Exploring creative storytelling with darkness and devotion, Claws of Chaos inject imaginative realism and poignancy into the classic rock format, with the emotionally loaded nuance and harsh detailing of Baby Down.
Hard Rock
Led by a strong title concept and lyrics that prove equally provocative and poetic, WHITE NOISE features an unprecedented collaboration with the iconic Kellin Quinn (Sleeping With Sirens), and showcases the value of great songwriting in elevating the talent and passion of a modern band.
Israel-based producer and songwriter Nadav Ettlinger carves out a raw melodic and distorted lane as a contemporary creative.
Indie champion and lifelong contender for the best rock and metal vocalist (and lyricist) of the scene – 3mind Blight’s latest release Hollow maintains these connections to the alternative metal realm, but also weaves in a surprisingly mellow, bass-heavy production and vibe, for something that feels infectiously emotional as it rolls along.
Psychedelic dark metal with a creative twist of progressive musicianship and intriguing conceptual depth – UK five-piece Hookjaw pour their heart and soul into the process, along with a sheer and superb level of musical ability.
Jake Edwards and Kid Piccolo make up the Nu-er Metal act Human I Was, a creatively poignant and conceptually provocative act, with equal parts ambient and intense layers of expression all devoted to a single story.
Coming in at over six minutes of exploration, Time Irrelevant sees its listeners plunged into a web of multiple layers of distorted guitars and classic eighties rhythms. At the same time, subtle waves of synth and electronic instrumentation meet with organic, acoustic ones, to craft something that’s both a looping realm of comfort, and a consistently evolving delivery of rising anticipation.
In a welcomed change of direction for modern rock, the single Lamb presents an interesting fusion of hard-hitting rock instrumentation and surprisingly choirlike vocals; all united within a consistently anthemic progression.
Introducing one of those rare occasions when the artwork perfectly encapsulates the essence and style of a release. Maxim’s Whispers of the Eternal is a uniquely vast and rather epic exploration of cinematic depth, built around an idea and dramatic vocal opening, layered with soaring guitar solos and distorted chords united in this progressive and fiercely soulful instrumental.
Defiantly unique and rather fearless in bridging the gap between the most intense distorted music and the more charming softness of acoustic and melodic satisfaction, In The Chaos I Return is a fascinating project, which feels profoundly more vast than its three-track limit appears to imply.
Creating art out of trauma is a painful but ultimately therapeutic process, and if that art or music can in turn provide the same kind of solace and understanding for other victims of abuse, then its all the more rewarding. Johnny Bottos tells his story in a unique and empowering way, with the pure poetry, sheer weight, and musical precision of Crown Of Thorns.
Striking artwork and a unique fusion of contemporary emo and classic pop punk – Free Mace captures his own artistic identity, with the proudly atmospheric and revealing new album Better Off Bitter.