AWOL Nation

NEW MUSIC FRIDAY: 10/24/25

There’s always so much music being released these days it’s hard to keep up with it all at times. Luckily, you all have me to sort through it all and deliver the good stuff! As always, this batch of bands and albums is quite the eclectic one. This New Music Friday has all sorts of rock, metal, hardcore, electronic, and indie. Do check out all these bands and if they are playing near you, go see them and support your scene! At the end of the day there is no scene if there are no people there! Enjoy these picks and remember to always, Listen Eclectically! – Brian

01) The Anti-Groupies- Pretty Vicious:
The Anti-Groupies are the real deal! I’ve been a fan for quite a bit now and it’s been a blast to watch their growth not just as a live band but as songwriters. Their debut album, Pretty Vicious, is out now and it’s a righteous slab of rock. It’s got the attitude and charisma of the 90’s, a fun playfulness that has a late 70’s early 80’s glam/punk rock vibe a la Blondie and Joan Jett and a style that is bombastic. The Anti-Groupies are one of those bands that will kick you in the teeth when you see them. The fun aspect of seeing this band is there along with the feeling of wanting to mosh. Give Pretty Vicious a spin!! And on November 15 come out to The Cobalt Presents show at Bar10 at Corbin Bowl and see The Anti-Groupies live for the Highwire Daze Magazine 35th Anniversary Show!


02) Au Jus- Very Well, Then:
I find myself at times being quite intrigued with what the kids are doing musically these days. It’s been fun to watch a new generation of kids get into the things I grew up on. Sometimes there are a few bands that can capture a certain artsy essence of that time. With that in mind, let me introduce you to Au Jus and their album, Very Well, Then. This album is very much in the 90’s alternative vein with that introspective touch to it. It’s got a sort of The Smashing Pumpkins vibe mixed with Blind Melon. So it’s sort of whimsical and spacey with some sprinkles of psychedelia and shoegaze. Give Very Well, Then a spin and see where it takes you! You can catch Au Jus live Saturday October 25 at The Cobalt Presents Show at Hotel Ziggy!!


03) The Barbarians Of California- Pseudo Intellectuals Are Hating On My Band (Pure Power):
Ever since I heard The Barbarians Of California I’ve been hooked. It’s been great to hear Aaron Bruno back in the hardcore realm of things. I grew up in the same area as Aaron and watching his old band Insurgence along with a slew of others like Counterveil, Homemade and others was a blast. So it’s been really fun and a bit nostalgic to have this band around. The Barbarians released a new song recently that also features Keith Buckley of Many Eyes/ex Every Time I Die. This is just one of those really fun sing along hardcore songs. It’s infectious! That’s the word I was trying to come up with. Enjoy this one!!


04) God Alone- The Beep Test:
I love when I get sent things that I have zero about and I just put it on and then it’s game on! That’s what happened when I checked out Cork, Ireland’s, God Alone and their album, The Beep Test. It’s this crazy amalgamation of math rock, hardcore, punk, electronics and dance. I know, what? But seriously it all works quite well. The experimental nature of the album leaves you really wanting to delve into it more and more. There is so much to unpack in a glorious way, like opening presents on your birthday. I don’t want to say too much of it will give away the fun. Just put this album on and dance your feet off!


05) Jet Black Iris- How Sweet Is The Taste Of Your Infection?:
A while back a band hit me up about playing a show with The Cobalt Presents. As I always do, I checked out the band and could definitely hear something I liked. So I booked them and DAMN! Jet Black Iris really captured my attention. Firstly, the sound of the band is chock full of things I love. There’s the 90’s quiet/loud vibe but more so in the Failure way, then you add in a really cool Post-Punk element a la Joy Division as well as Interpol (mainly their first 2 albums), and then a punk vibe that sits in that metallic/melodic spot. Put all that together and you really do have one hell of a sound and Jet Black Iris definitely takes flight! Their debut album, How Sweet Is The Taste Of Your Infection?, is ten songs of pure passion poured out onto tape (well the computer these days). Jet Black Iris has fast become one of my favorite new bands. Come see them live Saturday October 25 at The Cobalt Presents Show at Hotel Ziggy!!


06) Motherless- Do You Feel Safe?:
More often than not, I’m usually in a heavy music mood. Depending on my mood depends on the level of heavy. The other day I wanted something that was HARD! So I went through my list of things to check out and put on the album Do You Feel Safe? by Motherless. After listening the eight song album, I knew I found what I was looking for and I put it on again. Punishing! That’s what this album is. It’s Metal, its got Hardcore sprinkled all over as well as dashes of Black Metal, Sludge and Doom! Motherless features members of The Atlas Moth (if you haven’t heard their album Coma Noir, you really should) and Without Waves. This album is quite intense and like I said, punishing (in the best way possible)!


07) Puscifer- Self Evident:
I’ll admit, I haven’t been the biggest fan of Puscifer. There are songs I do like a lot but, for some reason it jus wasn’t connecting with me. Then a few months ago, I sat down to do some other work and put all the Puscifer albums on and found myself enjoying it a lot more than before. So when the news came out the other day that after five years, come February 6, 2026 via Alchemy Recordings, we will get a new Puscifer album called, Normal Isn’t. This new album is supposed to align more with the Post-Punk/Goth side of the bands collective influences. The first single “Self Evident” is just that, it’s dipped and swirled in post-punk. I’m sure Beavis and Butthead would be happy with one of the lyrics too!


08) Trace Amount Featuring Fatboi Sharif- Seeing God On The L Train:
Over the past few years, I’ve been interested in where all the electronic music is going. There are so many sub-genres to it now that it almost seems made up. There are certain ones though that I’ve taken a liking too. The apocalyptic/atmospheric soundscapes with what seems like post-industrial beats has caught my ear. One artist that I’ve really enjoyed that does this style is Trace Amount (aka Brandon Gallagher). I got to see Trace Amount a few years ago open for Greg Puciato’s solo tour and Brandon’s set was one of those that set a tone sort of foreshadowed the craziness of the night. This new track though is pretty rad in that the sparce sound accompanied by the vocal deliver of Fatboi Sharif makes this a trippy song!

NEW MUSIC: SEPTEMBER EDITION

I’ve been a bit behind on a ton of releases so I thought why not put a whole bunch of good stuff into one place. Part of the fun of Audioeclectica is the opportunity to share all sorts of different music/genres with you all. This batch is one of the most eclectic ones in quite a while. You’ve got rock, metal, alternative, and more. Enjoy these and let me know what you’re digging!

SINGLES:

The Barbarians Of California- Modern Fashion:

Last year The Barbarians Of California released their debut album, And Now I’m Just Gnashing My Teeth. It’s a total awesome throwback to the mid/late 90’s hardcore. Reminds me a bit of Snapcase, Strife and some other gems from the time. Their new single, “Modern Fashion,” is an absolute banger! Definitely check this out! Also it’s great to have Aaron Bruno and Eric Stenman back together! I grew up in the same area of these guys and their early hardcore bands were always a blast to hear and see!

Foreign Film- Santa Clara:

Are you a fan of the band Will Haven? If so then you’ll dig this for sure. Even if you aren’t a fan of Will Haven, I think you will dig Foreign Film. Made up of members of Will Haven, Foreign Film is a departure from the pulsating heaviness and instead brings about a most atmospheric and soundscape textured sound to the table. Combining influences like The Cure, Pink Floyd, Hum, and more, you can definitely hear the more cinematic approach to this. Really looking forward to more of this!

Greyhaven- Cemetery Sun:

Greyhaven is band I’ve recently gotten into. Really dig the heaviness of the band and the little intricacies found throughout the songs. There are moments when I listen to them that it reminds me of Every Time I Die with a bit more melody. This new song “Cemetery Sun” is a ripping track with soaring melodies and a whole vibe on its own. Their new album, Keep It Quiet is out October 10. Definitely be on the lookout for this one.

Paz Lenchantin- Hang Tough:

This is exciting. Paz Lenchantin formerly of A Perfect Circle, Zwan and Pixies is going to be releasing her debut solo album, Trieste, on October 17. If you are familiar with Paz, you know she is beyond talented. On her debut album, Paz mixes some really cool elements to make music that is very much aligned with a particular vibe. There’s rock throughout but the addition of folk, Latin, strings along with the drums of Josh Freese and guitars of Troy Van Leeuwen, makes this a really interesting one to vibe out to.

Soul Blind- Hide Your Evil:

A little while back a friend of mine suggested I check out Soul Blind, and after doing so, I was hooked. If you are searching for a new band that really gets the 90’s sound in the right wat, Soul Blind is the one! This new track find the band embracing new ground by delving into some post-hardcore territory a la Quicksand and Deftones. Their new album, Red Sky Mourning, is out October 10.

ALBUMS:

Boneflower- Reveries:

I love when I listen to a band without knowing anything about them and it being awesome. That’s what happened when I first heard Reveries by Boneflower. The sheer intensity really drives this album. It’s chock full of emotion and musically the dynamic shapes makes for a very fun listen. If you’ve heard of the band Birds In Row, this band is for you! Definitely check out Boneflower and this album!

Chevelle- Bright As Blasphemy:

Chevelle is one of those bands that is quite consistent on releasing solid heavy rock albums. While this one might not be groundbreaking it’s still a really good album. Throughout the 9 tracks it’s very apparent that Chevelle is experimenting a bit with some different styles and textures. If the last album was the album Tool should’ve made, this new one is more in line with A Perfect Circle meets Helmet. There one song in particular that has me playing it on repeat and that track is called “Hallucinations.” What a great song! If you just want a solid heavy rock album, check out Bright As Blasphemy.

In Transmission- Betterment:

The post-hardcore genre has undergone a lot of changes over the years but, the one constant about the genre is the music is always emotionally charged and hard driving. And when I heard In Transmission’s new EP, that is exactly what I heard while at the same time adding a much deeper approach with atmospheric sounds to expand the space. Produced by Beau Burchell, Betterment is a record that shows much growth in the band as well as being songwriters. I really enjoy this one and think you will too.

Lucie Sue- Battle Station:

I’m always on the lookout for new music and the other day I got sent an album that again, I knew nothing about the artist and when I put it on, I immediately knew I was in for a treat. Lucie Sue is a force of nature for sure. Musically it’s got a punk rock edge, with a dash of Motely Crue swagger and sleeve, and a whole lot of 90’s attitude a la L7 or even Hole. Battle Station is one hell of a record that’s full of raw ferocity and razor sharp teeth that cuts through all the bullshit. I’ve been really enjoying this album and hope there’s a US tour soon!