Unsung Masterpieces: Rammstein- Mutter
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In 2001 Rammstein released a masterpiece of an album called Mutter (Mother in English).  The eleven songs on this album stretch beyond their normal hard pounding industrial metal sound. The band used the incorporation of strings in certain songs and added more melody throughout. There is also an underlying concept to the album as well. Rammstein has also been a band that has always come with a bit of controversy. For example the album’s cover image is a photograph of a dead fetus. One other fun fact before I delve into the album. During this time Rammstein appeared in the ever forgettable Vin Diesel film XXX. The band is seen in the opening scene, performing their song  “Feuer Frei!”

The album kicks off with “Mein Herz Brennt (My Heart Burns).” Beginning with a delicate string section and Till Lindemann quietly and hauntingly speaking then the heavy comes crashing down. There is also a huge melodic swing that starts in this song and expands throughout the entire album. “Links 2-3-4 (Left 2,3,4)” is the typical type of song that Rammstein is known for. The guitar tone that is found throughout their albums shines big and bright on this album. Paul Landers and Richard Kruspe have a knack for heavy distorted guitars all the while playing with a steady hand that helps the clarity shine. “Sonne (Sun)” The churning guitar guides this song perfectly into a deeply melodic chorus. Also the keyboards by Christian “Flake” Florenz are very prominent on this song. “Sonne” is one of my favorite songs on the album. “Ich Will (I Want)” has a little bit of a dance vibe to it. Christian Schneider’s drums and Oliver Riedel’s bass balance each other out tremendously on this song. Showing the power of their rhythm section. “Feuer Frei (Fire At Will)” is another of the classic signature Rammstein songs. “Mutter (Mother)” is my favorite track on this album. It’s such an intriguing song. You can hear the passion in the voice and the way it’s written and played. “Spieluhr (Music Box)” is a very strange song and almost doesn’t fit, but musically it has some interesting parts. “Zwitter (Hermaphrodite)” has a very pulsating guitar riff, thrusting the song into familiar territory. “Rein Raus (In/Out)” has a similar feel to Du Hast but with more melody. “Adios (Goodbye)” is a gem of melodic goodness. Closing the album is “Nebel (Fog)” is one of the slowest, delicate songs Rammstein has ever created. There are moments that harken back to the textures of the song “Mutter.”

This album is one of those that you should play all the way through to fully grasp. There is something really intriguing and exciting about this album.

 Mutter:

 

 

By: Brian Lacy

Classic Soundtracks: Empire Records

Original Cinema Quad Poster - Movie Film Posters

As you all can tell I’m relishing the fact that the 90’s are starting to come back in a big way. From album and film anniversaries, bands that are finally getting their due, and the all around general vibe that it brought out of people. There was no sense of entitlement like kids now. We all fought for what we wanted and believed in. To quote the movie in which I’m writing about “Damn The Man! Save The Empire”

Empire Records came out in 1995 to very little fanfare. In fact it was slammed by critics and it bombed while in theaters. Though over the years this movie has become a genuine cult classic. The soundtrack that accompanied the movie was fantastic. The soundtrack album featured tracks by Better Than Ezra, Cracker, The Cranberries, Evan Dando (of The Lemonheads), Toad the Wet Sprocket, Gin Blossoms and The Martinis (featuring former Pixies members Joey Santiago and Dave Lovering). One of the more intriguing notes about the film and soundtrack was the inclusion of Coyote Shivers, who played aspiring musician turned store clerk Berko in the film. Coyote became involved in the Empire Records by virtue of being the stepfather of Liv Tyler, Shivers being then married to Tyler’s mother Bebe Buell. The soundtrack album peaked at #63 on the album chart.There were also plenty of other songs featured in the movie that didn’t get included on the soundtrack release. Bands like Quicksand, Gwar, ACDC, Sponge, Suicidal Tendencies, Dishwalla, and many many more.

Do yourself a favor, and go home and watch this movie and revel in the songs that accompany your youth!

Greatest Drummers

I keep seeing lists for greatest this and greatest that, and I always wind up yelling at the magazine or article on the internet. So I thought I’d make my own list, that way I don’t get angry anymore. So here is a list of who I think are the greatest drummers of all time (In no Particular Order).

 

1. John Bonham- Led Zeppelin
2. Keith Moon- The Who
3. Abe Cunningham- Deftones
4. Mike “Puffy” Bordin- Faith No More
5. Roy Mayorga- Abloom/Stone Sour
6. Sean Kinney- Alice In Chains
7. Chris Robyn- Far/Black Map
8. Dino Campanella- Dredg/Crosses
9. John Densmore- The Doors
10. Kellii Scott- Failure
11. Taylor Hawkins- Foo Fighters
12. Stephen Perkins- Jane’s Addiction
13. Barrett Martin- Mad Season/Screaming Trees/Walking Papers
14. Brann Dailor- Mastodon
15. Neil Peart- Rush
16. Jason Roeder- Neurosis
17. Aaron Harris- Isis/Palms
18. Morgan Rose- Sevendust
19. Dale Crover- The Melvins/Shrinebuilder
20. Danny Carey- Tool/Volto
21. Matt Cameron- Soundgarden/Pearl Jam
22. Chad Smith- Red Hot Chili Peppers
23. William Goldsmith- Sunny Day Real Estate
24. Dave Lombardo- Slayer
25. Ben Koller- Converge/Mutoid Man
26. Brad Wilk- Rage Against The Machine/Audioslave/The Last Internationale
27. Josh Freese
28. Eric Kretz- Stone Temple Pilots
29. Jimmy Chamberlain- Smashing Pumpkins
30. Dave Grohl- Nirvana/Them Crooked Vultures
31. John Robert Conners- Cave In
32. Steve Shelly- Sonic Youth
33. Chris Hornbrook- Poison The Well
34. Dave Turncrantz- Russian Circles
35. Jon Theodore- Mars Volta/Queens Of The Stone Age
36. Tony Hajjar- At The Drive In/Sparta
37. Ilan Rubin- Nine Inch Nails
38. Jerome Dillion- Nine Inch Nails
39. Chris Vrenna- Nine Inch Nails
40. Nicko McBrain- Iron Maiden
41. Mikkey Dee- Motorhead
42. Phil Taylor- Motorhead
43. Bill Ward- Black Sabbath
44. Bill Stevenson- Black Flag
45. Justin Foley- Killswitch Engage
46. Tommy Lee- Motley Crue
47. Faust- Emperor
48. Jose Pasillas II- Incubus
49. Adam Carson- A.F.I.
50. Mitch Mitchell- Jimi Hendrix Experience
51. Brooks Wackerman- Bad Religion
52. Atom Willard- Against Me
53. Nick Menza- Megadeth
54. Buddy Rich
55. Charlie Mingus
56. Joey Jordison- Scar The Martyr/ex Slipknot
57. Ginger Baker- Cream/Blind Faith

Band Of The Week: Silver Snakes

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Building on the post-hardcore/alternative hybrid, Silver Snakes delivers a heavy, uncompromising, melodic sensibility to their genre. Silver Snakes recently released Year Of The Snake, the follow up to 2011’s Pictures of a Floating World. This new album is well rounded. It goes beyond the normal post-hardcore formula and expands to include delicate textures, acoustic elements and more of a heavier foray. Throughout their time as a band, Silver Snakes have toured with bands such as HRVRD, Broadway Calls, Sainthood Reps, Defeater, Junius, Souvenirs and Aeges (who have been featured here!) and done scattered dates with Coheed & Cambria, Balance & Composure, Shiner, Touché Amore, and Narrows. The band has also appeared at festivals such as Sound & Fury, Gainesville’s The Fest, Fun Fun Fun Nights and South By Southwest. Silver Snakes are definitely a band to look out for when they come to your town! Singer/guitarist is also a sought after producer/engineer. His credits include Silver Snakes, And We Are Them, Touche Amore, Nails, and more.

http://www.yearofthesnakes.com/

https://www.facebook.com/yearofthesnakes

http://bridge9.bandcamp.com/album/year-of-the-snake

 

By: Brian Lacy

Must Own Albums: Killswitch Engage- Alive Or Just Breathing

Killswitch_engage_alive_or_just_breathing

I’ve mentioned before that heavy music has many genres. Some are beyond hard to explain, and some really are simple. In the early 2000’s “METALCORE” landed on the map and a huge statement was made with the release of Alive or Just Breathing. This album is viewed as a defining moment for the genre and was well praised upon its release and to this day. One of the main bright spots of this album are the lyrics. Rather than harp of the negativity of life, the lyrics were aimed to bring a positive message through the music. Musically there is a well woven web of hardcore riffs, thrash riffs, and melodic sensibilities. all these intangibles created a sonically invigorating album. Songs like opener “Numbered Days,” Fixation On The Darkness,” “My Last Serenade,” “Life To Lifeless,” “Just Barely Breathing,” and the fantastic closer “Rise Inside” are all absolute standouts. Actually the entire album start to finish is a gem.

It must be said that Jesse Leach’s vocals on this album are beyond outstanding. His ability to roar then go into such delicate melodic singing is baffling. Guitar wise Adam Dutkiewicz and Joel Stroetzel play off each other extremely well. Each of their tones are just a little bit different, but brought into the mix wonderfully. Mike D’Antonio has a crunchy yet clean bass tone the balances out the clean tones coming from the guitars. The drums on the album were played by Adam Dutkiewicz, and they provide a great back drop for the pace of the songs and the album.

Jesse Leach is one of my favorite singers that have come about in the last 10 years. He really has a unique voice that is passionate and driving. The way he conveys his words in the songs is hypnotic almost. I truly wonder what the next album would have sounded like had Jesse stayed. Thankfully, Jesse is back and their most recent album Disarm The Descent is a powerful statement of his return.

 

 

By: Brian Lacy

Playlist for Today

I thought I’d try something different today. I’ve selected a few songs that I’ve been really into as of late. Some are new and some are old. Enjoy!

Seether- Crash from Isolate and Medicate:

Mastodon (ft Scott Kelly of Neurosis)- Diamonds In The Witch House from Once More Round The Sun:

Down- Conjure from Down IV Part II

Chevelle- Ouija Board from La Gargola

Black Map- I’m Just The Driver from the Driver EP

Abloom- After That Quiet from their 2004 sampler

Dekades- Malnurished from the 1.1 EP

Failure- Daylight from Fantastic Planet

Killswitch Engage- You Don’t Bleed For Me from Disarm The Descent

Royal Blood- Come On Over from the Out Of The Black EP

Black Light Burns- Stop A Bullet from Cruel Melody

Nine Inch Nails- Right Where It Belongs from With Teeth

Band Of The Week: Disquiet

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The alternative music scene is flooded by a lot of generic music. To be absolutely honest, it pretty much is terrible. Though amongst the sea of monotony there are a few bright spots. One of those is Massachusetts Disquiet. Combining their influences of Dredg, U2, Kings Of Leon mixed with some art rock and a dash of shoe gaze, Disquiet stands out amongst their peers. 2013 saw the release of their first album, April Distance. This three-piece is comprised of guitarist Derek Juliano, bassist and front man Jonas Boinay, and drummer/percussionist Dirceu De Rossi Pereira. Disquiet has the ability to be both powerful and subtle. They have a real knack for steadfast beats mixed with seductive riffs.

http://www.reverbnation.com/disquietsongs/songs

https://www.facebook.com/Disquietsongs

http://www.disquietsongs.com

 

By: Brian Lacy

Cover Thursday: Ours (Queen)- Bohemian Rhapsody

Ourband

I’ve never been a big fan of Queen. Freddie Mercury is great, but I’be always been annoyed by Brian May. I recently stumbled across this great version of “Bohemian Rhapsody” sung by the very underrated Jimmy Gnecco of Ours. Jimmy has one of the best voices in rock music and his band Ours has always been a very underrated and fantastic band.

 

By: Brian Lacy