Alternate Version: Metallica- Blackened (Acoustic)
Blackened 2020 | Metallica.com

About six months ago, Metallica released an alternate version of “Blackened.” This was obviously done during these very strange times we are living in. I really enjoy when bands break down their songs to the bare bones. Having a more acoustic feel to this song definitely gives it a different vibe. The original from And Justice For All is in my top 5 all time favorite Metallica songs. This new version, I have to say is quite fun. I’d really be interested to hear Metallica do a full on acoustic set in the same way the classic MTV Unplugged’s were.

Metallica- Blackened (2020):

Track One: Alice In Chains- We Die Young
Alice In Chains – Facelift (1990, CD) - Discogs

The first track on any album is so important as we all know. The list is endless of all the great ones but, instead of making a giant list, why not go one by one and really savor them. Because it’s the 30th anniversary of the release of Facelift by Alice In Chains, how about we start with “We Die Young.” What a song to start off a record with. The instant you drop the needle or press play (whatever you listen to music on or with), it’s just perfect! The instant crunch of Jerry Cantrell’s guitar, then comes the thunder of the drums of Sean Kinney, rumble of Michael Starr and finally, the killer voice of Layne Staley. Simply WOW!

This is one of those track ones that could easily be on many lists of the best ever. Plus when you think about it, if you’ve never listened to Alice In Chains and Facelift is what you start with, and “We Die Young” is pretty much your introduction to the band! That’s a pretty amazing start if you ask me.


Alice In Chains- We Die Young:


The Video:

Band Of The Week: Blunt Razors

I love a good side project. More often than not, the side project allows the artist to explore a different side and see where that experiment goes. It’s quite interesting to hear this other side and experience something you aren’t used to hearing from that person. Which leads me to the band of the week, Blunt Razors. I’ve long been a fan of the band Planes Mistaken For Stars and when I heard that Gared O’Donnell and Neil Keener were working on new music that wasn’t going to be Planes material, I became very intrigued. While quarantined together throughout 2020 in Peoria, IL, they wrote and recorded a plethora of incredible songs. Sonically, some were enough of a departure from Planes Mistaken For Stars, that the pair felt it deserved a different name. And with that, Blunt Razors was conceived. Their debut release, Early Aught, is comprised of five gut-wrenching originals that have the grit and charm that Gared and Neil are known for. The two songs released so far, “Speeding” and “Amber Waves” show that there is a whole other level of creativity to these two talented writers. Their debut is out on November 20 (via Deathwish Inc).


Blunt Razors- Speeding:


Blunt Razors- Amber Waves:

Those 90’s Songs: Primitive Radio Gods- Standing Outside a Broken Phone Booth with Money in My Hand
Primitive Radio Gods - Rocket - Amazon.com Music

There are so many bands and songs from the 90’s that when you hear a radio staple, often times, you wind up turning up the volume because you haven’t heard that song in a long while and it takes you back to that time. One song that I’ve always done that with is the song “Standing Outside a Broken Phone Booth with Money in My Hand” by Primitive Radio Gods. Back in 1996, this song was inescapable. It reached number 1 on the modern rock charts and was featured in the movie The Cable Guy. This song definitely packs a vibe and fits the time quite well. Enjoy this throwback to the simpler times of the mid 90’s.

Primitive Radio Gods- Standing Outside a Broken Phone Booth with Money in My Hand:


Guest Musician: Page Hamilton of Helmet
Interview: Page Hamilton of Helmet | New Fury Media

Page Hamilton of Helmet has one of the most distinct guitar sounds in the last 30 years. His style and tone has often been tried to be duplicated and has influenced and inspired countless bands and players. His work in Helmet is truly exceptional along with his other work with Glenn Branca, Band of Susans and his experimental jazz work. His style is so unique that when he’s guested on other band’s albums, there is no denying it’s Page. Here’s a few of the songs he has guested on over the years.

Nine Inch Nails- No, You Don’t (from The Fragile):



Therapy?- Unbeliever (from Troublegum):


Wire- All Fours (from Object 47):


Norma Jean- Opposite of Left and Wrong (from The Anti-Mother):


P.O.D- God Forbid (fro When Angels and Serpents Dance):


Linkin Park- All For Nothing (from The Hunting Party):

Best Guitar Solos: Nine Inch Nails- Ruiner
Nine Inch Nails - The Downward Spiral - Amazon.com Music

When you think of guitar solos, Nine Inch Nails is probably not very high on the first ones that come to mind. That is about to change though. On the epic masterpiece of an album that is The Downward Spiral, there is a song on there that has a guitar solo that oozes the pain and anguish that perfectly coincides with the thematic nature of the record. That song is “Ruiner” and it’s one of the most underrated songs on the album. The solo on the song is actually inspired by Pink Floyd’s “Comfortably Numb.” Trent was interviewed by Guitar World magazine years ago and this is what he had to say about the solo, “Ah yes, the great, Pink Floyd-esque, Seventies-sounding section of the song. That’s just a preset on the Zoom. I think I accidentally called up the wrong patch. I’m not a soloist. I was just laughing when I was playing with this ridiculous sound, recording into the computer saying like, “This is so cheesy,” you know? I later realized that I basically tried to play a “Comfortably Numb”-type solo with this sound. I played the song for Chris, our drummer, and I was thinking, “He’s going to start laughing. It’s silly.” But he goes, “Man, that guitar section was fucking great.” Anyways, this solo when “Ruiner” is played live is stunning.


Nine Inch Nails- Ruiner:


Nine Inch Nails- Ruiner (Live at The Wiltern 2009- FINAL Wave Goodbye Show):


Instrumental Songs: Nine Inch Nails- Just Like You Imagined
NIN - Just Like You Imagined] | The fragile, Nine inch nails, Universal music group

I will never forget the first time I listened to Nine Inch Nails album The Fragile the whole way through. There was something so special about that album. I could and will go into more detail about that album at some point down the road. One of the immediate songs that hit me like a ton of bricks was track number 7 on Disc 1 (or the left side), “Just Like You Imagined.” This instrumental track blew me away. It’s a total encompassing of everything that makes The Fragile so great. The song on the studio recording features David Bowie’s longtime pianist, Michael Garson, who adds some beautiful moments. Live, this song is even better. I’ve had the pleasure of hearing it live a few times and each one of those I was totally in awe at how amazing the song truly is.

Nine Inch Nails- Just Like You Imagined:



Just Like You Imagined (Rehearsal):


Collaborations: Pearl Jam & Neil Young- Rockin In The Free World
Neil Young, Pearl Perform 'Rockin' in the Free World' at 1993 MTV VMAs - Rolling Stone

In 1993 at the MTV Video Music Awards, Pearl Jam was performing their song “Animal” from their very amazing second album, VS. I still remember watching the show and seeing Neil Young come out on stage. The end result was Pearl Jam and Neil Young performing “Rockin In The Free World” together and what a performance it was. This performance also led to the members of Pearl Jam being invited to be Neil’s band on his upcoming album, Mirror Ball (which is a pretty cool album). This performance though, is one that I have always remembered and the song is perfect for right now too.

Pearl Jam & Neil Young- Rockin In The Free World:


Deep Cuts: The Smashing Pumpkins- United States
Smashing Pumpkins - Zeitgeist - Amazon.com Music

The times we are living in at the moment are pretty interesting. It’s a series of uncertainties and possibilities that could go one way or another. One thing that I’ve found to be very captivating is that so many things from the past have come back full circle or have been sort of prophesied. Which brings me to today’s song. Back in 2007, The Smashing Pumpkins reformed with Billy Corgan and Jimmy Chamberlin to make an album that really saw ahead into the future. The album is Zeitgeist and when you sit and listen and follow along to the words, you start to see so many things mentioned in those songs coming to life today. One song in particular, “United States” is so perfect for right now. It’s really interesting to listen to this album in the world today and see how it all came true.

The Smashing Pumpkins- United States:


New Music Friday
audioeclectica_logo1

There are a ton of new singles and albums that came out today. Some that will surprise you, some that will make you want to get up and dance, some that will make you think, and some that will make you just simply smile. No matter what though, this new music Friday, has something for everyone.

Rob Zombie- The Triumph of King Freak (A Crypt of Preservation and Superstition):


Deftones- Knife Party (Puirty Ring Remix):


The Smashing Pumpkins- Wyttch:


The Smashing Pumpkins- Ramona:



Scour- Doom:

Gone Is Gone- Breaks:


Fact Pattern- Generating Keys:


Nothing- The Great Dismal:


Stabbing Westward- Hallowed Hymns: