New Music (7/15 — 7/28)

I’m hitting the highlights of the past two weeks since I didn’t post last Sunday.

Texas Hippie Coalition: “Dirty Finger”

The All-American Rejects: “Send Her To Heaven”

Killswitch Engage: “I Am Broken Too”

Crown The Empire: “Blurry (out of place)”

Skillet: “Legendary”

Fit For An Autopsy: “Mirrors”

Imminence: “Lighthouse”

Volbeat ft. Gary Holt: “Cheapside Sloggers”

Beth Hart: “War In My Mind”

Picturesque: “Swipe”

Being As An Ocean: “Play Pretend”

Godsmack: “Under Your Scars”

Through Fire: “Medicine”

Strong Like Bull: “Live While You Can”

Slipknot: “Solway Firth”

Bullet For My Valentine: “Piece Of Me”

Prznt: “Codeine Dreams”

Havens: “Stranger”

The Chainsmokers & Illenium ft. Lennon Stella: “Takeaway”

Kenzie: “HOT”

Wolves at the Gate: “Drifter”

brokeNCYDE: “Bout It”

Saint Asonia ft. Sully Erna: “The Hunted”

Alter Bridge: “Pay No Mind”

Justin Symbol (aka Star Daddy) ft. VoKillz & Angel Nightmare: “Trash Fire”

Sköld: “Small World”

Lacuna Coil: “Layers Of Time”

Wednesday 13: “Decompose”

Of Mice & Men: “Earth & Sky”

Behemoth: “Sabbath Mater”

Bring Me The Horizon: “sugar honey ice & tea”

Pacific Radio: “Katie”

Imagine Dragons: “Birds”

Slaves: “Heavier”

Shadow of Intent: “Malediction”

Thy Art Is Murder: “New Gods”

Call Me Karizma: “I’m ok”

Kobra and the Lotus: “Burn!”

Stick To Your Guns: “56”

Our Future Leaders: “You’re The Void”

KXM: “War Of Words”

The 69 Eyes: “Cheyenna”

Infant Annihilator: “Three Bastards”

The Agonist: “Burn It All Down”

CeCe: “Never Be”

Demon Hunter: “The Negative”

Skynd: “Katherine Knight”

BlackRain: “Hellfire”

Bands You Should Know: Optic Oppression

I went to see Sköld in Atlanta last Sunday. Their opening acts were Optic Oppression and Echo Black. Both bands deserve to be gushed over, but this post is for Optic Oppression.

I didn’t have the chance to check out Optic Oppression prior to the show (because I fail at life). However, one song into their set, I was already sold. The band was highly energetic and as interactive as possible. Front man Kendall Cage was an absolutely mesmerizing performer. My mom was with me and as far as she was concerned, Kendall stole the show. I had the chance to speak to all three of the members throughout the night and they were very gracious, which is always a plus.

Pairing mostly clean vocals with a mix of electronic rock, synth rock, and industrial rock/metal, Optic Oppression has a sound reminiscent of Godhead, Orgy, and the earlier incarnations of Finger Eleven and Marilyn Manson. There is also a hint of Deftones and Crosses in some cases, the music having that moody, dark, slightly surreal vibe that I adore.

I am still familiarizing myself with Optic Oppression, but I can say with certainty that they are one of my new favorite bands. My fingers are crossed that they will play relatively close by again. If you ever find them listed on a bill, get your ass to that show! Don’t be like me, though: go ahead and listen to them right now.

Below, I am sharing three of the tracks that have stood out to me (so far). Be sure to head over to their official site, where you can score a free download of their Find a Way EP, and like/follow them on Facebook, Instagram, Apple Music, etc.

“Sparks 3.33”

“Big Boys Don’t Cry”

“Broken Doll”

Sköld Shares New Video For “Small World”

I saw Sköld this past Sunday and it was amazing! There will be a review posted soon. For now, though, Sköld has released a video for the track “Small World” off his new album, Never Is Now. Check it out!

New Music (7/8 — 7/14)

Visions Of Atlantis: “Heroes Of The Dawn”

Ghost: “Faith”

Wage War: “Who I Am”

Underoath: “Loneliness”

Opeth: “Heart In Hand”

Alien Weaponry: “Blinded”

War of Ages: “Miles Apart”

Suicidal Angels: “Endless War”

Dream State: “Primrose”

Thousand Below: “Chemical”

Lusine ft. Jenn Champion: “Not Alone”

Banks: “Contaminated”

We Are Fury ft. Runn: “Memories”

Foxblood: “Mess Like Me”

Too Close to Touch: “F.I.N.E.”

Painting Promises: “Something To Believe”

Scott Stapp: “Gone Too Soon”

Young Other: “Between The Few”

Ruins: “It’s Not Unusual”

Asking Alexandria: “The Violence”

Ed Sheeran & Travis Scott: “Antisocial”

Exhorder: “My Time”

Jeremy Renner: “Main Attraction”

Of Monsters & Men: “Wild Roses”

The Score: “Stay”

PVRIS: “Death of Me”

Phoebe Ryan: “Build Me Up”

The Continual ft. Michael Lessard: “Take Me Home”

Let’s Talk Covers (Pt. 51)

Amy Lee: “Going to California” (Led Zeppelin cover)

Gary Jules/Michael Andrews: “Mad World” (Tears For Fears cover)

Natalie Imbruglia: “Torn” (Ednaswap cover)