Browsing Tag

Modern Rock

Melia delivered a rock-licked anthem of vindication with ‘The Horse You Rode in On’

Posted on 14 October 2024

The prodigal daughter of rock, Melia, has returned with her sophomore LP, ‘FERAL‘, delivering an indomitable hit of empowerment with the standout single, ‘Horse You Rode in On‘.

With the overdriven guitars, the fiery manifesto for anyone who has endured the arrogance of the misguided resurrects retro rock aesthetics as Melia’s powerful, crystalline vocals slice through the mix with mesmeric clarity. As the percussion injects adrenaline into the track like fuel to a flame, Melia asserts herself as a rare diamond in the mundanity of modern rock. Knowing exactly how to pay homage without assimilating, her future is as promising as her sound is powerful.

The single is highlighted by one of the year’s most electrifying guitar solos, redefining what it means to command the six strings. It’s a potent reminder of why Melia continues to collect accolades, including multiple Indie Music Channel Awards.

Recorded at Dreamland Recording Studio with the esteemed Kevin Killen, ‘FERAL’ echoes the defiant spirit of Melia’s musical journey. From her early days, ignited by a Green Day concert, to sharing stages with icons like Steve Vai and Judas Priestess, Melia’s path has been anything but ordinary.

Stream the Feral LP in full by heading over to 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

Unleash your demons and dance on the edge of madness with Patrice AorMelodicRock’s future-forward dance rock anthem, Crazy Night

Posted on 31 August 2024

Patrice AorMelodicRock’s new dance-rock anthem, Crazy Night, is an electrifying testament to the enduring power of rock, infused with a futuristic edge that makes every modern rock outfit sound positively antiquated.

With a pop-hooked production so slick it’s hypersonic, the track propels you into a sonic universe where the expansive presence of the vocals, which could lead a rock opera, meets the cutting-edge innovation of bands like Bring Me The Horizon.

The vocals soar just as high as the guitars which blaze through the synthetics of the track, embodying the futurism of a rock scene reimagined a century from now. Imagine what Shinedown would sound like 100 years from now, and you’ll get an idea of what the solo artist achieved with this hit which electrifies the mind, body and soul.

You’ll want to relive Crazy Night time and time again with its intoxicating synthesis of raw energy and sleek production which invites you to dance on the edge of madness and unleash your demons.

How Patrice AorMelodicRock, who started earning his rock stripes in the 80s, isn’t already at the top of the rock charts is one of the great injustices of our era.

Stream Crazy Night on YouTube now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Cambridge’s LAY / BYE ignited the modern rock scene with their expansive earwom, ACTIVE!

Posted on 6 May 2024

If any up-and-coming band can kick Royal Blood off their throne, it’s the Cambridge-hailing three-piece LAY / BYE with the polished hooks, fiery intensity, and unflinching resonance in their debut single, ACTIVE!

The debut holds no prisoners when holding the worst archetypes of the human experience to account; the flaying lyrics pick up more volition through the catchy delivery that forces you right into the electrifying nucleus of the single that stands as a testament to the trio’s ability to vindicate the masses.

After a Velvet Revolver-esque intro, the buzzsaw riffs and snarling basslines rip through the dynamic modern hard rock atmosphere honed by Robin Schmidt, known for his work with Nothing But Thieves, the 1975 and Sam Fender. The juxtaposition between the scathing energy within the rhythm section and the pop-pinched vocal hooks creates a dynamic strong enough to carry a rock revolution on its back.

The explosively expressive release is a sure sign of big things to come for LAY / BYE; their ability to fuse integrity with infectious earworm appeal is superlative.

Jump on the ACTIVE! hype by streaming the single on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Modern Ape blended precision with passion in their rallying rock anthem, Justified

Posted on 10 January 2024

In modern rock, few bands capture the essence of soulful anthems quite like Modern Ape. Their latest single, Justified, is a testament to their unique blend of precision and passion. Hailing from North West England, this three-piece ensemble has crafted a sound that resonates with the spirit of rock blues, yet speaks to all generations.

The instrumentals are meticulously tight, showcasing a mastery of craft that is rare and commendable. But it’s the soul that pours from the vocals that truly sets this track apart. It grips you with a fervour reminiscent of Against Me, while the guitar hooks echo the soul-stirring appeal of the Manic Street Preachers. It’s a heartfelt cry wrapped in melody that you’ll want to turn to every time you want to feel alive, and it is that universally shared craving for visceralism which lyrically propels the track forward.

Modern Ape, with their self-deprecating moniker, might not seem like your typical rock heroes, but their music tells a different story. They excel in rallying cries, and Justified is a clarion call to the masses.

Stream the official music video for Justified which premiered on January 1st on YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Todd Michael Chapman’s latest melodic rock hit, Mesmerized, is enlivened through heart-on-riff soul appeal.

Posted on 9 January 2024

Romance isn’t dead; it was raucously revived through Todd Michael Chapman’s latest single, Mesmerized, which gives all the heart-in-throat electricity of Aerosmith’s I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing while channelling a fervid authenticity that stays true to the singer-songwriter’s rustbelt inspired melodic rock edge.

The confessional lyricism narrated through the strident vocal lines that will stir your soul as the bluesy rock hooks feed infectious appeal in the sublimely produced record ensured that the New York-born and-raised raconteur delivered a timeless hit that will resonate through the ages. With a touch of R.E.M.’s college radio rock nostalgic appeal laced with Chapman’s ability to make the old feel brand new, Mesmerized will leave you exactly what it says on the tin.

After hearing it once, I know it will be a sonic landscape I return to time and time again to be enlivened by the uninhibited heart-on-riff soul appeal.

Mesmerized was officially released on January 5th; stream it on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Stone Senate delivered a spectral confession of aching emotion with their latest single, Ghost

Posted on 13 December 2023

Stone Senate’s new single Ghost resonates with a poignant blend of lyrical indie rock and Americana, capturing the essence of feeling invisible and failing to keep pace in an ever-changing world. It is a powerful testament to the band’s unique ability to evolve above their influences, transcending all expectations, on this occasion, in a spectrally scintillating style.

The essence of Ghost lies in its mellifluously captivating progressions, which will haunt you as you relate to them on an intrinsically deep level. Clint Woolsey’s smouldering, soulful vocals serve as the emotional core, delivering sonorously affecting lines that resonate with anyone grappling with feelings of obscurity and the fleeting nature of cherished memories.

The true magic of Ghost, however, is in how it balances emotional weight with a lack of self-pity. It’s a confession of aching emotion, offering comfort to those who see their own reflections in this superlative rock track. The soaring guitar solo, meticulously executed by James Beau Edwards and Ted Hennington, invites listeners into a moment of profound contemplation, seamlessly blending with the tight, bonded rhythm section of Paul Zettler on bass and David “DZ” Zettler on drums.

Stone Senate, having been compared to legends like Lynyrd Skynyrd and The Allman Brothers Band, is not content to rest on the laurels of their influences. Instead, they push boundaries, creating a sound that is distinctly and modernistically their own.

Ghost is now available to stream on all major platforms via this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Zarah established herself as the powerhouse innovator the modern rock scene has been crying out for in her latest single, Blind Woman

Posted on 27 October 2023

Following the critically acclaimed reception of her debut single, What Have We Become? the LA-residing soul rock evocateur, Zarah, has proven she’s far from a one melodic masterpiece wonder with her sophomore single, Blind Woman.

The classic rock cuts may have been stripped back in Blind Woman, but the yearning atmosphere that drifts between the enticing tension in the instrumentation and her dynamic vocal range, which can deliver everything from the raw timbre of Lydia Lunch to a rock-licked iteration of Kate Bush’s high register, is a lesson in sonic alchemy. She’s a siren of pure power and soul.

In addition to Zarah Maillard’s singer-songwriter achievements, the powerhouse of charisma, creativity and talent is a novelist, television personality, producer, and performer, who has performed with Goo Goo Dolls.

If you can’t get enough of Blind Woman, your appetite for Zarah’s synthesis of classic and modern rock will be sated upon the release of her debut LP of the same title. We can’t wait to get lost in the escapism of it.

Blind Woman will officially release on October 27; stream it on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Evandale – The Storm: Southern Sleazy Hard Rock

Posted on 23 April 2021

‘The Storm’ was the first single released from Evandale’s debut album, ‘All or Nothing’; it’s safe to say that the hard rock outfit went with the former option with this southern sleazy stormer.

Since forming in 2017, the Midwest powerhouse has opened for iconic acts such as Bowling for Soup, Soul Asylum, Dirty Honey, Wayland and Spin Doctors and won an Omaha Arts and Entertainment award for Best New Artist in 2019. With their enigmatic energy, technical ability and tendency to pack their tracks with enough visceral intensity that they could make the Richter scale quiver; the accolades are only going to get sweeter from here on out.

I can imagine, and hopefully, one day I will be able to discover that Evandale’s live sound delivers the same pit-opening arrestive adrenaline as Godsmack and Sevendust.

You can check out the official lyric video to the Storm via YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Orson’s Well delivered a smoky stormer with ‘Serve the Verve’.

Posted on 15 April 2021

Rather than serving up yet another archetypal slice of Sunset strip sleaze, USA’s Orson’s Well brought modernism to their raunchy grooves with their latest single, ‘Serve the Verve’.

With Blues weaving its way into the anthemic stormer, Serve the Verve comes with a guarantee that you’ll find yourself mesmerised by the scuzzy yet soaring guitar solos that affirm Orson’s Well are bringing the pinnacle of modern rock.

Serve the Verve is rooted in the past, but it taps into that contemporary need for abrasive smoky rock n roll orchestrated for the discerning rock fan in 2021. For any fans of Guns n’ Roses and Aerosmith, Orson’s Well is definitely worth a spot on your radar.

You can check out the official video to Serve the Verve via YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast