New Release: Eighteen Visions- 1996
Eighteen Visions : MerchNow - Your Favorite Band Merch, Music and More

Eighteen Visions are back!!! Today, they have premiered a new single of theirs by the name of “1996“. This one is chock full of the heavy you know and love about the band. Speaking on the song singer James Hart said “It was 1996. At the time, Huntington Beach had no shortage of white supremacists and we were always finding ourselves in a tangle with them. I was serving detention on a Saturday during the first couple of weeks of my senior year in high school. As I entered the detention room I took a shove from one of the nazis we had a beef with that carried over from the previous school year. The hours couldn’t pass soon enough and as the bell rang I was able to catch him outside where I took him to the ground. Once again, I had gotten the better of him and exposed him and his hateful ideas to those that witnessed the events. FUCK ALL THAT YOU BELIEVE & FUCK RACISM.” And then you listen to the song and it all comes together! If this is the direction of their new material, then it’s going to be one hell of a new album or EP they put out!


Eighteen Visions- 1996:

Secret Songs: Anthrax- Pieces
Anthrax – Pieces Lyrics | Genius Lyrics

2021 marks 40 years since Anthrax formed. Over the past month or so, they have been putting up mini docs about each period of their career. Its quite fascinating to hear these stories and how everything came together. On a more recent episode which focused on the underrated album, Volume 8: The Threat Is Real, there was a part where Frank Bello was talking about the song he wrote “Pieces” for his brother Anthony, who was murdered. This song is so damn heartfelt and good. It’s a wonderful tribute and also shows how good Frank is at singing and writing.

Anthrax- Pieces:

Those 90s Songs: The Breeders- Cannonball
The Breeders - Cannonball - Amazon.com Music

It’s always interesting how songs get stuck in your head. This morning, I woke up with a riff in my head. At first I couldn’t place it and I still don’t know where it came from but, after thinking about what it was, I figured out it was “Cannonball” by The Breeders. Ever since this song was released in 1993, it’s been one of the best of the 90’s. Kim Deal is one hell of a writer and it shows ever so distorted on this song. Her contributions to The Pixies are legendary but, The Breeders is really where she established herself as a force. Interestingly, the video for the song was directed by Spike Jonze and Sonic Youth’s Kim Gordon. The video features the band in a garage, and the Deal sisters in what seems to be a dressing room trashed with clothes, sitting in a chair together. There are also shots of a cannonball rolling down suburban streets, as well as a shot of Kim singing underwater. When you think of 90’s songs, if you don’t include this on your list, you are missing the mark for sure!

The Breeders- Cannonball:

Alternate Versions: Metallica- Sad But True
Metallica – Sad But True Lyrics | Genius Lyrics

Metallica’s “Sad But True” is one of the best tracks on their “Black Album.” It’s one of those songs that when they play it live, it’s even bigger than the studio version. A few days ago, Metallica announced a huge deluxe version of their now legendary “Black Album.” In this edition, there will be tons of bonus tracks including demos and alternate versions of songs. To get things going, the first one the band released is this badass version of “Sad But True.” According to the notes, this was take number 36 of the song and features a bunch of different things.


Metallica- Sad But True (Take 36- February 5th, 1991):

Best Albums of 2021… So Far
audioeclectica-radio-logo.jpg

2021 has been a very interesting year. Thankfully, it’s not a bad as 2020. That being said, the music released this year so far is on fire. It’s only been half a year and these albums have been on constant rotation. I personally can’t wait to see what else is coming this year (EVERY TIME I DIE PLEASE!!!!). This list is in NO PARTICULAR ORDER!!! If I forgot any, let me know and I’ll be sure to check them out!!!!

Genghis Tron- Dream Weapon:

Bossk- Migration:

End You- Aimless Dread:

The Pretty Reckless- Death By Rock And Roll:

Rob Zombie- The Lunar Injection Kool Aid Eclipse Conspiracy:

Chevelle- Niratias:

Red Fang- Arrows:

Yautja- The Lurch:

Gojira- Fortitude:

Cold Cave- Fate In Seven Lessons:

Zao- The Crimson Corridor:

Arc Angels- Apocalisp:

Comatose- A Way Back:

Amenra- De Doorn:

Death From Above 1979-Is For Lovers:

KANGA- You and I Will Never Die:

Sierra Swan- Tangerines:

Bands Of The Week: The Cobalt Presents Show- July 17 at The Federal

For those of you that don’t know, The Cobalt Cafe was founded by Dave Politi in January 1991. One of the first cafe venues in the San Fernando Valley, the Cobalt was fashioned after coffee houses featuring live music and poetry more widespread in San Francisco. For many years, The Cobalt was most known as a rock venue, having become a regular tour stop for underground and up-and-coming touring artists, including many signed to indie and major labels.The Cobalt Cafe gave many bands you know and love their start. Bands like Jimmy Eat World, Hoobastank, Incubus, Save Ferris, AFI, Avenged Sevenfold, Linkin Park and so many others. Sadly though, a few years back, The Cobalt had to close but, now in 2021 it is back in a whole new way. On July 17th, The Cobalt makes its return. This evening is going to be one of those shows you will remember as we celebrate the 30th Anniversary of The Cobalt Cafe. Featuring an eclectic plethora of bands as well as artists, poets and more, this show is bringing back the vibes of the old Cobalt but, with a flair for today. Bands performing include No Advisory, Final Fall, Kiss The Scientist, Seven 40 Seven, Powder Pink & Sweet, Ryan Hahn & The Believers, Cannibal Valley, Sunset Ritual and Diggajigga. Tell all your friends, get out of the house and come celebrate a wonderful evening. A portion of the proceeds will also be going to benefit Cedars Sinai Cancer Research as well as the very awesome Valley Relics Museum. Buy your tickets at https://thecobaltpresents.brownpapertickets.com/!!!!

Track One: Rollins Band- Disconnect
Rollins Band – Disconnect (1994, Vinyl) - Discogs

The other day I put an album on that I haven’t listened to in quite some time. That album was Weight by Rollins Band. I was thinking about the video for the song “Liar” and it made me realize I haven’t listened to that album in so long. So, as I put it on, I was immediately drawn into the album because of the first song, “Disconnect.” What a great song. It’s one of those tracks that hits the second “that moment” starts. The lyrics have a very introspective vibe to compliment the sort of jazz element mixed with some really great rock! Henry Rollins has always been a great frontman and lyricist but, also his vocals are beyond strong on this song/album. Live, this song is a banger. I had the pleasure of seeing Rollins Band back on their reunion shows in 2006 and I remember this song being one hell of a beast that night. Something else you might find interesting about this song is that it appeared on Beavis and Butthead twice, first in the 1995 episode “Top o’ the Mountain”, then as part of the episode “Shortcuts” in March 1997 (coincidentally the same month the band’s follow-up and very awesome Come In and Burn was released). Rollins Band is one of the few groups out there that I’d love see come back. With everything that has happened in the world, I know they would have it in them to write one hell of a great album.

Video for Disconnect:

Anticipated Albums: Quicksand- Distant Populations

The mighty Quicksand are back with a new album and first since 2017’s Interiors. Distant Populations is the title of the upcoming album and it’s definitely shaping up to be one of the best of 2021. The album will be out digitally August 13 and on vinyl September 24 via Epitaph Records. Distant Populations was produced and engineered by Will Yip (The Menzingers, Code Orange, Nothing), and mixed by Josh Wilbur (Lamb of God, Megadeth, Trivium). Speaking on the album, “Everyone is on the one hand so connected with each other, and on the other hand, is so far apart.” says frontman Walter Schreifels.“We’re checking out each other’s social media and we know what everybody’s doing. But when we’re sitting in the same room together, we’re looking at our phones,” he adds point out the sad irony of it all. Throughout the album’s 11 tracks, Quicksand explores the duality of our simultaneous existence in individual relationships and as part of a mass society, while also examining the alienation and loneliness of it all. Pretty fitting for the times we are living in if you ask me. Today, the band shares “Missile Command,” a song that emerged from a Quicksand rehearsal jam, recalls Schreifels, “It really kind of focuses on Sergio’s (Vega) whole motif in a very simple way. He and Alan (Cage) just have this really kind of trademark groove, and I think that really sings on this one to me. I just felt like it’s a kind of song that is very us, but we hadn’t written it yet.”  Based on “Missile Command” and “Inversion” there is without a doubt the classic sound we’ve all loved since Slip all the while, a bit of a modern flair.


Quicksand- Missile Command:

Quicksand- Inversion:

Album Review: Bossk- Migration
Migration - Bossk

There are some bands out there that are very meticulous and worth the wait. One such band is Bossk. Throughout their career, Bossk has developed a cult following within the Post-Metal genre and has carved their own spot among their peers. Their new album, Migration, is a post-metal, cinematic and ferocious gem. The layers and textures found throughout the album expand with each listen. There is so much to this album that you will be wanting to hit the start button all over again once it’s over.

The album brings together different elements that when fused together makes for one hell of a great listen. One of my favorite things about this album is the atmospheric approach to the songs. It’s experimental and psychedelic at the same time. The push and pull of tension found in the post-metal genre is beyond strong on this release. Each moment captivates your senses and draws you in more and more. I could go on and on about the each song but, as I’ve said in other reviews, that would just take away from the element of surprise. The production on Migration is superb. The synths shine and cut through in a way that is almost haunting. The rumble of the low end and drums makes your blood flow faster and your heart pound harder. The riffs are crunchy and crisp. On the songs with vocals, even the different vocalists help to propel these songs into another dimension.

Bossk have truly created a masterpiece of an album with Migration. There is a real ebb and flow that captures you from the first note. To be able to capture these sounds and feelings makes Migration a truly remarkable album. An album like this has the ability to bring in other listeners from different genres and expand the minds of them. The richness of Migration is on full display with each song. It’s almost like they transcended while making this album which makes the future is very bright for Bossk. Serious contention for Album Of The Year is strong with this one.

Overall Rating: A

Bossk-Migration:

Beats Per Minute: Perturbator

For a long while now, I’ve had a very interesting relationship with electronic based music. For me, when it comes to this genre, I always tend to go towards the artists with real depth and integrity. So much in the world of electronic music is fluff and just button pressing. When a real artist comes along and expands upon the norm and mixes other bits, that’s when it becomes something more. For example, one artist that I’ve been keen on for a while now is Perturbator. James Kent aka Perturbator got his start playing in Black Metal bands. If you are aware of the ambient nature of Black Metal, you know where this is going. Since 2012 though, he’s been releasing some of the best synthwave music. Armed with vintage synths, an array of instrumentation and a sort of John Carpenter vibe, it’s no wonder Perturbator has caught on with so many people. His latest album, Lustful Sacraments, is truly something awesome. It’s drenched in darkwave, post-punk, industrial and ambience. The album is sort of trippy/psychedelic in ways too. It’s one of those albums that you can put on while doing something else but, don’t be surprised if you wind up getting so into it, you forget you had something else to do.


Perturbator- Lustful Sacraments: