Browsing Tag

Metal

Don’t Bring Me Down: GreenblacK roar back at the small-minded souls on the Metal battle scar track ‘Even If’

Posted on 25 October 2021

As the lights frequently flicker and the strong speakers shake up unadulterated delight into the star-lit skyline, GreenblacK fight back at rude people who only think about themselves on the rip-roaring new single called ‘Even If‘.

Founded and fronted by Haifa, Israel-born Yohai Portal, GreenblacK is a full-blooded Los Angeles, California-based indie Metal band.

There is an air of authority here from a world outfit, who seem to thrive with music creations that are all about those important topics that are full of deep knowledge and teachable relevance. These lashing soundscapes projected are boldly loud and ever-lasting proud, the thrashing riffs rivet you in the startled face gently and instantly forces you to shudder happily. The well-sung vocals inspire your quivering ears to open up, as you feel so uplifted by this exploding cascade of euphoria, that is Metal at its purest form.

”Yohai’s family is full of artists and creative environment all around. Painters, dancers, movement teachers, architecture, hair and clothing designers and other musicians as well. His first band was at 16 years old and he started playing shows at his hometown area (Kiryat Atta).” ~ GreenblacK

‘Even If‘ from the speaker-busting Los Angeles, California-based indie Metal band GreenblacK, rips the doors down of anyone who likes to be selfish and small-minded, when actually they have much to learn about the world. With honest lyrics that tells you the truth, this is that ferocious battle anthem about never letting anyone – no matter who they are – bring you down to the dumps of doom, when you are just trying to thrive and be happy in this at-times ugly world.

Hear this powerfully constructed track on Spotify and see more news via their IG music page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

SCARSUN pull punches in their latest hard rock hit, MAKE ME ACHE.

Posted on 20 October 2021

MAKE ME ACHE is the latest storming alt-rock single from SCARSUN. With Letha’s Brody Dalle-Esque vocals cutting through the instrumentals, her magnetism captivates from the first soaring vocal note. It is a hard and fast ride through the menacingly confrontational single, one that you will probably want to strap yourselves in for and play loud. For any metal fan, MAKE ME ACHE will be instantly accessible through the barbarous riffs, thrashing percussion and technical basslines, but the UK-based outfit left plenty of room for distinction.

SCARSUN has been on the scene since 2014, their tendency to keep an open mind to the sonic elements in their sound always ensures that each new release delivers unpredictability and high energy authenticity.

The official music video for MAKE ME ACHE is now available to stream on 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

Hopes Avenue has released their viscerally raw post-hardcore sophomore track, Escape/Reality.

Posted on 6 October 2021

Hopes Avenue became one of Scotland’s most promising alt-rock outfits with the release of their viscerally raw post-hardcore sophomore single, Escape/Reality.

Given that we’re practically living in the world Charlie Brooker imagined for Black Mirror, the chillingly cold production of the familiar rock elements in Escape/Reality is oddly consoling. Their intrinsically melodic hardcore progressions carry the same evocative weight as Days to Remember, Rise Against, and Alkaline Trio as the sombrely high-octane vocals make sure that Escape/Reality hits as hard emotionally as it does sonically.

The insanely talented 4-piece powerhouse is one to watch; especially for fans of Bring Me the Horizon and Enter Shikari.

Escape/Reality is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Post-Hardcore and Power Pop Collide: Picture the Scene. The Hang-Up

Posted on 27 September 2021

After a line-up change that saw a female vocalist fronting the South East, UK outfit Picture the Scene. with their freshly refined sound, the heavy pop-punk powerhouse has come in with all guns blazing with their latest single, The Hang-Up.

The galvanizing power-pop choral hooks are broken up with heavy rock motifs and growled vocals that any fans of Job for a Cowboy or any other post-hardcore outfit will be familiar with. I can only imagine how intense the playful ferocity in the sticky sweet hit would be live. Picture the Scene. is for every metalhead who finds themselves with a guilty penchant for Taylor Swift. With The Hang-Up, Picture the Scene. established themselves as on par with BABYMETAL for the boundaries they broke with their sonic furore. Do I even need to tell you to save space on your radar?

The Hang-Up is now available to stream on all major platforms via this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Baroque Monody reaches the epitome of etherealism with their single, Plan 2021, feat Kellii Scott.

Posted on 2 September 2021
Plan 2021 (Feat. Kellii Scott) by Baroque Monody

Post-punk and symphonic metal converge in the darkened atmosphere of Baroque Monody’s latest single, Plan 2021, featuring percussionist Kellii Scott (Failure).

With Scott’s thrashing percussive flair, the heavy guitars and the etherealism of Jenifer Rose’s vocals as they emanate the same arcane allure of a 15th-century mystic, all of your senses will surrender to the sublimely-paced progressive furore in Plan 2021.

After making their debut in 2013, Baroque Monody has released two albums, and there is plenty more in the pipeline from the powerhouse duo. Save a spot on your radar.

Plan 2021 is available to stream and purchase via Bandcamp.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Heck Vektor has unleashed their industrial garage-rock single, Superspreader.

Posted on 27 August 2021
Superspreader (Sonofabitch Mix) by Heck Vektor

Youngstown Ohio’s prodigal sons of industrial metal, Heck Vektor, have released their scathing new single, Superspreader. With the energy of garage punk, the harsh electronica stylings of Powerman 5000 and vocals that switch from Alec Empire-level slick to caustic and confrontational, it is impossible not to be drawn in by this tumultuous amalgamation of alt electronica and rock.

Even though I hit play on the covid-related track with hesitancy, the glitchy basslines, nefarious charisma and unpredictable breakdowns quickly replaced the cynicism with admiration. We can’t wait to hear what follows.

Stream and download Superspreader via Bandcamp.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

UK solo artist Matt Black has made his industrial-rock debut with his single, Are You Afraid of the Dark?

Posted on 20 August 2021

UK-based singer-songwriter Matt Black tapped into the collective sense of listlessness and despair with his scathing industrial rock debut single, Are You Afraid of the Dark.

The lyric-less soundscape uses samples of doom-mongering news broadcasts, featuring our seemingly dim, realistically catastrophic prime minister who seems determined to blather the country to ruin around heavy scuzzy metal guitars and percussion that could only be described as apocalyptic.

With a similar sonic palette to Machine Head’s Bloodstone and Diamonds and Disturbed’s Down with the Sickness, we’re sure plenty of the industrial rock and metal community will welcome his cathartically foreboding presence on the airwaves with open arms.

Are You Afraid of the Dark was officially released on August 20th; you can check it out via SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

There’s Nothing I Can Do For You: NYC heavy hitters Dishonest Escape stun our senses with the intense new single ‘Watermelon’

Posted on 3 August 2021
Vivid by Dishonest Escape

As they inject us angrily with a battering of honest lyrics about a frustrating situation which boils the blood with a knife-life vengeance like no other, Dishonest Escape scare your anxious neighbors through your shocked speakers on the brain-exploding new single ‘Watermelon‘.

Dishonest Escape is a New York City-based heavy sounding hip-hop and metal/djent-fused act who certainly have the sweat-soaked walls rattling vigorously throughout their slamming sets. They make that electric vibration of scream-vocalized sound, which is meshed with a mighty roar of intent, from a rampaging band who put everything into each second you witness.

”Their presence demands attention, with their fierce performances and eerie, borderline grotesque lyrics that deal with world issues, personal traumas, and struggles that many can relate to.

” ~ Dishonest Escape

You feel like you are in an underground club when you listen in closely, your whole breathless body goes into a different planet as you feed of their music like a hungry vampire, who has been starved for too long. Your pulse rate turns up real high, as you feel their fiery performance take full control over your blood-thirsty veins.

Their story of not being happy with what is transpiring with someone who they can’t stand the sight of, is all-too familiar while we all get so frustrated with our currently toxic-world situation.

‘Watermelon‘ from the ferociously formulated four-piece NYC djent/metal/hip-hop fusion band Dishonest Escape, is a rampaging soundscape of pure unadulterated noise of epic proportions. This is an experience that heavy metal fans will love, as there is energy in droves here, and the lyrics drive like a sharp sword inside you.

Hear this new single on Bandcamp and see more via their IG music page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Middle Fingers Up: Motivated Idaho metal band Artificial Aliens urge us to make it count this time with ‘Start Again’

Posted on 24 July 2021

With a powerfully rugged sound that has your ears ringing like a telephone in delight, Artificial Aliens angrily smash the locked door down to the floor as they search for that all-important purpose which will set them free on ‘Start Again‘.

Artificial Aliens is a thunderous Rupert, Idaho-based indie post-hardcore/metal five-piece band. They make that stimulating-your-senses-quickly type of speaker-shaking vibe, which has you feeling so invigorated after a long enforced slumber.

”From a town with few concerts or publicity, Artificial Aliens have traveled and toured to gain exposure for their unique and aggressive sound.” ~ Artificial Aliens

You feel their electric energy transforming into something special right before your eyes, as you turn up the volume to the max, as your whole body has that rare feeling of euphoria. The powerful vocals lift you up into the smoke-filled air so quickly as the band are on top form the whole time.

Their sensationally hard soundscape has your head nodding furiously as you imagine watching them live in concert, and moshing intensely the whole way through the gig.

‘Start Again‘ from the high octane Rupert, Idaho-based indie metal/post hardcore act Artificial Aliens, shows us a motivated band on a real mission to grab that opportunity by sweeping the past away, as they take charge of what comes next. They remind us that its vitally important to never let the past dictate your future, as starting fresh sometimes is the only way to truly succeed.

Their lesson is simple. Middle fingers up to anyone who tries to bring you down in life.

Stream this new single on Spotify and see more on their IG music page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen