Category — Albums

While I kind of disagree with Pitchfork Media’s opinions, oh, 98% of the time and their choice of bands to cover…they do some cool things. I guess the site has gotten so big now that they have a lot of priority and access to all kinds of stuff.

Courtesy of “Pitchfork TV” check out Josh Freese totally killing his DW drums, on this live-in-studio footage, of NIN playing their new song “1,000,000″ off of their new album “The Slip.” Really cool…

NIN: Live-In-Studio Rehearsal

This is the first of 3 parts, so make sure to check out the other 2 when they become available.

Last night I had the pleasure of seeing Seattle drone-rockers Earth at The Echo. To start off, I was pretty surprised to learn the show would be going on at The Echo and not a larger venue. Earth is one of those bands where you know they’re critically acclaimed, but you have no idea how big they really are. The band slowly took the stage, lead-man Dylan Carlson thanked the crowd and began.

The band’s set mainly consisted of songs from their recently released Southern Lord album “The Bees Made Honey In The Lion’s Skull” although not played in exact album running order. Highlights included “The Driver” and Rise To Glory” both of which showed how much the band’s sound has progressed from distorted drone metal to their current style.

The band’s chemistry on this night was evident. Band leader Dylan Carlson’s Telecaster was clean, crisp and piercing, laced with different kinds of delay, flange and various other effects. The guitar playing worked in tandem with Don Mcgreevy’s bass playing and Steve Moore’s keyboard, filling in any empty spaces. The results of which were beautiful soundscapes and dreamy passages. However, the real pulse of the band live was drummer Adrienne Davies. It appeared as if someone had put her into slow motion, as she drummed away on each song, keeping the beat of the song with her body. Her drumming definitely brought the whole experience together.

Opening band Jesse Sykes and The Sweet Hereafter were a great support choice. Sykes lyrics and singing were folky and trippy at the same time, and her band’s gentle twang perfectly set the stage for Earth to take the stage. I’d advise anyone who can to check out this tour.

Thanks to one of my blog readers…Matt, who commented yesterday, I learned that the new Slipknot track is already available for your listening pleasure online. (Thank you again Matt!)

Check out the full song here.

As I suspected, Joey Jordison does not disappoint on this new track. It features incredibly fast double-bass parts, the BPM is just insane, I’m not sure how fast…but it’s pretty amazing. He also plays a bunch of blast beats. The descriptions that have come out in the press are not far off, “Iowa” meets “Vol. 3 (the Subliminal Verses)” is definitely the sound on this track.

The production is thick and sounds a lot more metal, due to the band using Dave Fortman instead of Rick Rubin’s production team. I should also mention that Jordison has even got some slower groove based drum parts in the song as well. I’m pretty sure this album is going to please a lot of Slipknot/Joey Jordison fans.

Slipknot will be gearing up to release their new record this year, which now has a title.

“Slipknot’s fourth album has been christened “All Hope Is Gone” and will arrive Aug. 26 via Roadrunner. A first single and track list have yet to be announced.”

“We have made an album that will show the road behind, the road ahead, and where we are as men,” group member Corey Taylor says in a statement. “I think it’s the best thing I’ve ever made. And I challenge anyone to prove me wrong.”

Taylor previously described the new album to Billboard as a “very dark” cross between “Vol. 3″ and 2001’s “Iowa.” “It has so much power in it and yet there are so many great spots for melody,” he said. “It’s a controlled chaos that hits you right out of the gate.”

This album should also see Joey Jordison returning with some ridiculous, crazy and super fast beats being played on his awesome Pearl drum kits, I am sure. A lot of us drummers will be looking forward to it. As soon as any sound clips or samples become available, I’ll post them here.

Source.

Around 2 weeks ago, listening parties were held for Metallica’s forthcoming, still untitled new album. Member’s of the music press were allowed in and permitted to write down their thoughts on the record, which a lot of people are calling a “return to form” and even praised, in various publications such as Kerrang! Metal Hammer and more.

The band, or the band’s management then instructed all of these publications/websites to take anything regarding Metallica’s new album down. This seemed to defeat the purpose of the listening parties and everyone wondered, why are Metallica retarded? Don’t they want people to get excited about their new album? Don’t they want coverage in the press?

Well now the band has responded, check it out here.

It turns out it was their management, who would’ve thunk it?

Drone-metal band OM have released a new live album via Southern Lord Records entitled “Om - Live at Jerusalem.” The album is limited to 3,000 copies pressed on 180 gram black vinyl.

The band had made the trek to Jerusalem in December of 2007, at that time, still with original drummer Chris Haikus, not current OM drummer Emil Amos. On the night this live album was recorded the band played for over 4 hours!

The live album includes essential OM tracks “Flight of The Eagle” and “Bhima’s Theme.” Bob Weston of Shellac fame handled the vinyl mastering process in the United States. The record is available through Southern Lord.

In recent weeks, (previously?) much-loved rock band Weezer have been releasing numerous singles at a steady rate from their new untitled “Red Album.” So far, most of them have been panned by music sites and fans alike (see: any post about Weezer on Stereogum).

Now Weezer has released the video for the first single from their forthcoming Red Album, (release on 6/3), “Pork and Beans.” It features various internet/youtube stars such as Chris Crocker saying “leave Rivers alooooone!!”

Also, check out drummer Pat Wilson towards the end of the video, as his drum sticks have been replaced by light-sabers! Pretty funny stuff. While I think the song is just OK and the bands new album; weak, the video is really funny and well done. Check it out…

Weezer -”Pork and Beans” Music Video

The “Smashing Pumpkins” (I put this in quotes because they still lack original members D’Arcy and James Iha) are planning to release a DVD of some their recent shows. The band is also planning to play some anniversary shows, put together demos of new songs and eventually release another album.

Straight from Billy Corgan: “We’re working on a DVD that’s sort of a documentary of our residency Fillmore shows. We’re going to put out hopefully some of our early demos for Christmas, probably put out a new Pumpkins single with new Pumpkins in the fall and then do a fall tour, and then we start putting out a new Pumpkins album probably beginning next year.”

To me this bands whole reunion thing is a joke, although Jimmy Chamberlain is a phenomenal drummer, I never really considered him a rock drummer. He has more of a soft, jazzier approach that helped separate the Smashing Pumpkins from other early 90’s bands.

This recent wave of bands reuniting is crazy, although at least most of the other bands reuniting contain their original lineups! Granted, Billy Corgan wrote and played most of the Pumpkins material, but come on! D’Arcy and James Iha were a huge part of the band.

Oh well, I can always throw on Siamese Dream and enjoy it, especially Jimmy Chamberlain rockin’….err….jazzin’ out.

Source.

Beck has debuted a new track from presumably his new album and collaboration with Danger Mouse. The song “Chemtrails” is currently available for listening at his Myspace and Official website.

“The new song is not a single, but showcases Beck and Danger Mouse’s shared affection for late ’60s psych-pop, according to a statement.

Beck’s as-yet untitled, Danger Mouse-produced album is due out this summer, as previously reported”.

While I wasn’t much of a fan of Beck’s last single release “Timebomb” I happen to like this song. It seems like a weird post for a drum blog. Check out the drums on this track though. I’m not sure who played them or how they were recorded, but they sound really full and thick. This track also features fills all over the drum kit. The groove mostly remains on the hi-hat and in the pocket, which I like, especially considering that the song has some pretty soft and understated synth parts.

Source - The NME.

One of my favorite drummers is Josh Freese. This guy’s played on over 1000 records easily and numerous personal favorites of mine, such as A Perfect Circle, The Vandals and many more.

At some point, I’d like to do a somewhat comprehensive profile of Josh Freese and his drumming here, but recently I’ve been enamored with his playing on the newest Nine Inch Nails album “The Slip.” Some parts on the record are actually hard to pick out, this is because programmed drums are used in addition to standard acoustic ones.

Most of his parts on the album are high-energy and the recording of them is incredibly full sounding, as I know the drum tracks were recorded at the famous Sound City studios in Van Nuys, CA. This drum room is one of the best sounding in the world.

Expect to see a more in-depth review/profile here this week. Also, check out more about Josh Freese here…

Josh Freese’ page @ Drummerworld.com