single review

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.”

No Trees Touch The Sky Share New Song, “See This Through”

June 28, 2024 — Leave a comment

Alternative rock/metal outfit No Trees Touch The Sky released their latest single, “See This Through,” today! The track was produced by Fred Mascherino (ex-Taking Back Sunday, The Color Fred, Say Anything) and recorded, mixed, and mastered by Stephen Angello at Diver Down Studios in West Chester. 

Staying true to their roots, “See This Through” is a mix of musical modernity and early 2000s nostalgia. The influence of such acts as Saosin and Circa Survive is heavily felt in both vocal and instrumental style: the song would not be out of place on a current edition of Warped Wednesdays!

“See This Through” starts with a mellow ambience that, when paired with the smooth, melodic vocals, sets a tone of solemnity, a tone further emphasized by the lyrical content. “…And in time you will see that we mean nothing at all/’Cause you were never the kind to see things through to the end…”

The mood shifts with the change in the music, the band launching into a heavier and faster pace. Singing artfully interlaced with growls/screams carry the listener through a range of emotions – frustration bordering on anger, and a certain amount of resigned acceptance. “I should have known.”

“See This Through” seems to tell a tale as old as time. A narrator lamenting that (s)he saw the signs, the truth about someone, and either missed them or ignored them in favor of the good, at least for a while. This is a universal human weakness, in both personal relationships and on the much larger scale of our society. And when the tides turn, we feel disappointed, defeated, yet we must resign ourselves to what we didn’t want to know. “I should have known who you were from the start.”

A track that is deeply relatable and wonderfully reminiscent, “See This Through” is playlist worthy for any rock, metal, post-hardcore, ambient, alternative…any fan of music, period, and is now available everywhere! 

Follow No Trees Touch The Sky on their socials and your favorite streaming platform to stay up-to-date with news and new releases.

Til Fauna Weaves an Enchanting Spell With New Song “Whisper”

June 7, 2024 — Leave a comment

Til Fauna, an ambient/progressive metal band from Birmingham, Alabama, just dropped their latest single, “Whisper,” on May 31st. The track offers insight into the lore surrounding Til Fauna and the antlered being, Whisper, that is a recurring theme in their imagery.

The three musicians – Vesper (guitar/vocals), Blight (bass/harsh vocals), and Phasmid (drums) – have a connection to the land around them. “Whisper” draws upon the many tales and superstitions linked to the Forests of Appalachia. It is said that you may hear the woods whispering your name, and you are strongly warned against answering.

Til Fauna has a slightly different viewpoint on this. “I wanna know what do they see…” What if the whispers are simply you calling yourself back home to the woods? Rather than being frightened, the band begs the question “Why do you scream my name?/Do I answer?”

Til Fauna utilizes the softer side of themselves to set the atmosphere. Soothing intonations and a melodic rhythm paint the image of a nighttime walk into the forest, though there is a certain eerie edge, the primal sensation of not being alone. “Their eyes watching me closely.” And at the chorus, the track erupts. Our narrator has heard the tantalizing voice. “I hear a whisper!/Louder, why do you scream my name?”

As the song descends back into the calm, there is no sense of fear, only the approach of acceptance. It is clear that there is no reason to heed the warnings, to turn back. The traveler is becoming further ensconced in the forest and with the spirits, but it is welcome. “The silence is gripping me/The forest is slowly digging deep.” With the hit of the second chorus, the band has given us the back-and-forth that echoes the narrator’s struggle: on the verge of seeking the source of those whispers, though still wondering “Do I answer?”

Then, the build of anticipation, the balance on the very edge, before the truth is revealed. “I am the whisper!” Nature plays tricks on us, but those who can truly see are led to something like self-discovery. The blistering breakdown culminates in the total surrender to who our journeyer is. “As I walk, as I fear, I become/I am the whisper.”

“Whisper” is a standout track, showcasing Til Fauna’s ability to be melodic and almost ethereal, as well as hard-hitting and heavy. The song is an adventure to the ears and the mind, a case of lyrics and music woven into a story that climbs to and explodes with its catharsis. I have listened to it several dozen times since its release, and I find something new to focus on with each play-through. Check it out below, or look it up on your favorite streaming service. I promise you won’t be disappointed.  

Follow Til Fauna on their socials and your chosen streaming platform!

Carbonstone Explores the Complexities of Relationships in New Single “White Noise”

February 14, 2024 — Leave a comment

Carbonstone is releasing a new song, “White Noise,” on February 17, 2024, and this is one you don’t wanna miss! I was given an early listen of the forthcoming release, and it is certainly a standout track in the Carbonstone library.

“White Noise” has an edge, musically revisiting the band’s heavier side. The aggressiveness of the guitars, carried by the combination of a driving drum beat and rapid-fire bass line, are the perfect foundation for a song that is thematically dark. 

Front man Corey James utilizes his voice to evoke a visceral reaction from his listeners. The melodic delivery of the verses offers an audibly interesting contrast to the music; the clear intonation, almost a croon, lends beauty to the tale of heartache: “You poison everything, like you did to me…” Both the lyrics and the vocal performance speak of disappointment, a resignation to the situation our narrator finds himself in. “Somewhere I can’t be found, and now this wavelength is severed/We’re nothing but white noise.” 

However, as the track progresses, anger and frustration leak through, raw growls woven intricately throughout until the breakdown, when they crescendo into a lengthy scream of catharsis. “Suffocating, close to breaking, you left me buried alive,” Corey snarls, and a strong sense of breaking free seems to be implied. Perhaps the struggle is not yet over, but the light at the end of the tunnel has been seen.

“White Noise” is a song that deals with the complexities of our relationships, romantic and otherwise, and does so in a way with which we all can connect. This is a must-hear, so head to Spotify, presave it, and get ready for Friday!

We Are The Virus Delivers With New Instrumental Track “Get Bent”

February 7, 2024 — Leave a comment

Louisiana-based metal project We Are The Virus is releasing new music on February 29th! Put together and performed by front man Ryan Henry, “Get Bent” is an instrumental piece that clocks in at 3 minutes, 20 seconds. 

The driving beat and intricate thrum of the bass form a solid foundation, and for the first minute or so, a rock-oriented riff is crafted upon this pedestal. But don’t let that lull you into complacency! At roughly the 1:14 mark, the listener is carried into a journey of guitar work, from delay effects to a shredding solo that speaks of WATV’s classic metal influences. The song then falls back into a maelstrom of drums, bass, and guitar, building to its rather abrupt ending.

The story behind the track? According to Ryan, the inspiration was a literal “get bent” to those people who are nothing but a problem in your life. Where words fail, music speaks, as they say, and “Get Bent” is a musically blistering “not anymore” to those who need to be dismissed for your own peace of mind.

Don’t miss “Get Bent” on your favorite streaming service, and be sure to follow We Are The Virus on their various socials so you never miss an update! And, if you would like to learn more about the band, check out the interview I did with Ryan back in November 2023.

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.

ANOXIA Delivers Hauntingly Beautiful Song and Video With Latest Release, “Earthbound” (Review)

April 13, 2023 — Leave a comment

The Maryland-based post-industrial band Anoxia released their latest single, “Earthbound,” in early March. The track is from the band’s forthcoming record, Relinquish the Quiet, which will be out later this year.

I shared a new music alert when the song dropped, but now I want to take a deeper look into this song that is a culmination of the complexities of being human and waging an emotional battle not only with others, but with ourselves, for does anyone berate our weaknesses more than we do?

"Tell me do you want to be here?
I feel like giving up again
Self-inflicting wounds are binding
Martyr, am I broken?
So what if I fail again?
Seeking truth before the fall and
You'll just leave me here to drown
Cursed, Earthbound..."

“Earthbound” expresses the ups and downs of human emotion, the sentiment of the lyrics echoed in the strong, heartfelt vocals of frontwoman Chrystal James. With an appropriately simple, haunting melody offering the background to the verses, and a harder element building in the crescendo of the chorus, the music adds that inexplicable extra something that carries the words straight to the heart.

The song reaches its catharsis at the bridge, with harsh vocals provided by Carbonstone frontman Corey James. As the pair delivers a back and forth, Chrystal’s almost ethereal “Just fade away” echoed by Corey’s unholy growls, there is a sense of being frozen in the moment. The final chorus is given to us with their voices intertwined – a balance that has been honed to perfection after several guest appearances on each other’s work – and it is as if a held breath is being released, though the question still remains: “Tell me, do you want to be here?” 

While Anoxia poses the question, this is something that the listener must answer for him- or herself. It is a struggle we have all endured, and for me, “Earthbound” is an invitation to truly look at oneself. 

The official video for “Earthbound” is a visually stunning reflection of the track itself, beautifully and darkly enchanting. You can check it out here:

You can find Anoxia on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and all of your favorite streaming services. Be sure to follow them for updates on the release of Relinquish the Quiet. Judging by “Earthbound,” the album will be brilliant!

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.