audioeclectica

THE SCORE: JOHN CARPENTER- REVENGE; FROM CATHEDRAL

Scoring films and John Carpenter are a match made in film and scoring delight. For years now, John has not only written and directed some of the coolest and best horror and Sci-fi films. His score work has long been regarded and influential to so many.

Currently, John Carpenter is releasing his first original graphic novel entitled, Cathedral. And since it’s John Carpenter it’s more than just that, it’s an audio/visual companion project. The album’s soundtrack finds John Carpenter and longtime band mates Cody Carpenter (synths) and Daniel Davies (guitar) providing the soundtrack for an elevated, spine tingling, dark and ominous experience. Each track on the album aligns with a chapter of the graphic novel, with liner notes guiding listeners through the story. 

The soundtrack is signature Carpenter with a more metal leaning sound and tone. “Revenge” hits at both and includes a few fun twists that peaks your interest.

Cathedral is out now and the soundtrack is out on August 07, 2026!

Revenge:

Cathedral Soundtrack/Score:

ANTICIPATED ALBUMS: OCEAN SLEEPER- PEACE WHEN I’M DEAD

Discovering a new band that you don’t expect is one of the best things. It could be a riff, melody, lyric, or random part that connects. No matter what it is, the feeling of finding a new band to enjoy is something else. With that in mind let me introduce you to, Ocean Sleeper.

Hailing from Australia, the home of the one and only Silverchair (yes, I know there are plenty of other Aussie bands. Silverchair was fucking awesome)! Ocean Sleeper formed in 2016 and have been honing their metalcore meets post-hardcore sound since. Now on their second album, Peace When I’m Dead, Ocean Sleeper have upped the stakes.

Armed with songs that evoke emotion, a heaviness that makes you bang your head and a crisp melodic sensibility, Ocean Sleeper will keep you awake and demand your attention. The most recent single “My Forever Drug” is addictive as it’s catchy but deep. When the chorus hits, it soars. You just have to listen. The title track “Peace When I’m Dead” screams urgency right out of the gate. “Break The Cycle” hits like broken glass against the wall. The impact of this song really gets your blood pumping.

Peace When I’m Dead arrives August 21 via Rise Records. Be on the lookout for Ocean Sleeper!

My Forever Drug:

Peace When I’m Dead:

Break The Cycle:

ALBUM REVIEW: MACHINEKIT- BODY WITHOUT ORGANS

The thought of experimentation and exploration within music swings like a pendulum. Each side has its own distinct sound and feel just like Machinekit’s new EP, Body Without Organs. In a fun metaphorical sense, perhaps each organ that is missing represents the style of the music.

Across five intense and almost primitive songs, Machinekit mastermind, John Rojas, emits a mixture of electro-punk, jazz, industrial, doom, and darkwave all in a raw nature. This is where the primitive sense comes in. The vocals tear through skin and pull at your own organs. The way the songs have a visual impact gives the EP an even darker and tortured feel. The instrumentation here is direct and given a clear mission to teeter the line of precision and avant-garde.

When a release like Body Without Organs arrives, it might take a minute to fully grasp what is happening. Go with it! As each song pulls you in a twist, there’s more to uncover with each listen.

Review By: Brian Lacy

Machinekit- Body Without Organs:

SONG OF THE WEEK: LVX- SUPPLICANT

The evolution of electronic music has made for some truly intriguing and interesting music. When you hear an artist of band in this genre that really hits you, it’s a different feeling than that of a metal or rock band. It’s filled more with a pulsating and ethereal vibe. And on the latest release from Justin Hanson aka LVX, is just that and more.

“Supplicant” is a track that explores a haunting cinematic universe mixed with a prog sense that has tinges of post punk and goth. The real drums give it a very human feeling that strikes at the right chords to make a very intimate and intense track. The additional guitar parts courtesy of Paul D’Amour adds an extra layer of depth to “Supplicant.”

LVX is one to keep your ears and eyes on! I know I am!!

LVX- Supplicant:

SONGS IN FILM: THE SMASHING PUMPKINS- DOOMSDAY CLOCK IN TRANSFORMERS

Back in 2007 when the Michael Bay Transformers movie was about to come out, it was a big deal. Technology in film had finally reached a point where a live action Transformers movie would actually look good and hopefully be good as well. The end result was a decent movie that gave us all Megan Fox!

The soundtrack to the movie though is probably better than film. The Smashing Pumpkins, Linkin Park, Idiot Pilot, HIM, The Used, Disturbed and more. The Smashing Pumpkins song featured was “Doomsday Clock” from their very underrated 2007 album, Zeitgeist. When it’s used in the movie it’s in a very great spot and its riff heavy intro is a great use of the song in an action scene.

Enjoy this great song from The Smashing Pumpkins!

The Smashing Pumpkins- Doomsday Clock In Transformers (2007):

The Smashing Pumpkins- Doomsday Clock:

END OF ALBUM SONGS: HELD- EMPTINESS: A SIDE EFFECT

The moment I first heard the full album of Held’s debut Grey, I knew it was record that was beyond true and passionate. But there was another moment during the listen that has stood out since. When the last song came on, it hit like a right hook out of nowhere. “Emptiness: A Side Effect” upped the level of heartfelt intensity as well as the epic nature of the music, vocal, lyrics and arrangement.

When the chorus came in and these lyrics were sung;

“I am the negative of nurture and the hate of the pure
I am the side effect of every side effect you ignore,”

that was the moment that became not just profoundly poetic and beautiful, it became a mantra. Then you add in the way it’s sung by vocalist/guitarist Douglas Robinson, and it’s the absolute cherry on top. Bassist Sal Mignano and drummer Josh Eppard’s rhythm will legitimately make your heart start pounding while the guitar plays off the delicate and more emotional parts of the song.

Songs like “Emptiness: A Side Effect” are what makes being a music enthusiast and music writer an absolute pleasure. I look forward to the day I get to see Held live and I hope that this song gets its live due!

By: Brian Lacy

Emptiness: A Side Effect:

Held- Grey:

SONG OF THE WEEK: EMMA RUTH RUNDLE- ENOUGH

Artistic expression through poetry and music are so synonymous its second nature at this point. The ones that make truly unique and meaningful work always seem to evoke a very intrinsic feeling that washes over the listener. One such great example is Emma Ruth Rundle. Throughout her career, she’s consistently found a way to not only keep you intrigued but also makes you listen. In her upcoming new album, These Killing Times, Emma ushers in another dimension of her art. The latest single “Enough,” is epic and grabbing. There’s a whimsical twist that creates an incredible feeling within the song. The pulsating rhythms mixed with the nuanced melodic sensibility, makes this a great song.

These Killing Times arrives on September 18!

Emma Ruth Rundle- Enough:

SHOW PREVIEW: THE COBALT PRESENTS- 5 YEAR ANNIVERSARY PT. 3

For those of you that don’t know, over the past five years, it’s been an absolute pleasure to be a part of the new Cobalt Cafe. What started off as a one off to celebrate the thirtieth anniversary of the Cobalt in 2021, has turned into five fantastic years of The Cobalt Presents. While the old Cobalt is closed, “Cobalt” Dave and I found a new way to make it feel like you are there still. These three anniversary shows take place at two of the venues we’ve been able to make into a new Cobalt, (so to speak) when we are there, Corbin Bowl in Tarzana and Hotel Ziggy in Hollywood.

Part 3 of The Cobalt Presents Five Year Anniversary shows takes place on Saturday July 25 at Hotel Ziggy. We have a lineup of 5 great bands that are from the new era of Cobalt bands!

Starting off the night is Olya K brining with her a fun vibe of alternative music with a pop tinge.

Then we move into Tempermental. If Japanese Anime and Josie and the Pussycats morphed and came to life, you’d get Tempermental!

Smack in the middle is the up and coming band Gerbil. Take parts 90’s alt rock, a dash of OC skate punk/ska from the mid 90’s and mid 00’s garage rock and you have the recipe for Gerbil rocking!

You know that saying great things come in small packages?! Well that’s one way to describe the very talented Ayva. Don’t let the smile fool you, this girl and her band absolutely rock. Equal parts melodic and heavy. Ayva is definitely one to watch.

Speaking of a band to watch, if you don’t know Minor Strut yet, you are missing out. As one of the best up and coming bands in Southern California, it’s best to make sure you see this band live! Be sure to watch their full headline set!

See You There!!!

NEW RELEASE: HATEBREED- KILL COUNT INCREASE

After six years, Hatebreed are back with a brand new album. On November 06, Fatal Paradox will be unleashed. “Kill Count Increase” the first single is also track one on the record and set things off with a bang. The song itself is an all out heavy blast of metal and hardcore. This is a great crossover sound and song. Jamey Jasta sounds superb and aggressive as all hell. The album was produced by longtime collaborator Chris “Zeuss” Harris. Very much looking forward to this record!

Hatebreed- Kill Count Increase:

ALBUM RANK: STATIC-X

For well over twenty five years now, “Evil Disco,” Static-X’s brand of music has been a consistent source of fun in music. Personally, I remember seeing them live way back in 1998 before their debut album, Wisconsin Death Trip was released. And all the way up through Start A War, going to see Static-X live was always a great time. The new “reunion” while it hits at a fun bit of nostalgia, feels a bit off putting. Which is why those two albums are not included here on Audioeclectica’s definitive album ranking of Static-X’s six studio albums. R.I.P. Wayne Static!

ALBUM RANK: STATIC-X

06) CULT OF STATIC:

05) SHADOW ZONE:

04) CANNIBAL:

03) START A WAR:

02) WISCONSIN DEATH TRIP:

01) MACHINE: