An absolutely STACKED week of New Music Mondays this week, featuring everything from deathcore to classic rock to country. It’s so stacked, in fact, that I had to call in the ol’ reinforcements in Max and Charlotte! Let’s dive right in!
Pale Waves: Smitten
Joe: I clearly had the complete wrong idea of what this band were. I was not expecting the indie-synth-pop sound at all. Heck, I wasn’t even expecting a female vocalist until Heather started singing! But damn, this Taylor Swift-meets-Cranberries sound was pretty awesome, and something I found myself thoroughly enjoying throughout. Singles ‘Glasgow’ and ‘Kiss Me Again’ are clear highlights, as is ‘Miss America’. However, there truly isn’t a bad track on the album. It’s 40-minutes of chilled-out, rather girly-pop goodness. It’s not something I’d necessarily be into, but is so well written, performed and produced that I couldn’t not enjoy it, and will happily listen to this again if and when it comes on my Spotify. If you like your music more relaxing, synthy and pop infused, this is certainly the album for you! 8/10
The Black Dahlia Murder: Servitude
Max: So I had my doubts somewhat when I saw this album announced, but wow.
Servitude is the tenth album from the death metal band and I have to say I am in love with it. It captures everything in this band and wraps it up very neatly in a 33 minute album. There is everything that you would come to expect from the band at this point. Absolutely stonking vocals, aggressive instruments, the whole shebang. after listening to it a couple dozen times now there isn’t much I can critique other than I hope I love it this much after the hundredth listen. It really is a perfect continuation of the band and I would love to see them do it live. There have been other bands that have brought in a new vocalist after a priors passing but taking Brian from guitar and having them do the vocals fully is just perfect. I am at a bit of a loss at what else to say to be honest other than I might have to run through their ten albums back to back just to enjoy the journey of all of their art. 9/10
Luke Bryan: Mind of a Country Boy
Joe: The Modern country legend really needs no introduction, and is back with his first album in a couple of years. As a big fan of his, he can do next to no wrong musically in my book, and this is yet another home run he’s hit. From the opening/title track through songs like ‘But I Got a Beer in my Hand’ and through to the amazing last couple of numbers, it’s a damn good modern country album. Don’t get me wrong, it has all the hallmark issues people have with modern radio-country; a lot of insincere lyrics that hit plenty of country buzz-words, and a lot of slower, more ballad tracks. However, Luke Bryan is so damn good at the style that I can’t help but love it anyway. There is maybe one too many slow tracks on the album, but again, they’re still good songs. This won’t be my country album of the year or anything, but it’s certainly not a bad release, and if you’re a fan of the genre it’s definitely worth checking out! 8/10
Turbokill: Champion
Charlotte: Turbokill’s album Champion begins with a powerful, cinematic track I’d expect to hear in an epic fight scene between a Greek god and his half-human son – and this is only explainable if you go and listen to it yourself. Their melodic metal sound features all the keynote elements, including outstandingly powerful vocals and heavy riffs. Where has vocalist Stephan Dietrich been hiding? Is he the secret son of Bruce Dickinson and Myles Kennedy? The whole five piece band are insanely talented – note the energy between the guitar, bass and drums on the title track ‘Champion’. Highlights include ‘Champion’, ‘Go Your Way’ and ‘Shine On’. 8/10
Julian Taylor: Pathways
We’ve already reviewed this album! Check out what we thought here!
Heriot: Devoured by the Mouth of Hell
Joe: The sophomoric album of the UK metalcore band has a lot to live up to, with the hype from 2022’s Profound Morality still going strong. Honestly, I’m not sure how I feel about it. It goes hard for modern metalcore album, definitely leaning hard on the genre’s hardcore roots. And some of the riffing and low growls were awesome, the harmonics borrowing from late 90s, early 2000s metal in all the best ways. But for me, it felt a little too messy and chaotic. I imagine that’s exactly what they are going for, and I certainly respect and appreciate the music and their goals and writing/playing talents. But nothing here quite hooked me in like I wanted it to, like I felt like it SHOULD have done. Arguably the slower, more dynamic stuff like ‘Opaline’ drew me in more than the straight up heavy stuff. Having said that, ‘Sentenced to the Blade’ was pretty fun. I’m sure there are going to be plenty of people that love this album, but sadly I just don’t ‘get’ it. So, for that, I’mma sadly going to have to give it a 4/10. Sorry guys.
The Hot Damn!: Dancing on the Milky Way
Charlotte: After a string of successful singles and EPs, The Hot Damn! have released their first full album ‘Dancing on the Milky Way’, featuring upbeat pop and glam-rock anthems. If I had to describe the band and the album in three words it would be bright, energetic and groovy. Their songs are full of light and its albums like this one that set bands up for headlining festivals – they’re the perfect dynamic cross between pop and rock so that a variety of audiences like their sound and keep the concert bouncing. Highlights include ‘Fizz Buzz Crash’, ‘Jukebox on the Radio’ (especially the synergy between Lzi Hayes on bass and Josie O’Toole on drums) and ‘Loud and Clear’. 8.5/10
Serious Black: Rise of Akhenaton
Joe: I’m honestly shocked we don’t have more Egyptian-themed power metal out in the world, as this is a really fun, awesome release. It’s the perfect blend of traditional and modern power metal (think Hammerfell) and some NWOBHM elements, with some modern Maiden mixed in for good measure. Tracks like ‘We are the Storm’, ‘Take your Life’, ‘United’ and the title track are huge highlights of a generally pretty solid album overall! It’s a really well rounded album, with some great fast-paced tracks as much as some great slower ones. The riffs are amazing throughout, and the vocals are powerful and fit perfectly with everything else. I can tell already it’s going to be a criminally underrated album, even in the power metal circle, but I’ll certainly be listening to it fairly regularly moving forward! It’s an easy 8.5/10 from me, what an album!
Dylan Schneider: PUZZLED
Joe: The pop-country rising star has a lot of momentum heading into this, the release of his debut album. I’ve heard his name around a fair bit and know a couple of his songs. He’s been on the scene nearly a decade now, with his first EP way back in 2016, and a further four since then. Heck, this project has been building for a couple of years too, with the first single having been released back in 2022. So, with all that taken into account, I am massively curious how his first foray into a longer release goes!
It’s… fine. I’ve always been on the fence with the real poppy country, especially when it’s 16-tracks and nearly 50-minutes long. And some of this I did enjoy, like ‘Country Right’, single ‘Bad Decisions’ and ‘Put the Whiskey Away’. However, a lot of it all blended into one, it all being very similar in terms of sound, tempo and feel. I completely get the mass appeal of this type of music, and I know a lot will LOVE this. It’s objectively a very good album. But it got kinda boring for me pretty quickly, sadly. I’d happily listen to it again and certainly wouldn’t turn it off, it’s a good album to chill out to, but it’s certainly not my sort of thing. It’s sadly a 5.5/10 from me.
Bewitcher: Spell Shock
Max: Spell Shock is an odd one for me. Going in having heard no bewitcher before, I thought that this would be a bit more gloomy and intensely dark. However it was quite the opposite, very punchy and energetic guitars for most of the album and a good flow to most of the songs, but with some harsh vocals in the mix to. It is an interesting blend throughout in terms of musical ideas that clearly went on during the writing process of the album but it is really killed by one thing in particular: the mix is not great at all. I found myself struggling to hear the vocals properly throughout the album, it just felt like it was being drowned out. This is a real shame because I think the part that I felt was missing throughout the album and making some songs remain as okay rather than good or great was the vocals not being audible for half of it. I very much hope that when Bewitcher releases another album, there is a better mix that allows for every part of the band to shine through as that killed the album for me. Maybe I am being overly critical but that was my take away at least. Alright but held back by a bad mix. 6/10
Sam Millar: Virtual Summer
Joe: It’s very rare to have an album be quite the total package as this one is. It’s a sleazy, glammy, AOR masterpiece, for one. But it also feels upbeat and light, summery, if you will. And the heavy inclusion of synth does give vague virtual vibes. The album title perfectly reflects the vibes of the music, and what’s more is the album artwork fits it all perfectly. Creatively, I’m both blown away and jealous.
And, like I said earlier, it’s a very good album, to boot. Opener ‘The Killing Floor’ sets the tone perfectly, with big melodies, catchy riffing and even some sexy sax. ‘Fooling Yourself’ follows it up perfectly, while single ‘Something I’ll Regret’ has been stuck in my head solidly for the month it has been out so far. And that’s just the first three songs! There’s still another eight awesome tracks after that! The album is packed to the brim with highlights and awesome glam tracks, but other highlights for me were ‘Showbiz’ and ‘Deja Vu’. However, like I said, there really isn’t a bad song on the album. It’s almost an hour of fun, campy glam rock ripped right from the 80s sunset strip, and I can’t help but love it. Sam is an incredibly talented songwriter, vocalist and guitarist, and I’mma be cranking this a lot for the rest of the year, I’m sure! It certainly won’t be for everyone, but I can’t give it any less than 9.5/10. Great stuff!
WarlocK AD: Book II: The Valley of Vâgené
Joe: The silly power metallers are back with, you guessed it, their second album, looking to build on their already huge momentum from the last couple of years. Honestly, it’s a really good follow-up to Book I, too. The silliness doesn’t offset the sheer awesomeness and talent of the band’s songwriting and playing; if anything it adds to it! The closest band I keep drawing comparisons to is Lordi; a more fantasy-based version of them but with even more power metal involved. Heck, they even tag on some extreme metal more akin to Cradle of Filth at times too with the screams and theatrics. And of course, like all power/heavy metal bands these days, there’s a dose of Modern Maiden to it all too.
Songs like the title track, ‘The Golden Showers of Prestønia’ (told you they were silly) ‘As One, We Stand!’ and ‘The Sacred Spears of Brittanni’ are very much highlights for me. However, every song on the album is pretty damn good. My only issue is the length. Even the most hardcore of power metal fans would struggle with 12-tracks across 66-minutes. And don’t get me wrong, the 14-minute closing track is epic and incredible and the perfect way to close out the album, but we maybe didn’t need quite so many tracks before it. Still, it’s clear to see why the band are gathering plenty of traction, as they are amazing songwriters and performers. It gets a pretty easy 8/10 from me, and is a must for any power or folk metal fans!
Destroy Rebuild Until God Shows: Until God Shows
Joe: The second part of the band’s namesake duo of albums, following on from 2022’s Destroy Rebuild, it feels like the perfect continuation of that release. The emo/alt rock still had some heaviness in it with a few screams and breakdowns throughout, yet is mainly still their catchy brand of radio-hard-emo-rock. It’s like Panic!, MCR and ADTR had a love child, and is at least an enjoyable listen, even if it isn’t quite as awesome as that combination sounds like it should be. Tracks like ‘MALICE’, ‘Hunger Pangs’ and ‘STEEL’ are highlights and a lot of fun. However, overall the album just had a slight air of meh around it. I don’t know if it’s because I’m not a huge fan of the genre generally, but most of it didn’t click with me. There were some good elements and moments, but generally felt like a lot of wasted potential, paired with cringy lyrics. If you’re into the likes of Escape the Fate or Attack! Attack!, I’m sure you’ll get some enjoyment out of this, but it wasn’t for me at all. It wasn’t bad, but was just kinda there. 5/10
Whisky of Blood: Diablesse of Revolution
Joe: The stoner-tinged 80s rock and metal revival band are back with first album in nearly a decade. I hadn’t heard of them before checking this out but damn, they certainly have a new fan in me! It’s like if Black Label Society started playing sleaze, I love it! Tracks like the southern-drenched ‘Crazy Zone’, the foot-stomping ‘Minister of God’ and the epic closing ballad are personal highlights. However, all the tracks are damn good and enjoyable. The only thing setting it back slightly is the vaguely cringy lyrics at times. However, that very much comes with the territory when it comes to the style of music they play. If you’re into the old-school sound, you’ll love this. It gets a 7.5/10 from us!