Photo by Reilly Clark
I PREVAIL - "VIOLENT NATURE" (Fearless Records)
Marking the beginning of a new era for the band, I Prevail have delivered one of their most aggressive showings to date with "Violent Nature". The track is all of two-minute and packs a powerful punch, signaling an important indication of the new configuration's creative direction. The single is the first since the news of clean vocalist Brian Burkheiser's departure and the word of guitarist Dylan Bowman taking on that role. Crushing guitars, massive percussion and a menacing cadence from Eric Vanlerberghe, the modern era of I Prevail looks to dominate.
HOLY WARS - "I FEEL EVERYTHING" (Pale Chord/Rise Records)
Kat Leon is among the very best vocalists in the game right now and her lead on the latest Holy Wars track, their first in a year, offers resounding proof of that. While big melody layered driving, dynamic rock can sometimes feel forced, the combination of Leon's vocal swoon atop the locked in rhythm section of Johnny Tuosto, Nick Perez and Matt Cohen makes for a commanding, convincing single destined to make a lasting impact. Along with the emotive core of the track and the sleek execution that has always been fundamental to Holy Wars, "I Feel Everything" finds the band achieving a new creative stride as rock music practitioners elevating aggressive music with serious sophistication and none of the pretense.
ELECTRIC CALLBOY -"REVERY" (Century Media Records)
The German innovators of metallic, electro-infused power pop have officially shifted into their most cinematic stage yet and have departed from their hyper-color vibrance to something a bit more dark. "Revery" is epic, even by Electric Callboy standards, playing out like an otherworldly rock saga that functions more like a pivotal chapter in a coming-of-age tale than an entry on an album. Led by a relentless performance from vocalist Nico Sallach, the track builds to a massive crescendo that suggests this is just the very beginning of something marvelous. As one of rock music's most progressive, forward-thinking collectives, Electric Callboy have evolved into a new kind of monster.
THE ARMED - "WELL MADE PLAY" (Sargent House)
The punk, hardcore, alt noise collective of The Armed continue to make compelling art that challenges the boundaries of genre and forces even the casual listener to pay attention. Introducing their new album, The Future Is Here and Everything Needs to Be Destroyed, the lead single in "Well Made Play" is a stylistic car crash of well-honed hostility. Loud, confrontational, corrosive, none of these attributes would suggest a pleasant listening experience, but The Armed have proven time and again they aren't out to fit conveniently. Loaded with commentary about a disassociated society, the single is firebomb in both style and substance that weaponizes common sense with blast beats, distortion and painfully-harsh vocals.
IGORRR - "BLASTBEAT FALAFEL" (Metal Blade Records)
As the mastermind at the core of IGORRR, Gautier Serre has once again proven the level of genius he operates with. Teaming with Trey Spruance of Mr Bungle along with multi-instrumentalist Timba Harris, "Blastbeat Falafel" is a absolute masterclass of unorthodox instrumentation. Combining traditional Oriental instrumentation with unconventional rhythms, death metal heft and the kind of musical precision that feels not human, "Blastbeat Falafel" is truly something transcendent. The track is featured on IGORRR's upcoming fifth full length, Amen - a release currently shaping up to be one of the best of the year.
