SNAIL picks up where their last LP left off: heavy, fuzzy melodic tunes with floating harmonies and lyrics that explore both inner and outer space. But this time, the band comes recharged and rejuvenated, enthusiastically triumphing over their dark side and reveling in their power trio roots. Heaviness with sweet melodies and evil backmasking. The album "Fractal Altar" shows off some slick songwriting and Custom-made for mind expansion that will give you as a listner a pleasent time.
So spin today tune "Mission From God" on a high volume and surf in to Argonauta Records https://www.argonautarecords.com/ and get a copy of the new album "Fractal Altar". Release date April 30th, 2021
Monday, new week, time to introduce "Record Of The Week".
The Seattle-based grunge band PEARL JAM (PJ) has finally released a follow-up to 2013’s "Lightning Bolt", the latest and 11th studio album, "Gigaton" dropped in on March 23 through both Republic Records and PJ's own independent label, Monkeywrench. The album was produced by music engineer Josh Evans (SOUNDGARDEN). The cover artwork was produced by photographer Paul Nicklen.
"Gigaton" is a great album to celebrate their own 30 years birthday this year.
PJ never disappoints even if they now are passing 50 years and getting old and grumpy. "Gigaton" has a little old man feeling but they have 30 years of experience in the creation of great songs with meaning and Eddie Vedder has something to say that touches both political and personal levels and this time he targets Trump and global catastrophe and offers the listener a sense of solace in times of crisis that seems especially relevant in the midst of the COVID-19. The album is very solid from start to finish. It has a great balance musically, it's strong and well made with a punch.
"Gigaton" has a run time of 57-minutes consisting of twelve tunes and the first three singles, the excellent "Dance of the Clairvoyants", the catchy rocker "Superblood Wolfmoon" and the jammy apocalyptic rocker "Quick Escape". The other nine tunes include a few more standout tracks like the rockers "Never Destination" and "Take The Long Way" to the more slower tunes like "Alright" and the emotional piece "Comes Then Goes" that could be a tribute to Chris Cornell, ""Seven O'Clock" is a true masterpiece in a classic PJ spirit, or the acoustic guitar-led numbers "Retrograde" and "Buckle Up", both are brilliant tunes where the latter is written by Stone Gossard. The closing tune "River Cross" is a real beauty with a 1850s-era pump organ as the main instrument. PJ has given us an unexpected album of hope that needs a few spins before you realize how special it is, get it now.
PJ consists of longstanding members:
Vocalist Eddie Vedder,
Guitarists Stone Gossard and Mike McCready,
Bassist Jeff Ament and Drummer Matt Cameron.
Sum: Welcome back PJ
Today's tune "Quick Escape" taken from "Gigaton", enjoy!
Seattle stoner doom powerhouse YEAR OF THE COBRAs second album "Ash And Dust" is sure to ultimately establish the duo - comprised of Amy Tung (bass/vocals) and Jon Barrysmith (drums) - as one of the genre's brightest stars, presenting a darker and more diverse sound than before with both psychedelic and post punk elements where they use their limitation in instrumentation to their advantage. Their songs drift relentlessly from classic epic doom laments into oppressive heavy riff architecture; from catchy, almost upbeat rock moments into transfiguring psychedelia.
By now, YEAR OF THE COBRA have found their very own niche, where lava-like riffs and pounding grooves melt with vocals of radiant grace and hooks of remarkable pop sensibility. Between all its excruciating heaviness, "Ash And Dust" reveals moments of light-hearted and angelic beauty. Captured into a larger-than-life production by legendary sound engineer Jack Endino (NIRVANA, SOUNDGARDEN, BRUCE DICKINSON), the album is a sonic experience that makes you want to dance into a flaming abyss.
Today's tune "Into The Fray" is taken from "Ash And Dust", enjoy!
THE HAUNTED NORTH is a groove metal band out of Seattle, Washington, driving music, powerful vocals of merge in the band’s debut release, "Monster". Randy V (DAMIEN) and Canadian guitarist Sean Francis, along with ‘JD’ DeServio and Jeff Fabb (both from BLACK LABEL SOCIETY), create crushing groove rock as fresh as it is familiar.
Singer Randy V was cutting his vocals at Bass-Mint Studios in New Jersey when THN co-producer and bassist John 'JD' DeServio told him the lyrics were out-of-place within the context of the whole album. The entire band (including Randy) agreed. The following morning Randy wrote the title track "Monster", which he describes as a life-long battle with codependency, born out of growing up in an appalling alcoholic environment. Justin Shturz (SHINEDOWN & SLIPKNOT) put the final mastering.
Regarding the lyrics, Randy states, "Sometimes the issue is not the addiction you were subjected to, but rather the unconscious need to be validated through hedonism and debauchery. It's a losing battle trying to fill an endless void right through the center of your being. That's what the monster is, blind, never-ending hunger, either trying to feel alive and known, or completely annihilated. There is no in between. The battle is fought with vigilance, everyday. It creeps up on you when you're not watching and destroys the people who actually love you. It's a beast to be reckoned with."
Today's tune "Monster" is the title tune taken from the bands debut album, enjoy!
Reverent as it is prophetic and stark, King Dude has previously shared his spiritual visions with releases on Dais, Avant!, Bathetic, Clan Destine, and Ván records. Pulling together the biblical sound and isolation of the bygone days of revelation with an atmosphere filled with hope and salvation, King Dude has woven his own brand of American music.
He brandishes many varied influences in his songwriting. Everything from British Folk, Americana, Country and Blues can be heard in his songs. Even the heavier sounds of Heavy Metal tend to sneak and slither it's way into the King Dude canon. The resulting songs are much more of a modern-day hymn then your average pop song. King Dude's music beg's the soul to lift itself up from the darkness of ignorance, towards the ever shining glorious "Light" that exists outside of all of us yet that which we are eternally connected to and at once connects everyone on Earth.
King Dude and Chelsea Wolfe did reunite to create another seven-inch vinyl tune of collaborative songs entitled "Sing More Songs Together...". Was released March 25th, 2014 on Not Just Religious Music.
The 7"
Limited to 1,000 copies (500 black. 300 white. 200 black & white mix.)
The hard-rocking Seattle quartet WALKING PAPERS released a Garage Sessions video in July already, been drafted too long so it's time to wake it up as its a pretty good tune.
WALKING PAPERS knows exactly how to forge the sounds that back up everything they want to be as a vibrant creative entity. The tune is taken from the latest release "WP2".
The low-end impresario bass player Duff McKagan (GUNS N’ ROSES, VELVET REVOLVER) has got so much going on with his other legendary successes that he certainly didn’t have the time to continue working with WALKING PAPERS, maybe he will be back when the other work settles down.
Current Line Up:
Jeff Angell - Guitars, Lead Vocals
Benjamin Anderson - Keyboards, Backing Vocals
Will Andrews - Drums
Dan Spalding - Bass
Gregor Lothian - Saxophone
Tristan Hart Pierce - Guitar
"Rainier Fog" is the ALICE IN CHAINS third record since the death of its iconic frontman, Layne Staley. It's has been five years since the released their stellar sophomoric release "The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here" with William DuVall on vocals.
"Rainier Fog" is ALICE IN CHAINS sixth full-length release for the Seattle grunge metal band, the album was produced by Nick Raskulinecz (FOO FIGHTERS, DEFTONES), who produced Black Gives Way To Blue and The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here.
"Rainier Fog" opens up with the leading singles "The One You Know" and "So Far Under", two tunes that really making the rounds of the album. Guitar based classic AIC tunes, where the chemistry between Cantrell and DuVall is like a loving couple, riffs, harmonies and vocals just fit perfect. The title track "Rainier Fog" is a rocker with heavy riffing, tougher vocals and great energy that drives the tune. "Fly" is a beauty, half-paced melodic piece that makes you set peace with yourself. Great heaviosity in "Red Giant" with some real crunchy guitars and the doomish track "Drone", with heavy riffing and trailing vocals that drain you like a punctured rubber duck. "Never Fade" is the album standout and have some really marvelous vocals, excellent guitar slinging work signed Cantrell and the rhythm section by drummer Sean Kinney and bassist Mike Inez. The light paced tracks "Deaf Ears Blind Eyes" and "Maybe" that takes the slower melodic way to shine. The hypnotic closing by the tune "All I Am", a slow piece with an epic ending.
"Rainier Fog" is a flawless record, still modern but unconcerned with fashion, a real and exciting piece of work that only ALICE IN CHAINS could produce
Sum: "Rainier Fog" is like a flower that has just blossomed up, full of life!
Today's tune "The One You Know" is taken from "Rainier Fog", enjoy!
KULTUR SHOCK is a Seattle-based gypsy punk band which specializes in mixing music like rock, metal and punk with traditional Balkan music. Even if the style is impossible to define- many critics throw SOAD, GOGOL BORDELLO, MANU CHAO, GANG OF FOUR, THE POGUES, Balkan folk music, punk rock, heavy metal as references to it, but nothing can prepare the unsuspecting listener to what is going to come out of their home stereo speakers or what's going to happen to them during the 90 minutes live shows that the band is known for. In two words- the description is a mix of all of the above in a seamless new sound, that takes the listener on a trip and never lets go.
Active since 1996, KULTUR SHOCK members hail from Bosnia, Bulgaria, and the United States. The band has performed over 1000 shows throughout the United States and Europe.
The band defines itself as "a live band of blue-collar immigrants".
KULTUR SHOCK members:
Gino - vocals, synth
Val - guitar
Amy - bouzouki, vocals
Chris - drums, percussion
Guy - bass
Matty - violin
Today's tune "Refugee Song" is taken from the EP "Drama", released April 1, 2018. The video was directed, shot and chopped by Dima Levanchuk. Enjoy!
Since their inception in early 2015, Seattle based doom duo, YEAR OF THE COBRA, has garnered a lot of attention. After being discovered by famed Pacific Northwest blog site Doomed and Stoned in early 2016, they started to amass a solid following. The early rough mixes they released eventually became their debut EP, The Black Sun (2015), co-released by DHU Records (Netherlands), Devil’s Child Records (US), and Heavy Metal Vomit Party (Slovak Republic). Soon after, they signed with heavy weights, STB Records, who would eventually release their debut full length LP worldwide.
YOTC hit the road hard in 2016 with multiple West Coast tours and a full US tour. To promote their nation wide tour, they released a 7” split with tour mates and legendary stoner rock band, Mos Generator. The 7” sold out within days as the two bands toured across the US. With the excitement at full steam, their highly anticipated debut full length, …In The Shadows Below, was featured and streamed live via noisey.vice.com on October 26, 2016 to high acclaim, and was available worldwide on October 28th via STB Records on all formats (Vinyl, Cd, Tape, Digital). Since it’s debut, the album has received rave reviews and is still selling strong.
Today's tune "Persephone" a track featured on "...In the Shadows Below". The Video is Live footage was taken on 11/12/2016 at the Funhouse in Seattle, WA. Filmed and edited by Tyler Wilson and Dead Cowboy Productions. Enjoy!
The American rock band CANDLEBOX, from Seattle, Washington, is one of the influential rock band from the powerful '90s Seattle music movement, returns with its long-overdue sixth album, "Disappearing In Airports", on April 22.
CANDLEBOX was the first successful act on MADONNAs Maverick Records, which went on to sign ALANIS MORISSETTE, DEFTONES and THE PRODIGY. They found immediate success with the release of their self-titled debut album in July 1993. It featured some of the band's biggest hit singles, including "Far Behind" and "You", and was certified platinum by the RIAA four times. Their next two albums, Lucy and Happy Pills, also sold well. After troubles with Maverick, CANDLEBOX went on indefinite hiatus in 2000 after an alleged attempt to be freed from their contract. The band reunited in 2006, and two years later, they released their fourth album "Into the Sun", followed by an extensive tour. Their latest album, "Love Stories & Other Musings", was released in April 2012.
The band has toured or played selected shows with such bands as LIVING COLOUR, THE FLAMING LIPS, OUR LADY PEACE, RUSH, HENRY ROLLINS, AEROSMITH, GODSMACK, METALLICA, RADIOHEAD, THE OFFSPRING, SPONGE, SEAWEED, HINDER, SUICIDAL TENDENCIES and DANZIG. They were also a featured band on the main-stage at Woodstock '94 and made repeat live performances on Late Show with David Letterman.
For "Disappearing In Airports", the band worked with producers Carson Slovak and Grant McFarland (AUGUST BURNS RED, EVERCLEAR, RIVERS OF NIHIL), cutting the record at Think Loud Studios in York, Pennsylvania. With Martin, Dave Krusen on drums, Adam Kury on bass and the addition of guitarists Mike Leslie and Brian Quinn, the recommitment to creating music that is "pissed and urgent" as well as bringing a new energy to the live show is at this record's core.
Today's tune "Vexatious" is the first single taken from the upcoming album "Disappearing In Airports" (out April 22, 2016), the Video is created by Rob Neilson
"'Vexatious' is about the social networking-obsessed, unlimited
bragging rights society we live in, where people come off as entitled
yet so insecure," says frontman Kevin Martin. "Whether it's a pop star
feuding senselessly with another pop star, or people who can't help but
to take 50 different selfies in under a minute missing everything that's
happening around them, it's a sad commentary on life that we can't
escape. Dating apps, bitching apps, secret sharing apps, apps apps apps —
they all operate outside of any real or authentic human connection.
It's disconnect everywhere and it's destroying us. No one cares what
anyone else thinks or feels. It's all 'me, me, me' and, if you ask me,
it's fucking sad."
March 17 - Lima, Peru (Discoteca Voce)
March 19 – Santiago, Chile (Lollapalooza 2016)
March 24 – Suqamish, WA (Clearwater Casino Resort)
April 1 - Louisville Ky (Mercury Ballroom)
April 2 - Cincinnati OH (Bogarts)
April 3 - Indianapolis (The Vogue)
April 5 – Dallas, TX (Trees)
April 7 – Houston, TX (Scout Bar)
April 8 – San Antonio, TX (Fitzgerald’s)
April 9 – Tyler, TX (Click’s)
April 10 – Lubbock, TX (Jake’s Backroom)
April 12 – El Paso Tx (Speaking Rock Entertainment Center)
April 13 – Tucson Az – (Rialto Theatre)
April 16 – San Francisco Ca (Slims)
April 19 – Butte Mt (Butte Depot)
April 20 – Billings Mt (Pub Station)
April 22 – Denver Co (Marquis)
April 23 – Pueblo Co (Pueblo Memorial Hall)
April 26 – Little Rock Ar (Metroplex)
April 27 – Monroe La (Live Oaks)
April 28 – Baton Rouge La (Varsity Theatre)
April 30 – Jacksonville, FL (Welcome To Rockville)
May 3 – Annapolis Md (Rams Head Tavern)
May 5 – Nashville Tn (12th and Porter)
May 6 – Charlotte NC (Carolina Rebellion)
May 7 – Marietta Oh (The Adelphi Music Hall)
May 19 – Bethlehem, PA (Sands Bethlehem Center) w/ 3 Doors Down
June 12 – South Bend, IN (St. Joseph County Fairgrounds)
Today, we'll throw in a classic, we jump back to 1984!
1984 was a year that I spent every single penny I earned on records. What a year 1984 was, albums like "Perfect Strangers" with DEEP PURPLE that got shit loads of play time back in the days. "Heaven's on Fire" with KISS & "Jump" with VAN HALEN was on the radio and at the disco. JUDAS PRIEST release the heavy smoker "Defenders of the Faith" that got me into a wish for a leather jacket that I never got, as it was to hard for a kid to wear :/ and METALLICAs "Ride the Lightning", the two records that my friends and I played air guitar to. MARILLION releases "Fugazi" an album that I bought several years later, It was to odd for my taste back then. Other albums that I think I got during this time was "Thunder Seven" with TRIUMPH, "Out of the Cellar" with RATT, "Slide It In" with WHITESNAKE, "In Rock we trust" with Y&T, "Love at First Sting" with SCORPIONS, "Powerslave" with IRON MAIDEN, "The Warning" with QUEENSRYCHE, "Last In Line" with DIO, "Stay Hungry" with TWISTED SISTER and "Condition Critical" with QUIET RIOT. Another odd but interesting record that found it's way to my home was the selftitled album with W.A.S.P. , this was the scariest album that I had at that time.
Anyway, there was certainly more of good records that I found during this year. However, none of the above, is what I had in mind this time. But a little more unusual bird like the Seattle rock band Q5 and the record "Steel the Light". I know many will say WHAT?
"Steel the Light"is an remarkable album. It contains nine fabulous songs over 37 minutes, which end before you even realize it. The album opens up with a real blaster "Missing In Action", heavy, thrashy and melodic with excellent riffs from Floyd Rose and Rick Pierce. The vocals from Jonathan K. is fabulous, high range and incredibly accurate. Already here the band sets the standards on what to expect. The second song ''Lonely Lady'' is a melodic tune of very catchy galloping riffs. The third track is the title track, the album Opus with a guitar riffs that you will get u goose bumps. The solo is epic and your cheek will fall to the ground like a mountain cliff that loses it's grip and falls down. The album just continues on the same line "Pull The Trigger" with its smart guitar riffs and solos working together with a high range vocals. "Ain't No Way to Treat a Lady" is more old school rocker from the 70's but with the 80's metal with a very high standard, so easy, so good. "In the Night" slows down the tempo, here does the vocals got a more mid range with finger flick on a blues rock base. "Come and Gone" is the album ballad, a heartbreaking tune with guitars that dig deep in you and vocals that almost puts your eyes in tears. The two final tunes "Rock On" and "Teenage Runaway" turns up the tempo and ends the record with the banner at the top!
To summarise "Steel the light" is a album that YOU absolutely need this in your collection, period!
Q5 was formed in 1983 by members of two popular Seattle bands: vocalist Jonathan K and guitarist (famous guitar tremolo inventor) Floyd Rose from THE C.O.R.E. and Rick Pierce (guitar), Evan Sheeley (bass) and Gary Thompson (drums) from TKO. Q5 released its first album, "Steel The Light", in 1984, receiving immediate critical acclaim, and landing them tours with TWISTED SISTER, Y&T and LITA FORD. The success of "Steel The Light" led them to eventually sign with Polygram/Squawk for their 1985 sophomore release "When The Mirror Cracks", but due to personal differences, the original lineup dissolved shortly after this release.
In 2014, Q5 was asked to perform at Sweden Rock Festival, a performance that the band had agreed would be a "one-off" show, but at the completion of the performance, it was obvious that this was not an ending, but merely a beginning. Upon returning to Seattle, the band secured drummer Jeffrey McCormack (formerly of HEIR APPARENT, FIFTH ANGEL) again, and guitar virtuoso Dennis Turner to complete the lineup. Reformed Seattle rockers Q5 have inked a deal with Frontiers and a new album will see the light next year, can't wait.
Bands
such as GREAT WHITE, WOLF, OCTOBER 31 and many others have covered
songs from the album, and fans are writing from all corners of the
globe, eagerly anticipating the next chapter in the Q5 story... That
chapter begins NOW!
The innovative guitarist Floyd Rose is otherwise best known for being the inventor of the locking tremelo system, the now indispensable device that ensures the guitar stays in tune even after the heaviest of tremelo use.
This double locking system was notable for its
ability to stay in tune despite repeated use and wide variations in
pitch. His design was later recognized on Guitar World 's "10 Most
Earth Shaking Guitar Innovations."
Todays tune "Steel The Light" is as a
"classic" and a "must-have in any metalhead's collection."
HELMS ALEE is an American rock band that formed in 2007 in Seattle. The band features Guitarist/Vocalist Ben Verellen, former member of HARKONEN and ROY, Bassist/Vocalist Dana James and Drummer/vocalist Hozoji Matheson-Margullis. The band have released three albums and one EP, Night Terror (2008) and Weatherhead (2011), through Hydra Head Records, and Sleepwalking Sailors (2014) through Sargent House (to which the band signed in 2013). The HELMS ALEE // YOUNG WIDOWS Split LP 12 was released (2014)
HELMS ALEEs music is an amazing hybrid of the inspirations of the band's own collective effort. A unique blend of metal, art rock, pop and punk that are welded together in a charming way.
"The weird thing about it", Ben Verellen muses, "is that we've got three different people contributing lyrics, parts and melodies to each song. So, they end up being disjointed by our individual input. We spent 3-1/2 years writing the songs for this album, so it's thematically all over the place."
Sleepwalking Sailors was recorded with engineer Chris Common (THESE ARMS ARE SNAKES, PELICAN, CHELSEA WOLFE) in Seattle, with intentionally built-in limitations.
"We recorded the album to tape in order to confine ourselves from ProTools refining every detail. We ended up with something that sounds really big, but also a bit more aggressive."
Todays tune "Pleasure Center" is taken from the 3:rd album "Sleepwalking Sailors". The album was released worldwide on LP, CD and download on February 11th, 2014 via Sargent House. This clip is recorded live in the KEXP studio. January 18, 2014.
Today we say hello to Sandrider from Seattle, Washington.
Sandrider plays a heavy, dirty, guitar driven stoner rock with some sort of infectious melodic sludge that hits you like a sledgehammer!
The band is currently composed of former Akimbo band members Jon Weisnewski and Nat Damm, as well as Jesse Roberts from The Ruby Doe. As of 2014 the band has released two full-length albums through Good to Die Records.
Todays tune "Gorgon" is taken from Sandriders second album "Godhead", the video was filmed by Wes Johnson and Jerry Howard.
The Seattle rockers Alice In Chains has just released "Stone" a new single from "The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here" which is their upcoming fifth studio album. It is expected to be released on May 28 2013, and will be Alice in Chains' second album since their 2005 reunion, following the 2009 release Black Gives Way to Blue.
About the tune and the upcoming album, I say just as Jerry Cantrell said to Revolver magazine: "I don't think you'll be surprised by anything you hear. ... It's us. But it's also really unique. It's got all the elements of any record we've put out, but it's unlike any record we've put out. Basically, it's the next chapter in the Alice in Chains book, and it's going to be a big one." Cantrell also said to Guitar World: "In my opinion, Black Gives Way to Blue stood up to anything else we've put out in our career. Hopefully, the new album will connect with people in the same way."
The cover artwork features the skull of a Triceratops with a second skull image steganographically hidden on a red background. The two skulls, when revealed, combine to form the image of the Devil. "The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here" album title refers to a belief held by some religious individuals that to confuse the masses of humanity, Satan himself planted dinosaur bones deep into the Earth to dissuade the faithful.
Alice in Chains is an American rock band formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1987 by guitarist and songwriter Jerry Cantrell and original lead vocalist Layne Staley. The initial lineup was rounded out by drummer Sean Kinney, and bassist Mike Starr (who was replaced in 1993 by Mike Inez).
Todays tune "Stone" is taken from the upcoming new album "The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here".
Monday again and I'm in the middle of the "Idrottsgalan 2013" on the globe, was supposed to be unveiled this week's album, but this sadly this wont be the case, i don't have the time, so it have to wait until next week, hopefully i got more time to work on that.
So in the mean wile we play a brand new tune with Alice in Chains.
Alice in Chains is an American rock band formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1987 by guitarist and songwriter Jerry Cantrell and original lead vocalist Layne Staley. The initial lineup was rounded out by drummer Sean Kinney, and bassist Mike Starr (who was replaced in 1993 by Mike Inez). Alice in Chains was plagued by extended inactivity from 1996 onwards due to Staley's substance abuse, which resulted in his death in 2002. The band reunited in 2005 with new lead vocalist William DuVall, and released their fourth studio album, Black Gives Way to Blue, in 2009. The album was a success, being certified gold by the RIAA in 2010. Alice in Chains recently finished recording a new studio album, which is due for release sometime in 2013.
Todays tune "Hollow" is taken from the upcoming album.
Listen to "Q5 - Steel The Light" on Spotify 
