Radio Vision is the solo project of Ben Stephenson and First Contact is his debut single, released on 06/04/2023. Ben has set off on his solo journey after the sudden hiatus of his psychedelic rock band The Shook and it is a voyage of self-discovery.

With the band’s sound firmly rooted in the blues and psychedelic genres, there are also influences from many other genres and Ben has created a sound that is quite unique to him.

I usually talk about the musical side of things first when I write a review, but this time I am going to mention the vocals before anything else, as I feel these are really what makes this track.

The vocals on First Contact are distorted to the point of being muffled and this is what, initially, gives the track its psychedelic vibe. Blurring the lines between the music and the vocals really creates a dark atmospheric sound to the track and this really gives the listener plenty to think about.

The music is also very psychedelic, the bluesy guitar almost bordering on stoner rock, the drumming quite laid back and the basslines giving the track a certain groove to it. Towards the end of the track, psychedelic sounds are added and these combined with the distortion on the instruments really adds to the atmosphere of the song.

I haven’t checked out the music his band The Shook produce so I do not know if this is a deviant from his usual type of music, but as a debut solo offering, this is a great track and I urge anyone with psychedelic tendencies to check it out.

This is certainly a track that will transport you out of this world to another time and dimension, and you will feel like you are on the space bus as it’s doing it!

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Alec Berlin is not a stranger to us at The Metal Asylum as we have reviewed a few of his releases now and we are always eager to review more. Man’s Best friend is his latest album and was released on 30/03/2023.

Originally from Cleveland, Alec Berlin moved to New York City twenty-five years ago has shared the stage with the likes of Elton John, James Taylor, Rob Thomas, Ben Folds, Kenny Wheeler and Rufus Wainwright as well as performing in dozens of Broadway shows including Rent, Wicked, The Lion King and Bright Star.

Man’s Best friend features a lot of the tracks that we have already reviewed but having them all on one album is great for fans of this super talented musician.

Alec has a talent for blurring the lines between genres and his songs can be influenced by anything from classic rock to acoustic rock to country. You just never know what you are going to get next with this album.

The album features drumming of all types, from laid-back to full on energetic, with lots of crashing cymbals (always a favourite element of mine!)

The basslines, at times soothing and laid back, are also funky and give the album a certain groove and at times this grooviness is added to by the inclusion of jazz. The electronic synths that feature on this album compliment the funkiness and it certainly is a winning combination.

The guitar work ranges from classic rock riffs to more a more easy-going twang of country rock, but this does not take away from the sheer talent this guy has. He mixes both acoustic and electric guitars and the multi-layered guitar work really gives the tracks depth and dynamism.

Being instrumental, this album has no vocals to comment on, but the omission of lyrics by no means deflects from the phenomenal sound of this album. There is so much going on, musically, with this album that the listener is always engaged with it, and someone would need more than one play through to hear everything this album has to offer.

This is a fantastic album and one that will appear to fans of classic rock, country rock, prog rock, and everything other kind of rock in between. Stick this in your ears and you will be transported away from everyday life as the album really does take you on a sonic journey full of ups and downs and twists and turns.

Please, if there is just one artist you check out today, let it be Alec Berlin. He really is an immense talent and should be heard by so many more people.

Absolutely fantastic!

Track Listing:

1) Man’s Best Friend

2) Beat Confabulator (All Night On The Floor)

3) LaNoise

4) Minir Maad

5) Patchen Avenue

6) Life In The Bog

7) What I Wish I Had Said

8) Iota (Not One)

9) President’s Day

10) Flatbush Jaywalk

11) ROYGBIV

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Love Ghost have been quite a prolific band for The Metal Asylum to review and we have reviewed a few EPs and singles of theirs in the not-too-distant past. Due to this, the band have quickly become a favourite of ours and this is all down to the diversity in their music.

Past singles and EP’s have included rap/rock, hip/hop, and punk rock elements, but their latest single Jealousy, released on 31/03/2023, is a more straight forward grunge rock / nu-metal crossover tune.

Starting off with some subdued guitar work and gentle vocals, the song soon erupts with a heavier sound than previous tracks.

The guitar riffs are heavy, yet melodic and slight distortion gives the grungey, fuzzy vibe that the song has. The drumming is energetic and crashing cymbals and pounding drums are present all the way through the song. Musically, the track is tight, and all the instruments are totally on point. This is a band who certainly know how to play well together.

The vocals have a very emo rock sound to them, reminiscent of some of the punk / rock bands from the 2000’s but there is also a grittiness to them that means they can compete with the best in alternative / grunge rock. The omission of the rap elements the band have previously used takes nothing away from this track and they have created a completely different sound for themselves with this track.

This is a fantastic track that should be heard by everyone. I think this is my own personal favourite from the band but hey, don’t just take my word for it. Check out Love Ghost on Spotify and all their social medias and see for yourself.

This really is a band who should go far!

This review is the property of The Metal Asylum

Tired Of Fighting are three guys from north England and Out Of The Forest is their latest single, released on 02/04/2023.

Having previously Hollow by this great band, I was more than happy to review new music from them, and I was not disappointed.

This track has a slightly different feel to the previous one, with the whole band coming in, loud and heavy, right from the start.

With its foundations in heavy rock, the guitar work is full of riffs and slight distortion has a great effect here. Combined with pounding drums and crashing cymbals the track has an almost grunge feel to it but still maintains the classic rock vibe too. The musicianship on this song is superb, and the band members are obviously very talented, all working together to create the perfect sound.

The vocals on this track are immense. Once again, the singers voice is strong and powerful and packed full of emotion. You could almost see the passion on his face as he sings through his voice alone. There is also a grittiness to his voice that really does give you goosebumps.

Although this track in no way starts off slow, it still builds in momentum and intensity as it progresses, and the second half of the track is a crescendo that showcases every member of the band. The guitar solo during this part of the song is of the kind that sends shivers down your spine, and this combined with the singer’s voice really is a phenomenal experience.

Tired Of Fighting are quickly becoming a favourite of mine. I love passionate songs, and especially ones that are passionate through the vocals, the lyrics, AND the music!

Absolutely fantastic track and one that I think everyone should check out. You will not be disappointed, and I look forward to so much more from this totally awesome band.

This review is the property of The Metal Asylum

I have previously reviewed music by Damien, and I was super eager to hear more from him as I absolutely loved the track Nowhere. But first let me remind you who Damien is.

Damien is an alternative electro-rock artist from Ipswich, Australia, and can listen to anything from Billie Eilish to Nirvana to Metallica, Bjork and Chopin, and that versatility comes through in his music.

Starting off with some chimes and record crackles, with Damien’s cracked vocals, the song soon erupts into an electro-rock masterpiece.

Damien’s voice is already strong and powerful, if not slightly quirky, and the distortion used creates a great effect which only adds to the lure of the vocals and the lyrics. He is accompanied by strong, layered back ups that gives the song a great depth and power and the change of pace of the lyrics throughout the song really keeps the listener interested.

Musically, this track is very dark with almost gothic tones and the electronic / synth elements to it are very reminiscent of the sounds of the 80’s / 90’s.

This is a very alluring track, almost hypnotic, and will appeal to a wide range of listeners, from alternative rock/pop to dark wave, to synth alike.

Another impressive track from this exceptionally talented artist, who shows diversity in music is alway7s a good thing.

Keep them coming!

Photo credits:DAMIEN

This review is the property of The Metal Asylum

I have previously reviewed Fracture by Fivesideddice and was eager to hear more from them so when the opportunity to review Letters To the Devil, released on 31/03/2023, came up, I jumped at the chance. First let me tell you who Fivesideddice are.

Fivesideddice are a South African band who really do blur the lines between genres of music. Stating themselves as a multi-genre project, they really are not joking as they play anything from full on pop to metal to alternative rock to rap and metalcore.

As with the previous album I reviewed, each track on this EP is completely different to the last, one minute you are listening to indie pop and the next full on metalcore!

As there is so much variance on music styles and genres throughout the EP, the band is obviously an incredibly talented one as the switch between genres and styles is effortlessly done.

The guitar work on this EP ranges from heavy riffs to softer melodies and the drumming and basslines also take on many different forms. Once more, this is a great EP musically as all the instruments work well together and the music is tight and extremely well-played.

The vocals are strong and powerful, yet also soft and melodic, and the singer has no problems with the switch from one style to the next.

This is a great EP, and the listener really is taken on a musical journey. there are many ups and downs and although this might appear to some people to be detrimental to the quality of the EP, I rather think it has the exact opposite effect. I love the way the listener has no idea what to expect from the next song, being lulled by a softy ballad one minute and then thrown into the depths of metalcore the next.

Fivesideddice are a band that everyone should out. Whether you like pop, rock, alternative or something else, this band really does have something for everyone, and the eccentric and quirky nature of their music really does make this band stand out.

I am really looking forward to anything new this band make as I can really see them appealing to a very wide range of listeners.

Another great release from this great band!

Track Listing:

1) Corrupting Souls For A Living

2) Hellbound

3) Icy Liars

4) Something To Take Me Away

5) She Lays Awake

6) Muse

This review is the property of The Metal Asylum

St Buryan are a five-piece indie band from the Northeast of England and Illogical is their latest single, released on 31/03/2023.

The track blends together alternative / indie rock with elements of pop and rock pop to create a sound that is unique to them.

The guitars are heavy when they need to be but more melodic at other times too, and the basslines, which kick off the song from the start, are funky and give the track a bit of groove. The drumming is laid back at times yet energetic at others, and together, the musicianship of the track is just perfect, each instrument working in harmony with the others.

The vocals are typically indie based, although there are some elements of alternative and pop thrown in there too. The singer has a powerful yet soft voice and mixed with the layered backups the vocal arrangement of this track is top-notch.

This is an upbeat track that will get stuck in your head as it is so catchy but there is a feel-good element to the track that will brighten even the darkest day.

A great track!

Artwork by Sarah Legender

This review is the property of The Metal Asylum

Damn The Wolves consists of Brett Stepto and brothers Jody and Rick Martin, and the band formed during the pandemic, creating songs with an “we are all in this together” mindset!

Dying To Come Back To Life is their latest single, released on 24/03/2023 and I must say, what an anthem it is! Says the band: “Connection. Shame. Loneliness. Guilt. Isolation. We wanted to capture the mood of the lyrics and the topics in Dying To Come Back To Life, thinking these are things we all feel at times. Particularly in recent years.” Themes that I think will resonate with a lot of people.

Heavy guitar riffs kick off the track before strong vocals join in until, finally, the chorus erupts into a frenzy of alternative rock goodiness!

Musically, this track is spot on. The riffs are heavy, the drumming is energetic and pounding and the basslines keep everything tight. Crashing cymbals, a favourite of mine, are a prominent feature of the song as are melodic guitars.

I absolutely love the vocals on this track. Fundamentally classic rock in style, they have a grittiness and a rawness that really makes them stand out and the singer delivers the lyrics with lots of emotion and passion.

This is an absolutely stomper of a track and I had to listen to it five or six times on the bounce and even then, it wasn’t enough. I can’t wait for an album from these guys, and I am even going to feature this track on The Metal Asylum Radio Show.

Excellent track from an exceptionally talented and diverse band! When’s the next single out?

This review belongs to The Metal Asylum

The Lunar Keys are a new four-piece rock band from Guildford, and they play a mixture of “alternative rock and neurotic pop.”

I have previously reviewed music by the band and was eager to hear what else they had produced.

As with the previous single, this takes a nostalgic look back at 90’s rock but which still maintains a modern twist to keep it fresh and up to date.

Kicking off with layered vocals and piano, the song soon erupts with guitars, drumming and backup vocals all joining in.

The guitar work has a dirty, fuzzy sound to it and the solos have a slight distortion to give a hint of grunge, or alternative rock. The basslines add a slight funk to it and electronic synths give the track an edgy 80’s vibe.

Once again, the male vocals are strong and powerful and fit right in with the alternative / classic crossover. He is accompanied by female backups and the two provide a contrast to each other, giving the track a dynamism and depth.

This is a great track that is extremely catchy and one that will have you bouncing around the living room.

I said in my last review that this band had struck a chord with me, and this remains true, I would love to hear more from them and will keep an ear out for anything new! Please check the band and their music out! I don’t think you will be disappointed.

This review is the property of The Metal Asylum

Wild Horse are a three-piece indie band from East Sussex, featuring brothers Jack and Henry Baldwin, and best friend from primary school, Ed Barnes, and now still only just into their twenties, they have been gigging since their teens. They cite their influences as The Rolling Stones, The Who, Fleetwood Mac, Hendrix, Arctic Monkeys, The Hives, Oasis, Bruno Mars, Beatles, Chic, B52’S, Clash, Jackson 5, and this shows the diversity they have as a band.

Angles is their new single and was released on 24/03/2023.

This is a great rock / pop track that will certainly get you tapping your feet.

With an alternative rock / pop base, the track soon branches out into many different genres, making it difficult to define them to just one, but who wants to be pigeonholed like that anyway?

The guitar work is gentle but with riffs that will stick in your head and the drumming is soft but energetic and the basslines keep everything together. Their funked-up guitar-based sound is accompanied by typical 80’s pop / rock vocals, soft but with layered backups, and this really gives the track depth and a real nostalgic feel to it.

This is a really upbeat track that is sure to brighten even the dullest of days.

A great track from an obviously incredibly talented group of young guys. Go and check them out!

This review is the property of The Metal Asylum