ZicZac is an upcoming solo artist from Vienna in Austria and Dream Of Me, his sixth song and latest single, was released on 03/08/2023.
Responsible for all the instruments on the track as well as the single, this is a very talented guy who has created his own form of rock n roll, taking influence from the classic sound of a bygone age, and combining it with a fresh and modern approach.
Musically the track has a very classic rock style, led by the drums and guitar, and there is also a funkiness about it that really makes the listener move in one way or another. The groovy basslines that shine through every now keep the song on track and add a great extra swagger, and there is an epic guitar solo towards the end of the song.
There is a great quirkiness to the vocals that really make them stand out. Classic in style, his voice has a raspiness to it that adds an extra dimension, really complimenting the music he is accompanying, and with some backup vocals in much the same style the track has a great depth to it that really keeps the listener engaged.
This is a fantastic track that I feel would appeal to a wide range of listeners, from classic rock fans to alternative rock fans alike.
Check out ZicZac and see what you think of his music for yourself. I don’t think you will be disappointed!
The Brass Bambees are a group of musicians from South Wales who got together in 2022 and have influences that range from punk and post-punk to indie rock and garage rock. On With The Show is their latest single and was released on 04/08/2023. Consisting of members Rhys Davies on vocals, Ainslee Rees on lead guitar, Jamie Thomas on rhythm guitar, Sofia Reffell on bass and Owen Evans on drums, their music captivates listeners with its bombastic and catchy style.
Kicking off with some funky yet meaty basslines, and the charismatic vocals of Rhys Davies, this track soon erupts into a fren
The basslines mentioned above not only keep the song on track but are the main driving force of the song and the guitarwork is heavy and totally in your face. Energetic drumming with lots of crashing cymbals backs up the guitar playing and really creates a booming, infectious sound that really pulls the listener in.
The vocals combine a mix of clean and shouty, punk-like singing, the contrast throughout the track really great to hear. The track changes pace as it progresses, the verses slower and more melodic, while the choruses are when the song really explodes, the grunge, post-rock influence really coming into effect. There is a slight quirkiness about the vocals, but this only adds to the sounds these guys and gal have created for themselves.
This is a great track whose hooks will stick in your head and have you humming them all day long, and the five of them really have created a big sound for themselves.
Awesome! I really can’t wait to hear more from them!!
Darren Deschaine is a musician from Dunfermline and Unravel is his debut EP, due for release on 01/09/2023.
The instrumental EP has three tracks and is a masterclass in guitar playing, with some chaotic synth patterns thrown in for good measure.
An awesomely fantastic mix of anything metal, this EP has influences from industrial metal, metalcore and traditional heavy metal. That really does create a great soundscape for the listener, as they are taken on a sonic journey that is engaging and unique.
With heavy riffs thrown at the listener left, right and centre, the guitars really do kick you in the stomach, while the solos are clean and perfectly executed, really sending shivers down your spine. The drumming is energetic and the bass lines that shine through are meaty and totally in your face.
Although this is a guitar-based instrumental, it is unlike anything else I have heard and shows the immense talent that this guy has. The industrial sound that emits from the EP really caught my ear and it is this that really leads the sound.
As a debut EP, Darren should be immensely proud of what he has achieved with this and with the talent, professionalism, and aggressiveness he shows here, there really is a big future for him in the metal scene.
Absolutely loved this EP and listened to it half a dozen times on repeat while writing the review, never once tiring of it as there is just so much to listen to!
Please check out all social media on 01/09/2023 when this awesome debut is released and see what you think for yourself! You will not be disappointed! Definitely a 10 out of 10 from me!
Track Listing 1) Eyes On The Inside 2) Land Under Wave 3) Unravel
From the first song I heard by this lady, I thought she was amazing and that feeling hasn’t changed with the release of her latest single Typecast, released on 04/08/2023. But who, exactly, is Bad Ass Beauty?
LaQuinta Prince aka Bad Ass Beauty is an R&B vocalist who is now stretching her skills into the genre of rock (and doing an extremely good job of it too!) 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.
Typecast is another great track from this very talented lady who is shaking things up on the rock scene! Once again, this track is full of attitude, showing Bad Ass Beauty is really doing it for the girls!!
The track has heavy riffs and great guitar work, with awesome rumbling drums present throughout the whole song, giving the track a galloping feel that really gets under your skin and makes you move in one way or another! The bass lines are meaty and give the track a groove and swagger that really makes it stand out.
Bad Ass Beauty’s vocals really what make this track!! Strong and powerful, her voice suits the rock genre perfectly, while also maintaining a hint of R&B, that really creates a great sound to the track. Her vocals are full of sass and assertiveness, and with back up vocals to match, this is a song that really shows what this lady is all about!
If you haven’t heard of Bad Ass Beauty before (and why not?) go and check her and her music out! If in your face, sassy rock music is your thing, then this track will be right up your street!!
Paytron Saint are an up-and-coming alternative rock band from the Amber Valley in the UK and consist of band members Nick Glyn-Davies on guitar and vocals, Dean Lloyd on bass, and Dan Brigstock on drums. The band first got together in 2017 and their new EP, Under Scary Houses, which was released on 04/08/2023, represents a pivotal moment for the band, marking a significant departure for their earlier sound and showcasing one that is more mature and refined.
With six tracks the EP lasts just over nineteen minutes and includes a soul-stirring cover of Hüsker Dü’s iconic song, I Don’t Want To Know If You Are Lonely.
With a foundation in alternative rock, the EP sprawls into a multitude of other genres too, creating a sound that is unique to the band. The raw energy of grunge rock shines through the alternative rock melodies and it is this blend that really captivates the listener.
The guitar work is intense when it needs to be but more melodic at other times and the use of slight distortion on the guitars adds to the grunge feel of the EP. The solos are fantastically awesome and with heavy riffs thrown at the listener left, right and centre, this really is an EP that pulls you into its music.
The drum and bass sections are strong and solid, with energetic drumming designed to really get you moving and meaty basslines that add a certain amount of groove to the songs.
The vocals are very reminiscent of the 90’s alternative rock sound, but with a modern twist that really keeps them up to date and with backups vocals in much the same vein, there really is a lot going on in this EP. Please do give this more than one play through as this will really show all this EP has to offer, the pace changes from track to track really keeping the listener hooked.
This is a great EP, and I am on the lookout for more that this band has produced in the past and looking forward to much more from them in the future.
Track Listing: 1) Blessed Be The Weight 2) Let It Drain 3) One Broken Word Interlude 4) Tommelise 5) Don’t Want To Know If You Are Lonely 6) Beautiful Repair
The Psychsomatics are a four-piece alternative rock band from Salt Lake City in the USA and consists of members Steven Siggard on drums and lead vocals, Sierra SIggard on bass, Jacob Dodge on guitar and Zaz McDonald on keyboards. The Seams Of Expectations album was released on 17/01/2021.
With a whole list of influences ranging from David Bowie and The Strokes to The Arctic Monkeys, Gorillaz and Phantogram, this band are certainly not afraid of wearing their inspirations on their sleeve. Coming from the ashes if a previous band break up, this album is the product of the feeling of betrayal, something that a lot of people will be able to resonate with and deals with “how we tend to make expectations of everything we think we want from life and when things don’t go our way it feels like everything is coming apart at the seams.”
The album has a firm foundation in the alternative rock genre but with the influences this band has, many other styles shine through as the album progresses, taking the listener on a sonic journey that they can totally immerse themselves in.
With just nine songs totally 47 and a half minutes, the album also has a progressive feel to it, the longer songs allowing the musicians and their instruments to really grow into the track, and into each other. Crossfades on some of the tracks really creates an immersive experience for the listener, taking them seamlessly from one track to the next, never once allowing their concentration to drop.
Musically, there is quite a psychedelic feel which really creates a great vibe to the album. The drumming and guitar work are quite raw, and the electronic sounds and bites throughout really make the songs stand out. The soft male vocals also add to the psychedelic feel and accompanied by layered backups there is a great “floaty” feel to some of the songs.
I feel it would be very easy to plug this album into your ears and just let the music take you over as it pulls you in. Not only will you be taken on a musical journey through different styles and genres, but also on a nostalgic journey through time and space, while also remaining in the modern world with a fresh and up to date sound.
This is the perfect album to listen to after a hard day’s work and you will return to “real life” feeling relaxed and refreshed. Check out The Psychsomatics and see for yourself the impact this band’s music can have on you.
Totally awesome album and I am looking forward to hearing more from them in the future!
Track Listing: 1) Alien Friends 2) Descend 2 Rise 3) Darkness Of The Sea 4) Phase Her 5) Whoever Asked To Live 6) Glamorous Woman 7) Maus Haus 8) I Will Wait For You 9) Canyon
Mouse Man is, as his Facebook profile states, the second most famous mouse from France after Ratatouille, and The Birth is his latest single, released on 27/07/2023.
Groovy with some funky basslines right from the start, this is a great track that will certainly get whoever listens to it up and dancing about.
With a foundation in the alternative rock genre, there are also heavy influences from funk and indie rock here too, and these all work really well together.
As a solo project, this anonymous musician uses his music to express his emotion and experiences and the harmonies, melodies, and lyrics that he has come up with really do create a sonic experience that listeners can totally immerse themselves in.
At just about three minutes in length, this track takes the listener on a journey through different genres of music and the two distinct sounds of the song means the listener never tires of what they are hearing, the pace and feeling of the song changing as it progresses.
The vocals on this track are very quirky and unique and it is these, mixed with the distinctive basslines that never let up throughout the whole track, that really makes this song stand out. The individualism of the song means it is quite unlike anything you have ever heard before, and the deep basslines will stay in your head long after you have finished listening to it.
A great track from the very mysterious musician that is Mouse Man. Check him out!
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. Vanilla is an older single from the band, released on 01/12/2018.
A mix of alternative rock, that is very reminiscent of the 90’s sound, and hard rock, this is a great track that takes the listener on a nostalgic journey back in time and is based on the true story of Edward Smith and his “true love”, a white VW Beetle named Vanilla.
With some heavy riffs thrown at the listener, the guitar work is also quite melodic, and a slight distortion gives the track a fuzzy vibe that would fit in well with the stoner rock genre too. The solos are fantastic and the whole guitar sound gives the track quite an atmospheric ambience to it. The drum and bass sections are solid and strong, and together they keep the song tight and on track.
The vocals on this song are truly amazing, having a very Pink Floyd feel to them. The singer’s voice is soft yet powerful and there is a grittiness about them to really make them stand out. The progressiveness of the vocals really gives the track a great vibe and the hooks, melodies and lyrics really will stick in your head. And with female backing vocals, that not only contrast with the male leads, but really complement them too, there is a great depth to the song.
I have listened to this song half a dozen times over and over and every time I like it more and more. It’s rocky, it’s progressive and there really is something for everyone.
Check out Star Persona and see for yourself just what an amazing talent this band is!
Shock Value are a high energy pop/punk band from Sioux Falls in the USA and When Lightning Strikes is their debut album, released on 9/07/2023. With influences from bands such as Machine Gun Kelly, Blink 182, Fall Out Boy, Sueco, Linkin Park, Green Day, the band, consisting of Nick Bader on vocals, Matt Rice on lead guitar, Nick Roach on rhythm guitar, Corey Gross on bass and Zach Dresch on drums, have come up with their own form of pop/rock/punk/alternative music that really does get the listener tapping their foot….at the very least!
With riffs coming at the listener from all angles, the guitar work is also quite melodic, yet heavy, in places. With a foundation firmly based in the alternative pop/rock genre, this album also takes influence from many others, spreading its reach to many more listeners and totally obliterating the lines between genres.
The drumming is energetic, typical of the pop/punk genre, with the drumbeats keeping the song on track while also providing a continuous upbeat nature to the album, giving it a really positive feel, and the basslines that shine through add a nonchalant swagger to the music. The vocals are typical of the 90’s alterative rock sound and with a slight quirkiness, they really stand out. Perfect for the style of music created by the instruments, the vocals really complement the music well. Accompanied by backups that are in much the same vein, the album develops a depth and dynamism that entices the listener in.
Rockstar is the first single from the album and there is a video to accompany it which you can watch below and was the song that started it all for the band. Check it out and see what you think for yourself.
Despite only forming in 2023, this band has a big sound and a professionalism that suggests they have been on the scene for many years. The album was recorded and mixed at Wolvii Studio by Michael Tucker and was mastered by Mike Dresch whose long list of credits include working with Nodes of Ranvier.
This is a great debut album and a fantastic one to have a bit of a bop around to. Its high energy, its rocky and, taking the listener on a journey through time and genres, it really does have something for everyone.
One of the messages the Shock Value like to send out to listeners is to “follow your dreams, no matter how crazy they seem,” a sentiment that comes across very evidently in this album.
Fantastic! And fans of pop/rock, rock, alternative rock, or any of the bands listed above are going to love this, so head on over to streaming platforms to give it a listen and see what you think!
Track Listing 1) Rock Star 2) Crash Landing 3) Dirtbag 4) Expensive (ft Denham) 5) Paradise 6) Til I Figure It Out 7) This Time (ft Michael Tucker) 8) Nightmare 9) It’s Okay (To Not Be Okay) 10) My Life Story
Having previously reviewed music by this great band, I am always eager to hear more. Savage Mechanic is their latest single and was released on 30/07/2023.
9 O’Clock Nasty are a Leicester-based alternative band, with punk influences. Consisting of band members Sydd Spudd on beats, Pete Brock on guitar and vocals and Ted Pepper on bass and vocals, this band seem to come up with something different with every release, and their third album, Culture War 23, which is due for release in September 2023, is certainly going to be something that everyone needs to hear!
Savage Mechanic kicks off with some awesome synth sounds before a funky bassline kicks in, and this mixed with the organ sound gives the song a certain swagger right from the start. The synths and basslines are the prominent features of this track, both driving the track forward with some fairly laid-back drumming and guitar work to accompany them. There is a nostalgic feel to the track, reminding the listener of music of the past, while also keeping a modern vibe to the song.
The vocals in this song are more melodic than previous songs, which focused more on punky, shouty vocals, and there is a quirkiness about the singer’s voice that really makes it stand out. Slight distortion on the vocals creates a fuzziness to the vocals, and he is accompanied by back ups that are in much the same style, giving the song a personality all of its own.
This is another fantastic track from this very diverse, talented, and genre-bending band. If you check out one band today, please let it be 9 O’Clock Nasty!
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