When it comes to chosen names, ‘Box’ feels rather cheeky. This one man band’s work refuses to be kept tidy, or easily placed within a genre. Or any kind of box. Beyond “cold, arty rock”, the songs on ‘Born To Crawl’ refuse to conform to any label, and certainly don’t fit any pre-conceived ideas you may have about a musician who has previously been associated with US punks Poison Idea. There are moments that, perhaps, fall a little further in line with multi-instrumentalist Andrew Stromstad’s work with blackened doom band Atriarch but, again, at its best, the Box sound feels very different. It’s certainly less heavy and although it feels more experimental, it’s actually more accessible than some of his past works. The heart of Box definitely shares like a fresh sound for Stromstad, making it the perfect side project.
Listen: Insult share new track ‘0-60 Death Or Glory’
Metal fans looking for a fix of devastating riffs with a traditional edge will definitely get a kick out of this new track from Bristol’s Insult.
THE REAL GONE SINGLES BAR #99
This week’s Singles Bar features a wealth of different musical styles. A dip into the world of melodic punk brings a fresh take on a well known tune, a melodic rock band bring a massive 90s vibe on a very strong track, and a singer songwriter blends soul, pop and world music on a brilliantly understated performance. Elsewhere, you’ll find a fun country tune, a huge sounding throwback to the grunge glory days, and more besides. It’s a selection that, hopefully, will share something of interest for most listeners… As always, we hope you find something new to enjoy!
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HATS OFF GENTLEMEN IT’S ADEQUATE – The Uncertainty Principle
In April 2024, prog band Hats Off Gentlemen It’s Adequate returned to the spotlight with a two track release helmed by the rather thoughtful ‘One Word That Means The World (Arkhipov)’. The first new tracks to appear in over a year, the digital pairing re-acquainted fans with the Gentlemen’s rather quirky and adventurous musical style.
LOOKING GLASS WAR – Saints Of The Lost And Found EP
Post punk fans paying close attention to the US underground in 2024 might have encountered Looking Glass War. The band – featuring Boston scene regulars Mike Ackley and Pete Ziegler – released a couple of impressive tracks which took their hybrid of post punk and goth sounds, as laid out on their 2023 EP ‘Where Neon Meets The Rain’ EP, and very much improved on them. These recordings demonstrated a much tighter command of a riff, but more importantly, captured frontman Goddamn Glen singing in a way that seemed more sympathetic to Looking Glass War’s needs.