Browsing Tag

alt rock

Tempus Cucumis reached the epitome of cutting-edge with their prog-rock tour de force, The Axe Drops

Posted on 24 January 2025

Tempus Cucumis have sharpened their classically-trained chops once again for ‘The Axe Drops’, a six-minute tempestuous slice of prog-rock featuring the mesmerising jazz-tinged vocal talent of Anne-Lien. As an extended adaptation of the track that first appeared on their 2021 experimental demo album Mini Mouton—a prog soundtrack to the 1926 silent film Ménilmontant—the single transcends its cinematic roots and evolves into something far more colossal.

Crafted by the formidable duo Jeroen De Brauwer (guitars, drums, composition) and Lukas Huisman (keys, production), the single builds on their signature style of seamlessly balancing storm and stillness. The quiet, reflective interludes, where guitar and keys take centre stage, are fraught with tension, leaving you holding your breath for the monolithic crescendos of doom-laden riffs and symphonic flourishes.

These climaxes pulverise, especially when Anne-Lien’s ethereal vocals sweep in as an arresting juxtaposition to the hostility which breeds in the ferocity of the heavier sections which will leave fans of prog and post-rock slack-jawed. It’s the band’s deft ability to maintain captivation even in the stripped-back moments that make The Axe Drops a triumphant tour de force. The polished production ensures every note feels deliberate, every beat intentional, and every shift monumental.

As Tempus Cucumis work towards their eighth album, this single not only pays homage to their roots but also cements their status as titans of atmospheric innovation. The album artwork, a painting by Giorgi, is a fitting visual companion to a track that feels as vivid as it sounds.

Stream The Axe Drops on Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

heaven // alone – Exonerate: Seductively Raw Post-Hardcore

Posted on 24 January 2025
heaven // alone

With their latest single, ‘Exonerate,’ Perth’s heavy alt-rock outfit heaven // alone unleashed an unrelenting surge of sound that dares listeners to remain passive. Note by note, the track’s opening builds an insurmountable wall of distortion, enveloping audiences in an alchemised atmosphere that seduces with the provocative pulse of Deftones and aches with the raw anguish of post-hardcore.

The dynamic shifts between moments of melodic reprieve and chaotic crescendos elevate the emotional stakes. Teasingly placed between the blast beats and guttural outpours of rancour, the melodic breaks strike like a brief gasp of air before the sonic onslaught resumes, resulting in a visceral vortex of sound that grips listeners in its intensity.

heaven // alone’s technical precision and compositional ingenuity ensure that ‘Exonerate’ is more than just a hard-hitting track; it’s an invitation to revel in the catharsis of their deeply emotive and impeccably honed sound. The dualistic construction places your emotions on a tightrope, suspended in the tension between euphoria and despair.

With each release, the band’s fanbase grows, and tracks like ‘Exonerate’ solidify their trajectory toward becoming Perth’s premier pioneers of alternative hard rock.

Exonerate will be available to stream on all major platforms from January 25th. Find your preferred way to listen and connect with the artist via this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Roll up to the Big Top with Dirty Feetz’ carnivalesque take on Avant-Garde alt-rock absurdity ‘Tampone’

Posted on 23 January 2025

Hit play on Dirty Feetz’ seminal single, Tampone, and prepare for a tsunami of electrifying absurdity to knock you sideways. The track, pulled from their debut LP Flip Flops, is a sonic rebellion that obliterates conventions.

Dirty Feetz riff to their own rulebook-free rhythm, borrowing from Funk, Dub, Psychedelic Rock, and beyond to claim the title of this generation’s answer to Frank Zappa. The band rejects ego in favour of raw, liberated creativity, allowing the alchemy of their sound to transcend mere genre fusion. It’s impossible not to draw parallels to the zany carnivalesque energy of Mr Bungle, with the flamboyant flair running rampant through every corner of Tampone.

Dirty Feetz’s ethos is simple: they’re here to tickle synapses and get feet moving. Their tracks don’t just tell surreal stories; they take listeners on unexpected detours through a jungle of musical influences, embracing the strange and the silly along the way. Known for their energetic live shows complete with costumes and madcap antics, they invite you to leave the mundane behind and revel in their whirling dervish of sound.

Tampone is now available to stream on all major platforms, including Spotify, with the rest of the debut LP from Dirty Feetz.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Hypersonic Waves and Jazz Grooves Convene in 8udDha bl0od’s ‘1001’

Posted on 20 January 2025

With 1001, the peerless UK visionary 8udDha bl0od delivered an intergalactic masterstroke that pulls listeners into a 15-minute sonic vortex. This extended installation of experimental electronica demands attention with hypersonic waves of synths sculpting a pulsating, mind-melting backdrop. Amid the chaos, the echo-laden vocals, laced with a haunting familiarity reminiscent of Manson, act as the tether that keeps the sprawling soundscape grounded.

As the track unfurls, the frenetic energy begins to shift gears. Low-slung basslines slide into focus, bringing a melodic sensibility that pulses with a jazzy swagger. Percussive grooves weave rhythm into the arrangement, creating moments of respite before the sax flourishes transport the track deeper into jazz-fusion territory. Yet, no matter where the instrumentals wander, the scintillating sequences of synths stay on a loop, taking strategic pauses to allow the rhythm and melody to breathe, creating a dynamic interplay that keeps the release teetering on the edge of chaos and cohesion.

8udDha bl0od proves with 1001 that experimental doesn’t have to mean alienating. The track is as much a technical feat as it is a visceral experience, carefully constructed to push boundaries without losing its hold on the listener.

1001 is now available to stream on all major streaming platforms, including SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Lauren Ash – Whiplash: A Relentless Assault of Punk Rock Ferocity

Posted on 15 January 2025

Lauren Ash’s transition from award-winning actress to punk rock powerhouse proves she’s more than adept at commanding the spotlight in any arena. With her latest single, Whiplash, Ash and her band crank the scuzz to its absolute peak, delivering a relentless assault of punk rock ferocity. The track combines riotous pop-punk hooks with the unrelenting pulse of pure rock energy, creating an anthemic, adrenaline-spiked experience.

Known for her sharp comedic timing in roles such as Dina Fox in Superstore and Scorpia in She-Ra and the Princesses of Power, Ash channels a new kind of intensity in Whiplash, shredding through punk conventions with unapologetic grit. Her raw vocal delivery pairs perfectly with a blistering arrangement of riffs and percussion that lands like a gut punch and resonates long after the track ends.

Since stepping into the music scene in 2023, Ash has made a monumental impact. Her debut single, Now I Know, hit #1 on the Canadian iTunes Rock Chart and climbed to #5 on the Billboard Alternative Digital Song Sales chart. Following a string of high-profile performances, including sets at Los Angeles’ iconic Whisky a Go Go and the Viper Room, Ash is gearing up to release her debut album in 2025.

Whiplash was officially released on January 13th; stream the single on Spotify now and discover more ways to connect with Lauren Ash via her website.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

INTERCONTINEN7AL made history with the post-rock panache in their globally recorded single, Night Shift

Posted on 9 January 2025

Night Shift, the standout single from INTERCONTINEN7AL’s history-making EP World Over, isn’t just an ambitious cross-continental collaboration; it’s an emotive tour de force, commanding you to succumb to the progressive rock sublimity.

The single opens with a cinematic neo-classical prelude, complete with intricate finger-picked guitars and orchestral swells, setting a reflective and ornate tone. As the track evolves, the mood shifts seamlessly into psych-pop territory, with Beatles-reminiscent guitar riffs that carry listeners deeper into its emotional core.

When the soft melodic rock vocals enter, backed by soulfully ethereal harmonies, another seamless metamorphosis is complete, one which will allow fans of Chris Cornell and Eddie Vedder to recognise the heartstring-pulling resonance as it resounds over the essence of 70s folk rock.

INTERCONTINEN7AL, based in Castle Rock, Colorado, emerged from the COVID-19 lockdowns, redefining global collaboration with their innovative use of virtual tools like BandLab. World Over is their fourth album, showcasing an eclectic range of styles, from progressive rock to bossa nova. By recording instrumentation in locales as remote as Antarctica, they created a genre-spanning collection that’s as inspiring as it is groundbreaking.

With Night Shift, the band transcends novelty and crafted a testament to the universality of emotion, delivering a track that lifts listeners far above the confines of geography or genre.

Stream the World Over EP on all major streaming platforms, including SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Hover pierced the post-grunge veil with the visceralism nestled within ‘In My Head’

Posted on 28 December 2024
In My Head by Hover

The Cali fourpiece powerhouse, Hover, unchained the gates to the post-grunge pantheon with their seminal single, In My Head. The grungy indie anthem opens introspective floodgates over crunchy overdriven guitar chords; when the reprise of ‘in my head’ pours over the instrumentals, you can’t help but be reminded of the visceralism of Zombie by The Cranberries, yet Hover makes the mantric confession their own through the raw emotive power of the vocal delivery.

With hints of everything from grunge to indie rock to college radio rock to pop punk, and every element riling up the last, In My Head unravels as an anthem of catharsis for anyone who knows how much hostility can be bred within the confines of the mind. In My Head proves that Hover doesn’t just have the technical chops to ensure their recorded material carries immense emotional weight, they also have the ability to take weight from the listener as the burden of rumination is lifted.

The Coachella Valley hailing outfit is easily distinguished from the rest with their attitude-spiked melodic rock. Rather than merely layering fuzz-laden riffs, Hover let raw reflection spill from every sonic seam, adding a welcome blast of authenticity to alt-rock’s current landscape.

In My Head is now available to stream and purchase via Bandcamp.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Master Splinter is ‘Unbound’ in the chaotic liberation of their latest alt-rock crusade

Posted on 25 December 2024

The shackles fall away in Master Splinter’s latest single, Unbound, a track that affirms their status as Portland’s ultimate emissaries of mind, body, and soul-melting sludgy stoner-rock chaos.

As a departure from their previous releases, Unbound is a lyrically abstract release which lets their signature blend of monolithic guitar riffs, dynamic basslines, and intricate percussion carry the spellbinding conversation while the lyrics breathe into the tempestuous mix as thematic abstractions.

It’s as unpredictable as it is entrancing—a visceral concoction that melds East-inspired mysticism with the raw intensity of Midwest grunge. Opening with opium-scented, hypnotic tones, Unbound evolves into an intricate vortex of progressive rock textures, ascending around grungy, Eddie Vedder-esque croons that carry enough smoky potency to leave you reeling.

The climactic moments are tightly controlled chaos, like a ship steered by an expert hand through a riot, reinforcing Master Splinter’s fearless approach to orchestrating dramatic vignettes.

Master Splinter’s unorthodox approach to hard rock strips away monocultural boundaries, crafting a sound that is equal parts primal and sophisticated. As the track crescendos, the constrictive tethers of typical genre constraints are shattered, leaving listeners adrift in an aural maelstrom, allowing Master Splinter to round out the year of faultless releases on a monumental note.

Unbound was unleashed on all major streaming platforms, including Spotify, on December 13.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Asterhouse’s ‘Sick Millenia’ is a Meteor of Raw Indie Electro Rock Thunder

Posted on 25 December 2024

‘Sick Millenia’ is a fistful of rock reinvention from Seattle’s power-rock force, Asterhouse. Their knack for choppy, angular staccato riffs is matched only by the irresistible spark of the crystalline vocals, which slip across the frenetic pulses with a potent sense of urgency. While the Arcade Fire-esque synths keep the track firmly in the contemporary sphere, there’s an undeniable nod to the glory days of Emerald City punk that charges the song with adrenalized intensity.

Asterhouse recently showcased their talents through a residency at Climate Pledge Arena and a seminal KEXP in-studio session, building on their tradition of unleashing ethereal rhythmic power at iconic venues such as The Neptune Theatre, The Showbox, Neumos, The Crocodile, and Chop Suey.

This new single proves that the band aren’t simply documenting the malaise of modern life; they’re offering an efficacious salve through a hefty dose of full-throttle instrumentation and a whirlwind of hooks that tear beyond the rhythmic pulses and straight into the soul.

Sick Millenia is now available to stream on all major platforms, including Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Boston Flowers broke into the pantheon of indie supremacy with the hauntingly hook-rife hit, ‘Afterlife’

Posted on 22 December 2024

Softcore/alternative rock outfit Boston Flowers has returned with their latest single, Afterlife, balancing crunchy chords and heady concepts in a release that crackles with the same raw emotive intensity as Death Cab for Cutie’s haunting release, I Will Follow You Into the Dark.

Riding a pulsative anthemic backbeat, the tighter-than-a-straitjacket instrumentals act as an intravenous shot of adrenaline while the vocal performance invites deep reflection on life’s frailty. Each listen peels back another dimension of inventive detail, confirming that despite the stiff competition in Brooklyn’s indie scene, Boston Flowers has the potential to hold dominion over it.

Their new single builds on the introspective ground they broke with Soul Creature, Fever Dream, and Cancer Man, all of which probe life, death, and possible realms beyond. As vocalist/guitarist Sam Trestman explains, his decade in healthcare and a near-death experience fuels the Afterlife EP’s emphasis on life’s polarity and its revolving cycles of transformation.

Since making their mark with 2023’s Mondegreen, the band have stayed firmly devoted to melodic alt-rock and a softcore edge. They may namecheck The Strokes, Arctic Monkeys, and Tame Impala as their influences, yet everything you hear in the Boston Flowers is of the powerhouse’s own cerebrally affecting design.

Stream the official music video for Afterlife on YouTube now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast