Band Of The Week

Band Of The Week: Silent Trust
Image may contain: night and text

One thing I’ve always found interesting is hearing bands from different places. Sometimes, the band from the oddest place, really finds a way to carve their own niche. Which brings me to Mississippi’s own Silent Trust. Hailing from the Gulf side of the state, these guys have taken their love of epic 80’s anthems, 90’s grunge, bits of metal and the modern contemporaries of today to bring a heaviness and an edge to what they do. The music is ripe with melody and riffs to go along with a thunderous almost hurricane like storm of emotions. The band’s debut album was produced by Jim Wirt (Incubus, Hoobastank, and many more) and it captures the sound these guys have been dreaming of. The first single, “My Enemy” is a great encapsulation of what this band is all about. The realness in the lyrics and delivery not just vocally, makes this stand out amongst their peers and especially in their home state. Silent Trust is just beginning to scratch the surface of what they can do and this is the right step forward.

Silent Trust- My Enemy:

Listen on Apple Music:

Listen on Spotify:

Band Of The Week: Blunt Razors

I love a good side project. More often than not, the side project allows the artist to explore a different side and see where that experiment goes. It’s quite interesting to hear this other side and experience something you aren’t used to hearing from that person. Which leads me to the band of the week, Blunt Razors. I’ve long been a fan of the band Planes Mistaken For Stars and when I heard that Gared O’Donnell and Neil Keener were working on new music that wasn’t going to be Planes material, I became very intrigued. While quarantined together throughout 2020 in Peoria, IL, they wrote and recorded a plethora of incredible songs. Sonically, some were enough of a departure from Planes Mistaken For Stars, that the pair felt it deserved a different name. And with that, Blunt Razors was conceived. Their debut release, Early Aught, is comprised of five gut-wrenching originals that have the grit and charm that Gared and Neil are known for. The two songs released so far, “Speeding” and “Amber Waves” show that there is a whole other level of creativity to these two talented writers. Their debut is out on November 20 (via Deathwish Inc).


Blunt Razors- Speeding:


Blunt Razors- Amber Waves:

Band Of The Week: Strangelight

One of the best things about rock music is the ability to mix different genres and styles. The end result of these concoctions often times end up making for some really intriguing bands. Which is exactly why I’m really digging the band Strangelight. They’ve been able to take rock n roll music and add bits of punk and an anthemic tinge and made something fun, lively and thought provoking. Their debut album, Adult Themes, is chock full of hard hitting rhythms, crunchy riffs and impactful vocals. The production on the album courtesy of Scott Evans (you might recognize him from his work in Kowloon Walled City) gives these songs the added realness their already raw and direct delivery. There are moments when listening to Strangelight, that you pick up on the inspiration and influence of bands like Fugazi, Hot Snakes and Rocket From The Crypt but, it’s apparent in a flattering way and not a straight up rip. Strangelight are the type of band that, I’m sure if you saw them live, they would straight up rip the roof off the venues they play.

Strangelight- Adult Themes:


Band Of The Week: Sound & Shape

In a time when people are saying rock is dead, they obviously aren’t looking in the right places. Rock music is very much alive. Enter Sound & Shape, this three piece band hailing from Nashville, Tennesse, have the right amount of heaviness, soul and melody to keep rock music going. Through the course of the band’s career, they’ve released three full length albums along with two EP’s. They’ve also had the pleasure of touring with bands like Sparta, Kings X, and The Spill Canvas. One of the things that really intrigues me about Sound & Shape is the vocal harmonies. Those harmonies are striking and smooth and have this really cool 70’s vibe that has a nice bit of soul and r&b to them, thus making it stand out. Their new song “All Day Morning,”features those quite well I must say. Sound & Shape are the type of rock band that is needed to keep rock n roll music going.

Sound & Shape- All Day Morning:


https://soundandshape.bandcamp.com/

Band Of The Week: Spirit Adrift

I love a good throwback sound. Especially when it’s done in a fresh way but still retains the core of what the band is trying to convey. With heavy metal, there is a chance it can go either way but, it seems that Spirit Adrift have mastered it perfectly. Spirt Adrift have taken their love of metal from the 70’s, 80’s and even a bit of the 90’s and crafted an album that has invoked that spirit (pun totally intended), and let it run free. The bands upcoming album, Enlightened In Eternity, is chock full of great songs, melodies, riffs, solos, and so much more. There’s a fun playful vibe to this band but, at the same time you can definitely hear the serious nature of the songs. You can feel and hear the blood, sweat and soul poured into this album, just based on the three songs released so far, “Screaming From Beyond,” “Astral Levitation,” and “Harmony Of The Spheres.” Spirit Adrift have really made an album that stands out from the rest of their peers. Enlightened In Eternity is an album that will leave a lasting impact on those who listen. This band is on fire and they will have you wanting to rock out the moment you put this album on.


Screaming From Beyond:




Astral Levitation:



Harmony Of The Spheres:


Band Of The Week: Niner Niner

Over the past few years there has been a great resurgence of the 90’s sound. There are a lot of bands out there that have embraced it but, not many of them have truly been able to convey that sound properly. This is where I introduce you to the band of the week Niner Niner. This four piece bands hailing from Bakersfield, California have taken that 90’s “grunge” rock sound with bits of punk and a little pop sensibility, to give it all a playful twist. Their latest album, Destructo, is a perfect example of how all that works so well together. The songs have depth and emotion while at the same time have a vibe that makes you want to get up and dance or jump around. Niner Niner, along with a couple other bands from Bakersfield (If It Kills You and Contranistas), seem to be on to something quite interesting.



Niner Niner- Destructo:


Band Of The Week: Be Well

Image may contain: one or more people, people on stage, people playing musical instruments and night

Melodic hardcore is one of my favorite sub-genres of heavy music. There’s something about mixing the grittiness and heavy riffs with a melodic tinge that really is catching. That being said, I’d like to introduce you to Be Well, a new band with roots that extend far back and then some. Be Well have come out of the gates with a blend of melodic hardcore and post-hardcore to deliver a very emotionally charged sound. The band is made up of a who’s who of familiar faces, on vocals, Brian McTernan (Battery and renowned producer/engineer), Peter Tsouras (Guitar) and Shane Johnson (Drums) from Fairweather, Mike Schleibaum (guitar) of Darkest Hour, and Aaron Dalbec (Bass) of Bane and formerly of Converge. Be Well’s lyrics are extremely personal, relentless and deep courtesy of Brian McTernan chronicling his struggles with depression, fatherhood, loss and then some. There is a sense of hope to it all in the end though. The bands debut album, The Weight And The Cost, arrives on August 21 (via Equal Vision Records) and so far based on the songs released, this album is sure to be a banger. Hopefully too, once all this madness in the world subsides, we can all catch Be Well live get to see these songs really come to life.

Confessional:

 

Strength For Breath:

 

 
Frozen:

 

 
Morning Light:

 

 

Band Of The Week: (Damn) This Desert Air

I love it when it’s been a while since you’ve heard from a band you like and they drop new music and it’s really good. That’s the case with this weeks Band Of The Week, (Damn) This Desert Air. It had been a few years since there was new music from this band. Their last album, Pyramids, still finds its way into rotation for me and it’s still a rocking record. Now, they have released a new EP called Nebulosity and it’s chock full of crunchy riffs, hard hitting rhythms and soaring melodic vocals. (Damn) This Desert Air is a band that has taken their cues from the space rock of the 90’s (Failure and Hum), added some cool post-hardcore vibes (a la Quicksand) and some melodic grunge in the way that STP did on Core and Purple. When you listen to the song “Body Anchor (Back In Atlantis),” you can definitely hear all three of those influences come into play. There is also a real maturity to this band as well that will probably get overlooked. That element has given these new songs a real sense of purpose and urgency. The passion you can hear in the performances are undeniable and it truly gives new life to this band. A song like “Lonely Train” is a great example of this. Nebulosity is a great way for (Damn) This Desert Air to come back. This EP is an encapsulation of what they’ve done in the past and are working towards. I urge anyone that reads this to really take the time to listen to this band. The pure nature of what this band is really shines. I’m quite excited to have them back and hope this is just the beginning of more to come.

(Damn) This Desert Air- Nebulosity:

(Damn) This Desert Air- Body Anchor (Back In Atlantis):

Band Of The Week: Goliathan

Image may contain: one or more people, people standing, ocean, sky, outdoor and water

Instrumental bands are quite interesting when you really take the time to let the music all sink in. Through the use of dynamics and interesting structures, you the listener, often can be taken through quite a journey of different directions. There is a band that I’ve really come to like a lot that has managed to take the craft of making instrumental music come to life in a way that, if you were to add words, it would take away from the beauty of what was created musically. The band I’m talking about is Goliathan. This instrumental Post-Rock/Doom Metal band based in Los Angeles, have been meticulously developing their sound and have carved out a nice niche for their apocalyptic yet dreamy style. Since their formation, Goliathan have released 2 stellar EP’s, Awakens in 2017 and Albion in later 2018, both of which are epic and worth your time. One of my favorite things about this band is that they have the ability hit you with a sonic intensity that is impactful and and heavy but, with more of a subtle nature that builds and feeds into the journey. Goliathan are truly one of the best instrumental bands I’ve heard in a long while. If I had to describe them I’d say they have this really cool Explosions In The Sky meets Neurosis vibe with a tinge of 90’s alternative (a la Failure).

Albion:

Awakens:

 

 

Albion Music Video:

 

Band Of The Week: In Parallel

Image may contain: night

Normally I wait till Friday’s for this topic but, I don’t want to wait till then to talk about this band. A couple days back when checking my music news, I came across a band that just wowed me. I clicked on their lyric video and the moment the first note hit my ears, I knew I was already going to love what I was about to hear. 8 minutes later the song was over and I immediately pressed start over. I’m talking about the band In Parallel and their new song “Leave It With The Ghost” from their upcoming release, Fashioner, which comes out September 04, 2020 via Wiretap Records. This band is made up of members of Celebrity and Hopesfall (who in 2018 released a great comeback album with, Arbiter). In Parallel’s sound is inspired from dark 80’s pop and 90’s shoegaze and post-hardcore – creating a sound that is melodic, expansive  and ambient but, at the same time explosive in a way that will catch you off guard in a way that peaks your interest. Their debut album, Broken Codes, is a great representation of what this band is capable of creating. On Fashioner, they recruited Failure’s Ken Andrews to mix their record and the end result is, and you can tell by listening to “Leave It With The Ghost,” a record that gives you chills. In Parallel are the type of band that knows how to tug at your heartstrings while at the same time expand your mind with a sensibility of intriguing rhythms, and the right tones. The road is endless for where this bands music can go and I hope you dig it as much as I do.

 

In Parallel- Leave It With The Ghost:

 

In Parallel- Broken Codes: