Music Recs is an attempt at regular Friday content, the sharing of good music that I found this week, and honestly, just an excuse to promote my favourite old/new bands.
O.R.k. (feat. Serj Tankian) – Black Blooms
System of a Down may not be releasing a new album anytime soon, but Serj Tankian is certainly still going strong. This time, he teams up with progressive band O.R.k., lending his prowess to their talent. Black Blooms is but one of several indelibly melancholic masterworks off Ramagehead, and LEF does well enough on his own. Even so, his emotionally charged vocal truly finds no better complement than Tankian’s powerful voice.
Music Recs is an attempt at regular Friday content, the sharing of good music that I found this week, and honestly, just an excuse to promote my favourite old/new bands.
Red Handed Denial – Empire
Have you ever done a YouTube deep dive? Nothing weird, but the delve into the endless depth of recommended videos till you stumble upon something or someone cool, like Lauren Babic. Beyond her covers of bands from Periphery to Paramore, she also fronts the amazing Red Handed Denial. I have but one valid question about her music… does it djent? To that, they say, 0-0-1-1-1-0-0.
Music Recs is an attempt at regular Friday content, the sharing of good music that I found this week, and honestly, just an excuse to promote my favourite old/new bands.
Reignwolf – Are You Satisfied?
Like rock n’ roll? Pick this album up, stat. Led by amazing blues guitarist Jordan Cook, Reignwolf’s Hear Me Out has March off to an incredible start. His latest work rings with might, blowing expectations out of the water. It is rumoured that those who do not crank Are You Satisfied? up to 11, are likely guilty of blasphemy.
With ten slots proving barely adequate for this year in music, a second part comes due. Sorry for the lack of consistency, as I slip in and out between soft rock and metal(core) favourites. So try not to lift your finger off that volume dial.
In no real order and in time for the new year, enjoy Volume 2 of 2:
10. The Temperance Movement – A Deeper Cut
The blues continue to invade modern music, as The Temperance Movement releases their third solid rock n’ roll record. A Deeper Cut is yet another next top-notch album to join the impressively consistent collection of indie label Earache Records.
Capable of throwing out raw rockers like Caught in the Middle and Backwater Zoo, the beloved British band is unafraid to slow down for tender ballads such as There’s Still Time and the brilliant title track. And what is perhaps as much our blessing as it is the band’s, Phil Campbell’s raw vocals work amazingly well on both.
Cynics may continue to cry foul at imitators and sellouts in the rock scene, but I stand my ground that 2018 has been good to music fans. Too good, if I dare to be bold. As labels shower us with gifts of addictive blast beats and criminally catchy hooks, I hesitate at the difficult task of playing favourites.
Music lists are tougher still for an indecisive audiophile, who holds on dearly to ancient favourites while craving for new ones. But I’ll take any excuse to re-listen to some of the best records this year:
10. Avatar – Avatar Country
I will always regret missing Avatar live at Download Festival. With their seventh album Avatar Country, the band is set to steal the title of the greatest showmen on the metal stage. Emulating the early persona of the revered Alice Cooper, the born performers are just a hell lot of fun to watch.
Granted that they may play up on the dramatic, their dress-up games never come at the cost of musicality. Their latest record is full of groove-laden bangers, albeit softer than before. If there is a single track that sums up their serious musicianship alongside their love for fun, get in on The King Welcomes You to Avatar Country.
2017 saw our unexpected loss of some fine musicians, including Tom Petty, Chuck Berry, Chris Cornell, Malcolm Young, and Chester Bennington. Nevertheless, it remained an exceptional year for music in other ways.
To think ten years ago, getting to attend a small rock gig here was considered a stroke of luck. Seeing Guns N’ Roses live this year was absolutely unforgettable. As was experiencing the spectacular concerts of Wolfmother, Tyler Bryant, Megadeth (third time’s the charm), Richie Kotzen, Hats Off to Led Zeppelin, and Sick of It All.
2017 releases also charmed audiophiles, as old favourites make strong comebacks and young bands break the mould. There goes the falsehood that the new generation has ruined music. Far from it, as this list would prove – in two pages and no particular order:
15. Santa Cruz – Bad Blood Rising
Flashy outfits and pop-oriented hooks are surefire ways to invite scorn in the rock/metal scene. Not that these guys give a damn. Drawing comparisons to Mötley Crüe and Skid Row, Santa Cruz has the looks to match withal. But even as they wear their influences on their sleeves, the Finnish band finds their own sound with this polished release.
Musically, Bad Blood Rising thrives on the same attitude and zest that has earned them their previous fans, who will not be disappointed.Going for energetic solos and anthemic choruses, they capture the infectious rhythm of the genre neatly, and never once forget the fun of it.
