The Venus Figurines are an “energetic and sonically diverse rock n’ roll band,” hailing from nipaluna/Hobart, lutruwita/Tasmania, featuring Jaidyn Daniels on vocals and guitar, Brad Holzberger on drums and percussion, Cameron Quinn on guitar and backing vocals and Angus Wilks on bass guitar.

Holiday is their latest single and was released on 24/03/2023.

With a strong bassline pulsating throughout the entire track, this is a great mix of classic, hard, and alternative rock, that will certainly get you tapping or foot or banging your head.

The heavy guitar riffs mirror the basslines and distortion gives the song a raw, grungy feel to it. The drumming is energetic, reminiscent of the punk/pop from their formative years and the funky basslines give the track a groovey swagger.

The vocals remind me very much of the likes of Kurt Cobain from Nirvana, raw and powerful yet full of screaming and angst. The singer is accompanied by strong back ups vocals, that give the song depth while at the same time providing a contrast between vocal styles.

This is a very nostalgic track that really does remind me of the rock music of the 90’s, a genre that I loved at the time, and this makes this a great track for me to listen to. I am sure that fans of the 90’s will love this track so please check The Venus Figurines and their music out. Grunge fans, like me, are going to absolutely love it!

Photo Credits: Scarlett Lehman

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Having previously reviewed music by Bad Ass Beauty, I really wanted to hear more and was really excited to receive this one.

But first, please let me remind you who 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. 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.

4 Horsemen is her latest single and was released on 24/03/2023.

Kicking off straight away with some funky riffs and groovey basslines, this song lets you know what it is all about right from the start, and that is some full-on rock n roll.

The guitar work has its roots firmly in the classic rock genre, but there is a funkiness to it that really will make you get up and jump about, and the solos are expertly executed. The drum and rhythm section do not let the song down either, keeping the song tight.

Once again, it’s the vocals that really makes this song stand out. LaQuinta has the perfect rock voice, string, powerful and so full of attitude and a lot of singers should look to her for inspiration. As I aid in my previous review, this lady sounds like she has been singing rock music her whole life and it is great to hear her grab the rock genre by the horns and turn it on its ear!

Another great track from this incredibly talented woman, who is on a mission to mix rock music with R&B and soul and doing a bloody excellent job of it!

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Justin Turk is an award-winning singer, songwriter, and musician from Palm Coast in Florida and over the course of his career has performed countless shows and gigs and gained recognition from extensive touring in a number of states along the East Coast, USA.

Truth In Lies is his new single, which is due for release on 21/04/2023.

The song kicks off right from the start with classic rocks riffs and heavy drumming before slowing down a bit as his vocals come in. But the slower pace only lasts for the verse as the song knocks it up a gear once more when the chorus comes into play, creating a contrast between verse and chorus.

Musically, this song has its foundations in the classic rock genre but as the song progresses so many other genre influences raise their heads from nu-metal to screamo metal to rock/pop! The heavy riffs will stick in your head and the basslines add a slight funkiness and swagger to the song.

It’s the vocals on this that really stand out to me. Swapping from clean singing, almost pop-influenced vocals, to emo screams and growls, this shows just how much talent and diversity Justin has. There is no forced effort in the swaps and Justin seems just at home singing all the assorted styles.

This is a great crossover track, and one that will appeal to listeners of a wide range of genres. I, for one, will be keeping an ear out for anything else that Justin releases as I would be extremely interested in what else he can produce.

This is a track of many layers that really needs more than one listen through to hear all that it has to offer!

Please see the pre-order link below:

https://justinturk.com/single/71550/truth-in-lies

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The Armchair Captains are a five-piece prog-funk band from Liverpool in the UK and The Crushening is their latest single released on 10/03/2023.

The prog element of this track is evident to hear right from the start as the song has many time and pace changes throughout its three minutes and nineteen seconds length, and the music is intricate and experimental.

The guitars are heavy and have a distortion to them that gives the track a grungey feel which really takes the listener on a trip back to the 90’s grunge scene. The drumming is energetic, with lots of crashing cymbals and the basslines give the track a certain funkiness to it.

Musically I can hear influences from a wide variety of bands from Rage Against The Machine, to Dream Theater and this shows the diversity of the band, which will make them appeal to a wider range of listeners. The track has a rawness to it at certain points, but in other parts it is more polished, creating stark contrasts throughout the song.

The vocals on this track are awesome, changing from clean singing to rock rapping and everything in between and this is done with ease and ability. The vocals are strong and control the track from start to finish are not overshadowed by the music accompanying them.

This is a great track and from a band I hope to hear a lot more of in the very near future.

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Illegal Mind is a post-apocalyptic alternative metal band from Tel Aviv, Israel and was formed in February 2018. Turning Back is their latest single and was released on 30/12/2022.

Not a band for sticking to one genre, this track is a blend of alternative metal, metalcore and nu-metal.

The track already has about 40,000 streams and with its heavy, aggressive riffs, I am sure it will gain a lot more.

Musically, the track has everything. Hard and heavy riffs that will stick in your head, pounding drums with lots of crashing cymbals and a bassline that keeps everything tight and together.

The element of this track that stands out to me is the vocals. a mix of rapping, clean singing and emo screams, the vocalist has such a range that he can really turn his hand to anything, and he does it seemingly with ease, showing the versatility he has.

The track as a whole has a very aggressive sound that brings in elements of industrial metal and rap rock as well as the genres mentioned above, creating a sound that is unique to this band. The song has a modern twist to it that keeps it up to date and fresh but there is also a hint of nostalgia about it too that takes the listener on an audible journey to the later 90’s, early 2000’s and beyond.

This is a great track by some obviously very talented musicians, all led by vocalist Max Datskovsky, and are certainly a band that should become a force to be reckoned with. If this hard-hitting, raw, and angry track is anything to go by, I will certainly be keeping an ear out for anything else they produce.

