Category Archives: Rock

KOU ‘Burn’ Permiere

Jon Wilkes, formerly the drummer in The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus has released his new single ‘Burn’ under the name KOU, his new musical revolution. Wilkes was a key member of The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, recording albums with hit producers such as David Bendeth (Paramore, Papa Roach, Underoath), Howard Benson (Daughtry, Kelly Clarkson, The All-American Rejects) and John Feldman (Goldfinger, Good Charlotte, The Used). With WILKES on drums, The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus released 3 full-length records: Don’t You Fake It (2006), Lonely Road (2008) and Am I The Enemy (2011).Don’t You Fake It featured the hit single “Face Down” and was certified gold in November 2006 by the RIAA for selling over 500,000 copies and in June 2016 was certified platinum for selling over 1,000,000 copies.

Ignited with passionate and raw alternative rock ‘Burn’ is a wholly immersive and explosive track from KOU. Wilkes uses light twinkling soundscapes to begin the track, swirling airy synths into a flashing beat, creating a delicate intro before erupting into a mammoth outburst of pounding drums and sharp guitars. His powerful vocals express painful emotion as they bellow and coo the heartfelt lyrics.

There is plenty of verve, emotion and instrumental prowess in this track to make it relatable and a feature on every alternative rock playlist. The lyrics depict how cruel humans can be and how hatred can consume everything. Wilkes calls for everyone to revolt against this bitter hate and as he does so the song becomes more intense and animated. With an acute rough wall of sound battering the backdrop with alternative rock,Wilkes portrays the raw unadulterated hatred while using majestic guitars and ethereal synths to create tender delicate moments between the chaos. Lushly intricate and well layered ‘Burn’ is a beautiful fusion of electronic and alternative rock.

About the track and his new project Wilkes said : “KOU Stands for “Kingdom Of Us” and The idea of running a (KOU)coup in defense of our livelihood as humans and anything that holds us back. It’s about following your dreams no matter the cost.“BURN’ is about how as humans we have let hatred and the media consume us for decades and it’s time for a transformation.”

Watch the video for ‘Burn’ below 


Author : Danu

The Rezner Wouldn’t You Like To Know’

Four piece The Rezner have released their new single ‘Wouldn’t You Like To Know’ which has already received radio support from the mighty Rodney Bingenheimer at Sirius XM. He joins the likes of Alan McGee (Creation Records),This Feeling and BBC Introducing to give the band a thumbs up.  

‘Wouldn’t You Like To Know’ is a fiery ballsy alternative rock number brimming with mighty punk hype and oodles of adrenaline. With shredding guitars crashing and wiggling through a grooving shimmy bass and punchy drums the track explodes with kinetic vigor. It’s a speedball ablaze with sleek mighty musicianship. With snappy vocals spitting and bellowing over the rock smudged soundscape – ‘Wouldn’t You Like To Know’ is a catchy, powerful anthem and a musical slap in the face of what The Renzer do superbly.

Stream ‘Wouldn’t You Like To Know’ below 


Author : Danu

Mellor ‘Dive into the strange’ EP

Reading quartet Mellor are set to release their new EP ‘Dive into the strange’ on December 6th. The current line up with Gary Kingham on vocals, Sam Igoe on drums, Kristian Bell on guitar, and Josh Woodward on bass formed in 2017. The band have received radio support from Abbie McCarthy, Radio 1; Tom Robinson, BBC 6 Music; John Kennedy, Radio X; Charlie Ashcroft, Elise Cobain, Frankie Francis, Jim Gellatly and Scott McGerty from  Amazing Radio to name a few. The band have also featured on Spotify’s Hot New Bands, Indie List and Transistor playlists as well as Amazons Best New Bands playlist, and Apple Music’s Breaking Rock & The A-List.

After a busy summer of festivals packing out tents at Isle of Wight, Truck, and Camden Rocks just to name a few, Mellor decided to build a home studio to self record a five track EP. 

‘Dive into the strange’ wraps Mellor’s blistering, guitar-heavy sound into a tight and satisfying body of work. Following the high intensity and energetic blasts of previous releases this year ‘I Don’t Know Where You’re Sleeping Tonight’ and ‘Helsinki’, Mellor present an EP equally as energetic and brimming with the scorching instrumentation this band do superbly. Each track flows seamlessly into the next with ease. From opener ‘Control’ the band execute their refined ability to create sweet majestic guitar melodies and express them to its fullest potential.

The guitar work for me is the highlight of the EP. The band create golden, light and ethereal moments within each track through the clean and precise guitar elements as they venture between harsh sharp strides and shredding nimble solo’s with sweet piercing capacities. The melodies are catchy and powerful ( as is always the case with Mellor ) however with this EP the band carefully create a wonderful sonic soundscape that ventures between dreamy aerial atmospherics and deft heavy magnitude. Title track ‘Dive into the strange’ has a quirky obscurity lying beneath its eerie undertone. With a sublime haunting bass groove and obscure guitar progression the band present a sinister fun-house with danger around every corner while a smooth, vulnerable and naive melody innocently wanders into this instrumental entrapment – consumed by the end of the song by the harsh devouring backdrop.

Punchy drums and playful bass lines are another wonderful element to this bands sound that automatically hook you in – ‘Delicate’ and ‘Hey now, sister’ are prime examples of this. Mellor have clearly spent time carefully layering and placing each component part of their tracks to create a wholly invigorating sound. Gary Kingham’s vocals make Mellor’s tracks instantly recognisable. His warm rasp and dynamic tone emblazon a Mellor stamp on their blistering tracks. When they travel into psych hued territory like with ‘Hey now, sister’ ( which again features magnificent guitar work) his vocals carry this frenzied track wonderfully and maintain the smooth and polished stance while the instruments swirl frantically and chaotically around Kinghams’s steady pace creating a sublime contrast. ‘What if there’s love’ is a spinning concoction which brings us to the end of the EP. It’s a jittery itchy number of abrasive guitars, dizzying bass and manic drums as Kingham screams and wails for the chorus. The track continuously builds in intensity to its expressive crescendo. Mellor end the EP with one blazing track. 

‘Dive into the strange’ is a blazing and solid EP as Mellor flesh out their catchy sound adding more substance and intricate elements to create something to be proud of. 

You can catch Mellor live at : 

11th December – Purple Turtle, Reading (BBC Introducing)

12th December – The Monarch, London (This Feeling)

‘Dive into the strange’ is out on 6th December you can pre order the EP  here 

Apple Pre-Order: https://music.apple.com/gb/album/dive-into-the-strangeep/1485028606?ls=1&app=itunes

Spotify Pre-Save: http://smarturl.it/diveintothestrange

Amazon Music Pre-Order: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dive-into-StrangeMellor/dp/B07ZM8QN6D/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=mellor+dive+into+the+strange&qid=1573149973&s=d music&sr=1-1

Physical EP Order: https://www.musicglue.com/melloruk/products/dive-into-the-strange-ep


Author : Danu

Sick Love ‘My Man’

Dublin’s Sick Love have released their new single ‘My Man’. The track is taken from the bands  forthcoming debut EP and they are touring Ireland and the UK this month to support its release. Their track ‘Gun in Your Pocket’ has now topped 800K streams on Spotify and they have just signed a deal with one of the most successful Sync companies in the US joining a roster which includes Wolf Alice, Kodaline, The 1975, James Bay etc.

‘My Man’ takes Sick Love’s invigorating sound to new blistering heights as they stomp all over your ears with sass, attitude and utterly exhilarating instrumentation. Its a dark battering track that bubbles and boils to its explosive crescendo creating an intense listening experience as the refined crashing guitars weave between a rooted driving bass line. The pummeling drums create a turbulent foundation for the guitars and bass to smash into and ricochet off creating a wonderful rough and tumble texture while Rebecca Geary’s powerful luring whispers seduce before exclaiming into the harsh crescendo. Sick Love tease with a sublime push and pull intense soundscape, blending vaporous tones with utter anarchy and desperate mania. It’s fiery and sharp as the band lacerate and bruise relentlessly throughout before they bring the crescendo to epic almost cinematic proportions. ‘My Man’ is a powerful display from Sick Love. each component part from this four piece ( from the shredding guitars, pounding drums and powerful vocals) blend perfectly together to create a blasting, raw wall of sound with enticing melodies and breathtaking instrumentation. A must listen.

Stream ‘My Man’ below 


Author : Danu

New Valley Wolves ‘Snake Spit Venom’

Dublin rock duo New Valley Wolves have released their fiery new single ‘Snake Spit Venom’. 2019 has been a massive year for NVW with high profile supports including six nights on tour with ex QOTSA and Kyuss legend Nick Oliveri, shows with UK rocker Jamie Lenman and their own headline tour. Not to mention the release of their critically acclaimed single ‘All You Do Is Talk’ and two blistering shows supporting Holland’s finest De Staat, who have shared the stage with the likes of the Rolling Stones.

‘Snake Spit Venom’ is a raging, fermented deadly concoction of frantic blues rock with huge dust-laden riffs that whack you in the face and leave you astonished. New Valley Wolves’ raw, dry sound is kicked up a notch as the listener is consumed in the gritty, dirty riff-mania that this duo execute so effortlessly. With pounding drums that bulldoze throughout with ground-shaking ferocity the band grab your ears in a relentless grip of diabolical, unbreakable proportions. It’s a clever well crafted number with an explosive, rough wall of sound carefully encased to minimize the destruction while the vocals spit acid-dipped lyrics with a howling command that will both thrill and chill you to the core. ‘Snake Spit Venom’ is a vicious exhilarating assault on the senses that leaves the listener thirsty for New Valley Wolves’ infectious, rock-filled delirium. 

Download ‘Snake Spit Venom’ through the links below 

Itunes: https://apple.co/2OdrlxT

Google Play: https://bit.ly/2KpJbwF


Author : Danu

Chiefgroover & Co ‘Sunset’ Album

Classic rock outfit Chiefgroover & Co have released their debut album ‘Sunset’. This is their 2nd release of the year, preceded by the single ‘Shooting Star’, released in June. Written between 2012-2019, ‘Each song tells a story, from a poignant chapter in Chiefgroover’s life.

‘Sunset’ is a powerful classic rock album laced with passion, air guitar worthy moments and raw shredding musicianship. It’s easy to get carried away with this collection of tracks. The first half of the album from ‘Free’, ‘Oh Wild One’ right through to ‘Her Master Plan’ showcases the emotive melodies and wonderful songwriting of Chiefgroover & Co. With punchy drums, slick guitars and that straight up raw rock ‘n’ roll wall of sound it’s a feel good collection of tracks sure to give you a spring in your step and make you ready for whatever the day will bring. ‘Where Are You Now’ takes the brooding ballad stance on the album. With delicate vocals, twinkling guitar and steady beat the track lulls it’s lamenting way into your mind with a soothing sombre yet comforting tone. ‘Sunshine’ is exactly as it’s title says , sunny and filled with a vibrant fun atmosphere. Blistering guitar injections split the sweltering rock soundscape with finesse and sharp stings while the warm sing-along melody keeps the track replaying in your head. ‘The Survivor’ is a more gritty track on the album. With an 80’s power anthem vibe Chiefgroover & Co create a wild and demanding tune brimming with harsh jagged riffs and raw Def Leppard -esque influence. The vocals throughout the album are powerful, emotive and filled with intense earnestness while creating velvety tones and raspy hues. The tender ‘Anna’s Song’ and steamy instrumental ‘How Life Goes In’ bring the album to a close. Both tracks surge with Chiefgroover & Co’s passionate musicianship and intricate guitar work, especially in ‘How Life Goes In’. Amidst lamenting vaporous guitar pines and shrills it’s a dramatic and breathtaking close to the album.

‘Sunset’ is a heartfelt weighty collection of tracks as Chiefgroover & Co weave wonderful instrumental intricacies into the tunes to create an 80’s rock-infused album with wholesome passion and rich musicianship.

Stream ‘Sunset’ album below 


Author : Danu

Dakota Avenue ‘Temptress’

Following ‘Getintheshower’ and ‘The Island’ earlier this year, Alt/rock outfit Dakota Avenue have released their new single ‘Temptress’ which was recorded in Stoke-on-Trent with producer Andy Gannon. The trio have performed and received airplay from BBC Introducing, match day slots at Manchester City’s Etihad and festivals nationally; Belladrum, Tramlines, Dot To Dot, Blackthorn and RivFest and supported The Covasettes and Sly Antics to name a few.

‘Temptress’ takes Dakota Avenue’s powerful rock and refines it into a punchy, more potent dosage.  The band batter through with robust and aggressive drums creating a beefy backbone with elastic flexibility while the piercing guitars slice and whine throughout creating an ethereal, vaporous quality that is sleek and steamy. It’s a dynamic number that boasts the mighty anthemic range of this three piece as they cultivate their sound to a grander scale. There is an equal measure of smooth velvety qualities to robust power. The melody drifts into the ears with ease as  Frontman J’s compelling vocals coo and lure through the verses before howling the infectious chorus. His vocals drift with soulful and powerful tones while maintaining a rock-fueled rasp. Dakota Avenue have successfully carried the sublime passionate nature of previous release ‘Getintheshower’ through to ‘Temptress’ however they have slapped on some destructive heft and crashing wall of sound to create a thrilling new single and entice listeners. These guys are ones to keep an eye on. 

Stream ‘Temptress’ below 


Author : Danu

The Howlers ‘Matador’

THE HOWLERS / PIXEL STUDIO A / Kentish Town / Shot by Rob Blackham / www.blackhamimages.com

After receiving notable support from BBC Radio 1, Radio X & Clash Magazine with debut single ‘La Dolce Vita’ East London Desert Rockers The Howlers are back with their follow up single ‘Matador’. Recently endorsed by Laney Amplification the band are continuing to drive home the hype that surrounded their debut single. The band will be playing a handful of shows around London and the UK to see the year out, as well as live shows the band will be back in the studio to finish their third single which will be released in early 2020. 

‘Matador’ is a rousing piece of desert rock as The Howlers lasso your ears with their sweltering musicianship and exhilarating sound. With bracing whines on guitar the band delve deep into a mystery soaked biting atmosphere while the relentless drums and dynamic bass roar and rumble through the blistering wall of sound. The track exudes swagger as the cool vocals gravel between the stinging backdrop. Its western – esque bravado and spiky coating adds fiery intensity while the smooth melody and anthemic eruption for the chorus make this track something your ears will crave to hear again. ‘Matador’ is an intoxicating new single from The Howlers. 

Stream ‘Matador’ below 


Author : Danu

C’nergi ‘Hope and Paradise’

Reading Rock artist C’nergi has released his new single ‘Hope and Paradise’.

‘Hope and Paradise’ is a vibrant indie rock track which presents C’nergi’s passionate songwriting with equal parts grace and power. With a twinkling piano feature the track flutters on an ethereal atmosphere while the intricate experimental rhythms add a unique texture to the track. The guitars stride and drift with an 80’s classic rock dramatic persona and swagger. ‘Hope and Paradise’ is filled with tender verses and explosive choruses to create a rich listening experience. C’nergi’s raspy vocals coat the catchy melody in emotion as the track develops into a power rock ballad. ‘Hope and Paradise’ is a fantastic follow up to his last single ‘Give Light’, released in August 2018.

Stream ‘Hope and Paradise’ below 


Author : Danu

Worth A Listen

Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From Karma Vulture

LA-based moody rock trio Karma Vulture are relatively new players on the rock scene, but they are kicking it off with a proper bang, introducing their debut single ‘Karma Vulture’ through an edgy little vampire visual with a fun twist.

‘Karma Vulture’ announces the band with dirt stained gritty riffs and a luring beat as the track creeps into its roaring chorus. With a rooted brawny bass line and powerful vocals this track was crafted for blasting from the speakers. It’s a lean mean mammoth with slinky instrumentation and swagger dripping from its raw seams. ‘Karma Vulture’ is a strong debut track – the band hold their own frenzied heavy sound with Royal Blood – esque flirtations to create one thrilling, dark tune. The melody seeps and creeps with velvety smoothness and sensuality against a blistering debauched background. With opaque guitar lines enticing and whining between the tempting drums Karma Vulture have created one rip-roaring number that is sure to be epic live. Keep an eye out for these guys. 

Watch the video for ‘Karma Vulture’ below 


Author : Danu