Browsing Tag

Symphonic Rock

Trish Discord & Devon Aviles electronically augmented alt-rock with the broodingly vindicating single, Ever So Holy

Trish Discord and Devon Aviles are both forces to be reckoned with respectively; combined, they’ve sent electrifying shockwaves through the alt-rock domain with their dark and broodingly vindicating track, Ever So Holy. The intro is a masterclass in mood setting; the massive waves of synth bass, coupled with a haunting melodic lead, create an industrially tinged atmosphere that is as dark as it is scintillating.

As the track progresses through its rhythmic cascade of unpredictable volition, it morphs seamlessly, throwing hooks left, right, and centre to pull you into the track’s magnetic core with the same force as the most infectious artists in the pop-punk domain.

The production style is a high-wire balancing act; a complete yin-yang of raw elements and polished cultivation. The huge guitars and compressed drums bring a traditional rock feel, while the electronic components narrate a new chapter in the alt-rock genre.

Vocally, Trish Discord channels the spirit of Evanescence, Nightwish, and Within Temptation, while simultaneously carving out a unique niche and guiding the listener through the tumultuous sonic landscape. In short, it’s a symphonic riot that ignited a revolution in the electronica landscape.

Ever So Holy was officially released on February 29th; stream the single on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Hotel Security reached the pinnacle of euphonic furore in their symphonic pseudo prog rock hit, Forget It

If Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster did an 8-ball of speed before falling into the studio, their sound still wouldn’t match the fervour in the latest single, Forget It, from New York City’s most volatile prodigal sons, Hotel Security, who have been trailblazing through the NYC alternative scene since 2020.

With the symphonic keys adding a histrionic edge to the tumultuously tight instrumentals that revolve around the dizzying guitar riffs that rip roar with Psychobilly-esque furore, Forget It would be an all-out attack on the senses if it weren’t for the melodic hooks infused through the catchy vocal melodies that give you a centre of gravity in the chaos of the pseudo-prog rock orchestration. Ironically, Forget It is as brutal as an MK-Ultra operation.

Forget It was officially released on September 15th; strap yourselves in and experience it for yourselves via Spotify. For more info on the self-professed band of music nerds, visit their official website.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Escape down the rabbit hole with In Search Of’s symphonic rock opera single, Tea Party

If you thought that Tim Burton’s take on Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland was surreal, brace yourself before going down the rabbit hole with the chiptune/symphonic rock opera of an LP, Alice and the Wonderland, by the aural eccentrics, In Search Of.

With symphonic scores that stampede in the same vein as FalKKonE, hyper pop hooks and a little bit of honkytonk flair for good measure, the standout single, Tea Party, is pure exhilarant insanity.

The Tale of In Search Of becomes all the more endearing upon learning the LA-hailing duo is a father and daughter duo, comprising Michael Raitzin and his daughter, Michelle Ray, who has accumulated over 3.5 million streams on Spotify with her velveteen vocal lines and ability to spin a story so viscerally that In Search Of reach the pinnacle of escapism music.

In our dystopic new reality where madness is a sure sign of sanity, there has never been a better time to jump on the hype of the peddlers of obscurity, In Search Of.

Stream the debut LP from In Search Of on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Baroque Monody sludged up post-punk in their latest feat of gothic innovation, Pomegranate Wine

Pomegranate Wine by Baroque Monody

Two years may have passed, but there was no forgetting the Youngstown, Ohio duo Baroque Monody after we had the privilege of savouring their enticingly atmospheric alt-rock single, Plan 2021.

In 2023, their arcane elementalism is as sharp as ever in their latest single, Pomegranate Wine, which reinvented the nu-metal wheel through the scintillating rapped verses that follow an arrangement of pioneering symphonic sludged-up metal that contrasts Jennifer Rose’s beguiling vocal lines and the cold tones which implant post-punk nuances into the decadent sonic tapestry.

The absolute synergy which transgresses through the latest slice of sludged-up sanctuary established Rick Polo and Jennifer Rose as the ultimate dualistic powerhouse and superlative conduits of resonance for their audience who know the grip of desolation all too well.

Stream and purchase Pomegranate Wine via Bandcamp, and keep Baroque Monody on your radar for the release of their forthcoming EP.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Anni is a symphonic rock siren in her single, The Vortex is Closing

Taking me right back to when Apocalyptia deservedly reigned the alternative scene, the symphonic rock artist, Anni, left me nostalgically arrested by her single, The Vortex is Closing, which closed curtains on sanity with elevated ethereal grace.

By choosing the same sonic palette as a wind-up music box as a prelude before bringing in the artfully gothic atmosphere, which wouldn’t be out of place in a Cradle of Filth intro, the humanism creeps in through Anni’s seamlessly cutting vocal lines that compel you to lean into compassion for a protagonist who is fighting a losing battle with inertia and mania.

With enough raw power in her vocal lines they could be used as a natural energy source around the airy interludes, Anni is gorgeously vulnerable and unfuckwithable in the same harmonically pitched breath. We officially can’t wait to hear her debut album, The Revealing, which promises to pull prog rock in around her symphonic rock beguile.

The Vortex is Closing is now available to stream on SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Lethia’s Natorium has made her baroque goth rock debut with ‘Lullaby’

‘Lullaby’ is the debut single from the singer-songwriter Lethia’s Natorium (Pena Hughes-John), who has adopted many guises in her career as a steampunk-inclined artist. Under her new moniker, she’s embracing her inner goth edge, and notably, she’s in perfect tune with the dramatic flair of it.

She’s thrown away her faithful ukulele for arresting symphonic orchestral scores, leaden with cutting classical strings and tempestuously off-kilter production. Now that Emilie Autumn isn’t as prolific as she used to be, Lethia’s Natorium has exactly what it takes to fill those baroque boots.

Lullaby was just a teaser of what is to come in Lethia’s Natorium’s debut album, which is currently in production. It is now available to stream via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Sean Grinsell rocks psych and blues into his intense symphonic single, Rogue.

Sean Grinsell

Up and coming artist Sean Grinsell rocked psych and blues into his upcoming experimental single, Rogue. The doomy, scuzzy track carries the intense symphonic feel of FalKKonE along with licks of frenetic rock n roll that make the Black Keys sound as tame as Maroon 5.

The dramatic and edgy instrumental score is absorbing from start to finish; midway through the extended single, there’s a switch to chiptune style electronica before Grinsell shows his 50s rock n roll stripes once more. Any true fan of artful aural experimentalism will want to experience Rogue for themselves.

Rogue is the first song of five to be released from the EP, R is for Redemption, due for release on all major platforms from August 20th, 2021.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Billy Moffat has released his symphonic masterpiece, Through the Eyes of God, featuring Davie Brockett.

Scottish-born composer Billy Moffat brought plenty of his experience touring the globe with the show, One Night of Queen, to his latest release, Through the Eyes of God, featuring Davie Brockett on guitar.

Starting with dramatic neo-classic keys, there are no hints in the production to warn that the stunning crescendos will soon give way to over-driven scuzzed-up guitar solos that easily match the furore in an Apocalyptica track. Davie Brockett’s searing solos blazon the professional instrumental score with even more virtuosic stripes.

Though the Eyes of God is, quite literally, a jaw-droppingly symphonic masterpiece that will easily leave you ensnared by the sheer nuance and Moffat’s ability to compose a score that will put your rhythmic pulses under instant command.

The orchestral release is now available to stream via SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia

Get Acquainted with Tricia Fitz’s theatrically elemental alt-rock earworm ‘Welcome to the System’

https://open.spotify.com/track/3rUpgky6BenDqlzxVrC9Ax&si=239ee2b03dae4f0c

With a Nekrogoblikon-style symphonic playfulness to the dark alt-rock track through which Tricia Fitz’s dynamic vocals resound, Welcome to the System proves that elemental alt-rock singles can also be perennial earworms.

No matter how eclectic your playlists are, you’ll never have come across an alt-rock artist as veracious, theatrical and imaginative as Tricia Fitz. Now that Marilyn Manson is (rightfully) cancelled, it’s time we embrace visionary artists, such as the zeitgeist-breaking artist Tricia Fitz, who put ominous tones on the airwaves, but the true essence of their sound lies in the empowerment within.

The Brazilian-Canadian artist is set to make other dark alt-rock acts such as Jack off Jill, My Ruin, Angelspit and Lunachicks proud with her emboldening unique approach.

Welcome to the System is now available to stream via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast