Soal – Salvage
Release Date: 18th January 2024
Finnish metal is known globally as some of the heaviest and, if we’re being honest, some of the best. They’re big shoes for new bands to fill, though they’re shoes that bands keep trying to do so to. Soal are a band that was slowed down significantly by the pandemic. Coming into existence in 2019, 2020 saw them grind to a halt. How they’ve bounced back though! ‘Salvage’ is modern metalcore with a strong footing in the more OG vibes. Where it excels is just being a little heavier than the modern metalcore. There’s enough of a melody in there for a casual listener, but this is a bruising track.
Ginko Balboa – Stand For Something
Release Date: 29th January 2024
With a decade already under their belts, Ginko Balboa are a band that have settled into a groove. A fantastic, otherworldly groove at that. Fusing melo-metal with some tasty screams, the band are bringing music that will make you want to run through walls…before taking a moment of brief relaxation. Then doing it all over again. Soaring one moment, raw vocals throughout and some really fun guitars. Long may this groove continue.
Wave Station – COOKIE
Release Date: 31st January 2024
Whilst some bands can be pigeonholed, some are just doing their own thing. Out there in the world putting out their art without a fuck to give. Wave Station may well just be one of them. Hard-alt-rock mixed with some rap-rock vibes plus a bit of nu-metal and industrial in there too. Sometimes you just have to reject the labels and just enjoy the ride. Here electronic elements enhance the raw sound of drums and guitars that feel like they’re late for something. Whatever this is, we’re here for it.
Chiral – I Bring Chaos
Release Date: 27th January 2024
Sticking with genre melders, we’ve got Irish alt-metal outfit Chiral. This is another unique band that are bringing atmospheric elements to the fore as they create a soundscape that is a little bit like some bands but in reality not much like anything you will have heard before. Darkness pours out of the experimental nature of the track, every few seconds it feels like there’s something new to focus your attention on. This isn’t alt-metal like you know it. This is borderline cinematic.