For over forty five years now, Anthrax has been at the forefront of heavy metal. As part of the “Big 4” of thrash metal, Anthrax has undeniably been an influential and inspirational band to so many. The bands twelfth studio album, Cursom Perficio, just came out (more on that later this week). With that in mind, here’s Audioeclectica’s Definitive Album Rank for Anthrax
ALBUM RANK- ANTHRAX:
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When Audioeclectica was first getting going, there were a handful of bands that I couldn’t wait to share with everyone. one of those bands was spacegazers, Sidewave. Think of Failure, Siamese Dream era Smashing Pumpkins and Hum all mixed together. Lush atmospheric soundscapes, heavy guitars and a delicate vocal delivery that all together shines.
The bands first release in quite some time is here and despite the title, it’s leaving quite the big expression. “Big Whisper” is a fuzz driven yet bright shoegaze soaring song. The textures of the song are a trip to explore.
“Big Whisper” is the first release from the upcoming album, Dispel, which will arrive on October 23, 2026.
Sidewave- Big Whisper:
The sheer enjoyment of listening to Corrosion Of Conformity is beyond exhilarating. There’s always so many good twist and turns to complaint the grooves and sludge. While their new album, Good God/Baad Man is one of the best albums of 2026 and in constant rotation, there’s another album of theirs that’s phenomenal as well. That would be 2005’s, In The Arms Of God.
In The Arms Of God deserves a whole article dedicated to it. That’s how great this album is. There’s always one song though that’s always a b-side or bonus track that makes you think, “why wasn’t this on the album?!” And that song would be called “Jaguar.” This song was released on the Japanese release. And in just under three minutes, you get a rip roaring classic COC jam. Seriously this song really should have been on the record. One day I hope to hear it live!
Corrosion Of Conformity- Jaguar:
For the past year, there’s been a band that’s been in constant rotation through my stereo. They are also one of those bands that have gotten better and better with each album. The band is Sylosis and while I’m quite enjoying their new album, The New Flesh, it’s their previous album, A Sign Of Things To Come that’s been the one on constant rotation.
While it’s not as thrashy as their earlier albums, Sylosis really moved into this new territory with a seamlessness that really just goes to show how much evolution has been achieved through the years to this point. The title track “A Sign Of Things To Come” almost feels like it should have been track one. The push and pull of melodic aspects into barreling heaviness brings you to attention. Vocally it’s got bite and an attitude that spits venom. Musically it’s grabbing without being overly catchy. The sum of all the parts together make this a great song. The live versions of it too add even more grit to an already punishingly beautiful song.
Sylosis- A Sign Of Things To Come:
Sylosis- A Sign Of Things To Come (Live):
The Pacific Northwest is an absolute haven for heavy music. The amount of sheer volume that bellows from the area is astounding. Which brings us to the latest single from sludge meets hardcore giants, Great Falls. “Nicotine In The Spine” is a blast of pummeling and noisy post metal. The songs features additional vocals by Peter Clement Lund, the late guitarist/vocalist of Danish band Kollapse. Great Falls will be releasing their new album, The Bite That Grows Up, on October 16 via Neurot Recordings.
Great Falls are one of those bands that have a sound that once you hear it, you want to turn up the volume. Not only that, as a trio, the power being emitted from guitarist/vocalist Demian Johnston, bassist Shane Mehling, and drummer/vocalist Nickolis Parks, will obliterate anything lying in its path!
Pre-Order Great Falls, The Bite That Grows Up HERE
Great Falls- Nicotine In The Spine:
Hullabalooza 1996 and The Smashing Pumpkins are headlining and playing their rifftastic song “Zero” when all of the sudden a giant pink pig balloon floats to the sky out of nowhere. Which of course happened at the hands of the Springfield’s own Homer Simpson, Homer was just being a good dad taking his kids Bart and Lisa to the music festival!
What a time! Season seven of The Simpsons is right around a perfect time for that show. Not only that it was a genuinely amazing time musically. The Smashing Pumpkins were on top of the charts and world with their second masterpiece, Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness. There’s a fun twist to the episode too in which Billy Corgan is animated with hair, which coincided with a real-life transitional period when he shaved his head around late 1995/early 1996. And who can forget the iconic line when they meet, “Billy Corgan, Smashing Pumpkins.” Homer responds with the iconic, deadpan line: “Homer Simpson, smiling politely.”
Cheers to a great time of television and music coming together! Cypress Hill, Sonic Youth and Peter Frampton are featured on the episode too. And now, everyone go listen to The Smashing Pumpkins!
The Smashing Pumpkins on The Simpsons (1996):
Billy Corgan Discussing The Episode:
Badmotorfinger by Soundgarden is beyond a classic album. Dare to even say better than Superunknown in various ways, especially the recording. But that’s for another day. There is a song on the album that sits at track eight that, for the last few years has been the magnet when the album is picked to play. “Room A Thousand Years Wide” was actually released in 1990 with a previously unreleased B-side titled “H.I.V. Baby,” part of a Sub Pop Records single. When it came to the recording of Badmotorfinger, the band re-recorded it for the album. It’s also one of the few songs in the Soundgarden catalog to have no writing credit to Chris Cornell. The music was written by drummer Matt Cameron and lyrics by guitarist Kim Thayil. Another fun tidbit is this was the first song recorded and released with bassist Ben Shepherd. Chris Cornell took the words and wholeheartedly breathed exquisite life and emotion into them. Then you add in his signature screams and it’s spine tingling. The end of the song had a really great The Stooges album Fun House moment too.
Throughout the bands career, the song was played 134 times live with the majority in 1992 and 1994 respectively. On the bands Motorvision home video, there is a live version that is quite excellent from The Paramount Theatre in Seattle, Washington. A DVD version is on the super deluxe 25th anniversary edition of Badmotorfinger.
On a personal level, this is definitely one of those songs I wish I could’ve heard live. “Room A Thousand Years Wide” is one of those great moments where each member steps into a new role and the end result is something special!
Room A Thousand Years Wide (Album Version):
Room A Thousand Years Wide (Live Version 1992/Motorvision Home Video):
When you think of guitar solos there are a plethora of bands, players and songs that come to mind. There are certain bands though that really standout in that category and Iron Maiden is definitely one of them. There are certain list of songs are a plenty to choose from when it comes to iconic and memorable guitar solos. “Wasted Years” though an obvious choice, is such a classic it truly deserves its due. The build up to it is so catchy with its high note ascension. The way Steve Harris’s bass gallops with a thundering tone makes the climb even more satisfying. Then when Adrien Smith launches his stunning solo it hits a level that like Bruce Dickinson’s voice can reach it’s oh so sweet. It’s not a flashy super technical solo. Instead, what you hear is really tasteful and adds a great section to an already great song. While you’re listening to “Wasted Years,”and this great guitar solo, give the album Somewhere In Time a listen. It’s a great album (in my top 3 Iron Maiden albums of all time), and one of those game changer records. Enjoy!
Iron Maiden- Wasted Years:
Iron Maiden- Wasted Years (Live During The Book Of Souls Tour 2016):
At times it’s a bit strange to think about how long you’ve been listening to a band for. The ones that you heard right at the start and kept with it. Doesn’t matter if the band is not together anymore, those songs and albums still resonate. The other aspect of it that’s fascinating is seeing how your thoughts change as well about certain albums and songs. Which brings us to this updated album rank for The Dillinger Escape Plan. Ten years ago, this list was quite different. It’s probably not the ranking you’d expect either! And now we’ve arrived at Audioeclectica’s Definitive Album Rank for The Dillinger Escape Plan.
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The last time Guns N Roses played the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, it was 1992. Fast Forward thirty four years and here they are again. It’s unmistakable the influence Guns N Roses has had on musicians and bands for over forty years now. The debut, Appetite For Destruction is still very much talked about.The Use Your Illusion albums have gone on to live in infamy for their great songs, arrangements and who can forget those videos (“You Could Be Mine,” “Don’t Cry,” “November Rain” and “Estranged”). And then there is Chinese Democracy. I’m probably one of the few out there that enjoy it. Take away the over produced aspects and some of the electronic elements, a couple songs and you’ve got one hell of a good album with some spectacular songs (“Better,” “Street Of Dreams,” “There Was A Time,” “Sorry,” “Madagascar,” and “Prostitute”). It’s been since 2021 when I saw GnR last, and on a whim myself and my friend Justin of Sinister Reviews, decided to head out to the Rose Bowl to see what Guns N Roses are up to.
At about 7:50pm, as the sun was almost completely set, the house music turned off, the lights off and the roar of tens of thousands of people, Guns N Roses took the stage and immediately made sure we knew where we are with “Welcome To The Jungle.” Still one of the best track one’s of all time. Over the course of the next three hours and twenty eight more songs, you knew you were in for a night. Jumping into “Bad Obsession” next was a treat. Such a good bluesy number to get things shaking a bit more as “It’s So Easy” and “Mr. Brownstone” were right after. One of the highlights of the show was when they played “Chinese Democracy.” The newer arrangement on the song plus this band, really makes this song shine. Another big highlight was “Don’t Cry.” What a song it still is and this evenings performance of it was top notch. A slew of other classics and fan favorites like “You Could Be Mine,” “Rocket Queen,” “Think About You,” “Civil War,” and “Yesterdays” were played. The three newer songs they played “Hard Skool,” “Nothin'” and “Atlas” sounded good and are definitely from the Chinese Democracy era. The encore was just a sweep of hits from “Sweet Child O’ Mine,” “November Rain,” “Nightrain” and of course “Paradise City.”
There is one aspect of this whole night that has left a bit of a sore spot with me. I’m not saying this wasn’t a really good show but, the inclusion of SEVEN COVER SONGS is too much. While I get to a point the need to play “Live And Let Die” and “Knockin On Heaven’s Door,” there is no need for anymore than that. Yes, The Spaghetti Incident exists and yes they have been playing covers since their start but, come on already. I’m sure the majority of people in the audience would have rather heard “Pretty Tied Up,” Locomotive,” “Dust N Bones,” Coma,” “Dead Horse” or like me more from Chinese Democracy, over a The Damned cover, one from Rose Tattoo (wish you a speedy recovery Angry Anderson), two Black Sabbath covers and “Slither” from Velvet Revolver. Thats five songs right there that should have been original songs. Instead of Duff singing a cover, let him sing his song “So Fine.” What’s so hard about that?! You wrote the songs! PLAY THEM!!
Axl still sounds good. While there are certain higher notes he can’t hit anymore (and he still tries), it’s nice to know he still has the passion and care to want to deliver. The songs though that featured a lower register vocal, sounded amazing. When they got to “Estranged” that’s when you could really tell how good this side of Axl still is. “Estranged” has been my favorite Guns song since I was eight years old, and to still be able to hear it live and this damn good, made my night. Just a thought, if it’s too much for Axl to hit all these notes across a three hour show, consider shortening the show! I mean it would still be a great show and then you get two openers that are really good on and you have yourself a stellar night. The band was on fire all night. Slash did Slash things and sounded great. Duff was right in the pocket all night and added a great rhythmic flair. New drummer Issac Carpenter was superb. He actually plays more like Steven Adler than any other drummer that’s sat back there. But it’s two other members that really need to get the due respect they deserve. Dizzy Reed is a gem in the band. His piano/keyboards add the right amount of texture and dynamic to the songs. There’s really a special charm with Dizzy. As well as longtime guitarist Richard Fortus. What a talent too. Great playing, great style and swagger. He fits in this band like a glove. Plus he kind of looks like Izzy Stradlin, bonus for everyone missing Izzy.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that Ice Cube was the opening act. I don’t know whose idea that was (probably Axl, as he was always a fan) but, come on! Know your audience. The Black Crowes have been out with you for a few shows, they would’ve been a better choice. That’s not to say Ice Cube wasn’t good. He was fine. He did his thing up there and a chunk of the crowd was dancing and shaking their asses a bit. It’s just this wasn’t the right time or audience for that.
Guns N Roses are not about to go anywhere. It’s great to have them back and out there. Now it’s time to really work on some new music. The want is there and if done right, this could be quite the record. GnR still knows how to put on a great show. The Rose Bowl was filled with people of all ages and from different generations which makes it more fun to share the night with. Provided they aren’t obnoxious or drunk. Let’s hope that the next time Guns N Roses comes through, things are a bit different. And while they’re at it, let’s ditch the silly background images playing behind the band Pretty sure most were from five years ago too. Just show the band, that’s what the people want to see!
Overall Rating: 8.5/10
By: Brian Lacy
GUNS N ROSES SETLIST:
01) Welcome To The Jungle
02) Bad Obsession
03) It’s So Easy
04) Mr. Brownstone
05) Slither (Velvet Revolver Cover)
06) Chinese Democracy
07) Live And Let Die (Wings Cover)
08) Nice Boys (Rose Tattoo Cover)
09) Yesterdays
10) Shadow Of Your Love
11) Double Talkin’ Jive
12) Hard Skool
13) Estranged
14) Knockin On Heaven’s Door (Bob Dylan Cover)
15) You Could Be Mine
16) Nothin’
17) Junior’s Eyes (Black Sabbath Cover)
18) Sabbath Bloody Sabbath (Black Sabbath Cover)
19) Rocket Queen
20) Don’t Cry
21) New Rose (The Damned Cover- Duff Singing)
22) Think About You
23) Atlas
24) Civil War (with snippet of Jimi Hendrix “Voodoo Child”)
25) Slash Guitar Solo
26) Sweet Child O’ Mine
27) November Rain
28) Nightrain
29) Paradise City
