Pressure is a story metal band from Sweden with strong connections to modern music, storytelling, and showmanship. Founded back in 2018, this is a band that is always expanding and exploring new things. Pressure consists of three members, Simon Forsell on guitars, drums and keyboard, Olli Violet on vocals and Olof Jönsson also on vocals, and with the help of session bassist Ignacio Arrua, the band produce songs that are diverse as they believe that different styles of music tell stories differently.

Demon Warrior is the second single from their upcoming EP, was released on 11/08/2023 and just like other tracks on the EP, this track is written from a demon’s perspective, with the deeper meaning of the song being never to judge a book by its cover.

This track kicks off in a very power metal / symphonic way with a combination of male and female vocals right from the very start, and the two work really well together, creating a contrast with each other and with orchestral / symphonic backups that are in much the same vein, there really is a great depth to this track. The voices are strong and powerful, yet haunting and mesmerising, really pulling the listener into the song.

Musically, this song is awesome. The guitar work is heavy, and riffs are thrown at the listener and the drumming is galloping and energetic. The basslines are meaty and really add a bounce to the song, and electronic elements slip in every now and then, creating a sound that really is unique to the band.

This is another fantastic track from this awesomely talented bunch, and one I hope will lead on to many more. I love the sound this band has, I love the presence they have, and I really cannot wait to hear the upcoming EP, something I am waiting with bated breath for.

Absolutely awesome track!

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I have previously reviewed music by Garland Kelley and I must say I was eager to hear more from him. But first, let me tell you who this amazingly talented artist is.

Garland Kelley is an artist and music producer who “combines a love of classic rock with a distinctly modern point of view to create his signature sound.” His music explores themes such as mortality, individualism, mental health, and philosophy and he is a veteran of Nashville’s live music scene.

Mortal is the title track to his debut EP and was released on 11/08/2023. A track about personal struggles with existence and mortality, I am sure this is a theme that will resonate with many listeners.

Less rocky than previous tracks, this song has a more laid-back and mellow feel to it and the pace is also slower and relaxed. With a soothing yet mesmerizing guitar background to the song, that, apart from the vocals, really is the driving force behind the song, the solo towards the end of the track really does send shivers down your spine as it emulates a David Gilmour-esque sound.

The drum and bass parts of this track are understated yet hold the song together perfectly and support the rest of the sound with a solid foundation on which to build.

The vocals on this track are, once again, sublime and express the true emotion of the song. With intriguing lyrics, the track really does have a great atmospheric vibe to it and Garland uses this to tell the story he is unfolding.

Garland Kelley has produced yet another fantastic song and one that should be heard by as many people as possible. His soothing vocals really pull you into the track and make you feel the emotion and feeling that is being described.

Loved it!

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Ginger May are a Tokyo based rock band and Mockstar is the band’s latest single, released on 11/08/2023.

A great mix of pop rock, glam rock and alternative rock, this is a track that is raw, energetic and extremely catchy.

With some great riffs thrown at the listener, the guitar work is also very melodic and accompanied by energetic drumming and funky yet meaty basslines, this is a fantastic track that will get you up and dancing about.

The vocals are somewhat quirky but this only adds to the attraction of the song and with layered backups there is a great depth to the song. This, along with the slight changes in pace throughout the track, really keep the listener engaged with the music.

This track has an energy and thunderous approach that, mixed with some electronic influences, really creates a sound quite unique to the band. There is also a nostalgic element to the track while also keeping bang up to date with a fresh and modern sound.

This is a great song and one that will appeal to a wide range of listeners, from punk/pop fans to alternative rock fans alike. Check the band out and see what you think for yourself. Also check out the music video that accompanies the track!

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Chandra is a singer / songwriter from Bristol in the UK and combines “unique guitar pop with an uplifting, positive message and intimate lyrical prowess.”

Pretty, a euphoric protest song which is a cry to everyone who has ever felt insecurities because they do not consider themselves “pretty” so much so that they hide themselves away, is the singer’s latest song and was released on 04/08/2023.

This is a track that delivers a message of equality and tolerance, encouraging us to reassess what we think is pretty and also telling us that we should all be who we want to be, a message that needs to be reiterated more, and what better way to do it than by the power of music.

The track itself is upbeat with a foundation is alternative rock and pop. The guitar playing is bouncy and combined with the energetic drumming, the listener will find it hard not to dance around to this track.

The vocals are really what makes this track though. Slightly quirky, which only add to the charm of the song, Chandra’s vocals are strong and deliver the intended message perfectly. And with the addition of the backup vocals, there really is a great depth to this song.

A great track from an obviously very talented musician. One to be checked out for sure!

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Reaffinity is the rock music project of American multi-instrumentalist, Chris Diana, and released by Sharkbeard Records, Tether his is latest EP, released on 21/07/2023.

With influences from a multitude of genres, including rock, indie, alternative metal, post grunge and post punk, this guy really has come up with a sound that is all his own.

With moody guitar work, the riffs are really mesmerising and pull the listener into the music’s sound, creating an atmospheric soundscape that the listener really can get lost in. The melodic nature of the guitars combined with the riffs creates a great contrast both during each track and from song to song and introspective melodies throughout the EP really stir up the emotions.

The drumming and bass sections of the music are strong, solid and keep the song tight and on track. Pounding drums and crashing cymbals are used to great effect during the more emotive parts and the meaty basslines wok well with the guitars to help create the post-grunge feel the EP has.

The vocals are fantastic, taking the listener on a nostalgic trip back to the sound of the 90’s and, personally, it’s the vocals that really make this EP. Soft yet strong, Chris emits the emotion of the tracks perfectly and the slight grittiness in his voice really rocks up the songs.

The EP has seven tracks in total, but each track is completely different to the previous and this keeps the listener engaged at all times. Different tempos and paces are used to great effect and there really is a great depth to all the tracks, with an almost rocked up shoegaze effect between the music and the vocals.

Put this in your headphones and let it transport you away to a different time and place, because that’s the power that this EP has.

Absolutely fantastic and I can’t wait to hear more from Reaffinity. Please check them out and see what you think for yourself.

Track Listing
1) Stake
2) Tether
3) All Along
4) Later On
5) Closest Town
6) Golden Hearts
7) Transitions I

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Sobak is a Florida-based singer / songwriter and has been making music since he was 15 years old. He studied music at Ball State University and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and his songs have been played on national radio.

Donna, a song about the trials of a long-distance relationship, is his latest single and was released on 08/08/2023.

This is a great rock n roll track and will take the listener on a nostalgic trip back in time with its 80’s vibe, and singalong chorus.

With some pounding drums to open with, its not long before the track erupts with some awesome guitar playing into a fantastic rock track, guaranteed to get the listener moving in one way or another.

The guitar playing is very retro, with some great solos thrown, and could quite easily have been taken straight from any 1980’s rock song. The drumming is energetic, and the basslines are meaty.

Vocally, this track is awesome. Again, with an 80’s vibe, the vocals are upbeat and lively, and the melodies and hooks really will stick in your head. With layered backup vocals, the song has a great depth to it and really will appeal to fans of almost all types of rock music.

If you want a song to lift your mood and spirits and get you boogeying about the house, then this is the one for you!

Loved it!

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Star Persona is the brainchild of Claude Malette, from Ottawa in Canada and he is the main songwriter, writing the parts for the guitar and bass as well the lyrics and melodies, and friends help him with their expertise in drums, vocals, and solos.

You Are Mine is another of the band’s latest singles and was released on 23/06/2023.

With a foundation in classic rock, this is a track that is easy to listen to and unoffensive, a bit mellower than the previous track I have reviewed.

With a more melodic nature to the sound, this track is lead by female vocals, which are a great match to the music she is accompanying. With a strong, powerful voice, the leads are accompanied by layered backups that really add depth to the track, keeping the listener engaged at all times.

With some heavy riffs, the guitar work is also quite melodic, and this helps create the more laid-back tone of this track. The drumming and bass work lead the song, keeping it tight and on track but occasionally everything steps up a notch and the rockiness of the track really shines through.

