Metallica’s “Black Album” is quite a classic at this point. Not only did it mark a shift in style but, it’s also a game changer. Think about it, it truly is a game changing album when you examine the album. That’s a topic for a different day and one that will come up soon on Audioeclectica. There are a ton of songs on that album that deserve more acclaim and to be played live. One song that has been a staple for the most part since the album was released in 1991 is “The Unforogiven.” That song is absolutely epic. The melodic nature of the song and power that is emitted in this one is astounding. The other thing about this song that stands out is the guitar solo. Damn this solo is so good. Kirk Hammett really nailed a perfect complimentary solo to go along with the song. The video is pretty awesome too.
There are many bands that have tried to go back to their roots while still remaining relevant but, often the end result isn’t quite what it should be or it feels rehashed. That is not the case with the new album The Kingdom by Bush. Their new album is refreshing and a welcome back to what many loved about them in the first place. Let me start off by saying this is a full on rock album and Gavin and company have really delivered. If you’ve been waiting for them to get back to some good riff rock, this is the album for you.
From the time the album starts to till it ends, the consistency and balance of rock is there. Gavin Rossdale promised a “heavy” album and he along with his band have truly delivered on that. The album is chock full of riff heavy songs like “The Kingdom,” “Ghost In The Machine,” “Bullet Holes,” “Blood River,” and “Our Time Will Come.” There are also the more melodic heavy songs like “Flowers On A Grave,” “Send In The Clowns,” “Quicksand,” “Crossroads” and “Falling Away.” One of the more standout tracks is “Undone,” which has some similarities to the more mid tempo songs in the bands catalog but, it feels fresh and current.
The Kingdom is a bit nostalgic but, not in a bad way. It has the best elements of both Sixteen Stone and Razorblade Suitcase along with a bit of an Institute vibe. Also, Gavin working with Tyler Bates (who helped resurrect Marilyn Manson’s career with the great album, The Pale Emperor) has made a real impact and have made Bush relevant again in 2020. Another element that makes this album truly good are the performances by Chris Traynor and Corey Britz. Both of these guys have a very distinct style and it shines through on these songs. Most of the drums on the album were done by Gil Sharone (Current drummer Nik Hughes played on the title track and “Flowers On A Grave” and he did a killer job as well) and his work on this album is pretty damn stellar as well as usual. The songs on this album when played live will be huge. I can’t wait for the day that comes again. The only thing that feels off about this album is how the songs were put in order. Personally, I would have chosen the title track, “The Kingdom” to start the album off with.
If you have given up on Bush, this is the album that will definitely bring you back into the fold. If you are looking for a really solid rock album, this is one that you should really take a listen to.
Instrumental bands are quite interesting when you really take the time to let the music all sink in. Through the use of dynamics and interesting structures, you the listener, often can be taken through quite a journey of different directions. There is a band that I’ve really come to like a lot that has managed to take the craft of making instrumental music come to life in a way that, if you were to add words, it would take away from the beauty of what was created musically. The band I’m talking about is Goliathan. This instrumental Post-Rock/Doom Metal band based in Los Angeles, have been meticulously developing their sound and have carved out a nice niche for their apocalyptic yet dreamy style. Since their formation, Goliathan have released 2 stellar EP’s, Awakens in 2017 and Albion in later 2018, both of which are epic and worth your time. One of my favorite things about this band is that they have the ability hit you with a sonic intensity that is impactful and and heavy but, with more of a subtle nature that builds and feeds into the journey. Goliathan are truly one of the best instrumental bands I’ve heard in a long while. If I had to describe them I’d say they have this really cool Explosions In The Sky meets Neurosis vibe with a tinge of 90’s alternative (a la Failure).
I’ve put this list together many times and changed the parameters so much to fit in different films, that it sort of got out of hand. So now, I’ve simplified it to make it easier to define what is a great “rock n roll” movie. No it doesn’t’ have to be all music based, though that would be super simple, instead I’ve made this list based upon movies that used rock music in such a way that it helped to make the movie that much better. I’m not including music documentaries in this or concert films (for example: The Who’s Tommy or The Band’s The Last Waltz). Biopic movies do count and should be included. As always, your participation in adding to this list is more than welcome.
Let’s Begin!!
Almost Famous
Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure
Bill and Ted’s Bogus Journey
Dazed and Confused
Rock N Roll High School
The Rocky Horror Picture Show
Pink Floyd: The Wall
High Fidelity
The School Of Rock
Tenacious D: The Pick Of Destiny
Detroit Rock City
Velvet Goldmine
I’m Not There
Wayne’s World
Wayne’s World 2
The Doors
La Bamba
Spinal Tap
That Thing You Do
Sid and Nancy
The Wedding Singer
24 Hour Party People
200 Cigarettes
Singles
Hedwig And The Angry Inch
Control
American Graffiti
The Blues Brothers
Purple Rain
Grosse Point Blank
The Commitments
The Dirt
Bohemian Rhapsody
Walk The Line
A Star Is Born (all versions)
The Runaways
Get Him To The Greek
Airheads
Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story
Rockstar
Back in the year 2000 (how fitting for this since Conan used to have a segment on his show about “The Year 2000”), while A Perfect Circle was supporting the release of their amazing debut album, Mer De Noms, and while on tour with Nine Inch Nails, they made a stop to perform “Judith” on Late Night with Conan O’Brien. This performance is absolutely killer. Josh Freese is a beast behind the kit and was such an integral part of this band. It’s too bad he wasn’t involved in their recent return along with Paz Lenchantin on bass and Troy Van Leeuwen on guitar. Either way, enjoy this gem!
A Perfect Circle- Judith on Late Night with Conan O’Brien:
Metallica’s “I Disappear” from the Mission Impossible II soundtrack. The song that started the whole talk about illegal downloads and music on the internet and in the end, Lars was right. But, that’s not what this topic is about. One day I will go into more detail about my thoughts on that whole thing. This is about the song itself. Written by James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich, this song is quite an interesting one. It’s got a bit of a “Black Album” meets Load/Reload vibe to it. Definitely not one of their best but, it’s still got a fun vibe to it. I remember the video to this song being pretty decent too. Another fun tidbit about this song is that since its release, Metallica has played it live 92 times (the most recent being in 2013).
Metallica- I Disappear (Video):
October 23, 2020 is the day that Pallbearer will release their long awaited new album, Forgotten Days. The Little Rock, Arkansas based band formed in 2008 and have since released a trio of albums: Sorrow and Extinction (2012), Foundations of Burden (2014), and my personal favorite, Heartless (2017). The title track is now available for your listening pleasure and this song is just as epic as you’d expect. One thing about Pallbearer I’ve come to realize is that while their albums are really good but, to fully get why this band is so good, you need to seem them live. It’s a whole other experience.
On October 23, 2020, Greg Puciato will be unleashing his debut solo album, Child Soldier: Creator Of God via his Federal Prisoner Records label. Today, “Do You Need Me To Remind You” the next single/video from the album was released and it is one hell of a killer track from the record. Poison The Well/Dhani Harrison drummer Chris Hornbrook lends his skills on this song. This track along with the two others already released (“Fire For Water” and “Deep Set”) have definitely made this one of the most anticipated albums of 2020. Child Soldier: Creator of God was recorded in L.A. between 2019 and early 2020. It was produced by Nick Rowe (Vampire Weekend, Haim) and mixed by Steve Evetts (the Dillinger Escape Plan, the Cure). In addition to Hornbrook, the featured drummers are Ben Koller (Converge, Mutoid Man, All Pigs Must Die, Killer Be Killed, etc.) and Chris Pennie (the Dillinger Escape Plan, Coheed and Cambria). Pre-Orders are already underway over at the label’s bandcamp HERE.
Normally I wait till Friday’s for this topic but, I don’t want to wait till then to talk about this band. A couple days back when checking my music news, I came across a band that just wowed me. I clicked on their lyric video and the moment the first note hit my ears, I knew I was already going to love what I was about to hear. 8 minutes later the song was over and I immediately pressed start over. I’m talking about the band In Parallel and their new song “Leave It With The Ghost” from their upcoming release, Fashioner, which comes out September 04, 2020 via Wiretap Records. This band is made up of members of Celebrity and Hopesfall (who in 2018 released a great comeback album with, Arbiter). In Parallel’s sound is inspired from dark 80’s pop and 90’s shoegaze and post-hardcore – creating a sound that is melodic, expansive and ambient but, at the same time explosive in a way that will catch you off guard in a way that peaks your interest. Their debut album, Broken Codes, is a great representation of what this band is capable of creating. On Fashioner, they recruited Failure’s Ken Andrews to mix their record and the end result is, and you can tell by listening to “Leave It With The Ghost,” a record that gives you chills. In Parallel are the type of band that knows how to tug at your heartstrings while at the same time expand your mind with a sensibility of intriguing rhythms, and the right tones. The road is endless for where this bands music can go and I hope you dig it as much as I do.
I still remember the first time my parents played Cream for me. They had a best of Cream playing and the song “White Room” came on and I was hooked but, it wasn’t until a couple songs later that I became mesmerized and that was when “Crossroads” came on. Holy hell that song is spectacular. Everything about this song is perfect. Plus, Clapton’s solo on it, well, that’s a whole other league of its own. And on top of that, the fact that Cream was a three piece and they created a sound this huge, just goes to show how damn good they were. Check out Cream playing “Crossroads” from their Reunion show Live At Royal Albert Hall in 2005.
Cream- Crossroads (Live At Royal Albert Hall, 2005):
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