NEW SOLACE!!!!!

SOLACE: FADING FAILING RUIN

If you've followed my posts for awhile, you're likely aware that Solace is one of my all-time favorite bands.  I was on the Metallica bandwagon from the moment I first heard "Phantom Lord" back in 1983, when the band was still playing small clubs, and have been a huge fan ever since.  But ask me if I've listened to more Metallica or more Solace over the years, and the answer is definitely Solace.  Something about the guitar tone, the songwriting, and in the beginning, Jason Limpantsis' incomparable vocal talent and energy made Solace a band that I have never been able to get enough of.  Solace moved on from Jason at vocals back in 2019, but Justin Goins has fit in quite nicely.  Although no one could ever replicate what Jason brought to the band, the two albums with Justin hold their own against any heavy rock albums you want to stack them up against.  

First, if you haven't already heard it, check out the first pre-released track, which has been stuck in my head since the day I downloaded it, no exaggeration:

And here's the epic closing track:

 

As I've said before, the guitar work of Tommy Southard and Justin Daniels is as distinctive as any other duo out there, and is a huge reason I've never yet gotten tired of any of Solace's albums or even any single track they've released.  My Solace albums are as timeless as any other I own, and this is why I pre-ordered a physical copy of Fading Failing Ruin the day I found out about it.

Check the rest out on Bandcamp.  The full album was released on July 3rd.

Solace are:

Justin Goins: Vocals, Lyrics

Tommy Southard: Guitar

Justin Skyler Daniels: Guitar

Mike Sica: Bass

Tim Schoenleber: Drums

Also appearing on this album:

Pelle Andersson: Keyboards

Eric Rachel: Keyboards

Duane Hutter: Slide Guitar

The album is dedicated to former singer Jason, as well as another friend of the band named Tim Cronin, both now deceased.  May they rest in peace.

This was Jason, one of the greatest singers ever in heavy music:

Go forth and be heavy, and listen to Solace!!!

-ULTRA

Tennessee Two

THE HEAVY EYES: FOCUS

The Heavy Eyes have got a new album, and it's another winner.  The Heavy Eyes are the Tennessee version of Fu Manchu, with their own unique slowed-down take on the heavy fuzz sound.

The Heavy Eyes are from Memphis, and are:

Tripp Shumake: Guitar, Lead Vocals

Matthew Qualls: Guitar

Wally Anderson: Bass

Eric Garcia: Drums

ALL THEM WITCHES: HOUSE OF MIRRORS

2020's "Nothing As The Ideal" album was one of my favorites of that year, but after that I kept seeing the band sell lots of memorabilia on Bandcamp, and figured they were on hard times and were possibly done making new music.  So when I saw this pop up in late May, I got excited.  A little more mellow than I expected, but I've still kept it in my rotation since its release.  Here are a couple of cool tracks:

All Them Witches are from Nashville, and are:

Charles Michael Parks, Jr: Vocals, Bass
Benjamin McLeod: Guitar
Allan Van Cleave: Keys
Christian Powers: Drums

You can find both these albums on Bandcamp.

You can fnd 

Epic Cover Album (and Epic Album Cover)

-(16)-: FORGERIES Vol 1, 1972-1984

(Severely) hard rock veterans -(16)- put out a cover album last month, and as indicated by the title track, "I Can't Get Enough".  These covers are not intended to sound like the originals, but to sow the band's appreciation for them.  In their words: "We’ve always believed that a great cover is not mimicry but revelation.  It’s finding a song that's already lived inside you since youth and letting it crawl out, bruised and changed. "

Check out the variety of covers here:

Yes, the Bee Gees' Tragedy is smack dab in the middle. And what a choice of Scorpions tune!  Matthias let it rip on his first Scorpions album, especially on that tune.

Anyway, here are a couple for your perusal:

And how about the album art, by the legendary Marald Van Haastern?  Definitely in contention for album cover of the year.

-(16)- are from California, and have been putting out devastatingly heavy music since 1992.

They are:

Bobby Ferry: Guitar, Vocals

Barney Firks: Bass

Dion Thurman: Drums

Alex Shuster: Guitar

New Elder Out Now, And New Green Lung On The Way

ELDER: THROUGH ZERO

The legendary Elder has just released another album, and it may be their best one so far.  Any Elder release is automatically an instant contender for album of the year, but this one is extra special.  Start with this, and then you know what to do to next.

Elder are originally from Massachusetts, and currently reside in Berlin.

Pretty sure you know this, but they are:

Nick DiSalvo: Guitar, Vocals

Jack Donovan: Bass

Michael Risberg: Guitar, Keyboards

Georg Edert: Drums

GREEN LUNG: NECROPOLITAN

The only reason Green Lung's "This Heathen Land" didn't make my Best of 2023 list is that I didn't purchase it until 2024.  It is now one of my favorite albums of all time, and I can't wait to hear the rest of this when it's released in September.  Until then, we've got this sweet track to get permanently stuck in our heads:

Green Lung are from London.  They are:

Tom K. Templar: Vocals
Scott Black: Guitar
Joseph Ghast: Bass
J. G. Wright: Keyboard
Matt Wiseman: Drums

You can preorder on Bandcamp here.

One from today, and one from last Friday

 Released today....

Gozu are from Massachusetts.  They are:

Marc Gaffney: Guitar, Vocals

Doug Sherman: Guitar

Joe Grotto: Bass

Seth Botos: Drums

and released one week ago today...

I saw Restless Spirit open for the Truckfighters in Cambridge last August.  I had never heard them before but they were so good live, I bought two of their albums the next day.  This is their newest.

Restless Spirit are from New York.  They are:

Paul Aloisio: Guitar, Vocals

Marc Morello: Bass

John Gusman: Drums

And good news:  you can catch both of these bands together next month in Cambridge, at the Middle East.  Tickets are a most reasonable $27 here.  I have yet to see Gozu live, but can tell you Restless Spirit was born to play live; you won't be disappointed.  

Maybe I'll see you there!

-ULTRA

Turns Out It Wasn't The Final Countdown

 Call me ignorant, but I thought the band Europe went away after their big hit "The Final Countdown".

Apparently, they never stopped making music, and I found this on my YouTube feed this afternoon:

Pretty polished and very catchy, and makes me want to hear the rest of the album, which is due September 25.

What do you all think??

2026 Top Third

Best of January - April 2026

 

Over 90 minutes of excellent rock tunes released from January to April, 2026. These artists are from: Argentina, Australia, Finland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden and the United States