Way back when I was a little lad I remember seeing the video for The Cult’s “Fire Woman” and thinking that the guy singing was outstanding. So naturally I had my parents take me to go buy their album Sonic Temple. Over the years I’ve really noticed I love Ian Astbury’s voice. In the past few years The Cult has come back and are delivering the goods. Their last two albums, Choice Of Weapon and Hidden City are fantastic, and have that classic edge the band has always had. Ian’s voice has always been distinct and when you hear it on other band’s songs, it brings something special out of those songs. Here are a few songs that Ian has guested on over the years.
It’s pretty crazy to think that 30 years has passed since Metallica released Master Of Puppets. Not only that but in those 30 years, Master Of Puppets has only gotten stronger. It’s widely considered to be in the top 10 heavy metal albums of all time, inspired countless bands to start up, and those songs when played live get the crowds into quite a frenzy that most of the time you can hear the audience more than you can hear James Hetfield. I remember when I first heard Metallica. And Justice For All was the album that I heard first, but of course once I fell in love with the band, I knew I had to go after the other albums that they had. Master Of Puppets, has such great use of melody and heaviness. It takes the blueprint that the band laid out on Ride The Lightning (my personal favorite Metallica album) and expanded upon it by making it more epic. There isn’t one song on this album that doesn’t fit in to their structure. Each song has a flow to it that jumps out at you as the next one begins. I really don’t even need to keep rambling at this point. You all know that Master Of Puppets is great and deserves to be celebrated. A few years ago while touring the European festivals, Metallica performed the album in its entirety. That must have been one hell of an experience to see live. Maybe one day when Metallica tours the states again, they do it for all of us out here. So with all this in mind take an hour out of your day and blast Master Of Puppets!!!
Over the past 16 years I’ve really developed a love for the post-hardcore genre. There is something about the vulnerability of these bands that strikes a chord with me. I really love when these types of bands take it a step further and include influences you normally wouldn’t find in this type of music. All this brings me to this weeks band of the week Choirs. This Bakersfield, CA based quintet is soaking in lush post-hardcore melody. I would describe their music as a cross between Sparta, Thursday and Explosions In The Sky. The added use of ambience in their music helps to create a distance from the generic norm of post-hardcore. They have been releasing music since 2011 and are gearing up to hit the studio again very shortly. Choirs are on the path to really taking their music to the next level especially after their previous release Usalkt, which is quite captivating.
As much as I like sharing good cover songs, I can’t get enough of presenting you with horrible covers. This one is right up there among the worst I’ve heard. I am a fan of The Dillinger Escape Plan, but this is just ridiculous. Take a listen to them destroy Guns N Roses song “My Michelle.”
Last night I couldn’t sleep, so I turned on the TV and saw that The Crow, my favorite movie of all time had just started. So I got myself comfortable and watched it for the millionth time. Seriously I’ve probably watched The Crow over 300 times in my life. I know it’s a bit excessive, but it’s just so good. While watching, quoting along with the film and listening to the soundtrack, it got me thinking about all the songs that were only ever released on soundtracks. Which brings me to this new feature focusing on soundtrack only songs. The first one I present to you is The Cure’s song “Burn.” I’ve long been a fan of The Cure since I was a little kid, but I remember hearing this song over 20 years ago and thought to myself (and still do) what a great song this is and how only they could pull this off.
Chevelle has been been one of the most consistent rock bands to come around since their successful album Wonder What’s Next. Throughout their career they have have pretty much stuck to their guns and charged ahead putting out solid rock albums. Here is a ranking of their albums from not their best to their best.
Don’t let the name fool you, Gladiators Eat Fire are a force to be reckoned with. They mix parts of post-hardcore, stoner rock, and old fashioned rock and roll to form a sound that doesn’t allow you to miss. Produced by Matt Bayles (Mastodon, The Sword, Botch) their newest EP Avant Garage is quite lethal and unrelenting. This four piece hailing from Seattle is well on it’s way to leaving a mark in the scene. One can tell that these gents put it all out there when performing live, and make sure you remember their name when they are done.
One of my favorite things to do is go back and listen to albums I haven’t heard in a long time. Sometimes I grab a CD at random other times I know exactly what I’m looking for. I woke up the other morning with a song stuck in my head and had to go put the album on. The album was Systematic’s Somewhere In Between and the song was “Beginning Of The End.” As I’m sitting in my spot listening to this album it made me think why isn’t this band still together? Systematic had all the makings of a great hard rock band. They have crunchy heavy riffs, thumping bass, pounding drums, great vocals and melodies. You know all the things that make up a great rock band. They even had the Metallica stamp of approval. Lars would go on to sign them to his imprint label. Systematic would go on to release two albums, Somewhere In Between and Pleasure To Burn. During the second album there was a lineup change and Paul Bostaph (who had played with Slayer) joined in on drums. Singer/guitarist Tim Narducci has one hell of a voice and partnered up with guitarist Adam Ruppel, made a very intriguing songwriting team. Songs like “Beginning Of The End,” “Dopesick,” “Deep Colors Bleed,” “Bedsores,” “Not Like You,” “Pleasure To Burn,” “Where We Live And Die,” and “Leaving Only Scars,” are quite compelling. Sadly in 2004 the band called it quits and moved on to other projects. Then in 2011 to celebrate the ten year anniversary of their debt album, Systematic reunited for a few shows only to call it a day soon after that. This band should have gone on to big things. The songs and albums still hold and their live shows were full of energy. So how about it Systematic!!!!
I can’t even begin to think about how many bands I’ve listened to in my life that are so good that many people missed out on. I’m sure there are plenty that I’ve missed out on too. There is one band that has been on my mind the past couple weeks that I feel never really got their due. That band is Hurt. In 2005 the released their major label debut entitled Volume I. That album is truly great, top to bottom from the vocals, music, lyrics and production. Songs like “Rapture,” “Overdose,” “Falls Apart,” “House Carpenter, and “Danse Russe,” show how powerful this band is. Volume II picked up where Volume I left off. Songs such as “Summer’s Lost,” “Ten Ton Brick,” “Talking To God,” “Loaded,” and “Assurance,” really stood out on the album and if anything got heavier in the music and lyrics. Their third album Goodbye To The Machine is a little bit of a let down especially with the first two albums being so good. Thankfully not too long after, Hurt got themselves back on track and released The Crux especially the song “How We End Up Alone.” This album to me summed up what the band is. It’s got all the greatness from Volumes I & II along with the more subtle simplicities of Goodbye To The Machine.
Hurt live is spectacular. I’ve seen them a few times and each time was even more powerful than the last. Singer J. Loren Wince is so intense with his vocal performances live, that it becomes hypnotic when you watch and listen to him. His general delivery and belief in each song comes through beautifully. The rest of the band has changed a lot over the years but, the songs seem to bring out the best in whomever is playing the songs.
