NEW MUSIC FRIDAY: October 6, 2023

Lots of new music came out today and this week and I thought, I’d put them all in one article to share with you all. As usual, it’s a very eclectic mix of things for you to delve into! In this batch there’s new music from Mike Shinoda, Lived-In, Lamb Of God, Myrkur, Health, Prong, Eighteen Visions, and Fake Figures. Dig into these and let me know what you think! ENJOY!

Mike Shinoda- Already Over:

Lived In- Something In The Way (Nirvana) & Videotape (Radiohead):

Lamb Of God- Evidence (Omen’s Album B-Side):

Myrkyr- Valkyriernes Sang:

Health- Children Of Sorrow & Sicko (feat Godflesh):

Prong- State Of Emergency:

Eighteen Visions- Ravenous Ways:

Fake Figures- From Within EP:

Alternate Versions: Led Zeppelin- Ten Years Gone (LIVE)

I’ve been on a bit of a Led Zeppelin kick as of late. I found myself the other night putting all their albums on and just letting it all take me on a quite the musical trip. When I got to Physical Graffiti, there was one song in particular that hit at the right moment, and that song was “Ten Years Gone.” This song is an absolute gem in the Zeppelin catalog. It’s dark and sultry and full of great melody. “Ten Years Gone” is one of Jimmy Page’s epics. Interestingly, originally the song was meant to be an instrumental song. This song live goes to a whole other level. The alternate version that I have always dug comes from their 1979 concert at Knebworth. This would be one of the bands final concerts before the passing of the one and only John Bonham. This version particularly is quite simply superb.

Led Zeppelin- Ten Years Gone (Live At Knebworth- 1979):

Led Zeppelin- Ten Years Gone (Album Version):

Album Review: Harms Way- Common Suffering

The evolution of bands is necessary for a multitude of reasons. I’ll rattle off a couple. One, you don’t want to keep churning out the same thing over and over. Your tastes change as you grow. The genre your band is in needs something more. And you want to further develop the sound of the band. All of these reasons can be found on the new Harms Way album, Common Suffering. Throughout their career, Harms Way have kept adding elements to their sound in a way that not only stands out in a good way but, also breathes new life into the genre. After one listen to Common Suffering, I knew that this wasn’t just any typical next album. This one is quite the record!

Right out of the gate you get a swift kick to the head with the very straight forward hardcore attack of “Silent Wolf.” From there the riffs really start to grab you as “Denial” takes the record to another level of heavy. “Hollow Cry” is one of the songs on the album that shows that evolution. There’s a Converge meets Helmet vibe to this song that I really dig. “Devour” is another hardcore banger with a head banging breakdown that will for sure put a crick in your neck. Next up is the very awesome and experimental track “Undertow” which features King Woman’s, Kris Esfandiari. This song has a really killer industrial tone to it. The vocals on this song are both haunting and pummeling. One of the things I really dig about this track is where it’s placed in the sequence of the album. The shift of the album happens here and it’s quite powerful. “Heaven’s Call” is the perfect follow up track to “Undertow” in the way it starts and then just cuts right to the heavy. “Cyanide” is another heavy banger that I have a feeling will be a crowd favorite when played live. “Terrorizer” is a song that brings in more of the industrial element while still being hardcore as all hell. “Sadist Guilt” has razor sharp riffs and an absolute gritty rhythm to it that could shatter glass. Closing out the album is the superb “Wanderer.” This track especially shows the band stepping further away from their comfort zone by adding some surprise elements that you wouldn’t necessarily expect from Harms Way but, in a way that is organic and on the track of their evolution.

Common Suffering is an album that you can tell a lot of blood, sweat and tears went into making it. Having listened to Harms Way for some time now, it’s quite refreshing to hear them take a few twists and turns on this album. With each album, Harm’s Way have pushed themselves to not just be labeled as a hardcore band or a death metal band. The industrial elements they add to their already hard and heavy sound adds a layer that gives them a bit more bite. While the album is still quite angry and full of rage, there’s a sense of catharsis when you listen that by the time you finish the album, a purge of emotions has taken place. Harms Way really have made an album that not only stands out amongst their peers but also shows that having variety in hardcore and extreme music is a good thing.

Overall Rating: 9/10

By: Brian Lacy

Harms Way- Common Suffering:

Secret Songs: Glassjaw- Losten

Glassjaw’s debut album, Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Silence, is one of the most influential post hardcore albums. I remember when it came out while I was in high school and it definitely had a huge impact on a lot of bands. Recently I had a Glassjaw song stuck in my head and it got me to go back and listen to them. While going back to Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Silence, I remembered that there was a hidden track called “Losten” which can be found after “Motel Of The White Locust.” The hidden track really does tie the whole album together. I personally miss bands putting secret songs on albums. It really made things fun! Let’s go back to that!!

Glassjaw- Losten:

Live Review: Converge, Deaf Club, King Yosef & Entry at Echoplex

I have a list of bands that any time they come through Los Angeles I have to go see them. One of those bands is Converge. It doesn’t matter how many times I’ve seen them (I think this was number 9 or 10), I just am compelled to go see them live. Converge aren’t just one of the best live bands around they are downright legends. Their catalog is one of those that you’d be hard pressed to find an album that isn’t good. And like a fine wine or scotch, Converge seems to only get better with time. This West Coast run got started this past Friday night along with Entry, King Yosef and Deaf Club and what a show it was.

Getting the night going was Los Angeles’s own, Entry. I’ve been fond of this band for a bit and they came out swinging. They really got the crowd ready for the evening. Though their set was short, only about 20 mins, they made every second count. Entry was on fire throughout their set as they blazed through song after song. I can see why they are garnering the street cred they have. They are the real deal and I look forward to their evolution as a band.

Next up was King Yosef. What he brought to the evening was a bit of Industrial Hardcore. Thankfully it wasn’t just one guy up there with a laptop. The live band aspect of drums and guitar definitely helped bring the sound to reality. Thee set though short, was direct and to the point, just as hardcore should be. The industrial element to the songs gave them a bit more bite. His latest album, An Underlying Hum is quite good and live those songs really came to life. I would be interested to see King Yosef again.

Before Converge was the mighty, Deaf Club. They really came out guns blazing and got the crowd up in a bit of a frenzy. Deaf Club has a great mix of punk and hardcore in their sound with a bit of a grungy undertone to it a la Nirvana. Never one to be still, frontman/vocalist Justin Pearson immediately commanded the stage and with each song got the audience more and more involved. It was quite a fun thing to witness. One of the things tht I really like about Deaf Club is the added dynamics to their songs. While they are don’t lose their hold on their roots, their ability to add off time parts and some cool shoegazey moments makes them not only stand out amongst the other bands during the night but, it gives the audience more to listen to.

Now the main event of the night, Converge. I really don’t know what else there is to say about this band that I haven’t already said throughout the years. They still pack one hell of a punch and a ferociousness that is untouchable. Their set this night was one that I quickly found myself absolutely enthralled by. Converge played a good chunk of songs off my favorite album of theirs, Axe To Fall, along with other gems from Jane Doe, You Fail Me, All We Love We Leave Behind and The Dusk In Us, including a close personal favorite of mine “I Can Tell You About Pain.” When you watch Converge live, it’s like poetry in motion. Each member from Nate Newton, Ben Koller, Kurt Ballou and Jacob Bannon give their all each night and it shows. The precision that they play with combined with the explosive nature of the songs makes for one hell of a show. There are many things I love about going to see Converge live and one of them is watching the audience get so into the songs. At times throughout the set, I’m pretty sure the crowd was louder than the band. Converge are without a doubt pioneers and legends in heavy music. They prove time and time again that they are band that you just can’t mess with. I look forward to hearing what they have coming up in the near future as the world does need more Converge in it!

Converge Set List:

01) Eagles Become Vultures
02) Dark Horse
03) Under Duress
04) Axe To Fall
05) Heartless
06) You Fail Me
07) All We Love We Leave Behind
08) Predatory Glow
09) Hell To Pay
10) Bitter And Then Some
11) Eye Of The Quarrel
12) Reap What You Sow
13) Cutter
14) Worms Will Feed/Rats Will Feast

Encore:

15) I Can Tell You About Pain
16) Concubine

Axe To Fall= 5
Jane Doe= 3
The Dusk In Us= 3
You Fail Me= 3
All We Love We Leave Behind= 2

Album Of The Week: Filth Is Eternal- Find Out

What you find out in about 30 minutes and 14 songs is that Filth Is Eternal is on a warpath! The way this album hits right out of the gate is quite the punch to the head. Filth Is Eternal is a band that pulls from a handful of genres like hardcore, grunge, punk, crust punk, and noise rock to create a style and sound that is brash and in your face while still carrying a sense of melody. Throughout Find Out, there’s all sorts of little nuances to pick up on with each listen. It’s quite fun to find all the ear candy in this album.

There’s a depth to the songs on a musical and lyrical level that most bands in their “spectrum” lack. The myriad of subjects tackled on Find Out is quite intriguing. The way the album flows weaves an intricate web of heaviness, aggression, and catchiness that is infectious. One of the thingsI love about Find Out is that when you listen it makes you want to move. The rhythms of drummer Emily Salisbury and bassist Rah Davis and riffs of Brian McClelland give you the step to get going and then when you add Lis Di Angelo’s vocals to it you get the bounce to really get in the groove. Another great aspect about Find Out is that it really feels like an “album.” What they are able to accomplish in 14 songs and 30 minutes is pure and concise and I can’t get enough of it. Each song brings it’s own charm to the table and that’s part of what makes this album standout. I will say this, The first half will grab you and then the latter half of the album is particularly a sweet spot!

Find Out was produced by Paul Fig who has worked with Jerry Cantrell, Alice In Chains, etc but, is also remembered by me most of all as being a member of Amen! Filth Is Eternal is a band that should be on your radar. Not only do they have the chops with their songs but, their live show is one hell of a beast on its own. Filth Is Eternal is not only one of my favorite new bands but, they are also super rad people. Do yourself a favor and soak in this Filth!

Overall Rating: A

By: Brian Lacy

Filth Is Eternal Online: https://linktr.ee/filthiseternal

Filth Is Eternal- Find Out:

Videos:

Cherish:

Pressure Me:

Crawl Space:

End Of Album Songs: Poison The Well- Crystal Lake

Poison The Well’s third album and major label debut, You Come Before You, is one of the best heavy albums of the new millennium. I remember the summer of 2003 when it came out and how it was a shotgun blast of WOW! I was already into the band via their previous album, Tear From The Red and was very much anticipating You Come Before You. As much as I liked Tear From The Red, and it’s a a banger, You Come Before You always had a bit more to it. The natural evolution of the band showed through on YCBY and the live show at this time too was on another level. A few years back when Poison The Well announced their reunion I was beyond stoked and the LA show they played was top notch. As we come up on 20 years of You Come Before You, I’ve gone back and to the album and keep reminding myself why it’s so good. I could and probably will do a whole piece about the album but, right now I just want to focus on the final song on the album, “Crystal Lake.” It’s one of those end of album songs that encapsulates the record and leaves a bit of a trail of impending things to come. The song itself is ferocious and it’s teeth really sink in from the moment Chris Hornbrook’s drums start. Then as soon as it’s over, you feel compelled to start the album over!

Poison The Well- Crystal Lake:

Poison The Well- Crystal Lake (Live At Warped Tour 2003):

By: Brian Lacy

New Release: Speed Of Light- Teeth

I’m really stoked on this. One of the best up and coming bands in Southern California, Speed Of Light, have released a brand new song entitled, “Teeth” and it packs one hell of a rocking punch. Having had the pleasure of booking them many times over the past couple years for The Cobalt Presents shows, we’ve been able to watch and see how far this band has come and it’s quite awesome to see it all evolve into this. The band is formed by brothers and sister Cameron (guitar/vocals, Tyler (drums/vocals and Riley (vocals/bass) and as a three piece, they are one hell of a force. Their live shows are full of raw energy and at times quite volatile in a really fun way. One of my favorite things about Speed Of Light is that they are original and genuine. There’s no fluff or backing tracks or any of the modern played out crap to what they do. It’s pure and real and a bit dangerous just as rock music should be. Their new single “Teeth” cuts like a sharp razor and rocks with the best of them. Speed Of Light will be on tour with Bad Religion starting September 27th through October 29th. I highly recommend you getting to the show early to check them out if you are going to the show! Congratulations to Riley, Tyler and Cameron on a fantastic new song and for what the future holds! Go out there and kill!!!

Speed Of Light- Teeth:

Speed Of Light Online:

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/speedofligh...

TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@speedoflightb...

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/speedoflight…

Home – https://speedoflightband.com

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3cNtv...

BY: Brian Lacy

Track One: The Replacements- Hold My Life

I recently saw that The Replacements are putting out a super deluxe version of their album, Tim, and of course that peaked my interest. The new edition features a remastered version, remixed version, alternate versions/demos as well as a live album from 1986. When I went back and listened to this album, I forgot how much I enjoyed it. There really was something magical about The Replacements. The first song on Tim, “Hold My Life,” is one hell of a track one. The song captures the feelings of alienation and despair while at the same time is rather poetic in a modern sense. I highly recommend taking a listen their album Tim, it’s truly one of those albums that when you listen, you can hear the influence in so many bands. And one other fun side note, Tim was produced by none other than Tommy Erdelyi aka Tommy Ramone!

The Replacements- Hold My Life:

Band Of The Week: Lived-In

A while back a band reached out to me asking me to check out their music. If you send me something, I will always listen. What I heard from the band that sent me their album is a group that has harnessed the 90’s sound in a couple ways mixing alternative rock and what would become post-hardcore. Allow me to introduce you to Lived-In. Armed with guitars, drums, bass and vocals and a good dose of melody, Lived-In are on the right track. Their new album, Everything Is Just Money Away is an aggressive yet catchy record with a melodic tinge. One of the things I really enjoyed most about their album is the intensity that propels the record. Musically there’s a diversity of heaviness, quiet to loud and a great use of atmosphere to make the songs sound huge. If you are a fan of bands like Jawbox, Failure, and Handsome, you’ll dig Lived-In. You can catch Lived-In live at Corbin Bowl on Saturday September 23, 2023 as part of The Cobalt Presents monthly showcase!

Lived-In- Everything Is Just Money Away:

Lived In Online:

https://linktr.ee/lived_in