Isn't music the coolest? Think about it: you can literally give every group the same four musical instruments and everybody comes up with something different. Some use them like weapons to create something hard, pummeling. Others use them to make you laugh and bounce around like an idiot. Still others choose to make something veiled, dreamy, atmospheric. The Dares are, dare I say, the latter. Just as the title states, this song is, at its core, an "Emo Revival" with a nice po

A female Japanese duo who sing, rap and combine nu-metal, hip hop, dubstep and ska? On paper, you'd be excused for thinking that's a tad too ambitious and 9 times outta 10, you'd probably be right. Then again, there's always that one. EMNW might very well be that one. Combining the edge and diversity of Skindred, the cuteness and outstanding musicianship of Baby Metal and the danceable chaos of Mindless Self Indulgence is no small feat, and yet "Loving To Get Us By" does all

Playing in the pocket. Adding groove. These are qualities often lost in modern Deathcore and Metal and, in my humble opinion, they are sorely missed. The trick is to give the song (and the listener) room to breathe while keeping the aggression and intensity high throughout. Whatever one may say about them as people, Pantera got the memo. So did Slayer. Torn From Home gets it too, albeit with a more modern, current sensibility. Don't get me wrong, these Aussie fellas are dyed

Breakups. Bad relationships. We all have had 'em, and they all suck. You catch yourself feeling a certain way just because of a certain place. A certain smell or random quip can trigger a whole rush of emotions, and the best thing to do is to find a constructive outlet. I know, why not write a song? Which brings me neatly around to today's selection, "10th Avenue North" off the debut EP by cut the cord. This song really impressed me, especially considering this is their debut

Machine-gun drums, angular guitars, desperately acerbic, howling vocals, and a bass that thuds like a lead balloon, FATALIST are comin' in hot with their new single, "Plan B". The musical equivalent to scorched earth, this Hardcore/Noise Metal outfit wants you to start a wall of death at Grandma's Sunday dinner, and they don't care who leaves on a stretcher. Angry and chaotic, "Plan B" carries a cinderblock of a chip on its shoulder and breakdowns so sweaty and intense you'll

In this ever-advancing world of AI and social networks and immersive gaming, it's becoming increasingly difficult to find something genuine, to cultivate real relationships that are open and honest. There is an almost tangible fear of being misunderstood, judged, or worse, taken advantage of by those who wear the face of friendship. We all quietly worry about it, and lately, that's understandable as human connection and community begin to wither and die. I think that's what "

Crisp, staccato verses open up to an expansive chorus that sounds MUCH bigger and soars much higher than the sum of its parts in the new number "Hell Knows When" by UK punk group Harker. A personal favorite trope of mine are songs that are emotional and perhaps a bit sad on the surface, but utilize song structure and the power of the vocals to uplift as well. That dynamic isn't easy to pull off, and this one does it admirably. Tight, passionate and super enjoyable, this one i

Alternative and Emo. Two great tastes that taste great together. Enter, the infinitely inventive and enjoyable Cherry Soda, the new album collaboration between WAVVES and SAY ANYTHING. Both bands have gained big followings over the years, and the new single "Still Alive" shows what happens when two seemingly disparate groups get together and play on their respective strengths to make cohesive, original art. Catchy, listenable pop punk blends rather seamlessly into the swagger

"Scranton Tailspin" is a skate punk update to a classic trope shared and written about across the decades: Take this job and shove it. And it does so in a listenable, relatable way. The technical guitar work and well-written rhythms bring me back to a better time when punk was having a resurgence, and all was right with the world. (Hell, the video even includes shots from Tony Hawk's Pro Skater, and that just made my heart happy.) Bouncy, fun, and with sentiments that are eve

Tampa-based punk band Arcane Arcade just unleashed their latest single, "3 Black Cats". A high-octane anthem that captures the essence of modern punk rock, this track hits hard from the first note after its slow and inviting intro, and keeps its energy until the last. With ripping instrumentals that set a frenetic pace, the track is a melodic rollercoaster that keeps listeners on the edge of their seats. What a release! The guitar riffs are sharp and aggressive, the bass work

"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