bands you should know

5 Bands/Artists You Should Be Following (#21)

August 21, 2018 — Leave a comment

1. Kempo Slice

Hip hop/alternative from Alabama. For fans of Eminem, Three 6 Mafia, Logic, etc. Kempo recently released Kempin’ Ain’t Easy (download available here), and he has been hinting that new music is on the way! Check out “Gumptown Blues,” which features Mike Bama, and “They Say.”

Facebook – Instagram – YouTube

2. Shallow Side

Rock from Alabama. For fans of Default, Tantric, Theory of a Deadman, etc. Shallow Side released their Origins EP in July and are currently touring; you can visit their Facebook for dates. Since I’ve been a fan for a while, I am going to share two of my favorites from Shallow Side: “My Addiction” and “Out of Reach.”

Instagram – Twitter – YouTube – Official Site

3. Firmament

Progressive/alternative rock from Ohio. For fans of The Mars Volta, Coheed & Cambria, A Perfect Circle, etc. Firmament’s first full-length album, Spirit of Place, is available on such outlets as Spotify, iTunes, and Google Play. Hear “Bilateral” and “As One Watches the Rain” now!

Facebook – Instagram – YouTube – Official Site

4. YOU!

Alternative rock/”gunk” from London. For fans of Blur, Green Day, Radiohead, etc. YOU! is booking shows and have upcoming dates in Warwickshire and Camden. Visit their official site for a full list and updates from the band. YOU! shared their first official music video for a track entitled “Selfish” back in June. Listen to it and “A Bird’s Prey” below.

Facebook – Instagram – YouTube

5. State of Illusion

Rock music from South Carolina. For fans of Breaking Benjamin, 10 Years, Cold, etc. State of Illusion will be playing the Blue Ridge Rock Festival, which takes place Labor Day weekend. Their album Aphelion is available through the official page and most digital retailers. Check out “Blind” and “Find Yourself.”

Facebook – Instagram – YouTube

5 Bands/Artists You Should Be Following (#20)

August 15, 2018 — Leave a comment

1. Greyhaven (UK)

Alternative/modern rock from London. For fans of Bring Me the Horizon, A Day to Remember, Walk the Moon, etc. Back in May, Greyhaven was featured on a Metal Hammer tribute to Avenged Sevenfold. They covered “Hail to the King.” Here are two originals from the band: “Breathe” and “Truth”.

Facebook – Instagram – YouTube

2. Playing Savage

Funk/soul/rock with a hint of hip-hop, based in Vienna. For fans of Res, Michael Jackson, Alabama Shakes, etc. Playing Savage is busy writing and recording new music! In the meantime, check out the Spotify page, as well as these two songs from the YouTube page, “This Is Love” and “Get Off of My Back.”

Facebook – Instagram

3. Moonfall

Alternative/pop/rock band from New York. For fans of Fall Out Boy, twenty one pilots, Panic! At The Disco, etc. According to their Instagram, Moonfall has “so much in the works” but “so little we can say.” You can, however, check out the lyric video for “Windswept,” and the video for the first song I heard, “Lost.”

https://youtu.be/2dglvCn-Nyk

Facebook – YouTube – Spotify

4. Dare Defy

Hard rock/metal music from Florida. For fans of Killswitch Engage, Taking Back Sunday, Finch, etc. (with a touch of Slipknot). Dare Defy’s first EP is available via Spotify. They are currently booking shows and Labor Day weekend, they will be playing the Blue Ridge Rock Fest alongside such acts as Puddle of Mudd, Orgy, Lamb of God, and Jonathan Davis. Listen to the songs “Love Sick” and “Burn.”

Facebook – Instagram – YouTube

5. Indogen

Melodic progressive rock from Arizona. For fans of Tool, A Perfect Circle, Pink Floyd, etc. Indogen is working on new music and playing live in and around the Phoenix area, so if you’re anywhere nearby, check out their Facebook page and get to a show! Crank up the volume and jam “Autopilot” and “Implosion.”

Instagram – YouTube – ReverbNation

5 Bands/Artists You Should Be Following (#19)

August 6, 2018 — Leave a comment

1. Plastic Tears

Glam rock from Finland. For fans of Poison, KISS, Hanoi Rocks, etc. Plastic Tears recently released their latest album, Angels With Attitude, and the positive press has been rolling in. The guys are currently booking shows to promote the album. Check out “Miss Stumbling Legs” and “Secret Society.”

