Miron is a singer / songwriter based in Paris and All Of A Sudden is his latest single, released on 30/06/2023.
The rock artist, who is making waves in the rock music scene, has once again delivered a great track following the release of previous singles, Plague, With Your Eyes, Too Deep and Long Nails, which were all resounding successes.
With a classic rock foundation this track also sprawls out into other genres, resulting in a sound that is strong, powerful, and electrifying.
With heavy guitar riffs that will stick in your head, the guitar work is raw and captivating, the solos fantastically performed and with a hint of blues thrown in for good measure. The music side of things on this track has a nostalgic 80’s feel to it, while at the same time maintaining a modern edge that really sets the track apart from the rest.
Miron’s deep, powerful vocals really make the song, and there is a touch of grittiness and gruffness about them that really encapsulates the raw power and depth of the track.
I loved this track from the first few notes that I heard and the more I listened to it, the more I liked it. There is also a swagger to the track that will make you tap your foot, at the very least.
Awesome sound from a very talented and passionate artist and I look forward to hearing more!
Sages are a Sacramento based rock band consisting of members Dean Vidovich on vocals and guitar, Ryan Cavalli on guitar, Matt Franks (Simon Says) on bass guitar and Chris Robyn (Black Map, Crosses, Far) on drums, and Walk Away is their latest single, released on 16/06/2023.
Kicking off straight away with some thunderous drums and heavy guitar riffs, this track is impressive from start to finish.
The heavy guitar riffs continue throughout the track, the melodies and multi layered guitars crafted superbly by Vidovich and Cavell, the two complementing one another perfectly. The drumming is relentless all the way through the track, with lots of pounding bass drums and crashing cymbals, and these, along with catchy riffs and lyrics, really pull the listener into the song. Meaty basslines shine through, really making the music side of this track tight, with an atmospheric vibe provided by the use of distortion.
Vocally, this track is immense. Vidovich’s voice is powerful and enticing and he can easily switch from clean singing to metalcore type screams with ease and ability. With back up vocals that really add a punch to the song, this has depth and dynamism and just one listen through is not enough to hear all this track has to offer.
What an absolutely fantastic track, I loved it from the very first notes, and it is one that will definitely be featured on one of the shows on Metal Asylum Radio.
In Search Of is a father and daughter collaboration between Michael Raitzin and Michelle Ray, who share a love of music and books, and are based in Los Angeles.
Michael was born in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, and made his way to Los Angeles via Denmark where he spent seven years in Copenhagen. He started his career in Denmark in the early 90’s and has continued to play, write, tour and produce and manage bands such as Danger Danger, Royal Hunt and many more.
Michelle was born in Manhasset, NY and, as a finalist on NBC’s The Voice/Blake Sheldon team she has amassed over 3.5 million streams on Spotify. She also features on numerous national commercials and major feature films and television shows and has stage performances in productions such as Alanis Morissette’s Jagged Little Pill and Green day’s American Idiot to her name too.
Alice And The Wonderland, the duo’s debut album is based on the classic Alice In Wonderful novel and as soon as it starts, the listener is transported away into a whimsical world of imagination and magical adventures.
Michelle’s vocals take the role of Alice and the album is a reflection of dreams and insecurities that any child, teenager or adult can relate to. It was released on 23/06/2023, and I must say, it is one of the most beautiful, well-produced and captivating albums I have heard for a long time.
With a foundation in classic rock, this concept album, reaches out to many other genres to create a sound quite unique to this pairing. The progressiveness of the music behind Michelle’s vocals is perfect for the storyline of the album, the constant change in pace, tempo and intensity ideally portraying the hurriedness of the White Rabbit, the craziness of the March Hare, the madness of the Mad Hatter and the slothfulness of the Caterpillar!
With energetic guitars and drumming for some of the tracks, this is also replaced by slower, more laid back playing on others and the contrast is absolutely phenomenal to hear. Guest musicians on this album include Mark Boals (Yngwei Malmsteen / Ring Of Fire) on vocals and Andre Andersen (Royal Hunt) on keys and piano, among others, and this just makes the musicianship of this album absolutely top notch.
