Browsing Tag

Classic Rock

Jordyn Rayne captured the zeitgeist of digital culture with ‘1-800-Cyber-Bully’

Posted on 27 June 2024

In her latest seminal single, 1-800-Cyber-Bully, the indomitable breakthrough icon, Jordyn Rayne, lyrically modernised rock n roll while staying reverent to the roots of the genre.

With a powered-by-dynamism voice to rival Donita Sparks of L7 and Joan Jett, Jordyn Rayne proved her mettle as a rock vocalist in the hit that pours with conviction as it berates antagonists who spinelessly sink their teeth into their victims behind the security of screens.

The emotional underpinnings of 1-800-Cyber-Bully serve as a tragic sign of the times, yet, rock has always served to speak for the disenfranchised and Rayne affectingly carried the genre’s rebellious legacy on the overdriven crunched chords in this high-octane hit that ticks all the right rock boxes and distinguishes Rayne as an artist unafraid to lend her ferocity to fighting injustice.

Whichever vanguard she stands at next, one thing is for sure, the Alberta-hailing visionary is worth keeping at the front and centre of your memory if you seek sanctuary in hair-raising rock anthems.

1-800-Cyber-Bully was officially released on June 7th; stream the single on all major platforms and follow Jordyn Rayne via this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Prisoner harnessed thunder in their hard rock hit, Skies Are Blackened

Posted on 19 June 2024
Prisoner

Prisoner brought the hard-rock hammer down once again with their latest single, Skies Are Blackened. Prepare for the colossal impact of their hell-hath-no-mercy riffs, tumultuously tight breakdowns, and lightning bolts of dynamic vocal energy that pull you right into the centre of the frenetic furore Prisoner is quickly becoming infamous for.

There are high-energy rock bands, and there are powerhouses who go sonically supernova. With Skies Are Blackened, the Canadian three-piece firmly planted themselves in the latter camp, which any fans of Metallica, Black Sabbath, AC/DC, and Iron Maiden will want to join them in.

Vocalist Murray Emery’s ability to keep the power surging through his mirthfully electrifying vocal lines in the higher register and the instrumentals being tighter than Mick Jagger’s jeans is enough to seal the trio a place in the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame. They’re not an outfit to underestimate. Watch this space as they tear it up with hedonically high-voltage hits.

Skies Are Blackened will be available to stream on all major platforms, including Apple Music, from June 19.

Discover more about the Prisoner via their official website.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Stitcher Unchained a Relentless Sonic Onslaught with ‘Distant Mirage’

Posted on 19 June 2024

Stitcher opened a mystical portal to the unfiltered soul of rock n roll with their sophomore single, Distant Mirage, which rhythmically taps into Eastern esoterism to add an arcane Arabian aura to the speaker-ravaging hit lures you in with a dusky overture before the hellbent-for-distortion guitars bolster the track beneath Annabelle Piper’s siren-esque soaring-with-soul vox.

Her ferociously infallible vocal lines that burn red-hot throughout the release are enough to lead you to believe that the spirit of Medusa resides in her vocal cords. The monolithic middle eight allows you to tear away from her spell, but you won’t meet any mercy here, the alchemic brutality of the guitar solo hits hard enough to leave bruises. If you thought you knew the meaning of frenetic before listening to Distant Mirage, you’ll think again once your senses begin to function after the exhilarating rampage.

Distant Mirage first played on June 6th; stream the single on Spotify and follow Stitcher’s debauched rock n roll journey on Instagram.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

DOUBLEWIDE amplified hard rock’s electrifying resurgence with ‘OUT OF LUCK’

Posted on 6 June 2024

DOUBLEWIDE’s standout single, OUT OF LUCK, is a shot of adrenaline straight into the heart of hard rock; the four-piece is intravenously injecting a potent dose of originality into the genre’s veins, and the results are nothing short of electrifying.

The serpentine rhythms wind with maximum volition in the instrumental arrangement that is tighter than the government’s welfare budget and slicker than Velvet Revolver’s sonics. The chameleonic vocals prowl between biting with the raw, guttural power of Pantera and the infectious inflections of Alice in Chains before leading you straight down to Skid Row.

Formed in 2017, DOUBLEWIDE was born from the collision of two musicians’ shared vision to revive the music they grew up loving. Since then, they’ve been relentlessly championing their brand of original hard rock across the West Coast and beyond. OUT OF LUCK is the culmination of their journey. From the get-go, it grabs you by the collar with its aggressive riffs and pulsating beats. If you want a full-throttle ride through the best of hard rock’s past, present, and future, tune into the gritty rebellion.

Stream the official music video for OUT OF LUCK on YouTube now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

JD Kucharik rekindled the soul of blues rock with ‘Leavin After Midnight’

Posted on 30 April 2024

JD Kucharik deserves to be placed on the same pedestal as Santana after releasing his INCEPTION EP, featuring the standout single, Leavin After Midnight, which delivers a sound rich in vintage blues rock reverence.

Hit play and encounter a deft evocation of classic blues rock soul that JD Kucharik has meticulously honed over decades. The release is the epitome of aural alchemy; the otherworldly presence comes as a result of the arcane electricity of its instrumental arrangement with Kucharik’s commandingly charismatic vocal presence. The narrative woven through the tune—a story of a fugitive seeking transient solace—adds a compelling lyrical depth to the rich instrumental backdrop.

With a career spanning over 50 years, Kucharik’s roots in blues and rock are evident as he plays the B3 Hammond, piano, guitar, or drums. His approach to music remains steadfastly organic, eschewing auto-tune and computer-driven edits for real-time, hard-earned sound craftsmanship. His dedication to traditional recording methods ensures that each release, whether from his extensive archives or fresh from the studio, resonates with authenticity and passion.

Leavin After Midnight was released as part of JD Kucharik’s EP, INCEPTION, on April 20; stream the release on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Kentucky penned a patriotic rock-licked love letter with ‘America, The Beautiful’

Posted on 21 April 2024

Kentucky’s latest single, America, The Beautiful, is a soul-imbued tribute to the multifaceted allure of the United States, delivered with a rock ‘n’ roll heart that pulses with a distinct Americana twang.

The love letter captures the sweeping landscapes and rich cultural tapestry of the USA, offering listeners a sonic road trip across its vast expanse with pop culture pitstops along the way. With an approach that will resonate with fans of Bruce Springsteen and Guns n Roses alike, Kentucky weaves a narrative rich with patriotic pride, crafting a soundtrack that is both a celebration and a reflection.

The production melds classic rock influences with a nuanced Americana style, making it an essential addition for those who adorn their playlists with heartland rock. Despite the stripped and simplistic instrumental arrangement, there is no lack of depth. Each acoustic guitar-led progression strikes a resonant chord, echoing with rich, cathartic timbres under Kentucky’s gravelly vocal delivery that resonates with an aura of sincerity.

America, The Beautiful invites listeners to feel the pride and beauty of the American spirit. Its release, which stirred enough emotion to briefly face a ban on TikTok, underscores its impactful message and the poignant exploration of American identity that Kentucky so masterfully encapsulates in this acoustic rock anthem.

America, The Beautiful was officially released on April 1st; stream the single on SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Deully – This Long Road: A Resilient Journey Through Rock and Recovery

Posted on 18 April 2024

Deully, the solo project of the independent Canadian rock virtuoso, Darren Sawrenko, has added to his accoladed discography by releasing his eagerly-awaited latest LP, This Long Road, and this time, his stellar songwriting stripes are bolstered by a lyrical intensity which provides a candour-fuelled exposition on his ongoing battle with mental health and recovery.

Each of the singles on the LP is a reflection of his psyche at the time of writing. The title single is entrenched in the agony and the glimpses of hope of acknowledging that the road to recovery necessitates fortitude and endurance. You can hear every ounce of the resilience mustered to stay on the long road, which is reflected as much through the fiery vocal performance as the visceral rock instrumentals.

The guitars don’t play; they battle cry through the monolithic hard rock production, giving everyone else walking the same, often lonely, road a sense of kinship and determination to keep moving towards the destination of redemption.

With This Long Road LP, Deully isn’t solely battling his own demons, he’s rebelling against the expectations and rock n roll cliches that lead so many down a toxically glamourised self-destructive path. In our book, he couldn’t be more of a rock icon.

This Long Road was officially released on April 12th; stream the single on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Mario Vayne – Electric: A High-Voltage Homage to 80s Rock

Posted on 26 March 2024

It may have been almost a year since we got hooked on Mario Vayne’s earworm, Baby, but there was no forgetting the rock virtuoso’s infectiously euphoric energy and charisma, which is just as visceral in his latest single, Electric.

After a tenderly melodic and choked-with-sunset-strip-atmospherics prelude, Electric riffs its way into a vibrant homage to the 80s, boldly asserting that the future of classic rock is charged with an exhilarating, new energy.

Following the success of his debut single which captivated over 200K Spotify listeners, ‘Electric’ is poised to ignite the airwaves in a similar vein. Vayne’s journey, from a shy child crafting songs at eleven to a dynamic frontman in the UK and Australia, culminates in this release. His hiatus during the grunge era only seems to have honed his craft, leading to this moment of resurgence.

‘Electric’ is a testament to Vayne’s belief in following his rock-licked heart. The track is a fusion of adrenalizing riffs and memorable hooks, all set against the backdrop of 80s iconography. Yet, it’s the sheer zeal and fervour that Vayne pours into his music that truly defines the song. The lyrics, more than just words, are mantras for living, weaving through the music and urging listeners to embrace a vibrant lust for life.

In an era where optimism can feel scarce, ‘Electric’ offers a potent reminder of rock’s unifying power. Mario Vayne’s name might have been synonymous with the rock legends of yesteryear had this track been released in their time. Today, it stands as a signal that the spirit of classic rock not only endures but evolves.

Electric was officially released on March 8th; stream the single on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Little Villains – Café De Stam: The Ultimate Hard Rock Antidote to the Ennui of Our Times

Posted on 8 February 2024
Café De Stam by Little Villains

The transatlantic hard-rock heavy-hitters Little Villains are priming themselves for the unleashing of their fifth studio LP, Café De Stam. Get a taste of the vintage-wrapped rancour to come by adrenalizing yourself with the recently released title single.

By melding classic rock rhythmics with the frenetic mayhem of metal, the title single will go down a storm with Motorhead and Venom fans. Little Villains ensured none of the high-octane energy from their rock n roll to the core performance was lost in the raw production of the infectiously razor-sharp hit, which proves how tight the fourpiece’s sound has become since their debut.

The anthem of defiance brought to life with an infectious sense of devil may care rebellion, goes beyond paying an ode to the pioneers; it is the ultimate aural antidote to the ennui of our modern times.

Stream and purchase the title single, Café De Stam, which was officially released on January 25, on Bandcamp.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

BlueMelt’s ‘Stardust on Your Dress’: A Nostalgic Riff-Laden Reverie

Posted on 27 January 2024

BlueMelt, spearheaded by the adept London-based Vito Tardia, has unleashed a sonic tempest with their latest single, “Stardust on Your Dress.” For anyone who kneels at the altar of rock, the track is a rite of passage. From the first note, you’re plunged into a whirlpool of nostalgia, driven by a lead guitar that dances with a fiery passion through the overdriven amplification.

The release masterfully blends the soul of classic blues with the grit of modern rock, creating a sound that is both raw and refined. The garagey texture of the track adds a layer of authenticity, a nod to the unpolished gems of rock’s golden era. As the guitar solos soar, they paint a vivid picture while the technical precision becomes a testament to Tardia’s skill and dedication to his craft. Each note is meticulously placed, yet there’s an underlying wildness that can’t be tamed.

Stardust on Your Dress is a journey back to the roots of rock, yet it propels the listener forward, hinting at the boundless potential of BlueMelt’s future endeavours. This track is a must-listen, not just for rock aficionados but for anyone seeking a taste of musical fervour that’s both nostalgic and exhilarating.

Stardust on Your Dress will officially release on January 26; stream the single on SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast