Category Archives: Alt Rock

Alt Rock, Indie, indie rock, New Music, Rock

Shadows of a Silhouette ‘Religion Is a Drug’

Alternative rock four-piece Shadows of a Silhouette have released their new single ‘Religion Is a Drug’. Much has changed for Shadows of a Silhouette over a seemingly long break since the release of their last single, ‘Closing For Good’, back in August. The two founding members of the band, Nathan Brown (Lead vocals, Rhythm guitar) and Reece Carter (Lead guitar) have since reformed the band and created the strongest line up to date, bringing in a drummer with over 10 years of experience in the scene with Tyler Henderson and recruiting a unique and aspiring musician in Fergus Murtagh to occupy the role of bassist. 

‘Religion Is a Drug’ is a slick riff-heavy number doused in Shadows of a Silhouette’s exhilarating musicianship. The band flesh out their sound with lush harmonies, popping bass lines, and crisp, finger-lickin’ guitar lines. Gliding between funky flexes and raw rock bravado the track wriggles in on an infectious groove and big brawny rhythm while jaunty smooth vocals caress a slinky melody. There is a lot going on in this song – from pummeling drums and rampant bass lines laying down the groove to the shredding guitar wails and scorching solos, Shadows of a Silhouette display their immense and energetic sound in all its glory. 

With a fun, catchy chorus and upbeat youthful sound ‘Religion Is a Drug’ is a badass smasher ready for repeat plays

Stream ‘Religion Is a Drug’ below 


Author : Danu

Alt Rock, Indie, indie rock, New Music, Rock and Roll

Chay Snowdon ‘Loud Shirts’

Chay Snowdon have released their new single ‘Loud Shirts’, via CD Baby. ‘Loud Shirts’ is taken from their forthcoming debut EP, ‘Are You Sitting Comfortably? (Then We’ll Begin)’ currently slated for mid-March release. Chay Snowdon are a four-piece alternative rock outfit based in the South West of England. 

‘Loud Shirts’ is a mammoth rock track saturated in the raw, energetic musicianship of Chay Snowdon. The track steamrolls in on a powerful wall of sound as thumping drums ricochet off a gritty foundation. The track exudes an irresistible glam-rock persona while showcasing the band’s deft musical ability. Desert western-esque guitars and sharp riffs pirouette and spring around the frantic brawny bass rumbles and pounding drums with such precision it’s magnificent to behold. With a rasped dynamic vocal delivery, searing verses, and blood-pumping chorus, ‘Loud Shirts‘ is a neck-snapping alternative indie powerhouse sure to have you frantically moshing in no time.

About the new single frontman, Chay says,‘“Loud Shirts’ it was the first song written that solely had the live shows in mind. Its purpose is to get the crowd down the front and going for it. It’s a song that has been in our set for a few years, but never gets old to play! It has become one of those songs’ that our regular gig-goers all know and anticipate in our sets, it has most definitely been a tune that has been gagging for a release. So, we finally felt it deserved to be recorded so fans can dance around at home and drift away into a dream world of mosh pits and chanting. “

Stream ‘Loud Shirts’ below 


Author : Danu

Alt Rock, Indie, indie rock, New Music

Greywind ‘Am I Asleep?’

Following the success of their acclaimed debut album, Greywind are back with their brand-new single ‘Am I Asleep?’. Making little secret of their ambitious global plans, Greywind, which is formed by siblings Steph (vocals) and Paul O’Sullivan (guitar), are fast proving themselves as a force to be reckoned with. Raised in the Irish town of Killarney, their mutual passion for expansive, stadium-sized rock music has since propelled them beyond the confines of stifled opportunity and into realms of superstar potential. 

Greywind take their sound to cinematic heights with new release ‘Am I Asleep?’. Sprinkling light guitar over a brooding ethereal soundscape while punchy drums provide a biting edge, the duo showcase their first-rate musicianship in all its glory. The band carefully layer soft sonic textures into lush guitar melodies and supple bass grooves which gracefully swirl around Steph’s soothing vocals, while the dreamy melody exudes an otherworldly atmosphere. The duo slowly build the song allowing it to blossom within the spacious instrumentation until finally introducing an explosive and celestial post-rock crescendo. 

Greywind are known for creating heartfelt tunes that evoke emotion within the listener and ‘Am I Asleep’ is a prime example of this – it is an utterly moving and captivating piece of music. The duo have triumphantly returned and given listeners a tantalizing taste of their exciting and spell-binding sound. 

Watch the video for ‘Am I Asleep?’ below. 


Author : Danu

Alt Rock, New Music, Rock

Royal Blood ‘Typhoons’

Photo Credit :  Mads Perch

British rock duo Royal Blood have released ‘Typhoons,’ the title track from their upcoming album set for release on April 30th.  After two UK #1 albums, 2 million album sales, and an array of international acclaim Royal Blood returned last year with their first instalment from the upcoming album ‘Trouble’s Coming‘. The track received 20 million streams, a premiere as Annie Mac’s Hottest Record, and a run on Radio 1’s A-list. It landed on the cover of Spotify’s flagship global rock playlist ROCK THIS and earned alternative radio support and media attention across the globe.

‘Typhoons’ is a slick fuzz-filled anthem swarmed in the swaggered rock bravado Royal Blood do so well. Dripping in strut-worthy panache, the track kicks off with Mike Kerr’s slinky riffage which meanders through Ben Thatcher’s agile drumming. Kerr sings about being trapped and lost within his mind, “My thoughts becoming parasites. That live to keep me terrified”. His luring vocals slip into sweet falsetto for the mammoth chorus as the track spirals into the controlled chaos Royal Blood are know for.

The duo gloss their raging rock in disco hue’s while the groove infested rhythm brazenly shimmers through the tracks heavy rhythmic stomps and biting hi-hats. Royal Blood has taken the volcanic energy of their self-titled debut, refined it down with a sprinkle of dance-rock to lighten the mix, to create a thrilling swagger-soaked banger. The duo have created an intense, luring number ready for repeat plays. Looking forward to the new album.

Stream ‘Typhoons’ below

https://open.spotify.com/track/6BsZx9FarJrLddTNu2k6pU


Author : Danu

Alt Rock, Indie, indie rock, New Music

Dead Manifest ‘Blood’

Tallaght hard-rock trio Dead Manifest have released their new single ‘Blood’. No beginners to the Dublin rock scene, Dead Manifest have been playing music together, on and off, for ten years. The band consists of Aaron Nestor (vocals & guitar), Andy Rudd (bass), and Cathal Cullivan (drums). 

Consumed in a vigorous concoction of metal, grunge, and alternative rock, ‘Blood’ boasts Dead Manifest’s refined and impressive musicianship. The track is a mammoth of slick, frenzied instrumentation as the trio take harsher elements of their music and blend these aspects with strong melodies to create a fantastic ruthless sound that is catchy as hell and utterly invigorating.

A raw bassline runs rampant through the track’s beefy foundation as Nestor’s vocals curdle and scream throughout unabated by the maelstrom of aggressive riffs and pummeling drums which rise and fall with each verse and chorus.The listener is simply left in awe and inspired by the brazen instrumentation and deft production within this thrilling single.

Dripping in dark melodic grunge, this raucous track is a prime example of the all consuming sound of Dead Manifest. Love it.

Stream ‘Blood’ below


Author : Danu

Album Review, Alt Rock, New Music

Гибкий Чаплинъ ‘Paris – Kavkaz’

‘Paris – Kavkaz’ is the new album to come from genre-blending Гибкий Чаплинъ. This is the band’s sixth studio album. Гибкий Чаплинъ also known as Gibkiy, are an independent band from Ukraine, Chaplin that formed in 2015. Over the past five years, they have released five studio albums, including one on vinyl, and have amassed an impressive following over social media. Creators of eclectic musical styles, their sound ranges from alternative, art-rock, jazz-rock, and rock, to poetry, neoclassical music, indie, experimental, and instrumental compositions.

‘Paris – Kavkaz’ is a rich collection of tracks tightly weaved together through various genre blends of alternative, rock, and ethnic folk. Deep guitar refrains, punchy drum, and bass combinations create catchy hooks and hypnotic elements within the tracks which tease and entice the listener further into the intriguing sound of Гибкий Чаплинъ. Heavier tracks like ‘mop’ balance the lighter, more melodious tunes such as ‘Kavkaz,’ which exudes a soothing backdrop filled with twinkling guitar and soft rhythms.

Within each track, resonant vocals ooze charisma and passion while also creating suspense and drama for the darker, more cinematic tunes. Using both Russian and English to express poetic lyrics, ‘Paris – Kavkaz’ is an acquired taste. However with moments of ethnic folk warming the album between dark gnarly elements, ‘Paris – Kavkaz’ is an engaging and immersive listening experience.

Stream ‘Paris – Kavkaz’ below 


Author : Danu

Alt Rock, Indie, indie rock, New Music

MYTH ‘Oh, La’

Dublin band MYTH have released their new single ‘Oh, La’. Enclosed within a powerful alternative rock wrapping ‘Oh, La’ presents the expansive and blossoming sound of MYTH. Exuding innocence and emotion; delicate guitars and fluttering taps on drums expand from the tracks beginning; slowly layering until the expressive chorus kicks in. The chorus gives way to a sinister soundscape of crashing guitars, surging bass lines and rumbling drums briefly broken by a lamenting violin melody. This contrast within the songs rich, ominous and flourishing sound is a marvel to behold and creates biting suspense and a cinematic ambiance that is spine-chilling and simply wonderful. Alex Webb’s powerful vocals add to this effect as she haunts the song’s dark and eerie soundscape. Not overwhelmed by the swirling instrumental backdrop, she holds her own, as if commanding the musical maelstrom to surround her voice in a complimentary display of grandeur. ‘Oh, La’ is a wonderfully expressive and enthralling track from MYTH. There is something bewitching about this band’s sound and ‘Oh, La’ highlights this superbly.

Stream ‘Oh,La’ below


Author : Danu

Album Review, Alt Rock, Hard Rock, New Music

Day. Is. Near ‘After the End. Desert Train’ Album

Hardcore band Day. Is. Near have released their new album ‘After the End. Desert Train’. Recorded in three different studios over a period of 15 months, this album has touched the walls of the notable Rebel’s Lair Studio in Maidstone, Mustache Ministry in Warsaw and Tall Pine Studios in Gdansk with mastering achieved by Andy Baldwin at Metropolis Studios in London. Day. Is. Near. is completely self-founded and consists of various individuals based between London and Warsaw. 

‘After the End. Desert Train’ is a raw and dark collection of tracks from Day. Is. Near. Not for the faint hearted, the album is shrouded in ominous soundscapes while growling vocals create a chilling sinister atmosphere. The band flicker moments of lightness through the thick muggy backdrop with sweet guitar refrains in tracks ‘Horizon Is My Home’ and ‘Just Another Journey’. These lamenting guitar melodies slice through the eerie backdrop adding moments of relief between the thumping beat and haunting backing vocals while also displaying another aspect of the band’s hardcore rock sound. Through the bloodthirsty powerful backdrop Day. Is. Near layer their songs in jabbing riffage and vocal screams which creates a harrowing wall of death effect that is sure to be epic in a mosh pit. Boasting a hardcore rock stance mangled beneath manic outbursts and a relentless rhythmic battering ‘After the End. Desert Train’ is a bewitching thrill ride. 

Stream ‘After the End. Desert Train’ below 


Author : Danu

Alt Rock, Indie, indie rock, New Music

VLLNS ‘I Fade Away’

Dublin alternative rock band VLLNS are due to release their third single of 2020, titled ‘I Fade Away’, on New Year’s Eve. The track was recorded by Dan Doherty in Darklands Recording Studio in Dublin and was mastered by Pete Maher in London.

Slick, gritty and riding on a wave of exhilarating alternative rock ‘I Fade Away’ is a powerful display of VLLNS exciting sound.These guys have some serious talent. A rumbling drum foundation creates a body grooving soundscape while piercing guitar pines with an ethereal quality over a thunderous rhythmic section. The song gains momentum with each verse as the band lure you down a dark rabbit hole of kinetic alternative rock. Ominous riffs slice through the songs heavy atmosphere as the band ferment and craft the track superbly draping their intensified wall of sound in sensual bass embellishments and nimble guitar work right up to the bloodthirsty crescendo. ‘I Fade Away’ is a thrilling riff heavy new single from VLLNS marking them as a band to keep an eye on. Looking forward to hearing more from these guys.

About the track the band said “ The track draws inspiration from the realisation that life is a limited resource, and from how our youth and innocence can be so suddenly pulled from under our feet when we first come face to face with death.”

‘I Fade Away’ is set for release on New Year’s Eve for more you can follow VLLNS on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/VLLNSOfficial/


Author : Danu

Alt Rock, New Music

Jason Payne & The Black Leather Riders ‘Waking The Damned’

Jason Payne & The Black Leather Riders has released his new song ‘Waking The Damned’. London based metal artist Jason Payne has taken 2020 to embark on a new journey in the form of  ‘Jason Payne & The Black Leather Riders’, a culmination and reincarnation of his strongest rock compositions, with numerous releases ready and waiting. Jason Payne’s musical journey began at age 9, developing his musicianship for over a decade and solidifying his musical experience through years of rigorous practice! Between 2017 and 2020, Jason fronted the British rock outfit Louzada on guitar and vocals, achieving over 300,000 streams across Spotify & YouTube and amassing thousands of worldwide fans, all through a modest discography of just one single, and one EP.

An alternative soaked blast of nu-metal, ‘Waking The Damned’ is an explosive and powerful new song from Jason Payne & The Black Leather Riders. Shrouded in dark tones with crashing guitars, heavy bass lines and pummelling drums, the track is a mighty force to be reckoned with as Paynes’s growly vocals carry the song’s emotion and grit.A song of freedom and exploration Payne uses nu-metal dynamics to create a euphoric and adrenaline inducing atmosphere as the track ventures from luring verses to explosive choruses. With 90’s alternative rock elements and tight raw soundscapes ‘ ‘Waking The Damned’ is a thrilling new single from Jason Payne & The Black Leather Riders.

About the track Payne said “Waking the Damned is about being reborn and celebrating the birth of something new – the beginning of my career.”  

Stream Waking the Damned’ below 


Author : Danu