Ape Revolution Bell are a rock band hailing from Dubrovnik, Croatia and Smile is one of their singles, and was released on 06/05/2022.

This is a great upbeat, positive track that combined a multitude of genres from alternative rock to indie rock to classic rock.

Musically, this track is awesome. The blend of hard-hitting riffs and rhythm guitar, with more laid-back drumming, funky basslines and a few electronic sounds thrown into the mix, really creates a sound quite unlike anything else.

What really does stand out on this track is contrast between the male and female lead vocals. The male vocals, the quieter of the two, are in no way less potent than the female, but it is the female leads that really shine through, as her voice is strong and powerful. The male leads also back up the females at times and vice versa and this really generates a strong vocal arrangement that is the driving force behind the song.

I really liked this song. I was tapping my foot as I wrote up this review and the lyrics really are that catchy that you will be humming this song for the rest of the day.

I am looking forward to hearing more from this band! Keep them coming!

This review is the property of The Metal Asylum

Formed in 2015 by Ryan Stringer (bass, vocals), Gino Klein (guitar, backup vocals) and Randy Camponi (drums, backup vocals) Signal Static is a three-piece hard rock band from Victoria, BC, Canada, and Under The Skin is their latest single, released on 13/05/2023.

I have reviewed music by this band before and, once again, I am not disappointed.

Combining elements of hard rock, grunge and alternative rock, plus a whole host of genres in between, this band really have created a sound that is unique to them. I said the same thing in my last review, and this hasn’t changed, proving that the band are consistent in the sound they create.

Like the previous song, this track has an edginess to it that is provided by distorted guitars and, at times, vocals. This gives the track a very grungy 90’s vibe to it that really does transport you back in time while maintaining a modern twist that keeps the track fresh and up to date.

The track is very guitar and drum driven and the two combined together provide a great soundtrack for the vocals, which are gritty, yet melodic and not as punk-like as the previous track. Accompanied by harmonising backups the vocal arrangement on this track is superb.

This is a great track that will get the listener tapping their foot at the very least, although jumping around like a look, banging your head would be more suitable for this song!

I said in my previous review I was looking forward to hearing more from these guys and they hit the nail on the head with this one too.

Awesome track!

This review is the property of The Metal Asylum

Crave are a heavy rock band from Norway and In The Shadow On The Moon is their latest single, released on 14/05/2023. The band consists of Jan Arild Rostad on vocals, Tron Sturle Aune on guitar, Nils Morten Beitnes on bass, and Kjetil Krangsås on drums and have been influenced by bands of the late 70’s, such as Thin Lizzy, Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, and also by the likes of Glenn Hughes, Iron Maiden, Def Leppard, and most of the bands from the NWOBHM era.

With its roots firmly in classic rock, this track is a classic rock ballad with a very nostalgic 80’s feel to it.

The guitar work features heavy riffs that drive the song, but more intricate solo work also presents alongside these giving the track depth and dynamism. The main guitar solo midway through the track has a very bluesy feel to it and this makes for a great contrast to the rest of the song.

The drumming is solid, laid back and gentle when it needs to be but more ferocious and energetic at other times and this, together, with the basslines, keep the track together.

The vocals are very 80’s inspired and, big and powerful and packed full of emotion. The slight accent in the vocals gives the song a hint of quirkiness but overall, this is a great song.

The musicians involved are obviously very talented and they work wonderfully together as a band. for a band that has only been together since the start of 2019, they have a big sound, and you would be forgiven for thinking they had been together for decades!

I will be heading on over to Spotify once I have finished this review to find anything else I can by this band. I would love to hear something a bit more upbeat and, they have totally nailed the ballad, so I think they would be excellent at that too.

Check Crave out and see what you think for yourselves.

This review is the property of The Metal Asylum

Zero Carbon Band are a bunch of friends who are passionate about the environment, and they sing “original and recycled songs to put our message across in a fun way.​” The band consists of Si-Fi on guitar and vocals, Benjamin Simha on lead vocals and guitar, ​Rat Thunder on percussion and vocals and Nic on bass and has been the line up since 2018, although the band was originally formed in 2010.

The band has a very proggy feel to them, with their foundations straddling the classic rock and alternative rock genres. There is a slight quirkiness to them, in both the lyrics of the songs and how the songs are performed but I think this is a quirkiness that will endear them to listeners. A lot of the lyrics of their songs are mainly about the environment and being a topic that a lot of people also feel passionately about, using music to spread their message is a great way to do it.

Musically, this EP is quite alternative, in a more psychedelic than indie way, and the music is quite experimental. There are guitar riffs that will stick in your head, but these are mixed with a varied range of percussion instruments that gives the band a really unique sound.

The vocal duties are taken on a variety of people and are always accompanied by layered backups that really add depth and dynamism to the songs. Although some of the lyrics can appear “fun” to some people, it is obvious that the themes are very important to the band.

So, if you want to check out an environmentally passionate band who aims to spread their message in a fun, quirky way then please look up Zero Carbon Band.

Great EP!

Track Listing:

1) Our Allotment

2) I’m A Tree

3) Sinking See-Sick Home-Sick Blues

4) Commotion In The Ocean

5) The Great Rewilding

This review is the property of The Metal Asylum

Black Stone Brewers are an alternative rock band, consisting of original members Blair, Jonathan and Rob who were later joined by Simon on bass and Luke on lead guitar, from Perth, Western Australia and they creatively combine a multitude of genres to create their sound.

Clear Trip is their latest single, taken from their EP Conduit, and was released on 03/03/2023.

This is a track that really does build as it progresses, in emotion and in sound. Starting with some soft piano playing and laid-back drumming, there is already an atmospheric feel to the track and when the singer starts singing, it really does send chills down your spine. He has a classic hard rock-based voice but there is an added grittiness to it that gives the track a slight edge to it.

As the song progresses, the guitars build in intensity and loudness until they are the hard-hitting guitars that I have known in previously released tracks by this band. With slight distortion on the guitars, the track has a grunge rock feel to it but there are also elements of progressive rock shining through with the changes in pace and timing changes.

The song reaches a crescendo towards the end with some fantastic guitar solos and drumming, by which time the emotion of the song has been cranked up to 11!

This is another great track from a very talented band and a band that I think more people should hear. Please check them out on Spotify and all their social media channels, you really will not be disappointed!

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 Favourite Song is his latest single, released on 12/05/2023.

Hailing from Stockholm in Sweden, the band is an eclectic mix, influenced by 60’s and 70’s rock with hints of folk and punk, combining rock and power pop with a retro vibe.

My Favourite Song is an upbeat track with great melodies and musical arrangements. Bordering on pop, this track also shows some rock influences with the guitars and drumming, which are both strong and keep the song tight and on track.

The inclusion of brass instruments gives the track an almost jazz feel, but in a soulful, groovy way, and there also a funkiness to it that gives the listener something to dance to. It is this element about the song that stood out to me and, although this one is somewhat different to previous songs this band has done, this track still has the feel of an Arn-Identified Flying Objects And Alien Friends song with the uniqueness of it.

This song is very catchy, with the vocals quite soft yet strong and powerful with a 60’s vibe that also has a modern twist to them keeping the track fresh and up to date. This is definitely a track that will have you moving, and the brass band sound will stick in your head long after you have finished listening to it.

Another great track from this very talented musician and I think everyone should go and check him and his music out! There is something for everyone! Awesome!

Credit: Malin Floryd-Welin

This review is the property of The Metal Asylum

Silverbird is a three-piece band from Germany, consisting of members Otto Steiner on lead and backing vocals, e- and a-guitars, and mandolin, Roland Römer on bass, percussion, and backing vocals, and Lothar Jackel on drums, percussion, backing vocals.

After previously releasing a number of singles and one EP, Born To Follow is their latest single and was released on 21/04/2023.

This track is a great mix of classic rock and AOR, with a touch of Latin rock thrown in for good measure.

The guitar work is a blend of electric and acoustic and this makes for a great contrast. Added to this is also the sound of a Spanish guitar and this really gives the track some depth and dynamism. The solos combine the sounds of all the guitars featured and it is obvious this is a very talented guitar player.

The drum work is of an exceptionally high calibre, energetic when it needs to be but more laid back when the pace of the track drops slightly. And this with the strong basslines really hold the track together.

The singer has a great voice, classic and melodic in style, and the slight accent that shines through adds character to the vocals. He is accompanied by harmonious backups and together they give the song a great upbeat atmosphere.

This is a great track and the band have managed to create their own sound that really doesn’t belong to just one genre, and fans of classic rock as well as Latin rock, AOR and even alternative rock should love this song.

I look forward to hearing much more from this band in the coming months. Awesome job!

This review is the property of The Metal Asylum

Alkanes are a two-piece riff-driven alternative rock band from the north of Scotland. Comprising of Dale Sutherland on guitar and vocals and Connor Meeks on drums, the band has been going since 2014 and draws on influences such as Biffy Clyro, Reuben, Arcane Roots, Black Peaks, Marmozets and Brutus.

They released their debut EP in 2016 and after releasing numerous singles, This Is It is their latest EP and was released on 05/05/2023.

The EP is a mix of alternative rock with elements of metal, grunge and hardcore thrown in to create a sound quite unique to the band.

Riff-driven, the EP is full of heavy guitars that really kick you in the stomach (in a good way!) and the use of distortion gives the tracks a fuzzy, grungey feel that is very reminiscent of the 90’s. Thunderous melodies also give the EP an upbeat sound and this is one that should have you bouncing around. The drumming is raw and energetic, and the basslines and hooks are meaty and strong.

The vocals are firmly set in the alternative rock genre, but there are also influences from metal with emo screams and growls and distortion is also used on the vocals. The lyrics are emotionally driven, and this emotion is portrayed excellently by the lead singer and the backup vocals.

Overall, this is a great EP, and one that I think will appeal to fans of bands such as those previously mentioned, but also to fans of alternative metal. I will definitely be keeping an ear out for anything new that this band releases and am heading over to check out their Spotify channel now to hear previously released stuff.

Great job!

Track Listing:

1) Artefact

2) Ainsley Harriot

3) Neverlution

4) Persistence To Existence II

This Review is the property of The Metal Asylum

Shadeland is an indie / alternative band from the US consisting of Allen Kell on vocals and guitar, Brad Hudgings on drums, Matt Johnson on guitar and additional vocals and Tony Vibbert on live bass guitar, and, as their Facebook page says they play “progressive rock and roll for the common man.”

No Time is their latest single and was released on 28/04/2023.

With the tracks roots firmly in the alternative rock genre, the band has also taken influence from grunge rock, with the fuzzy and distorted guitars and progressive rock, with the time and pace changes and also the intricacy of some of the music.

Heavy guitars are a big feature of the track with some pounding riffs that really hit you in the stomach. These, combined with the meaty basslines really make for a forceful sound and the pounding drums, that are energetic and vigorous only adds to this sound.

The vocals are edgy with a grit to them that really seals this band’s place in whatever rock genre they want to be in. The vocals switch from clean singing for the verses to shouty vocals for in the chorus and this really creates a contrast in vocal styles. With catchy choruses, riffs, and beats, this really is a track that will get stuck in your head, but that is in no way a bad thing as it really is a great track.

Fans of classic rock, grunge, and alternative rock are going to love this band so please go and check them out and see what you think for yourselves!

Fantastic track!

This review is the property of The Metal Asylum

Mick J Clark is a singer / songwriter who plays guitar and keyboards from the UK. He has written over sixty songs, released four albums and four EP’s and This Life Is Unforgiving is another of his past singles, released on 16/06/2020.

We have previously reviewed music by Mick and are always happy to review more, and we were not disappointed with this one.

Mick has his roots in the classic rock genre but takes influence from many many others and this time round he has taken the easy listening route, bordering on pop rock.

The guitars have a bluesy, almost country twang to them and this gives the track an upbeat feel to it. Mick is a great guitar player and the solos in this track are clean and executed perfectly, making a wonderful end to the track.

The drum and bass sections are solid and strong and keep the song on track and in time faultlessly.

Once again, it is Mick’s voice that is the driving force behind the song, string and powerful yet soft with just a little bit of rock grit to really make him stand out. He totally commands the song from the start to the end and even finishes the track with some whistling!

Mick is an artist that more people should listen to, so please head on over to Spotify and other social media channels to see what this very talented, and diverse musician is all about.

Another great track!

This review is the property of The Metal Asylum