This is fun AND exciting!!! One of my favorite new bands of the last few years, Better Lovers have swooped in and released a new song, “Don’t Forget To Say Please.” This new track packs quite the cocked back punch to the face. There’s also a more “raw and unprocessed” feel to the production of the song. I can already tell that this will ignite a frenzy in the pit. The riffs are there courtesy of Jordan and Will, that rhythm section of Steve and Goose is just oh so sweet, then you have the tenacious vocals of Greg and it just feels right! On a personal note, I’m very much looking forward to more new music from Better Lovers! Enjoy!
Wow! Seriously, Wow! I have to say this show was beyond awesome. There are some bands out there that just have the right recipe for putting on a show that leaves you feeling great, inspired and ready to take on anything and Linkin Park is definitely one of those bands. This show in Los Angeles as part of their From Zero World Tour, was outstanding. Last year around this time, I went to their return show at The Forum and that one too was something special. And just like that show, it was full of so many people smiling, singing along, sharing in the joy of getting to see Linkin Park do what they do best.
At 9:05pm, the screens around the venue turned dark and a 10 minute countdown appeared, when the clock hit zero, it was on! Colin, Joe, Dave, Alex, Emily and Mike all took the stage and blasted off with the heaviest version of “Somewhere I Belong,” I’ve ever heard. I didn’t realize how good of an opener that song really is. From there it was just an onslaught of banger after banger with “Crawling,” “Up From The Bottom,” Lying From You (which is one of my all time favorite LP songs),” and “The Emptiness Machine.” Talk about a way to open a set. Those 5 songs not only set the night on fire but, the crowd participation on each of those songs was astounding, especially on “Crawling” and “Lying From You.” After that, it went into so many other great gems LP has including 2 songs from the very underrated and very awesome A Thousand Suns, “Waiting For The End (another of my all time favorite LP songs)” and “The Catalyst.” The From Zero songs really were on fire like “Two Faced,” “Overflow,” “Stained,” “Over Each Other” but, even more so on the live debut of “Unshatter,” “Heavy Is The Crown” and “I Gave You Everything I Have.” The latter of which was a real highlight for me. The explosive nature of that song ferocious. Other fun songs like “Lost” from the Meteora 20 release sounded great. It started with just Mike and Emily then it hit the gas pedal for the second chorus and was simply divine. When they played “Numb” they started the song off in a very fantastic fashion by speeding it up to make it more of a “punk” sounding song. I so want to hear it in full like that! During “In The End” the crowd participation was almost deafening. I love a good concert sing along and this one might have taken the cake this year. Of course when they played “Faint” and “Papercut” I was through the roof. Those 2 songs are in my top 5 LP songs of all time. I absolutely love those songs. The video for “Faint” is one of my all time favorites too. During the set too there were a couple of solo moments where Joe Hahn showed off his scratching skills. I forgot how damn good he is at that. Reminded me a bit of seeing them back in the Hybrid Theory era and how they would do that. Also, Mike had his solo moment with “When They Come For Me/Remember The Name” during part of that Mike likes to throw in a different rap verse from other songs and this evening he pulled out part of “High Voltage” which was pretty awesome. Closing out the night was the always fun “Bleed It Out” which also during the bridge they threw in part of “A Place For My Head” and then it was over.
If you have ever been a doubter of Linkin Park, seeing them live will change that. I had a long history of writing the band off but, I’m really glad I went back to listen and rediscover them. Having Emily and Colin in the band now has not only breathed new life into the band but, given all of us fans a reason to look forward to the future. Emily is a force of nature all on her own and these songs go even harder than before. That’s not a knock on Chester at all. Chester was great too but, with Emily it feels like the older songs are taken to new heights and the new songs are so damn good. Honestly this show and night was genuinely everything you’d want it to be. The production of the stage show was superb. It felt very immersive and intimate even though there wasn’t an empty seat or place to stand in the whole arena.
I took my daughter with me to the show as well and she had such an amazing time. She’s a huge LP fan and to see her smile, be happy and singing along was the cherry on top. Getting to share music with my daughter, friends and all of you is what makes this all fun. Seriously, if you haven’t heard From Zero, give it a listen. And the next time Linkin Park comes through town, GO!!! I know I will!
Overall Rating: A
Review and Photos By: Brian Lacy
Linkin Park Set List:
01) Somewhere I Belong 02) Crawling 03) Up From The Bottom 04) Lying From You 05) The Emptiness Machine 06) The Catalyst 07) Burn It Down 08) Stained 09) Where’d You Go (Fort Minor Cover) 10) Waiting For The End 11) Castle Of Glass 12) Two Faced 13) Joe Hahn Solo 14) When They Come For Me/Remember The Name (High Voltage Verse) 15) I Gave You Everything I Have 16) One Step Closer 17) Lost 18) Unshatter (Live Debut) 19) What I’ve Done 20) Overflow 21) Numb 22) Over Each Other 23) In The End 24) Faint ENCORE: 25) Papercut 26) Heavy Is The Crown 27) Bleed It Out (with A Place For My Head verse)
A few years back my friend Adam suggested I check out the band HO99O9 (pronounced Horror). I had heard the name before and was mildly curious. Then after I checked it out, I was hooked. Not long after that, we wound up going to a sort of secret show in the back of a coffee shop in Downtown Los Angeles to see HO99O9. That show really cemented for me what this band is all about. Intense isn’t the right word, more like vicious is a better way to describe this duo. HO99O9 blurs the line between hip hop, metal, industrial, electronic and then some. Having toured with Slipknot, Korn, Alice in Chains, Rob Zombie, Ministry, Cypress Hill, and Ghostface Killah, they definitely have the pedigree behind them.
Tomorrow We Escape is the bands third full length album. This one is very direct and focused on a mission. Throughout the 11 song album, there are many twists and turns that keep you captivated and trying to guess what’s next. The chaos is controlled yet burns its own path. From the instant the first song “I Miss Home” begins all the way through to the epic closer “Godflesh,” there is no letting off the pedal. Chock full of powerful beats that pulsate even in your brain even after the song is done, hooks that feel catchy but not cheesy and an edge that is razor sharp that cuts so deep. Other standout tracks include “Escape,” “OK, I’m Reloaded,” “Upside Down, and “L.A. Riots.” There are two specific songs though that truly shine on this album. The first being “Tapeworm” which features Greg Puciato (Dillinger Escape Plan, Better Lovers, The Black Queen, etc) and it’s one hell of a song. Greg takes the song to a whole other level. Just listen and you’ll know what I mean. And the other one is “Immortal” which features Chelsea Wolfe. This track is a complete 180 for the band and it is hauntingly dreamy. There’s a soothing touch to this song.
This is the album, I’ve been waiting for HO99O9 to make. The OGM and Yeti Bones have truly found their path on Tomorrow We Escape. All the elements that were thrown into the mix have a distinct place on these songs. When you think something might be out of place or a little weird, it’s not, just go with it and let it sink in. If you are looking for a barn burner of an album, this one is for you. I highly recommend you play this one loud and make sure your windows are down, it might shatter glass!
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!
These are never easy to write. Especially when it’s someone that has played a huge role in your musical upbringing. Ever since I was a little kid, Ozzy has been a staple in my musical life. From the first time I heard his solo work, well first I saw videos on MTV, it got me rather interested in his music. Then I heard about Black Sabbath when I was about 5 or 6 and that changed it all. Black Sabbath with Ozzy had this dark, menacing sound that was unlike anything else. From their debut through Sabotage, you really can’t go wrong with the Ozzy catalog of Sabbath. Even his solo work be it with Randy Rhodes, Jake E. Lee, Zakk Wylde, or others took heavy music to other levels. Ozzy was more than just a singer he was the epitome of what being a “frontman” is all about in a band. The way Ozzy could get the crowd really going was a sight to see all on its own. When you saw and Ozzy show or even Sabbath, you knew you were getting not only a show but a night that would be remembered forever. I had the pleasure of meeting Ozzy a couple times in my life and he was nothing but, genuine, nice and personable. It’s a huge loss for his family and fans across the world. There will never be another Ozzy and that’s how it should be. He was one of one! An inspiration and influence on so many and a legend that will never die! The fact that Ozzy got to perform one last time and go out on his own terms is quite the way to go! My condolences go out to the entire Osbourne family and all the bandmates, and fans everywhere.
I love when I get sent albums to check out. Sometimes I will go in blind without reading anything about the band and who is in it just so I can be surprised by what I’m listening to. Now this doesn’t always work out for the best but, when it does, oh my, it’s quite the experience. Recently I put an album on that really knocked my socks off! The band name peaked my interest as well as the cover art, so I put it on and what I heard was damn good. What I heard sounded like the perfect blend of 90’s grunge, parts of death metal, goth rock, and doom metal. now, with that in mind allow me to introduce you to Blood Vulture and their debut album, Die Close.
Blood Vulture is the brain child of Jordan OIds, who you might know as Gwarsenio Hall from the very hilarious internet show, Two Minutes To Late Night. This very cinematic debut album takes it’s lead from classic and modern vampiric influences like Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Near Dark and Let The Right One In to create a very dark and vivid world that tells a great narrative story while also leading you down a dark musical alley. Throughout the albums 10 songs, you get sucked in more and more (no pun intended- though that worked out perfectly). The epic nature of this album allows you to listen multiple times and get swept away by all that this is. I keep finding more to like with each listen. Another aspect to this album that is quite fun is the guest appearance of A.F.I.’s Jade Puget on the song “Grey Mourning,” which as of this writing, is my favorite song on the album. Shadow’s Fall vocalist Brian Fair guests on the song “Burn For It” and Lingua Ignota’s Kristen Hayter is on the song “Entwined.”
Die Close is not a joke album! This is a really serious album that actually feels deeply personal, as the stories told sift through real life situations but, set in a more “mythical setting” to add a bit more dramatic pause. This is one of the best albums I’ve heard all year. Blood Vulture is definitely in my Top 10 Albums of 2025! The creativity as well as songwriting on Die Close, really shows how talented Jordan is and I look forward to more! This is soooooooo good! You can catch Blood Vulture on tour this fall with GWAR and HELMET!!!!
I’m sure this happens to a lot of you. You are looking for something to listen to and out of nowhere you hear something and it immediately hits you. That was the case this morning as I was searching for something to kick start my day. While checking my email I clicked on on particular email and clicked on the video and the absolute bludgeoning really started my day. Allow me to introduce you to Orthodox. This heavy hitting 5 piece band hails from Nashville and they are surely leaving their mark on heavy music. Their upcoming fourth album, A Door Left Open (out 06.06.25 via Century Media), is an all out assault sonically and internally. The album’s barrage of riffs, shredding solos =and countless breakdowns provide the pummeling while the crushing chugs, accentuated by intricate rhythms , ensures that the head banging whiplash-laden listen never gets comfortable. This is the type of album and band that will for sure kick your teeth in and I welcome more of it! I can tell that Orthodox are going for the jugular with this album. This is as brute force as a record that I’ve heard in a long time.
The other day I heard a song that was absolutely pummeling and punishing and it put a giant smile on my face. That song is called “Endless” and it’s by the mighty, Black Magnet. If you aren’t familiar with Black Magnet you should change that. Black Magnet have been a favorite of mine since I heard them a few years back. Their 2022 album Body Prophecy, is an unsung masterpiece and they are one hell of a band. Black Magnet are one of a handful of industrial metal bands that have really put the genre back on the map. This new song “Endless” is as relentless as it is raw. It reminds me of Broken era Nine Inch Nails and Psalm 69 era Ministry. It’s heavy and chock full of electronic goodies to discover with each listen. Black Magnet’s new album, Megamantra, is set for release on Federal Prisoner June 27th, 2025. I know I will be picking this up for damn sure!
For well over 30 years now, Meshuggah have long been one of the heaviest and most visceral auditory bands to see live and hear on a record. The gents in Meshuggah have long cemented themselves in the lore of heavy music and then some. Their influence on countless bands alone is astronomical. I can remember back to about 1998/1999 when I first heard Meshuggah. At first I was completely perplexed by them and how the hell they were pulling this off. Then fast forward to about 2001/2002 and Tool put out Lateralus and took Meshuggah out as their opener. That show was what really made me a believer. Also, I still to this day, don’t know how Tool was able to go on night after night as Meshuggah would rip those audiences apart!
This nice spring night in April at the Forum was a night for a grand celebration of not just heavy music but to show that Meshuggah is at the top of the musical food chain for good reason. I must say having soft jams play before the onslaught began was a nice touch especially walking out to “Careless Whisper.” From that point as the stage was dark and shadowy figures appeared and then… “Broken Cog” from Immutable kicks things off with one hell of a bang. Then a barrage of absolute beatdown songs “Violent Sleep Of Reason,” “Rational Gaze (one of my all time favorites),” and “Combustion.” Throughout the set the lights really brought the songs to life in a whole other way kind of like how a kaleidoscope looks on the inside. Other choice cuts for the evening included “Lethargica,” “Swarm,” and of course the classic “Future Breed Machine.” For the encore, “Bleed” was right out of the gate after a moment of pause. From the get go, the audience was completely sucked into the world of Meshuggah. The sheer volume that was permeating through The Forum was another thing all on it’s own. I kept looking up and around and saw the roof shaking a bit and then even outside, the rumble was making the security guards shake their head in disbelief. Put it this way, this was a LOUD show and it should be! The way that Jens Kidman, Tomas Haake, Fredrik Thordendal, Marten Hagstrom, and Dirk Lovgren are so precise is another show to watch all on their own .
Also playing this evening were Carcass (who we missed- thanks LA traffic on a Wednesday) and Cannibal Corpse. Cannibal I did get to see. It’s been since 2001/2002 since I last saw Cannibal and they are still badass and awesome. I was having quite the fun time watching them deliver a brutal set. I forgot how technical they are as a band and the tone those guys have is quite unique to them. You can hear others try to cop that one but, it’s not quite right. The head banging too, that was a sight to see. My neck was sore just from watching them head bang onstage especially Corpsegrinder. That guy really is the champ. Their set although short was another one that was chock full of classics and some other choice cuts. My buddy and podcast co-host Justin, is a big Cannibal fan so the enjoyment he was having was quite fun!
This was a great show. Meshuggah absolutely brought it and delivered a set and show that I hope is released as a live album. What a great show. It’s quite the heavy tour. I will say, it does feel like it’s missing that one direct support band to really put it over. Don’t get me wrong this lineup is great, it just felt like there should have been 1 more band to really up the energy and blow the roof literally off The Forum.
Overall Rating: A
Review and Photos By: Brian Lacy
Meshuggah Set List: 01) Broken Cog 02) Violent Sleep Of Reason 03) Rational Gaze 04) Combustion 05) Kaleidoscope 06) God He Sees In Mirrors 07) Lethargica 08) Born In Dissonance 09) Dancers To A Discordant System 10) Swarm 11) Future Breed Machine ENCORE 12) Bleed 13) Demiurge
Cannibal Corpse Set List: 01) Scourge Of Iron 02) Blood Bind 03) Inhumane Harvest 04) Evisceration Plague 05) Death Walking Terror 06) Unleashing The Bloodthirsty 07) Summoned For Sacrifice 08) I Cum Blood 09) Stripped, Raped and Strangled 10) Hammer Smashed Face
Every so often, a band will release an album that changes everything for the band and genre. 25 years ago, Poison The Well released their debut full length, The Opposite Of December and it set forth a path that would go on to help pioneer a genre and inspire a new bunch of bands. Their distinctive “metalcore” sound has become often imitated but, there’s nothing like hearing the real thing! Joining Poison The Well on this celebratory tour are 2 of my favorites new and old in Better Lovers and Glassjaw as well as Teenage Wrist. When this show pulled into the Hollywood Palladium on a beautiful Friday night, the wake of destruction that was upon all those in attendance would not be for the faint of heart. This show was designed to go off the instant it starts and oh boy did it! NOTE- Continued on next page (look below).
AUDIOECLECTICA 