On The Rise: Loathe

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In today’s musical world, there are a plethora of choices and at times, it’s hard to keep up with it all. So many bands get overlooked because of that too, which is a shame, because there are so many hidden gems. Over the past year, there has been one band that’s been on my radar thanks to a couple friends who were raving about them. That band is Loathe. This U.K. based band has developed a style since their formation in 2014 that is part metalcore (Poison The Well’s You Come Before You comes to mind) and progressive rock, mixed in a bit of cool ambience and a dash of nu-metal (more so Deftones Around The Fur/White Pony era). The end result has really helped to craft something interesting and when you listen, it has this really natural ebb and flow. Their new album, I Let It In And It Took Everything, is absolutely superb. It’s a culmination of everything the band has done before but, this is a whole other level. The music has a very cool rhythmic groove that is at times “djenty” but the way it is accompanied by some really cool shoegazey vocals, gives it more of a distinct vibe to separate them from the pack. Of course there are the bellowing screams that take the songs to a different level at times.  I Let It In And It Took Everything is an album that sounds modern and artistic without relying on a nostalgic factor. Yes, there are moments where the Deftones influence is worn brightly on their sleeves but, it’s not distracting from the overall experience of what you are listening to. Loathe are the right band at the right time. This is just the beginning for what this band is capable of. I’d say within the next album or two they will truly find their own niche and the album that comes from that, will be their White Pony.

 
Loathe- I Let It In And It Took Everything:

Alternate Versions: Metallica- Frantic and St. Anger

Metallica Is Livestreaming Their Jam Sessions Every Monday ...
Back when Metallica released their album St. Anger, so many people were astonished by the sound of the album. The snare sound in particular drew ridicule (and still does) from so many fans, critics, and pretty much anyone that listened to it. The whole St. Anger album seemed to alienate fans as well but, over time, there has been some new appreciation for the songs themselves. I remember when it came out I was torn about what I thought about it. I could tell there was something there but the production and such made it difficult to get into. Then one day I sat and really listened (which at times was painful) and realized how personal and deep the album is, especially lyrically. For many years too, Metallica didn’t play anything off the album live but, a couple years ago they started putting “St. Anger” and “Frantic” on the set list and these “new” versions sound a whole hell of a lot better. Personally, there are a couple others I wish they’d play live from this album like “Some Kind Of Monster” and “The Unnamed Feeling.” I think those would sound a lot better now than before. So, take a chance and give these jams another shot!

Frantic:

 

 

 

St. Anger:

 

Great Music Videos: Alien Ant Farm- These Days

These Days' - Alien Ant Farm Image (14820350) - Fanpop
Back in 2003, after their successful debut album ANTthology, Alien Ant Farm returned with a new album called Truant. This album was produced by the Robert and Dean DeLeo of Stone Temple Pilots and it really is quite an underrated and good album. The first single from the album “These Days” features a really awesome video. The video was filmed and performed on the rooftop of the Hollywood Masonic Temple, across the street from the Kodak Theater, in Los Angeles. The surprise performance was shot during the 2003 BET Awards while numerous hip hop artists and rappers were arriving on the red carpet before the awards show. The video catches the reaction from many artists, including Pharrell, Nelly, Snoop Dogg, Killer Mike, and Lil’ Kim among others. The band was arrested at the site and later dismissed by local authorities. It’s a really fun video and on of those that will guarantee you’ll smile throughout it.

Alien Ant Farm- These Days:

 

Best Albums of 2020…So Far

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2020 has definitely been a strange one that’s for sure. Thankfully, through all the craziness and madness, there have been a few bright spots as far as new music goes. At least we have that during all this. And with all the time we’ve had, it’s been nice to be able to delve into band catalogs as well as discover some really good new bands and albums. So, here is a nice list (with links to the albums) for you to check out. These are the Best Albums of 2020…So Far (in no particular order by the way).

Run The Jewels- Run The Jewels IV:

 

Trivium- What The Dead Men Say:

O’Brother- You and I:

Umbra Vitae- Shadow Of Life:

 
Molitoth- The Tribunal:

Old Lung- Old Lung EP:

 
Ozorn- Your Killer:

 

Mrs. Piss- Mrs. Piss:

Old Man Gloom- Seminar VIII- Light Of Meaning:

Old Man Gloom- Seminar IX- Darkness Of Being:

Elder- Omens:

Sparta- Trust The River:

End- Splinters From An Ever-Changing Face:

Killswitch Engage- Atonement II:

Horseneck- Fever Dream:

Loathe- I Let It In And It Took Everything:

Lamb Of God- Lamb Of God:

Nine Inch Nails- Ghosts V- Together:

Nine Inch Nails- Ghosts VI- Darkness:

Classic Soundtracks: Ransom

BILLY CORGAN - Rats - YouTube

The 1996 movie Ransom, has something very cool about it that a lot of people don’t know. Ready for this, there are seven songs written for the film that Billy Corgan wrote and performed on. Originally, Howard Shore wrote and recorded a full score for the film but Director Ron Howard rejected it and went with notable composer James Horner instead, who collaborated with Billy Corgan. As a result, there are 7 tracks written, produced and performed by Corgan that all appear on Ransom’s soundtrack; namely “Lizards,” “Rats,” “Rats With Tails,” “Spiders,” “Squirrels,” “Worms 1” and “Worms With Vocals.” The end result are these 7 songs that are pretty spectacular and badass. This is definitely worth checking out!

 

Band Of The Week: Filter

Filter releases politically charged new song from upcoming album ...

Normally, I use this topic to highlight unsigned or up and coming bands but, since they are now an “independent” band, I thought, why not expand upon this topic a bit. Filteris back with their first new song in four years. This new track “Thoughts and Prayers” is taken from the now defunct ReBus sessions that Richard Patrick and Brian Liesegang began working on before the whole Pledge Music debacle. The upcoming Filter album, entitled Murica is due out later this year. “Thoughts and Prayers” definitely has a Short Bus feel to it in parts as well as a bit of an Amalgamut vibe, especially because of the heavy guitar riff and it’s a pretty angry track as well. I’m looking forward to hearing more from this album. Richard has mentioned that he hopes to include a few other songs that he and Brian worked on for this upcoming album.

 
Filter- Thoughts and Prayers:

 

Guest Musician: Matt Heafy of Trivium

Trivium frontman Matt Heafy leaves band tour

Matt Heafy of Trivium is quite a prolific guitarist and vocalist. Through the years, when you listen back to Trivium’s early years till now, you can really tell how far he’s come and how his style has developed, especially vocally. I’m always curious to see what other bands people have guested on over the years and Matt has lent his talents a few times over time and here they are.

 

Ice Nine Kills- Stabbing In The Dark (Acoustic Version):

 

Ihsahn- Mass Darkness:

 

 
Metal Allegiance- Destination Nowhere:

 

 

Roadrunner United- The End:

 

On the Dragonforce album, Maximum Overload, Matt provided guest vocals on the songs “The Game”, “Defenders” and “No More”.

Best Guitar Solos: The Doors- When The Music’s Over

en) In The Style Of Robby Krieger

The Doors have long been a huge favorite of mine. They were one of the first bands I ever heard as a kid and have stuck with me since that point. When you look back at their catalog, there is a plethora of amazing songs hidden amongst all the songs you know. Even the ones you know, certain ones tend to become a bit underrated or under appreciated. For example “When The Music’s Over,” from their second album Strange Days, is definitely one that fits both that. Plus, on top of that, Robby Krieger’s guitar solo in this song, is superb. It’s got this amazing psychedelic sound that twists and turns in a way that slithers through your body, just as Jim Morrison would.

 

The Doors- When The Music’s Over:

 

Memorable Live Performances: The Smashing Pumpkins- Live At The Metro 1993

Soma - The Smashing Pumpkins [1993] - Live @ Metro HD. - YouTube

There are certain bands that when they come out, hit a mark with such a sense of vigor and prowess that each era of the band, leaves a lasting impression. Some people tend to become very attached to “that era” and it becomes their be all end all. The Smashing Pumpkins have so many different eras and shades of themselves that have created some very dominant ones for many fans. I will say that yes, there are certain favorites of mine but, a band like this, and so many other of their peers, have this ability to forever take you on a journey as they and you grow. The Smashing Pumpkins are definitely a band that will do just that. On the bands super deluxe version of the Siamese Dream anniversary edition, there is a DVD in there from a legendary show in the band’s hometown of Chicago, at the Metro. This is one hell of a show.

 

The Smashing Pumpkins- Live At The Metro 1993:

 

Deep Cuts: Thrice- The Flame Deluge

Thrice - The Alchemy Index, Vols. 1 & 2: Fire & Water - Amazon.com ...

One of the best things about putting your iPod on random is the ability to rediscover songs you forgot about. The other day while driving home from hanging out with a friend, a song came on that was perfect for the drive. Thrice has long been a favorite band of mine since I first heard The Illusion Of Safety. The song that hit me was “The Flame Deluge” from their Alchemy Index, Fire album. This song is the closing track on that part. It’s quite a beautiful song, and it channels some really cool influences from the likes of Isis and Pelican (which isn’t a surprise since Thrice has toured and played shows with them through the years). I’d personally love it if one day at a show of their that I’m at, they played this one. It would be quite an epic one for sure.

Thrice- The Flame Deluge: