ERIC BOLTON is a singer/songwriter from Cambridge, Ontario, Canada. His latest single GENESIS (LET THERE BE LOVE) is a fitting match for this Soulful Sunday episode.
Bolton has a stirring, affecting and heart-warming voice and his new glowing piece
touches your heart and soul. A welcome comfort in these bizarre corona times.
Band: BLACK SABBATH Active: 1968–2006, 2011–2017 Album: PARANOID – the band’s 2nd LP
Released: 18 September 1970 – 50 years ago Score: #1 in the UK (there only No 1 LP in England) and #12 in the US
Rolling Stone review: “It’s impossible to imagine what heavy metal would have become without the iconic gloomy riff of ‘Iron Man’ the musical thickness of ‘War Pigs’ and the rapid-fire chugging of ‘Paranoid.’… From the first track to the last, Ozzy Osbourne’s cutting voice outlines any manner of topics that would feature in metal over the next few generations: imminent doom, drug casualties, nuclear war, brutality, uncaring autocrats, cosmically fated love and general disillusionment. The music is dark and gloomy with blues-inspired guitar riffs that other groups have Xeroxed into an unrecognizable oblivion. Paranoid was the sound of Black Sabbath’s reality, a plea for understanding that would resonate with millions of people feeling the same disaffection, many of whom would form groups like Metallica, Pantera and Slipknot – groups that would change the face of metal, as well as the world.”
Ozzy Osbourne: “I got rabies shots for biting the head
off a bat but that’s OK – the bat had to get Ozzy shots.”
Who: Priestess was formed in London by Kate Fleur Young. She then combined with producer James Mottershead and added a Bristol flavour with producer Jack Drewry.
Sound: With a backdrop of dark beats, bass and lush electronic landscapes, Priestess
bring haunting melodies, harmonies and lyrics with a thread and feeling of hope to brighten the shade.
Score: As enigmatic as Zola Jesus, as intense as Florence Welch and as emotive as Laura Marling. I know, pretty impressive, indeed. When you’ll feel shivers down your spine you’ll agree with me. Zealous sentiments, earnest fervor and heart-tending vocality.
Pick: BREATHE IN. The band’s first new track in over two years released
on their own label Rusty Cage Recordings in association with Skyfire Records.
Available exclusively for one week on Aurovine
Score: Expect a merciless succession of metal-crushing thunderclaps, hell-raising guitars, monumental vocals and a ginormous chorus. ‘Breathe In’ actually sticks as first-class glue from the first spin on with an instant impact on your head’s movements. Gigantesque, perfervid and blasting. A perfect sucker-punch to test your speakers’ flexibility.
NME verdict: “You want a freakshow? Turn on the news. The shock-rocker swaps
pantomime for vulnerability on his best album since 2000’s era-defining ‘Holy Wood’.
While chaos and confusion may surround us, Manson’s response this time is a dose
of respite, mercy, clarity and his most human work so far… This record is the closest
we’ve come to finding out – taking on us on a full journey to find out what lay beneath
the make-up and the costumes.” Full review here. Score: 5/5.
“My art is not limited to the songs I create but also to the reaction it creates. I like to sit
back and look at the whole thing as if it’s a tornado that I’m controlling. It’s creating chaos. When you create chaos, ideas are turned upside down, and everybody looks at things in a different way.” Marilyn Monroe Charles Manson
Singles: We Are Chaos / Don’t Chase The Dead
– WE ARE CHAOS –
– DON’T CHASE THE DEAD –
Key tracks: We Are Chaos / Don’t Chase The Dead /
Paint You With My Love / Infinite Darkness
Only last week Turn Up The Volume‘s ears got totally impressed when discovering Apocalypse Now bombshell called Psychopath’s Monologue by enigmatic duo THE CHRONICLES OF MANIMAL AND SAMARA featuring Andrea Papi (music composition, keyboard, electric bass, guitar) and Daphne Ang (lyricist and vocals).
Without a shout of a doubt my most intriguing find of the year. Combining ancient
spoken-word poetry and a king-sized metallic resonance you just can’t be puzzled.
Their new tenebrific single DEUS EX MACHINA, inspired by Shakespearean sonnets
and the lyrical poetry of Ancient Greece, tells the story of Oedipus Rex and man’s
perennial struggle between fate and free will.
It’s another stunning piece of ominous sound and vision. Ang‘s haunting sermon is surrounded by a wall-of-hellish-rollercoaster sound. Black Sabbath drones propelled
by bewildering guitars going forth and back, moving in mysterious ways. Fascinating!
Clips that will have an impact on your eyes and your ears…
Last July the New York City tramps RICH GIRLS shared their shadowy
version of Bruce Springsteen‘s 24 karat masterstroke BORN TO RUN.
Turn Up The Volume wrote: “I’m pretty sure the band chose this classic cracker with
a specific purpose as the story of this 45-year-old standout – released in 1975 – is highly relevant again in today’s Divided States Of America. Rich Girls do not rock as much as the original, they give it a more haunting and yes, more gloomy timbre. Born in the USA
to run away in 2020.”
To visualize their cover sentiments the band made a film noir clip which reflects
the Signs O’ the Times perfectly with frontwoman Luisa Black eye-catchingly sensual
and sexy in the middle.