Facebook – Instagram – Bandcamp

2. Mechanical Vampires

Dark pop/electronic/alternative from New Jersey. For fans of Crywolf, 30 Seconds to Mars, PVRIS, etc. Mechanical Vampires is currently working on new music. In the meantime, listen to “Gemini” and “Forget About Me.”

Facebook – Instagram – YouTube

3. Modern Echo

Progressive/hard rock from Wisconsin. For fans of Nothing More, A Perfect Circle, Gemini Syndrome, etc. Modern Echo has just reached their goal on their Indiegogo campaign. They are using the funds to finish the upcoming album, In Division. Here are “Break in the Sky” and their cover of Soundgarden’s “Fell on Black Days,” a tribute to Chris Cornell.

Facebook – Instagram – YouTube

4. Seven Year Witch

Rock & roll from South Carolina. For fans of Jack White, Silvertide, Beitthemeans, etc. Seven Year Witch will be touring relentlessly this summer and fall, opening for such acts as Buckcherry and Gin Blossoms. Check out the live performances of “Rags to Riches” and “Salty.”

https://youtu.be/5lR9V46vZjs

Facebook – Instagram – Bandcamp

5. Morning Robots

Alternative/indie rock from France. For fans of The Black Keys, The Strokes, Arctic Monkeys, etc. Morning Robots’ debut EP, Nothing Like Tile For a Tango, was released in June. Here is the latest single, “Meet Me Later.”

Facebook – Instagram – Spotify – YouTube

5 Bands/Artists You Should Be Following (#18)

August 1, 2018 — Leave a comment

1. Meka Nism

Metal from Florida. For fans of Arch Enemy, Within Temptation, Nightwish, etc. Meka Nism just released their latest EP, The War Inside, in May and are now booking shows. Check out the title track and “Bring the Sun Back.”

Facebook – Instagram – YouTube

2. Love The Hate

Rock from Mobile, Alabama. For fans of 10 Years, Tantric, Chevelle, etc. Love The Hate recently opened for From Ashes to New and Bad Wolves at a hometown show. Their latest album, Burn, is available for purchase through various digital outlets. Get a taste of Burn on ReverbNation, and listen to “Bleed the Weak” now!

Facebook – Instagram – YouTube

3. A Light in the Darkness

Progressive metal from Texas. For fans of Lamb of God, Soilwork, early Trivium, etc. A Light in the Darkness currently has two EPs available — Conspire and Athens to Piraeus — on digital platforms such as iTunes and BandCamp. Here is “Ransom,” from Conspire.

Facebook – Instagram – YouTube

4. Skynd

Electronic/industrial/dubstep duo that formed in Australia. For fans of Sköld, Die Antwoord, Skrillex, etc. Skynd premiered their video for “Gary Heidnik” recently, which features Korn front man Jonathan Davis. This is my new favorite band. Thus far, their songs and videos have been delving into the minds of murderers, and I love it! Please check out both of their singles, “Elisa Lam” and “Gary Heidnik.”

Facebook – Instagram – YouTube – Twitter

5. Hank the Businessman

Folk/progressive rock from Pennsylvania. For fans of Ed Sheeran, John Mayer, Jason Mraz, etc. Hank the Businessman released the Mountain EP in June. Here are my two favorite songs, “One” and “Tangled.”

Facebook – Instagram – YouTube – Spotify

Bands You Should Know: Ward

July 29, 2018 — Leave a comment

I found Ward on Instagram, after he left a gracious comment on one of my posts. He then reached out and asked if I would consider his music for this blog.

Based in Los Angeles, Ward is the vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter for a band of the same name. The first song I listened to was “Stand Me,” and I was visited with a Coldplay vibe, mixed with a little Brendon Urie.

Then, I checked out “Crush.” More rock-oriented, this track put me in mind of The Killers and Queens of the Stone Age.

A third song, “Soothe the Soul,” had a touch of The Police.

This is the brilliance of Ward. The music ranges from alternative to rock, from post-punk to new wave to pop, from Panic! at the Disco to Depeche Mode to The Smiths. This expansive dose of creativity is paired with a powerful, passionate voice and beautifully honest lyrics in a combination that isn’t quite like anything out there currently.

Ward is diverse and eclectic. You never know exactly what you’re going to get with each new song, but you can rest assured it will be interesting ear candy that belongs on your playlist. “Crush” is my favorite track that I’ve heard so far. And this year, Ward is donating 100% of the sales of “Crush” to the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

Visit Ward’s official site, or connect with them on Facebook, Instagram, and/or YouTube.

For added fun, listen to Ward’s take on a Rolling Stones classic, “You Can’t Always Get What You Want.”

5 Bands/Artists You Should Be Following (#17)

July 28, 2018 — 1 Comment

1. Devil in Disguise

Hard rock/metal band from Las Vegas, Nevada. For fans of Avatar, Avenged Sevenfold, early Stonesour, etc. Devil in Disguise released their debut album, Welcome to Hell, earlier this month. Check out the first single — “Sick Of You.” And I have it from a very reliable source that the next single and video will be out soon!

Twitter – Instagram – YouTube

2. Dark Summer

Hard rock from Florida. For fans of Three Days Grace, I Prevail, Crown the Empire, etc. Dark Summer has a show at House of Blues in Orlando on August 25th. Their latest album, Full Circle, is available now. Dark Summer has also been entered in the neXt2rock contest, hosted by 95.9 Rock in Melbourne. Visit their Facebook for more info. Here are “Push” and their cover of Taylor Swift’s “Look What You Made Me Do.”

https://youtu.be/xGLKZxShsPI

Instagram – YouTube

3. Black Water Rising

Rock/metal from New York. For fans of Black Label Society, Theory of a Deadman, Shaman’s Harvest, etc. Black Water Rising has a few shows on the horizon. Their newest album, Electrified, was released in late 2017 and is available in both digital and physical formats. Listen to “Brother Go On” and “Dance With the Devil.”

Facebook – Instagram – YouTube

4. A Few Memories

Electronic/industrial music from Paraguay. For fans of Orgy, Dope Stars Inc., Mindless Self Indulgence, etc. You can check out A Few Memories’ full discography via bandcamp. Below are two songs from their latest EP, Llamando a Venus: “Espejismo de Escape” and “Mundo Enfermizo.”

Instagram – Spotify

5. Silent Echoes

Hard rock from Florida. For fans of Beartooth, The Amity Affliction, solo Ben Bruce, etc. Silent Echoes have some upcoming shows, which you can find on their Facebook. Their debut EP, Getting Through, is available on digital platforms such as iTunes. The new album, Lullabies, is coming soon! Hear the title track now!

Instagram – YouTube

5 Bands/Artists You Should Be Following (#16)

July 21, 2018 — Leave a comment

1. Maybe If You Hit It

A hard rock band from Florida. For fans of Pop Evil, Theory of a Deadman, Shinedown, etc. Maybe If You Hit It has recently returned to the scene and is ready to give their fans something new. In the meantime, check out “No Regrets” and “Texas Swagger.”

Facebook – YouTube

2. Prescription Happiness

Industrial/dark ambient music from the UK. For fans of Nine Inch Nails, Orgy, Deftones, etc. Prescription Happiness is currently booking shows and has just gotten their merch store up and running. Listen to “Hide and Seek” and “Still Breathing.”

https://youtu.be/5kxC-XAa4Sk

Facebook – Instagram – YouTube – Official Site

3. In Vein

Hard rock/metal from Indiana. For fans of Escape the Fate, The Used, Motionless In White, etc. In Vein just released a cover of Rob Zombie’s “Meet the Creeper,” and their single “Haunt Me” can be streamed on Spotify. Here are two of my favorites, “Death Of Me” and “Behind the Curtain.”

Facebook – Instagram

4. Romance & Rebellion

Alternative/pop/rock from California. For fans of early Fall Out Boy, Justin Timberlake, 5 Seconds of Summer, etc. Romance & Rebellion is currently promoting the Amps & Anthems EP. Crank up “For a Moment” and “Boys Don’t Cry (BDC).”

Facebook – Instagram – YouTube

5. Lindsy Says

Rock & roll from Georgia. For fans of Lynam, My Darkest Days, Sixx AM, etc. Lindsy Says is touring to promote their first CD. Here is their first single, “Hold On Me,” and a live video of them playing “Headlights.”

Facebook – Instagram – Official – YouTube

5 Bands/Artists You Should Be Following (#15)

July 17, 2018 — Leave a comment

1. Sisters Doll

A rock band from Australia. For fans of Poison, Thin Lizzy, the New York Dolls, etc. Sisters Doll just re-launched their single “Strutt,” and their album All Dolled Up is available now. Check out “Strutt” and “Good Day To Be Alive.”

Facebook – YouTube – Instagram

2. Sinful Lilly

Alternative/Hard rock from Kentucky. For fans of Rob Zombie, Alice Cooper, Wednesday 13, etc. Sinful Lilly has a few upcoming shows with Beasto Blanco, and they recently released their single “Wait Your Turn.” You can get their album, Moment of Clarity, on their official site. Sinful Lilly have also contributed to tributes for Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, Aerosmith, and more.

Facebook – YouTube – Instagram – ReverbNation

3. Daze of June

Melodic Metal/Hardcore from Denmark. For fans of Five Finger Death Punch, All That Remains, Killswitch Engage, etc. Daze of June will be supporting Northlane on August 15th. Listen to “It Stays” and the title track from their album Heart of Silver.

Facebook – Instagram

4. AsFireFalls

Hard Rock/Electronic/Post-Hardcore from Idaho. For fans of Asking Alexandria, Blessthefall, I See Stars, etc. AsFireFalls is currently on the road. They will be playing JoshuaFest this year. Here are “World in Grey” and “Glass Skeleton.”

https://youtu.be/LBhuZXU9C5s

https://youtu.be/sY9gqFBtC1E

Facebook – YouTube – Instagram – Spotify

5. Silent Theory

Hard rock from Idaho. For fans of Breaking Benjamin, Trivium, Tremonti, etc. Silent Theory will be playing Rockin’ on the River in Clarkston, WA, on July 28th. Their newest album, Delusions, is available on iTunes. Check out “Watch Me Burn” and “Fragile Minds.”

Facebook – YouTube – Instagram

5 Bands/Artists You Should Be Following (#14)

July 10, 2018 — Leave a comment

1. Crashdïet

A glam rock/sleaze metal band from Sweden. For fans of Mötley Crüe, Ratt, Poison, etc. Crashdïet announced their new singer, Gabriel Keyes, in December of 2017 and have been touring ever since.

Facebook – Instagram – YouTube

2. Villa*Nova

An eclectic blend of funky pop, rock, and hip-hop from South Carolina. For fans of Mindless Self Indulgence, Beastie Boys, Rehab, etc. Villa*Nova is currently touring and working on a new single. In the meantime, check out “Hard to be Around” and “Str8 to the Bottom.”

Facebook – Instagram – YouTube

3. Days to Come

Rock band from Georgia. For fans of Shinedown, Alter Bridge, TesseracT, etc. Days to Come is working on their next album, tentatively scheduled to be released fall 2018.

Facebook – Twitter – YouTube

4. Valklix

Punk rock from Kentucky. For fans of Therapy?, The Murderdolls, Bad Religion, etc. Valklix is busy recording tracks for their upcoming album, the demos of which you can listen to on Soundcloud.

Facebook – Instagram – YouTube

5. At Most Fear

Hard rock/metal music from New York. For fans of All That Remains, Crown the Empire, As I Lay Dying, etc. At Most Fear is touring and have released their debut album, Wicked, available on all major streaming services (such as Spotify). Here are “Solitary” and the title track “Wicked,” featuring Fronz of Attila.

Facebook – Instagram – YouTube

7 Stone Riot Releases ‘Scratching the Surface’ EP

July 9, 2018 — 2 Comments

7 Stone Riot is a hard rock band from Birmingham, Alabama. Formed in 2013, the five piece act has been crushing the local and regional scene since its conception, playing shows with such bands as Trapt and Nonpoint. They are soon to add Fozzy and Adelita’s Way to that list.

Last year, 7 Stone Riot shared two singles — “I’m Alive” and “Time Will Tell” — in preparation for the upcoming EP, and this past Wednesday Scratching the Surface was released.

7 Stone Riot has a raw energy that bleeds through on record. Front man Whit Millsap has a very distinctive voice, clean but not without a gritty edge, that works well over the heavy-yet-melodic approach the band takes to many of its songs. I would draw a comparison between them and Fuel, Like a Storm, Breaking Benjamin, etc.

Any track from Scratching the Surface would be at home on the airwaves of a rock/metal station. I particularly enjoyed “Talking in Circles” and “Time Will Tell.” The former has some standout work by bassist Tyler Millsap, while the latter is slower and threaded with beautiful guitars and the haunting lyrics to match.

I would highly recommend checking out Scratching the Surface. You can find the EP on all digital platforms. Signed physical copies are also available.

Learn more about 7 Stone Riot:

–Official Site

–Facebook

–Spotify

–Instagram

–YouTube