With its huge piano chords underscored by a tinkling synth, the intro of ‘Falling’ by Spectral promises big things. Occasionally when it comes to things within the pomp and symphonic metal genres, such intros can lead to a massive disappointment, but it’s really not the case here.
Tag Archives: melodic metal
RISE OF THE WOOD – Discharge
In the summer of 2023, Dutch metal band Rise of The Wood released the ‘Sleep’ EP, an excellent three tracker that signified their long overdue return, but also a rebirth. Their first new music in six years, ‘Sleep’ was also the first Rise release to feature vocalist Leo Gstrein. His confident tones immediately outshone any of the work on the band’s 2017 debut and the music sounded much better all round. This suggested that band’s decision to take time out to regroup had been more than beneficial.
Watch: Sleazy Money share new video for ‘It Ain’t EZ’
In a world filled with great music and with new rock bands appearing on the scene weekly, chances are, you’ve not heard of Sleazy Money…yet. The British rock band have been making inroads into a career on a run of hard rock singles beginning with 2024’s ‘Problem Since Day 1’, a track which very much laid down the Sleazy Money blueprint with a barrage of tough riffs borrowing the energy of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal with the all round sleaziness of the US glam scene from 1987. In just four minutes, it was immediately clear that the marriage between Connor Palmer’s tough vocals and Joe Florence’s incendiary guitar riffs provided a solid union, and with the presence of a really tight rhythm section, the band were capable of whipping up some seriously old school melodic metal thrills.
THE REAL GONE SINGLES BAR #113
Welcome back to the Singles Bar, the place where we explore some of the more interesting individual tracks that have been submitted over the previous few weeks. This time out, we’ve got a brilliant bluesy number, a track from a singer songwriter who nails a 90s sound perfectly, a couple of poppy numbers and more besides. As always, we hope you find something new to enjoy.
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DETROIT RUN – Defiance Part One EP
Formed in 2022, Liverpool’s Detroit Run began their musical journey in a post-lockdown world at a time when a lot of other new bands were taking their first important steps, or a wealth of should have been established acts were rebuilding the momentum they’d lost from two years away from live audiences. The crowded alt-rock scene didn’t stop these lads making an impression, however. Their early singles ‘Maniac’ (2023) and ‘Prototype’ (2024) were flawless showcases for their sound, sharing a driving, riff based approach, augmented with darkwave synths. Both tracks suggested there would be more greatness ahead, assuming the world could keep itself on an even keel.