Moose Wrench are a trio from Leeds, consisting of Craig Robertson on keytar and vocals, Colin Sutton on bass and Thom Gardner on drums. Formed in 2022 and classing themselves as the “ultimate in dad-bod alt-core,” the band’s main influences include Mr Bungle, Fantomas, Primus, Ween and Sleepytime Gorilla Museum.

Not Dead Yet is the band’s first single and was released on 15/06/2023.

The single is a frenzy of post-punk and alternative rock that is upbeat and positive and will certainly get the listener bouncing around the living room like a loon!

There is a rawness about the music which leans towards the punk genres and the vocals, for parts of the song anyway, also echo this sentiment. However, at other parts of the track, the vocals are more of a death metal style which certainly an both an element of surprise to the song but also a great contrast for the listener.

The track is very quirky and experimental, and this only adds to its charm. With heavy guitars, awesome solos, pounding drums and meaty basslines, this is a must listen to track, and the craziness of it all is an added bonus!

Great track with some obviously very talented musicians! Can’t wait for the next one, guys!

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Valfreyja is the solo project of musician David Blomgren, from Sweden and was started in 2016. David is the sole member of the band, playing the guitar and bass as well as programming the drums, and this self-titled album is the band’s debut, released on 24/02/2023. Entirely self-produced, with David handling the recording, production and promotion, the album has ten tracks in total, lasting just over fifty-four minutes.

With a creative drive that stems from a “wish to reinvigorate modern metal music with new musical concepts inspired by the eccentrics of other genres,” the album is a beautiful mix of many different musical styles but presented in a more progressive metal way.

All the tracks on the album are instrumentals and this shows how talented this guy really is.

With hooks and riffs thrown at the listener from all angles, the guitar work on this album is absolutely sublime. Mixing every style of guitar playing, from heavy riffs to acoustic Spanish guitar work to total shred work and a little bit of blues thrown in for good measure, there really is something for everyone on this album. The solos are simply sublime, and the intricate playing really is beautiful to hear.

The bass work, as previously mentioned, also done by David, is extraordinary. In my opinion, a lot of bass players don’t get the recognition they deserve and the bass lines on this album are meaty at times, funky at others and the speed that some are played at is just phenomenal.

The drum work, although programmed, fits with the rest of the music perfectly. It is energetic when it needs to be yet more laid back at other times but keeps the songs on track.

If you like progressive, instrumental music that is very experimental then this is the album for you! The sounds that this guy produces are just fantastic, and he isn’t afraid to try different things out. The album has a big sound and as its his debut, he should be very proud of what he has created.

Fantastic work! Very much looking forward to the next album now!

Track Listing:

1) On The Wall

2) Victory’s Edge

3) Strength Of Stone

4) Nature Of The Cosmos

5) Cat Chases Tail

6) Burn With Purpose

7) Web Of Lies

8) Delve Deeply

9) Parting Words In Summer Rain

10) The Thought Of You

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Oceanless is a Manchester based trio consisting of Will Mcgarrie (Singer & Guitarist), George Sheasby (Drummer), and James Tunstall (Lead Guitarist) and Isolation is their latest single, released on 02/06/2023.

A fusion of grunge, shoegaze and electro-pop, this threesome have come up with a sound that is unique to them.

The guitar work is heavy yet distorted, giving the track the fuzziness of grunge, although there are some elements of psychedelia creeping in with this too, and the listener could be forgiven for thinking this track was written anywhere between the 60’s to the 90’s.

Musically, this track is fantastic and the cross over between genres and style of playing is clear for all to hear. There is a haziness to the track that really gives it depth, character, and an atmospheric, almost haunting vibe.

The music on this track suppresses the vocals into the background but this is done in a shoe-gaze way, with the lines between the music and the lyrics being blurred and distorted so the two sound as if they were one.

However, this doesn’t mean the vocals are weaker than the music. In fact, the opposite is true, and it is the music that is strong enough for the vocals. The singer’s voice is strong and powerful, and with a typical Manchester alternative rock lilt to his singing, there is a bit of an attitude there too.

This is a great tune and I really do look forward to hearing much more from them in the very near future!

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Rockethead are a hard rock and rock ‘n’ roll band from Paris and before I say anything else, I just want to say, that these guys TOTALLY ROCK!

Crash TEST is their latest EP and was released on 23/05/2023. It is a little over nineteen minutes in length, has just four tracks and is a delicious mix of all things rock!

With a foundation firmly in classic rock, there is also a funkier edge to the EP with some groovy basslines that really adds a bounce and a swagger to the tracks. The drumming is energetic and frenetic, and with the strong bass, really holds the tracks together.

The guitars are heavy and packed full of riffs, melodies and harmonies that really will get stuck in your head. The solos are clean, showing the talent of the guitarist but there is also a rawness that creates a great contrast.

The vocals are dirty and gritty and are the perfect for the type of music being played. The singer’s voice is strong and powerful, and he seems just at home singing the full-on rock songs as he does the slower ballads, of which there is the obligatory one on the EP, providing the listener with the perfect mix of pace.

This is a great EP and one I had to listen to over and over again, as just one play through wasn’t enough. If these guys don’t get you up and bouncing round then do you even like music? This is a fun rock ‘n’ roll album with some excellent tracks.

10 out of 10 from me!

Track Listing:

1) Nightbitch (At The Door)

2) Old School, Baby

3) Too High

4) We Are!

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Chip & The Charge Ups is the new hard rock/power pop/pop-punk band electrifying the East Coast and beyond and What happened To The Boy Next Door is their latest Ep, released on 02/06/2023.

Featuring the previously reviewed track, Paying Back The Devil, this is a six track EP, lasting a total of 18 and a half minutes.

With a hard rock foundation, there are also some alternative rock and even punk-rock influences that really make for a great sound.

The guitars have a slightly distorted sound, created a fuzziness about the EP that gives it that slightly punk edge and heavy riffs are thrown at the listener left right and centre. The solos are clean and expertly executed, showing the talent of the guitarist.

The drumming is energetic and there are plenty of crashing cymbals to really bang your head to. The basslines are meaty and the two together really keeps the EP on track with a tight yet bouncy sound.

The vocals are absolutely awesome and are a mix of alternative and punk rock, fast and furious with an energy and grit that really makes them stand out, and with shouty, punk-influenced backups the EP oozes with attitude.

This is a great EP, one that I think will appeal to a lot of people, from punk fans to classic rock and alternative rock fans alike. It is certainly an EP that will get you moving in one way or another, and whether that is banging your head, tapping your foot, or dancing around the living, is ENTIRELY up to you!

Track Listing:

1) Paying Back The Devil

2) Maleena Made Us The Change The Name Of This Song To Fit In With The Pop-PUNK Community

3) Ultra-Legendary

4) Sideways Middle Finger

5) Married In White, Buried In Black

6) Welcome To The Neighbourhood

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Looking on the internet to find out more about the artist Deeprest is really not easy, because there just doesn’t seem to be much available about him. The mysterious artist, who obviously likes to remain somewhat anonymous, lets his music do all the speaking for him.

With a dark-pop basis to build on, the track takes elements from a multitude of genres to create an almost unique sound.

Hip-hop / rap vocals feature very heavily in this track, and this is mixed with some dark singing generating a contrast between the two. With layered backups the song has a great depth, always giving the listener something to listen to. The intense lyrics are hard-hitting, having a deep impact and the groove and bounce that comes from both the lyrics and the vocals is awesome.

With lots of beats and electronic sounds, the music side of this track borders more on the alternative / rap rock genres and there is an obvious talent lurking there. The funky bass adds to the bounce of the track, and this is certainly a track that will get you dancing around your living room.

If alternative hip-hop, rap-rock, and alternative pop/rock are your thing, then check out Deeprest and his new single Casket, released on 07/06/2023. You won’t be disappointed!

This review is the property of The Metal Asylum

Odd Army is a four-piece rock band, comprising of Fidel Nuñez (vocals), Alec Luttrell (guitar, vocals), Cameron Kao (bass, keyboard), and Mitchell Wright (drums) and formed in the suburbs of the Bay Area in 2013, before returning to Los Angeles, where they currently reside.

The band have released multiple self-produced singles and EPs, the have been quickly taken on by artist services group Cage Riot. Mighty fine is their latest single and was released on 08/06/2023.

The psych-infused rock band have a sound that is set in 90’s rock but one which draws influence from a host of other genres.

The guitar work is heavy with energetic riffs and fantastically performed solos and a slight fuzziness created with the use of distortion on the guitars gives a psychedelic feel to the track.

The drumming is also frenetic and full of energy and, together with funky yet meaty basslines, this drives the song forward, the rhythm section relentless and powerful.

The vocals are straight out of the alternative rock genre, powerful yet with a quirkiness that really makes them stand out and with layered back ups there is a great depth to the song.

This is a great song by the US band, its edgy, its catchy and it totally rocks so if a nostalgic trip back to the 90’s is on your list of things to do today, then check out Mighty Fine by Odd Army!

Photo Credit: Photos By Hanna Middleton

This review is the property of The Metal Asylum

Alex Lipinski, originally from Weston-Super-Mare, is no stranger to the music business. Having first performed live at the age of fourteen, Alex is a prolific live performer and has stated that “it would feel alien to even consider doing anything else.”

With Liam Gallagher as a fan, a collaboration with Bonehead, a phone call from Evan Dando from The Lemonheads to book him, and a return from his sole support role with Marc Almond on his UK and European tours for 2022/2023, all under his belt, Alex has just signed with UK’s Marquee Records, and Idiot Station, his debut single for the label was released on 12/05/2023.

And I can really see why he has achieved all of this. Idiot Station, which “casts a disenchanted eye across the vacuous modern mainstream,” is an upbeat song with great melodies and harmonies. There is an almost glam rock feel to the track, which will really make the listener bop about to it, but there are influences from a whole host of other genres too.

Musically, this song is top-notch. Riff-filled guitar work and energetic drumming is a fundamental of the choruses with all being slightly more laid-back during the verses. Electronic sounds are also introduced and there is a fuzzy electric solo about three quarters of the way through that really does make a statement. Funky basslines also give the track a bounce and a groove that is really infectious and catchy.

Alex’s vocals are amazing, strong, and powerful, with a hint of rock n roll that really pulls the listener in, and with layered backups there is such a great depth to the song.

I have listened to this track about five or six times now and I absolutely love it. The more you listen to it, the better it gets, so all go and check out Alex Lipinski and his music. You really will not be disappointed!

Looking forward to the next one now!

This review is the property of The Metal Asylum

LastTimeDown is a three-piece band from St Louis in the USA, and Kiss The World Goodbye is their latest single, released on 28/04/2023. The band consists of Jason Thomas, founder, manager, lead vocalist, lyricist and lead guitar, TJ Davenport on the drums and John Madison on the bass, and between them they cite, among many others, Chris Cornell, Dave Grohl, Victor Wooten, Jimi Hendrix, Incubus, Coldplay, and Stone Temple Pilots as their main influences.

The song is about “the idea of acknowledging some of the darker parts of life that we experience but accepting it for what it is and not allowing that to take up the entirety of your vision,” a positive theme that will reach out to many.

With a very classic sound, the track also reaches out to other genres for influence, and this gives the song a really interesting sound, new but familiar and with their own unique twist.

The song is medium tempo, with some laid-back drums, although these are ramped up when the song needs them to be, with lots of crashing cymbals and his rhythmic drum lines create the foundation of the song and keeps everything on track.

There are some really meaty yet funky basslines that gives the track a groove, driving the song forward and creating a great undertone to the track.

The guitar playing is superb. Low key for most of the song, the guitarist really comes into his own about three quarters of the way through when his solo kicks in. Classic is style, there is also a hint of blues to it too, but awesomely performed.

The vocals are powerful, with a grit to them that really makes them stand out, perfect for this sort of track.

There is not one element of this song that overpowers everything else and the three of them have hit upon a formula that really works!

I wait eagerly for more music from this band, and I highly recommend you check out these guys! Fantastic stuff!

This review is the property of The Metal Asylum

Sirrus Minor is a one-man indie rock band from Manchester, who describes himself as “a bass player trying to write, play, sing and produce all the songs that have been stuck in my head for years.”

The Weekday is his third single of 2023, after Hanging On and Broken, and was released on 02/06/2023.

The track has quite a unique sound making it very difficult to assign to a particular genre, but then who wants to be pigeon-holed, anyway?

There is a very alternative / indie rock foundation to the song with rocking guitars and energetic drumming, but the song also has hints of punk rock and post-punk, with a rawness to the music synonymous of that genre. Meaty basslines can be heard underneath the rest of the instruments, giving the track a strong undertone that really keeps it together.

The vocals are strong although a bit quirky, but this adds to the charm of the song. With an alternative rock base, the raw elements and attitude of punk are also evident.

This is a great track and one that should be heard by more people. I hope to hear more from Sirrus Minor in the very near future and very much am looking forward to an album!

This review is the property of The Metal Asylum