Psychic Warfare from Clutch (released 10/2/15)

Clutch is back with a new album, unleashing Psychic Warfare on their legions of fans.  They remain consistent, churning out a steady stream of rowdy rock and roll with a touch of blues while a deranged lead singer drops curious vocals with a nifty combo of grit and style.  Clutch will never be as heavy as they once were, but this record is a bit more aggressive and a bit less somber than some of their groovier releases.  There's some serious bravado on display here, and it cannot be denied that Psychic Warfare offers listeners a thumping good time with an emphasis on excess.  Yet it still emerges as a far cry from Elephant Riders or the band's glorious self-titled album, so it's hard to review this one without penalizing Clutch for being so damn awesome once upon a when.  Is new Clutch that much different from old Clutch?  Well, while the band has always remained true to themselves, they have certainly grown over time.  As musicians, these guys are truly top-notch, and they are better at what they do now then they were back then.  However, there was something damn near primal about those unruly days when the sound was a bit more raw and everyone was a bit angrier (and the lyrics were a bit sillier) that has proven difficult to replace.  Having said all that, this is probably my favorite album that Clutch has released since Elephant Riders and it is a real kick in the pants.  I love "X-Ray Visions," "Firebirds," and the semi-operatic "Son of Virginia," and there isn't a song on Psychic Warfare that doesn't work.  It's a quality recording that is worthy of the band's legacy even if it is a bit overshadowed by those monumental releases that still define these unique rockers from Maryland.

Final Grade: B

Clutch is back with another rad record. unleashing Psychic Warfare on eager listeners.

Slayer - Repentless (Released 9/11/2015)

Slayer hit us with Repentless today, the first album the band has released since Jeff Hanneman passed away.  The impossible task of stepping in for Hanneman falls upon Gary Holt of Exodus.  Holt is a quality guitarist and he works hard to fill a significant void, though his efforts are somewhat diminished by Kerry King taking on a larger role.  For the most part, King actually plays it straight, but there are enough "Hey, look at me!" solos around to drag the proceedings down at times.  Paul Bostaph fills in nicely for Dave Lombardo on drums; there can be no doubt that he fits this band just as well as Lombardo, though I still give Dave a slight edge in ability and a bigger edge in finesse.  Tom Araya does a fine job with the vocals and bass, but that should come as no surprise.  It's a good album, much better than much of what's out there right now.  How does it stack up alongside Slayer's best recordings?  Come on, man.  Still, an average Slayer album trumps a top-shelf disc from the vast majority of acts playing the heavy metal scene in 2015.  I contemplated giving this album a "C+" but it occurred to me that I wasn't being very fair.  This would get no less than a "B" if it was released by most bands in the same vein, and there are several big name entities out there that have never produced something as worthwhile as Repentless.  The opening track, an instrumental entitled "Delusions of Saviour," is perhaps my favorite cut, though it seems like it should exist as the intro for the title track.  Speaking of the title track, the song is cool but the "Repentless" video is totally gnarly.  Slayer + Danny Trejo + a grisly prison riot = 1 extremely metal music video.  Other standout tracks include "Piano Wire," the punk-esque thrashfest that is "You Against You," "Vices," and "Pride in Prejudice."  I don't think that any of these offerings stack up well against any of Slayer's best cuts, but none of the songs on Repentless fall flat.  In the end, I am enjoying this one, even if it will never be confused with one of this legendary metal band's greatest albums.  It's still Slayer, even if things look and sound a little different, and Slayer still raises hell better than anyone.

Final Grade: B-

Slayer's new line-up delivers a solid album that is head and shoulders above
most of what's out there right now, though it is surely a far cry from their best stuff.

Slayer - Repentless Singles (Album is Due Friday)

Like many Slayer fans, I'm looking forward to the release of Repentless on Friday, but I'm also a bit conflicted about this latest offering from heavy metal's biggest and baddest act.  While Dave Lombardo is probably my favorite drummer, it isn't really his absence that bothers me.  No, I'm still on board in light of that unfortunate development, largely due to the fact that Paul Bostaph is a monster on the skins in his own right.  It's the fact that Jeff Hanneman is no longer around to contribute that makes me wonder if the album will measure up to the band's considerable legacy.  Fortunately, Slayer has dropped four singles to give us some idea of what to expect.  None of them are bad, that's for sure.  Each new song has some value and there is surely no indication that Repentless won't be a solid release.  Having said that, none of the songs are great either, leaving one to wonder if we can hope for more than an average record from Tom Araya, Kerry King, Bostaph, and newcomer Gary Holt.  Slayer fans don't dig on mediocrity and the band has always rewarded their feverish base with blistering albums loaded with rich songs that most metal acts wish they could dream up.  It will be interesting to see if Repentless rises above the four decent singles that have hit the scene or simply offers up more of the same.  I guess it's possible that the rest of the songs could suck and Repentless could wind up being the trainwreck that some longtime fans are expecting, but I doubt it.  This is Slayer, after all.  Anyway, I'm going to provide track notes for the singles and you can drop by on Friday for a review of the album itself.

Tracks released thus far:

Track 2 - "Repentless" - Probably the strongest single we've gotten thus far, this is a fitting nod to Jeff Hanneman's love for speed and aggression.  It's a brief jaunt with a nifty chorus and it isn't overburdened with a lot of that Kerry King "Fuck the cohesion of the song and check out my solo!" bullshit.

Track 5 - "Cast the First Stone" - Brooding and brutal, it has some punch even though it doesn't really make any attempt to stray from the formula.

Track 6 - "When the Stillness Comes" - Bolstered by some deft vocals c/o Araya and a driving beat, this is a dark and demented song that doesn't disappoint.

Track 8 - "Implode" - This nearly rises above the pack and emerges as a stellar assault on the eardrums, but there is a bit too much of that Kerry King bullshit happening in the last third of the song. 

The new album hits Friday and I will be posting a review here at Land of Way.

Faith No More - Sol Invictus (Review + Track Notes)

Fans of artists who partner incredible talent with vision and a powerful need to think outside the box (that's a pretty short list, right?) can circle May 19 on their calendars.  That's when Sol Invictus arrives, and the first Faith No More album since 1997 is absolutely delightful.  It may have been a while since these alternative innovators have produced an album, but you wouldn't know that by listening to Sol Invictus.  This brief yet stirring smorgasbord of sound surely warrants a piece of premium real estate on the island of misfit records FNM has provided us with.  It's obvious that these guys have grown as musicians and yet it is amazing how in sync with their overall approach and their impressive catalog this release is. 

Faith No More is my favorite band and there was surely a point when, like most fans of this vastly underrated act, I didn't really think a reunion of any sort was ever going to happen.  Then they shocked us all by getting back together to play some shows, but most of the dates were on foriegn soil and there was no talk of another record.  Lo and behold, new songs began to emerge, and then there came a most blessed day when the band announced that they were going to create another sonic odyssey for the faithful (faithless?) to enjoy. 

If I were to say that I was eager to listen to Sol Invictus, well, that would be a bit of an understatement.  The first time I gave it a listen there were moments where my smile grew so wide that it was almost painful.  It was a joyous experience, truth be told, and some of the music is rather joyful--though much of it is tongue-in-cheek and there's enough cynicism sprinkled throughout to give the feel-good elements of Sol Invictus an edge.  These light and tender sounds frequently give way to some of the most forceful and jagged landscapes the band has created, and the range of material is pretty damn epic (forgive me).  A few days have passed and I have listened to Sol Invictus maybe a dozen times, but that estimate could be a bit low.  Who's counting?  One thing is certain: Faith No More is back and these lovable weirdos have dropped a fabulous album on us.

Final Grade: A+

Bonus Points: I'll be at the show in Raleigh on 7/31.
That's bucket list stuff, peeps!

 Track Notes

1. Sol Invictus - warm and incredibly rich, this is a perfect way to get things started

2. Superhero - fierce, fun, and very catchy

3. Sunny Side Up - maybe my favorite track on the album, this one is incredibly lighthearted with just a hint of malice to keep you on your toes

4. Separation Anxiety - this is probably the heaviest song on Sol Invictus and it is one hell of a rollicking ride

5. Cone of Shame - there's something a little spooky about this slow burn with a thrilling transition and Patton at his most metal

6. Rise of the Fall - this is one of those trademark "impossible to classify yet incredibly groovy" gems that have made FNM such trendsetters

7. Black Friday - take my thoughts on "Rise of the Fall" and multiply by 2

8. Motherfucker - the first single that the band released for Sol Invictus (only Faith No More would release a single called "Motherfucker" to promote an album that legions of fans have been waiting nearly two decades for) aims to take my thoughts on "Rise of the Fall" and multiply by 10--seriously, it's one of the coolest and most bizarre songs that these guys have ever created

9. Matador - my bad, "Sunny Side Up," "Matador" is probably my favorite track on the album--it's incredible, it's kind of operatic when it isn't too busy being totally badass, and it allows everyone in the band ample opportunity to shine

10. From the Dead - the title may not make it sound like a soft and gentle way to close out a marvelous album with the sort of diversity that one doesn't expect from any band but FNM, but that's just what it is

Are FNM back and better than ever?  Well, they're back and they're as good as ever.
Honestly, with their eclectic output, ranking their albums is a bit of a fool's errand.

New Melvins Album Coming Soon!

Good news, peeps!  The Melvins are dropping another album on us on 4/30.  Everybody Loves Sausages will feature both the full-throttle Melvins line-up featuring Jarred Warren and Cody Willis and a few tracks from the Melvins Lite line-up featuring Trevor Dunn on stand-up bass.  There will also be several guests in the mix (including familiar names like Kevin Rutmanis and Jello Biafra) and the album is a zany collection of covers that the band enjoys.

The Melvins are one of the best bands working today, and their reputation for delivering astounding live performances is well-deserved.  If you have never seen them in person and you get a chance to do so, don't miss out.  In the meantime, this album sounds like an intriguing purchase; here's a list of the featured tracks:

1. Warhead (Venom; Guest: Scott Kelly of Neurosis)
02. Best Friend (Queen; Guest: Caleb Benjamin of Tweak Bird)
03. Black Betty (Original artist unknown)
04. Set It On Fire (The Scientists; Guest: Mark Arm)
05. Station To Station (David Bowie; Guest: JG Thirlwell)
06. Attitude (The Kinks: Guest: Clem Burke of Blondie)
07. Female Trouble (Divine a.k.a. John Waters)
08. Carpe Diem (The Fugs)
09. Timothy Leary Lives (Pop-O-Pies)
10. In Every Dream Home a Heartache (Roxy Music; Guests: Jello Biafra and Kevin Rutmanis)
11. Romance (Tales of Terror)
12. Art School (The Jam; Guest: Tom Hazelmeyer)
13. Heathen Earth (Throbbing Gristle)

Additionally, this album comes from Ipecac, a label that continues to inspire.  Click here to learn more about the Melvins and other Ipecac acts.

Oh, and whether you love them or you hate them, you have to admit that the notion of a Melvins and a Melvins Lite is extremely cool.  Long live King Buzzo!

What's up with Slayer?

So, like many of you, I've been hoping for another Slayer album.  Since there had been some talk of another release in 2013, I was on the prowl for details when I came upon some troubling news.  The band is gearing up for an Australian tour, but the finest drummer ever to pound the skins won't be manning the kit.  Though Dave Lombardo released a statement detailing the situation (it's basically a contract dispute) and closed it with a note that he was hopeful for a resolution, things don't sound good.

Like many, I am an avid fan of the band, and while I think the group is composed of several stellar musicians, my favorite aspect of Slayer is Dave's drumming.  To be honest, when Paul Bostaph stepped in for Dave once upon a when, the band still managed to produce epic material and crush their live shows.  Yet it wasn't quite the same, and I truly felt that bringing Dave back in 2006 was a big deal.  I enjoyed Christ Illusion and World Painted Blood, and I was eager for another record, but now I just don't know.

Again, Dave seems to feel that there's some chance the band can work through this, and it has already been announced that John Dette (who worked with the band back in 1996-97) is going to handle the percussion in Australia.  Additionally, the band is supposedly still working on new material for another release, but questions abound.  Jeff Hanneman is still recovering from a spider bite and Slayer is getting a bit long in the tooth.

Will there be another album?

Will it feature Dave Lombardo on drums?

Will I buy it if it doesn't?

Will you?