The contrast between Michelle and Mark’s vocals really helps to tell the story and the lyrics of the tracks are packed full of imagery that the listener is captivated and whisked off to Alice’s Wonderland, a land I didn’t want to return from.
This is an absolutely fantastic album and one that I would love to see on stage! The songs are powerful, catchy and just have you hooked from start to finish.
Phenomenal!
Track Listing: 1) Intro 2) Engagement Party 3) Ambush 4) Alice 5) Tea Party 6) Jabberwocky 7) The Red Queen 8) Vorpal Sword 9) Revolt 10) Embattled 11) Frabjous Day 12) Futterwacken Dance 13) Farewell
After having reviewed multiple releases by Love Ghost, I was eager to hear more and this one does not disappoint. A collaboration with Skold (Shotgun Messiah, KMFDM, Marilyn Manson and Motionless In White), Payback is a track about revenge and redemption, a theme I am sure a lot of people can resonate with.
With less influence from hip-hop and rap on this track, there is a more grungey vibe, with use of distortion on the guitars throughout and on the vocals at various times.
The verses are more serene than the choruses and this is when the track really erupts with heavy guitar riffs and pounding drums, before settling down for the next verse and then hitting a crescendo again on the next chorus.
The vocals on this track are absolutely awesome, cleaning singing now taking the place of rapping as with previous tracks. There is a grit to the singer’s voice on this track that really adds to the grunge vibe the song has and distortion used on both the lead and back up vocals really adds a great depth and dynamism.
Of all the Love Ghost tracks that I have reviewed; this really has to be my favourite one. The way it switches speed, pace and intensity throughout the song really is phenomenal to hear, and this shows just how diverse this band really is.
Another great track from this very prolific band. Keep ‘em coming guys!
LLO LLO is a four-piece power pop band from Chicago consisting of members Grant Goode (bass), Dominic Folino (drums), Johnny Cummings (guitar/vocals), and Shane Morris (guitar/vocals), formed in 2021 and Rory is their latest single, released on 23/06/2023.
Kicking off with some great drum work, the song is a fantastic mix of alternative and indie rock with a touch of pop rock thrown in to give the track a bounce that will definitely the listener bopping around.
Musically, the track has its roots firmly in the alternative rock genre, the drumming being quite laid back and the guitar work more melodic than heavy but throwing in some great riffs and melodies.
The vocals on the track are soft and gentle, with a typical indie rock sound and back up vocals in much the same vein which gives the track depth.
This is a really catchy tune that has obviously been influenced The Police, The Replacements, Slow Pulp, Oasis, and Superheaven, but one that I think is really assessable for fans of all genres of rock.
I look forward to hearing more from this band in the very near future.
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.
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!
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.
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!
BIGBALDBEN is a musician from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and is a one-man operation, playing guitars, bass, and piano on all tracks, and programs drums, sometimes with the help of friends. Originally the lead singer for Cesspool, an adrenaline-fuelled post-grunge rock band in the mid 1990’s, he is influenced by the likes of Alice In Chains, Galactic Cowboys, and Kings-X.
Disjointed is his latest single and was released on 23/06/2023. A song about sometimes feeling like your own worst enemy and trying to get a handle on who you are and what you want from life, it has a heavy rock foundation that snakes out in various other genres.
Musically the song has a metal edge, with some heavy riffs and pounding drum work and there is a slight distortion giving the track a fuzzy, grunge vibe. A certain rawness to the music also keeps this track firmly within the rock genres.
Ben’s vocals, which are soft and gentle, are a complete contrast to the music they accompany, but with two- and three-part vocal harmonies, there is a great depth to the track and, although a strange arrangement, the vocals are somewhat inviting, enticing the listener into the song.
I thoroughly enjoyed this track and had to listen to it numerous times to hear all that it had to offer. If this sounds like something you would like, then please check out BIGBALDBEN and his music. You will not be disappointed.
Metal Planet Media 