Groove Metal

TITLE TRACKS: SYLOSIS- A SIGN OF THINGS TO COME

For the past year, there’s been a band that’s been in constant rotation through my stereo. They are also one of those bands that have gotten better and better with each album. The band is Sylosis and while I’m quite enjoying their new album, The New Flesh, it’s their previous album, A Sign Of Things To Come that’s been the one on constant rotation.

While it’s not as thrashy as their earlier albums, Sylosis really moved into this new territory with a seamlessness that really just goes to show how much evolution has been achieved through the years to this point. The title track “A Sign Of Things To Come” almost feels like it should have been track one. The push and pull of melodic aspects into barreling heaviness brings you to attention. Vocally it’s got bite and an attitude that spits venom. Musically it’s grabbing without being overly catchy. The sum of all the parts together make this a great song. The live versions of it too add even more grit to an already punishingly beautiful song.

Sylosis- A Sign Of Things To Come:

Sylosis- A Sign Of Things To Come (Live):

TITLE TRACKS: CHIMAIRA- THE IMPOSSIBILITY OF REASON

Every band has an album in their catalog that is a complete game changer for them. Interestingly more often than not, the title tracks for these albums are the song that encapsulates the change.

In May of 2003, Chimaira released their second album, The Impossibility Of Reason. When it came out it turned the heavy music circles into quite the frenzy. What was more in vein with their previous album is now flipped into a groove driven, metal and hardcore style that truly came when heavy music needed it.

“The Impossibility Of Reason” is found at track two and immediately punches you in the face. The hits keep coming as the verse goes fast and groovy. The chorus is a slower groove that is mosh inducing. The harmonizing solo in the bridge that takes you into the end of the song could have been pulled from the mid 80’s thrash era. The lyrics and vocals come at you with aggression and are delivered in a very strong and therapeutic manner.

The album The Impossibility Of Reason is a modern metal masterpiece. Almost twenty five years later and it still sounds fresh and alive. With Chimaira being active to a degree these days, it sure would be great to have an anniversary tour of the album when the time comes! Just putting that out in the universe!

Chimaira- The Impossibility Of Reason:

ALBUM RANK UPDATED: SEVENDUST

For well over 30 years and 15 albums now, Sevendust has been a consistent force in rock music. There is no denying the impact they’ve had on so many bands that came after them. By mixing heavy riffs, hard charging rhythms, melody and soul, Sevendust truly carved their own niche in the rock music world. What’s even more interesting is how much the creative juices flow with this band. It’s currently 2026 and Sevendust just released their 15th studio album and it’s a very welcome return to form that made them the titans they are. With that all in mind now, here’s the Audieclectica Definitive Album Rank for Sevendust.

ALBUM RANK: SEVENDUST:

15) CHAPTER VII: HOPE AND SORROW:

14) TRUTH KILLER:

13) NEXT:

12) BLOOD AND STONE:

11) TIME TRAVELERS AND BONFIRES:

10) ALL I SEE IS WAR:

09) BLACK OUT THE SUN:

08) KILL THE FLAW:

07) ONE:

06) COLD DAY MEMORY:

05) ALPHA:

04) SEVENDUST:

03) ANIMOSITY:

02) SEASONS:

01) HOME:

ALBUM RANK UPDATED: MACHINE HEAD

When the urge to listen to a band comes, more often than not, the want to go through the whole catalog comes with it. While it had been a minute since a few of these have been listened to, the Machine Head catalog is still one hell of a good one. And now the updated Audioeclectica Album Rank for Machine Head.

MACHINE HEAD ALBUM RANK:

11) UNATONED:

10) CATHARSIS:

09) SUPERCHARGER:

08) UNTO THE LOCUST:

07) BLOODSTONE & DIAMONDS:

06) THE BURNING RED:

05) OF KINGDOM AND CROWN:

04) THROUGH THE ASHES OF EMPIRES:

03) THE MORE THINGS CHANGE:

02) THE BLACKENING:

01) BURN MY EYES:

TRACK ONE: SEPULTURA- REFUSE/RESIST

This year the Cavalera brothers went on tour to celebrate their album, Chaos A.D. This is my all time favorite Sepultura album. I love this record. It’s heavy, brutal, full of great ear candy moments, and the mix on it is superb. I honestly thought when I was a kid and even today, that if Sepultura had kept expanding upon this sound and style by adding just a tinge of melody, they’d have been global giants! But that’s a topic and subject for a whole other time. Instead lets focus on track one of Chaos A.D. and that is “Refuse/Resist.” There are so many great track one’s and this song is definitely one of them. The groove on this song is beyond awesome. Interestingly, “Refuse/Resist” was the fourth single to be released from this album. It’s still a live staple to this day, even in Sepultura now, as well as with Max and Igor when they tour. Another fun tidbit is the beginning intro features the heartbeat of Max’s then unborn son, Zyon, who now plays with Max in Soulfly. You really can’t go wrong with Chaos A.D. and to have “Refuse/Resist” kick it off?! Now that’s a banger!

Sepultura- Refuse/Resist:

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):

TRACK ONE: SOULFLY- EYE FOR AN EYE

I’m sure for a lot of you starting the week off can be a bit of a struggle. Dragging ass is never a fun way to start the day or week off. This morning I was having one hell of a time just getting out of bed and a song popped in my head and then I put said song on and I was awake. If you haven’t heard Soulfly’s “Eye For An Eye” off of their debut self titled album, this one will surely wake you up. And as a track one, yeah this is a banger out of the gate! The first album is chock full of great songs and the rhythms are really what takes the album to different heights. Drummer Roy Mayorga and bassist Marcello Rapp, have instant musical chemistry right away. “Eye For An Eye” is one of those classic songs. Crazy too that it’s over 25 years old now! This song also features Dino Cazares of Fear Factory as well as former Fear Factory vocalist, Burton C. Bell. So start your day/week off with this hellblazer of a track one!

Soulfly- Eye For An Eye: