Next up on Audioeclectica.com’s 2022 End Of The Year Lists, the Top 10 Drummers. The only stipulation is that, an album/EP had to have been released this year.
Vote for your favorite in the comments section. At the end of the month, I will release the results of the readers poll.
Next up on Audioeclectica.com’s 2022 End Of The Year Lists, the Top 10 Guitar Duos/Trios. The stipulation is that, an album/EP had to have been released this year.
Vote for your favorite in the comments section. At the end of the month, I will release the results of the readers poll.
This list is also in NO PARTICULAR ORDER!!!
01) Stephen Brodsky and Adam McGrath- Cave In
02) Ryan Osterman and Evan Phelps- Holy Fawn
03) Will Benoit, Joel Reynolds and Mike Repasch-Nieves- SOM
04) Robb Flynn and Vogg Kieltyka- Machine Head
05) Jesper Stromblad and Nicholas Engelin- The Halo Effect
06) Ashla Chavez-Razzano and Ari May- Faetooth
07) Jasan Radford and Ryan Stuber- Centershift
08) Justin Martin and Kevin Clark- If It Kills You
09) Brian Sullivan and Russ Savarese- Thoughtcrimes
Well, the end of the the year is rapidly approaching and that means it’s time for the annual End Of The Year Lists!.
First up on Audioeclectica.com’s 2022 End Of The Year Lists, the Top 10 Album Covers. The stipulation is that, they had to have released an album/EP this year.
Vote for your favorite Band/Album Cover in the comments section. At the end of the month, I will release the results of the readers poll.
Music has a way of bringing people together from all regions. When you take certain elements of a band and mix them with other people and their styles, often times the end result is something that sounds exciting and intriguing. Which brings me to the band of the week, Faint On Call. This band was born during the pandemic with an emphasis of combining all the things each member loves about music. Their sound has elements of 90’s alternative rock mixed with bits of shoegaze, melodic hard rock and hooks that will stay with you. The founding members, Tobias Hawkins (ex Counting Crows/Laundry), Cristian Hernandez (ex Onesidezero) and Arthur McConnell challenged each other’s songwriting abilities in a daily trudge through music apps and emails during 12 months over 2020 and 2021. Not only did they share their ideas through sharing files they did this while in different countries particuarly the US and Mexico. When the time came to put it all together, the band recruited producer Sylvia Massey (Tool, System Of A Down) to helm their debut album. The end result is a sonic excursion that exudes passion and optimism. Faint On Call is a band that is on the right path to awaken listeners to the world around them.
What would the 1990’s be like without The X-Files? It was one of the best shows of the 90’s without a doubt. The popularity of the show grew by leaps and bounds and in 1998 there was a feature length film to accompany the series. The movie while decent produced a pretty damn good soundtrack featuring Filter, Foo Fighters, The Cure, Bjork, Noel Gallagher and more. The album’s producer, David Was, intended to match the film’s tone rather than using the songs as content, leading to several of the artists involved contributing material which would seem “uncharacteristically eerie” compared to their usual work. Many of the songs that appear on the soundtrack are cover versions like Filter covering Harry Nillsson’s “One.” This one in particular was deliberately constructed by Was once he realized that Duchovny had ad-libbed the song’s opening line during one of the film’s scenes. Filter’s version of “One” is striking and fits the vibe of the the film.
Ever since Bush released their new album, The Art Of Survival back in October, I’ve been delving back into their catalog. If you haven’t heard their new album, I recommend it a lot! It’s quite good. It picks up where their previous album, The Kingdom left off. While going back through the albums, I remembered one song that I fell in love with many years ago when I was listening to Sixteen Stone. That song would be “Alien.” This deep cut is tremendous. It’s the song that should’ve ended Sixteen Stone, in my opinion. When you get to this song in order of the album, there is something about it that sort of encapsulates the themes of the record. Lyrically it can be taken in different ways but, it always felt like a song that was rooted in a sense of pain and loneliness. Gavin’s voice on the track carry the emotions in an interesting sway with the music. It feels epic while at the same time a mission statement of a song. “Alien” is one of the songs in Bush’s catalog that needs to be a part of their set list. Take a few moments to delve into this one!
On April 14th, 2023, the 12th studio album by the one and only Metallica, “72 Seasons” arrives. This new 12-song outing was once again produced by Greg Fidelman along with James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich. The first single “Lux Æterna” is out now! Speaking on the album, James Hetfield said “72 seasons. The first 18 years of our lives that form our true or false selves. The concept that we were told ‘who we are’ by our parents. A possible pigeonholing around what kind of personality we are. I think the most interesting part of this is the continued study of those core beliefs and how it affects our perception of the world today. Much of our adult experience is reenactment or reaction to these childhood experiences. Prisoners of childhood or breaking free of those bondages we carry.” The band also announced a full world tour with Pantera as part of the trek in the States!
Metallica- 72 Seasons Track Listing:
01 – “72 Seasons” 02 – “Shadows Follow” 03 – “Screaming Suicide” 04 – “Sleepwalk My Life Away” 05 – “You Must Burn!” 06 – “Lux Æterna” 07 – “Crown Of Barbed Wire” 08 – “Chasing Light” 09 – “If Darkness Had A Son” 10 – “Too Far Gone?” 11 – “Room Of Mirrors” 12 – “Inamorata”
Metallica- Lux Æterna:
Metallica Tour Dates:
04/27 Amsterdam, NET – Johan Cruuf Arena (feat. Architects & Mammoth WVH) 04/29 Amsterdam, NET – Johan Cruuf Arena (feat. Five Finger Death Punch & Ice Nine Kills) 05/17 Paris, FRA – Stade de France (feat. Five Finger Death Punch & Ice Nine Kills) 05/19 Paris, FRA – Stade de France (feat. Architects & Mammoth WVH) 05/26 Hamburg, GER – Volksparkstadion (feat. Architects & Mammoth WVH) 05/28 Hamburg, GER – Volksparkstadion (feat. Five Finger Death Punch & Ice Nine Kills) 06/16 Gothenburg, SWE – Ullevi Stadium (feat. Volbeat & Mammoth WVH) 06/18 Gothenburg, SWE – Ullevi Stadium (feat. Five Finger Death Punch & Ice Nine Kills) 08/04 East Rutherford, NJ – Metlife Stadium (feat. Pantera & Mammoth WVH) 08/06 East Rutherford, NJ – Metlife Stadium (feat. Five Finger Death Punch & Ice Nine Kills) 08/11 Montreal, QC – Stade Olympique (feat. Pantera & Mammoth WVH) 08/13 Montreal, QC – Stade Olympique (feat. Five Finger Death Punch & Ice Nine Kills) 08/18 Arlington, TX – AT&T Stadium (feat. Pantera & Mammoth WVH) 08/20 Arlington, TX – AT&T Stadium (feat. Five Finger Death Punch & Ice Nine Kills) 08/25 Los Angeles, CA – Sofi Stadium (feat. Pantera & Mammoth WVH) 08/27 Los Angeles, CA – Sofi Stadium (feat. Five Finger Death Punch & Ice Nine Kills) 09/01 Phoenix, AZ – State Farm Stadium (feat. Pantera & Mammoth WVH) 09/03 Phoenix, AZ – State Farm Stadium (feat. Five Finger Death Punch & Ice Nine Kills) 11/03 St. Louis, MO – The Dome at America’s Center (feat. Pantera & Mammoth WVH) 11/05 St. Louis, MO – The Dome at America’s Center (feat. Five Finger Death Punch & Ice Nine Kills) 11/10 Detroit, MI – Ford Field (feat. Pantera & Mammoth WVH) 11/12 Detroit, MI – Ford Field (feat. Five Finger Death Punch & Ice Nine Kills) 05/24 Munich, GER – Olympiastadion (feat. Architects & Mammoth WVH) 05/26 Munich, GER – Olympiastadion (feat. Five Finger Death Punch & Ice Nine Kills) 06/07 Helsinki, FIN – Helsinki Olympic Stadium (feat. Architects & Mammoth WVH) 06/09 Helsinki, FIN – Helsinki Olympic Stadium (feat. Five Finger Death Punch & Ice Nine Kills) 06/14 Copenhagen, DEN – Parken Stadium (feat. Architects & Mammoth WVH) 06/16 Copenhagen, DEN – Parken Stadium (feat. Five Finger Death Punch & Ice Nine Kills) 07/05 Warsaw, POL – PGE Narodowy (feat. Architects & Mammoth WVH) 07/07 Warsaw, POL – PGE Narodowy (feat. Five Finger Death Punch & Ice Nine Kills) 07/12 Madrid, SPA – Estadion Civitas Metrpolitano (feat. Architects & Mammoth WVH) 07/14 Madrid, SPA – Estadion Civitas Metrpolitano (feat. Five Finger Death Punch & Ice Nine Kills) 08/02 Foxborough, MA – Gillette Stadium (feat. Pantera & Mammoth WVH) 08/04 Foxborough, MA – Gillette Stadium (feat. Five Finger Death Punch & Ice Nine Kills) 08/09 Chicago, IL – Soldier Field (feat. Pantera & Mammoth WVH) 08/11 Chicago, IL – Soldier Field (feat. Five Finger Death Punch & Ice Nine Kills) 08/16 Minneapolis, MN – U.S. Bank Stadium (feat. Pantera & Mammoth WVH) 08/18 Minneapolis, MN – U.S. Bank Stadium (feat. Five Finger Death Punch & Ice Nine Kills) 08/23 Edmonton, AB – Commonwealth Stadium (feat. Pantera & Mammoth WVH) 08/25 Edmonton, AB – Commonwealth Stadium (feat. Five Finger Death Punch & Ice Nine Kills) 08/30 Seattle, WA – Lumen Field (feat. Pantera & Mammoth WVH) 09/01 Seattle, WA – Lumen Field (feat. Five Finger Death Punch & Ice Nine Kills) 09/20 Mexico City, MEX – Foro Sol (feat. Greta Van Fleet & Mammoth WVH) 09/22 Mexico City, MEX – Foro Sol (feat. Five Finger Death Punch & Ice Nine Kills) 09/27 Mexico City, MEX – Foro Sol (feat. Greta Van Fleet & Mammoth WVH) 09/29 Mexico City, MEX – Foro Sol (feat. Five Finger Death Punch & Ice Nine Kills)
One of the things I love most about bands that craft actual albums is the detail they put into it. Not just the music but also the subject matter and how it relates to certain topics and imagery. A few weeks back a band was brought to my attention and I’ve really been digging what they are cooking up. Allow me to introduce you to High Command. This band is more than just your regular metal band, they take it to another level. Taking their metal cues from the likes of Dio, Mercyful Fate, with a bit of Obituarty, a tinge of Bathory and a dash of Discharge, High Command have crafted a sound that feels fresh with a throwback sense. It’s something I like to call, “Epic Metal.” I know, just what we need, another sub-genre but, it fits. The bands latest and upcoming second album, Eclipse Of The Dual Moons, the band have upped their storytelling game and expanded upon where their first album left off. The band place themselves as omniscient narrators of the world they have created making for a very intriguing and visceral listening experience. It’s refreshing to hear a band like High Command take such time and pride to craft something on a deeper level than the atypical topics. I look forward to hearing where the band continues to go with this and evolve. Cheers to High Command on a well chosen path!
PRE-ORDER: High Command- Eclipse Of The Dual Moons:
This is exciting! Royal Thunder is back with one hell of a roar! After time away, Atlanta’s Royal Thunder have returned with their first new track since the release of 2017’s Wick. The trio of Mlny Parsonz (vocals, bass), Josh Weaver (guitar), and Evan Diprima (drums) have dropped a new single/video for their song “The Knife.” This song is stunning and a much welcome return. I can’t believe it’s been 5 years since we’ve had new music from Royal Thunder and I couldn’t be more stoked! “The Knife” is one hell of a song and I have to mention this, I’ve missed hearing Mlny Parsonz voice. It’s so real, rich, pure and honest. Wish more singers had this approach! Anyways, Royal Thunder’s new song “The Knife,” check it out!!!
Royal Thunder- The Knife:
And Just Because This Is SO DAMN GOOD… Here’s Mlny joined by the Two Minutes To Late Night Crew covering Miley Cyrus’s “Wrecking Ball.”:
The art of the album has been lost in recent years. Everyone seems so focused on the “single” that the lost art of making an actual album has sort of gone by the wayside. That’s not the case for the band and album I’m about to talk about. You’ve heard me talk a lot about Centershift in the past year and rightfully so. This band is making strides to not only become one of your favorites but, also took the time to really make an album that from start to finish you feel it all. Every ounce of emotion poured into one fantastical ride through the trials and tribulations of life and this is only their first full length album. Centershift’s debut album, A Different Shade Of Color marks a triumphant return of making great albums.
The release of A Different Shade Of Color was put out in parts/EP’s in order to get parts of the story a little at a time and make you wonder where the next part will take you. The first seven songs present a very raw and emotional context to where the story takes you. Starting with “9” the story begins with a revelation of one’s self and the search for a new discovery but, before that can fully happen, the whole story must be told. As “My Own World” starts to take shape, you the listener start to get immersed into what is happening. As the album continues and flows, more of the story comes out as songs like “Dry Well, “Tell Me,” “Couldn’t Tell,” and “Kingdoms” all fit a balance that have a fury to them that while still melodic, brings out a heaviness both lyrically and musically that grabs you and sinks it’s claws in. With those claws sharply dug in, the journey continues with a bit of an epiphany with the song “And So.” This track leads you down another interesting road as the story unwinds a bit and goes through all the phases one might go through when dealing with a volitile situation or grief. The stages you go through during those times come out quite present on songs like “From Where We Are,” “Falling Into,” “Arise,” and the very deep and dark “Everything And Nothing,” The latter being quite the mini epic that will give you chills in a way that you can only feel by listening. Rounding out this chapter is “What If” a song that leaves you with a question while at the same time sets up the final chapter. “After All” kicks off the third act and signals the change and the light starts to shine a bit brighter. While “1014” delivers a bit of a kick to the head of positivity that reminds you to let the past go and enjoy the life and light that has begun. “Here Like Always” is one of those songs that gives you hope but also has a sensitivity to it that shines like the sun finally coming out after a cloudy day. The ending song of the album “Fade Away” brings it all together, recapping the whole journey but instead of falling backwards and back into the dark, the fading away into the light brings that new joy and life that “9” brought about to start the whole album off.
A Different Shade Of Color is an album not just for 2022 it’s one of those albums that is much needed in today’s musical world. The way this album flows and hits you is spine tingling and eye opening. The album provides hope and choices without the sense of giving up. Singer/Guitarist Jasan Radford’s voice is still top notch and the way he delivers the lyrics are astounding. The clarity and enunciation of the words make them stand out when it matters most. Guitarist Ryan Shane Stuber adds so much texture and balance to the songs with his style of playing. And the rhythm section of bassist Ted Wenri and drummer(s) Stefan Storace (and Michael Tarabotto who plays on certain songs) is thunderous and shattering without being too overtaking of the delicate melodies that ring throughout the songs. Also, having Jim Wirt (Incubus, Onesidezero, Fiona Apple) behind the boards and producing this album definitely helped to keep it as real and raw as possible.
I highly recommend this album to anyone and everyone. There are so many different moments and songs on the album that you will love instantly and others that will sneak up on you and hit you like a ton of bricks. One thing is for certain, Centershift made one of the most honest and pure albums of 2022. Over the past weekend as well, Centershift celebrated the release of the album with a Live Stream event. The concert was full of energy and excitement. The way the 4 of them connect on stage and throughout the songs shows that the chemistry between them is in full effect. I personally love the way that you can listen to the songs on the album and feel one way about them, then when you hear these songs live, they take on a new life. If you haven’t seen Centershift yet, that’s something else I strongly suggest you do! Cheers to Centershift on one hell of an album. One that not only they can stand tall and be proud of but, for those of us that long for an actual album that start to finish connects!
