I was recently doing some end of the year clean up and I found a pad of paper that I had jotted down some topic ideas for Audioeclectica. One of the topics was one that I’ve often had discussions about with many friends over the years. Which brings me to this new topic, songs that should be played live. Now, there are a ton of bands and songs that this does apply to. On my list I had quite a few bands and songs on it but, instead of listing all of them at once, I thought showcasing them individually would be way more fun. The first song that I chose to pick is “Black Is The Soul” by Korn from their album, The Serenity Of Suffering. Though this song was released as the third single from the album and has been played about 45 times including their Pandemic Live Stream (according to Setlist.fm), it’s one of those songs of theirs that when you hear it, you immediately think to yourself, why don’t they play this one more often? I remember when this song came on during my first listen to this album and pushed play on it again because, it was that good. The album as a whole is quite good too. This is just my way of putting it out into the universe that the next time I see Korn live, it would be a very awesome thing to hear this one in the set. And this also probably means I’ll have to do an updated Ultimate Set List for Korn.
Last month, I saw a video floating around different sites that had zero information, other than the title of “Swarm,” there was no pre-sale, simply the three-minute single released in tandem with a mysterious screed and a pulsating black-and-white video. I listened/watched it a few times and it definitely left me intrigued. Well the mystery has been revealed. Introducing Venera, a new group featuring Korn’s James “Munky” Shaffer and composer/filmmaker, Chris Hunt. Today, the pair have released a new song “Hologram” which features piano and vocals of Rizz from VOWWS. Speaking on “Hologram” Shaffer and Hunt, explained: “’Hologram’ emerged quickly from our first session together. A nearly unchanging drum machine pattern nested in warbling guitars. We don’t interact much with holograms but they seem to offer an image of an alluring emptiness and light, which resonates well with the universe we are driven to explore.” “Hologram” is a really intriguing track. It has a bit of a trip-hop vibe mixed with a bit of Depeche Mode and a smidge of Sade. Several guests join Hunt and Shaffer on Venera. Drummer Deantoni Parks (Mars Volta, John Cale) plays on “Erosion” and “Disintegration,” HEALTH’s Jacob Duzsik contributes vocals on “Ochre” and Alain Johannes lends his voice to “Triangle.” Their self-titled, debut album arrives Oct. 13 via Ipecac Recordings.
Before there was Korn and Deftones, there was a band that really started it all and they were called Human Waste Project. The band formed in 1992 when Jeff Schartoff and Scott Ellis decided to start a band. Aimee Echo was picked as the vocalist/singer after finding out she could “scream.” After going through different guitarists for a bit they finally found Mike Tempesta and off they went. The next thing they were playing with large bands like Helmet, Korn, Deftones and Sublime. Eventually the band signed with Hollywood Records. Human Waste Project also wound up in the UK and Europe with bands like Tura Satana and Coal Chamber and also part of Ozzfest 98 in the UK. Human Waste Project was enjoying a bit of success especially in the UK but back in the states, things weren’t the same. Their debut album, E-Lux, which is an absolute fantastic album and debut, was considered a commercial failure and that led to the band being pegged as a nu-metal band and it left Aimee feeling uncomfortable and being typecast as such. So on July 8, 1998 at the House of Blues in Los Angeles, Human Waste Project performed their last show as a band. From there, Aimee Echo and Scott Ellis went on to form The Start alongside former Snot drummer, Jaime Miller. Scott Ellis would also later go on to be the drummer for She Wants Revenge. Jeff Schartoff would go on to form Professional Murder Music and be a part of Peter Murphy of Bauhaus’s solo live band. And Mike Tempesta would go on to join Powerman 5000.
Their album E-Lux was produced by Ross Robinson and it’s not your typical nu-metal album. While there were definitely some ties to the incoming music movement, Human Waste Project had more in common with the likes of Jane’s Addiction in that they were always a step ahead of the curve. They had more to their music and lyrics than their peers and it shows very much on E-Lux. There was also a versatility to HWP that other didn’t have. Aimee had a range to her voice that could go from sweet and innocent all the way to rip your face off. Musically, there was more than just dropped tuned guitars, as they explored different styles and gravitated more towards 90’s alternative rock than metal.
Over the years, there have been a few reunions of Human Waste Project. I happen to have been at a couple of them and it was quite awesome. At a show for The Start in 2008, the remaining three HWP members came on stage and played “Dog” and “Shine” with Aimee to end the night. I have to say that was one hell of a surprise. I do remember seeing Mike Tempesta at the show and wondering if perhaps he’d jump up on stage for something and low and behold he did. Later in 2008, Human Waste Project reformed for one night (minus Scott Ellis) to be a part of Snot’s return (the one they did with Tommy Vext, we don’t need to go into that) at the Key Club in Los Angeles. I was at this show too and HWP was absolutely awesome. If anything they actually stole the night for me. Aimee stated that this would be the only full scale reunion show and the band would not be getting back together to tour. And finally at a couple other shows for The Start in 2009, Mike Tempesta joined them on stage to perform “Dog” and “One Night In Spain.”
Human Waste Project was a band that never got their due and should’ve been one of the biggest bands of that era. For whatever reasons why they didn’t, it’s a shame. They were one of the best bands of the time and their debut album is still one of my favorites of that time. In fact, the other day while on a drive up to Santa Barbara we had it on the stereo on the way up and it was glorious. So much so that I felt compelled to write this piece today. Human Waste Project was such a talented and wonderful band. If you never got to see them live, you truly missed out. I for one would love for one more show to happen. There is such a need for this band, it’s not even funny. They were true pioneers of the time and their style would show all these young bands who are trying to cop that style how to do it and do it right. Plus, how awesome would it be to just have them back again! So let’s put it out in the world that we need another go round with Human Waste Project!
Human Waste Project- E-Lux:
Human Waste Project w/ Jonathan Davis of Korn- This Town:
I have hope that 2022 will be a good year. Not that 2021 was all that bad, at least it wasn’t 2020 all over again. We did after all get some amazing new albums in 2021. Now that we are in 2022, there are a ton of new albums that I’m sure will make the end of the year lists vert difficult to put in order. Here’s a list of the bands with the most anticipated albums of 2022 (I’m sure I missed some. So If I did, let me know)!!!
Centershift- A Different Shade Of… NVision- Black Map- Melodoria Cave In The Cure Coheed and Cambria Crosses Dead Cross Ghost Greg Puciatio- Mirrorcell H09909 (Horror) Korn- Requiem Loathe Megadeth- The Sick. The Dying. The Dead Rammstein Author & Punisher Once Human Machine Head Jimmy Eat World The Smashing Pumpkins Chelsea Wolfe In Parallel Nine Inch Nails If It Kills You Philip H. Anselmo & The Illegals Be Well Anthrax Baroness Cult Leader The Cult Darkest Hour Deadsy? Filter Jane’s Addiction? Placebo Red Hot Chili Peppers Rollin Coffin Deaf Club Kiss The Scientist Duhkha
Korn have unveiled their brand new track “Start The Healing” along with an official music video for it directed by Tim Saccenti. It’s the first single to be launched from the band’s fourteenth studio album “Requiem“, which will receive a February 04th release date through a new partnership the band have struck with Loma Vista Recordings. The band recorded the new album during the height of the pandemic. Created without pressure of due dates or anything, a new creative process energized the band. The additional time allowed the band to experiment together and diligently recording to analog tape — processes which unearthed newfound sonic dimension and texture in their music. The new album was produced by Chris Collier and Korn.
“Requiem“ track listing:
01. Forgotten 02. Let The Dark Do The Rest 03. Start The Healing 04. Lost In The Grandeur 05. Disconnect 06. Hopeless And Beaten 07. Penance To Sorrow 08. My Confession 09. Worst Is On Its Way
Woodstock 99 is a story all on its own. There’s a new documentary about it but, it’s such a biased and bullshit take on it, that it glosses over the positive aspects of the weekend. Yes, there were many many issues but, that is for another time. What I’d rather focus on are the performances that took place. One of those that has always stood out is Korn’s performance during night one. The sheer intensity from the stage to the crowd is astonishing. The waves of thousands of people all in unison during this set is legendary. The band was at an all time high and just about to release their fourth album, Issues. They played “Falling Away From Me” and “Beg For Me” that evening. The version of “Beg For Me” is a totally different version than what’s on the album. You can see it in the band as they rip through their set that they are all in awe of what’s happening. The energy that permeated during this hour is absolutely one of those moments that will always live on in live music history. Watching the people in the crowd singing along to every song and feel it all too, that had to be an out of body experience. Even Jonathan Davis said he had an out of body experience at the end of the night as he gave that performance his all. Soon, I’ll get into a whole thing about Woodstock 99 but, until that time, just enjoy this badass performance Korn left us all with!
Korn- Live At Woodstock 99:
Korn Setlist For Woodstock 99:
01) Blind 02) Twist 03) Chi 04) Got The Life 05) Good God 06) A.D.I.D.A.S 07) Porno Creep 08) Shoots And Ladders (with Snip of Justin) 09) Beg For Me (Alt. Lyrics) 10) Freak On A Leash 11) Falling Away From Me (Alt. Lyrics) 12) Faget 13) My Gift To You (with Snip of Seasons In The Abyss)
Woodstock 1999 has a very interesting history. Despite the riots, fires, rapes, price gouging and the other atrocities that happened, there were quite a few outstanding performances. One of those that I remember being a stand out was Korn’s set. This was before they were finished with their fourth album (and my second favorite album of their’s) Issues. Their set that night included 2 songs from Issues, “Falling Away From Me” and “Beg For Me” both with different lyrics than what is on the final versions. Both of these versions are quite different and give a bit of a different vibe than you’ve heard. I’d personally love for this set to be released officially. If you haven’t heard these before you are in for a treat and if you have, well now you can enjoy them again!
Korn- Beg For Me (Live at Woodstock 99):
Korn- Falling Away From Me (Live at Woodstock 99):
The other day, I was talking with a friend of mine about how music videos these days just don’t have the allure and luster of the days before. Yes, we all know about the industry changing and all that but, there was something really cool about the way so many music videos had an effect not just on the song or band but, how it shaped filmmaking in general. One of th videos we were talking about was Korn’s “Freak On A Leash.” This video was directed by Todd McFarlane (of Spawn fame) and assisted by Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris (who would go on to make the Californication video for the Red Hot Chili Peppers). The “Freak On A Leash” video is over 20 years old now and it’s still one hell of a cool video. The way the animation and real world footage comes together is quite intriguing. The whole following the bullet aspect was pretty cool too. It’s not a surprise that the video would go on to win multiple awards.
Next up on Audioeclectica.com’s 2019 End Of The Year Lists, the Top 10 Vocalists. The stipulation is that, an album/EP had to have been released this year.
Vote for your favorite in the comments section. At the end of the month, I will release the results of the readers poll.
This list is also in NO PARTICULAR ORDER!!!
01) John Carbone- Moon Tooth
02) Cameron Miller- Seizures
03) Jonathan Davis- Korn
04) Courtney Swain- Bent Knee
05) Schuylar Croom- He Is Legend
06) Dennis R. Sanders- Spirit In The Room
07) Daron Beck- Pinkish Black
08) Deb Demure- Drab Majesty
09) Jacob Bannon- Wear Your Wounds
10) Itarya Rosenberg- Low Dose
Next up on Audioeclectica.com’s 2019 End Of The Year Lists, the Top 10 Guitar Duos. The stipulation is that, an album/EP had to have been released this year.
Vote for your favorite in the comments section. At the end of the month, I will release the results of the readers poll.
This list is also in NO PARTICULAR ORDER!!!
01) James “Munky” Shaffer and Brian “Head” Welch- Korn
02) John Dyer Baizley and Gina Gleason- Baroness
03) Stephen Brodsky and Adam McGrath- Cave In
04) James Root and Mick Thompson- Slipknot
05) Joel Stroetzel and Adam Dutkiewicz- Killswitch Engage
06) Albert Navarro and Nathan Najera- Seizures
07) Joe Trohman and Scott Ian- The Damned Things
08) Richard Kruspe and Paul Landers- Rammstein
09) Chelsea Wolfe and Bryan Tulao- Chelsea Wolfe
10) Andrew Diaz and Matthew Wright- Harborlights
![Korn Blind Woodstock'99 [HD] 720P - YouTube](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/B8j6bHnWRjs/maxresdefault.jpg)
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