Waterfront – Atmosphere
Release Date: 26th January 2024
Fans of American-style rock, the sort that just rouses you like other styles of hard rock just don’t always manage, the sort that feels like a rallying call. You know the type, well add another one to the list with ‘Atmosphere’ from Canadian outfit Waterfront. From the very start this is a band that have a vision in mind – writing songs that have a meaning and a purpose and giving them a genuine feel to enhance that connection. The five-piece from Calgary have nailed it on all counts.
Shane Driscoll – Intrusive Thoughts and Usual Death
Release Date: 15th December 2023
American solo artist Shane Driscoll has up to now stuck firmly in the ‘instrumental’ style of music. Bringing riffs and energy, sure, but doing it without vocals of any kind. Enter ‘Intrusive Thoughts and Usual Death’. The first time Driscoll has let loose the vocal chords…and what a difference it has made. Musically it is still heavy with a sense of experimentalness in there, but with the vocals it grounds it and makes it all a little more accessible. The whole track feels like a battle between all of the instruments. Not for attention though, all are given their own time and space to shine and that enhances the track further. This is nearly five-minutes worth of music that you could well be diving into with regularity.
Cevret – Blinded (feat. Andy Cizek)
Release Date: 25th January 2024
Swiss solo-metal outfit Cevret has come together with a colossal name in the progressive metal world as Andy Cizek from Monuments on the track ‘Blinded’. Taking a deep dive into a world of lies and deception, the track is everything you need from progressive metal. Huge riffs, a combination of vocal styles that bounce off each other with startling ease and enough breakdowns (as well as hints at breakdowns that take you off guard a little) that your attention will be demanded for more than four and a half minutes of what is a ridiculously fun track.
King Tide – Island Time
Release Date: 17th January 2024
Finishing off this roundup with skate punks King Tide gives us the most relaxed track of the day. ‘Island Time’ implores you have a beer in hand as you dance your way through a few minutes of punky goodness. Taking itself about as seriously as the artwork suggests, the band are sure to find themselves in demand in 2024, especially with a new album on the way. Break out the comfy shoes, you’re gonna need to be on your feet bouncing along to this one.
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