Guest Vocals

MEMORABLE LIVE PERFORMANCES: ALICE IN CHAINS WITH JAMES HETFIELD

The year is 2006 and Alice In Chains have begun their triumphant return. Getting out there and bringing the songs we all know and love back to life was one of those things that the universe got right. When this all started going again, you could tell that the fans were really glad to have Alice back. Granted the late Layne Staley was not a part of this but, William DuVall has truly shown he is up for the job and does a stellar job. During Alice In Chains summer festival run in Europe back in 2006, the band welcomed a very special guest to join them on stage for “Would?” That guest was the one and only James Hetfield of Metallica. This version of “Would?” is fantastic and will give you chills for sure. I still hope for the day we can get a Metallica and Alice In Chains tour! Can you imagine the how awesome that would be? I sure can! Enjoy this really memorable performance!!

Alice In Chains w/ James Hetfield- “Would?”:

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):

GUEST VOCALS: ASHES DIVIDE WITH CHESTER BENNINGTON- THE OUTSIDER

I’ve been on a bit of an A Perfect Circle kick as of late. I’m pretty excited about the thought of new music from them. Especially since their last album, Eat The Elephant, was pretty disappointing. While going through my usual rabbit hole, I came across this fun video. If you are not aware, after A Perfect Circle went on “hiatus” in 2004, Billy Howerdel would go on to start a solo career. His first release was under the name Ashes Divide and the album, Keep Telling Myself It’s Alright. That year Ashes Divide was asked to be a part of Linkin Park’s Projekt Revolution tour. During one of the stops on the tour, the late Chester Bennington joined Ashes Divide on stage for a version of A Perfect Circle’s “The Outsider.” It’s a pretty solid offering and just shows that Chester could sing pretty much anything, and it sounded good. If you haven’t seen or heard this before you are in for a treat. And seriously check out the Ashes Divide album, it’s really quite good.

Ashes Divide w/Chester Bennington- The Outsider (Live):

Ashes Divide- Keep Telling Myself It’s Alright:

B-Sides/Collaborations: Queens Of The Stone Age- Era Vulgaris feat: Trent Reznor

Back in 2007, Queens Of The Stone Age released their album, Era Vulgaris. An album in their catalog that I find to be very underrated and often over looked. This album featured some of the band’s best material since Songs For The Deaf. Another thing I’ve always dug about this particular album is the production. There’s a really dirty, distorted vibe that is crisp and clear but feels hard and heavy. Through and through this is a rock record. Live when these songs are played they are grittier than the album and makes it even better. There is a song that was recorded for the album but, would eventually become a b-side called “Era Vulgaris” sometimes more known as “You Know What You Did.” This track was released originally part of a fan site contest for fans to win a “special package” from the band. Selected winners received a CD entitled You Know What You Did with the sole track “Era Vulgaris”, which singer/guitarist Josh Homme confirmed would not be appearing on the record despite being the title track, though it was included as a bonus track on the UK edition. This song features guest vocals from the one and only Trent Reznor. It’s one of those songs that when you hear you wonder why it was left off the original track listing. It’s that good. If you’ve never heard this track you are in for a treat!


Queens Of The Stone Age- “Era Vulgaris (aka You Know What You Did):”

Collaborations: Exodus with Robb Flynn- A Lesson In Violence

A little over a week ago legendary metal band Exodus played a show in the San Francisco Bay Area outside of the Metro Operahouse. Exodus recently released their superb new album, Persona Non Grata. If you are into thrash metal, I recommend you checking this record out! At this show though, Robb Flynn from Machine Head came out to join the band to do guest vocals for one of his all time favorite Exodus songs. I have to say this version is badass. It would be pretty awesome to hear a studio version with Robb on this track some point in the future. Also what would be awesome is if Machine Head and Exodus did a tour together in 2023. Just throwing that out there!!!

Exodus with Robb Flynn from Machine Head- A Lesson In Violence:

Guest Vocalist: Chelsea Wolfe
Chelsea Wolfe Goes Off-Road For New Album 'Birth Of Violence'

Over the last couple years, Chelsea Wolfe has become one of my favorite vocalists. Her voice is so delicate yet hauntingly beautiful. Not to mention her songs and albums are tremendous. I also remember her from way back when she was the singer of Red Host! Now though, Chelsea has truly carved out her own niche and a force to be reckoned with. Knowing that, check out these songs she has guested on over the years.


Russian Circles- Memorial (from Memorial):

Deafheaven- Night People (from Ordinary Corrupt Human Love):

Myrkur- Funeral (from Mareridt):

Tyler Bates with Chelsea Wolfe & Ben Chisholm- Diana (From Dark Nights Soundtrack):

Bonus!!!!

Red Host (with Jess Gowrie on Drums)- Hole In The Head:

Collaborations: Thrice & Emma Ruth Rundle- Just Breathe
Album Reviews - Thrice - Palms | Punk Rock Theory

On Thrice’s 2018 album Palms, there is a song called “Just Breathe” that is an absolute stand out. The first time I heard the song, I was hooked. It’s a very Thrice song and then with the addition of guest vocals by Emma Ruth Rundle, it takes it to a whole other level. Her delicate vocals add a very soothing vibe and gives you the good kind of chills. One day, when live music is able to happen again, it would be a dream to get to see Emma join Thrice on stage to perform this song. It would be EPIC!!

Thrice Featuring Emma Ruth Rundle- Just Breathe:

Guest Musician: Page Hamilton of Helmet
Interview: Page Hamilton of Helmet | New Fury Media

Page Hamilton of Helmet has one of the most distinct guitar sounds in the last 30 years. His style and tone has often been tried to be duplicated and has influenced and inspired countless bands and players. His work in Helmet is truly exceptional along with his other work with Glenn Branca, Band of Susans and his experimental jazz work. His style is so unique that when he’s guested on other band’s albums, there is no denying it’s Page. Here’s a few of the songs he has guested on over the years.

Nine Inch Nails- No, You Don’t (from The Fragile):



Therapy?- Unbeliever (from Troublegum):


Wire- All Fours (from Object 47):


Norma Jean- Opposite of Left and Wrong (from The Anti-Mother):


P.O.D- God Forbid (fro When Angels and Serpents Dance):


Linkin Park- All For Nothing (from The Hunting Party):

Guest Musician: Matt Heafy of Trivium

Trivium frontman Matt Heafy leaves band tour

Matt Heafy of Trivium is quite a prolific guitarist and vocalist. Through the years, when you listen back to Trivium’s early years till now, you can really tell how far he’s come and how his style has developed, especially vocally. I’m always curious to see what other bands people have guested on over the years and Matt has lent his talents a few times over time and here they are.

 

Ice Nine Kills- Stabbing In The Dark (Acoustic Version):

 

Ihsahn- Mass Darkness:

 

 
Metal Allegiance- Destination Nowhere:

 

 

Roadrunner United- The End:

 

On the Dragonforce album, Maximum Overload, Matt provided guest vocals on the songs “The Game”, “Defenders” and “No More”.

Guest Vocalist: Thom Yorke

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Ever since I first heard Radiohead back when Pablo Honey came out, I’ve been rather intrigued by Thom Yorke. He’s one of the most unique and talented singers I’ve ever heard. When you hear him sing, you know it’s him right off the bat. From all the Radiohead albums to his solo work, you know that when you listen you are going to get something interesting and intriguing. So with all that in mind, here’s a few songs Thom has guested on over the years.

Drugstore- El President (from White Magic for Lovers):

 

 

Unkle- Rabbit In Your Headlights (from Psyence Fiction):

 


Bjork- I’ve Seen It All (from Dancer In The Dark soundtrack):

 


Bjork- Nattura:

 


PJ Harvey- This Mess We’re In (from Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea):

 

 

PJ Harvey- One Line (from Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea):

 

 

PJ Harvey- Beautiful Feeling (from Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea):

 

 

Portishead- The Rip LIVE (from Lattitude Festival 2015):