Band Of The Week: Horseneck

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For years now, there has been something in the water up in Sacramento, CA. The town has given us some of the best bands of the last 25 years in Deftones, Far, and Will Haven to name a few. But it doesn’t just stop there. There is another band that’s come about in the last couple years that are undoubtedly leaving their own mark on the towns musical history. I’m talking about Horseneck and these guys have ridden onto the stage with one hell of a bang. Their new album, Fever Dream, is one hell of a record and this band is seriously delivering the goods. Horseneck features former ‪Will Haven guitarists Anthony Paganelli and Lance Jackman, bassist Lennon Hudson, and current Chelsea Wolfe drummer Jess Gowrie. According to the band, the follow-up to 2017’s Heavy Trip (which is one hell of a fun album too), was a more collaborative process with all four individuals contributing more to the lyrics and music. Having spent over a year writing and refining the work, the result is a righteous slab of rockin heaviness that should be played loud. Fever Dream is a heavy rock record through and through with bits of a post-hardcore/stoner rock vibe, which gives it the variety it needs to truly be a stand out album. Horseneck is the type of band that people need to be listening to and telling everyone about! Giddy up for the ride!!!
Horseneck- Fever Dream:

 

Horseneck- Heavy Trip:

Cover Song: Mad Season (John Lennon)- I Don’t Want To Be A Soldier

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While on my way to work this morning and enjoying the shuffle of my iPod, I came across a song I haven’t heard in a minute. At first I didn’t recognize it because it had been so long since I listened to it but, after a few seconds, it all came back to me. Now, I will share it with you all. Here’s Mad Season’s cover of John Lennon’s “I Don’t Want To Be A Soldier.”  I also find this song very interesting for the times we live in now.

Mad Season- I Don’t Want To Be A Soldier:

 

 

Title Tracks: The Dillinger Escape Plan

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In all my years as a music fan, there is something I’ve really come to understand. When you name your album after a song on your album, there is a pretty good reason for that. The “Title Track” is a very interesting song on the album let alone the one that, really brings it all together in a way. Some bands certainly have nailed it over the years like The Dillinger Escape Plan. When you listen to these tracks and their respective albums, you can definitely understand why the album was titled after it. Here are the ones that The Dillinger Escape Plan have put out. Take a listen and let it sink in.

Calculating Infinity:

 

One Of Us Is The Killer:

 

Dissociation:

 

Secret Songs: Placebo- Black Market Blood

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Placebo are no strangers to the hidden track, as their first three albums each had one at their respective ends. The two on their first two records were more experimental, instrumental songs, but on Black Market Music, there is an actual song. It’s a slow burner of a song and you can sort of get a glimpse of where the band was headed with their next album on it. The song “Black Market Blood” is one of the best songs in Placebo’s catalog and the best song on this album. It’s got all the elements that make the band who they are. It sure would be great to hear them play this one live one day.

Placebo- Black Market Blood:

 

New Release: Greg Puciato- Fire For Water

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Greg Puciato from The Black Queen and The Dillinger Escape Plan is gearing up to release his first solo album this summer entitled Child Soldier: Creator Of God (via Federal Prisoner). This album finds Greg tackling the bulk of the instruments on the record with the exception of the drums which were taken on by former Dillinger Escape Plan drummer Chris Pennie. The first song from this new venture, “Fire For Water” is a pretty killer and badass song. It’s got a bit of a vibe you’d recognize from his Dillinger days but, also a nice side of Nine Inch Nails/Godflesh, and Alice In Chains too.

To elaborate on the album, Greg has stated, “I started writing in May or so of 2019, for what I thought would be the next Black Queen album, except that’s not at all what came out. So, just like with everything else that’s been born from necessity, it felt like the right time to create a home for anything that I do that didn’t fit neatly under any other existing roof. The misfits needed a place to go. This particular song came out really quickly. I guess it’s me reclaiming and owning the abrasive part of me. This whole album is, in a way, a very extreme statement of ownership.” Personally, I’m beyond stoked for this. I have a feeling this album is going to be one hell of an experience.

Greg Puciato- Fire For Water:

 

Band Of The Week: Contranistas

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The music world these days is full of interesting combinations. There are endless possibilities as to where you can take things as well as the countless different bands and styles you can take inspiration and influence from. In the rock world, electronic music has really become a prevalent force in where things are headed. So many bands have jumped on the bandwagon of using electronic elements but, so many of them really don’t know how to properly incorporate it into their sound the right way. Which brings me to the band of the week. Contranistas, a two piece band from Bakersfield, CA, have been developing a pretty fun and unique way to incorporate the electronic element along with some other cool styles like Post-Punk, Indie, and just straight up rock. By using a plethora of pedals and effects along with their collective influences, Contranistas have taken their inspired sound to new heights of loud, gloomy, psychedelic and a bit dancey. Dax Dominguez (bass/guitar/synth/loops) and Robert Morgan (drums/percussion) are packing quite a punch together and have made something that stands out among the generic and tired old electronic sounds you’d find in rock music today.

 

Contranistas- Xylonox:

Contranistas- Mantra:

 

 

New Release: Trivium- Catastrophist

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On April 24, Trivium will be releasing their new album (and 9th all together), What The Dead Men Say. Today though, the band has released the first single from the record, Catastrophist. This song is definitely a Trivium song through and through, with the riffs, blasts and a good amount of melody.  Personally, I’m interested to see where this new album goes. I quite enjoyed their last album, The Sin and Sentence, so this one should continue to build on that.

Trivium- Catastrophist:

 

Best Guitar Solos: Van Halen- Eruption

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This topic is quite fun to do. Going back and listening to these songs, especially the solos, has been pretty cool. When you really take the time to listen to the structure of the solo and how it’s played, it’s no wonder these are considered the best of all time. Obviously, this topic can’t go on without acknowledging “Eruption” by Van Halen. So here it is.
Van Halen- Eruption:

 

 

Deep Cuts: The Dillinger Escape Plan- Phone Home

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Back in 2004, when The Dillinger Escape Plan released their second album, Miss Machine, it saw the band move in a more experimental direction. Due to the band previously collaborating with Mike Patton and welcoming in new singer Greg Puciato, the influences from both began to rub off on the band. While Calculating Infinity was a straight up assault, Miss Machine had something more to offer like slower tempos, more dynamics, clean vocals, as well as an electronic/industrial tinge and jazz fusion elements. One such song that has always caught my attention on the album is the track “Phone Home.” This song has a very Nine Inch Nails feel to it. Which is perhaps why I’ve always been drawn to it. Take a couple mins and enjoy this deep cut from one of the most creative bands of the last 20 years.

 

The Dillinger Escape Plan- Phone Home:

 

Band Of The Week: Justin Stewart Cotta

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I’ve always enjoyed when a member of a band you really dig, steps away from the comforts of their group and spreads their wings with different projects. After some time away from his previous group, former Memento singer, Justin Stewart Cotta has returned with another stellar collection of songs. The 5 songs that make up this new self titled EP are full of the emotional prowess that Justin was known for in Memento as well a bit of a dramatic tinge from his time on stage in his native Australia. These songs are introspective and full of charm. My favorite song as of this writing is “Stranger.” There is something truly hauntingly beautiful about this song. The lyrics and melody along with the piano, dissident guitar, and subtle drums (all of which are played by the esteemed Kellii Scott of Failure) really make this come alive. I personally am looking forward to hearing more from Justin. And it would be pretty awesome if there was some new Memento in the near future too.
Justin Stewart Cotta: