The Frst is a Nashville based, alternative rock band and Bruce Lee is their new single, released on 28/06/2023. The Frst was founded by Mikei Gray, who intentionally left out the I due to the changing nature of the band and its ever-evolving line-up.

A collaboration with Kellin Quinn (from Sleeping With Sirens) and Bronnie, the track is a catchy, party-rock song that will certainly get the listener jumping about the living room.

The third single of The Frst’s sonically ambitious year, this song is a genre-bending one, blurring the lines to create something that is a pop-rock/alternative rock/skater rock and emo-punk crossover. With the gap between polished pop and all styles of rock music drawn ever closer with this track, this is gritty while still maintaining clean vocals, a party-rock ambience, and the rawness that rock music brings.

With heavy riffs from the guitars, especially during the choruses, and energetic drumming that I can only imagine the drummer had a whale of a time performing, this is a track with its roots firmly in the alternative rock genre, while sprawling out into many others.

The vocals are a mix of male and female, the two really complementing each other, creating a contrast that really keeps the listener on their toes, and the backups add real depth to the track.

This is an awesome track that made really made my Friday afternoon.

Awesome job!

This review is the property of The Metal Asylum

The Northern Light is an alternative rock band from Woodinville, WA, consisting of members David Pollon (guitar, vocals), Kip Rondorf (drums) and Carl Larsson (bass, synths). The band started as a singer/songwriter project for Pollon in 2016, having changed into its full-band form by 2019, and the band’s songs explore themes of despair and redemption.

The Northern Light is their new album and was released on 28/06/2023.

With seven tracks in total, the album lasts just under half an hour and is a real treat for the listener.

Hard where to categorise the album other than “rock” these guys take influence from many genres to create a sound that is uniquely theirs.

With nostalgic nods back to 90’s alternative rock, this is an album that showcases the talents and musicianship of these three guys. Each member stands out as a talent on their own but together they really are a force to be reckoned with.

With heavy riffs coming from the guitars and combining this with acoustic Spanish guitars at times, there really is a lot of diversity in what these guys are doing. Slight distortion is sued to create a hint of a grunge feel, but this doesn’t take away from the top-notch production on this album.

The songs are clear and concise, taking the listener through a range of emotions, not only through the emotive lyrics provided by Pollon, but also through the music which really pulls at the heart strings at times.

Musically, The Northern Light have a very big sound. The heavy riffs combined with pounding drums and meaty basslines deliver an infectious energy and really drive the songs forward. The vocals are gritty, although there is a quirkiness to them, and powerful and totally reminiscent of the singers of 90’s alternative rock bands, which is by no means a bad thing.

There is a great mix of tracks on this album, some rockier than others while some are more melodic and slower paced, offering more introspective moments on the album. This mix keeps the listener engaged with the tracks at all times and, with the meaningful lyrics, there is a lot for the listener to think about too.

This is a great album, and I really can not wait to hear more from this great band. Check them out!

Track Listing:

1) Waiting For The Flood

2) As Stars Burn

3) Sunshine In A Bottle

4) 4 Strings

5) Borrowed Time

6) Tribes (remix)

7) The Bitter Season

This review is the property of The Metal Asylum

Arn-Identified Flying Objects and Alien Friends is the solo project of former Redmoon member, Arne Floryd and My Face is one of his latest singles, released on 12/05/2023.

Hailing from Stockholm in Sweden, the band has some eclectic influences in 60’s and 70’s rock and hints of folk and punk, combining rock and power pop with a retro vibe.

I have previously reviewed music by Arne, and once again he has produced a great track. Each song this guy creates is different from the previous, showing his diversity, his talent, and his appreciation of music in general.

This track is one of his slower-paced songs, and on one level it is a song about “losing the grip; of meaning, love, integrity and life itself, but on another also a celebration of art and music.”

It is quite a sombre song, and the use of stringed instruments throughout, which is a great addition to the music side of the track, really adds to the atmospheric nature. The guitar work still has a slight country rock twang, the solos expertly executed, and the drum work is mostly laid back, although this is stepped up a notch or two when it needs to be. The drums on this track have been played by Andreas Quincy Dahlbӓck, one of Sweden’s best sessions drummers.

Once again Arne’s vocals are soft and gentle, yet pack power when the song increases in intensity. There is a slight quirkiness to his voice, but this only adds to the charm of the song, and with layered backups the song has great depth.

Of all the tracks by Arne that I have reviewed, I think this is my favourite, and there are a lot to choose from. Please go and check him and his music out! You really won’t be disappointed.

This review is the property of The Metal Asylum

Audio Terrorist is an indie electronica rock band from the San Francisco Bay area, consisting of members Kalib DuAre on lead vocals, synths, beats and theremin, Chris Wirsig on synths and keyboards, Tim Leehane on bass, synths and guitar and Lee Presson on electronic drums. The band got together in 1984 and they wanted to do something creative as San Jose California was a cultural wasteland, so they started sampling industrial sounds, influenced by the likes of Gary Numan, Depeche Mode, Nine Inch Nails, and The Velvet Underground as well as 80’s synth, 90’s industrial and 60’s art music.

The Bitter End is one of their past singles, released on 08/10/2021 and is about “the challenges of our time, the social justice that is needed to move forward and strips away our dramatic illusions (delusions) about the situation we find ourselves in.”

I loved this track from the moment the first industrialized electronic sounds kicked in. The beat that pulsates throughout the track is just mesmerizing, really pulling the listener into the music. The guitar riffs are heavy and meaty basslines gives the track a very dark wave / gothic sound. The synths and keyboards that bring everything together are simply amazing and the pounding drums keep everything marching along, the pulses and beats really sticking in your head.

I absolutely love the vocals on this track, strong and powerful but with a gothic / industrial edge that really sets this band apart from everything else.

I had a sneaky peak on Spotify for other stuff by this great band and I must say, after hearing what I did, I will be checking them out a lot more.

So, if gothic, industrial, dark wave, and electronic music is your thing then you are going to love, love, love these guys!

This review is the property of The Metal Asylum