Photo by Sanjay Parikh
2025 continues to be a big year for rock & metal, Eric Bass just released the second single off of his upcoming album titled I Had a Name. His name is no pun intended, very big in the scene, since he joined Shinedown in 2008 as their bassist, also playing keyboards & performing backing vocals. In fall 2024, he unveiled the first single of the album, Mind Control. The first single was full of different flavours: some rock, some punk, and a lot in between. However, we have been treated with a second single going by the name of Azalia, and this one raises the bar even higher!
The new single opens up with a very electronic sound, seemingly different from the choppy guitars of the previous one. We get keyboards & synth with machine drums, and Bass comes in with melodic vocals that get into the tale of the song. The pre chorus get us some guitars coming in as they all scream “HEY”, and then the chorus comes in like a freight train. Big, bold & hard hitting, as we like them. Bass’s vocals are huge as he takes the listener through the more intense part of the song. The vocal melody is big and catchy, and the instruments are not far behind: The drumming is punchy, and beautifully coupled with distorted guitars pulling some of the grooviest bends! Second verse comes back with a faster pace, but they quickly lead into the second chorus. The biggest treat in the song is the bridge, where everything quiets down, save for Bass’s more angelic vocals harmonizing and following the piano. The bridge ends with guitars kicking in, as he screams at Azalia to run.
The beautiful narrative of the song goes on with a short but sweet guitar solo that sounds blended with synths or heavily digitized. The last chorus is still as hard hitting, if not leaving us wanting for the next song!
This single is a testament to Eric Bass’s musical talent, but also demonstrates that his upcoming album will not rely on a single sound and won’t be a one trick pony. I Had a Name will be coming out in a week, on the 28th of February 2025. Until then, let’s keep jamming Mind Control & Azalia.
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