Browsing Tag

Hard Rock

Slanderus’ Cover of ‘Dream Warriors’ is A Melodic Maelstrom that Hits with No Mercy

Posted on 15 November 2024

With their latest single, Dream Warriors, the powerhouse Slanderus delivered an unrelenting tour de force that ensnares from the first post-punk-infused note. Channelling Echo and the Bunnymen atmospherics in the opening salvo, the Inland Empire quartet takes listeners down a dark path before unleashing a firestorm of overdriven guitars that shred with a no-mercy vigour. Each beat hits harder than the last, with rock harmonies tempering the relentless instrumental frenzy, dropping a melodic anchor amid the chaos.

With a clear reverence for 80s rock aesthetics, Slanderus nods to nostalgia in the DOKKEN cover of the single which featured on the Nightmare on Elm St 3 soundtrack while injecting contemporary volition into the classic riffs that rock fans have adored across the decades; the modernistic metal edge goes straight for the jugular.

With Jason J. Kennedy’s guitar solos capable of making your heart forget to beat, the electricity within Dream Warriors is enough to run a power grid. The synergy within the band is unstoppable, with JJ Gawrich on drums delivering melodic yet earth-shattering rhythms and bassist Mike Basquez bringing a heavy groove while Allen Alamillo’s lead vocals inject soul into a soaring pitch.

The award-winning outfit which has previously opened for Fear Factory is clearly only getting started in its bid to hold dominion over the alt-metal scene. Get behind them or get out of their way.

Dream Warriors was officially released on October 31st. Stream it on all major platforms via this link now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Feel the fevered pulse of The Sonic Redemption in their hedonistic riot of a hit, I Got a Fever (and I think I like it)

Posted on 6 November 2024

The Sonic Redemption stormed back onto the rock scene with their latest single, ‘I Got a Fever (and I think I like It)’. The track is a riot of rock-reverent chaos, with the band taking a few tempo cues from Motorhead and channelling hook-driven euphoria reminiscent of Rancid’s …And Out Come the Wolves LP.

The anthem burns a blazing trail of aural adrenaline, leaving your speakers hyped as the whiskey-soaked vocals snarl over the dynamic tight as a straitjacket instrumentals.

Fronted by the iconic Dominique De Vos, previously of Southern Voodoo and Motorcity Angels, and joined by Jelle De Vos on guitar and Bram Decrock on drums, The Sonic Redemption continues to deliver unbridled power and unpolished rock ‘n’ roll.

Dominique De Vos describes the new single as embodying the band’s core identity: “unrestrained, fast, and uncompromising.” It’s a song about the exhilarating freedom and energy that floods through you when you’re completely caught up in the music—a fever that’s genuinely infectious.

The Sonic Redemption doesn’t just revisit the glamour and depravity of the Sunset Strip in the 80s; they reimagine it, spreading it with authenticity and intensity across the globe. The track is an unfiltered tribute to the soul of rock ‘n’ roll, showcasing a band that not only pays homage to this timeless genre but also defines it for a new era. Prepare yourself before you roll with the juggernautical punches of this hit.

I Got a Fever (and I think I like it) dropped on October 26th; stream the single on Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

You Dirty Blue revived vintage blues rock with their renegade of a hit, Humming

Posted on 5 November 2024

‘Humming’ by You Dirty Blue thrashed into the blues rock scene with a rare ferocity that barrels through the annals of music history. This single reverberates with the raw, unrefined essence of 70s rock, encapsulated by fuzzy guitar riffs and raucous vocals that snarl with renegade charm. It’s a rhythmically infectious track that knocks polished modern rock productions off their pedestals and replaces them with something that resonates with the spirit of old-school rock.

You Dirty Blue, a powerhouse duo from Tamworth, have been igniting venues across the UK with their explosive live shows. Their music is steeped in the DIY ethos of grunge and blues, infused with a punchy punk twist that makes each performance unforgettable. Humming is a new chapter in the duo’s legacy with its heady rush of rock’s golden era aesthetics and modern ferocity. If you’ve been pining for the days of raw, unapologetic rock music, get your kicks that are guaranteed to leave a lasting mark.

Humming was officially released on November 1st; stream the single on SoundCloud now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

The Hopeless Romantics of Hard Rock, Electric Cherry, Cut Deep with Their Latest Single, Anyway You Want

Posted on 4 November 2024

Electric Cherry never fails to live up to their moniker, but with the sticky-sweet super-charged currents tearing through the renegade of a rock anthem, Anyway You Want, the Roman rock n roll powerhouse amped up their sound to the nth degree.

As a teaser of what is to come from their upcoming album, CHERRY HEART, the rhythmically salacious slice of high-octane scintillation hits it out of the hard rock park while simultaneously throwing back to the classic rock pioneers and synthesising cinematic white knuckle momentum into the riff-decorated earworm.

As far as ticking all the right hard rock boxes goes, Electric Cherry received full marks with Anyway You Want which narrates the death knell of a relationship as it becomes platonic, leaving bitter-sweet glimmers of hope for the future. The melodic hooks in the chorus vocals become razors to the soul when sharpened by the hopeless romanticism in the lyricism. There’s no getting out of this single unaffected once you hit play.

The official music video for Anyway You Want is now available to stream on YouTube.

Follow Electric Cherry on Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date with news of their upcoming LP, CHERRY HEART.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

MöTT unleashed a frenetic hard rock firestorm with ‘Best Is Yet to Come’

Posted on 22 October 2024

Colorado’s prodigal in every capacity son, MöTT (AKA Martin Epp), unleashed a frenetic hard rock firestorm with their latest single, Best Is Yet to Come. The singer-songwriter, producer and endlessly deft multi-instrumentalist teamed up with a band of rock legends in their own right, Phil X, Billy Sheehan, Jeff Scott Soho and Matt Star, to shake cynicism from the souls of everyone who kneels at the altar of rock.

With touches of Slash in the guitar work superseding the ferociously tumultuous installations of drunk n roll mayhem, it’s impossible to remain steadfast when confronted by the cultivated chaos which attests to MöTT’s ability to carve melodic hooks and catapult his cult following into the eyes of his sonic storm. If you want to hear the definition of hard rock guitar porn, hit play on the ferociously feel-good, timeless rock anthem.

Best Is Yet to Come stormed the airwaves on August 1st; feel the force of the hard rock juggernaut by heading over to Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Rearview Romantics delivered a new testament of rock n roll with ‘The Preacher’

Posted on 16 October 2024

Out of Philadelphia, the raw force known as Rearview Romantics slashed through the rock scene with their stormer of a single, ‘The Preacher’.

The unapologetic throwback to the 60s – 80s rock epochs erupts with crunchy, overdriven guitar riffs that could summon spirits from rock’s golden age. The vocals carve a niche between Metallica’s gritty resonance, the anthemics of New York Dolls and The Cramps’ punk eccentric ferocity, creating an uncompromising voice for the band. The production crackles with an electric fervour, each note and beat engineered to grip your soul and shake it awake.

The manifesto of rebellion dictates a relentless pace that dares listeners to keep up. As a rock anthem, the track ticks all the boxes, bridging the gap between classic sensibilities and potently explosive energy.

With their larger-than-life live shows marked by magnetic stage presence, Rearview Romantics are quickly becoming the act to watch. Coupled with a consistent stream of videos and tracks, the rock n roll reverent renegades are proving they’re destined for bigger stages.

The Preacher was officially released on September 26th; stream the single on YouTube now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Joe Pallotta immortalised the fallen in his piano-driven hard rock ballad, Tears for the Titan

Posted on 11 September 2024
Feed The Fire by Joe Pallotta

In his latest hard rock hit, ‘Tears for the Titan’, San Francisco’s Joe Pallotta tackled the vast expanse of grief with an eloquent precision that almost defies belief. Putting into lyrics what few can weave into words, following the loss of a loved one, he sonically visualised how mourning can tear at the fabric of our being, leaving us frayed, disillusioned, and helplessly out of sync with a world that persists in the wake of tragedy.

The piano rock ballad pits minor key piano melodies against soaring guitar lines and a gothic aesthetic reminiscent of the Sisters of Mercy, pulling listeners deep into the atmosphere of the piece. Pallotta’s vocals echo the soulful vigour of rock legends such as Twisted Sister, Poison and Whitesnake, blending seamlessly with orchestral crescendos which rise and fall with invitations to find consolation that you’re never as alone in your grief as you think you are.

As much as Tears for the Titan is palpably a cathartic outlet for Pallotta, within the jagged shards of agony are commiserations to anyone else who has loved and lost.

 As Pallotta continues to expand his reach, aiming to touch as many souls as possible with his music, ‘Tears for the Titan’ serves as an affecting reminder of his ability to convert raw, unfiltered emotion into a soul-gripping alt-rock experience. To explore more of Joe Pallotta’s emotionally rich and resonant artistry, visit his collection at joepallotta.bandcamp.com.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

SugarFüt – Mirrors: Where UK Alt-Rock Hits Its Peak Power

Posted on 10 September 2024

In their sophomore release, Mirrors, the UK’s most promising emerging powerhouse, SugarFüt, reasserted dominance on the alt-rock scene with a kinetic anthem of sheer visceral innovation.

If you’re still mourning the loss of She Burns Red after they disbanded, this Hull-based four-piece is here to fill the void with a sound that is veritably their own. With scuzzy alt-rock riffs and chameleonic progressions, which splices the frenetic with the melodic Mirrors defies predictability. Just as you start to recognise pop-punk echoes, SugarFüt storms into fresh territory with each progression, pushing boundaries with every bar, leaving heads in a subverted spin.

Vocally, the track oscillates between imploring vulnerability in the verses and soaring dynamism in the chorus, seamlessly transitioning to illuminate the emotive depth of the timbre and the dualistic pull of Jack Moxon’s vocals. When paired with the interstellar peaks of their guitar-driven crescendos, Mirrors is enough to leave your heart in your throat. SugarFüt’s ability to riff with the same fevered energy as Thee Oh Sees while capturing the immersive melodicism of Jimmy Eat World’s Futures era creates an addictive earworm which demands repeat attention.

Formed in Kingston-Upon-Hull in 2023, SugarFüt brings together frontman Jack Moxon, drummer Calvin Casey (formerly of Kira Mac), bassist Rory Myers, and guitarist Dave Measom. Their collective history in the Hull music scene and shared love for rock, pop, and punk culminates in an auditory assault that blends raw, emotionally charged vocals with gritty riffs, pulsating basslines, and thunderous drums.

By the time their debut album drops, they’ll be one of the hottest acts on the UK rock circuit. Keep them on your radar.

Mirrors was officially released on August 16 and is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Ignition of the New Hard Rock Era: ‘Thrillseekers’ by Juliet’s Not Dead

Posted on 9 September 2024

Juliet’s Not Dead, formerly known as Twister, blasted the UK rock circuit with ‘Thrillseekers‘, a formidable first release under their new moniker; the meteoric entry sets the stage for the hotly anticipated forthcoming LP which is being teased for an early 2025 release.

For anyone who has been following the Durham-hailing prodigal juggernauts, expect a seismic shift in their sonic signature with this release which unravels as an electrifying departure from their previous hits.

To juxtapose the scathed snarls of the straitjacket tight instrumental arrangement which pits growling basslines against distorted to the degree of aural debauchery guitars and frenetic pulse-pounding percussion, the vocals push sticky-sweet magnetism into the explosion of high-octane energy as they embed romanticism into the choruses which elevate the track into an anthem of visceral emotion.

Produced by the esteemed Romesh Dodangoda, the track not only kicks off a new chapter for the band but also sets a precedent for the genre itself. As ‘Thrillseekers’ paves the way for the upcoming album, Juliet’s Not Dead is poised to ascend to the ranks of hard rock royalty alongside bands like Florence Black, Massive Wagons and South of Salem. With a UK tour lined up this Autumn, the stage is set for Juliet’s Not Dead to conquer hearts and charts alike.

Thrillseekers took the airwaves by storm on August 30th; stream the single on Spotify and keep up to date with news of the upcoming LP from Juliet’s Not Dead via Facebook and Instagram.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Mercy Vibe alchemically occupied the rock scene with her instrumental track, Peaceful Med

Posted on 5 September 2024

Mercy Vibe may be a nascent presence on the rock scene, but her seminal instrumental single, Peaceful Med, established her as an artist worthy of adoration.

The Midwest-originating artist’s background in traversing genres and her adventurous approach to music production pull through with veracity in this track, which subverts conventional guitar-led instrumental pieces by defying expectations with cultivated use of special effects. You could hear a pin drop in the production which creates a palpable tension and anticipation for each successive note.

Mercy Vibe doesn’t just set a mood with her work, she commands it with the guitars which act as a narrative force in the expansive sonic space. Yet, it is the percussion that truly energises the track, delivering bursts of intensity that ensure the listener’s engagement never wanes.

With Peaceful Med, Mercy Vibe made it clear she is here to innovate and inspire. Save a space on your radar for her future releases which are in the pipeline.

Stream Peaceful Med on YouTube now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast