/guitarist Kris Jung and bassist PJ. Their latest album Aqua Macabre is one album you should definitely check out!
With Our Arms To The Sun was the third band of the night and they absolutely killed it. Playing a set of all new material from their upcoming album Orenda, they didn’t miss a beat and left it all on stage. Each member of this band understands the statement of “playing with passion,” and it shows in each song they play. With Our Arms To The Sun is epic by nature, thus allowing the songs to feel like a journey of emotions as you listen. Singer/guitarist Josh Breckinridge, along with guitarist Joe Leary, bassist Joe Breckinridge and drummer John McLucas, have a unity on stage that is unrivaled by many bands of today. The band live is a different animal. It’s something you should see and won’t regret. I’d even say that if you are a band that has to play after With Our Arms To The Sun, you best bring it all, because they are the real deal.
Closing out the night was Socionic. Their artsy and theatrical set was played with a great deal of passion (there’s that word again). Musically the band is tight and really work to deliver a show. The majority of their set was comprised of songs off their newest album Dividing Horizon. Socionic is one of those bands that seeing them live is the best way. Their album is great to listen to, but just like With Our Arms To The Sun, the best way to experience it is in a live setting.
All in all this was a great night for music and for Los Angeles based bands. The Viper Room is fast becoming a favorite of mine again to see shows. It’s intimacy really gives off a vibe of community, something that has been missing in Los Angeles, especially in that area, for a long amount of time. Every band was meant to be on stage this evening and did it justice. With Our Arms To The Sun and Socionic are gearing up to go on tour together for a few weeks. So when they come through your area, I strongly suggest you make it out to see them. As well as if Mal, and Kolm are playing in Los Angeles. Nights like this and bands like those that played, really give me hope for the music.
With Our Arms To The Sun and Socionic Tour Dates:
*9/07 @ Lowbrow Palace El Paso, TX
*9/08 @ The Mix San Antonio, TX
*9/09 @ Scout Bar Houston, TX
*9/10 @ The Door Dallas, TX
*9/11 @ Stickyz Little Rock, AR
*9/13 @ Foobar Nashville, TN
*9/14 @ Melody Inn Indianapolis, IN
*9/15 @ PJ’s Lager House Detroit, MI
*9/16 @ Ottawa Tavern Toledo, OH
9/18 @ Riot Fest Chicago, IL (With Our Arms To The Sun only)
*9/20 @ Lee’s Liquor Store Minneapolis, MN
*9/22 @ Lost Lake Denver, CO
*9/25 @ The Shredder Boise, ID
9/27 @ High Dive Seattle, WA (With Our Arms To The Sun only)
9/29 @ Black Forest Eugene, OR (With Our Arms To The Sun only)
As you all probably could tell, I’m on a huge Dillinger Escape plan kick right now. So now, I’m presenting you all two versions of The Dillinger Escape Plan joining Nine Inch Nails on stage to perform “WISH.” The first is from a 2008 performance in Australia and the second is from 2009 when Nine Inch Nails played the Wiltern during their Wave Goodbye tour (which I was at, and seeing this live was brutal). Each version is chaotic, energetic and awesome. I can honestly say that of all the bands I’ve ever heard cover Wish, Dillinger is the only one to ever nail it. So enjoy what you are about to see and hear!
2008 Soundwave Festival in Australia:
2009 Wave Goodbye Tour @ The Wiltern in Los Angeles:
If there is one thing that has always been mind blowing to me is that the bands that are huge influences on so many “Bigger” bands are often overlooked by the masses. The strange reality of all this justifies my thoughts that those in charge really don’t have a clue what is good and isn’t. There is a band from the Sacramento area that really left a huge mark on the bands like Deftones and Far. That band is Will Haven. In 2001, Will Haven unleashed what I consider to be an unsung masterpiece entitled Carpe Diem. Clocking in at just over 45 minutes, the ten songs on the album are honest, emotional and chaotic with dashes of atmosphere. There are so many things about this album that have rubbed off on other bands from the guitar tones, song structures, vocal delivery and style, and even lyrical content. Songs like “Bats,” “Carpe Diem,” “Dolph Lundgren,” “Dressed In Night Clothes,” “Finest Our,” and “Moving To Montana,” have been my absolute favorites on this album and still hold up over 15 years later.
If you are a fan of heavy music and you’ve never heard this band or album, I urge you to stop what you are doing for the next hour and listen to this. And if it’s been a while since you’ve listened to Carpe Diem, stop what you are doing and take a trip back to 2001 and rediscover a great album.
Will Haven- Carpe Diem:
Through many heavy music circles there are certain bands that when they are brought up, people get really excited. Amongst a few friends of mine, when we are talking about heavy bands, Botch always seems to be brought up. Botch was one of those bands that were pioneers of what is commonly referred to as “mathcore,” due to their off time rhythms, and complex intricacies. Throughout their short but very influential career, Botch managed to release two very acclaimed albums, American Nervoso, and We Are The Romans, along with a few EP’s and splits. Their live shows are still notorious for being a bit of a free for all of aggression and intensity, just like fellow mathcore pioneers The Dillinger Escape Plan, whom they have shared the stage with many times. Botch officially decided to break up the band in February 2002 and performed their final show on June 15, 2002 in their home of Seattle. Tensions were growing within the band amongst its members and the direction of how the band should go, thus leading to the break up. Over the years when asked vocalist Dave Verellen has said, “I’d be first in line to keep this goddamn band together.” Other members like guitarist Dave Knudsen, who would go on to form Minus The Bear, has said “I could totally see doing anything with any of those people that’s not Botch but something else that’s creative and fun… and maybe more aggressive.” Though in 2014 bassist Brian Cook, now of Russian Circles was quoted as saying that he would never reunite the band, but in another 2014 interview, he revealed that the other members of Botch felt like the band ended too early and that they had been urging him to stop saying the word “never” in regards to a possible reunion. So hopefully in the next year or so we can get a Botch reunion. With The Dillinger Escape Plan taking a lengthy hiatus after they finish touring on their new album Dissociation, Botch can come back and carry the flag for the style they helped to pioneer.
Band Members and Bands They Are In Now
Dave Verellen (Vocals)- Narrows
Dave Knudsen (Guitar)- Minus The Bear
Brian Cook (Bass)- Russian Circles, Sumac
Tim Lantona (Drums)- N/A
American Nervoso:
We Are The Romans:
As far back as their first album I’ve been a Korn fan. Over the years I’ve had mixed feelings about the albums they’ve released, being that they haven’t been that good. The last good “Album” they put out (in my opinion) was Issues. I always hoped that they would come back with a new album that lived up to how good their self titled debut and Issues were. Well I can happily say that it seems like Korn has really put in the work to release their first worthy album in a very long time. Based on the two songs they have released from the upcoming The Serenity Of Suffering, Korn is back!!!
A Different World (with Corey Taylor):
Insane:
Rotting In Vain:
The ability to mix genres is no easy task. There has to be an element of purity to it. Some bands can do it and Kolm is one of those. By mixing progressive rock, with ambient soundscapes, a bit of electronics, and some good old heavy riffs, Kolm has created a captivating sound. Not to mention they do this a three piece band, which brings its own merit. Their self titled EP stretches past the norm and leaves you wanting more. Next week Kolm will be sharing the stage with three other great bands, With Our Arms To The Sun, Socionic, and Mal. I would recommend not missing this show!
So Metallica just released a song from their upcoming album Hardwired…To Self Destruct. I have to say this is pretty damn good. Seems like Metallica has some aggression still left in the tank!!
Metallica- Hardwired:
I had the great pleasure of sitting down with Josh Breckinridge the vocalist/guitarist of With Our Arms To The Sun. We discuss their upcoming new album ORENDA and upcoming tour dates, music tastes, and have an all around fun conversation.
Enjoy!
-Brian
Podcast: Conversation With- Josh of With Our Arms To The Sun:
An eruption of beautiful chaos is how I saw The Dillinger Escape Plan last night. It had been almost ten years since I last saw them play live and they didn’t disappoint at all. This band has always been one of the most energetic, dangerous and violent bands I’ve seen, and last night was no different. On this run the band is playing small tiny rooms, thus making the intimacy factor very intense. I myself haven’t even been in a pit in many many years, but last night I felt compelled to go and let it all out on the floor for a couple songs. Dillinger unleashed a fury live, that most bands would be jealous of. They are unrelenting in their prowess and dedication to play like each show is their last show.
Opening the show was Author and Punisher. This one man band is a sight to see live. Tristan Shone, a mechanical engineer by trade, custom designed and fabricated most of his “instruments.” His music is best described as industrial doom metal. The sheer intensity that Tristan emits during his shows is gripping. This was my second time seeing him live and his live shows and material keeps getting better. I’d love to see him add some visuals to add to the already intense music he plays. Author and Punisher was a great opener for what was about to come.
Starting off the set with “Prancer” from One Of Us Is The Killer was one hell of a way to kick it off. Following that was their newest song “Limerent Death,” which the crowd seemed to know the words to and were really happy to hear. When Dillinger played “Panasonic Youth,” that’s when it all came out. From that point on there was no escaping the fury the band and crowd were putting out. Singer Greg Puciato and guitarist Ben Weinman were like madmen jumping and climbing around on stage without losing a beat, while the rest of the band held down the rhythm yet were destructive in their own way. Other songs that stood out from the set were “Room Full Of Eyes,” “Hero Of The Soviet Union,” “One Of Us Is The Killer,” “Happiness Is A Smile,” and “Farewell, Mona Lisa.” Closing out the night was “The Mullet Burden” and “Sunshine The Werewolf.” At the end of the “Sunshine” the band invited everyone up on stage to sing and jump around , which was quite something cool to see. Not to mention the guys in the band diving on top of those on stage to finish off the song.
What a show this was. It was everything I wanted it to be. Sure, it would have been nice if they had played some songs off of Calculating Infinity, but I was more than satisfied with what they played. Their upcoming album Dissociation will be their last for a while so I expect much more violence and chaos at their shows as they continue on for the next year or so. Shows like this are what’s missing from a lot of rock and metal shows. The element of danger and recklessness, really bring the music to life. These guys might be older but they still play like they are in their 20’s and bring it each and every night. I for one will have to go see them at least one more time before their end comes. I highly recommend you all go too. Even if you aren’t into the music, this is something that every fan of heavy music needs to experience in their life.
Set List:
Prancer
Limerent Death
Milk Lizard
Panasonic Youth
Room Full Of Eyes
Hero Of The Soviet Union
Nothing’s Funny
One Of Us Is The Killer
Happiness Is A Smile
Good Neighbor
Farewell, Mona Lisa
When I Lost My Bet
Encore:
The Mullet Burden
Sunshine The Werewolf
By: Brian Lacy
