MAL is an original rock power trio from Van Nuys, California and Hero’s Gold is their latest single, released on 12/05/2023.

With its foundations firmly in the classic rock genre, the trio also have influences from a variety of different genres, making it difficult to put this track in one particular box, but then who wants to be put in a box anyway?! Blurring the lines between genres shows how diverse and talented this band is.

The guitar work has a very alternative influence to it and takes us on a nostalgic trip back to that sound of the 90’s, while funky bass lines add a bit of groove to the song. The drumming is energetic and musically, this band’s sound is very tight. all the musicians playing well together.

The vocals also have a nostalgic feel to them but this time of the 80’s, soft yet powerful and the backups accompanying the lead give the track depth and dimension. The interacting melodies and harmonies of the vocals gives the song an almost pop rock feel, but the hard-hitting guitars and drum-work definitely make these guys a hard rock band, at the very least.

This is an awesome track and by a band that I shall be keeping my ears peeled for in the future. I’m looking forward to hearing much more from them!

This review is the property of The Metal Asylum

Estelle Mey is a singer, songwriter, and guitar player, originally from France but after a long journey that took her to Iceland and then to England, she fell in love with the heavy British scene and decided to be a part of it. She has teamed up with drummer Rob and the two of them have embarked on an adventure together, playing in London and the southeast.

Late is Estelle’s latest single and was released on 12/05/2023.

A mixture of alternative rock and punk rock with some heavy metal and hardcore influences thrown in for good measure, the pair have really come up with a great sound.

Using her baritone guitar as a foundation for the track, the drumming wizardry of Rob is upbeat and energetic, and the guitar work is blistering and totally in your face. Musically, the track is fast and tight and just the music alone will get you bouncing around your living room like a loon.

Add to the mix, Estelle’s powerful and punky vocals, packed full of attitude and grit and you have a track that really is a frenetic, face melter! With bombastic verses and an extremely catchy chorus, this is a track that will stay in your head long after you have finished listening to it and at just under three minutes in length this is quite an impact to have.

If you like your music fast, and loud, and punky, then please check out Estelle Mey. You really will not be disappointed!

This review is the property of The Metal Asylum

Torchbearer is a metal band from South Wales and London, consisting of members guitarist/vocalist Ollie Gould, bassist Mo Bashir, vocalist Andy Mansell and drummer Ollie Sitford. The band formed in 2016, although the current line-up wasn’t completed until 2021, and Vindication is their latest single, released on 04/05/2023.

A mix of thrash metal, metalcore and hardcore, this band really has come up with a sound quite unique to them.

With heavy guitars throwing riffs at you left, right and centre, influences ranging from Every Time I Die to Pantera can be heard, and the solos are immense. The drumming is energetic, almost punk-like, and strong basslines can also be heard. Musically, these guys have a great sound that is raw and hard yet has catchy melodies that really hook the listener in.

Vocally, this track has a colossal sound too. With brutal vocals that range from death metal growls to emo screams and everything in between, the leads are accompanied by shouty backups that really add a depth and dynamism to the song.

This is a phenomenal track that leaves others in the same genre standing. Its fast, its raw and its totally in your face! If you haven’t got neck ache by the time its finished, do you even like heavy metal music? And at only just over two minutes in length, you’d better get that head banging quick!

Awesome!

This review is the property of The Metal Asylum

Let me remind you who Ubiquity Machine are as I have previously reviewed music by this great band. Ubiquity Machine is Dan Marsh Howard Rabach and they have been writing and performing alternative/indie music for more than a decade, having accumulated over 100 songs together, in the DC Metro area.

Howard has over 25 years of performing, touring, and recording experience and Dan worked with multiple projects in the UK before emigrating to the USA and after taking some time out he is now back to making music! Both are multi-instrumentalists, producers, and songwriters.

So, now the introductions are out of the way, what of the song? This is yet another great track from this extremely talented duo.

As with the previous track, this one is fairly easy going with some laid-back drum and guitar work, and some meaty basslines that really tie it all together. There is some distortion used to create a 90’s rock / alternative rock feel to the song, but this is kept to a minimum and has just the right effect.

It’s the vocals, with a very Doors-like feel to them, that really sets this track apart and you would be forgiven for thinking this song came from the psychedelic era of the late 60’s. The lead vocals are accompanied by layered backups, and this gives the track depth, always giving the listener something new to hear.

The inclusion of the piano and other intoxicating sounds towards the latter part of the track really add to the atmosphere and you can really feel the song taking you off to another time and dimension.

Absolutely fantastic track, once again, and one that really draws you in. Awesome job!

This review is the property of The Metal Asylum

What an absolutely awesome track this is! But first let me tell you a bit about the band.

Vermilion are a five-piece metalcore band from Nuremburg in Germany, consisting of members Kevin, Sebby, Konsti, Chris and Asker and they have tried “to create an individual style that is very difficult to classify due to elements from Metalcore and Alternative Rock.”  I would say they 100% succeeded in what they set out to do.

With influences from some of the best metalcore bands around at the moment, from Falling In Reverse, to We Came As Romans and Architects, the guys have a great mix of melody and mayhem to really make the track stand out.

The guitars are heavy with crunching riffs that really do hit you right in the stomach (and that’s a good thing!) the drumming is raw and energetic, and meaty basslines shine through. All of this combined together really does form a metalcore base from which the vocals can grow from.

And the vocals are totally superb on this track, which combines both clean singing with metalcore screams and growls. With accompanying melodies and harmonies from the backups, this track really does have a great depth to it and although on the surface appears to be somewhat chaotic, there is structure behind, meaning there is always something to listen to.

The track changes pace a few times throughout and this gives the listener a few seconds break before they are launched headfirst back into the track.

This really is an awesome track and one that will be featured on Metal Asylum Radio on one (or possibly more!) of the shows.

Pleaser, please, please check out Vermilion. I really cannot wait to hear more from this awesome band!

This review is the property of The Metal Asylum

The Ruby Tears are a three-piece band from the North-West of England, featuring John Goodfellow on guitar and vocals, Jimmy Sangster on bass and Jeff Skellon on lead and rhythm guitars and got together at the beginning of lockdown in 2021.

The band state that their influences include guitar pop from the late 60s, glam rock, punk and new wave and post punk, and these can all be heard throughout the EP at some point.

With a classic rock foundation, the band have extended their sound to include elements of a multitude of genres that really does blur the lines between them all, showing just how diverse this band really are.

With classic rock guitar hooks and licks, there is also a hint of a country rock guitar twang that adds dimension to the tracks, and the solos have a very bluesy feel to them. The drumming is laid-back yet energetic and, together with the strong basslines, it really holds the tracks together.

The vocals are a combination of many genres, sometimes having an alternative rock feel while at other times almost bordering on country rock. This quirkiness, again, shows the diversity of the band and to be able to switch styles also enormous talent. The singer is accompanied by harmonious backup vocals, and this gives the songs great depth.

This is a great EP although I would have liked to hear more tracks and is certainly one that will get the listener moving in one way or another.

Check them out and see what you think for yourselves. Now streaming on Spotify!

Track Listing:

1) Never Gonna Be Like It Is On TV

2) Piccadilly Sunrise

This review is the property of The Metal Asylum

So, the reviewing kicks off today with an artist that The Metal Asylum has reviewed on a number of occasions, Stockholm-based Arn-Identified Flying Objects and Alien Friends, the solo project of former Redmoon member, Arne Floryd and Smash is their latest single released on 12/05/2023.

The band is very eclectic and each song that we have reviewed sounds totally different from the previous, but all contain influences from 60’s and 70’s rock with hints of folk and punk, combining rock and power pop with a retro vibe, while maintaining a modern and fresh sound.

Smash is an alternative rock, punk, and rock n roll mash up and the result is an upbeat track that also has a country rock vide to it too.

The guitars have that distinctive country rock twang mixed with a classic rock overtone that is synonymous with the Arn-Identified Flying Objects sound. The melodies and riffs coming from the guitars are certainly very unique and will stick in your head for hours after you have finished listening to the track.

Meaty basslines, another fundamental of the Arn sound, gives the track of bit of funk and groove and the drumming is energetic. The vocals are, once again, soft yet powerful with a 60’s vibe and a slight quirkiness really makes them stand out. Accompanied by layered backups from both male and female voices, this song really has a great depth to it and there is always something for the listener to hear.

I had just one gripe with this track. It just wasn’t long enough. At just over two minutes in length I had just got into the stride of boogying away to it, and it finished. This, of course, then meant I had to put it on repeat and after the sixth or seventh play through, I still hadn’t got tired of it, always a good thing in my view.

Another excellent track from this excellent artist and if there is one song you have to check out today, let it be this one!

This review is the property of The Metal Asylum

The Amber List is a three-piece indie band from Preston, Lancashire in Northwest UK and Red Lines And Promises is their latest single, released on 28/04/2023.

The band consists of Mick Shepherd on lead vocals and bass, Tony Cornwell on guitars, backing vocals atmospheres and racket and Simon Dewhurst on drums, percussion, and backing vocals, and all three members have had a flash of fame, with previous releases on Virgin and Action records and supporting the likes of The Stone Roses, Gene, Hard-fi, The Saw Doctors and Bronski Beat.

The track is guitar driven, with some heavy riffs and clean solos, and these are accompanied by energetic, infectious drumming and funky basslines. Musically, the guys create a great atmosphere with some big harmonies and melodies, and influences from bands such as Doves, REM, and Echo and the Bunnymen can clearly be heard.

The vocals are very reminiscent of 80’s and 90’s indie bands, but there is also a modern twist that keeps the song fresh and up to date.

This is a great, upbeat track that really will have whoever listens to it dancing around the living room and for a three-piece they have a really big sound.

Check out The Amber List, for fans of all things indie and alternative!

This review is the property of The Metal Asylum

Soda Cracker Jesus is the rock-n-roll brainchild of singer-songwriter-producer Regan Lane and his previous five singles have charted on hundreds of independent radio stations and have had some great reviews. He has featured on many websites and blogs and if I was to list all of his achievements here, there would be no room for a review of Space Boy, his latest single, which was released on 15/05/2023.

Starting off will some funky basslines, the beginning of the track is actually quite subdued but do not let this lull you into a false sense of what this song is about because very soon the whole thing erupts into an indie rock, anthemic masterpiece.

Musically, this track mixes guitar riffs with energetic drumming and electronic beats to create a different perspective of rock altogether. The main beat of the track is the driving force and this increases in intensity and pace as the song progresses.

The vocals on this song are somewhat quirky too. Using almost the spoken word with the verses, the vocals soon erupt into melodic choruses that are so catchy they will stick in your head hours after you have finished listening to the song. Accompanied by layered backups, the song has great depth and a real dynamism to it that makes it stand out. The vocal style reminds me a bit of the likes of Marc Bolan and David Bowie, and this has been mixed well with an up to date fresh feel to the accompanying music.

This is an absolutely amazing track and one I wished that lasted longer! Just under three minutes is not long enough and I wanted the track to go on for at least another two!!

Soda Cracker Jesus is on Spotify so please go and check him out. I’m off there right now to see what else I can find!

This review is the property of The Metal Asylum

Harker are a “rapid blitz of punk rock” from Brighton, UK and Out The Window is their latest single, released on 12/05/2023.

The four-piece play a blend of rock styles that not only blurs the lines between genres, but it also totally obliterates them.

Heavy, driving guitar riffs are at the base of the track, and combined with the energetic drumming and solid, funky basslines, this band really do create a sound that is unique to them.

Blending the energy of punk rock, with the distortion of grunge and the riffs of classic and alternative rock, this is a great upbeat track that should have the listener jumping round the living room.

The singer’s voice is awesome, a great match for the style of music that the band are playing, and there is a slight grittiness to his voice that really puts them firmly in whatever rock genre they want to be!

This really is a great track and one that I think will appeal to a wide range of listeners. I only have one gripe with it, and that is that it just wasn’t long enough. As soon I was getting into the track, it ended…. but that did mean I listened to it many times on repeat, and not once did I get bored with it, which to me, proves just how good a song it is!

Check out Harker! If this track is anything to go by, I’m looking forward to much more from these guys!

This review is the property of The Metal Asylum