Vein.fm (formerly known as Vein) is a metalcore band from Boston, MA. The band's debut album "Errorzone" was released in 2018 to a warm reception from critics around the world. Vein.fm combines nu-metal (Korn, Deftones, etc...) with underground, hardcore punk (The Dillinger Escape Plan, Converge, Candiria, etc...) to create a violent soundscape perfectly suited for the modern condition. Vein.fm's highly anticipated second album is due in 2021. Once touring resumes, this band is not to be missed.
Think rock music is dead? Guess again. This band is one of the leaders of the new school. The posted video contains Vein.fm playing The Gutter in New York City to a passionate crowd of only 100 people as part of Kerrang's "Line from the K Pit" series. Love them now or pose forever.
Morgan Wallen
"Whiskey Glasses"
If I Know Me
Big Loud Records
Morgan Wallen is a country musician from Tennessee. He came to prominence as a contestant on The Voice in 2014. In the years since, Wallen has released two albums and attained a devoted fanbase through constant touring.
The posted video features his breakthrough single "Whiskey Glasses" filmed live in Nashville. Forget the Florida/Georgia Line and the rest of "modern country." Wallen is the leader of the new generation. He was the musical guest on SNL a few weeks ago (Jason Bateman was the host). This cat is on his way to becoming the next Garth Brooks.
Anthrax, legendary NYC thrash band and member of The Big Four, stomps the crap out of Europe during their mainstage appearance at 2019's Rockpalast Festival. The "new" lead guitarist Jon Donais (ex-Shadows Fall and member of Anthrax since 2013) cements his place in this band's storied history. The posted video features Anthrax's full set. God bless this band for staying true for over three decades.
Anthrax is one of my all time favorite bands. I remember as a kid, my delinquent cousins playing the uncensored "I'm The Man" and thinking they were a rap group. A few years later I was introduced to "Among The Living" and that was a game changer.
I'm so happy that Joey was brought back into the band 10 years ago. No disrespect to John Bush, but he was always better suited with Armored Saint, in my opinion. Having Joey belting out those tunes on the newer albums gives it all a classic feel. You can't replace that.
I just wish they were more consistent with their releases. It's an ETERNITY between albums, and while I understand they've had troublesome episodes with management, record labels and lineups, they've consistently toured and performed for 20 years. They can put *something* out without 5-10 years in between.
@Peter Engstrom I really like the John Bush albums and that era of the band but Joey is the REAL singer in Anthrax. I'm glad he's back and I'm glad that Jon from Shadows Fall is going to be the last lead guitarist in the band. This will be the final lineup.
I love the John Bush stuff, in fact the "Greater Of Two Evils" album of rerecorded classics with John singing is a really fun listen and I pop it on very often. I fully agree with you on Joey being the real singer of Anthrax. He's awesome! BTW, do you remember the Dan Nelson "era"? I remember hearing his demos on what would become "Worship Music" and thinking it was the end of the band. I was *not* a fan of his singing style.
Vein rocks. Such a punchy pit! Makes me really miss live shows. Thanks for sharing.
Dru Down
"Pimp of the Year"
Explicit Game
Relativity Records
Oakland's own Dru Down is a master of West Coast G-Funk. Like this album's title, Dru Down's career has been nothing but him spitting explicit game. But his music is so smooth that you can't help but boogie every chance like ants in the pants.
The Alterna Faithful may have heard of Dru Down for another reason. In 2013, Dru Down was featured on MSNBC's "Lockup." At the time, Dru Down was serving a three-year-long sentence in the Santa Rita County Jail for felony DUI and evading police. At least he was living his lyrics instead of being a studio fake. That said, please don't drink and drive.
I first heard of Dru Down from a song that featured The Luniz! I was big into The Luniz for like a half a minute during the summer of 98.
Lacuna Coil
"Heaven's a Lie"
Comalies
Century Media
Lacuna Coil is a gothic metal band from Milan, Italy. The band spent a decade touring Europe before breaking through in America. Now, Lacuna Coil are one of the global leaders in the alternative metal movement. Imagine Madonna fronting Type O Negative. Sounds good, right? It's not good. It's great. The posted video features Lacuna Coil's signature song (which won an MTV Europe award in 2006).
Spiritbox is a progressive metalcore band from Vancouver, British Columbia. Founded by the husband and wife duo of Courtney LaPlante (vocals) and Michael Stringer (guitar), both former members of Iwrestledabearonce, in 2016. They left their old band and started the new band after getting married.
Spiritbox is a curious creature. The band is heavier than Oprah but has a melodic side which separates them from the rest of the modern metal scene. Here's another band that is blowing up and will become superstars once touring resumes. The posted video is a live performance from the SiriusXM "Liquid Metal" studio.
Ol' Dirty Bastard
a.k.a. Dirt McGirt
a.k.a. Big Baby Jesus
a.k.a. Cyrus Osiris
a.k.a. Dirt Doggy Dogg
a.k.a. Tha ODB as you can see
"Shimmy Shimmy Ya"
36 Chambers: The Dirty Version
Loud Records
Ol' Dirty Bastard was the heart and soul of the Wu-Tang Clan. His debut solo album was 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version and the posted video was the lead single. Dirt Dog was unique. His vocal style was more like rhyming soul singing than traditional rapping. The good Lord broke the mold when he made ODB.
Dirty is one of my biggest personal artistic influences. As a figure in American music, Dirty is sorely missed. R.I.P. to the ODB.
Beastie Boys
"Shadrach" (Live on Soul Train)
Paul's Boutique
Capitol Records
Being a Beastie Boys fan might as well be a prerequisite to being an Alterna fan. This band is a massive influence on more than one Alterna creator and the mash-up of different styles embodies the Alterna spirit. "Shadrach" was the second single off of the masterpiece album Paul's Boutique. The posted video features the Beastie Boys playing "Shadrach" live on Soul Train in 1990. Stay tuned until the end of the video where you'll see Mike D thoroughly embarrass himself in front of Don Cornelius.
Dog Eat Dog
"Who's The King?" (Live at the 1995 Dynamo Fest)
All Boro Kings
Roadrunner Records
From Northern New Jersey, Dog Eat Dog was one of the first band's to mix punk, ska, hip-hop, and skate culture into alternative rock. Dog Eat Dog is also known for being far more popular in Europe than in their native country. In America, their music got played on 120 Minutes and specialty radio shows in the middle of the night. In Europe, they headlined arenas and were household names. So much so that Dog Eat Dog beat Alanis Morrisette and Portishead to win Best New Artist at the 1996 MTV Europe Awards.
The posted video features Dog Eat Dog's star-making appearance at the 1995 Dynamo Festival in Holland. The band performs in front of 120,000 people and got them moving around so much that the ground rumbled. This is one of the single best live performances of all time.
Mastodon
"Again" (Alice In Chains)
Live at the MoPOP Founders Awards 2020
Atlanta's own psych-groove metal merchants are staying busying during the lockdown. Mastodon released an album of rare singles called "Medium Rarities" last year and have been appearing on various livestreams all over the internet. In the posted video, you have my favorite band covering my other favorite band. It's a Reese's peanut butter cup for the ears. Enjoy!
I've seen Mastodon twice. The first time was the Heritage-Hunter tour in 2011 which was a co-headline tour with Opeth and openers Ghost, who were new at the time. I got to see Papa Emeritus 1 and the Nameless Ghouls with the robes and hoods! Pretty awesome.
The second time was in 2015 when they were supporting 'Once More 'Round The Sun', with Clutch and Graveyard. Sadly, its the last live show I've been to but it was a phenomenal one. Graveyard really impressed me. Very bluesy and melodic, the drummer in particular was incredible. For those that are uninitiated with Graveyard, here's 'Hisingen Blues'. I hope you folks dig it!
Nas
"N.Y. State of Mind"
Illmatic
Columbia Records
Straight out of the dungeons of rap (better known as Queens, NY) it's Nas. "N.Y. State of Mind" is a song of his legendary debut album Illmatic. It was never released as a single but the song has become a staple of his live shows. Personally, I've seen Nas three different times and am always blown away by his lyrical skill and stage presence.
The posted video is a fan-made music video featuring footage of another NYC staple: "Taxi Driver." The two different media fit together perfectly. Nasty Nas in the building. You better ask somebody. "Don't sleep, because sleep is the cousin of death."
Deadmau5 (featuring Lights)
"Drama Free"
"Polar" Official Soundtrack
This thread isn't all old stuff. Here's a new song that's blowing my mind. We have a radio show here in Austin called Chillville. It's on 101X on Sunday mornings and features new electronic music. They played this song on Sunday and my jaw hit the floor. Deadmau5 has scored a new film on Netflix called "Polar." This song is the lead single off of the soundtrack. Don't ask me what the movie is about. I have no clue. I do know that you need to get familiar with both Deadmau5 and Lights.