Will Haven

NEW MUSIC: SEPTEMBER EDITION

I’ve been a bit behind on a ton of releases so I thought why not put a whole bunch of good stuff into one place. Part of the fun of Audioeclectica is the opportunity to share all sorts of different music/genres with you all. This batch is one of the most eclectic ones in quite a while. You’ve got rock, metal, alternative, and more. Enjoy these and let me know what you’re digging!

SINGLES:

The Barbarians Of California- Modern Fashion:

Last year The Barbarians Of California released their debut album, And Now I’m Just Gnashing My Teeth. It’s a total awesome throwback to the mid/late 90’s hardcore. Reminds me a bit of Snapcase, Strife and some other gems from the time. Their new single, “Modern Fashion,” is an absolute banger! Definitely check this out! Also it’s great to have Aaron Bruno and Eric Stenman back together! I grew up in the same area of these guys and their early hardcore bands were always a blast to hear and see!

Foreign Film- Santa Clara:

Are you a fan of the band Will Haven? If so then you’ll dig this for sure. Even if you aren’t a fan of Will Haven, I think you will dig Foreign Film. Made up of members of Will Haven, Foreign Film is a departure from the pulsating heaviness and instead brings about a most atmospheric and soundscape textured sound to the table. Combining influences like The Cure, Pink Floyd, Hum, and more, you can definitely hear the more cinematic approach to this. Really looking forward to more of this!

Greyhaven- Cemetery Sun:

Greyhaven is band I’ve recently gotten into. Really dig the heaviness of the band and the little intricacies found throughout the songs. There are moments when I listen to them that it reminds me of Every Time I Die with a bit more melody. This new song “Cemetery Sun” is a ripping track with soaring melodies and a whole vibe on its own. Their new album, Keep It Quiet is out October 10. Definitely be on the lookout for this one.

Paz Lenchantin- Hang Tough:

This is exciting. Paz Lenchantin formerly of A Perfect Circle, Zwan and Pixies is going to be releasing her debut solo album, Trieste, on October 17. If you are familiar with Paz, you know she is beyond talented. On her debut album, Paz mixes some really cool elements to make music that is very much aligned with a particular vibe. There’s rock throughout but the addition of folk, Latin, strings along with the drums of Josh Freese and guitars of Troy Van Leeuwen, makes this a really interesting one to vibe out to.

Soul Blind- Hide Your Evil:

A little while back a friend of mine suggested I check out Soul Blind, and after doing so, I was hooked. If you are searching for a new band that really gets the 90’s sound in the right wat, Soul Blind is the one! This new track find the band embracing new ground by delving into some post-hardcore territory a la Quicksand and Deftones. Their new album, Red Sky Mourning, is out October 10.

ALBUMS:

Boneflower- Reveries:

I love when I listen to a band without knowing anything about them and it being awesome. That’s what happened when I first heard Reveries by Boneflower. The sheer intensity really drives this album. It’s chock full of emotion and musically the dynamic shapes makes for a very fun listen. If you’ve heard of the band Birds In Row, this band is for you! Definitely check out Boneflower and this album!

Chevelle- Bright As Blasphemy:

Chevelle is one of those bands that is quite consistent on releasing solid heavy rock albums. While this one might not be groundbreaking it’s still a really good album. Throughout the 9 tracks it’s very apparent that Chevelle is experimenting a bit with some different styles and textures. If the last album was the album Tool should’ve made, this new one is more in line with A Perfect Circle meets Helmet. There one song in particular that has me playing it on repeat and that track is called “Hallucinations.” What a great song! If you just want a solid heavy rock album, check out Bright As Blasphemy.

In Transmission- Betterment:

The post-hardcore genre has undergone a lot of changes over the years but, the one constant about the genre is the music is always emotionally charged and hard driving. And when I heard In Transmission’s new EP, that is exactly what I heard while at the same time adding a much deeper approach with atmospheric sounds to expand the space. Produced by Beau Burchell, Betterment is a record that shows much growth in the band as well as being songwriters. I really enjoy this one and think you will too.

Lucie Sue- Battle Station:

I’m always on the lookout for new music and the other day I got sent an album that again, I knew nothing about the artist and when I put it on, I immediately knew I was in for a treat. Lucie Sue is a force of nature for sure. Musically it’s got a punk rock edge, with a dash of Motely Crue swagger and sleeve, and a whole lot of 90’s attitude a la L7 or even Hole. Battle Station is one hell of a record that’s full of raw ferocity and razor sharp teeth that cuts through all the bullshit. I’ve been really enjoying this album and hope there’s a US tour soon!

BANDCAMP FRIDAY: November 2023

Today is Bandcamp Friday (when they wave their fee for 24 hours) and why not showcase some great bands and their albums/singles that are out now! Check out these bands and show them some support! There’s a ton of great bands and albums on this list. Take some time and discover something new! Enjoy! If I missed your band, let me know and I’ll add it to the list!


Iress:

https://weareiress.bandcamp.com/

Centershift:

https://centershift.bandcamp.com/

Filth Is Eternal:

https://filthiseternal.bandcamp.com/

Rival Cults:

https://rivalcults.bandcamp.com/

A Light Within:

https://alightwithin.bandcamp.com/

MAL:

https://malsongs.bandcamp.com/

Arc Angles:

https://arcanglesla.bandcamp.com/

Greg Puciato:

https://gregpuciato.bandcamp.com/

If It Kills You:

https://ifitkillsyou.bandcamp.com/

Spirit In The Room:

https://spiritintheroom.bandcamp.com/

Black Magnet:

https://blckmgnt.bandcamp.com/

Constraints Of Light:

https://constraintsoflight.bandcamp.com/

Contranistas:

https://contranistas.bandcamp.com/

SOM:

https://somtheband.bandcamp.com/

Fact Pattern:

https://factpattern.bandcamp.com/

Haunted Horses:

https://hauntedhorses.bandcamp.com/

Lived In:

https://lived-in.bandcamp.com/

Deaf Club:

https://deafclub31g.bandcamp.com/

Common Wounds:

https://protagonistmusic.bandcamp.com/album/self-titled-11

Powder Pink & Sweet:

https://powderpinkandsweet.bandcamp.com/

In Parallel:

https://inparallelband.bandcamp.com/

Will Haven

https://willhaven.bandcamp.com/

False Fed:

https://falsefed.bandcamp.com/

Fake Figures:

https://fakefigures.bandcamp.com/

Osnova:

https://osnova-us.bandcamp.com/

Cowboy Destroy:

https://cowboydestroy.bandcamp.com/

Live Review: Will Haven at Knitting Factory NoHo

There are some bands that have a certain aura about them that when they play live. It’s almost as though there is a cosmic shift that delivers an amount of energy that permeates through each person on stage and then into the audience. One such band that has this is the mighty Will Haven. Their most recent tour stop in Los Angeles (well technically North Hollywood) was a prime example of this aura taking over and infecting the crowd.

Opening the night was Arc Angles. If you haven’t heard Arc Angles, you should fix that. This three piece is a band that is explosive, creative and methodical in what they do. Not only did they set the tone for the evening, they sure made it a hard act to follow with their high energy set that showcased songs from their debut album Apocalisp and their most recent EP, Daisy. Having seen Arc Angles a few times and written about them a bunch, it’s been a pleasure to see how they keep pushing themselves to evolve and write songs that are both catchy yet slap you in the face.

Next up was Stronger Than Machines. These guys are one hell of a force to be reckoned with. If Arc Angles set the tone, Stronger Than Machines then raised the bar even more. Their metal-core style fit perfectly for the evening. Another band with a ton of energy that flowed right into the audience. One of the things I really like most about this band is their want to play hard and deliver a show that not only is true to them but also really gets the audience involved. Having a bit of a melodic tinge to their songs shows the dynamic range that they are capable of and they are only just getting started.

Right in the middle was Curse. These guys brought the rock to the night and in a way gave a bit of breathing room of all the heaviness happening. Their set was fun and energetic. Armed with catchy hooks and melodic touches, Curse was definitely not cursed this evening.

Before Will Haven was the Venice legends, Cycotic Youth. They brought a punk rock energy to the night that opened up the pit a bit and started to get the frenzy going. Rocking songs from their first album in many years, Cycotic Youth tore through song after song, and even had a little time for some stories about the early days of the band. They brought the audience to a level that was hungry for Will Haven, which was quite perfect.

Now, Will Haven took things to a whole other level of heavy. Celebrating their now 20 year old classic album, Carpe Diem, Will Haven ripped and tore North Hollywood a new one with their no holds barred performance. That aura I was speaking about at the beginning of this review was all over the stage and then filtered to the audience. With each song, the crowd got more and more into the show. Will Haven kept delivering killer riffs, rhythms and vocals that could be felt throughout the whole building. I’ll never forget hearing Carpe Diem for the first time. It’s one of those albums that when you hear it, it immediately inspires you to want to go make heavy music. Will Haven are one of the best to do this style of heavy music. So much so that when you hear a band imitate it, it makes you want to just go listen to Will Haven. After they ran through Carpe with brilliance, it was time for a couple new songs from their exquisite new album, VII. These new songs and album are one of the best of 2023. Here’s a crazy thought too, Carpe Diem was released 20 years ago and it left a mark on heavy music, and now 20 years after that, Will Haven has delivered another classic album with VII that will and should influence another generation of bands. What a great set Will Haven put on. One of those that I will definitely remember for many years to come.

One last note about the night, this was a pleasure to help put on and curate. Working with The Cobalt Presents (aka The Cobalt Cafe) and The Radford Media Group on putting shows together has been a blast. I highly urge you to come check out what we have coming up. We have been putting shows on for the past 2 years and it’s only getting better!

ARC ANGLES LIVE:

STRONGER THAN MACHINES LIVE:
WILL HAVEN LIVE:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CwmVH7eo3NA/?hl=en

Album Of The Week: Will Haven- VII


The mighty Will Haven are back with a new album that is absolutely intense yet has a balance of atmosphere and experimentation that only they can deliver. VII is the band’s seventh studio album and it takes no prisoners. The record is filled with riffs and grooves while at the same time pummeling rhythms that propel the gut wrenching vocals.

From the moment the album starts with “Luna” you know that this album is just waiting to explode. The sludgy/hardcore elements found throughout the album are classic yet feel fresh. Throughout the album it’s more and more apparent that this isn’t a heavy record for the sake of being heavy, there’s a lot to uncover as each song unfolds. The most prevalent aspect found throughout the album is the use of atmosphere. As each song grabs you by the throat, there is a bit of air between the grasp that explores different grooves and textures not found on most hardcore albums. I’d even go as far as to say there’s some psychedelic vibes going on here. For example the songs “For All Future Time” and “Paloma’s Blessing” both showcase Will Haven at it’s experimental finest. Then you also have a song like “Feeding The Soil” that is eerie as it gets under your skin. And then you have my favorite track on the album (as of this writing) “No Stars To Guide Me.” This song is a true highlight on the album but also in the bands catalog. This song is exactly the song I’d point to if I were to tell someone about Will Haven. It encompasses everything and more to love about this band and album.

Will Haven have indeed left their influential mark in heavy music throughout the years. The band’s cult status has only grown over the years, and for a band this far into their career, to put out an album that has it’s own identity and signature is quite the statement. VII is one hell of an album. I urge you to listen to it loudly and on repeat, because once it stops, your hunger for it will only grow deeper! Be sure to come out to The Knitting Factory in North Hollywood on Wednesday August 30, 2023 to witness Will Haven LIVE along with Cycotic Youth, Curse, Stronger Than Machines and Arc Angles TICKETS HERE!

Overall Rating: 9/10

Will Haven- VII:

Band Of The Week: Will Haven

On July 7, 2023 the mighty Will Haven will unleash their long awaited new album, VII (pre-orders available HERE). I personally am quite stoked on there being a new Will Haven album. Their last opus, Muerte was top notch and showed that there is still much more in the tank. They have now released two singles “Wings Of Mariposa” and the latest offering “5 Of Fire” and oh boy is it a scorcher for damn sure. Guitarist Jeff Irwin said of the track ” ‘5 Of Fire‘ is to me the blueprint for this record; it’s heavy, chaotic, with different moods and tempo changes. We wanted to challenge ourselves by writing live in real time, and this song was the one to set that off. I love how it came out and I find myself going back and listening to it over and over again. I still find something new every time I listen.” Based on that little description, I’m even more excited to hear what lies ahead on the 10 songs that will be on the new record. I’ve always felt like Will Haven never got the due they deserved. Their 2001 album, Carpe Diem is still one of the gems of the time as well as their entire catalog. You can catch Will Haven live at this years Furnace Fest in September as well as at The Knitting Factory in North Hollywood on August 30 with Arc Angles, Stronger Than Machines, Cycotic Youth and more. And don’t forget to blast the ever living hell out of “5 Of Fire!!!!”

Will Haven- 5 Of Fire:

Will Haven- Wings Of Mariposa:

By: Brian Lacy

Photo Credit: Eric Rivera

BANDCAMP FRIDAY: MAY 2023 EDITION

Today is Bandcamp Friday (when they wave their fee for 24 hours) and why not showcase some great bands and their albums/singles that are out now! Check out these bands and show them some support! If I missed your band, let me know and I’ll add it to the list!


Iress:

https://weareiress.bandcamp.com/

Common Wounds:

https://protagonistmusic.bandcamp.com/album/self-titled-11

Centershift:

https://centershift.bandcamp.com/

Rival Cults:

https://rivalcults.bandcamp.com/

Faetooth:

https://faetooth.bandcamp.com/

The Lungs:

https://lungslungs.com/

Tunic:

https://tunicband.bandcamp.com/

Gillian Carter:

https://gilliancarter.bandcamp.com/

MAL:

https://malsongs.bandcamp.com/

Arc Angles:

https://arcanglesla.bandcamp.com/

Greg Puciato:

https://gregpuciato.bandcamp.com/

If It Kills You:

https://ifitkillsyou.bandcamp.com/

Spirit In The Room:

https://spiritintheroom.bandcamp.com/

Black Magnet:

https://blckmgnt.bandcamp.com/

Turbid North:

https://turbidnorth.bandcamp.com/

Constraints Of Light:

https://constraintsoflight.bandcamp.com/

Diabology:

https://diabology.bandcamp.com/

Contranistas:

https://contranistas.bandcamp.com/

SOM:

https://somtheband.bandcamp.com/

Duhkha:

https://duhkha.bandcamp.com/releases

Fact Pattern:

https://factpattern.bandcamp.com/

Haunted Horses:

https://hauntedhorses.bandcamp.com/

Filth Is Eternal:

https://filthiseternal.bandcamp.com/

Lived In:

https://lived-in.bandcamp.com/

Deaf Club:

https://deafclub31g.bandcamp.com/

Thoughtcrimes:

https://purenoise.bandcamp.com/album/altered-pasts

Powder Pink & Sweet:

https://powderpinkandsweet.bandcamp.com/

Cowboy Destroy:

https://cowboydestroy.bandcamp.com/

In Parallel:

https://inparallelband.bandcamp.com/

Failure:

https://failureband.bandcamp.com/

Handle:

https://handle-ca.bandcamp.com/

James Strange:

https://jamesstrange.bandcamp.com/album/strange-rituals

Will Haven:

https://willhaven.bandcamp.com/

Band Of The Week: Horseneck

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For years now, there has been something in the water up in Sacramento, CA. The town has given us some of the best bands of the last 25 years in Deftones, Far, and Will Haven to name a few. But it doesn’t just stop there. There is another band that’s come about in the last couple years that are undoubtedly leaving their own mark on the towns musical history. I’m talking about Horseneck and these guys have ridden onto the stage with one hell of a bang. Their new album, Fever Dream, is one hell of a record and this band is seriously delivering the goods. Horseneck features former ‪Will Haven guitarists Anthony Paganelli and Lance Jackman, bassist Lennon Hudson, and current Chelsea Wolfe drummer Jess Gowrie. According to the band, the follow-up to 2017’s Heavy Trip (which is one hell of a fun album too), was a more collaborative process with all four individuals contributing more to the lyrics and music. Having spent over a year writing and refining the work, the result is a righteous slab of rockin heaviness that should be played loud. Fever Dream is a heavy rock record through and through with bits of a post-hardcore/stoner rock vibe, which gives it the variety it needs to truly be a stand out album. Horseneck is the type of band that people need to be listening to and telling everyone about! Giddy up for the ride!!!
Horseneck- Fever Dream:

 

Horseneck- Heavy Trip:

Top Ten Bands A to Z: W

audioeclectica_logo1

The A to Z list continues to find the top ten bands/artists in the alphabet. W is upon us and needs help to complete the list.

As usual your suggestions are wanted in completing this list.

These are in no particular order as well.

 

01) The Who
02) Ween
03) Wu- Tang Clan
04) Weezer
05) White Zombie
06) With Our Arms To The Sun
07) Chelsea Wolfe
08) Will Haven
09) Wilco
10) Tom Waits

Honorable Mention:

Whitesnake
Stevie Wonder

Album Review: Will Haven- Muerte

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Back in the mid 90’s, Sacramento, California had a very artistic music scene. Bands like Far and Deftones were starting to leave their mark not only in their area but everywhere. During this time though, there was another band that would take a slightly different turn from what their friends in Far and Deftones were doing. Instead of taking the melodic plunge, Will Haven opted for more of a dissidence approach with churning riffs and pummeling rhythms. Through the 20 years the band has been together, even with different line ups, one thing that can’t be mistaken is the impact Will Haven has left in heavy music.

Now in 2018, Will Haven are about to release their (final?) album Muerte (via MinusHEAD records). This album is a complete encapsulation of everything that the band has put into their music and albums. The heavy is still heavy only this time, they have added a bit more atmosphere to their sound. In 2001, Will Haven released an album called Carpe Diem that truly cemented the bands place in heavy music circles. Muerte seems like it’s the album that would have followed that one up. Beginning with the smack in the face of “Hewed With The Brand” and “Winds Of Change” you can tell that this album is not going to let up. In fact the unrelenting nature of Muerte carries through with songs like “43,” Unit K,” “The Son,” “Bootstraps,” and “Now In The Ashes.”  The songs “No Escape” featuring Mike Schiedt of YOB and “El Sol” which features Deftones guitarist Stephen Carpenter, really take the album to another level from all their others.

Vocalist Grady Avenell sounds as good if not better than he did at the height of the band way back when. Jeff Irwin (guitar), Adrien Contreras (bass) and Mitch Wheeler (drums) have crafted riffs and rhythms that will draw you in and then attack with a ferocious thunder. If Muerte is Will Haven’s final album, then they really are going out with a bang. The only thing left would be for Deftones to go out on tour and bring Will Haven along (like they did way back when) and let Will Haven destroy the audience. (I’m just putting that out in the aether).

Overall Rating: 9/10

 

Winds Of Change:

 

El Sol- Featuring Stephen Carpenter:

 

Pre-Order HERE:

 

Review By: Brian Lacy