Music Meridian

Blabbermouth has lots of cool news about Mastodon.

Their new album called "Blood Mountain" will be out on Warner Brothers during the summer. They have also recorded a cover of Metallica's "Orion" for a tribute CD.

The guitarist also claims the new album has been inspired by "newer King Crimson".

All I can say is "Hell yeah! Can't wait!"

I also recently picked up the "Call Of The Mastodon" CD as well as the "Workhorse Chronicals" DVD (Metal Haven has it in stock early, for those wanting to get a jump on it. I think it's not suppose to officially come out for a couple more weeks)


"Call Of The Mastodon" is interesting. Rawer versions of stuff from "Lifesblood" with noticably slower tempos, plus a couple unreleased gems. The title track is especially blistering and exciting.

The CD comes with a Relapse sampler, which is good, but I have most of the songs on it already.. Wish they'd preview more of the new stuff they supposedly have in the hopper.

I haven't watched "Workhorse Chronicals" yet but probably in the next couple days.

I just got my promo copy of the new album from The Liars: "Drum's Not Dead". Those of you "regular" folk get ready for March!!

It's very trippy and very rhythmic. I've only listened to it once, but I'm very, very pleased with what I'm hearing.

Also, speaking of drums, the new Terry Bozzio CD "Chamber Music" is absolutely MINDBLOWING. His gigantic drumset is put to great use following the melodic lines of an entire orchestra. It's definately something I've been dreaming of accomplishing for a while now and it's really really inspiring.

More to come....

I caught the early BR549 show last night at Schubas.

Opening band, the Avery Brothers, were really good. A 3 piece bluegrass band. Banjo, upright bass and guitar. Plus the unique thing was the guitarist played hi-hat with his foot as the banjo player played bass drum with his foot. Very interesting and rhythmic setup. Plus the guitar player while singing backups managed to yelp into almost death-metal-like screams. Very cool, as it made it old-skool bluegrass with kind of a punk edge.

After a too-short set (maybe a half hour), BR549 hit the stage. They're paired down to a 4 piece (no more fiddle player) and the bass player was new from the last time I saw them. I think the only people still in the band from the "classic" lineup is the drummer and of course singer/guitarist Chuck Mead (One of my favorite voices in country music). They still are THE country/honky-tonk live act to catch live. No kidding. You don't even know you like honky-tonk until you see these guys. Then you want to listen to them for days. They blazed through new and old material with equal vigor, plus through in a few great covers ("Cocaine Blues" was a definate highlight).

Speaking of highlights, Chris Scruggs totally stole the show. He is the real deal! Swapping effortlessly between steel guitar, pedal-steel and electric guitar he was all over the place. Totally awe-inspiring. Makes me want to take up the pedal-steel. He's worth the price of admission alone.

In other news, I got a big shipment of CDs in the mail today. A nice stash to get me through the day tomorrow including Test Icicles "For Screening Purposes Only", Devin Townsend Band "Synchestra", Terry Bozzio "Chamber Works" and The Flying Luttenbachers "Specral Warrior Mythos Vol. 1". This coupled with a new episode of "Belly Of The Beast" and it's sizing up to be a great Friday!