Hail is a Southampton based symphonic metal singer and Oblivion is her latest single, released on 26/05/2023. This is the sixth single she has released and the first in a trilogy that she will be releasing this year, detailing loss, grief, and despair.
Oblivion is a haunting track is about the numb feeling that comes with grief. Says the singer; “You don’t feel alive anymore. You’re living, but you’re not there,” and I think this is a theme that a lost of people can resonate with.
The track starts quite serenely but soon erupts into a frenzy of symphonic and operatic metal. Thrashing, heavy guitars are a prominent feature and these mixed with the singer’s poignant and melancholy vocals really creates a sound that is full of atmosphere and emotion.
The piano part way through the song gives the listener a little breathing space before they are launched headfirst back into the track, and as the song finishes with a little piano work, this really adds to the atmospheric nature.
This is a great track and I really want to hear more from this fantastic artist. If symphonic, operatic, and gothic metal are your thing then you are going to love Hail. Check her out on Spotify and give her some support.
Akilla is a melodic death metal band from Cambridge in the UK and consists of members vocalist and guitarist Ross Wilson, drummer Ginger Taylor, guitarist David Hill (also from the band Elimination) and bassist Kathryn Hailes (Atorc). Formed in 2017, there has only been a few singles released to date by the band due to struggles to maintain a consistent line-up, but now they are ready to release their debut album, The Gods Have Spoken, on 2nd June 2023.
The eight-track album was written, recorded, and mixed by the band, with the exception of drums and mastering which were performed by Jack Helliwell at DC Studios, and every track on the album deserves its place there.
Kicking off with the atmospheric Winds Of Winter, this track really sets the tone for the rest of the album and shows the listener exactly what this band is about. There really is no better opening song than this to kick off this great album.
With heavy and furious riffs, guitars are one of the main driving forces behind this album. The sludginess of their sound really creating something dynamic and breath-taking for the band. Intricate guitar solos are interspersed throughout the album, and this really makes for a great contrast and it’s this mixture of the two that has the ability to kick you right in the stomach.
Strong basslines and ferocious double-kick drumming keep the tracks together perfectly and, together, they form an impenetrable foundation for the band.
The sound is completed with guttural vocals that are as frightening as they are hypnotising and these really pull you into the songs, conjuring up images of sea-faring Vikings and the like, really setting the imagination on fire.
Changes in timings and pace of the songs takes the listener on a sonic journey, fiving them time to breath, fleetingly, before throwing them back into the deepest darkest aspects of melodic death metal once more. But, this is more than a death metal album, the intricacies of some of the music being quite progressive too, and it is this that really makes this album stand out as truly epic and cinematic.
This really is a classic debut for the band and one that should really set them on the path to some big things. It has just about everything you could want from a melodic death metal album. It’s doomy, it’s gloomy, it’s heavy, and most of all it’s totally in your face!
I don’t give marks out of ten for album reviews anymore but if I did, this album would definitely receive an eleven!!
Immense album and I hope to hear more from them in the (near??) future! Don’t keep us waiting so long next time guys, although this album is DEFINITELY worth the wait!
Ste Walker is a post-punk rocker, originally from Middlesbrough but now based in Lincolnshire. Already able to play the guitar, which he taught himself at a young age, Ste realised he had a talent for song writing during the summer lockdown of 2021 and he wrote his first song, Leave Me Alone.
Since then, the songs have been coming thick and fast and with one man band Lloyd Hubbard guesting on bass, drums, and guitar, You Don’t Me, his latest single, is released on 2nd June 2023. The song is about “standing your ground, taking no notice of negativity and being true to yourself. Its message is one of empowerment and anti-bullying,” says Ste.
With Ste providing some angry guitar work, which is heavy and full of riffs that will certainly kick you in the stomach, the track has a very post-punk vibe to it. The drumming is ferocious and with some funky basslines shining through, this is a great track that will definitely get you bouncing round.
Ste has a snarling, angry voice that really delivers the lyrics to the listener, the message of the track really getting across. He is accompanied by backups that are in much the same vein as his leads and this really makes for an enraged sound.
At just over two minutes in length, this track really does make a huge impact and one that you will be singing to yourself for the rest of the day as it is very catchy, especially the choruses.
This is a great track that everyone should check out. Highly recommended to punk and rock fans alike!
Nonē Sunshine is an alternative rock band from Denver, Colorado and Tuscan, Arizona and consists of members Derek Hyde and Thomas Scott (TS) Laird. Insides Out is their latest album and was released on 18/05/2023.
Although Nonē Sunshine is a relatively new band, the pair first met over 20 years ago and, although life got in the way of the band the first time round, they continued to write songs together and Nonē Sunshine was born.
The pair have used a combination of alternative rock and classic rock to create a sound that ranges from “moody to full on explosive arena rock,” and with twelve songs lasting a total of just over 46 minutes, this album takes the listener on a sonic journey, influenced by many more genres.
With heavy guitars that kick out riff after riff, the album has its roots in classic and alternative rock but with the more intricate guitar pieces there is also the hint of a progressive sound there too. Slight distortion on the guitars at times throughout the album also gives off a small grunge rock feel too, and the guitar solos are immense.
The drumming is energetic when it needs to be, with lots of crashing cymbals and pounding bass drums, but also more laid back at other times too. The drumming keeps everything tight and along with meaty basslines, adds a great dimension to the album.
The layered vocals, performed by both musicians, work well as the two of them really compliment each other, singing in styles that are similar but different at the same time. Both voices are strong and powerful, yet one does not overshadow or overpower the other.
This is a guitar-driven album with layered, upbeat melodies and hooks that really draw the listener in, and with themes relating to the meaning of life and the essence of nostalgia, this is an album that will really resonate with a lot of people, through its lyrics and the emotion the two of them portray.
This is the band’s debut album, for fans of alternative through to classic and everything in between, and what an album it is! Check the pair out and see for yourself!
Todd Michael Chapman has been involved in music from an early age, receiving his first guitar at the age of seven, and writing his first songs in his early teens. By the time he was in his mid-20’s he had put music on the backburner to concentrate on building a career and raising a family. But during the pandemic in 2020, he began writing again as travel was restricted and these songs can be heard on his 2022 debut EP, Now & Again.
Hold On Tight is his latest single and was released on 19/05/2023.
Starting off quite serenely, the listener would be forgiven for thinking that this is going to be a rock ballad, but the choruses really kick in with a change in tempo and a high energy.
The track has a very classic rock sound about it, with some great riffs from the guitars and the percussions side of things is tight and solid. There is a very nostalgic feel to the track as it takes us back to the sound of the 80’s, albeit with a modern twist to keep the song fresh and up to date. The guitar solos are heavy and intricate and really show the talent of this musician.
The vocals are strong and powerful, also taking on the nostalgic 80’s feel, and they are full of grittiness and emotion, and the changes of pace throughout the song really adds dimension to it, keeping the listener engaged at all times.
I really liked this track and I think fans of anything from classic rock, to AOR and even country rock will do too. Check Todd and his music out and I am sure you will not be disappointed.
The Jump To Nowhere is a two-man project from Dallas, Texas, formed in 2020, and consists of members Shane Zahradnik and Aric Fowler.
The self-titled album, The Jump To Nowhere is their latest album and was released on 12/05/2023.
Effectively an instrumental, the album uses voice excerpts throughout to add a bit of variety to the tracks but the music more than makes up for the lack of lyrics.
This is a very progressive album, with signature and time changes galore throughout the album, keeping the listener very busy. There is always something new to hear on each play through and you will need to listen to this album three or four times to hear all that it has to offer.
As well as being very progressive, there are elements of many other genres showing through and this shows just how talented and diverse this pairing is.
The guitar work is heavy, with riffs coming at you left, right and centre, but there is also some more intricate guitar work to be heard and the two combined make for a really interesting sound. The drumming is ferocious but manages to keep up with the speed of some of the guitar playing and the bass lines are meaty and strong, holding everything together.
Electronic beats intersperse the music adding an extra element to the songs, creating a very atmospheric vibe, that changes from heavy, almost death metal like riffs, to a more ambient feeling.
There is an energy about the album that makes it almost impossible to turn off (but why you would want to, I do not know!) It is somewhat hypnotic in nature, the lure of the music pulling the listener in and keeping them there.
This is a great album with many twists and turns, really keeping the listener on their toes. So, if you are fan of progressive music, with a little bit of everything else thrown in, then this album will be right up your street. Go and check it out for yourselves and see what you think!
DCxPC is a collaboration that books and releases music from live shows for multiple bands and Volume 13 presented Degenerates Of Punk Live At Ralph’s Rock Diner. It was released on 19/05/2023 and is one of many that I have now reviewed by DCxPC.
Degenerates Of Punk formed in 2019, consisting of members Jimmy West Jr on guitar and vocals, Sparrow Cat on bass and vocals and Bobby Forand on drums and vocals, hail from Massachusetts, USA, and have been called “New England’s best Ramonescore band!”
The album has twelve songs, the longest no more than 2 minutes and 50 seconds and has a typical punk rock sound.
The guitars are hard and very fast, as is the drumming, which oozes bundles of punk energy, and the basslines are strong and solid. Being a live album, the listener can hear the energy coming from the band through the speakers, really making them think they are there in the room with them.
The vocals, undertaken by all three members, are raw and shouty, just as any good punk bands vocals should be and accompanying each other with back-ups that are in much the same vein, this really creates a brutal sound.
I can imagine the crowd at this gig, jumping around to this, and this is the effect it really should have on the listener. If you are not pogoing around by track three are you really a punk rock fan?
This is a great album that really shows the listener just what this band is about….and that is in your face punk rock!! With the sound and energy of early punk and the technicalities of modern-day punk this really is a band that should appeal to punk fans, old and new!
Check out Degenerates Of Punk and their music to see what you think about them and while you are at it check out other releases by DCxPC! You will definitely not be disappointed by either!
Ender Bowen is a pop/rock artist from Nashville, who, at the age of seventeen taught himself to play the guitar, after already being able to play the drums and at the age of eighteen had already written and recorded a demo.
Influenced by the bands such as Depeche Mode, Garbage, U2 and The Smashing Pumpkins, No Shortage of Good Ideas is his latest album and really does blur the lines between genres.
Known as being an artist who uses thought-provoking lyrics and a multi-genre sound, he has drawn inspiration from the profound writings of CS Lewis and a wide range of music styles to create an album that takes the listener on a captivating journey through songs that have been recorded over the years.
With fourteen tracks, lasting a total of 56 minutes and 42 seconds, this is a collection of Ender Bowen music that really gives you an insight into what this guy has to offer.
With each track seamlessly leading on to the next, each is different from the previous, really giving the listener something to listen to. Heavy guitar riffs are mixed with electronic beats to create a sound that really is unique to this exceptionally talented artist.
With elements of pop, rock, and 80’s-influenced synths, this is album that really does have something for everyone, and even takes the listener on a nostalgic trip back to the 80’s and 90’s before returning to the present day with a modern vibe to the sound that keeps everything fresh and up to date.
The album is very atmospheric, and this atmosphere is provided by both the musical and the vocal arrangements. Musically, the album switches from alternative rock to post-punk / gothic at the drop of a hat and this is done easily and seamlessly, showing just how talented the artist is. The vocals are strong yet gentle, but are the lyrics are delivered with a passion and vitality that really makes the album come to life, and, along with the backup vocals, the album has a great depth to it.
The change of pace of tracks throughout the album is perfect and the listener really has no idea as to what is coming next. The songs are very layered so there is always something new for the listener to hear on each play through. I played it through three times to really hear all that was going on and was never once tired of anything I heard.
This is a really great album from a talented musician, who had one point thought about giving up music altogether. I am glad he didn’t, and I also hope he continues for a long time to come yet!
Track Listing:
1) Tongue In Cheek
2) Vampire
3) Needless To Say
4) Past tense Catastrophe
5) Riot (Good Idea Remix)
6) Girls And Boys (Good Idea Remix)
7) Someday Soon (Good Idea Remix)
8) Emerald (Good Idea Remix)
9) If Anybody Asks You (Remove Your Shadow Good Idea Remix)
Sonic Maven are a new band from Colorado Springs, formed in 2022, and list The Black Keys, Royal Blood, and Arctic Monkeys as bands that they sound similar to. Look At Me Now is their debut single and was released on 19/05/2023.
A typically alternative rock track, the band have also used influences from other genres to create a sound that cannot be stereotyped into one genre (and who wants to be pigeon-holed anyway?)
With heavy guitars that send out riffs galore, there are also some clean, more intricate solos during the track and the combination of both creates a great contrast. Slight distortion is used on the heavier guitars, giving them a fuzzy sound, and this provides the grunge influence. The drumming is solid, and the basslines are meaty, and all of this combined really does make for an interesting sound.
The vocals are strong, powerful at times, with a few emo screams thrown in for good measure, yet gentler at others, and with the leads accompanied by some effective backups, the vocal arrangement on this track is superb.
As a debut single, this song is absolutely awesome and with the talent, professionalism, and diversity on show here, I very much look forward with bated breath to their next one.
I have been a fan of this lady ever since I heard her first single, Me, and have since reviewed two more singles, Broken and 4 Horsemen. Blast Off is her latest single and was released on 19/05/2023.
First of all, let me refresh you as to who, exactly, Bad Ass Beauty is.
LaQuinta Prince aka Bad Ass Beauty is an R&B vocalist who is now stretching her skills into the genre of rock (and doing an extremely good job of it too!) She was educated at the esteemed Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA, and cites her musical influences as spanning from Led Zeppelin to Chaka Khan, Beyonce to In This Moment.
Once again, she has come up with an absolute gem of a track.
Musically, this track rocks. With great guitar riffs, funky basslines and energetic drums, there are hooks and riffs that will get in your head and stay there and the grooviness of the track really will make you dance around the living room.
But once again, it is the vocals that really makes this track stand out. This lady certainly has a great voice and it’s hard to believe that her background is NOT in rock music. Strong and powerful, she excels at singing rock music, but elements of R&B do still shine through, and this makes for a great combination to create a sound that really is quite unique to her.
The funky lead vocals are accompanied by backups that are in much the same and the mix really does drive the song forward. I am sitting in my chair boogeying to this as I type.
This is another fantastic track from this extremely talented lady. I wonder how long she will continue with the rock songs but I, for one, hope its for a very long time to come yet. She has attitude, she has balls, and she really is not afraid to step into the unknown.
Metal Planet Media 