Have you ever wondered what The Black Keys would sound like if they actually had balls? Well you are in luck, here comes Royal Blood. Hailing from the UK, this dynamic duo of Michael Kerr (Vocals/Bass) and Ben Thatcher (Drums), have a great deal of energy and the chops to boot. They have already released an EP entitled Out Of The Black and are wrapping up work on their debut album.
Out Of The Black:
Little Monster:
By: Brian Lacy
So many bands try to capture the true essence of their sound on record. Not too many can achieve that without studio tricks. One of the exceptions to the myth is Atlanta, Georgia’s Big Jesus. This four piece has a knack for big melodies, large walls of sound, and silky vocals. Their debut full length ONE, has all the above and then some. The first track on the album “Cold Fire” has a rhythmic heaviness that has a Cave In feel to it. The song “Again” has a chunkiness that is almost sludgy. “Shrimp” is a more mellow mid tempo jam that has shows off the more delicate side of the band. Closing out their album is “Heaviest Heart,” a song that has a sort of Deftones feel to it’s approach. Their all together sound is deeply rooted in the great alternative bands of the 90’s. Lyrically all the songs are deep and meaningful. This band is truly on the right track and have the material to take on the masses.
http://bigjesus.bandcamp.com/album/one
https://www.facebook.com/bigassjesus
By: Brian Lacy
Deftones do Drive Like Jehu justice with their version of “Caress”
Since the late 80’s Seattle has been the birthplace of many great bands. We really don’t need to go over the list. There was one band that came about in the early 00’s that took a very artful approach to their music. Formed by former members of Botch and Kill Sadie, These Arms Are Snakes gave new life to post hardcore and experimental rock. During their career they released 3 full length albums, 1 EP, and over half a dozen splits (a couple with Pelican and Russian Circles). They had one of the most energetic stage shows and best live sounds to boot. Their evolution and growth in songwriting and craft got better and better with every release. After their break up in 2010 the members all went onto other projects. Brian Cook (bass) went on to continue playing with Russian Circles. Ryan Frederickson (guitar) formed a band with former Botch singer Dave Verellen called Narrows. Steve Snere formed the more electronic Crypts and Chris Common went back to work as a full time producer/engineer. These Arms Are Snakes left a lasting impact in the underground scene and are deeply missed.
Red Line Season: From Tail Swallower and Dove
Subtle Body: From Easter
By: Brian Lacy
When it was first announced that Dredg’s Mark Engles, Far’s Chris Robyn and The Trophy Fire’s Ben Flanagan had gotten together to play music, the hairs on my arms stood up (all in a good way). The three formed the band Black Map, a melodic hard rock band that shows the harder side of what they all have to offer. In a live setting they are undeniably awesome. Their live show is intense as it is raw and powerful. Chris plays with the same intensity that he’s played with since back in the FAR days, only this time he has added more groove to his playing. Mark has a very unique tone with Dredg and parts of that carry over but in this band you can tell his love for the heavier side of things, especially with the riffs he plays. Ben has a great sense of melody with his voice and his bass tone is thick and driving. All three of these guys make what a power trio should be. Their set at the Viper Room on Saturday night was inspiring. Despite a few technical issues, they were on fire. Playing the four songs from their EP and others yet to be released, everyone in the audience was really into it. The unreleased songs has a great balance of melody and heaviness. Even their banter in between songs provided a few chuckles while at the same time engaging to everyone. I can’t wait to see them again.
Their debut EP DRIVER is 4 songs of nothing but fantastic. Kicking off the E.P. is “I’m Just The Driver.” This song is what a lead of track should be as well as a great introduction to what the sound of the band is. The next track “Gold” has a melodic edge to it all the while rhythmically driving. “Head For The Hills” showcases Ben’s vocal ability as powerful rock singer. The music that accompanies the song is melodic in nature and shows off more of what Mark can do on his guitar. The closing track “Ropes” is a great song that features a rocking sing along (which has been missing from rock music in general). Musically this song has a nasty vibe to it with it’s dirty bass and pounding drums, but also has a sheen to it with the guitars bouncing back and forth between clean and distorted.
Black Map has recently stated that they have enough songs for a full length which they hope to have out later this year as well as lots more shows to come. These guys are the real deal, they know how to write great songs and bring back hard rock with melody!
https://www.facebook.com/blackmapmusic
http://blackmapmusic.bandcamp.com/album/driver
By: Brian Lacy
Melody and rhythm are the driving forces of music. When done properly the combination of the two brings out something special. Tampa, Florida’s New Cathedral have managed to do just that. Their new E.P. entitled Ghost has the right amount of melody and passion behind it’s songs. This four piece has a sweet blend of sweeping clean guitars, heavy crunchy bass and subtle thumping drums. Vocally they are able to capture the passion of the lyrics. The conviction in which they play with is undeniable. Songs like “Holy Ghost,” “Emerald Eyes,” and “Wolves” have a more hard rock vibe to them while “Stay” shows the more delicate nature of the band without taking away from their hard edge.
New Cathedral have what it takes to make an impact on many people. Their sound is accessible yet still maintains the integrity of what melodic hard rock should be. A lot of the radio rock bands that are out there should take a page from New Cathedral and play with honesty and heart.
https://www.facebook.com/NewCathedralFL
By: Brian Lacy
This isn’t the best quality but it puts a different feel to a classic! Plus Down is awesome!!!
When you hear an album in its entirety it can change your life, set a mood, inspire and set you free. There are so many great albums that can do all that was mentioned. One that has always stood out with me since I first heard it many many years ago was Mad Season’s album Above. Comprised of Layne Staley (Vocals), Mike McCreedy (Guitars), Barrett Martin (Drums) and John Baker Sanders (Bass), there is not one thing that is wrong with this album. The performances are perfect. Musically it verges on blues and etherial bounds and reaches far beyond what anyone thought it would be. Vocally the honesty and melodies stay with you for eternity. Kicking off the album is “Wake Up” a sincere inner look at what Layne was going through and struggling with. The lyrics so personal and painful yet connects as a powerful message to anyone listening. “X-Ray Mind” has an amazing tribal drum intro that goes right into a sweeping bluesy riff that segways into a the crooning Staley’s distinctive voice. “River Of Deceit” is another song that is brilliant and is deep and personal. The way Layne sings, you the listener really can feel everything he is saying and the chills you get it unmistakable. “I’m Above” starts with a sweet mellowness that kicks into high gear with a crunchy blues riff, complimented by steady and sultry bass lines that are found on the entire record. “Artificial Red” is a simple blues song that has a sweet groove to it. “Lifeless Dead” and “I Don’t Know Anything” hit right away with another awesome dirty blues riff the is mixed with a drum beat that is behind the beat and a bass line that guides the song with powerful rhythm. “Long Gone Day” features Mark Lanegan on guest vocals. Mark and Layne have a perfect vocal balance and the pseudo duet is very haunting. The music behind the song is mellow and psychedelic, that send you on a deeper journey into your own mind. Closing out the album is “All Alone” a song that ventures into the more ambient and sedated of all the tracks, that slowly fades out at the end.
Recently, Above was re-released with an accompanying live album and DVD that shows just how amazing they truly were. There were also 3 new tracks released with it that feature Mark Lanegan on vocals. Sadly Mad Season lasted only one album. Barrett Martin is now playing in an exceptional band called Walking Papers, and Mike McCreedy is still playing with Pearl Jam. Layne has passed away as well as the very talented John Baker Sanders. They might not be here anymore but, the great thing is that this music and album live on. I can honestly put this album in my top 25 records of all time.
If you’ve never experienced this album you’ve missed out!
By: Brian Lacy
Guns N Roses have always been one of my favorites. There has always been 2 songs in their catalog that always make me stop what I’m doing and listen. I’d also like to dedicate this post to my friend Andy who recently passed away.
Estranged:
Patience:
During the year 2000 the world was presented with A Perfect Circle. Their debut album Mer De Noms was released to great fanfare and critical acclaim. Mer De Noms also featured a rebirth of sorts to what had been missing for quite sometime, making a cohesive album. Songs such as “Judith,” “The Hollow,” “Magdalena,” “3 Libras,” “Rose,” and “Thinking Of You” all were such standout tracks that left a lasting impact. There were a couple songs (“Thomas” and “Over”) that were out of place on their own but in the context of the album as a whole they fit. The first half of the album really shines but tends to drift and fall away towards the end. Production wise it is above superb.
In 2003 A Perfect Circle released Thirteenth Step. This album marked a growth and departure from the more polished sound of their previous album. It seemed that Maynard’s time back in Tool in between albums gave him new perspective on the direction on which to write for A Perfect Circle. The thematic tone of the album provided quite a distinctive backdrop for how the music sounded, was produced and how the songs were placed in the album. Songs such as “Weak and Powerless,” The Noose (my personal favorite),” “Blue,” “The Outsider,” and “Pet” again can stand out on their own, but really hit home more in the album as a whole. Production wise there is a more raw feel to it. It almost helps get under your skin faster and sink in.
Both records are totally different but all the while great in their own right. I lean more towards Thirteenth Step.
Where do you stand?
By: Brian Lacy
