NYC punk, ska and metal label knifetwister records are working hard at raising the voices of indie musicians and bands across the local scene. Their devotion to talent, originality, passion and focus is unwavering, and their commitment to elevating the small but substantial names of our time is second to none.
Metal
Intensely heavy yet soulful, poetic and cinematic, up-tempo and both energising and evocative. Oathforged is a confronting and awakening listen, and offers a whole new highlight from the upcoming full-length album. Mythrend have made sincere promises to raise the bar, and so far, they’re outright refusing to back down on their word.
Atmospheric progressive metal of extensive meandering soundscapes – an EP of genre-fusing takes both dissonant and harmonised, beginning with a nine-minute epic that feels like multiple tracks in one. Swedish composer and musician David Blomgren creates under the project name Valfreyja, and The Rose Of Rebirth is a multi-coloured, chaotic and conceptually profound look at the artistic freedom that drives his approach.
Standing tall on a great sense of groove, carefully blending a strong acoustic riff, organic musicianship and funky rhythms – a spacious and soulful, catchy mix, with a clear sense of evocative depth at its core. Exit12 highlight the wonder and beauty of their uniquely genre-fusing and immensely impressive album Condition: Human, with the perfectly distinct, engaging and frankly euphoric Known.
Forged In Shadow (Bound by Fire) is the boldly cinematic heavy metal introduction, an electrified and poetic hard-rock arrangement and delivery, built around the iconic Lord of the Rings story, and showcasing both the intricate craftwork and essential contrast of composer and performer Mythrend through its cascading layers.
Sublime vocal power and fluidity guides an impassioned and skilful group of musicians, through fascinating stories and songs both complex and satisfying, for fans of anything from power metal to pop rock and cinematic, orchestral music. These arrangements and performances are stacked high with genuine talent and an unrelenting sense of shared spirit, and with work ethic and ability seamlessly combined, Alterium are well on their way to carving out an unmissable new pathway in modern power metal.
Hugely immersive rock production lets the evocative metal tones of Death is Calling set an unignorable vibe. Deflecting Ghosts bring a uniquely intentional style and sentiment to the realm, with this impactful and subtly genre-fusing original.
To introduce the unique composition style and playing of Parachute Eyes, Thoughts Escaping is ideal. The release opens up with a sincere and distinct, undistorted guitar tone and melody, and sets a likeable groove for around three minutes, before shifting suddenly but fittingly, to a more distorted, power-chord and structurally intense approach.
Star-crossed lovers recapture their truth in a post-apocalyptic world. Empty Spaces celebrates Margarita’s fascination with fantasy and folklore, whilst delivering an original story and song that proves fearlessly artistic. The song releases in unison with the Japanese festival of the stars, Tanabata.
Hard-hitting metal-core of heavy distortion and a relentless tempo, creatively intertwined with a versatile performance of both rap and melody – Afipia reflects upon the curse and opportunity of existence, for Descent.
No-one breaks down the limiting walls of genre and expectation with more ferocity and style than HOLYMAMI. This summer the eclectic and unpredictable artist launches a five-track EP of originals, and the intriguingly titled TRAP THERESA is every bit as artistically uninhibited and creatively free as fans have come to hope for.
Intense rock songwriting and production aims high and hits the mark once again. Jarad Hara blends the ferocity of metal, with melodic verses and a gripping sense of story. Off With Their Heads is the second track from his repertoire to impress, and it’s a fine example of the creative depth and juxtaposition of his … Continued