On The Rise: Code Orange

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The hardcore genre is one that has been of interest to me for a long time. There are many different sub genres within it making for some pretty spectacular bands. So it wasn’t a shock a couple years ago when I first heard about this up and coming band then called Code Orange Kids. Their blend of hardcore punk had a very Black Flag meets Converge type of vibe, and that got me really excited. Their debut Love Is Love/Return To Dust was recorded by Converge’s Kurt Ballou. This album would go on to to bring them to a whole new level as musicians and capture the essence of what the band is. Following months of touring with the likes of Every Time I Die and Terror, Code Orange then began work on their follow up. Dropping the “Kids” from their name, Code Orange would proceed to release I Am King, an album that upped the game for them to a new level entirely. Along with their hardcore punk sound, they incorporated elements of doom, thrash and sludge to their repertoire. Code Orange would go on to play shows with Killswitch Engage, and be a part of the Mayhem Festival in 2015. Now in 2016, they are really on the rise having recently signed with Roadrunner Records and touring with Deftones. Their big energy, take no prisoners shows have fast become very talked about and a must see for those that are fans of the genre.

If you enjoy heavy punk/thrash influenced music then Code Orange is the band for you. Being as young and hungry as they are, the sky’s the limit for how far they can go and become. Check out this band and what they have in store for you!

Love Is Love // Return To Dust:

I Am King:

This Is Hardcore Festival 2015:

Dreams In Inertia:

Flowermouth (The Leech):


https://www.facebook.com/codeorangekids

http://thinnersoftheherd.com/

Live Review: Filter at the Roxy

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I’ve been going to shows for many many years. I’ve seen a lot of bands. They all vary from amazing, what the hell was that and everything in between. There are a good amount that I’ve seen many times. This past weekend I ventured out to see Filter at the Roxy, but this evening however didn’t get started quite right.

The tour that Filter was on brought along 3 other bands that certainly didn’t make sense. I arrived late for the first band Death Valley High. But after checking them out later on, I didn’t miss anything at all. I did however see and listen to the atrocity that is Vampires Everywhere. Oh my! They definitely fall under the category of what the hell was that. This band is so wrapped up in their image and use of electronics, I’m not even sure they were actually playing their instruments. They were all dolled up in makeup and back paint. The singer had this cocky creeper grin on his face all night thus overcompensating for his lack of vocal ability. This band really didn’t get me in the mood for the evening. They even played a cover of the Hozier song “Take Me To Church,” which they proceeded to absolutely ruin. I couldn’t be happier when they were finally off the stage.

Next up was Orgy. The last time I saw them was in the late 90’s or early 2000’s. I can’t remember the exact time, but it was during their run for their first album Candyass. Back then, they were quite a good live band. This evening, however, they were just awful. Of course when you only have one original member, it’s kind of hard to carry on doing what you once were able to capture. Arriving on stage late, singer Jay Gordon and company all dressed up in some weird silly goth EDM attire, tried to get the crowd going but unless you were drunk, you really didn’t care like me. I didn’t even know any of the songs they played with the exception of maybe three. They did of course play their version of New Order’s “Blue Monday,” which made the crowd happy. Jay jumped into the crowd and let people in the audience sing parts of the song, and that was about the only highlight of their set other than it being over after that point.

So now after all that nonsense my expectations and patience were really low, there wasn’t much to bring me back up. When Filter took the stage they arrived in dramatic fashion with a white sheet in front of singer Richard Patrick displaying video images representing the first few songs of the night,  which were from their new album Crazy Eyes. Finally after that part was over and the sheet was gone, they got down to business with an older song “Can’t You Trip Like I Do,” which got the crowd engaged at that point. Throughout the rest of the night new songs were played in batches with old songs like “Jurassitol,” and “You Walk Away” scattered in to keep the crowd interested in their set. Certain new songs like “Nothing In My Hands,” “Pride Flag,” and “Welcome To The Suck (Destiny Not Luck)” were stellar live. I actually thought they should have started their set with “Welcome To The Suck.” I’ve seen Filter a few times really firing on all cylinders, but this line up just didn’t have the energy, with the exception of their guitarist/keyboardist Bobby Miller, who was doing his best to carry the energy load for everyone. Richard was energized while playing certain songs, but you could tell he was about spent halfway through their set. When they inevitably played “Take A Picture” all the ladies in the audience started to really pay attention. As I looked around the room, I could see them all singing along. It was quite funny to see. Closing out the night was of course “Hey Man, Nice Shot.”

There was just something about the night that didn’t sit right with me. Perhaps it being the last night of the tour for the bands, the opening bands being terrible, or even just the sheer exhaustion of being on the road for six weeks, this show all together didn’t really do it for me. All in all this was a night to forget. Hopefully next time, Filter can tour with bands that really fit with them, and are good.

By: Brian Lacy

 

Band Of The Week: Sisters Ov The Blackmoon

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Los Angeles’s Sisters Ov The Blackmoon is what you get when you add parts of doom metal, blues, and straight up rock n roll. This band is well thought out and crafted with great melodies, rhythms, and vocals that are raw and powerful. One can tell from listening to this band that the passion is oozing from each of members into their instruments and the songs they write. There are moments Sisters Ov The Blackmoon remind me of Royal Thunder especially in the vocals, and that’s a good thing. As a music fan I want to hear the vulnerability and spirit from those in the band, and they surely deliver the goods exponentially. Sisters Ov The Blackmoon are one of those bands that should be on your radar, as they are on mine!

 

Sisters Ov The Blackmoon- Black Cauldron:

 

https://www.facebook.com/thesistersovtheblackmoonband

 

By: Brian Lacy

Worst Cover Songs: Linkin Park (Nine Inch Nails)- Wish

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Wow, this is awful. Nine Inch Nails is my all time favorite band, and this version is just plain awful. Though I don’t know what’s worse, Linkin Park covering this song, or the comments people left saying that this is better than the original. Also they can’t even play it right. It’s atrocious people!!!

 

Linkin Park- Wish:

 

Nine Inch Nails- Wish:

 

Also Rob Bourden, THIS is how you play the drums for this song:

 

Underrated Band: Cold

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I can remember two times in my life when a genre of music has really hit me. First, in the early 90’s with bands like Nine Inch Nails and Alice In Chains. Then, again in the late 90’s/early 2000’s. I’ve always thought I was born later than I should have been, so I could have been fully emerged in the 90’s movement. That’s not to say that I wasn’t, but it would have given me the opportunity to see some of those bands back then. When the “Nu Metal” phase hit, it grabbed my attention greatly. It spoke to me just as the “grunge” movement did, only now I was older and angrier than I was when I was younger. Bands like Deftones and Korn were constants in my stereo, discman, and in the car with my parents. There was a band in particular at that time that really stuck out to me and hit me hard. That band was Cold. The album of theirs that got me right off the bat was 13 Ways To Bleed On Stage. Songs like “No One,” “End Of The World,” “Confession,” “It’s All Good,” “Outerspace,” and “Bleed” would be the ones that resonated with me the most while listening to that album. The entire album was a huge help during my adolescence. But it wasn’t just that album. After hearing 13 Ways, I went out and got their self titled debut, and fell in love with that one too. To me the first album is a more grunge influenced album than nu metal. Songs like “Go Away,” “Give,” “Everyone Dies” really stood out to me and still do to this day. By the time their third album Year Of The Spider was released I was fully emersed in the band. Despite Cold losing their more “raw” aesthetic on Year Of The Spider, the songs still were just as impactful as their previous albums. Songs like “Remedy,” “Suffocate” featuring the very talented Sierra Swan, “Cure My Tragedy,” “Don’t Belong,” “The Day Seattle Died,” and “Black Sunday,” were the ones that drew my attention more than anything. During this time of the band, they started to really take off. Sadly the label they were on didn’t care enough to put forth the effort to push them the right way. Thus leading them to leave their label and sign with another for their next album. That album A Different Kind Of Pain, like 13 Ways To Bleed, is one of the most heart wrenching and intense albums of their career.  You can hear it in songs like “Back Home,” “Feel It In Your Heart,” “A Different Kind Of Pain,” “Happens All The Time,” and “Ocean.” After taking some time off, Cold released a new album in 2011 called Superfiction, which saw the band take a different approach lyrically by making it more story driven, adding to their already emotional lyrics. Now in 2016, the band is working on a new album to be released later in the year.

They say that music can save lives. I really believe that. Certain albums, lyrics, and the connection to music can really take you places that get you out of your own head. Scooter Ward the singer/guitarist for Cold writes some of the most personal, heartfelt lyrics. His pain and vulnerability shines though all the darkness that exists around him. The band helps to create music that not only fits his lyrics, but also helps create a vibe that makes it complete. Cold is one of the more underrated bands of the time. They have a way with melodies and emotions that can make you feel at peace amongst your own issues. It’s sad they got lumped in with that nu metal genre, as they were more of a grungy band than anything. Also the association with Fred Durst didn’t help much either, but that’s beside the point. Cold is a band that should have been huge. But as a testament to their willingness to be themselves, the fans they have love them, and swear by them.

Cold Live 2014:

Cold:

13 Ways To Bleed On Stage:

Year Of The Spider:

A Different Kind Of Pain:

Superfiction:

Guest Vocalist: Robert Smith

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In anticipation of me going to see The Cure next week, I thought I’d delve a little deeper into Robert Smith’s career. Below are a few of the songs that he has guested on over the years.

 

Blink 182- All Of This:

 

65 Days Of Static- Come To Me:

 

Korn- Make Me Bad/In Between Days:

 

Billy Corgan- To Love Somebody:

 

Junkie XL- Perfect Blue Sky:

Album Rank: Sevendust

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Since about 1998 I’ve been a big Sevendust fan. There is something about this band that really hits the spot. They have a knack for writing really solid songs with great melody. They are for sure one of the more underrated bands out there. Not to mention that their live show is fantastic. Here is a ranking of their albums from not the best to the best. Enjoy!!!

 

Chapter VII- Hope & Sorrow:

Next:

Alpha:

Time Travelers & Bonfires:

Sevendust:

Kill The Flaw:

Black Out The Sun:

Seasons:

Home:

Cold Day Memory:

Animosity:

Bands That Should Come Back: Misfits

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This one is actually happening before I had the chance to do a full piece on it. I’d say it’s about time this happened. If Axl and Slash can set their differences aside and get back out on the road so can Danzig and Jerry Only. The fans have been wanting this for years now, and hopefully after these festival shows there will be a tour. I saw the Misfits years ago with Michael Graves singing, who did a good job, but it wasn’t the band that I enjoyed listening to. I’ve seen Danzig as well, and when he would do his Misfits set, it was quite enjoyable but there was something missing. Well here’s to hoping this goes well so we can see it all one more time before they hang it up.

 

Misfits:

 

Anticipated Albums: Gojira- Magma

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I remember when I first heard Gojira. I thought this is great and I need to see this band. Sadly I missed them the first couple times they came through Los Angeles. Then a couple years ago I finally caught them with Mastodon, and they were everything I wanted them to be. From that point I’ve been craving a new Gojira album. The last album L’ Enfant Sauvage is one hell of an album. With the release of their new song “Stranded” from their upcoming album MAGMA, Gojira are well on their way to being one of the best metal bands in the world.

 

Gojira- Stranded: