Heavy Metal

DEEP CUTS: KILLSWITCH ENGAGE- WE CARRY ON

During my album deep dive into Killswitch Engage, I was quickly reminded of a song of theirs that is truly one of the best in their entire repertoire. For this one we go back to the band’s 2016 album, Incarnate, and find it at track eleven, “We Carry On.”

“We Carry On” what a song! There’s a deeply impassioned vocal performance by singer/lyricist, Jesse Leach throughout the album but, when you get to this song in the course of listening, there’s just something truly remarkable. The weight of the lyrics bellow out of Jesse’s heart into direct hit of optimism and hope. Guiding this vocal is music that hits the right melancholic notes with just the right amount of heaviness to push through the wall and make it past it all.

Songs like this are magnetic and beautiful. I distinctly recall when I bought this CD back in 2016 (Happy Ten Year Anniversary!! By the way), I put it on my stereo at home, grabbed my headphones, went to my favorite spot, pressed play and read the lyrics as I listened. When I got to “We Carry On” there was an instant connection to the song. One of those gems that deep in the track listing.

As great as this song is, it’s only been played live four times. And all in 2023. You lucky 4 shows! Just going to put this out in the universe to put “We Carry On” in the setlist going forward!! It’s too damn good not to play it!

Killswitch Engage- We Carry On:

LIVE SHOW REVIEW: MELTED BODIES AT OBLIVION LA

Late last summer when I went to see Reba Meyers play a solo show, the direct support band that evening really caught my ears. It was one of those moments when you hear a band you know nothing about and it just makes sense. That band was Melted Bodies and I just got the chance to see them again and good golly were they just as awesome. 

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NEW MUSIC SPOTLIGHT: GENGHIS TRON- I AM ALL

The very awesome and genre smashing, Genghis Tron, has returned with an upcoming new album , Signal Fire, and first single, “I Am All.” The bands previous album, 2021’s, Dream Weapon, was beyond a welcome back album. In fact it’s one of those albums that the more the years go by, certain aspects of that record have come true.

This new album though, shifts from the apocalyptic dreams of the previous album, and into a very unhinged and volatile new world. Like the last one with the lyrical themes becoming reality, Signal Fire delivers an urgency that is very direct and precise. “I Am All” is not just the first single but first track on the album. This song is heavy and punishing as well as quite the soundtrack to the end times.

Signal Fire arrives June 12 via Relapse Records! I’m very impatiently awaiting this release!

Genghis Tron- I Am All:

ALBUM RANK UPDATED: TRIVIUM

For well over twenty years now and ten full length studio albums, Trivium have cemented themselves at the forefront of heavy metal. Each of their albums shows growth as a band and as songwriters. The word consistency is synonymous with Trivium as they have truly been working hard since their debut being out on the road and in the studio. The last three albums of theirs especially have put Trivium into the upper echelon of metal bands. Currently the band is working on their eleventh album with producer Josh Wilbur. In the mean time, check out this very definitive ranking of their ten albums.

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COVER SONG: METALLICA (KILLING JOKE)- THE WAIT

Ah yes the elusive cover song. My it’s been a long while since there was a cover song article on Audioeclectica. The musical landscape these days has so many cover songs that there needed to be a moratorium on talking about them. Seriously, how flooded did things get with all the covers that were coming out?! It feels like there needs to be a bit of a refresher when it comes to cover songs. The point of a cover is to make it your own and that more often than not doesn’t happen. Thankfully there are some bands out there that know how to do it right, like Metallica. Back in 1998, Metallica released their double covers album, Garage Inc. Across two CD’s, Metallica paid tribute to the bands that inspired them from Black Sabbath, Diamond Head, The Misfits, Discharge, Thin Lizzy, Motorhead and more. The cover of Bob Seger’s “Turn The Page” is one of the best covers of all time. But there has always been one cover on this album that has been a favorite of mine and that is their version of Killing Joke’s “The Wait.” Originally this cover was included on Metallica’s 1987 Garage Days EP. The Killing Joke version appears on their 1980 debut album. When you hear “The Wait” by Killing Joke, you can instantly tell that this band inspired and influenced Metallica. In fact you more than likely have heard this song used in countless films and TV shows. Let’s get cover songs back on track! Here’s a great way to start it off!!!

Metallica (Killing Joke)- The Wait:

Killing Joke- The Wait:

Metallica- The Wait (Live 1998):

NEW RELEASE: THOUGHTCRIMES- THE VIOLENT GARDEN

The very awesome Thoughtcrimes have released a brand new song and it’s the perfect way to start your week! “The Violent Garden” is a blisteringly heavy song, that will rattle your brain and cause you to want to start a mosh pit. Personally, I’m very excited about new Thoughtcrimes. Their previous album, 2022’s Altered Pasts, is still an album that is in my rotation. I highly recommend that album! Thoughtcrimes will be in Europe this February supporting Igorr. Let’s hope that a US tour is in the cards for later this year! Enjoy this new Thoughtcrimes track!

Thoughtcrimes- The Violent Garden:

AUDIOECLECTICA INTERVIEWS: JOHN BUSH

I’m very excited to bring you this interview. A few weeks back myself (Brian) along with my podcast co-host and friend Justin, had the opportunity to interview John Bush of Armored Saint/Category 7/ex Anthrax. We talk about growing up in Los Angeles at a very interesting time, Armored Saint, joining Anthrax and working with them, and of course, the John Bush plays Anthrax shows! Thank you John for taking the time! What a great show it was too! Our recap of The Whisky A Go Go show is here too! If you get the chance when it comes through, go see John Bush play his era of Anthrax songs. Seriously, it’s so damn good!!! Now, enjoy the interview below!!

Audioeclectica Interviews: John Bush:

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NEW RELEASE: EXODUS- 3111

Heavy Metal/Thrash Titans, Exodus have announced their twelfth studio album, Goliath, which will be out on March 20, 2026!! This is quite exciting as the band has welcomed back vocalist Rob Dukes and are really back to firing on all cylinders. The new album was produced by the band and mixed by Mark Lewis (Whitechapel, Cannibal Corpse, etc). “3111” the first single from this offering, is a ripper for sure. It’s classic Exodus but, with even more attitude and gusto. Interestingly, the song was inspired by the narco killings in Juarez, Mexico. The number 3,111 is the estimated number of murders that occurred in 2010 alone. The band band a video for the song but, it was banned by YouTube for it’s rather violent content. Exodus are going to be out on the road this year with a slew of great tours like Sepultura’s Final US Tour, Megadeth, and more! Be sure you get out to a show, they are legends for a reason!!

Exodus- 3111:

NEW MUSIC FRIDAY: 01/16/26

I keep saying this because it’s true, 2026 is off to the races in terms of new album announcements, new music, new tours and who knows what else is to come in the next eleven months! That being said, this past week has seen a barrage of new singles from some of your favorites as well as some you might not know yet! In this batch for New Music Friday, I present new music from Lamb Of God, Filth Is Eternal, Nothing, Fotocrime, Gaerea, Metal Allegiance, clubdrugs . Give these a spin and let me know what you are into! Listening eclectically is much more fun than you’ve ever thought!

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F YOU SONGS: SLIPKNOT- DISASTERPIECE

It’s always interesting when you wake up with a sense of aggression. Then on top of that feeling, somehow a song pops in your head and you feel the sense of catharsis through it. There’s music for every type of feeling and mood. That’s part of why I’m so immersed in it. The song that felt right and was the one in my head when I woke up was Slipknot’s “Disasterpiece” from their album, Iowa. The sheer intensity and ferociousness on this song is uncanny. Lyrically, it’s scathing and rightfully so. Musically, the way the song explodes, retreats a little, then explodes again is sublime. You feel every word as the music pulsates through you. In a strange way with “Disasterpiece,” you can have a bit of an out of body experience depending on your level of frustration and anger! Ross Robinson really brought out the best in Slipknot on this album through all their anger and frustration.

Slipknot- Disasterpiece: