Browsing Tag

Contemporary Hard Rock

ORCHAD take us for a ride on the Devil’s Ship with screaming new single ‘Critically Ashamed’

Posted on 29 November 2020

Coming on in a welter of heavily overdriven ascending riffage, Montreal’s ORCHAD’s (pronounced ‘Orchid’, obviously, and consisting of vocalist Julian Hannas and lead guitarist Justyn Vynn) new single ‘Critically Ashamed’ is a screamer of an alt-rock anthem with a deeply, bone-movingly danceable groove underlying the hard-rocking guitar sound. There’s an old-school metal-ness to the basal riff, something thrashy and San-Fran sounding lurking under the modern rock tone, driving and energetic before dropping down to a dense flanged arpeggio, Hannas’ super-strong vocal carrying the verse between the powerchord frenzy of the earworm chorus.

Vynn shreds and divebombs on the solo without ever sounding contrived or dated, with a bluesiness that belies his sixteenth-note runs and twiddly licks, before the singalong ‘woah oh oh oh’ playout groove. Overall ORCHAD manage to mix modern pop sensibilities and catchiness with an undeniably rock sound and a little bit of hip hop funk; on the basis of this, ORCHAD have absolutely nothing to be ashamed about, critically or otherwise.

Check out the stunning (and very pink) video for ‘Critically Ashamed’ on YouTube. Follow ORCHAD on Facebook and Instagram.

Western Automatic – Lemon Party: Explosively Infectious Melodic Alt Rock

Posted on 8 May 2020
https://open.spotify.com/track/0GsDX4b9oafqcP0GLg6sUJ

If you’re looking for your next fix of melodic aural filth, look no further than Western Automatic’s raucously electric Alt Rock EP “The Fugitive”.

While each of the tracks will make sure that your mind is suitably altered, the best introduction to Western Automatic’s gritty and raw, yet momentously anthemic sound is “Lemon Party”.

With the filthy basslines, heavily distorted guitars carving buzz saw riffs, punchy percussion and the swagger in the vocals Lemon Party has everything you’d hope to hear from a new Alt Rock track. Yet, you’d be hard-pressed to find a more infectious chorus in a new Alt Rock track if you turned on the radio today.

The Chicago-based artist has been one to watch since they made their debut in 2014. But after the release of The Fugitive EP, they’ve created the ultimate testament to their talent and proven that they’re an aural force to be reckoned with.

Their fine balance of consciousness-consuming chaotic experimentalism with their ability to write solid, connectable tracks isn’t something we get to hear every day. Get them on your radar.

You can check out Western Automatic’s track Lemon Party for yourselves via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Pandoras shadow – Solo: Powerfully Pioneering Rock

Posted on 21 March 2020
https://pandorasshadow1.bandcamp.com/track/solo

After garnering plenty of acclaim with their previous releases, Hereford, UK-based artist Pandoras shadow has dropped yet another striking Alt Rock single with “Solo”. If BBC Introducing pays attention to an up and coming rock act, that’s an irrefutable affirmation that they’re worth pricking up your ears for.

In the epically lengthed single Solo, the arrestive vocals rest against the sludgy heavily-distorted guitars in the verses which lead up to all-consuming choruses where you’ll get to hear the true power of Kelly G’s dynamically soaring vocals.

The vocals may make your soul feel a little sore, but the experimental instrumental virtuosity will leave you in awe as you listen to the progressive single unfold. Pandoras shadow has covered the full raucous tonal palette with Solo, they may not move too far away from the traditional rock sound, but you’ll find plenty in Solo which you’d be hard-pressed to find from any other artist.

If you’re not already excited about this band, now is the time.

You can check out Pandoras shadow’s latest single Solo for yourselves via Bandcamp.

Keep up to date with their latest releases via Facebook.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Little Us – Something Real: Pioneeringly Innovative Alt Hard Rock

Posted on 22 November 2019

Up and coming Connecticut Hard Rock artist Little Us has recently released their latest melodically captivating single “Something Real”. If you ever wondered what nuanced Hard Rock blended with atmospherically chilling synths sounds like, listening to Something Real is probably the best way to get a taste of that unique alchemy.

While the good majority of Rock bands make the mistake of trying to make the biggest or loudest sound, Little Us constantly switch up the melodies in Something Real, making each new progression as arrestive as the last. Throughout Something Real you’ll still be treated to thunderous drum rolls and searing technical guitar riffs, but there’s also plenty of cutting laid-back increments to make sure your rhythmic pulses are well and truly at the mercy of the soundscape.

It wouldn’t be a stretch to say that Something Real is the most innovative Hard Rock single I’ve heard this year. There, I said it. Given the pioneering intricacy of Something Real, it’s far from hyperbole.

You can check out the official video to Little Us’ latest single Something Real by heading over to YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast