Former artillery soldier SamWaise explosively carves out a fresh new lane in modern EDM and production. His evocative and intoxicating fusion of metal and fiercely fast-paced dance makes for an impassioned and powerful introduction to the album Tragedies and Truths.
Music
The crisp clarity of a finely-recorded acoustic guitar strum. A softly rising bassline, and beautifully vulnerable, honest vocals. Ferny G blends folk and pop with subtle nuance, for the deeply heartbroken I thought you were different.
Featuring an equally fuzzy set of visuals, representing the sheer joy and unity of the track, this is easily one of the most unorthodox but interesting and likeable new releases of the summer so far. J_basco rolls through the stages of the track with fearless attention to evolution and detail, but the opening moments far from depict that intention.
Stylish live-band urban pop music brings catchy grooves and soulful falsetto vocals. Lugo™ highlights the professional and smooth precision of his approach, with the uplifting seven-track EP Let Them Eat Cake.
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.
The dark-pop theatrics and haunting vocals of Stephan Folkes meet with boldly eclectic production and storytelling, as the UK songwriter and artist delivers his anticipated ten-track album Hazard.
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.
Whiskey In The Jar is the band’s latest single, a creatively fresh take on the classic Irish hit from Thin Lizzy, with equally retro visual effects to further reinforce that old-school escapism. The video employs yesteryear effects and colours, as well as clips of the array of bands who’ve previously covered the iconic song in both the studio and on stage.
Colourful riffs and quirky pop rhythms elevate catchy hooks and poetic lyrics from the vault – pepo. explores self-reflective sentiments and vivid metaphorical images, with the strong melodies and vocal stylings of tunnel vision.
Frankfurt creative producer duo Granite Head bring an impressively unique set of flavours to modern summer house and instrumental dance music. Their latest two-track EP highlights a diverse fusion of influences and stylistic preferences, and at the same time delivers an immersive and colourful dream space, within which the music can either energise or deeply soothe; depending on what you need from it.
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.