Browsing Tag

UK Rock

The Whiskey Knights called ‘Time’ in Their Rhythmically Rendered Rock Hit

Posted on 19 July 2024
The Whiskey Knights

The Whiskey Knights struck all the right nerves with their latest single, Time. The Surrey-hailing hard rock revenant outfit deconstructed the concept of time with their latest tour de force by exploring its relentless grip on our mortal coil, its power to strip away memories, and its refusal to guarantee change or healing.

From the solid rhythm section and baying guitars to the electrifying vocal performance, Time showcases The Whiskey Knights as a formidable triple threat. The track’s grungy undertones amplify the intensity of the universally relatable emotions, creating an immersive experience that is as visceral as it is compelling. There’s no room for nostalgia here; The Whiskey Knights are reviving the reasons we fell in love with rock – its ability to translate the rawest facets of the human experience into pulsating furore.

Having formed in 2013 and hailing from Camberley, Surrey, The Whiskey Knights have built a diverse discography, including two studio albums, one EP, a live album, and a demo. Their sound, a mixture of hard rock, punk rock, indie rock, and pop rock, continues to evolve, with Time testifying to their chameleonic songwriting chops.

If Time hits this hard on the airwaves, brace yourself for the colossal impact when you see The Whiskey Knights perform the single that solidifies their place in the hard rock pantheon.

Time will officially drop on July 19; stream the single on Spotify and Bandcamp.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Don’t Light Rock’s Funeral Pyre Yet, Everafter Instigated the Ultimate Resurrection in ‘Born to Rock’

Posted on 17 July 2024

Everafter, stalwarts on the UK rock scene since their formation in East London in 2010, have consistently evolved and sharpened their sonic arsenal. The band, initiated by the Daperis brothers, Alexis and Stefan, alongside Tim Wiltshire, rose from the remnants of a previous endeavour to forge a premier hell-bent-for-distortion outfit which has blazed across many of London’s iconic stages.

Their Born to Rock EP, recorded at Soundlab Studios with Matt Williams, is the ultimate attestation to their dedication to standing at the vanguard of the hard rock revolution. The title single is a monumental anthem that celebrates the intensity of rock through explosive energy, intricate guitar riffs, and relentless rhythms that demonstrate the technical talent and passion of Everafter. Unlike Tenacious D, there are no tributes here, anyone born to rock can gaze into a sonic mirror when they hit play.

With razor-sharp melodic hooks implanted in the high-octane currents of the single, the only way this track wouldn’t go down well live is if the entire crowd was lobotomised.

Stream the official lyric video for Born to Rock on YouTube now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Surrey’s Tribal Jury seared sophistication into hard rock with ‘Beat You Down’

Posted on 12 July 2024

In their relentless mission to swathe the hard rock scene in sophistication, the UK’s suavest band of prodigal sons, Tribal Jury, has unleashed their latest installation of swaggering rhythmic seduction, Beat You Down.

As the self-professed Gentlemen of Rock, the Surrey-hailing fourpiece finds a diaphanous balance between the down ‘n’ dirty rock ‘n’ roll debauchery delivered in the instrumentals and the clean-cut urbaneness within the vocals that aren’t too gentrified to wrap themselves around razor-sharp hooks and to bring you right into the core of their fiercely slick sound which resounds with augmented exhilaration.

With hints of Vedder pulling through in the harmonies and Slash’s soundprint searing through the guitar solos, no self-respecting rock fan will tune into Beat You Down and fail to recognise how Tribal Jury brought down the hammer to carve a fresh niche in the rock pantheon.

Beat You Down is the ultimate invitation to unleash your anger into a rendered-with-resolve hit that suffers no tyrannical fools. Hit play and find infinite vindication in the anthem.

Beat You Down was officially released on June 29th; stream the single on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

James Sebastian electrified rock n roll reverence in ‘Looking for a Sign’

Posted on 10 May 2024
James Sebastian

James Sebastian’s latest single, Looking for a Sign, erupts with the fervour of rock’s golden age, packing an electrifying punch that makes it clear he’s owning the proverbial stage. As a prodigal son of rock ‘n’ roll, Sebastian channels the spirit of iconic acts from The New York Dolls to The Strokes to The Beach Boys, yet his sound remains unapologetically rebellious and tantalisingly original.

Looking for a Sign insists you get swept up in its compelling hooks and Sebastian’s natural frontman charisma, reminiscent of a cult leader’s magnetism. This track roars through speakers with an energy so raw and a production so slick, that it’s akin to witnessing the exhilarating James Sebastian live experience.

Rather than attempting to reinvent the rock ‘n’ roll wheel, Sebastian tunes into a deep reverence for the genre, projecting it through a release that radiates defiance to its core. The track exemplifies liberation, embracing the craziest facets of one’s character and running wild with them. It’s a celebration of individuality, crafted with a keen awareness of rock’s historical context but driven by a modern, fierce pulse.

Looking for a Sign captures the essence of Sebastian’s growth as an artist—confident and poised to deliver high-energy performances that resonate across generations. His journey from vibrant live shows across the UK, including iconic venues like The Cavern and The Macbeth, to a burgeoning streaming presence, underscores a trajectory filled with promise and rock ‘n’ roll heart.

Looking for a Sign will be available to stream on all major platforms from May 10th via this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Cambridge’s LAY / BYE ignited the modern rock scene with their expansive earwom, ACTIVE!

Posted on 6 May 2024

If any up-and-coming band can kick Royal Blood off their throne, it’s the Cambridge-hailing three-piece LAY / BYE with the polished hooks, fiery intensity, and unflinching resonance in their debut single, ACTIVE!

The debut holds no prisoners when holding the worst archetypes of the human experience to account; the flaying lyrics pick up more volition through the catchy delivery that forces you right into the electrifying nucleus of the single that stands as a testament to the trio’s ability to vindicate the masses.

After a Velvet Revolver-esque intro, the buzzsaw riffs and snarling basslines rip through the dynamic modern hard rock atmosphere honed by Robin Schmidt, known for his work with Nothing But Thieves, the 1975 and Sam Fender. The juxtaposition between the scathing energy within the rhythm section and the pop-pinched vocal hooks creates a dynamic strong enough to carry a rock revolution on its back.

The explosively expressive release is a sure sign of big things to come for LAY / BYE; their ability to fuse integrity with infectious earworm appeal is superlative.

Jump on the ACTIVE! hype by streaming the single on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Backwoods Creek delivered the ultimate Southern soul-rock anthem ‘Alright’

Posted on 15 March 2024

Sensing cynicism in the universal waters, Backwoods Creek prescribed a potent dose of optimism with their latest single, ‘Alright’. The refreshing take on bluesy soul-swathed Southern rock played fast and loose with the genre constraints while keeping the instrumental arrangement tight enough to unravel as every rock-inclined muso’s wet dream.

Part lyrical mantra, part musical Tour De Force, the UK-based quintet exhibited ‘Alright’ as a masterclass in balancing raw, overdriven guitars and whiskey-soaked vocals with an undercurrent of hope and redemption. It’s a track that carries the dynamic energy of power pop while remaining true to its bluesy rock and roll roots.

The virtuosic cohesion of the instrumentals showcases their skill and chemistry, honed through years of friendship and collaboration, and you don’t have to buy tickets to their live shows (even though you really should) to witness their infectious energy performance energy; the band’s electrifying aura is perfectly captured in this track.

No one can deny that while life is on a downward trajectory hearing everything will be alright prises ennui out of your perception. This life-affirming hit goes beyond reassurance –  it’s transformative.

Alright will hit the airwaves on March 15; check out the release via the official Backwoods Creek website.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

The country rock rapture arrived through The Whiskey State’s latest single, Where I Need to Be

Posted on 14 March 2024

In the valleys of Hampshire, The Whiskey State, comprising Tom Stride and Jordan Tate, has distilled a sound that resonates with the soul of country and the riotous heart of rock. Their latest single, “Where I Need to Be,” is a testament to their journey from college companions to creators of exhilaratingly sticky-sweet euphoria.

Imagine extracting the quintessence of The Manic Street Preachers, Bruce Springsteen, and Sam Fender, then blending it into a musical elixir. The result? A flavour profile as affecting as “Where I Need to Be,” a song that pays homage to the sanctity of country surrounds. It’s a track that stirs the soul so profoundly, that you might find yourself questioning if any roots-reverent rock track has ever touched it quite like this before.

The song encapsulates tender homecoming yearning through the guitar chords that wrap you in nirvana and endlessly ensnaring vocal hooks which make it impossible not to want to make The Whiskey State your sonic poison of choice. The songwriting prowess of the duo is as evident as their ability to catapult listeners into the soulful aura of their music.

Few things feel better than returning to whatever constitutes home, but this track comes a close second. With their debut EP “Welcome to…”, The Whiskey State not only showcases their distinctive blend of country and rock influences but also cements their place as one of the most captivating country-influenced rock duos in the Uk and beyond..

Stream the official music video for Where I Need to Be via YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

SumicSo – It’s Over: A Gothic Rock Ode to Resilience and Power

Posted on 2 March 2024

SumicSo’s latest single, ‘It’s Over’, is a compelling blend of gothic glamour and rock nostalgia, echoing the likes of Siouxsie Sioux, Blondie, Fleetwood Mac, and the Manic Street Preachers. The UK-based musician and songwriter channelled a clarion call for strength and resilience, which will resonate deeply with those who’ve faced the bitter ends of deception and departure.

The track is a masterful fusion of 80s rock aesthetics with 70s rock timbres; the vocals, rich in emotion and power, light a beacon of hope and solidarity, reaching out to listeners who find solace in her message of fighting through pain.

While the production of ‘It’s Over’ might benefit from further refinement, the raw energy and potential of SumicSo as a trailblazing artist are unmistakable. Her lyrical prowess, combined with the strident and rhythmic melodies, ensures that this track is an anthem for those battling their inner demons.

Watch the official music video for It’s Over by heading over to YouTube.

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

Morgana harrowed the psyche with their synthesis of emo, punk and grunge in ‘Two Broken People’

Posted on 2 February 2024

Sometimes two broken pieces come together to form a cohesive whole, but more often than not, the sharp idiosyncratic shards find a jarring way of exposing raw wounds. Far from your archetypal vignette of heartbreak, Morgana’s single, ‘Two Broken People (Make Hell Feel Like Home)’, approaches the narrative from a position of mutual position of imperfection. If you’re tired of black-and-white expositions of good and evil and want to find the fucked up fabric of the human psyche in sound, Morgana is a breath of non-dichotomous air.

With the visceral harmonies striking against the momentum in the rock chords as they dig deeper into the narrative and the drums deepening the tumultuous edge to the organically authentic single, Two Broken People is as affecting as the alt-90s hits from the likes of The Cranberries and Skunk Anansie. Through the grungy synthesis of punk and emo, the Kent-based trio, the single retains a signature that could only be scribed by the volition of Morgana.

Vocalist and guitarist Amy Morgan is a natural frontwoman. The mix of her expressive confidence and candid vulnerability ensures their singles don’t just resonate; they harrow the psyche. Dill Taskar (bass) and Tim Whittingham (drums) notably seem to feed off the fervour in her delivery to orchestrate a tight yet brashy riff-driven coalescence of chaos and cultivation.

Two Broken People will be available to stream from February 2nd; stream it on SoundCloud first.

Review by Amelia Vandergast