Bands That Should Come Back: White Zombie

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This feature is so much fun to do. It allows me to think that maybe if I put this out in the ether of the internet, some of these bands might get back together (with the help of all of the others that want it too). Now I know this one is total wishful thinking, especially since Rob Zombie said that he won’t do it, but how awesome would it be if White Zombie got back together. They were such a fun band. There was something unique and fun about them. They had a really cool groove to the music. Guitarist J Yuenger really had a knack for cool riffs and licks that seemed simple but were intricate in the timing. I always wondered why he wasn’t regarded for his playing. Their two major label releases La Sexorcisto and Astro Creep 2000 were outstanding albums. And both were different in good way. La Sexorcisto had a more metal vibe to it while Astro Creep got more electronic and had tinges of industrial to go along with the groove metal riffs. Take a stroll and get back into White Zombie!

 

La Sexorcisto:

 

Astro Creep 2000:

Live Review: Soilwork At The Whisky

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One of the coolest things about going to concerts pretty much my entire life has been to be able to see so many great bands. There are times that you don’t really dig on their newest material so you pass when they come to town. Last night, a friend of mine convinced me to go to the Whisky to see Soilwork. I haven’t seen them in about 10 years, and they crushed it. Soilwork just released a really solid new album called The Ride Majestic.  A good few songs from the new one were played along with some classics and other deep cuts from their catalog. The band themselves seemed like they were really having a great time on stage. This was also the last night of their current tour, thus allowing them to leave it all out on stage. Singer Bjorn “Speed” Strid’s vocals were crisp and tight as tight can be. Even the crowd for it being a Monday night was extremely into their set. The pit was moving and the people were singing along. Not to mention that the sound inside the Whisky even sounded good. All in all it was a great night, and Soilwork made it that much better.

Also playing was Shattered Sun from Texas. Their brand of metal is akin to the likes of Killswitch Engage meets a bit of the Swedish metal. These youngsters were going all out and put on a good show. The only draw back was the banter in between songs. Given enough time to properly develop their sound, Shattered Sun could be on the rise to bigger things. On a side note their guitarist Jesse Santos is one hell of a player. His leads on the songs and backing vocals really helped gain my attention. It makes me really intrigued to see what they do next.

Before Shattered Sun was Earthside. This 4 piece instrumental band was good, and brought out a good vibe for the evening to break up some of the heavy. Their set was decent and you could tell that these guys were having a great time on their first tour. Speed from Soilwork does guest vocals on a track on their new album, but didn’t sing with the group onstage, which was kind of a let down.

It was a fun night to be back out in my old stomping grounds from my youth. Seeing Soilwork again after many years was quite fun, nostalgic, and reenergizing. I’ve been away from the “Metal” scene for a bit, but as long as bands like Soilwork are still around and commanding the stages they play, I’ll keep coming back.

Soilwork Setlist:

The Ride Majestic
Nerve
Bastard Chain
The Crestfallen
Death In General
Alight In The Aftermath
Tongue
Follow The Hollow
Petrichor In Sulfer
Stabbing The Drama
Spectrum Of Eternity
Let This River Flow
Late For The Kill, Early For The Slaughter

Encore:

Rejection Role
Enemies In Fidelity
Rise Above The Sentiment

Underrated Band: Karnivool

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There are so many bands that have been around for a while that have never gotten the due respect they deserve. Karnivool is a great example of a band like this. They have formed in 1997. Their first real album Themata, came out in 2005. The bands follow up Sound Awake, was a huge progression from their debut. this time around it was a collaborative effort on everyone part, thus making it a more natural sounding album.  During this time the band found their fan base grow in their native Australia and in Europe. Karnivool played the Third Eye Gathering in Los Angeles, helping to promote themselves to more US audiences. In 2013 they released Asymmetry. This album was a departure from the sound they developed on Sound Awake, but at the same time showed the bands progression. Karnivool is for sure a band that deserves to be on everyones radar. They expand upon the basic of prog rock and take it to an extra dimension.

Themata:

Sound Awake:

Asymmetry:

Cover Thursday: Smashing Pumpkins (Depeche Mode)- Never Let Me Down Again

This has always been one of my favorite Depeche Mode songs. When I heard Smashing Pumpkins cover it many many years ago, I loved the song even more. There is something to the way that Billy Corgan arranges songs, to make them his own. Enjoy this wonderful cover!

Smashing Pumpkins- Never Let Me Down Again:

Depeche Mode- Never Let Me Down Again:

Album Rank: Pantera

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As of late I’ve started listening to Pantera again. I needed to take a break from them for a while. Though if I had some aggression I needed to get out, I made sure that The Great Southern Trendkill (My favorite Pantera album) was near by. So with all this in mind, it’s time to rank all the Pantera albums from not the best to the best.

Reinventing The Steel:

Cowboys From Hell:

The Great Southern Trendkill:

Vulgar Display Of Power:

Far Beyond Driven:

List: Best Comeback Albums

I really enjoy making these lists. It’s quite fun. And it’s even more fun when I get to interact with all of you that read it. For this list of best comeback albums here are the details. The band had to have broken up and got back together. Doesn’t matter about how long they were broken up or on “hiatus.”  If there are any I missed, add them in the comments!

This list is in NO PARTICULAR ORDER

Nine Inch Nails- Hesitation Marks
Failure- The Heart Is A Monster
Death From Above 1979- The Physical World
Smashing Pumpkins- Zeitgeist
Far- At Night We Live
Alice In Chains- Black Gives Way To Blue
Faith No More- Sol Invictus
Vision Of Disorder- The Cursed Remain Cursed
Coal Chamber- Rivals
Black Sabbath- 13
Bon Jovi- Keep The Faith
Fear Factory- Mechanize

Live Review: With Our Arms To The Sun, MAL & Macro at Petie’s Place

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Since I’ve started this site, I’ve seen and heard quite a few bands that will forever be engrained in my brain. One of those bands, With Our Arms To The Sun is fast becoming one of my all time favorites. Musically they captivate you with the first note. Their live shows are beyond an experience. I’d even go as far as saying that seeing them live is life changing. These guys play with every ounce of their being and leave it all on stage. So on Friday night when they took the stage I could sense that this was going to be quite a show. They played with such force throughout their set, leaving no time in between songs to gather themselves, instead going straight into the next song taking no prisoners along the way. They set featured songs from their great album A Far Away Wonder which is being re-released this Friday through Fade To Silence records. Their set was so heavy and epic, that they literally brought the roof down and shattered a few lights due to their intensity and love for their music. When With Our Arms To The Sun comes through any town, you should get there and see them. You won’t be disappointed.

Another band that has been featured on this site, MAL, had their record release that evening too, The songs that I heard from them made me really interested to see them live. This three piece was tight and full of the right amount of energy. Not to take anything away from them, but going on after With Our Arms To The Sun is not easy, yet MAL held their own and made for a fun show that had lots of engagement with the crowd. Their music is full of heavy grooves an sensible melodies that translate really well. MAL are on the right track with what they are doing.

Also playing this evening was Macro. While still in the early stages of playing live, these guys showed a lot of potential into what this band is to come. They have a cool vibe to them that is similar to Science era Incubus mixed with a lot of other alternative rock of the 90’s.

This evening was what music is all about.All the bands playing made for a tremendous evening that showed the power of passionate music. To quote the movie School of Rock, “One great rock show can change the world.” Be on the look out for With Our Arms To The Sun, they are on the right track to become your next favorite band and will leave you speechless.

https://www.facebook.com/WithOurArmsToTheSun

https://www.facebook.com/malsongs

https://www.facebook.com/macrotheband

By: Brian Lacy

Photo by: Alisa Lacy

Band Of The Week: The Last Internationale

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Last year I went to a show at the Roxy to see Royal Blood. There was a band that opened the show and set the tone for the entire evening. The Last Internationale was that band and they left quite an impression on me. The moment I heard their album was coming out a few weeks later, I ran out to get it. Gene Simmons has recently said in multiple interviews that “rock is dead.” Well Gene it seems that you are looking in the wrong places, because rock is most certainly alive and kicking. The Last Internationale are part of a resurgence of classic rock n roll that will leave you tapping your foot and spontaneously rocking out. Their debut album, We Will Reign is an exquisite piece of rock music. Singer/bassist Delila Paz has a voice that is reminiscent of a cross between Janis Joplin and Jefferson Airplane singer Grace Slick. The dirty distorted bass lines she thumps are commanding. Guitarist Edgey Pires plays with a more bluesy soulful approach that is lost amongst most guitarists today. This band is definitely one that you should be looking out for. They play music with passion and belief that bleeds all over their songs. Recently The Last Internationale has been on the road with Robert Plant, The Who and are slaying audiences wherever they go.

The Last Internationale- We Will Reign:

https://www.facebook.com/thelastinternationale

http://www.thelastinternationale.com/

By: Brian Lacy

Cover Comparison: Jon Bon Jovi vs Jeff Buckley (Leonard Cohen)- Hallelujah

I’ve been wanting to do this cover comparison for a while now. Anyone that knows me very well, knows that I’m a huge Bon Jovi fan. I’ve seen them perform this version a few times and it is amazing. Jeff Buckley did a great job with it too. I’m going to have to go with Jon’s version though. There is just something so amazing about it. Leonard Cohen even thought it was that good too that he even said that it’s Jon’s song now. What one do you think is best?

Bon Jovi:

Jeff Buckley:

Leonard Cohen:

Playlist: All The Bands Of The Week

Here is something fun for all of you. All the bands that have been Band Of The Week on Audioeclectica that have music on Spotify are featured here in this playlist. With Our Arms To The Sun ÆGES …AND WE ARE THEM.Before The Mourning Socionic Sensory Station Sidewave Hidden Amongst Us Ghost Idols Dekades Night Verses ROYAL THUNDER A Light Within All Hail The Yeti Anakin (Damn) This Desert Air Ancillary Theorem DEDVOLTHaster City of Ships Dead Empires Wild Throne He Whose Ox is GoredSweet Cobra set and setting Digicide Interstelar lightsystem ObliterationsMeg Myers Silver Snakes Wooden Nomad Back Pocket Memory New Cathedral Spirit In The Room The Bloodline MAL machines learningGoldsboro Malaki The Everyday Losers Vanishing Life Ghost Parade Black Map TIDALWAVE

Audioeclectica’s Band Of The Week Playlist: