Michael Beinhorn: “I Never Felt That Sonically Their Records Were Saying A Whole Lot”

Michael Beinhorn is a legendary producer who’s work has spanned over four decades and countless genres. He has helmed the boards for some of the most iconic albums of all time from Soundgarden‘s ‘Superunknown’ to Soul Asylum‘s ‘Grave Dancer’s Union’.  Michael’s work with Hole on their breakout album, ‘Celebrity Skin’, netted him one of his four Grammy nominations over his illustrious career. Continue reading

Breathe In BLACK LUNG’S ‘Ancients’ [Album Preview Video]

Doom three-piece Black Lung have returned with their new record, Ancients, via Ripple Music. Formed in Baltimore during the winter of 2014 by Adam Bufano and Elias Schutzman (founding members of The Flying Eyes) with multi-instrumentalist Dave Cavalier (Snakefeast). Creating a loud, effects-driven sound, they used their doom influences with touches of palatable melody. After the release of their self-titled album, they were named Best New Band by the Baltimore City Paper in 2015. In that same year, they went across the pond to Europe, playing Rockpalast Crossroads Festival (which was broadcast on German television), Freak Valley, and Desertfest Belgium. This is where they shared the stage with doomsters Graveyard, Dead Meadow, and All Them Witches. In 2016, they came back with a second full-release, See The Enemy, an album that put them on the map as a rising band. Now with more songs written, they went into the studio with Frank “The Punisher” Marchand (The Obsessed, Borracho) and came out with a sharper tuned-up sound.

Right off the bat, I am glad that they did not use distorted vocals on this album. Although I do enjoy distorted reverb vocals from stoner rock/metal and alternative artists occasionally, I think it can limit the songs. Dave Cavalier does great vocal work on this album, without making it sound like they are playing in a tin can. It feels cleaner, and it’s refreshing. That’s not to say I don’t love the guitar tone created by effects for this album. “Mother of the Sun” was an inviting first track with an intro that acts almost as an introductory track, without becoming too exhausting. The title track is really groovy and has a partnership between riff and chorus that will get in your head (in a good way, not a Bachman-Turner Overdrive kind of way). “Gone” is a fun track that has solos woven in and out of it, blended with another catchy riff. The album slows down with the heavier tone of “Badlands”, a song that radiates a Spaghetti Western aesthetic. Just when you think the track is ending, it pans out into an atmospheric jam. This album is a nice turn for Black Lung, making their sound a little more accessible without still being very heavy in the right places. I would recommend this to any hard rock fan who was looking for something heavier, as a stepping stone even heavier music.

Ancients will be released March 8 via Ripple Music (North America, Asia, and Australia) and March 22 on Noisolution (the UK and Europe). To preorder the album go here, and follow Black Lung on Facebook and Bandcamp

State Of The Art: New Mexico’s VANUM [Album Stream]

*This is part of our monthly State Of The Art series, showcasing bands every Monday from the featured state. This month’s state is New Mexico.*

Like the hot winds of Armageddon’s wrath, Sante Fe, New Mexico’s Vanum delivers a modern black metal inferno of atmosphere and intensity that harkens back to a classic sound. Their appropriately titled release ‘Ageless Fire,’ which just dropped last month on Profound Lore Records, could easily be the soundtrack to the end of days. While stylistically, Vanum’s sound is reminiscent of black metal’s golden era, thankfully they opt for a more modern, post-black metal production quality that gives the songs’ vast soundscapes the appropriate canvas on which to shine at their best. Not to be confused, however, the riffs on ‘Ageless Fire’ sound as filthy as to be expected while the drumming is able to effectively maintain a certain garage-like nastiness. Vocals genuinely and viscerally convey the primal screams of a tormented soul, especially during the music’s frequent, intense tremolo-picked passages. Continue reading

“The Bucketlist” with LILIAC!

Photo Courtesy of Liliac

We’re back again with another installment of our beloved Bucketlist segment where we pose the age-old question and find out which acts make the personal bucket lists of your favorite bands and artists! Quite often, we all get to check off on our own bucket lists and most of the time that list is ever-growing, but nonetheless, Metal Nexus will be here to keep asking that question and do our best to bring artists and fans just a little closer! This week, we’re looking at Liliac – a hard-rocking family quintet all under the age of 20! Continue reading

THE PRODIGY Vocalist Keith Flint Dead At 49!

The Prodigy star Keith Flint has died, aged 49. The Prodigy are an English electronic music group from Braintree, Essex, formed in 1990.  The Prodigy first emerged in the underground rave scene in the early 1990s and have since achieved popularity and worldwide recognition. They have sold an estimated 30 million records worldwide, and their songs “Firestarter.” “Breathe,” and others will certainly stand the test of time. Continue reading

Source Returns With “Totality”

Source is:

Ben Gleason: vocals, guitar, piano, keyboards, synthesizers

Justin Mirarck: drums

Riley Selleck: bass

Totality

Release date: 01 March 2019

Source has become a mainstay with past and present members of the Metal Nexus staff. Starting with the first listen to “Memories of Yesterday” when they were first covered as a State of the Art band for Colorado back in April of 2016, through tour coverage, multiple interviews, album reviews, video introductions and King of Strings honors, Source is one of those special bands that we just cannot shake. Their masterpiece debut album Return to Nothing even gleaned top honors for my Best Album of the Year in 2016. There was not even any competition, in my humble opinion, even though my long-time heroes Metal Church dropped their long awaited XI and Aleah Stanbridge’s final album with Trees of Eternity before her untimely passing entitled Hour of the Nightingale were released the same year. Return to Nothing still mesmerizes and moves me, often to tears, depending on the mood. All things considered, it is probably one of my all time favorite albums and has still not grown long in the tooth after three years. It is my sage haven anymore. That said, what about their most recent release Totality? Read on…

Continue reading

BLUE OYSTER CULT & THE TEMPERANCE MOVEMENT In Bristol, UK [Review & Photo Gallery]

Blue Oyster Cult

Turning up early to the Anson Rooms in the city of Bristol, UK, and after finally finding a space to park with a few laps of the area, I find the queue for the venue all the way down the street and around the corner.  I went up to the front and luckily walked in, got my pass, and eagerly waited for the tour’s support band The Temperance Movement to grace the stage of this massive hall. Continue reading

GIN BLOSSOMS Celebrate ‘New Miserable Experience’ In Chicago [Review & Photo Gallery]

Gin Blossoms

For over 30 years, Arizona’s Gin Blossoms have been playing rock shows across the country. This run was a special one as they made the rounds performing their famous, multi-platinum album ‘New Miserable Experience’ in its entirety. They did this last year as well in 2018 to celebrate it’s 25 year anniversary. The tour was so successful that they decided to do it again this year while also having the tour presented by Sirius XM radio station Lithium. The alternative rock band was supported by the pop punk veterans in Punchline. We were lucky enough to “experience” the ‘New Miserable Experience’ at the House of Blues in Chicago on February 22nd. Continue reading

BREWtally Speaking Podcast: Sonic Temple Festival 2019 Preview

 

Podcast Hosts Dan and Jon run through 2019’s incarnation of the Sonic Temple Festival (formerly Rock On the Range), happening at Mapfre Stadium in Columbus, OH May 17th, 18th and 18th. Continue reading