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