Browsing Tag

guitar

Turvey set infernic fervour alight in ‘The Phoenix’

Posted on 27 January 2026

Hard rock rarely lands with the kind of voltage that jolts straight through your ribs, but Turvey channelled that rare force of kinetic energy into The Phoenix, a single built to resurrect even the most battle-worn spirits. It’s any hard rock fan’s equivalent to an adrenaline shot to the heart, propelled by a high-octane blaze of pure riff savantry.

There’s no space for complacency here, only infernic fervour, hotter-than-the-7th-ring-of-hell licks and a fortitude that fights through every flame of the mix. If Eddie had cranked this up in the Upside Down, he may well have lived to shred another day. It’s a hypersonic blast, and one that makes its intentions known before you’ve even braced for impact.

Behind the sonic wildfire is 20-year-old lead guitarist and songwriter Paddy Turvey, whose fixation with rock guitar locked in at 15 after discovering Van Halen. Years of graft, gigging and honing his sound through Liverpool’s club circuit shaped the force you hear in The Phoenix.

With a band finally built around him, Turvey channels a lifetime of idols, from Gary Moore to Dokken, into riff-driven releases that prioritise attitude, assertiveness and unfiltered passion. His new project captures the fusion he’s always chased: melody meeting heaviness, subtlety welded to aggression, and pop-leaning hooks roaring through a wall of amps. The Phoenix opens the gate to a new era for Turvey, and he stormed through without hesitation.

The Phoenix is now available on all major streaming platforms. 

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Farehaven Harnessed Post-Rock Humility to Subjugate Souls in Believe Me Now

Posted on 20 June 2025

Few can turn alternative post-rock guitar tracks into a cinematic reel of catharsis, but Farehaven can count himself among the stringed savants who pour salvation through speakers. In Believe Me Now, David Sizemore doesn’t veil anguish or inflate ego; he strikes a balance between raw expression and refined composure. His vocal presence carries the punch of Grohl’s primal delivery, tempered by the melodic sensibility of Incubus.

The guitars are where the emotional deluge truly hits. Forged in the fire of Sabbath-style weight and shaped by the intricacies of progressive rock, they collapse into moments of stripped-back vulnerability before swelling with compositional intent. Each movement in the track is a pivot towards something more personal, more perceptive. You’re not simply listening, you’re absorbing every shift in momentum through your skin.

Farehaven, founded in 2010 by Sizemore, has never fixated on following alt-rock conventions. He’s already made an impression with airplay on over 40 radio stations, a nomination from Indie Music Digest for Album of the Year, and coverage from publications including Music Connection. His lyrical approach, both urgent and unpretentious, offers no barriers between the message and the listener. There’s weight, but it never becomes burdensome.

Believe Me Now is now available on all major streaming platforms, including YouTube. 
—
Review by Amelia Vandergast

Third Man Syndrome Set ‘Ikarus’ Ablaze with Frenetic Post-Rock Progressions

Posted on 23 May 2025

If you’re in danger of flying too close to the sun, slip into the latest progressive post-rock release, Ikarus, by Third Man Syndrome. The epic aural chronicle uses the chill of frenetic, angular, post-punk adjacent guitars to bring you back down to earth before building cinematic euphony around the progressions, lending melodicism to the release that is always waiting to flip the switch and launch you into a white hot classic guitar riff, a momentous tide of fervent energy, and whatever the soundscape demands of Third Man Syndrome to bring the saga back to life in the form of an instrumental alt-rock firestorm.

Third Man Syndrome was born from an Austrian artist’s renewed devotion to music after time away to focus on family, pouring years of reflection into the strings. Every motif in Ikarus is sculpted with purpose—balancing tension, ambition, and catharsis. The fretwork orbits myth, burning with the risk and release of flight, pushing and pulling through restless crescendos and abrupt plunges. With every passage, the track demands surrender to the drama of soaring and falling, capturing the mythos of Icarus in full instrumental form.

‘Ikarus’ is now available to stream on all major platforms, including Spotify. 

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Mercy Vibe alchemically occupied the rock scene with her instrumental track, Peaceful Med

Posted on 5 September 2024

Mercy Vibe may be a nascent presence on the rock scene, but her seminal instrumental single, Peaceful Med, established her as an artist worthy of adoration.

The Midwest-originating artist’s background in traversing genres and her adventurous approach to music production pull through with veracity in this track, which subverts conventional guitar-led instrumental pieces by defying expectations with cultivated use of special effects. You could hear a pin drop in the production which creates a palpable tension and anticipation for each successive note.

Mercy Vibe doesn’t just set a mood with her work, she commands it with the guitars which act as a narrative force in the expansive sonic space. Yet, it is the percussion that truly energises the track, delivering bursts of intensity that ensure the listener’s engagement never wanes.

With Peaceful Med, Mercy Vibe made it clear she is here to innovate and inspire. Save a space on your radar for her future releases which are in the pipeline.

Stream Peaceful Med on YouTube now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

London’s fret prodigy BlueMelt twined tribute with originality in ‘Running with the Fool’

Posted on 11 July 2024

BlueMelt’s latest single, Running with the Fool, showcases the criminally underrated guitar savant Vito Tardia at his finest. In the smooth tempo of the hard rock track, hard-hitting percussion and solid rhythm guitars elevate an intense melody that testifies to the permeability of the soul; the solos sink right in and kindle a searing white-hot fire.

Tardia may have unashamedly worn his influences (Eric Johnson, John Petrucci, Marty Friedman) on his strings in Running with the Fool, yet the single stands as a testament to the artist’s ability to blend tribute with originality. His impassioned and flawless style, marked by technical precision is a sonic spit in the face to anyone who declares they don’t make them like they used to. Vito Tardia’s timelessly expressive guitar style stands as the ultimate attestation to the enduring power of guitar music.

Many would think it hyperbolic to say an independent artist can rival the work of legends like Steve Vai and Joe Satriani, yet the simple act of hitting play on Running with the Fool proves otherwise. The pantheon of the guitar gods will undoubtedly be waiting to open its gates to BlueMelt.

Running with the Fool was officially released on June 28th and is now available to stream on all major platforms via this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

J reshaped the landscape of protest music with his jazzy guitar score, Shame on You

Posted on 28 January 2024

Busting the myth that protest songs need to antagonise in the same vein as Rage Against the Machine or Black Flag, the Brighton-based artist, J, exhibited how mellow sonic political activism can be with his latest release, Shame on You.

Paired with an aptly endearing official music video, the ‘oppressed version’ of the single, sans the snippets of dystopian diatribes from Trump and Bush, allows you to embrace the absurdity of our tumultuous political waters while rising above them as the lighter-than-air guitar lines seemingly defy gravity.

J’s guitar work is nothing short of phenomenal – his strings sing with a life of their own in the genre-fluid fusion of jazz, pop, and classical guitar, but notably, the secret ingredient is his unflinching sense of humour and his lack of artistic ego. It’s a rarity for an artist to be so talented and not locked into the singular vision of rock stardom; J always endeavours to create sonic experiences that resonate with his soul; in doing so, he opens up cathartic worlds with his virtuosic tongue-in-jazz-groove flare.

Shame on You will be available to stream from January 26th; stream the official music video on YouTube.

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

Stelios Kyriakidis created a passport to ‘Copenhagen’ in his seminal ambient classical guitar composition.

Posted on 17 January 2024

Stelios Kyriakidis staked his claim as one of the most evocative neo-classical guitar composers of his generation upon the unveiling of his debut album, 508 Days. The opening single, Copenhagen, pays a fitting ode to the titular destination; each note, a breath taken at the profoundly inspiring scenery, a moment stolen within the rich culture, a step taken through the enriching streets.

The serenity within the instrumental soundscape constructed by the London-based Greek guitarist and composer echoes his influence of neoclassical, folk and film music elements. If the soundtrack to the film Her made an ever-lasting impression on you, expect the very same affecting experience from Stelios’ intimately composed score which undoubtedly resounds as well in a live performance as it does on record. The connection he feels to the guitar in hand is comforting throughout, echoing his own familiar and fond acquaintance with the instrument he uses to make highly visual mirages from melodies.

Prior to the release of 508 days, Stelios Kyriakidis performed in prestigious venues globally and has been featured by BBC Radio London, The Music Dances When You Sleep, and the Minor7th. Since releasing Copenhagen, the single entered the iTunes Classical Charts at no.34. We can’t wait to see where he takes his sound next.

Visit Copenhagen via Spotify and explore the rest of Stelios Kyriakidis’ debut LP,

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Explore the world on Iago Banet’s fretboard in his seminal composition, Iago’s Guitar

Posted on 4 December 2023

Iago Banet orchestrated the antithesis of While My Guitar Gently Weeps with the vivacious vibrance in ‘Iago’s Guitar’, taken from his critically acclaimed album, TRES. The musical piece is a journey through Banet’s extraordinary skill, creativity, and mind-bending rhythmic command which remains captivatingly authentic as a constant. Each strum and pluck of the acoustic guitar strings resonates with intention and artistry.

There’s a cheeky, spirited nature to Banet’s acoustic composition skills that subvert all expectations. Rather than solely melody-making, he’s weaving stories which allow you to travel around the world on his fretboard which explores a smorgasbord of cultural styles. Iago’s Guitar is just one of the testaments to Banet’s ability to blend gypsy jazz, blues, Americana, country, Dixieland, swing, pop, and folk into a harmonious and exhilarating experience.

Described by BBC Radio 3’s Sean Rafferty as “a master of the guitar” and as ‘nothing short of phenomenal’ by R’n’R Magazine, Banet’s talent is undeniable. His third album, TRES, has been a sensation, with multiple sell-out shows and sensational receptions across the UK. Iago Banet’s journey, from discovering a classical guitar as a teenager to becoming ‘The Galician King of Acoustic Guitar’, is not just a story of musical proficiency but also of passion and dedication. We can’t wait to see what accolades await him in his destined to be illustrious career.

Stream TRES in full via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Get into the ‘East Coast Groove’ with Martin Packwood’s jazz-rock soundtrack

Posted on 2 October 2023
East Coast Groove by Martin Packwood

After an installation of tropic percussion and equally as exotic reverb, Martin Packwood’s single, East Coast Groove, gives way to a guitar-driven jazz-rock instrumental soundscape, which amalgamates era-spanning guitar styles from across the globe and unravels as an inexplicably unique tapestry that breaks through the monocultural mould, note by note.

The Birmingham, UK-hailing guitarist has long held a passion for instrumental composition, inspired by a diverse array of riff legends, from Santana to Clapton. By picking up his Strat and finding a refreshing way to pay ode to their styles, Packwood orchestrated a hit of pure rhythmic soul.

If you’re looking to get into the world of groove or you have long been acquainted, you will experience East Coast Groove as four minutes of progressively elevated guitar-driven euphoria.

East Coast Groove was officially released on September 22; stream and purchase the single via Bandcamp.

Review by Amelia Vandergast