Tag Archives: Jeffery Sandoval

Monte Pittman releases Inverted Grasp Of Balance

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    I recently received the new Monte Pittman record Inverted Grasp Of Balance for review. Little did I know that it would cause me to have a profound revelation to a question I have been seeking an answer to.  Over the years of recorded music people have been trying to answer the question: What makes a record good? There has been a myriad of answers that run the gamut of the music industry. The problem is most of the answers that have been provided are subjective to the answerer and biased to their own opinions. For me, at least, I feel that I have finally answered said question. A good record is one that when you put it on you find yourself turning it up, tapping your foot or nodding your head to the beat, and when it’s over you find yourself feeling as if you just got back from…somewhere.

     I was excited to review this record as I have spoken with Monte before and have enjoyed his previous work. I didn’t realize that I would spend the rest of the day and the next listening to it on repeat and still humming the songs long after. There is a level of craftsmanship to this record that is hard to find these days (one other is the work of Jeff Sandoval and Mike Araiza). There is no doubt that music flows through the soul of Monte Pittman and I hear nods to so many musicians in his playing and writing.  When a record is made for the purpose of sharing what one feels in their minds ear, it is profound and beautiful.

      Inverted Grasp Of Balance  features Monte on guitars and vocals, Richard Christy (Charred Walls Of The Damned, Iced Earth, Death) on drums, and…..wait for it….Billy Sheehan, yes I said Billy Sheehan (David Lee Roth, Mr. Big, Winery Dogs, just to name a few) on bass. Jay Ruston (Anthrax, Steel Panther) handled the production duties and the record sounds clean and crisp. I read somewhere that Monte recorded his guitar parts while on the road, but this record feels so organic to me and it feels like someone turned on a mic in a jam room and captured some live magic.

     Inverted Grasp Of Balance gives us twelve tracks which flow together beautifully and I guarantee you will NOT find yourself reaching for the skip button, in fact you WILL find yourself reaching for the repeat button.

     If you have to pin me down for stand out tracks I would have to say “Skeleton Key” just reaches out to me the most. This track, in my opinion should be on every radio station across the planet, period. It’s just good rock n’ roll that gets in your head.I find myself just humming throughout the day.  “California” opens with bass that just drips with cool and is pure Billy Sheehan and then paints a picture in your mind of being on a cool road trip with the radio blasting, the wind in your hair, and your best friends at your side.  “New Blood Keeps Us Alive” is an epic track that, again, I feel should be blasting out of every speaker across the world. It begins with some wonderfully beautiful acoustic work that grows to some powerful rock n’ roll worthy of note. This song opens up the mind and makes you reflect on life.

      Monte’s guitar work is across the map on Inverted Grasp Of Balance, taking from gentle acoustic to balls out shredding, and it all works in connection with each other. Not only is there stellar guitar work here Monte’s vocal work is strong and epic as well. The songwriting on  Inverted Grasp Of Balance is something else. Monte has reached deep within and written some deep compositions that I believe were truly from the point of artistry.  Combine all of that with great drumming and legendary bass playing this is a music lovers wet-dream.

          Inverted Grasp Of Balance drops on Sept 23 on Metal Blade Records make sure you do NOT miss out on this record.

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 Inverted Grasp Of Balance track-listing
1. Panic Attack
2. Arisen in Broad Daylight
3. Guilty Pleasure
4. The Times Are Changing
5. Double Edged Sword
6. Cadabra
7. Pride Comes Before the Fall
8. California
9. Be Very Afraid
10. Obliterated
11. Skeleton Key
12. New Blood Keeps Us Alive

Pre-order “Inverted Grasp of Balance” at metalblade.com/montepittman/

Monte Pittman online:
http://www.montepittman.com
https://www.facebook.com/MontePittman
http://www.youtube.com/MontePittmanMusic
https://soundcloud.com/montepittman
http://twitter.com/montepittman
http://www.instagram.com/montepittman
https://montepittman.bandpage.com
https://myspace.com/montepittman

     it’s loud, it’s dirty, it’s Monte Pittman

     -the Hellion

Sandoval/Araiza: Project Playlist

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If I were to have to give a quote about the music Jeff Sandoval and Mike Araiza make, it would be this: “This is music as it should be, no preconceived formula here. These guys write and play what they “feel” and that, my friends, is the true spirit of music.”

I’ve known these two guys for a while now and it had been my great fortune to have been at the birth of most of their work. Of The Earth, Frank Hannon Band and now as Jeff and Mike.

