Audioeclectica

COLLABORATIONS: SOULFLY & GREG PUCIATO- RISE OF THE FALLEN

I’ve been on a bit of a Soulfly kick as of late. I’ve got something really cool coming up that is Soulfly related but, you’ll just have to wait a moment for that! Part of what put me on this kick was my podcast co-host Justin doing a full Soulfly rewind review (which will be out on Sinisterreviews.wordpress.com shortly) and I went back through a few a few of my favorites. Also, Soulfly’s thirteenth studio album, Chama, comes out 11.24.25!! One of the albums I went back to was their seventh album, Omen. This record is an interesting one for a myriad of reasons. Logan Mader who would tour with Soulfly during the first album was the producer/engineer/mixer. Prong’s Tommy Victor lends his superb and very underrated guitar work to the song “Lethal Injection.” And the reason for this article is Greg Puciato of Better Lovers/The Black Queen/Killer Be Killed/ex The Dillinger Escape Plan, guests on the song “Rise Of The Fallen.” This track is a banger for sure. It’s got a really cool groove to it along with some great worldly textures and then you add in Greg’s vocals both aggressive and melodic and the combination is gold. Listening to this song you can hear how and why Killer Be Killed was formed. Max and Greg work like peanut butter and jelly! The picture at the top is of Greg and Max from the studio! And to end it on a positive note, this collaboration has happened live as well and it’s straight up vicious.

Soulfly with Greg Puciato- Rise Of The Fallen (LIVE):

Rise Of The Fallen (Album Version):

HARDCORNER: DENIAL OF LIFE

NEW TOPIC ALERT: HARDCORNER IS A TOPIC DEDICATED TO BANDS IN HARDCORE

The Pacific Northwest is a haven for great music. We all know about the Seattle explosion in the 90’s but, there is more to this area than just “grunge.” For years, even going back to the 90’s explosion, heavy music has always been part of the landscape up there. In particularly, Metal and Hardcore music. The legendary Botch is from here along with other great bands like These Arms Are Snakes, Akimbo, Filth Is Eternal and so many others. The scene up in this area is alive and well, let me tell you! There is a band from the Tacoma area that has caught my ear a bit the past couple weeks and they are called, Denial Of Life.

Denial Of Life is a metallic hardcore band that will punish your ears in the best way possible. Combining elements of speed and thrash a la Slayer, Sepultura and a bit of Swedish Death Metal courtesy of Entombed and At The Gates, making this an onslaught of audio! The culmination of their sound is menacing, dark, and uncompromising. Each member you can tell brings their own personal influence to the collective inspiration. Vocalist Brenna Gowin is a force of nature. Those screams will sink in for sure. Guitarists Logan Miller and Dante Zickler have that hardcore tandem down and with precision. Then there is the rhythmic assault of bassist Brian Bernard and drummer Nick Cody.

Personally I love bands that have crossover elements to bring together people that are into other bands and genres. The band was formed in 2019 and have already released a handful of singles, as well as their independent debut album, No Reason. Which I have to say is a very raw and pummeling record. Their upcoming new EP, Witness The Power will be out on November 7th via Creator-Destructor Records. The first single/video for “Circle The Drain” is beyond impactful. I keep finding myself starting it over each time I hear it.

Denial Of Life is a band I’ve got on my radar for sure! You can catch them on their West Coast tour with Shai Hulud starting November 5th through November 15th. Be on the lookout for the Witness The Power EP!!!

Denial Of Life- Circle The Drain:

More From Denial Of Life:

https://denialoflife.bandcamp.com/music

THOSE 90’S SONGS: COLLECTIVE SOUL- DECEMBER

The other day when I put together my Those 80’s Songs post, I had another song pop in my head but I couldn’t think of who it was. While out and about with my friend and podcast co-host Justin yesterday, the song and artist revealed itself to me. The band was Collective Soul and the song is “December.” You might very well recognize this songs as it was all over the radio in 1995. So much so that it reached number 21 on Top 40 radio too. You can find this song on the bands second album which is often referred to as their Blue Album. Another hit of theirs is found on this album, “The World I Know.” If you look into the history of Collective Soul, it’s quite interesting. From the amount of songs they’ve released as singles that we all know to even some deep cuts that have been in TV and Film. Collective Soul are definitely one of those 90’s bands that make you remember those times!

Collective Soul- December:

TRIBUTE: ACE FREHLEY

There are some people in the world that leave such a lasting impact on many and that legacy will hold on forever. When you look back at rock n’ roll history the band KISS, is without a doubt, one of the biggest inspirations to so many that have picked up an instrument or started a band. Yes, KISS had the makeup and schtick to really make it something else but the real deal was the music and the songs. I can’t help but think about the very first KISS album and how that really changed everything. The album cover with all four faces of Gene, Paul, Ace and Peter in their respective makeup. I can only imagine being a kid when that came out, going to the record store and buying it solely based on the cover art. Then you get it home and drop the needle down and track one is “Strutter?!” I mean how perfect does it get? As you listen through the first album, you hear banger song after another. From “Deuce,” “Cold Gin,” “Nothin’ To Lose,” “Let Me Know,” “100,000 Years,” and one of my all time favorite KISS songs, “Black Diamond.” When you speak of the best debut albums, this first KISS album has to be on the list and high up. The songs are there but, Ace Frehley really put his stamp on this album as well as all he played on. His guitar work is otherworldly. After all he is the “Spaceman.” The style he played with had such a swagger and looseness that really complemented Paul’s playing and the balance of rhythm between Gene and Peter. That Les Paul Ace had too, with the smoke coming out of it is so iconic. And how can you forget about his solos! While not “flashy” Ace played with a grace and freeness that only so many can. I had the great chance in 1998 on October 31st, to see KISS live at Dodger Stadium on their Reunion tour and for the Psycho Circus album. It was one of those shows I will always remember. A spectacle for damn sure but, KISS had a way a lot of the bands they inspired, to make you feel like you are right in front of the stage. I distinctly remember watching Ace that night and being in awe of the way he played and made it look so easy. Thank you Ace for all the years of great music, candidness and inspiring so many to pick up that instrument and start playing. Your impact and legacy is intact forever!

R.I.P. Paul Daniel “Ace” Frehley (April 27, 1951- October 16, 2025)!

Kiss:

Hotter Than Hell:

Dressed To Kill:

Rock And Roll Over:

Destroyer:

Love Gun:

Psycho Circus:

ALIVE:

ALIVE II:

ACE 1978 SOLO ALBUM:

ALBUM RANK: CHEVELLE

For the past few days I went on a bit of a deep dive with the band Chevelle. I’ve been enjoying their new album, Bright As Blasphemy, and it had been a while since I went through all their albums. Chevelle since they burst on to the scene in the early 2000’s, have been one of the most consistent rock bands. By that I mean, they have constantly been a solid live band that delivers a great live show and performance. Their albums have all been good while some have definitely surpassed others. And even their B-sides are damn good too. All in all Chevelle really is one of the most solid rock bands of the past 25 years. With that in mind, here’s n album rank of not their best to their best! Check out these albums if you haven’t yet or if you haven’t listened in a bit.

11) Point Number 1:

10) 12 Bloody Spies:

09) This Type Of Thinking Could Do Us In:

08) Vena Sera:

07) Hats Off To The Bull:

06) Wonder What’s Next:

05) The North Corridor:

04) Bright As Blasphemy:

03) Sci-Fi Crimes:

02) NIRATIAS:

01) La Gargola:

SONGS IN FILM: THE SMASHING PUMPKINS- 1979 in CLERKS 2

Today is a cold and rainy day in Southern California. When I woke up this morning and looked out my window and saw the rain falling, a song popped in my head and it was one of those “OH?!” moments. I’m not entirely sure what the “OH” was all about but the song that popped up was The Smashing Pumpkins “1979” from their amazing album, Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness. Still wrapping my head around that album being 30 years old now. Anyways, as “1979” played in my mind and I stared out the window it reminded me of this really poignant scene in Kevin Smith’s Clerks 2, that has Dante in a very deep contemplative state about his life. This is a perfect song for this scene and I can’t believe I forgot about it. Now I feel like watching all the Clerks movies again! Enjoy this scene and song because both are great!

The Smashing Pumpkins- 1979 in Clerks II:

ALBUM REVIEW: GREYHAVEN- KEEP IT QUIET

I’m always intrigued how people get into certain bands. I love hearing different ways people have found bands and all that. I’m no different when it comes to finding bands. A while back I heard a band that caught my attention and from that point I went out of my way to listen to as much as I could from said band. The band I’m talking about is Greyhaven and they have a badass new album out called Keep It Quiet. Now four albums deep into their career, Greyhaven have released an album that not only expands upon their heavy sound but opens the gate to so many fun little nuances.

Keep It Quiet feels like the album Greyhaven have been striving to make since their formation. The balance of heaviness, melodic, and delicate moments makes this a bold statement of an album. Each song hits at a different feeling/emotion which allows the music and vocals to sink into your mind and weave an intricate web of textures and directions. This album is what separates Greyhaven from the rest of the pack. The pace at which this album explodes is another treat. And the atmospheric vibe in the background gives the album an extra dose of air in between pummeling riffs, soaring screams and melodic vocals.

From start to finish, Keep It Quiet is as cohesive as the bands 2018 album Empty Black. Songs like “Burn A Miracle,” “Night In October,” “Technicolor Blues” and ” Shatter and Burst” are without a doubt some of the heaviest on the album. “Diamond To Diamond” and “Satellite In Love” are two of my favorite songs on the record. The delicate nature of these two tracks really play well into the melodic structure. “When The Light Leaves Us” and the closing track “Cemetery Sun” are two of the most epic songs on the album each containing fun twists and turns that leave you wanting to start those songs over and over again. Like I said, this album is very cohesive and it’s best to just listen from beginning to end.

One other thing I need to mention is the production by Will Putney. Will over the past decade has really become a go to producer/engineer to get the sounds that a ton of bands in the heavy music genres are after. The way that Will can get the right tone from the guitar and perfectly compliment it with the right bass and drum sounds makes my ears tingle. Keep It Quiet is chock full of sweet ear candy moments courtesy of Will and the way he helps bands bring out the best in them.

Greyhaven have been here a while but, Keep It Quiet needs to be talked about loudly. So much so that when you are playing this album it should be played loud too! I truly hope people out there get to hear this album. I’ve heard a lot of records this year and this one has really left a lasting impact on me. Take some time and give this a listen and let it sweep you off your feet!

Overall Rating: 9/10

Review By: Brian Lacy

Greyhaven-Keep It Quiet:

ALBUM OF THE WEEK: WITKIN- THINGS I MIGHT’VE SAID

In the world we live in today, it’s refreshing to hear music that takes you to a different time and place. That time and place could be at point that was more innocent or adventurous, or even a feeling that has stayed with you. All of these put together makes a great recipe for an album. The time it takes you to is around the mid/late 70’s when glam and punk are starting to become something substantial as well as transporting you to the mid 90’s when alternative music was taking off. With that in mind, I’d like to present the Album Of The Week, Witkin’s, Things I Might’ve Said.

