single review

Carbonstone Returns With New Single/Video “Not Like This”

August 7, 2026 — Leave a comment

It has been a little more than a year since we last heard from Carbonstone, but the alt-metal veterans from Maryland are back with a brand new song entitled “Not Like This.” The song is set to be released on August 8th with the accompanying video dropping on the 7th.

“Not Like This” is a standout track in Carbonstone’s repertoire, holding a darker edge than others in their career (which is saying something). Musically, it stays true to the heavier-is-better theme that has defined their last few singles, with crunchy guitars and a driving rhythm section layered under frontman Corey James’ haunting vocal talents. With well-timed placements of rage-laced screams, the song evokes rage, pain, and frustration before offering up a note of resolve. Yet perhaps the harshest ingredient in “Not Like This” is its subject matter.

“In a nutshell, it’s a song about losing yourself,” says James. “It’s about the chaos of manipulation, self-doubt, and the war that takes place inside your own mind…standing on the edge of despair, confronting the person you’ve become, and fighting to reclaim your identity.”

“Not Like This” acknowledges both the outer and inner influences that have shaped the narrator, forcing an internal battle that makes the person in the mirror one that (s)he doesn’t recognize. “Use me up like I’m nothing ’til you’re satisfied,” the opening line challenges. “Abuse me, tell me I’m ugly, a waste of your time…”

The song speaks to the hopelessness often felt during moments of self-reflection, digging deep to sort through others’ cruel words and actions that you’ve taken to heart, but also to admit that you are willingly clinging to your own negative thoughts and opinions. “Slowly, I’ll bleed out from these wounds I’m holding inside/Am I worthless? A shadow of myself/I’m dead and alive…”

The most difficult part of the process? Looking at oneself with unfiltered honesty and deciding to let it all go and move forward. “Not Like This” grants the listener that transition from despondency to determination.

“Is this how everything ends, standing on the edge, lost inside of my head?” the narrator wonders before answering, “Not like this again. No, not like this.”

Carbonstone has always been a band that doesn’t shy away from grim realities. They don’t peek behind the curtain so much as throw it wide, allowing the light in and showing the less ideal aspects of being human. “Not Like This” is another prime example of this, of bringing up what is often swept under the rug. The beauty of it all is that James offers us the other side as well, telling us that yes, darkness exists, but we can fight – and most importantly, we can win.

“Not Like This” hits streaming services tonight at midnight! And be sure to tune in for the premiere of the music video at 8 p.m. EST.

Carbonstone Calls For a “Standoff” in New Single

May 29, 2025 — Leave a comment

Alt-metal titans Carbonstone are coming out swinging with their latest single and music video, “Standoff,” which releases May 30th. The new track boasts a vocal collaboration with Jonny Santos of Silent Civilian, Spineshank, and The Less Dead. With “Standoff,” Carbonstone has taken their raw emotion and relentless energy to the next level, and it packs the punch of a speeding freight train.

This song is multi-layered, both musically and in its history. Says Carbonstone frontman Corey James, “I actually wrote this way back in 2010. [“Standoff”] was originally released as a demo on an old EP called Strength in Silence. It was completely organic with zero electronic elements.” 

But the track stuck with him, as some songs do, and James found himself circling back to it. “I sometimes revisit songs from the past, and this one has always spoken to me. I thought it would be really cool to bring it back and give it a complete makeover.”

Enter Jonny Santos, an influential figure in James’ musical journey. The two artists began talking after James reached out. “I literally saw him make a post and took a shot in the dark.” The conversation turned to the topic of a collaboration and, says James, a reimagining of “Standoff” immediately came to mind. The result is an in-your-face piece with the electronic/industrial/nu metal stylings so true to Carbonstone.

“Standoff” is roughly four minutes of vented fury, unleashed in the form of crunchy guitars, steady percussion, and the vocal interplay between James and Santos. The track calls out those who take advantage of the people around them and gives a hearty middle finger to anyone who believes your only worth is in being used and controlled.

“It’s such a shame you betray everyone with the fucking words you say/You believe I’m so weak/Come and get a motherfucking piece of me!”

The song is another example of a story carefully constructed with music, something at which Carbonstone excels. Using a maelstrom of instrumentation with a dance between a low tortured growl and an outburst of rage-filled screams, it carries the listener through the narrator’s emotional journey of becoming fed up with somebody who is manipulative and breaking the chains that once bound them together.

Catharsis is then reached after the second chorus, when James and Santos declare “I’m letting you go.” Echoing the release of all the anger and the sense of resolve that has been found, there is a brief acoustic interlude, and the track reaches its conclusion with a sprinkle of flamenco style picking.

“Standoff” will be available on May 30th. The music video premieres at 8 p.m. EST, and the song will hit streaming services at midnight!

You can pre-save “Standoff” here, and you can find links to all of Carbonstone’s socials and streaming profiles at carbonstone.net.

Carbonstone Tackles Dark Inner Thoughts in New Single “Echoes”

October 25, 2024 — Leave a comment

Alt-metal band Carbonstone is back with new music. The Maryland-based outfit is set to release their latest single, “Echoes,” on October 26th, and after my first few listens, I have to say this one hits hard.

Carbonstone has never been a band to shy away from the darker side of self-reflection, especially the negative views we as humans often have of ourselves. “Echoes” puts words to that moment we peer into the mirror with complete honesty. It dives unflinchingly into the feeling of being trapped in your own head, succumbing to the belief that you are not enough and have failed in some immeasurable way because things didn’t work out as planned. 

According to front man Corey James, the song is about heavy reflection and looking back at “fucked-up tragic events, or ‘echoes,’ that ultimately shape us into who we are.” For better or worse, life happens, and we are molded by external factors beyond our control. “Failed dreams, failed goals and aspirations, failed relationships,” James lists. “Substance abuse, and so on.”

The track is penned as a note to oneself. “You take the time to watch me bleed/Over and over/It’s like you love my suffering/This pain is contagious…” It is only too easy to spiral into the abyss once the narrator begins listening to those internal voices. “I see my ghost, it’s echoing/Repeating my failures/When I’m alone, it’s so haunting/The shadows consume me…”

“Bury me underground, I’ll lie with you/’Cause alone I’m nothing/Searching for anything to get me through/I’m so self-destructive.”

“The hook/chorus is basically about just giving in and submitting to everything, as it’s the only alternative to facing yourself alone,” James explains.

“Echoes” is a juxtaposition of hauntingly melodic singing and heavy, gritty music: an audio presentation of the emotions poured into the song. The choice of clean vocals for the majority of the track works on multiple levels. James was able to masterfully color his lyrics with the pain and resignation expressed in the words. Raging screams threaded throughout are the cries of hopelessness. Meanwhile, the other band members – guitarists Josh Provencio and Steve Junkins, bassist Eric Dee, and drummer Ted Hile – intricately weave together a sonic manifestation of anger and frustration. One final scream and the closing chorus are the last ounce of fight poured forth before our narrator ultimately accepts his/her fate and throws in the towel.

“Echoes” hooked me in from the first note and is a song that is well-crafted, relatable, and holds its listeners in thrall from start to finish. Carbonstone nailed it on all fronts. The song will hit streaming platforms at midnight. Meanwhile, the official music video drops tonight, October 25th, at 8 p.m. EST! Make sure to tune in to the band’s Facebook live at 7 p.m. EST for some drinks and other shenanigans.

If you haven’t already, visit Carbonstone’s socials and follow them on your favorite streaming service so you never miss a release – starting with “Echoes.”

New Music Alert! Thunderous Jones: “HeREtiC”

November 10, 2023 — Leave a comment

UK metal band Thunderous Jones returns with their new single, “HeREtiC.” The track is off their forthcoming EP A Heart From Hell, set to be released in early 2024.

“HeREtiC” comes in like a punch to the face, with brutal riffs, a driving beat, and dark lyrics that express the more harrowing side of religion. The play between thrash and groove, paired with harsh vocals interspersed with cleans that are reminiscent of Corey Taylor, give this song balance and keeps the ear interested. And that’s all before even mentioning the breakdown around the 3-minute mark.

“HeREtiC” is available to stream on all major digital platforms as of today! You can check out the video on Spaceuntravel’s YouTube channel!

Be sure to find and follow Thunderous Jones on all their socials:

Call of Sirens Gives Listeners a Catchy and Relatable Track With New Single “Never Enough” (Review)

July 7, 2023 — Leave a comment

UK-based alternative rock band Call of Sirens has penned a musically catchy, lyrically relatable masterpiece with their new track, “Never Enough.”

With a surface layer of synth-pop underscored by the heavier alternative sounds listeners have come to expect from the band, “Never Enough” offers a glimpse into another side of Call of Sirens. Vocalist Leilani shows off her exquisite singing, playing with a range that reflects the emotions expressed in both the lyrics and the instrumentation to create a song one can actually feel.

“Why am I here, just to tell you how amazing you think you are?/Just sitting there with your glasses, your papers, your lovers, and your haters/It was never enough, never enough for you…”

“Never Enough” tells a story with which we can all connect: the tale of someone who has power over us and who is never satisfied, no matter how we try to please them. A parent, a spouse, a friend, there is always that person we strive to make happy or proud, but (s)he will not be appeased. With the aforementioned mix of music, words, and powerhouse vocals, Call of Sirens captures the frustrated powerlessness and painful resignation of never being enough.

“Never Enough” is the start of something new for Call of Sirens. The band has expertly walked the fine line between crafting a style that appeals to a wider audience while maintaining the familiar elements that attracted their old fans in the first place. I have been a fan since first hearing “Kenopsia,” and I am excited for this upcoming chapter in the band’s career!

“Never Enough” will be available everywhere on July 14th! You can pre-save the track here.

New Music Alert! Alive In Stone: “Fatboy” (Review)

January 3, 2023 — Leave a comment

Alive In Stone has kicked off 2023 with another banger. “Fatboy” grabs the attention of the listener from the get-go. With a beat that will have you bobbing your head, a groove-laden guitar riff, a bass line that fleshes out the sound, and a catchy chorus, this track had me rocking out in my car (and yes, I was drumming on my steering wheel).

The vocals have a nice grit in the verses that wouldn’t be out of place in a grunge song, but are wonderfully clear and clean at the chorus. Then there’s a wicked growl/scream at around the 2:26 mark, echoing the frustration and anger building throughout the track and showing off the singer’s versatility all at once.

The whole thing is rounded out with a short and sweet guitar solo, the chorus, and one final taunt: “Hey, Fatboy, swallow the cake like you swallow your life.”

“Fatboy” is a must-add to your playlist. I know I put it on mine! Check it out here and on your favorite streaming service.

Song Review: “4th of July” by Kristian Montgomery and the Winterkill Band

December 27, 2022 — Leave a comment

New England’s country/rock outfit Kristian Montgomery and the Winterkill Band have shared their latest single, “4th of July.” The track is taken from the upcoming album Lower County Outlaw, which is set to be released February 2, 2023.

“4th of July” tells the story of the first time Kristian and his wife, April, hooked up, and every aspect of the music and lyrics carries the listener through the anticipation and rightness of the moment.

Kristian has expertly crafted a composition that reflects the build-up to what is going to happen. The music starts rather slow and steady, creating tension as it climbs to its highest point. The lyrics echo the comfort and chemistry between the two, the feeling that it was meant to be, that Kristian and April had only to come to this place they both belong.

The track peaks at a guitar solo and a final chorus sung with the urgency that was felt in the pickup truck on that fateful winter’s night.

“It might be cold in the air tonight, but baby, we’re on fire…”

If “4th of July” is a sign of things to come, Lower County Outlaw is going to consist of 12 songs that play with the boundaries of rock and country, blurring into a genre that anyone can enjoy while masterfully recounting relatable stories with both words and music.

Check out “4th of July” here.

You can listen to the other single from Lower County Outlaw – “Gypsy Girl” – and preorder the album at Kristian’s Bandcamp page.

New Music Alert! Eli Howard & the Greater Good: “Wildfire”

February 5, 2022 — Leave a comment

I am loving what I’ve heard referred to as vintage rock. You know, a new take on an old sound, combining the core elements of both classic and Southern rock while adding touches of everything from the blues to country to unmistakable nods to the British Invasion. And Eli Howard & the Greater Good is among those who are tilting their hats to the past while remaining steadfastly in the present.

Just last night, I discovered Eli Howard & the Greater Good and the brand new single “Wildfire.” One listen had me hooked and I immediately sent it to my brother and played it for my mom.

From the catchy, almost hymn-like opening vocalization and steady beat (sure to be a crowd pleaser), to a voice and singing style reminiscent of Gregg Allman and Doug Gray, to the more rock-oriented instrumentation during the verses, “Wildfire” is an ode to all that is great about the blending of genres. I particularly enjoyed the change about two-thirds of the way in, a psychedelic breakdown that preceded a back-and-forth between a guitar and a Hammond B3.

Do yourself a favor and check out “Wildfire,” now available on all streaming services. The track is the second single from Eli Howard & the Greater Good’s upcoming debut album End of the Line, set to be released February 25, 2022.