Awesome job!

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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 Hey Daddy is one of his past singles, released on 28/03/2012.

We have previously reviewed music by Mick in the past and we are always happy to hear more. Once again, we weren’t disappointed.

Hey Daddy is a laid-back soft rock song, with some very emotional and personal lyrics.

Musically, this track has soft drumming and gentle guitar work, that comes in with some country vibes with the solo. Mick’s voice is soft, although packed with emotion as he sings, and there is also a country twang that comes in here too. It’s Mick’s vocals that drive the track, and which are the focal point of the song, not once being overshadowed by the music behind him. He commands the song from start to finish and fills the track with emotion.

This is another great track from the very prolific and talented musician. We can’t wait to hear more from him, and we suggest you check him out too!

This review is the property of The Metal Asylum

The brainchild of Canadian Erik Mut, Erik And The Worldly Savages is touring band which made crowds dance and scream all over Europe with their contagious folk punk energy playing over 250 shows across the continent and Future Thunder Void is their new EP, released on 07/03/2023.

Erik left his hometown of Toronto in 2008 to live in Belgrade, Serbia and inspired by the culture and sounds of Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean, he started Worldly Savages.

I reviewed the band’s previous EP, Break Free and, once again, this EP is a genre-bending offering from this very eclectic band.

Elements from many genres from classic rock and alternative rock to folk rock and even some psychedelia thrown in for good measure pop up throughout this EP and this makes it appeal to a wider range of listeners.

Future Thunder Void takes place after the events of the previous “Break Free” EP and it describes the different sensations and feelings of a nomadic life in the modern world and how confusing, empowering, and hopeful it can be.

The music on this EP is diverse, from classic rock guitar riffs to the use of trumpets, to other Eastern European instruments that gives the EP an authentic sound. The EP is quite experimental and successfully manages to pull together music and instruments from various areas to create a sound that really is unique to them.

Again, as with the previous EP, the vocals are somewhat quirky but combined with strong back-ups the vocal arrangement on the EP is fantastic. The placement of the songs as been done perfectly as the listener is always unsure what style of song is going to come next and there is always something new to hear, so one listen through is not enough to hear all that this EP has to offer.

Experimental, psychedelic, and edgy are three words I would use to describe this EP but please check it out for yourself and see what you think.

Track Listing:

1 Thunder In Our Hearts

2 Embrace The Void

3 Always

4 Scarcity

5 Letter Back Home

6 Future

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Unscored are a four-piece indie punk band from Naarm (Melbourne) and they “honestly just wanna rock your socks off.” Heft is their latest single and was released on 16/03/2023.

A fantastic blend of everything rock, from alternative rock to hard rock, to garage rock and even post punk, this is an upbeat song, that is full of vitality and energy.

With raw guitar work, the riffs are heavy yet melodic and the drumming is frantic and energetic. The basslines give the song a bit of a swagger and funkiness to it and distortion on vocals and feedback guitar provides an almost psychedelic feel.

The vocals are very edgy, with the singer swapping from clean singing to almost shouty, punky vocals with ease, and the backups that accompany him, matching him in style and volume, creates a great depth to the track.

The song is also quite experimental, with the use of brass and other instruments in the background and this really does give the music a great uniqueness.

This is a very busy song, with lots going on and swapping from one style and genre to another at the drop of a hat, but this also means that there is also something for the listener to hear at all times.

Awesome track, a job well done!

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Hollow Crown are a four-piece nu-metal/metalcore band from Buffalo, NY and Disconnect is their DEBUT (I will explain why this is in capital letters in a bit!) single, released on 24/03/2023.

So why the capitals, I am hearing you ask? Well, the simple answer to this question is that this song is, quite frankly, phenomenal and I, for one, can’t believe this is their debut single.

The emotional lyrics are personal to the band and tackle the difficult subject of abandonment, with lead singer Anthony and his younger brother Timothy drawing from their experiences and reflections on the pain and confusion they experienced, and the theme of disconnection is one that a lot of listeners can identify with.

Kicking off as soon as it starts with heavy, pounding drums and screaming vocals, this is not a track to be messed with. Heavy riffs will thump you in the eardrums throughout, and the drumming will pulsate through your brain. The music is hard, heavy, and only relents for a few seconds here and there, before launching you headfirst back into a metalcore frenzy.

Vocally, this track is awesome, with the singer swapping easily from screaming to clean vocals and including everything in between.

Time changes are quite prevalent throughout the track, as are pace changes, but this always keeps the listener on their toes and there is always something to listen to.

I will say it again, but I can’t believe this is a DEBUT single. Hollow Crown is definitely a band I will be keeping on my radar as I want to hear as much as I can from them in the future.

Absolutely fantastic track!

This review is property of The Metal Asylum

Mike By Name is the project of Mike Moore, from the US, and Feed My Dreams With Funk is his latest single, released on 24/03/2023.

 An enigmatic blend of alternative rock with soul and funk, this is an upbeat track with a swagger that will certainly have you bouncing to it.

From the start there is a groove aspect that stays prevalent all the way through, and this is brought by the use of funky basslines (and who doesn’t like funky basslines?) and intricate guitarwork, which as the song progresses, change into groovy riffs that will stick in your head for days! The guitar solo near the end of the track has quite a retro sound and is expertly executed.

Musically this is quite a laid-back track which is easy to listen to and extremely catchy.

The vocals are very nostalgic, reminding me of a funked-up Marc Bolan and this is what gives the track its character and uniqueness.

This is a great track, and this is an artist I will ben following for certain, looking forward to0 any new releases.

Fantastic track with lots of funk and rock all rolled up on one impressive track!

This review is the property of The Metal Asylum