England’s Druids have come through with a pre-release stream of their eponymous debut album. The Ipswich trio have already hit it big on BBC 6’s Mixtape program, and will formally release the album on Friday, March 3. Its 70s-influenced cover art alone is an ideal enticer. From a music standpoint, …
Read More »EP Review: Alastor – Black Magic (Out March 24)
If informative, story-driven EPKs have become the primary method for garnering traction, then let Swedish doom connoisseurs Alastor defy that practice. Little is disclosed about the quartet. “H” and “J” comprise the guitar work, while singer/bassist “R” and drummer “S” keep the back beat. To top it off, Alastor’s mere …
Read More »Interview: TeamMate on band dynamics, essence of friendship
TeamMate formed rather unconventionally, as the cap on a decade-long relationship between core members Scott Simons and Dani Buncher. But while the former West Virginia University students’ rough-and-tumble romance had ended, their friendship rekindled. As such, a mix of lushly crafted electro pop rock proved to define said bond: bold, …
Read More »Album Review: Steven J. Vertun – Ghost, Shadow and Sun
The musical journey of singer-songwriter Steven J. Vertun is a fine one to behold. As a 5-year-old, Vertun’s behavioral difficulties had his parents strapped for solutions. Eventually, an accordion proved to be—among all descriptors—instrumental. While it did little in providing Vertun tranquility, it ultimately fostered a musical proclivity that transitioned …
Read More »Interview: Chris Mclelland of Nominee on ‘Drag Me Out,’ coping with bipolar disorder
At the forefront of modern post-hardcore, Nominee stands undeterred. The Texas-based band incorporates bare-bones alternative grit with dark thematic sensibilities, both elements utilized in a surprisingly uplifting pace. Their most recent release is Drag Me Out, a conceptual EP centering around front man Chris Mclelland’s temerity amidst a crippling bipolar …
Read More »Denny White Returns With New Single, “Traces.”
California’s Denny White maintains a healthy output with his new single release, “Traces”. The song had earned the Los Angeles singer/songwriter a place on Spotify’s New Music Friday Playlist, and follows previous singles “Psycho” and “Sweetness,” both of which received widespread listenership on the platform. Regarding the song’s content, White …
Read More »Album Review: Of the Sun – Before a Human Path (Out April 14)
Texas trio Of the Sun seem to have championed a utilitarian ethic within their local scene. Based out of Austin, the band creates what they dub ‘southern progressive metal,’ a genre that is equally raw and technically proficient. That in itself is an ambitious feat to undertake—and achieve no less. …
Read More »Chandler Juliet Drops New Single, “The Fight”
Pop rock singer-songwriter Chandler Juliet has maintained a steady output, kicking off the first half of the New Year with “The Fight”. The single made its debut to online music outlets last Thursday, and features production by Revolver Recordings personnel including Dean Dinning, Jacob Williams, and Mikal Blue. During the …
Read More »Interview: Stephen Pearcy on new album ‘Smash’ and Ratt reunion
Stephen Pearcy is best known for fronting Ratt, a multi-platinum California quintet pivotal to Sunset Strip glam metal throughout the 80s. Their hits, “Round and Round,” “Lay it Down,” “Slip of the Lip,” and “Way Cool Jr.” are often regarded as classics of the scene. While the death of co-writer/lead …
Read More »Interview: David Luning on debut americana album, Restless
A chance exposure to the sounds of John Prine led singer-songwriter David Luning to reconsider his life priorities. Once a film score student at Berklee College of Music, Luning was enlightened by this revelation to leave school and pursue a full-time career as a musician. On the surface, such a …
Read More »Interview: VISTA on upcoming single, “Henchmen”
Amidst a successful promotional campaign following their debut EP, Versus, New York/New Jersey-based VISTA shine on strong. The trio’s blend of crunchy pop hooks and uplifting choruses has already resonated with such outlets as RockSound, Myspace and Buzznet. Much had been learned during this phase, the loss of a single …
Read More »Top 10 Alternative Rock Albums of 2016
2016 marked another promising year for artists on the alternative spectrum. It seems that ever since my first top list the previous year, my hopes for a streak remain steady. This is saying a lot, given my past disenchantment with the modern rock underground over the years. One thing’s for …
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