That being said, let’s talk about their latest effort  Project Playlist. I cannot tell you how many times I received a text or an excited phone call from Mike telling me to “check out this riff” or “what do you think about this?” there was passion in those messages and that fervor and passion found its way to the record untarnished. Jeff, on the other hand, is like a Zen Master, calm, cool, and collected. His lyrics and powerful yet smooth vocals carry weight and presence that in my opinion border on legendary. Let’s get into the tracks and stroll around a bit.

Project Playlist opens with “The Good Fight” (which happens to be my go to track on this record). Have you ever heard a song that just stays with you? I mean one that you find yourself hitting repeat over and over again? One that you manage to find something new with each listen? You find yourself absent-mindedly humming or tapping the beat throughout the day? “The Good Fight” just happens to be a song like that. Even cooler is that a couple of my close friends wrote it. I tried to put that aside and came to the conclusion that the fact that they were my friends was irrelevant, this is a damn good song, period. As I continued to listen to “The Good Fight” I compared it side by side with other songs and artists I consider in the same vein. This comparison led me to the conclusion that this track by a couple of guys that live in my town and I know personally can go toe to toe with artists like SIXX A.M., Pop Evil, STP, etc., etc. This track features studio wizard Chris Collier on drums and bass as well as production.

“So Long”, featuring Will Hunt on Drums, has a fresh , yet  familiar feeling and yet stays unique. Powerful and yet not abrasive in away this is a song that one could use to set the pace of their impending day. Feeling good and energetic is what this track brings to me.

“It’s All I need” features Kurt Arft on bass and Chris Collier on drums and really packs a punch. Deep lyrics and Jeff’s powerful vocals give this song some weight. This is a heavy song but not overbearing if you get my meaning. Their craftsmanship shines through here.

“Beggars And Thieves” features Kurt Arft again on bass and Will Hunt on drums. This track is probably the “grooviest” one on the record and will have your head bobbing and foot tapping as soon as you start listening to it. There’s a couple of twin guitar parts that Mike just kills with.

Project Playlist closes out with “No Answer” which features Frank Hannon has that 70’s vibe that just goes so well with this song. I love the guitar wok in this track. Nice way to close out the record with some quality music and friends.

What do we ultimately get with Project Playlist? A Rock and Roll record that stands up in this turbulent time in the music industry. Jeff and Mike said “Damn the norm, we’re gonna make the music that we feel inside” and it works, on so many levels. Music at its purest level is what we have here folks.

I must also give shout outs to Kurt Arft, Will Hunt, and Frank Hannon for stepping up and going toe to toe with Jeff and Mike. Their performances are outstanding on this record. I didn’t forget Chris Collier, not only did he deliver some killer bass and drums, like a mad scientist he grafted it all together to deliver a superior recording. I think that in today’s DIY music industry production quality has suffered at the hands of inexperience in record production. Jeff and Mike know the value of a properly produced record and have developed a relationship with Chris that works.

So, after all of that why should you get a copy of Project Playlist? I could say because they are my friends and it would be cool to help them out, but I’m not. You should get this record because it’s great music, that’s it in a nutshell.

Now, you only have until Friday 08/12/16 to get your order in at https://squareup.com/store/JeffAndMike  after that you will only be able to pick it up at live performances. Good news is new music is already being made so stay tuned.

Thanks Jeff and Mike for keeping music alive. – the Hellion

These vocalists are top notch and they should be in your ears!!!

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The power and swagger of a vocalist are often times what makes up your first impression of a band. I want to bring several of the vocalists to your attention just in case you might have missed them.

Let’s get started with a vocalist near and ear to me, Jeffery Sandoval.

photo by the Hellion Rocks

photo by the Hellion Rocks

I first saw Jeffery singing in a cover band in Albuquerque, NM. I have since seen him grow and expand into several projects including: Of The Earth, Frank Hannon, and more recently his new endeavor with guitarist Mike Araiza. Jeffery is the kind of vocalist I grew up loving. Power, emotion, and soul all live within the voice of Jeffery. As a front man he is the quintessential party host who welcomes you to the show and makes damn sure you are having the time of your life. Be sure to check him out on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/JeffandMikeMusic

We next move on to John Fitterer.1798522_10201276796633232_1089893525_n      Crowned By Fire hit me like a steamroller driven by a driver on acid. Vocalist John Fitterer brings a certain uniqueness to the table. The lyrics and style of John are straight out of another world. When John sings it’s like nothing you have heard before. His lyrics are deep and at sometimes seem as if from another world. On record his voice is powerful and compelling, live it is thunderous and hypnotic. As a front man he grabs you by the hand and drags you into a world of musical wonder in which you never know what is hiding around the corner to grab you. John and Crowned By Fire can be found on Facebook right here: https://www.facebook.com/CrownedByFire

 

And then there is Dellacóma Rio.

photo by the Hellion Rocks

photo by the Hellion Rocks

Over the last few years Dellacóma has become near and dear to my heart. The first time I saw Del he was singing for the now defunct Sunset Riot. I was so blown away by his “RockStar” performance. A powerful stadium rock voice full of emotion is what Del brings to the table.  Not only was he an outstanding vocalist, he was a showman extraordinaire. I knew from the get go that no stage could contain the kinetic energy of Del Rio. He has since moved on to his new project  simply named, Dellacóma. Del continues to work his ass off by getting out and hustling up show after show. Del has so much class and style and definitely knows how to bring the audience into an enraptured state of well being and happiness. I often look around and see that almost everyone in the crowd is smiling and enjoying the music and performance Del Brings. Love ya my brother! This is where you can find Del on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dellacoma/timeline

 

The Appalachian Apostle…Adam Joad

photo by the Hellion Rocks

photo by the Hellion Rocks

Ahh Adam…we go back a few years now and I am still wowed every time I see Adam and his band Scattered Hamlet. Adam sweats swagger and pisses pure testosterone. Full of cock sureness and reckless hillbilly attitude, Adam delivers it all with not only a one-two punch but a kick to the groin as well. While his voice is far from perfect and full of prettiness, I can’t imagine Scattered Hamlet sound any other way. Moonshine and razor-blades are the closest thing Adam has to a sound.  Full of mountain wisdom, philosophy, and words Adam gives Scattered Hamlet a style unto itself. Imagine that band that used to play the keg parties you used to hang out at amplified to 100 and you can just begin to imagine  a Scattered Hamlet show. I have become close to Adam and am very proud to consider him family. Believe you me, this is a Facebook page worth liking: https://www.facebook.com/ScatteredHamlet?ref=br_tf

 

There you have it, a variety of frontmen who should be heard everywhere!

it’s loud, it’s dirty, it’s ROCK N’ ROLL!!!

the Hellion

 

 

 

“It’s All I Need” – Jeff Sandoval and Mike Araiza

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Ok, so I have had this track for a few days now and can’t get enough of it. Jeff and Mike will be releasing the lyric video to the world tonight 01/31/14 at 6pm mst right here: Jeff Sandoval & Mike Araiza on their Facebook page.

Let’s talk a bit about the track and the video. While it is an acoustic track it does not come off that way at all, in fact, it’s pretty damn heavy. Let’s talk about the bass first. Kurt Arft lays down a heavy, dirty bassline that, by itself, does not seem like it belongs in this song but it fits like a puzzle piece into it. Kurt gives it that groove that this song so rightly deserves. Chris Collier, who not played drums on this but produced it as well, put all of those puzzle pieces together into one solid track.

What can I say about Mike Araiza? The guitars on here are clean, and I mean CLEAN. Mike is so full of melody and it truly shows in his playing and style. I keep forgetting that this is an acoustic track.

Ahhh the vocal stylings of Jeff Sandoval. There are not to many vocalists out there that can still give me the chills, Jeff is one of them.  You feel ALL of the emotion that Jeff is imparting into his vocals.

The video for “It’s All I Need” is an incredible piece of work as well. While it is a “lyric”video it leaves you with the images playing over and over in your head. You will find these images replaying in your mind every time you listen to this song.

Don’t miss out on the premier on 01/31/14 at 6pm mst right here: Jeff Sandoval & Mike Araiza on their Facebook page!

The Musical Magic of Mike Araiza and Jeffery Sandoval: “It’s All I Need” coming soon!

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I have had the great pleasure of becoming friends with Jeff and Mike over the years. I have shared in the joy of their successes in the music industry. They released one of my favorite CD’s to date, Of The Earth, and collaborated with Frank Hannon  (Tesla) on “SIX-STRING SOLDIERS”.

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Now they are releasing a new single “It’s All I Need” in 2014.

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Mike and Jeff have some pretty heavy hitters add their touch to this project as well. They have recruited bassist Kurt Arft (Die Hard Til Death, Mind Merchant) to law down the bottom end, Kurt is an amazing player and an awesome person to boot. Studio wizard Chris Collier (Music Producer, Pro Tools Engineer, Mixer, Session Drummer) will be producing and drumming on the track. With all of these factors in the equation it adds up to one hell of a project. Stay tuned to Jeff and Mike’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/JeffandMikeMusic and the Hellion Rocks for updates.

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it’s melodic, it’s beautiful, it’s Mike Araiza and Jeffery Sandoval

the Hellion