"Fading Light" is a new single released by Germany-based band Feed The Sickness. Self-described as "Joker Metal", this is a wild new tune that lives up to the sound. Heavy handed instrumentals hit hard and shine through dynamic songwriting that leaves listeners with a refreshing yet epic style. Powerful vocal flows weave through unique transitions to keep you on your toes and excited for what's next. By the time this track is over, all you'll want to do is hit replay. What a

You ever hear a new song, and it just automatically feels right? Like they wrote it for you in consideration of your feelings at that precise moment in time? God I love that. I also love when a band keeps me guessing, and when I hear a new take on an old genre. Probably why I really enjoy this job. The new one by Lost In The City is just such a song. I'm not certain whether it's the personal, heartfelt vocal delivery, the subtle, atmospheric quality of the strings and keys, o

Man, I love a good bit of Industrial rock here and there. Being a child of the 90's, I'm probably a bit biased. NIN was everywhere, KMFDM and Ministry had been melting faces for years, ah, those were good times. Hell, "Jesus Built My Hotrod" was one of the first songs I ever covered with a band. The ability to be artsy and different whilst still melting faces is an art unto itself. Hands First, a Brooklyn-based Industrial/punk band, have similar qualities in spades. The repea

Ethereal. Undulating. Angular. Any writer worth their salt will admit that $10 descriptors are important, so I just went ahead and gave you some of my all-time go-to's right off the jump. And they all apply when discussing the new offering by Post Hardcore/Metal band Salt Mirror, appropriately titled "Castaway". I say "appropriately" because the song seems to drift (seemingly) aimlessly, until the listener begins to realize that there's a very specific port in mind all along

I don't operate under the pretense that my reviews are widely read, but if they are, one might notice consistent threads, themes that I go back to again and again. One of the biggest is the myriad reasons why I love music. And one of those reasons is one word: duality. What do I mean by that? Well, I'm glad you asked. Songs are one of the few art forms in which inherently bad things can be transformed into good. Specifically, personal trauma can be made to sound universal. Pr

Sometimes, less is more. Remember that, kids. Just because you CAN doesn't automatically mean you SHOULD and nowhere is that more apparent than in music. There's nothing wrong with the old, "look how well I shred" approach, just keep in mind that a little self-editing goes a long way as well. "Restless", the new offering from the pop-punk outfit SOSA THE SODA is a great example of that idea. It's a simple, well-executed, mid-tempo number with a catchy chorus and thoughtful ly

SCUM FU won't be played during any ballets, or featured in any Rom Coms any time soon, and I have a feeling they're just fine with that. But if you're in need of a grimy, guttural, driving hardcore number with death metal growls, look no further than "I hope You Like what I've Done with the Place", the new offering from the Australian duo. It's mean, a little cheeky and scummy as all hell and sometimes, that's just what the doctor ordered. We added the single to our Undergrou

Metalcore? Hardcore? Who cares? Some songs, in the words of the immortal Bobby Boucher, are just pure tackling fuel. Tackling fuel. Aggressive vocals combine with guitars that'll peel the paint off your walls and double-bass that feels like it's actually being played ON your eardrums to form "Nothing", the newest ballad (kidding, just kidding) from Crippled Fingers. Fans of classic Hatebreed are gonna eat this one up, and it's perfect for an intense gym session or any time y

I rarely say this, but if you're a fan of Metalcore, AUTHORIST kinda has it all. Desperate, frenetic verses, a soaring, spacious, infinitely memorable chorus and a breakdown that'll have you getting fitted for a colostomy bag, (no, not literally) "Echoes of the End" leaves little to be desired, and even less on the table. The riffs are catchy, the drums are punchy and the vocals drift impressively from screams to growls to surprisingly clean singing. The word 'dynamic' comes

A wise man once said, "The only thing that needs a label is an envelope. Label it, slap a stamp on it and send it off." Post hardcore? Metal? Pop punk? When it's a good song like All Gone Grey's new one, who the hell cares? Angular, undulating guitars are complemented by a rhythm section that's as solid as an oak tree, and the vocals drip with desperation, well-sung in the highest register one minute, screamed loudly and passionately in the next. Surprisingly coherent and wel

Juxtaposition. That's a word, right? Damn right it is, it's a great word. Want me to use it in a sentence? Fine, smarty pants, check this out: In their new song, Pluto The Racer finds a beautiful juxtaposition between melancholy and hope. Sorrow and elevation. Ha! And my 8th grade English teacher said I'd never amount to anything. Suck it, Mr. Daniels! Jangly, full guitar sounds combine with a dissonant but very listenable melody and tempo to create an ethereal but strangely

Relationships, whether business or romantic, have always been a unifying vein in songwriting and that's a good thing. Sometimes they go well, and you want to shout it from the rooftops. Other times, not so much, and you might want to shout about that too. And that's also a good thing. Healthy release is such an important part of feeling depression, anger or despair, and music is such a great avenue for that. Enter Lives Lost and their new offering, "Sleepless". Heavier than h

"Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's the weird kid and no one knows his name." In this case, we do know his name. It's Harry Jxye, and although I've no idea how to pronounce it, I'll not soon forget it. If there's one thing I'd like to tell the youth of the world, it's that being different is a blessing, not a curse. Sure, you may catch hell in high school, but when it really counts, creativity and individuality will take you leagues farther than fitting in or winning Homec

Ain't music grand? Aren't songs just the best? One of the most beautiful things about them is that a particular lyric or sentiment may be very personal to the songwriter AND the listener, sometimes for completely different reasons. The most important part is that they both arrive at the same destination: catharsis. Songs can be a jacket that fits every wearer, keeps them equally warm and makes them all feel BETTER. GRAVE SECRETS' new offering, "Take Your Pictures Back," is ju

Fuzzy, happy, sunny and fun, WAVEBOMB are coming straight out of the garage with this one, and it works really well. For a two-piece band, the instruments fill out the space nicely, and the chorus is earwormy as all get-out. I'm not going to write a dissertation on this one because I think that would be an injustice-sometimes it's better to keep things free and easy, and the band definitely understood that assignment, so out of respect for their aural aesthetic, I'll attempt

"Ethereal". "Atmospheric". "Delicate"? These are not terms I'm accustomed to using when writing about heavy music, but here we are, and I'm not mad at it in the least. After getting pummeled by double bass and alternating screams and growls lately, it's a welcomed respite and a nice change of pace, actually. Thank you, Wiltingflower. Whilst your new single "Siphon" has all the musicianship and quality production we've come to expect from the genre, the vocalist possesses an u

Ah, early 2000's punk. It was a simpler, happier time when bands could embrace their inner nerd and it was acceptable to shrug off the dense, self-important "rock star" vibe and just have fun. Bands didn't take themselves so seriously and the music was better for it. Remember fun? Remember being playfully offensive and everyone was in on the fact that it was just tongue-in-cheek? What the hell happened, people? I'll wager that DEADLAST remember, and their debut (and DIY) sing

The Janes are an Aussie band, and they wear it on their sleeve. I respect that. This indie/punk outfit also exemplifies the edict that sometimes less is more, and I respect that too. This is their first release, and it's not the most polished thing out there, but the rawness and emotion show a helluva lot of potential, and that earns them even more respect points in my book. "Red Wine Riptide" keeps it simple and fun, with lyrics about life and getting by, and the hook is equ

I've been receiving quite a few offerings from Australian bands of varying genres lately, and I have to say, overall I'm very impressed. Of course, the Aussies have put out excellent music for decades, but these recent tunes all share two things: a decidedly modern feel and an audible down-under twist that I find very appealing. Again, I'm not saying this is a new development, only that I'm new to the critic game and I'm really enjoying what I'm hearing. Nervous Light's "Maki

Dark, ominous and dropped lower than the depths of a poisoned well, Sinner Self's new offering, "Warfare," is deathcore done right. Alternately screamed, squealed, and growled vocals are executed incredibly well, and the tempo and tone were made for the pit. The drums are technical and pummeling, the strings are deep and unrelenting, and the synth adds a layer of ethereal dread which fits like a well-worn glove in the midst of the chaos and rage. Watch your head, the windmill