Ever since A.F.I. released their new single “Behind The Clock” and their upcoming 12th studio album, Silver Bleeds The Black Sky, I’ve been on a bit of an A.F.I. kick. I went back through all their albums from the start till now and put them in quite the ranking. Some might surprise you while others I think are properly ranked. Silver Bleeds The Black Sun is out on October 3rd, so prepare yourselves. I have a really good feeling about this new album! *NOTE: Number 1 and 2 can be flipped. Just depends on my mood and the day!
EDIT: This album has been updated to include Silver Bleeds The Black Sun (10/15/25)
Over the last couple of years, Black Magnet has been a band I’ve become quite fond of. Each album has upped the ante of not just creating great industrial music but, has breathed new life into the genre. Which brings me to the album of the week, Black Magnet’s new record, Megamantra. If you are a fan of classic industrial a la Ministry, Godflesh, Broken/Downward era Nine Inch Nails then you will absolutely love Megamantra.
Black Magnet’s Megamantra is an album not for the faint of heart. This album is a hard charging, pummeling piece of work. The dark yet lush dynamics found on this record really captivate the listener. While the subject matter on the album is chock full of heavy and harsh realities, the songs are layered with an anthemic sensibility that packs obscene amounts of energy into each track. The guitars are razor sharp and the riffs hit you like a ton of bricks. The synth work on this album is on par with the likes of Nine Inch Nails and it creates an additional mood that compliments the hard driving riffs and thunderous drums (which are live- thank you Noah!!!). Throughout the 9 songs on the album, you can most definitely sense that this is a “complete album.” The whole album is a standout track. I implore you to listen to this album from start to finish.
James Hammontree, the bands founder, guitarist, and vocalist has put together a lineup for this album that truly explodes upon first listen. Compelling is a great way to describe this record. After listening to this album, one, you’ll more than likely want to start it over, because it’s that good, and two, you’ll really want to go see Black Magnet live. The way these songs flow into one another as well as the very direct approach in writing makes Megamantra one of the best albums of 2025. Black Magnet is a band for now and the future so make sure you connect with this one!
Episode 7 of The Audioeclectica Podcast has arrived! On this episode Brian and Justin delve into cover songs, supergroups covering their old bands songs, the “Rock Schools” and the way they teach kids or lack there of and so much more! So take a few moments out of your day and click your favorite link below and enjoy!
The other day I was going through my site making notes of things that I need to do. While doing so, I noticed that some of my articles especially the album ranks, are quite old and my thoughts on some of these have changed so I thought why not update these. One of the first ones that I thought of was Helmet. I’m still not over that show from earlier this year. It was seriously one of the best shows I’ve seen in a long time. Well, with that in mind, here’s an updated ranking of Helmet’s albums. And if you get the chance to go see Helmet live, GO!!! It will be one of the best decisions you’ll make!
From Not The Best To The Best:
09) Seeing Eye Dog:
08) Dead To The World:
07) Strap It On:
06) Monochrome:
05) Left:
04) Aftertaste:
03) Size Matters:
02) Betty*:
01) Meantime*:
*Note: Meantime and Betty could be flipped depending on the day!
These are never easy to write. Especially when it’s someone that has played a huge role in your musical upbringing. Ever since I was a little kid, Ozzy has been a staple in my musical life. From the first time I heard his solo work, well first I saw videos on MTV, it got me rather interested in his music. Then I heard about Black Sabbath when I was about 5 or 6 and that changed it all. Black Sabbath with Ozzy had this dark, menacing sound that was unlike anything else. From their debut through Sabotage, you really can’t go wrong with the Ozzy catalog of Sabbath. Even his solo work be it with Randy Rhodes, Jake E. Lee, Zakk Wylde, or others took heavy music to other levels. Ozzy was more than just a singer he was the epitome of what being a “frontman” is all about in a band. The way Ozzy could get the crowd really going was a sight to see all on its own. When you saw and Ozzy show or even Sabbath, you knew you were getting not only a show but a night that would be remembered forever. I had the pleasure of meeting Ozzy a couple times in my life and he was nothing but, genuine, nice and personable. It’s a huge loss for his family and fans across the world. There will never be another Ozzy and that’s how it should be. He was one of one! An inspiration and influence on so many and a legend that will never die! The fact that Ozzy got to perform one last time and go out on his own terms is quite the way to go! My condolences go out to the entire Osbourne family and all the bandmates, and fans everywhere.
It’s time for another fun episode of The Audioeclectica Podcast. We are now up to episode 6 and this one is all about the concerts we’ve been to since the start of the year. So far this year we’ve seen Snot, Kerry King, Helmet, Slomosa, Jerry Cantrell, Filter, Deftones, The Mars Volta, Danzig, Down, Abbath, Poison The Well, Glassjaw, Better Lovers, Meshuggah, Cannibal Corpse, Spiritbox, Obituary, Napalm Death, The Melvins, Six Feet Under and Nile. Take a listen as we recap the best parts of these show and the not so best parts!
Be sure to also check out the 10 bands/albums we mention. There’s always something good to listen to be it an older album or newer.
After a very long wait (as per usual with Deftones), we finally have arrived at new music! “My Mind Is A Mountain” is the first single and first track from the 10th studio album from Deftones. Private Music, will be released on August 22, 2025 and it’s definitely one that I’m highly anticipating. “My Mind Is A Mountain” contains all the elements that make Deftones who they are. This song in particular has the feel of what should have been the logical next step after Koi No Yokan. The band reunited with producer Nick Raskulinecz who previously worked with the band on Diamond Eyes and Koi No Yokan. The bands recent US tour showed a revitalized band and then truly firing on all cylinders once again! Here’s to a great new chapter for Deftones!
I’m not sure where or how Incubus popped in my head the other day. It was definitely out of nowhere and then suddenly I wound up with their song “Sick Sad Little World” playing in my head on repeat. I’ve always enjoyed this song. In fact I’d dare say it’s one of the best songs in the Incubus catalog. So, as it always tends to happen, I went down the rabbit hole of Incubus and remembered their captivating performance at Red Rocks in Colorado that happened during the A Crow Left Of The Murder tour cycle. This version of “Sick Sad Little World” is otherworldly and epic! The song is already epic by nature but with the extended version and added live goodies, it just makes the song so much better! Here’s to hoping Incubus can at least get back to this level on their upcoming new album!
Incubus- Sick Sad Little World (Live At Red Rocks / 2004):
Here we are on episode five now of The Audioeclectica Podcast! This has been a lot of fun and Justin and I hope you are enjoying our takes on music. This episode is quite the fun one as we delve into some “Hot Takes” that we’ve been thinking about and it gets rather funny. We discuss Dave Mustaine of Megadeth and his most recent interview that has the rock/metal world talking, as well as, fake fans wearing shirts of bands they don’t know anything about, the saga of As I Lay Dying and more. Also, Justin and I discuss 5 bands/albums we’ve been listening to that we highly recommend! So, pick your favorite place to stream your podcasts and have a blast listening to episode 5!
A little while back I brought up a band called Heavy Halo and I’ve been totally enthralled by them. Their distinctive sound that mixes electronic, industrial, alternative and a bit of goth makes for one hell of an enjoyable listen. Imagine if Nine Inch Nails, The Smashing Pumpkins, The Cure, and a dash of (early) New Order, put that all together and you get Heavy Halo. Their album Damaged Dream comes out on July 25 and it’s definitely one of the most anticipated albums for the rest of 2025 for me. There are so many different things to unpack when listening to this band and their album. One of the things that I love most is the use of melody throughout which brings a different light to the genre. The hooks found in the songs as well, drive home that there is more in these songs than just beats. Lyrically too, its a deeply reflective album that resonates in many different ways. July 25 can’t come soon enough so the rest of you can hear this album! Really stoked on what’s to come from this band and I still have hope that there will be a Los Angeles show in the near future because I need to see this live!