Throughout the twelve songs found on the debut album, Veronica Witkin wears her heart on her glitzy sleeves. These songs pour out through the speakers in a way that is infectious and touching. Things I Might’ve Said is a poignant album that goes through the depths and despair of life be it depression, self loathing, losing the passion and then some. The music and lyrics that unfold throughout the album are uplifting in a very positive way that makes you want to start a new day. There is something about the way the hooks in the songs grab you. Each song has it’s own personality but, the uncanny passion and emotion delivered on these tracks is what keeps you engrossed. Musically I love the Bowie/T-Rex inspiration mixed with the best of 90’s alt rock. When you listen to the album there is a vibrant feeling mixed with the melancholy that shines quite bright. Of course there are rock songs found all throughout the Things I Might’ve Said but, the vulnerable more delicate songs really pull at the heartstrings.

I love debut albums like this. The kind of albums that you put it all out there and let yourself become who you are. Veronica Witkin and her band are definitely one to watch out for. Their live shows are chock full of fun and energy that spreads throughout the room. I personally can’t wait for Saturday October 18 at Bar10 At Corbin Bowl (in Tarzana) for Witkin’s Record Release Show! It’s going to be one hell of a fun and great night. Also playing are Vagabond, Seven 40 Seven, High Flight and Over Grip and it’s only $10! See you there and don’t forget to check out Witkin’s debut album, Things I Might’ve Said!!!

Overall Rating: 9/10

Stand Out Tracks: “Last Year’s Ashes,” “You’re So Cinematic,” “Don’t Call It A Cult,” “Drowning In The Gene Pool,” and “These Days”

Witkin- Things I Might’ve Said:

NEW MUSIC SPOTLIGHT: OCTOBER EDITION

I finally had the chance the other day to sit and check out a bunch of new music that was sent my way. Now some of these you might have already heard but, who cares, listen again! This is a pretty eclectic batch of bands and songs for you to check out! I hope you enjoy!

Lamb Of God- Sepsis:

Black Cross Hotel- Eyes From Nowhere:

Dead Heat- The Order:

Astronoid- Third Shot:

Powder Pink & Sweet- Raspberry Lime:

Forbidden- Mutally Assured Dysfunction:

Pupil Slicer- Nomad:

Deadly Apples- Sacrifice:

ALBUM REVIEW: AFI- SILVER BLEEDS THE BLACK SUN

AFI has long been a band that evolves a bit more with each album. For many albums now, AFI have been adding more and more goth elements to the music and on this new album (studio album number 12), Silver Bleed The Black Sun, they have just gone full on with it and the end result is absolutely splendid. This album leans all the way into the post-punk influences of bands like The Cure, Joy Division, Sisters Of Mercy, Bauhaus and more.

While the album is short in time with ten songs and clocking in at 35 minutes, there isn’t one ounce of filler or out of place anything on Silver Bleeds The Black Sun. What you have is one of their most cohesive albums since Burials (which is one hell of a great album). Each song evokes a certain mood and vibe making this a grand listening experience. From the way the album opens with the haunting “The Bird Of Prey” all the way through the very punk “NOONEUNDERGROUND,” it’s a non stop ride. The twists and turns found throughout make it chock full of ear candy and sweet surprises. There’s a really fun 80’s vibe throughout the album too that tinges on new wave without taking away the darkness. While the lyrics are of a contemplative and dark nature as they would be courtesy of Davey Havok, musically Jade Puget, Hunter Burgan and Adam Carson have pushed past any preconceived notions of what they’ve done before and brought a very invigorating sound that is vibrant and alive while at the same time eerie and full of bite.

I could have gone track by track but I truly believe that takes away from the listening experience. Instead, put this album on and let it just take you where it needs to go. A band like AFI is quite interesting in that they never want to stay in one place for too long and get complacent. One of the things I’ve genuinely loved about this band is their willingness to take chances and explore all that they enjoy. I’ve said to people many times over the years that AFI is one of those bands that you should give a chance to even if it isn’t your normal cup of tea. Silver Bleeds The Black Sun is one of the best albums of 2025.

Overall Rating: 9/10

Stand Out Tracks: Blasphemy & Excess, Spear Of Truth, A World Unmade, NOONEUNDERGROUND

Review By: Brian Lacy

AFI- SILVER BLEEDS THE BLACK SUN: