Washington’s Dot Dash have been releasing independent albums since 2011, but their current release ‘Proto Retro’ is far and away their best yet. They’ve embraced a more commercial style which really should appeal to the power pop crowd.
Author Archives: Real Gone
SINAYA – Maze Of Madness
Despite being primarily thought of as a very male dominated universe, death metal has spawned some fantastic female-fronted acts over the years. Landmine Massacre – particularly during the Grace Perry era – are one of the finest and better known, but there have been a lot of underground acts truly flying the flag. Here’s another: Brazilian all-female melodic death band Sinaya.
The band’s earlier recordings (2013’s ‘Obscure Raids’ EP and 2015’s ‘Blinded By Terror’ single) showed off more than a fair amount of talent but were marred by low budgets and muddy production. Since then, they’ve had a change in line up, supported thrash legends Exodus and have become a much stronger and better band. Their 2018 album ‘Maze of Madness’ is a release that finally does their studio recordings justice, having the kind of budget and production job that allows some great riffs to breathe and not be smothered by a demo quality sound.
SAXON – Rock The Nations
Following the tour for 1985’s ‘Innocence Is No Excuse’, founding member Steve ‘Dobby’ Dawson quit the band, leaving Saxon without a bassist and with far less of a moustache quotient. Without securing a replacement, the band re-entered the studio. With Biff Byford handling vocals and bass duties for the recording sessions of what would eventually become ‘Rock The Nations’, Saxon wouldn’t lose momentum. This seemed like the natural solution until a permanent replacement could be found.
Watch the new video from Andy K. Leland
Following the split of alternative rock band My Cruel Goro, Andrea Marcellini unleashed his “shadow self” Andy K. Leland and set about recording stripped down, acoustic demos of more personal songs. The results eventually took shape as the DIY EP ‘Happy Daze’ in September 2017.
Listen to the new single by Darkwing
Brooklyn’s Darkwing make a huge sound. It isn’t one that’s easily pigeonholed: some of the vocals draw influence from 80s goth bands like Bauhaus with their echoing presence, but they aren’t a goth band. The drums rattle at speed like they’re driving a solid piece of garage rock, but if you’re looking for something along the lines of The Hives or a DIY band signed to Brooklyn’s own King Pizza Records…just forget it.