The Other Side: KLAE
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Music is truly one of the only things in the world with no boundaries. No matter the genre, there is always something and someone out there looking to push the limits with something interesting. Part of the fun of doing Audioeclectica is writing about new bands/artists that step outside the box and offer something different. Recently I was introduced to an artist that is taking drums to another dimension. KLAE is a very diverse musician that excels in drums and percussion. His ability to shift his styles to compliment different genres makes him quite exceptional. With over 20 years of experience be it playing, writing, recording and more, it’s the dedication that shows through in his music. On his upcoming EP, Stomp Out Hate, Love, Repeat (out October 19), we find KLAE (born Clay Barnum) digging deeper to enact change in a new way. Speaking on the first single “Stomp Out Hate” KLAE said “In the last few years I’ve learned that everything has a wide spectrum of perspective. We can choose to see the rainbow of colors that surrounds us or we can choose to ignore it. We have to make the choice within ourselves everyday to stop the hate and set a better example.” Armed with that mindset and a plethora of rhythms, KLAE is working to enact change with each beat.

KLAE- Stomp Out Hate:

B-Sides: The Smashing Pumpkins- Ugly
The Smashing Pumpkins – Ugly Lyrics | Genius Lyrics

It’s truly amazing how many great songs The Smashing Pumpkins have that are B-Sides. During the Mellon Collie and The Infinite Sadness era, not only did they write 28 songs for the alvum but also a whole plethora more which wound up being the box set, The Aeroplane Flies High. One of my favorite songs in the set comes from the “1979” single. That song is “Ugly” and it’s one hell of a great song. One of those B-Sides that you hear and right off the bat think, why wasn’t this on the album?! One day, I’d love for Billy Corgan to put together a whole album of Mellon Collie songs and Aeroplan songs into a full album and see what that sounds like.

The Smashing Pumpkins- Ugly:

New Release: The Pretty Reckless- Only Love Can Save Me Now
The Pretty Reckless Team Up with Soundgarden Members in "Only Love Can Save Me Now" Video

The Pretty Reckless is a band that I haven’t given much of a listen to since they first appeared on the scene. Though, over the last couple years I’ve gotten more and more intrigued by them. Firstly after they were handpicked by Soundgarden to open for them on what would be their final tour (We still miss you Chris!!!), and then they released an album that is beyond rockin. It’s classic in the way the music feels (think 70’s rock mixed with 90’s), and then the vocal delivery is pretty damn good. Plus a tight rhythm section that is right in the pocket, it all comes together quite well. On their most recent album, Death By Rock N Roll, there is a song that was just released as a single that has truly captured my attention. The song is called “Only Love Can Save Me Now” and it features Soundgarden’s Kim Thayil and Matt Cameron. Since I first heard this song, I’ve probably listened to it a few dozen times. This song along with the rest of the album, is one of 2021’s best. The Pretty Reckless are the real deal and I’m very interested to see what happens next for them.

The Pretty Reckless- Only Love Can Save Me Now:

The Pretty Reckless- Death By Rock N Roll (Album Stream):

Album Rank: Machine Head
Machine Head Wallpapers - Wallpaper Cave

Since last week, I’ve been on a pretty intense Machine Head kick. They released 3 new songs recently and it got me wanting to go back through their catalog. The 3 song single that just came out is one hell of a mini set of songs. While going through the bands discography, I made a ranking and think it’s pretty spot on. For almost 30 years now, Machine Head have been one of the best heavy bands out there. They’ve made 2 of the best metal albums ever (Burn My Eyes and The Blackening) and have helped to inspire and influence countless bands you enjoy today!

09) Supercharger:

08) Catharsis:

07) Bloodstone and Diamonds:

06) Unto The Locust:

05) The Burning Red:

04) The More Things Change:

03) Through The Ashes Of Empires:

01) The Blackening:

01) Burn My Eyes:

New Music Friday: June 11
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This has been a really good week for new music. New banging singles and videos aplenty to enjoy. I got you covered with new tracks from Machine Head, The Pretty Reckless, Times Of Grace, Zeal & Ardor, Wolves In The Throne Room, Lorna Shore, Go Ahead And Die (Max Cavalera’s new project), Deafheaven, AC/DC, Amenra, Nonpoint and the very awesome Filth Is Eternal. I’ve gotta say the new song by The Pretty Reckless is pretty damn rockin. It features Soundgarden’s Kim Thayil and Matt Cameron.

Machine Head- Arrows In Words From The Sky: 3 Track Single:

The Pretty Reckless- Only Love Can Save Me Now:

Times Of Grace- Medusa:

Zeal & Ardor- Run:

Wolves In The Throne Room- Mountain Magick:

Lorna Shore- To The Helfire:

Go Ahead And Die- G.A.A.D.:

Deafheaven- Great Mass Of Color:

AC/DC- Witch’s Spell:

Amenra- Voor Immer:

Nonpoint- Ruthless:

Filth Is Eternal- On The Rake:

New Release: Wolves In The Throne Room- Mountain Magick

The mighty Wolves In The Throne Room are back with a new album, Primordial Arcana (out August 20 via Relapse Records). These black metal titans have conjured up one hell of a new album. Taking the reigns for the direction and production, it’s the bands first self produced offering. The first single “Mountain Magick” is a banger for sure. There’s a majestic element to the song that feels eerie and sets the tone for the whole album. This new album is one that will be on many top end of the year lists. It’s uncompromising in its delivery and finds the band even more focused than ever before. Wolves In The Throne Room have a real winner on their hands with Primordial Arcana.

Wolves In The Throne Room- Mountain Magick:

Pre-Order the album HERE

End Of Album Songs: Down- Nothing In Return (Walk Away)
Down - Nothing In Return - YouTube

There are certain songs by my favorite bands that I can’t help but listen to on a constant basis. Some of those songs are played at perfect times of the day or night. On such song that I’ve loved since the day I first heard it is “Nothing In Return (Walk Away)” by Down off their album Down III: Over The Under. This song is epic and beautiful. There’s something so powerful about this song that it gives me chills each and every time. The vocals by Philip H. Anselmo on this song are superb. I have had the opportunity to hear this song live a couple times and it’s been one of the highlights of those Down shows. This is not only one of my all time favorite Down songs, it’s one of my favorite songs ever. As an album closer too, this is just perfect. It’s one of those songs too that when it’s over, you want to start it all over again. What a majestic song!

Down- Nothing In Return (Walk Away):

Collaborations: Churches with Robert Smith- How Not To Drown
CHVRCHES Team With Robert Smith for New Single | SPIN

A few days ago, Chvrches released a new song featuring Robert Smith of The Cure. The song “How Not To Drown” is a stunning song. The driving synthpop sensibilities mixed with bits of electronica and a hint of post-punk. The song is featured on their upcoming album, Screen Violence (out August 27th). I’ve probably listened to this song at least 50 times since it’s release. It’s super catchy but, not in the annoying Top 40 Pop way. Chvrches definitely have depth to their sound and style. They are also one of the bands that I like to put on to break up the heavy in my listening. Stoked to see what else they have in store on this new album!

Chvrches with Robert Smith- How Not To Drown:

Album Review: Red Fang- Arrows

The many sub-genres of rock music are quite fun to delve into. There are certain ones that definitely take some interesting turns and leave you intrigued. Sludge and Stoner metal are two of my favorite sub-genres. Over the years there have been a few bands that have taken the a chance within those genres and explored them deeper. One such band that I’ve been fond of is Red Fang. Since I heard their album, 2011’s Murder The Mountains, I’ve been very interested in what they do on each album. Now in 2021, Red Fang have released their new album, Arrows, and it’s one hell of a ride.

Arrows is a very complete album chock full of great riffs and rhythms. The experimentation on this one shines quite bright too. Rather than rely on the same old tones and sounds that their peers have exhausted, the members of Red Fang meticulously crafted these songs to stand out on their own merit. This album sounds and feels a bit darker than previous albums. There are elements of punk and hardcore that peak out at times giving a new dimension to shift towards. The melodic sensibilities found on these songs are quite strong too. A lot of the times with sludge/stoner metal things get lost among all the fuzz and distortion but, one thing Red Fang has always done is make sure there is room for the melodic. Songs like “Arrows,” “Unreal Estate,” “My Disaster,” and “Anodyne” are my favorites so far, with the latter being one of the best songs the band has ever written.

Arrows is a very strong album. The experimentation works and takes things to another level. This is one of those examples of a band evolving in the right way without leaving their roots behind. The one thing I found a little eh about the album is the production and mix. At times the rumble of the bass and distorted guitars take over too much drowning out the drums but, in a way, it all makes sense. Live though, these songs will be on a whole other level. If you are out there looking for something a little out of left field, than Red Fang’s, Arrows, is the album for you.

Overall Rating: B

Red Fang- Arrows:

Band Of The Week: End You

I’ve long been intrigued by solo albums. The solo album can be a little tricky but, if you have the right drive and vision for it, than the end result pays off in the end. Recently, I came across a band or what I thought was a band that peaked my interests. End You is the solo project of Philadelphia native Eric Smith formerly of The Catalyst. His first solo album entitled Aimless Dread is an sonic assault of heaviness. “Aimless Dread” tells a story common to a generation that watched thousands of people die on live television while still teenagers — the creeping realization that perhaps nothing good will ever happen again. Lyrically, the album darts artfully from the personal to the political and back again. From Smith’s struggles with social anxiety and substance abuse to ruminations on contemporary issues like rampant police brutality and the resurgence of international fascism, “Aimless Dread” takes stabs at various demons both real and imagined. Armed with a passion and fury, Eric Smith has delivered an album that is drenched with urgency as well as being pummeling and crushing. Aimless Dread crosses a few different genres including punk, hardcore and noise rock along with the right amount of melodic sensibilities to bring you an album that is very fitting for where we are at as a society in 2021.

End You- Aimless Dread: