Album Review: Aeges- Above & Down Below

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Big hooks, thick riffs, and thumping rhythms all encompass the new album Above and Down Below by Los Angeles’s Aeges. Singer/Guitarist Kemble Walters lyrics are dark yet full of optimism. His voice compliments each chord and rhythm and at times is reminiscent of Steve Brodsky of Cave In. Both Walters and Corey Clarks guitar work on this album supersede their previous effort. The tone is clean yet with enough distortion to drive home the riffs. The bass of Tony Baumeister sits perfectly in the pocket while drummer Mike Land keeps it all going with his steady rhythms. This new album is 12 tracks of nothing but solid rock n roll. No filler! It has the right amount of influence from genres such as alternative, metal, post hardcore. The hooks aren’t cheesy, rather they are melodic with an aggression that allows the band to balance the heavy with the subtle nature of the songs.

I’ve listened to this album quite a few times and my favorite tracks so far are “Echoes,” “Parasite,” “Fault,” “Halos,” and “Wasted Time.” On the scale of 1-10 I would give this album a 9. It’s great and so is this band. They are on top of their game and it shows. In a time when there is a bunch of stale music out there Aeges is a breath of fresh air. Do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of Above and Down Below. You won’t be disappointed. And Aeges are about to start a month long residency on Monday nights at the Silverlake Lounge in October!

 

 

https://www.facebook.com/aegesband

 

By: Brian Lacy

Live Review: Palms at the Troubadour

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On paper supergroups sound like a good idea. Mix parts of one band with another. Sometimes they work and sometimes they don’t. Thankfully when Isis members Aaron Harris, Jeff Caxide, and Bryant Clifford Meyer joined up with Deftones singer Chino Moreno, musical bliss was created. Last night at the Troubadour was definitely something inspiring. The bands 75 minute set was full of intrigue. Their set started off with an untitled new song, then quickly jumped into “Tropics.” The main highlight of the night was when Adam Jones from Tool got on stage to join the band in playing “Shortwave Radio.” The crowd erupted when Adam appeared, almost to the same level as when Chino took the stage. You would think that with all the projects Chino is involved with he would run out of things to sing about. That is not the case. In Palms he gets to expand his thoughts into something more etherial that at the same time fits within the music and his voice is subtle as it caresses against the musical backdrop. Closing out the night was the fantastic song “Patagonia.” Palms is the type of band that can transcend heavy music and get those listening to just relax and settle into the music.

Opening band The Beta Machine, was nothing special. Actually to be perfectly honest they were rather drab and boring. I’d almost rather it have been an evening with Palms, than have to sit through their set. Though their drummer is quite fantastic.

What a great night for music. I love shows that leave me wanting more and that make me want to go home and write songs. In the past 4 days seeing Abloom and Palms really did that for me. And despite the venues sound guy not being on top of their game when it came to the live mix of Chino’s vocals, it was a great show.

Palms Setlist:

1. New Song
2. Tropics
3. Mission Sunset
4. Future Warrior
5. Shortwave Radio (with Adam Jones)
6. Antarctic Handshake

Encore:

7. Patagonia

 

Shortwave Radio w/Adam Jones

 

By: Brian Lacy

Photo by: Alisa Diaz

Live Review: Abloom

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When a band reunites after a long time, especially 10 years later, the expectations are very skeptical. But there are some instances when its as though the band never left. That’s exactly how it went down for the shows Abloom played this past weekend. Starting in Santa Barbara at Velvet Jones and then again at the Sunset Strip Music Festival, Abloom picked up right where they left off. The bands energy on stage mixed with the perfect setlist of their songs was awe inspiring. The dueling guitars of Levon Sultanian and Sonny Mayo (filling in for Mikey Doling) were beyond in sync. Roy Mayorga pounded away on his drums with authority while Marcello Dias’ bass thumped perfectly and Jasan Radfords vocals were top notch. When the band started playing, all the lyrics came back in my head as though it were 10 years ago. Those that remember them from way back really went all out during both shows. More on Abloom in a moment.

 

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Opening the show at Velvet Jones was The Broken Stems from San Diego. Their blend of indie rock, mixed with a laid back vibe fit perfectly against the back drop of Santa Barbara. Next up was the very fantastic With Our Arms To The Sun. Their sound encapsulates doom metal, sludge, and prog rock. These guys are beasts live. Think Tool meets Neurosis. The energy from their set radiated throughout the night. Their 35 minute set was smart and intriguing. They were the perfect band to be a part of the night. After them was Soma. They carried on with the energy of With Our Arms. All that momentum carried on to Abloom. The guys in Abloom came back with a vengeance. They don’t need much on stage since their repertoire of songs is unbeatable. Songs like “January 2nd,” “What You Came For,” “After That Quiet,” “So Softly,”  Blood Sweat and Tears,” and “Alone We Sing” have all been personal favorites of mine for years and they sounded great. Their sets at both Velvet Jones and Sunset Music Fest were on fire

It’s a breath of fresh air now that Abloom has returned. Now they can finish what the started properly. I can’t wait to see what comes next.

Abloom Setlist:

1. January 2nd
2. What You Came For
3. Nothing Left To Do
4. After That Quiet
5. Burnt Offerings
6. So Softly
7. Blood, Sweat & Tears
8. Cover Up
9. Along We Sing

 

 

 

By: Brian Lacy

Abloom in Santa Barbara!!!

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Friday night September 19th at Velvet Jones in Santa Barbara, Abloom returns from a 10 year hiatus. Sharing the stage with them is With Our Arms To The Sun, Soma and The Broken Stems. It’s primed to be a great night! Come out and enjoy the music!! Show starts at 8pm. $12 and 21 and over!

It’s going to be well worth the trip!

Abloom:
https://www.facebook.com/abloomband

With Our Arms To The Sun:
https://www.facebook.com/WithOurArmsToTheSun

Soma:
https://www.facebook.com/entersoma

The Broken Stems:
https://www.facebook.com/thebrokenstems

Album Rank: Mastodon

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I’ve been a huge Mastodon fan since I heard Remission in 2002. They have been one of the few bands that has been able to create just what they want. There are some people that are not into their evolution, but if you really delve into their catalog you’ll be able to see how great they really are! This is the order of their albums from not the best to the best.

 

The Hunter:

 

Blood Mountain:

 

Once More Round The Sun:

 

Remission:

 

Leviathan:

 

Crack The Skye:

By: Brian Lacy

Worst Comeback Albums

After witnessing the abomination that is now Soundgarden recently, it got me thinking of all the bands that have come back and released such mediocre and bad albums. The criteria for this list is that the band had to have called it quite for sometime then reconvened or took a long time off. Here is the list so far:

 

1. Soundgarden- King Animal
2. Stone Temple Pilots- Self Titled
3. Smashing Pumpkins- Zeitgeist
4. Motley Crue- Saints Of Los Angeles
5. Jane’s Addiction- Strays/ The Great Escape Artist
6. Blink 182- Neighborhoods
7. Eminem- Relapse
8. Guns N Roses- Chinese Democracy
9. Black Flag- What The…
10. Def Leppard- Songs From The Sparkle Lounge
11. Metallica- St. Anger

Playlist 09.15.14

This weeks top 10 songs to enjoy

 

1. Abloom- After That Quiet (from Abloom Demos)

 

2. Chevelle- An Island (from La Gargola)

 

3. Failure- Daylight (from Fantastic Planet)

 

4. Mastodon- Ember City (from Once More Round The Sun)

 

5. Black Map- I’m Just The Driver (from Driver EP)

 

6. Placebo- Meds (from Meds)

 

7. Wovenwar- All Rise (from Wovenwar)

 

8. Godsmack- Something Different (from 1000 hp)

 

9. Incubus- The Warmth (from Make Yourself)

 

10. Down- Nothing In Return (from Down III: Over The Under)

 

By: Brian Lacy

 

Band Of The Week: Before The Mourning

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The ability to mix melody and heavy music is tricky. You want to be able to keep the edge without betraying the heaviness but all the while make it full and coherent. Los Angeles’s Before The Mourning have been able to do just that. Lyrically you can hear the pain and anguish. The riffs and rhythms are fast, heavy and mosh inciting.  The bands influences of Swedish metal bands like In Flames and Soilwork mixed with the groove and melody are in the way the songs are written. The bands live show is full of energy and is very intriguing. Their debut album Etherial End was co-produced by Logan Mader and will be out in the fall. If you are into melodic metal, definitely check these guys out!

 

 

https://www.facebook.com/BeforeTheMourning

 

By: Brian Lacy

Album Review: And We Are Them- City Of Ghosts

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It’s always a refreshing moment in any bands life when inspiration strikes and the end result is something to really be proud of. And We Are Them’s inspiration bug seemed to have hit them hard again and have just unleashed their newest EP City Of Ghosts. Continuing where their most recent release Align left off, City Of Ghosts takes a heavier approach to the music and lyrical content. Kicking off the EP is “So It Goes” which right out of the gate opens with a vocal urgency, then explodes with a heavy yet melodic sensibility. Next up is the very socially aware “Socialite.” This song shows off the melodic tinges of the band. The guitars from Nick Bradford and Chris Matalone really shine on this song as does the drums from Brian Hollenbeck and the slick bass from Jeff Chasin. “Next To Nothing” is bombastic and heavy. The amount of heavy that come with this song is constant. Vocally you can feel the emotion in the screams from Chris Matalone. “While You Sleep” closes out City Of Ghosts. This song is a bit of a departure but in a good way. It shows the growth of songwriting of the guys in the band. City Of Ghosts is the perfect direction for And We Are Them to go in. It’s well balanced between their influences and ability to captivate the listener. These songs are going to be beasts live. Speaking of live, September 19th at Velvet Jones (in Santa Barbara) And We Are Them are special guests of the reunited Abloom.

Pick up a copy via:

iTunes

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/city-of-ghosts-ep/id906051446

Google Play
https://play.google.com/store/music/album/And_We_Are_Them_City_of_Ghosts?id=B5tdm4nje3sbprnhipszjtfh66i

Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MK3DIS6/ref=dm_ws_sp_ps_dp?ie=UTF8&qid=1410279232&sr=8-3

 

https://www.facebook.com/AndWeAreThem

 

By: Brian Lacy