JERRY CANTRELL RETURNS WITH HIS FIRST SOLO ALBUM IN ALMOST TWO DECADES
Back in the 90s Alice In Chains guitarist Jerry Cantrell released two solo albums. Two great solo albums, Boggy Depot and Degradation Trip. The latter was expanded to Degradation Trip Volumes 1 & 2. People wonder why Cantrell resurrected the Alice In Chains name? Look no further than his great solo work that for the most part flew under the radar.
Brighten is Cantrell’s first solo album in 19 years. It is the first album he’s released on his own without a label behind him. It features such guests as Duff McKagen, Greg Puciato, and Tyler Bates.
While his first two solo albums make you feel his angst, desperation, and need to prove a point. Letting people know exactly who he is, and what he’s capable of. Brighten is something completely different.
On Brighten, Cantrell offers up a more laid-back approach. Sure it’s him, and you’re hearing things he’s dabbled in previously. But it’s done in a way that doesn’t make you say Alice In Chains. It’s a much lighter album and shows you a different side of what he’s capable of.
If you’re looking for something that falls in line with Cantrell’s previous work, this may not win you over on the first listen. But if you’re a fan, and just want to check the album out, I consider it a grower that should be listened to several times to appreciate.
Here is Jerry Cantrell with "Has To Know" off of his latest album Brighten.
Interested in checking out Brighten by Jerry Cantrell before picking the album up?
Take the album for a spin before picking it up.
If you’ve followed me, you’ll know that I’ve defended Mastodon plenty from the I want Leviathan II crowd. Although I enjoyed some of the band’s material, and owned Blood Mountain, Crack The Skye is the album that really made me fall in love with the band.
Hushed And Grim continues a lot of what they’ve done post Blood Mountain. The mix of melodies, and harshness, coupled with 70s rock, and their brand of eclectic prog.
The Leviathan II crowd will no doubt continue to pine for the old days. But the album is solid top to bottom.
It pushes boundaries while firmly remaining purely Mastodon. The best example of this is “Had It All” which could be considered a ballad. But it’s done in a way that works within the band’s parameters.
The entire tail end of the album is pretty mellow, except for “Savage Lands”. The last five tracks, from “Had It All” to the closer “Gigantium” the album is more laid back than anything they’ve done in the past. They continue to evolve and prove that they still have several tricks up their sleeves.
If you’ve been into albums like Crack The Skye, The Hunter, Once More ‘Round The Sun, or Emperor Of Sand, you’ll more than likely be into Hushed And Grim as well.
Here is Mastodon with "Pain With An Anchor" off of their latest album Hushed And Grim.
Interested in checking out Hushed And Grim by Mastodon before picking the album up?
Not sure if the album is for you? Stream it first before picking up a physical copy.
If you’ve been remotely a fan of Lucifer in the past, then nothing on this album will surprise you. The band established their sound and the visual themes with their formation. When Nicke Andersson joined the band, he just poured more gasoline on an already raging fire.
Since then, they have continued to do what they do best, which is retro 70s sounds and imagery. Lead singer Johanna Sadonis leads the way with her mix of haunting yet mesmerizing melodies and lyrics.
The band isn’t doing anything new, but it’s still entertaining. The album is strong front to back.
Here is Lucifer with "Crucifix (I Burn For You)" off of their latest album Lucifer IV.
Interested in checking out Lucifer IV by Lucifer before picking the album up?
Pick your poison, check out the album on either Spotify or Apple Music here.
HERE ARE SOME OTHER NEW RELEASES THAT MAY INTEREST YOU
Black Veil Brides – The Phantom Tomorrow
John 5 – Sinner
Joe Bonamassa – Time Clocks
Whitechapel – Kin
Bobby Liebling and Dave Sherman Basement Chronicles – Nite Owl
Bad Wolves – Dear Monster
Beast In Black – Dark Connection
David Reece – Blacklist Utopia
Running Wild – Blood On Blood
Ad Infinitum – Chapter II – Legacy
Be’lakor – Coherence
When The Deadbolt Breats – As Hope Valley Burns: Eulogy
Witness – The Collapse
Sunless – Ylem
Molybaron – The Mutiny
Half Past Two – Scratched CD
Order – The Gospel
Split Heaven – Electric Spell
Thulcandra – A Dying Wish
A Secrete Revealed – When The Day Yearns For Light
Contrition – Broken Mortal Coil
Dolore – L’Orrendo Spettacolo della Morte
Anti Ritual – Expel The Leeches
Burning The Oppressor – Damnation
Sammy Berell – Beyond the Veil
American Teeth – We Should Be Having Fun
Letzte Instanz – Ehrenhort
EPs
Attack Attack! – Long Time, No Sea
Exmortus – Legions Of The Undead
Dancing On The Tables – Play Play Play
REISSUES
Pink Floyd – A Momentary Lapse Of Reason – Remixed & Updated
Whitesnake – Restless Heart Super Deluxe Edition
Type O Negative – October Rust
The Mars Volta – Octahedron
Molybaron – The Mutiny
LIVE ALBUMS
The Hollywood Stars – Live On The Sunset Strip
COMPILATIONS
Motorhead – Everything Louder Forever
Overkill – The Atlantic Years: 1986-1994 Box Set
Emerson, Lake & Palmer – Out Of This World: Live (1970 – 1997)
Support the site and the bands you love by picking up any of the albums listed above.
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