Another great track from the Canadian, one that straddles a multitude of genres, making its appeal spread to a wide range of listeners. Different from the last track but this just shows the talent and diversity of the musicianship and I’m looking forward to hearing a lot more from Star Persona in the very near future.

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Coma Beach are a punk rock/alternative rock band from Würzburg in Germany and were formed in 1993 by singer B. Kafka, guitarist Captain A. Fear and drummer M. Lecter, with bassist U. Terror and rhythm guitarist M. Blunt completing the line-up.

Nothing Right is their latest single, released on 06/08/2023 and is the second single from the band’s album The Scapegoat’s Agony.

The band have musical influences that range from The Sex Pistols, The Ramones, Hüsker Dü, Joy Division, The Cure, The Jesus and Mary Chain to Guns N’ Roses, Therapy? and Bad Religion and this is a band who are not afraid to wear their influences on their sleeve.

A very punk-based track, Nothing Right is the story of someone “taking stock of his deeply lamentable existence so far,” and then the unnamed antihero erupting “into a harrowing scream of anguish and disbelief.”

The track opens with some meaty basslines before the energetic drumming and raw electric guitars kick in. The track is very guitar-driven, the heavy hooks and riffs really pulling in the listener, and the buzz that this song creates keeps them there.

The vocals are, once again, very punk-inspired, with lots of primal, shouty lyrics, and accompanied by backups that are in much the same vein, the listener can really hear the angst the character is feeling.

I have reviewed music by Coma Beach before and, once again, they have not disappointed. This track is raw, in your face and honest, the lyrics portraying ideas that most of us think at one point or another!

If you haven’t yet checked out Coma Beach, why not? Head on over to Spotify and see what you think for yourself. For fans of old and new punk alike!

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Memoria D’Elefante is a Portuguese rock singer / songwriter and Guerra a 2 is his latest single, released on 27/07/2023.

An instrumental, this track combines many genres, blurring the lines between them and creating a sound unique to himself.

With heavy guitars, funky basslines and pounding drums, this track changes in speed and intensity as it progresses, always giving the listener something to concentrate on. There is a very atmospheric vibe to the track, one of a futuristic dystopian feel, and all the instruments contribute to this.

The beat is kept mainly by the bass guitar, giving the track a funky yet industrial feel, and this is backed up by energetic drumming.

The main guitar work is awesome and slight distortion on the song gives it a grunge, stoner rock feel too. The screams that come from the guitars are fantastic to hear, and being able to combine many genres into one track with ease and professionalism such as how Memoria D’Elefante does it shows just how talented and diverse this guy really is.

The almost cyberpunk nature of this track means, I think, that this will appeal to a wide range of listeners, from alternative rock to industrial metal.

I loved this track, and I can’t wait to hear more from Memoria D’Elefante in the very near future. Go and check him out!

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Gary Dranow is back, and with a completely new line up! Now featuring Gary, Chris Zoupa, Jason Jones and new singer Caspar Aesthetic, Golden Child is this collaboration’s first single and was released on 01/08/2023.

With the new line up comes a new sound and it is absolutely great to hear. More laid back than other Gary Dranow tracks that I have reviewed, this one has a more soft rock approach with gentle strumming on the guitar and relaxed drumming, and the guitar solo two thirds of the way through is one that really will send shivers down your spine.

Inspired by the unconditional love between dogs and their owners, this is a track that will really pull on your heart strings, and with influences from the likes of Counting Crows, The Verve, Oasis, Train and Bryan Adams, a whole range of genres shine through as the song progresses.

There is a slight hint of country rock in the guitar work, creating a bit of a swagger throughout the track and with string solid drumming and bass work, musically this track has it all.

The vocals, provided by Caspar Aesthetic, are simply awesome. His voice also has a slight country twang, while also being strong and packed full of emotion. Soft and gentle, the vocals pick up momentum and power when they need to and are the perfect accompaniment to the music side of the track.

Another fantastic track from Gary Dranow, who hails from the US, and his band of musicians. I am looking forward with excitement to this next phase in the Gary Dranow journey and I hope those of you who have checked him out due to previous reviews, will do too!

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