Browsing Tag

Groove Metal

No-mad tightened their grip on the alt-metal scene with ‘Don’t Let Go’         

Posted on 25 August 2024

 No-mad’s latest single, Don’t Let Go, is a blistering reminder of why the alt-metal scene is still alive and kicking. This track is a full-throttle assault on the senses, driven by razor-sharp hooks and a tight, tensile instrumental arrangement. The band’s precision is undeniable, delivering a performance that’s as technically impressive as it is emotionally charged.

From the first note, Don’t Let Go grabs hold and refuses to let go, pulling you into a chaotic soundscape where head-spinning time signatures and relentless rhythmic pulses create a feeling of cultivated chaos. The vocal performance is a tour de force, moving from the powerful, crusading energy reminiscent of Disturbed to vicious growls that would make any metalhead’s spine tingle, before seamlessly transitioning into melodic harmonies that add depth and contrast to the track.

With a foundation in progressive metal and an affinity for nu-metal’s gritty edge, their sound oscillates between gentle harmonies and jarring dissonance, reflecting the inner conflicts and personal struggles that fuel their lyrics. The band, founded by Ofer Tamir, has evolved significantly since its inception, now boasting a lineup that’s ready to take their music to the next level.

With three singles already making waves and a debut album on the horizon, No-mad is clearly gearing up to carve out a space at the forefront of the alt-metal scene. If Don’t Let Go is anything to go by, they’re more than ready to lead the charge.

Don’t Let Go was officially released on August 9th; stream the single on Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Sunset Cobra replenished their venom for their latest feat of hard rock nihilism, I Remain

Posted on 26 December 2023

Sunset Cobra is back with even more hard rock venom than before with their latest single, I Remain. By contorting genres and influences into a ferociously unique high-octane ride through the landscape of rock and metal, the monolith easily sets itself apart in the contemporary music scene.

From the opening notes, I Remain grabs the listener with a relentless intensity. The band channels the spirit of Velvet Revolver, updating it with a serpentine electro-rock edge. The influence of Drowning Pool is evident in the rancorous energy that permeates the track, while the breakdowns echo the tightly controlled chaos reminiscent of Mushroomhead. Yet, amidst this sonic maelstrom, Sunset Cobra finds room for technical, frenetic riffs and fragments of sunset sleaze.

The dynamism is not just in its instrumentation but also in its lyrical depth. The song delves into the darker aspects of the human condition with nihilistic poetry that is as compelling as it is confronting. The lyrics hold no prisoners, expressing contempt with a rawness that is both brutal and beautifully articulated.

As listeners eagerly anticipate what Sunset Cobra will unleash next, I Remain is a testament to their potential. It’s a song that will not only resonate with fans of rock and metal but with anyone who appreciates music that pushes boundaries and defies expectations.

I Remain was released via Reclusive Audio Ltd on December 1st; stream the single on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Nu World Order exposed the secrets of ‘Area 51’ in the surrealism of their Alt-Metal debut

Posted on 13 November 2023

Who ordered an installation of thrash metal insanity? One has just arrived in the form of the debut single, Area 51, from the Brighton-based prodigal sons, Nu World Order, which forged in response to the surrealism of the modern age, where extra-terrestrial signs of life are in essence the new Schrodinger’s cat. Are they real or fake? We won’t know until we look inside Area 51, but it seems Nu World Order has the inside scoop.

With groove metal breakdowns following insurgencies of thrash and heavy metal in the progressive track, which also exhibits the dynamism in the vocals as they switch from soaring hair metal high notes to guttural laments, Nu World Order knew just how to keep listeners hooked into their orchestration of rhythmically tight subversion.

If riffs got bands to the top of the charts, Nu World Order would be overlooking everyone from a seat of supremacy; the outfit isn’t lacking in the lyrical ingenuity department either. We can’t wait to hear what is lingering in the pipeline.

Area 51 was released on November 3rd; stream it on Spotify or purchase the track by heading over to iTunes.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Shadowburn let the film roll in their cinematic alt-metalcore single, Naked with You  

Posted on 24 August 2023

Maryland’s most experimental outfit, Shadowburn let the film roll in their cinematic alt-metalcore single, Naked with You. As the clothes hit the floor, the atmospheric magnetism of the fiercely liberating release draws you deeper into the alchemic combination of funked-up bass grooves, melodic rock licks and the vocal pop hooks that make way for the guttural outcry the track closes one.

Just when you think you’ve got Shadowburn pegged, which may or may not be an inapt turn of phrase given the track title, they hit you with a cataclysmic curveball of a metalcore breakdown. With each member bringing their own influences and styles to the outfit, arresting distinction was always going to come to fruition. Yet, how good it feels to immerse yourself in it was far from a given.

After opening for everyone from Lacuna Coil to Butcher Babies to Powerman 5000 and taking over the Tri-State area, Shadowburn, who throw their heart and soul into their amalgamated ingenuity, are clearly on the rise; get them on your radar and watch their ascent.

Stream Naked with You on all major platforms, including Spotify, Bandcamp and Apple Music.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Hunting Giants unleashed another mythological monolithic monster with their proggy hard rock single, Too Big to Kill

Posted on 29 September 2022

Too Big to Kill is the latest mythologically-inspired monolithic hard rock single to be released from the progressive four-piece outfit Hunting Giants’ upcoming album, Mythos.

With vocals as gnarled as the salaciously ferocious guitar riffs, Too Big to Kill makes no apology before it ravages your attention with the lyrics relayed to instrumentals which refuse to pigeonhole themselves into just one genre. The complexity easily matches the ferocity in this melting pot of grunge, groove metal and prog rock.

Not many tracks could warrant a comparison to Static X’s no Submission, but Hunting Giants easily match the intensity and cataclysmic etherealism between the melodic Godsmack-Esque increments.

Too Big to Kill was officially released on September 9th. Check it out on Spotify, and await the arrival of Mythos, which is set to be unleashed on September 30th.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Angils delivered a stellar slice of progressive metal with their latest single, Drowning.

Posted on 1 January 2022

‘Drowning’ is the latest melodic metal single from the arrestingly talented alternative artist, Angils, who puts their own sludgy signature spin on the genre – to an atmospherically enticing effect.

With nuances of grunge in the harmonised vocals before they break into visceral, guttural angst, the progressive nature of the consistently unpredictable track keeps you hooked from start to finish. From grungy reminiscences to Alice in Chains to angular instrumental interludes to straight-up Pantera-Esque aggression, Drowning definitively offers it all. If the metal scene continues to sleep on Angils, they may as well be in a cultural coma.

It isn’t every day that we discover an artist whose instrumental ability is on par with their immersive songwriting prowess. We can’t wait to hear what follows.

Drowning was officially released on December 30th; you can check it out for yourselves via YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Shrapnel take us into the ‘DARK AGE’ with their new blackened thrash metal sound.

Posted on 16 October 2021

After achieving coveted status in the thrash scene, Shrapnel boldly broached nuanced atmospheric territory with their latest single, DARK AGE.

Their sonic shift proves that they’re so much more than your run of the mill hard and fast powerhouse with the capacity to keep the boomers that nothing but assimilation happy. Their new testament to their authenticity may not have won over thrash purists, but seriously, the 80s happened 40 years ago, mate; the world doesn’t freeze in stasis because your tastes are pedantically pathetic.

Like their former releases; the progressions in DARK AGE still blaze at a breakneck frenetic speed, but in this groove metal hit, there is enough spatial effect to leave you captivated by the constant transitions in the super techy riffs, bouncy breakdowns, infallibly gorgeous drums and laceratingly sharp vocal hooks.

It’s enough to give you serious nostalgia for the Saw III soundtrack with the fleeting reminiscence to Slayer, Static X and Lamb of God, but anyone searching for new tumultuous catharsis and practically pornographic talent won’t be disappointed.

After seeing first-hand their ability to leave a crowd frenzied and pious to their matchless stage presence while supporting Evile on tour in Manchester earlier this month, I can safely say that Shrapnel isn’t a band to be slept on. Even with their tendency to take inspiration from the most nefarious and brutal facets of the human experience, Shrapnel’s sheer ingenuity that makes nihilism enjoyable won’t fail to leave you psyched. Save a spot on your radar.

The official video premiered on October 15th; check it out for yourselves via YouTube.

Artist links: Website, Facebook, Instagram, Spotify

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Torn Away are set to make a serenely melodic debut with their album “As We Rise”

Posted on 6 November 2020
Torn Away

Sink into the succinct melodicism in Torn Away’s standout single ‘The Viscera Enigma’ which features on their debut album release ‘As We Rise’ and enjoy the tonally indulgent hooks and grooves orchestrated by the Flint, Michigan Alt Rock trailblazers.

Their tones offer finesse to a sound akin to the likes of Pink Floyd, Alice in Chains and Acid Bath. As their standout track runs through, it is almost as though the breezing and purposefully meandering notes leave an imprint on your psyche and compel you to delve into the progressive hit time after time.

Torn Away offer an incredible energy, I have no doubt that this isn’t the last we hear from them. Get them on your radar.

You’ll have to wait a little bit longer before you can check out As We Rise which will be released by Misanthropik Records. In the meantime, head over to the artist’s Facebook page and give them a follow on Bandcamp.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Icarus has released their aural juggernaut of an Alt Metal EP “Bleeding Out”

Posted on 21 April 2020
https://open.spotify.com/track/2D6AxDsiTHFyt32ZXONuPX

Breaking Alt Metal 5-piece Icarus cooked up a cataclysmic storm with their debut EP “Undivided Attention”.

Rather than trying to find their sound within the constraints of a metal sub-genre, you’ll find everything from Thrash to Hardcore Punk to Groove Metal to Nu Metal in the four blisteringly mind-bending tracks.

Each track is an aural juggernaut which will demand repeat attention at max volume. Track 1 “Bleeding Out” is the best introduction to Icarus’ expansive sound. Their sound may be heavy, dark and brutal, but you’ll still be able to expect massive choruses and sharp lyrical hooks in the high-octane super-charged Metal perennial earworm.

The gutturally fierce vocals use a clear enough diction to enable the angst-driven lyrics to resonate in a way in which could unite fans of punk pioneers Napalm Death and fans of Frank Carter & the Rattlesnakes alike. If Download 2020 was going ahead, Icarus would deserve a mainstage spot.

You can check out Icarus’ EP for yourselves by heading over to Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast