HELSINKI HORIZON – Sirens

RELEASE YEAR: 2024BAND URL: https://helsinkihorizon.bandcamp.com/ Helsinki Horinzon’s second release ’Sirens’ is a cross-genre conceptual album, and a different kind of heavy: the more quiet, lurking sort that ambushes you when you least expect it. ’Sirens’ develops into a sphere of gravitational force, where units and subdivisions converge to make an expertly paced rotation. The more…

EDIT THE TIDE – Reflections in Sound

RELEASE YEAR: 2024BAND URL: https://linktr.ee/editthetide The upcoming EP titled Reflections in Sound by the British alt. rockers Edit the Tide is a real treat to the ears and a stately piece of work with its five tracks sounding absolutely immense and as pristine and powerful as possible. I recall listening to their first couple of…

WOLFEN RELOADED – The Ghost from Within

RELEASE YEAR: 2024BAND URL: https://www.facebook.com/wolfenreloaded/ This is my first encounter with the German rockers known as Wolfen Reloaded and I must say that I find this sophomore effort of theirs titled The Ghost From Within an engaging and delightful listen. Containing bucketloads of muscular riffs, magnificent vocal hooks, and interesting arrangements, the LP immediately stands…

THE SURVIVAL CODE – Whispers of Woe

RELEASE YEAR: 2024BAND URL: https://www.thesurvivalcode.co.uk/ Hailing from the glorious city of London and specializing in potent and emotionally charged rock that leans slightly towards Foo Fighters and Feeder, The Survival Code is simply a great band and an utterly enjoyable listening experience with longevity to it. Packed to the rafters with good riffs, infectious melodies,…

HELMET – Left

RELEASE YEAR: 2023  BAND URL: https://www.helmetmusic.com/ Noise rock pioneers Helmet surely need no introduction as their impact on fans, critics, and other artists has been (and is) rather significant, and their influence on genres such as nu metal and alternative rock is undeniable. It is as simple as that, really. Page Hamilton (vocals, guitars) may be…

EDGE OF PARADISE – Halo

RELEASE YEAR: 2023 BAND URL: http://www.edgeofparadiseband.co/ Also American and not that far removed in vein from A Dark Halo (whose 2nd full length I’ve just reviewed giving it a 5/6) the Californian alternative rock and metal quintet Edge Of Paradise released their 5th album Halo²⁰²³ on Frontiers Records on July 14th to follow Immortal Waltz²⁰¹⁵,…

STRANGE CALLS AND SKYLINES – AN INTERVIEW WITH EDIT THE TIDE

Not that long ago a friend of mine pointed me in the direction of two deftly executed tracks on YouTube by an alternative rock outfit from South Wales named Edit the Tide. Now, the term alternative rock will only get you halfway there as there are hard rock flourishes and progressive elements to be found…

LJUNGBLUT – Sauda

RELEASE YEAR: 2023BAND URL: https://ljungblut.bandcamp.com/album/sauda An intimate and introspective little treat by the talented Kim Ljung featuring only acoustic guitar and emotive vocals is what we have here, and this is quite the moving listening experience. Released digitally and on a great-looking tape via Karisma Records, there is a lot to savor about Sauda and…

THE GROUND SHAKER – Rogue Asylum

RELEASE YEAR: 2023  BAND URL: https://thegroundshaker.com/ Swiss rockers The Ground Shaker are about to unleash this explosive and energetic offering of theirs in May via Fastball Music, and if alternative rock with punchy choruses and crunchy riffs is your cup of tea then you need to check this uplifting opus out. I have yet to listen…

DIRTY VELVET – Far Beyond the Moon

RELEASE YEAR: 2023BAND URL: https://www.facebook.com/people/Dirty-Velvet-Rock/100076167258796/ The Swiss alternative rock act Dirty Velvet was formed roughly four years ago and have been gigging quite a bit on their home turf since then, but their debut offering will soon see the light of day via Fastball Music, so let us take a closer look at that output,…

DOBBELTGJENGER – The Twins

RELEASE YEAR: 2023BAND URL: https://dobbeltgjenger.bandcamp.com/ Nobody out there writes eclectic, exciting, and irresistible rock songs quite like Dobbeltgjenger do. Explorative and quirky, adventurous and groovy, charming and perfectly funky, these Norwegian gentlemen do not disappoint on their third album, and the way in which their compositions weave so many different threads together is impressive and…

APRIL ART – POKERFACE

RELEASE YEAR: 2022  BAND URL: https://www.facebook.com/aprilartband/ The German outfit named April Art recently released this independent offering titled POKERFACE, and the quartet essentially dabbles in something akin to a mixture of alternative rock/metal and nu metal, which means that what we have here sounds rather modern and contemporary in many ways. There is a good flow…