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New Music Mondays: A, Dimmu Borgir and More!

25th May 2026 Overtone Leave a comment

Another typically stacked week of new music for us to check out, from rock to metal to country! Let’s dive right in!

A: PRANG

The return album from the British alt rockers, their first new studio work in over two decades despite being relatively active for most of that time, is honestly about what you’d expect from fans of the band. Hi-Fi Serious was a big release for me in my youth, and while this is certainly more tame in comparison, it’s insane to expect three brothers in their 50s to have that same anger as when they were in their late 20s. Regardless, it’s still a good, fun album. It feels like it draws a little more from Britpop than I was expecting it to, but definitely still has that alt and punk infusion the band are known for. Tracks like ‘Bring on the Likes’, the heavier ‘All In’, the hardcore ‘Techno Viking’ and ‘Back to the Shop’ are all big personal highlights. However, at only 10 tracks in length, it’s pretty short and sweet, and goes by in a flash.

My only slight complaint is that the album takes a bit of getting going, I think there’s a better track arragement in here somewhere, for me at least! There’s some heavy hitters later on that could have been better served in the opening songs. However, if you’re a fan of the band or their particular brand of noise, this is an album well worth checking out! I’ll certainly be spinning it again and it may grow on me more, but for now it gets a still-solid 7.5/10!

Dimmu Borgir: Grand Serpent Rising

The symphonic black metal legends return with their first new release since 2023’s Inspiration Profanus. Somehow we missed reviewing that album, though I have checked it out in my own time and enjoyed it. Though typically not as into black metal in my youth, this band were always an exception, and to this day they are still so unique, interesting and captivating. Now, it’s not a small undertaking, 70-minutes of dark brutality, but if you like the band this is well worth a listen! The album is definitely designed to be listened to in one sitting, but songs like ‘As Seen in the Unseen’, ‘Repository of Divine Transmutation’ and ‘Recognizant’ are personal highlights. It’s certainly not for everyone, but if you are into the genre and have some patience, it is awesome and a damn rewarding listen! The band very much prove that they still have it, some three plus decades into their careers. And they are some of the most talented players and songwriters in metal. A solid 8/10 from us!

Dan Byrne: This is Where the Show Begins

The debut solo album from the UK hard rocker is somehow even better than I expected it to be! I’ve been following his career for years at this point, being a big fan of Revival Black back in the day, but this honestly feels like a step up, like he has something to prove. It has a real arena rock feel to it, both in the writing and the incredible mixing, and is definitely set to take Dan to the next level. It opens on the incredible single ‘Saviour’, followed up perfectly by ‘She’s the Devil’. Then you have tracks like ‘Sober’ and ‘Hate Me’ that are just as good as any of the pre-release singles! Every track on this is amazing though, each being as good as the last. It even works having the two slower tracks in the middle (aside I guess for closer ‘Home’), a move that is usually hard to pull off.

Dan is one of the best vocalists in the scene currently, and has proved here that his songwriting matches that immense talented, too. If you are at all into hard rock or its wider genres, this is an absolute must-listen! I’ll be spinning this plenty in the coming weeks and months, and don’t be surprised to see it high on our albums of the year list come December. 9/10

Jake Vaadeland: This is Jake Vaadeland

The traditional country/bluegrass Canadian singer-songwriter returned with his third studio album this last Friday, following up 2024’s critically acclaimed Retro Man. Well, safe to say it’s another excellent old-school release from the man and his Sturgeon River Boys. From ‘Wildwood Flower’ to ‘Keep on the Sunny Side’, ‘Will the Circle be Unbroken’ to ‘Short Life of Trouble’, there is plenty to love throughout. Don’t get me wrong, at 17 tracks, all of which are fairly similar, it can certainly feel long. However, even though it’s not strictly my sort of sound, I had a good time listening to this, and would urge anyone even slightly interested to do the same! He’s insanely talented at what he does, a real leading light in the 40s/50s revival genre. There isn’t even much else more I can say; it’s exactly what you’d expect it to be and damn good, at that! 7/10

Armored Saint: Emotion Factory Reset

The first studio album from the heavy metal legends in six years, this thing goes hard for a full 47 minutes. John Bush’s vocals never seem to age, sounding just as awesome and powerful as ever, and the rest of the band play their asses off throughout. From the opener to single ‘Hit a Moonshot’, ‘Compromise’ to ‘Bottom Feeder’, there is so much to love throughout this. There certainly isn’t a bad song throughout, either. They do a fantastic job of making this feel like their old-school music while also still having a modern edge to it, mainly due to the fantastic production. If you are at all a fan of 80s and 90s heavy metal/thrash, this is absolutely the album for you! Hopefully we get a full run of shows out here at some point soon, not just a one off (although Stonedead looks BANGIN’ this year), as I’d love to see this live! For now though, I’m happy to keep spinning this album, and it gets a solid 8/10 from us!

ALT BLK ERA: Our World

One of the fastest rising stars in the UK alt scene, the local duo already exploded onto the scene with their debut album last year, returning just 16 months later with this awesome EP! The pair continue to grow their fusion of rock, rap, pop and electronica perfectly with these five tracks, all of which are better than the last. It’s very hard to pick specific highlights, as every song flows so well into each other and is good as each other. Having said that, ‘Okay (Cyber Racing)’ was probably my favourite track. It’s no wonder the duo are getting the hype around them that they are getting, as they more than deserve. It this a great stop-gap before a sophomore album, and a release well worth checking out into you’re into a modern rock-pop sound! 8/10

McCoy Moore: Sunshine State

The sophomore album from the rising country star is a great, chilled-out affair. It gives off a slight vibe akin to the new ERNEST album, but with more of a modern or even bro country twang to it. And it’s also packed full of highlights. From single ‘Every Single Summer’ to the Cole Swindell-featuring ‘In Here, Out There’, ‘Something to You’ to ‘Chesney on a Beach’ to ‘Memories We Never Made’, there’s some truly excellent songs. However, there isn’t a bad track throughout, and it felt like it grew on me more and more the more I listened! The lyrics are amazing, going from emotion-filled to fun and clever, and the instrumentation fits perfectly behind them all. It’s easy to hear why he is such a fast-rising star, and to come out with a second album of this high quality just six months after his debut really highlights just how talented the guy is. He is surely going to keep growing and rising through the ranks quickly. I’m definitely becoming a bigger fan the more I listen, and this will certainly be one of the albums of the summer for me, I’m sure! A very easy 8.5/10, great stuff!

Erik Grönwall: Bad Bones

The former H.E.A.T. frontman put out his fifth solo album this last Friday, following up his Eriksplanations collection the last few years. However, it’s been a while since we’ve had original solo music from him. Well, aside for that Michael Schenker album, but I can’t imagine he had much of a hand in the writing of that. Heck, the album he did with Skid Row was four years ago now! So, safe to say, I’m curious what this is gonna be like!

Well, it’s fucking awesome! It’s an excellent AOR album from one of the best the genre has ever seen. It’s packed full of catchy, arena-filling choruses, soaring, powerful vocals and some awesome riffing. Also, the mix on this thing is amazing, making everything sound MASSIVE. And, because of all of that, it’s almost impossible to pick highlights. All 10 of these tracks are as good as the last, and it makes for an incredibly easy 35-minute listen. From boot stompin’ rockers to the three epic ballads, it’s all amazing. As much as I do prefer Kenny with H.E.A.T., Erik is an incredible talent and has crafted something truly special here. He continued his return from his recent health scare in a major way, and proves that he’s not going anywhere, except maybe even higher up! I’d recommend this album to absolutely anyone, and will be spinning it plenty in the weeks and months to come. Another very easy 9/10 from us! It’s almost as good as the last H.E.A.T. album…

Beggars Bliss: Self-Titled

This is an awesome slab of blues rock! Bring from our neck of the woods, I am already pretty familiar with the band, and they are all great people. So I’ve been excited to finally hear this release in a professional capacity for a while, and it somehow blew away every hope and expectation I had! Whether it’s big, grungy blues riffs, powerful, swagger-dripping vocals, solid drumming or some great keys work, this release really has it all. It also seemed like it had me in a chokehold from start to finish, me listening through it twice in full already just this last week! The album is arranged in such a way that it flows perfectly, every song slotting together like a jigsaw. It’s like a blend of Lenny Kravitz, Luna Marble, Exile Club and Hendrix, and I honestly can’t get enough. Surprisingly, I found myself preferring the lighter tracks, or at least those that have a greater focus on the keys, like ‘Forbidden Fruit’, ‘Dusk Till Dawn’ and the Pearl-Jam-like closer. However, that isn’t to say that the boot-stompers aren’t also amazing songs in their own right, too.

I could rave about this album all day; it’s right up my street musically and is phenomenal from start to finish. Heck, the fact that this is a debut album too is mind-blowing. The band have a very bright future ahead of them, and this will definitely be seen as the start of their incredible run in years to come. If you are at all interested, check this out immediately. I feel like it’s been a while but honestly, it deserves it… 10/10

Moonlight Haze: Interstellar Madness

This is an awesome power/symphonic metal EP! Six tracks across 21 minutes of true epicness and greatness. It’s another release that doesn’t have a bad song through its runtime, and is once again impossible to pick specific highlights. The band are so damn talented, and blend the heavy and the melodic perfectly, having some of the biggest choruses I’ve heard recently alongside some truly excellent riffs and even screams. The band have been around a little while at this point and it’s wild to me that they aren’t already a huge name. However, this release will surely push them to new heights, and deserves to be heard by everyone, it really is that good! They have a big new fan in me, and I can’t give this any less than 9/10!

Neo Dimes: Alone

The debut darkwave album from the mind of Stephen Edmunds is a damn interesting listen! Combining neo-industrial and post-punk sounds together into his own blend of dark, catchy electro music had me rather hooked from start to finish. Songs like ‘Angels’, ‘Obsidian’ and ‘How to Love’ are all personal highlights. I do think it’s maybe all a little too samey, 50 minutes of similar music did get a touch much by the end. However, that may be because it’s not 100% my style of music, and my tiny attention span just wandered off somewhere. Some of it reminded me of All the Damn Vampires, in the best possible way, while others dripped with Nine Inch Nails or Filter. If you’re into any of the bands or genres I’ve mentioned, this is well worth checking out! I had a good time listening and will certainly be spinning it again at some point soon! A solid 7/10 from us.

Bleachers: everyone for ten minutes

The indie/alt/soft rock New Jersans’ sixth studio album is a chilled-out, enjoyable. I have such an up-and-down relationship with this sort of music, but I honestly had a great time listening to this! Songs like ‘the van’, the almost country ‘dirty wedding dress’, ‘take you out tonight’ and ‘I’m not joking’ are personal highlights. However, the whole album is good and an incredibly easy listen, 39 minutes going by in a flash. If you are at all into the more chilled-out side of music, this is absolutely the sort of album to throw on and get lost in. I probably won’t revisit this often, but whenever I do I’m sure I’ll have a blast! An easy 7.5/10!

Ersedu: GORE

The sophomore EP from the symphonic death metal band dropped last Tuesday, and has been rather the mainstay on my streaming since then! It’s the perfect amount of epicness, heaviness and melody, making for a fantastic 15-minute listen! It at times reminds me of Dimmu above, but has more of a death metal than black metal base to it, honestly making it a more interesting listen for me! Once again, it’s also hard to pick highlights, as at only three track and an interlude/intro, it’s all killer, no filler! If you are at all into the heavier side of metal, this is absolutely the release for you! I’ll certainly be spinning it plenty moving forward, and my only complaint is that it isn’t longer! 8/10

Billy Lockett: Things are Looking Up

Album three from the British singer-songwriter is packed full of emotion. Covering plenty of deep topics and heartbreak, it very much takes the listener on a journey. And, it helps that said journey is accompanied by some amazing folk-pop-rock music! From the title track to ‘Cornerstone’ to ‘We Know’, there is plenty for me to love throughout. And generally while it’s not fully my sort of thing as an album as a whole, I had a good time listening, and can appreciate how good it is for people more into this side of music. It’s probably not something I’d revisit in full often, but the tracks I like I really like, and will be spinning them individually for quite some time to come. Billy’s a damn talented musican and songwriter. He definitely has a curious new fan in me, and I’ll be dipping into his back catalogue after this weekend, that’s for sure! 7.5/10

Bullets and Octane: Self-Titled

The first fully new studio album from the SoCal hard rockers in six years (though following up last years demos and B-sides collection), this feels like both a reinvention and a confirmation of the bands sound. The punk-edge and sleazy swagger is still very much still there from their early work, but it also has a revitalised heaviness and massive production to it that gives it a more modern edge. Plus, it’s also not only packed with big, chunky riffing, but some arena-filling melodies and choruses. From the opener to the almost Hellyeah-like ‘The Break’ and ‘Operation Butterfly’, there are so many amazing songs on here. However, every track on this thing is excellent, and the album is well worth at least a spin in full, if not several! Gene’s vocals are somehow as good as ever, and the rest of the band play their asses off throughout, creating an excellent vibe throughout. I’ve been a big fan of the band for years at this point, and to hear them return so strong with new music is honestly incredible, as well as heart-warming. I feel like this will be an album I’ll be revisiting plenty in the weeks and months to come, and I can’t give it any less than a 9/10!

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New Music Mondays: Social Distortion, Ashley McBryde and More!

12th May 2026 Overtone Leave a comment

A typically stacked week of new albums for us to check out, from rock to metal to country. You know the drill by now, let’s dive in!

Social Distortion: Born to Kill

The first new studio album from the Californian punk rock royalty in a whopping 15 years, this release had a lot of hype to live up to. Safe to say I think it lives up to the expectations, and then some! The lead single/title track sets the tone and pace of the album perfectly, while songs like ‘The Way Things Were’, ‘Tonight’ and ‘Don’t Keep me Hanging On’ are all huge other highlights. We even get a quirky, awesome cover of ‘Wicked Game’ tucked away in the middle! I do think it looses it’s way and steam just a little at times during it’s runtime, but there’s enough stuff like/as good as their 80s and 90s style that as an album as a whole I love it! If you are a fan of the band or the wider punk genre, this is definitely worth spinning, and I’ll be listening to it plenty moving forward. It’s a welcome return from the band that have been so consistent and at the top of their game for decades, and I can’t give it any less than 8/10

Ashley McBryde: Wild

I was not expecting to get my ass kicked quite so hard with this release. It’s straight up southern rock and I LOVED it. I’m a fan of Ashley and have been for a while, and I liked The Devil I Know a lot when it dropped. But this definitely has a heavier, darker edge to it than that and releases before that, leaning more into the rock than ever before. And I’m all in on it, honestly! Right from the opener this thing goes hard, having me hooked immediately. Then you have the likes of ‘Arkansas Mud’, ‘Creosote’ and ‘Lines in the Carpet’ that are all amazing, southern rock bangers. Don’t get me wrong, it has its fair share of slower tracks too, and the back third of the album is a bit more of the pace I was expecting from her heading in. The closer in particular is another massive highlight, it being more of a folk rock track, and is going to be stuck in my head for days to come!

It’s an incredibly varied album, making it go by in a flash, and is packed full of emotion, amazing vocals and some great instrumentation. It really has everything you need from a country release, and draws from each great element of Ashley’s back catalogue, almost feeling like a culmination of her career up until this point. I cannot recommend this album enough, and it is certainly my favourite of hers she’s put out so far. A very easy 9/10 from us!

Daði Freyr: Too Much Not Enough

Album three from the Icelandic electro-pop artist is just as good as I expected it to be! While we didn’t review 2023’s I Made An Album, I absolutely love it, and we saw him live on the tour, blowing me away! This picks up perfectly where that left off, offering 36 minutes of incredible, infectiously catchy music. From his insane range and vocal tone to the massive harmonies to the incredible arrangements that span pop, electro, funk, jazz and rock, it’s all so damn good. And, honestly, every track is as good as the last! There are definite personal highlights like ‘Hot Damn’, ‘I’m Out and I Wanna Go Home’ and ‘Why?’ but every song before, between them and after are also absolutely amazing. If you are into his particular brand of noise this is an absolutely must-listen. Heck, even if you aren’t familiar, give this a listen, you’ll surely love it as much as I do! This is an album I’ll be spinning a lot moving forward, and I can see it being high on our albums of the year list by December. I can’t give it any less than 9.5/10, amazing stuff!

Crashdïet: Art of Chaos

Album seven from the Swedish sleaze rockers has arrived following extensive lineup changes within the band. Everyone aside for mainstay guitarist Martin Sweet is a new face, it being almost a completely different band to 2022’s Automaton. Honestly, that might be a reason as to why I wasn’t into it too much. I’ve long been a fan of the glam/sleaze revival scene, especially in Europe, and Crashdïet have been a prominent, amazing player in that throughout. It’s not even a bad album, per-say. However, it does very much feel pretty paint-by-numbers when it comes to sleaze, like a group of people who haven’t really ever made music together have got together and made a basic glam album. A lot of the swagger and attitude from Generation Wild, Savage Playground or even Automaton is largely missing, being a big selling point of their sound for me. Exceptions are ‘Get Out’ and ‘Killing it Now’, definitely the high points of the album, and closer to their classic sound. As I said, it isn’t bad, and if you are a big fan of the band or genre you’ll still get plenty out of this. However, I hoped for a little more personally, something about it just doesn’t do much for me. So, I can’t give it much higher than 6.5/10

Reverend and the Makers: Is This How Happiness Feels?

The indie rockers returned with their eighth album this last Friday. It’s pretty good, and a fun release! It’s got an air of easy listening and jazziness to it, alongside the typical indie pop-rock sound. It also feels just a little like Old Dominion, just without the country elements. Tracks like ‘Late Night Phone Call’, ‘D Minor’ and ‘Forever’ are all personal highlights. However, the whole album is a similar energy and there isn’t a bad song throughout! Everyone involved is a damn talented musician and songwriter, and Jon McClure is one of the most underrated vocalists around today. It’s an incredibly easy listen, and one I’ll certainly be spinning again soon. It won’t be for everyone, but I enjoyed it, and can’t give it any less than 7/10!

AK & the Red Kites: Hotter Than the Sun

We’ve already checked out this awesome album! Read the full review here.

REXORIA: Fallen Dimension

Album three from the self-professed royal metallers picks up perfectly where 2023’s Imperial Dawn left off. It’s 43 minutes of awesome power/heavy metal, packed full of awesome riffing, solid drumming and powerful, melodic vocals. Tracks like ‘Awakening’, ‘Running with Stars’ and ‘Wasted Land’ are all personal highlights, but every song is about as good as the last! As good as Imperial Dawn was, this feels a step up from that release, as well as being slightly on the heavier and darker side, which was very nice to hear! It feels like they have really found and refined their sound with this album, it sounding the most natural and comfortable for all involved. I would recommend this to anyone even slightly into power or heavy metal, and will certainly be listening to this again in the coming weeks and months. It’s a very solid 8/10 from us!

Without Mercy: Infinite Loss

This three track brutal assault is fucking awesome! It’s 11 minutes of technical excellence, crazy drums and heavy screams and breakdowns, with a surprising amount of melody thrown in for good measure. All four of these guys are at the top of their craft at their chosen instruments, and are clearly incredible songwriters to boot! And, all three songs are as good as each other, it being impossible to pick even one over the other two. It’s technical melodeath excellence, and a release I’d recommend to absolutely anyone into the heavier end of metal! 9/10, hell yeah, this was awesome!

Josiah and the Bonnevilles: As Is

This is a short, sweet, chilled album from one of the hardest working names in country today. It’s incredibly chilled out, nestled somewhere between a traditional country sound and a soft-indie one. Honestly, it’s to the point where it’s not especially my sort of thing, but is so well performed and written that I can’t help but like it! Josiah’s vocals are incredible, rather underrated I’d actually say, and the lyrics throughout are fantastic. I think my issue is that it never quite hits that high gear that I keep wanting the tracks to. However, that is more a me issue than an artist one! As I said, it’s well written and well played, and if you like the slower, tamer side of indie/country, this is definitely worth checking out! Highlights include ‘Going Gone’ and ‘Mountain Girl’. 6/10

Black Orchid Empire: LORE

Album five from the UK alt-metal trio is honestly an excellent release! I’ve been a fan of the band for a few years now, with Semaphore blowing me away back in the pandemic era. It’s melodic, heavy and proggy in the perfect measures. It’s got elements of everything from Alter Bridge to Chevelle to Poppy to even Muse, and I’m here for all of it! From ‘Angelfire’ to ‘Scissormouth’, ‘Tristar’ to ‘Mirrorman’, there is so much to love. And honestly, the rest of the tracks around these are just as good! It’s all huge riffs and catchy vocals, and I think I’m a little obsessed! I honestly think this may be the best album they’ve ever released; it has such a great flow to it and nearly 50 minutes goes by in a flash. If you are even slightly curious, do yourselves a favour and give this a spin, you won’t be disappointed! I’ll be spinning this a lot moving forward, and don’t be surprised to see it be another that’s high on our albums of the year list come December. I can’t give it any less than 9.5/10, amazing stuff!

Draconian: In Somnolent Ruin

The eighth album from the gothic metal Swedes is a truly epic affair. Nearly an hour of doomy heaviness, but with plenty of great melody too, it’s impossible not to like! The contrast between the dark screams and beautiful cleans is fantastic, both powerful in their own way and fitting excellently over the top of the black-doom instrumentation. It’s somehow my first introduction to the band, and I’m hooked! It seems to have elements of everything from My Dying Bride to Rotting Christ to even Nightwish, all combined together to create a sound pretty unique to the band. Tracks like ‘The Monochrome Blade’ and ‘Cold Heavens’ are personal highlights, but the album is definitely worth a listen through in full if you’re into the style! The band certainly have a new fan in me, and it gets a solid 8/10 from us.

Ingested: Denigration

Following up 2024’s excellent The Tide of Death and Fractured Dreams, the UK death metal titans are back with album nine. As expected, it is absolute heavy chaos from start to finish, and is absolutely excellent! Right from the jump with ‘Dragged Apart’ I was hooked, and not let go for the full 40 minutes. Tracks like ‘Stitch by Stitch’ and ‘Beaten Beyond the Veil’ are personal highlights, but there really isn’t a bad song throughout. It’s perfectly heavy, everything from the riffing to the drums to the vocals being crushingly excellent throughout. It has an air of violence and hardcore to it alongside the death metal, definitely feeling a touch Malevolence in the best way possible. It takes everything great about their previous couple of releases and dials it up to 11. I honestly can’t get enough! It’s certainly not going to be for everyone, but if you are into the brutaller end of metal, I’d recommend giving this a listen ASAP! 9/10, I’m certainly going to be listening to this plenty over the rest of the year!

P.S. all the guest kill it throughout, too!

Coleman Jennings: Lead You Home

A debut album now, from the young neo-traditional country rising star. It follows up on his EP right at the start of the year, doubling its length up to 10 songs. We loved Ride On, and I remember back then even saying I wanted a longer release soon. Clearly he heard my pleas, and what has come out as a result is honestly awesome! The OG half is still just as good as ever, while the new songs are just as great, particularly ‘Flyin’’ and ‘Good While it Lasted’. I honestly don’t understand how someone in their 20s can have a voice like this, but it sounds so damn good, and Coleman is definitely a bright shining light in the traditional country renaissance going on currently. His talent is off the charts, both as a musician and songwriter, and his band kill it on each song, too. I’d recommend any country fan give this a spin, it will surely win you over! It gets another solid 7.5/10 from us, and I already can’t wait to hear more!

The Flatliners: Cold World

The Canadian punkers returned with their first album in nearly four years this last Friday. It’s damn good to have them back, as this is a fantastic album! It’s heavy, almost having an air of hardcore or metal to it, but it only adds to the attitude and punky vibes throughout. Having said that, it also gives slight Coheed vibes, which I am more than down with! It’s another first-time band for me, and they already have a big new fan in me. Songs like ‘Inner Peace’, ‘Whyte Light’ and ‘Turning Signal Rhythm’ are big personal highlights, but I found myself enjoying every song throughout the release. It definitely won’t be for every punk fan out there, but if you are into the slightly more heavy or melodic side of the genre, this is absolutely a release for you. How they aren’t bigger at this point is beyond me, as they are so damn good! A very easy 8.5/10 from us!

Darkthrone: Pre-Historic Metal

The Norwegian black metal legends are back with another album, just two years removed from If Beckons Us All. I remember enjoying that album, at least more than this one. It’s not bad, especially if you like the old school black metal style. However, it feels a step back compared to their last couple of albums. It strips a lot of the doom out of it, leaving with more pure black metal. That will certainly make some happy, but it bored me a little, honestly. Tracks like ‘Siberian Thaw’ and ‘The Dry Well of Hell’ are pretty good, but I sadly found myself losing interest much after the latter track. Not even part four of ‘Eon’ really hooked me in too much. Maybe it’s just because modern bands do this style a little more interestingly these days. Plus, the vocal mix seemed to take a bit of a step backwards since Beckons, which is a shame. Either way, this wasn’t for me. As much as I wanted to like it, and it wasn’t terrible, I have no desire to go back and listen again. 5.5/10

The Family Men: Co/de/termination

The sophomore album from the Swedish ‘total harmful sound’ collective is a damn fun listen! It’s like Pendulum mixed with a hardcore band, making it pretty damn fascinating, if nothing else. Refused are the closest comparison I found myself making, which I’d say is a pretty big compliment! Nestled somewhere between industrial, hardcore, metal and electronic. It maintains its intrigue and funness throughout too; from the opener to ‘Skull Theft’ to ‘Scanner’ there is plenty to love. At just over half an hour too, it’s a damn easy listen from front to back, going by in a flash. If you are at all curious, I’d highly recommend throwing on the album as a whole, you surely won’t be disappointed! The band certainly have a new fan in me, and I’ll definitely be keeping a close eye on them moving forward. Hopefully they tour over this way at some point too, I feel like this would all be awesome live! A very easy 8.5/10 from us!

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New Music Mondays: Foo Fighters, Jason Aldean and Much More!

27th April 2026 Overtone Leave a comment

An absolutely HUGE week for new releases this week, with some of the biggest names in rock, metal and country stepping up to the plate. Let’s dive into some!

Foo Fighters: Your Favourite Toy

Album 12 from Dave & co. is far better than it has any right to be. As much as we enjoyed But Here We Are, I still feel like Foo Fighters haven’t been the same since Wasting Light. There was definitely some good stuff on Sonic Highways and Concrete and Gold, but it didn’t quite hit the same as their previous work. This, however, is their best work in 15 years, and it’s by some margin! Opener/single ‘Caught in the Echo’ is heavy for modern Foos, while ‘Your Favourite Toy’ has grown on me more with more listens since its release. Then you have tracks like ‘If You Only Knew’, ‘Spit Shine’ and the epic closing single that are all huge highlights. However, almost every track on this is amazing, the only slight dud for me being ‘Child Actor’. It’s a pretty tight release too, with the 10 tracks going by in a flash and there being far less filler compared to killer.

While it’s missing a world-conquering, massive hit like it seemed every earlier album had, it has a renewed energy, passion and urgency to it that it hasn’t felt like the band have had in years. As an album as a whole, this is damn impressive, and up there alongside some of the best of their back catalogue. While not as emotion-filled as their previous release, it’s stronger in other areas, and still a very solid 9/10!

Jason Aldean: Songs About Us

We’ve already checked out this awesome album! Read our full review here!

Brontës: Self-Titled

The debut album from the alt rock female quartet is a great, chilled-out release. It’s not my sort of thing typically, so really that should show how high quality this is, that I still had a blast listening! From the opener to ‘Wouldn’t be Me’, ‘Thelma and Louise’ to ‘I Think I Love You’, there are plenty of great songs throughout. Every song has it’s place, though, and the whole album is so easy to listen to. It feels like the perfect combination of 2000s romcom music and hints of the likes of Paula Cole or Carol King. It’s a real US sound, and one that feels pretty nostalgic while still being modern. I don’t quite hear the Sabrina influence they tout, but the Blondie I can vaguely hear, at least their older sound! It’s a fun relaxing listen that still packs some emotion in when it needs to. Check it out if you are at all interested, you won’t be disappointed! 7.5/10

The Amity Affliction: House of Cards

Max: So, the Amity Affliction are back with another album and I have to say, this was really good. This is the first album since the band parted ways with their previous vocalist, so they definitely had something to prove. The album is heavy and intense and exactly what you would expect, so they certaintly did prove that they are just as good as ever. Now my one issue is that I feel like their new clean vocalist is a bit underused. However, I don’t think that is a huge detractor from the album, nor do I feel like it there would have been a massive improvement to the album if there were more cleans. If I was to pick a track that I think people should listen to, I would say either ‘Kickboxer’ or ‘Bleed’ as they are just exceptional. I am honestly quite interested in what is going to come next for this band. 8.5/10

Jackson Dean: Magnolia Sage

The third studio album from the rising country star is and excellent journey through old-school, Americana and blues. We loved his last album, and this release builds on that and his debut, evolving his sound perfectly and naturally. Tracks like the opener, chilled single ‘Tennessee Moon’ and ‘Wildfire’ are all personal highlights. It’s a little less rocky than his previous stuff, it reminding me a surprising amount of Newton Faulkner. It’s not a bad thing, but I did find it a little harder to stay interested throughout, as it is all relatively similar. If you are into the likes of Drake White, you will most likely love this, and I will certainly be spinning it again! However, it does stand out the least of his catalogue so far, so I can’t give it any more than an 7.5/10

Where Victims Lie: What Was Left Behind

The return EP from the 2000s thrash masters, their first since 2007s Promo release, shows that they haven’t lost a step in nearly 20 years! It’s heavy, lightening fast, and yet anthemic when it needs to be. The band are insanely talented, everything from the riffing to the drumming to harsh vocals being amazing and top notch. It’s also 20 minutes of excellence, each song being as good as the last. However, I think ‘Veil’ is my favourite track, it almost having an air of Machine Head in the chorus. It’s clearly inspired heavily by the likes of Slayer and Kreator, but also definitely has a bit of a modern edge to it too, not too dissimilar to Evile. If you are into the heavier side of metal, this whole release is well worth checking out, and will definitely be one I spin regularly moving forward. A very solid 8/10 from us!

Atreyu: The End is Not the End

The 10th album from the metalcore titans has no right going as hard as it does. Right from opening single ‘Dead’, this thing is balls-to-the-wall, while still giving moments of melodic reprieve to only add to the epicness. That is followed excellently by the groovy ‘Break Me’ and the catchy single ‘All For You’. And heck, we still have another nine songs after that! While tracks like ‘Glass Eater’, the Max Cavalera-featuring ‘Children of Light’ and the beautifully bittersweet ‘Afterglow’ are all huge highlights, every song on this is incredible. It feels like the band have finally fully settled into their most recent lineup with this release, as much as I did like Baptize and The Beautiful Dark of Light. Honestly, this is my favourite release of their since Congregation of the Damned; it’s all-killer, no-filler, and the band are all on top form throughout. If you are at all a fan of the band or the genre, this is a no-brainer of a release! Up there alongside some of my favourite metalcore releases in recent years, and it gets a very solid 9.5/10 from us!

Fangslinger: Welcome to the Lost Souls Saloon

The debut album from one of our favourite new bands finally dropped this last Friday, and we couldn’t be more hyped! We have loved watching these cats grow the last couple of years, and it feels like it has reached its crescendo perfectly with this release! They are the perfect blend of country, gothic and metallic hard rock/metal, and I honestly can’t get enough. They had our top EP of last year, and my only vague complaint is that that makes up half of this album. However, when the tracks are as high quality as these are, it’s honestly hard to even be mad about it! As for the new songs, ‘As the Crow Flies’ may be may favourite song by them, and ‘Wanted Undead’ and the epic closer are up there alongside it! This is an excellent album that I’d recommend to just about anyone, and just makes me love them even more. I can’t wait to hear them live over the summer, but for now I’ll be spinning this plenty! Another very solid 9.5/10 from us!

Jon Corabi: New Day

Somehow the first fully electric solo release from the former Crüe/current Daisies frontman, New Day shows just what we’ve been missing all these years. It’s an awesome boot stompin’, blues-infused rock album, and is a lot of fun throughout! The title track opens things in style, while the ballad ‘When I was Young’, the swaggering ‘One More Shot’ and the heavy blues ‘Your Own Worst Enemy’ are all huge high points. It’s somehow both exactly what you’d expect from him given his recent output, yet also a little unexpected at times. While nearly-50 minutes is maybe a touch long, especially for a generally plodding blues pace throughout, it’s still a damn good album, and none of it is bad by any stretch! If you are a fan of the genre, Dead Daisies or just Corabi in general, this is well worth a listen! It’s a damn fun release, and one I’ll definitely be spinning again. 8/10

At the Gates: The Ghost of a Future Dead

The first album from the melodeath legends in nearly half a decade, this has been highly anticipated since its announcement. To the surprise of I’m sure almost no one, it’s really damn good! It’s classic At the Gates for 42 solid minutes. From ‘The Dissonant Void’ to ‘A Ritual of Waste’, ‘Parasitical Hive’ to ‘The Phantom Gospel’, there’s some absolutely incredible tracks throughout this whole release. The band proved that after nearly 40 years and now eight studio albums, the band still very much have it. They’re so dam talented, and it’s easy to see why they helped inspire a whole genre and have endured so prominently through it since. It won’t be for everyone, but if you’re into old-school melodeath, this is absolutely one to check out! I loved it, and it’s an incredibly easy 9/10 from me!

Yonah: Bird of Miracles

The debut album from the alt/indie folk singer-songwriter is a beautiful, chilled-out and deep release. While not typically my sort of thing on paper, it had some great old-school folk-rock, drawing from the likes of Dylan and Young. There’s depth and emotion to the lyrics and playing, everything feeling so purposefully and meticulously crafted. Right from the excellent opener I was hooked, and it somehow didn’t let me go until the very end. The duet with Myella, ‘Pressure, Forever’, was a definite highlight, as was ‘All I do’. However, every song is pretty excellent. He’s set to be a big name in the scene sooner rather than later, and this is a fantastic jumping off point for just that! I already can’t wait to hear where he goes from here, but for now it gets a solid 8/10 from us!

Six Feet Under: Next to Die

Another album from Chris Barnes and co., another collection of great riffs and playing ruined for me by Chris’ vocal style. Opener ‘Approach Your Grave’ was surprisingly steady in tempo, and I loved the riffs and plodding pace and drums. However, from the marginally-better-than-early-Cannibal-Corpse tones and production to Barnes’ illegible growls, it doesn’t do much for me. And that’s honestly one of the highlights of the album, alongside ‘Mind Hell’. I do enjoy this release more than I did their last one, but that’s not saying an awful lot. 4/10

Krooked Tongue: I Know a Place

This one has been a long time coming. It has been in the works for a while, and been announced for MONTHS now. Well, it’s finally here, and I can safely say that I loved it! It’s alt rock at its very best, and it’s no wonder the trio have garnered a lot of buzz around them in recent years. Be it the epic opener, the deliciously indie ‘Dog Days’ or the surprisingly heavy ‘Blood Shark’, there is so much variety, and so much to love! I definitely, hear both the Royal Blood and QOTSA comparisons, but the band also feel wholly unique at the same time, doing things very much their own way. It’s a fun release, while also being dark, heavy and emotional I’m equal measure. I’ve been a distant fan of them for years at this point, but this release has very much solidified me as a big one, that’s for sure! It’s well worth checking out if you are into indie, alt, or just any sort of rock in general, as so much of this album is a highlight in its own right. An incredibly easy 8.5/10, though it may grow on me even more with more listens!

Portrayal of Guilt: …Beginning of the End

Following up their critically-acclaimed CHRISTFUCKER album-pair (there’s a phrase I never thought I’d say), the hardcore black metallers returned with their fifth studio album. As much as Max loved their last release, I simply don’t get it, man. I completely appreciate that it is dark and heavy as hell and that certainly appeals to some. Heck, I didn’t even mind the odd riff, scream or breakdown peppered throughout. But, overall, my god was this just chaotic noise. I feel like I’d get into it a lot more live, but sadly it doesn’t do a great deal for me on track. ‘Human Terror’ and ‘God Will Never Hear Me’ are songs worth checking out if you’re interested! It’s definitely not bad by any stretch, just a touch too quirky for me. 5/10

Dead Reynolds: Yellow Weather Warning

This is a damn fun, punk-tinged melodic rock album! It’s packed full of anthemic tracks and moments, reminding me a fair bit of the likes of Mason Hill. ‘Count Me In’ sets the tone perfect, while songs like ‘Parasite’, ‘Hurricane’ and ‘Someone Else’ are excellent and carry on that same energy perfectly. And, while 41 minutes is maybe a touch too long for this sort of music, I can’t think of a track I’d want them to cut, as they are all that good! The band are all insanely talented, proving that they haven’t lost a step in the five years between albums. They should be a bigger name than they are, but this will surely be the album to push them over that edge! 9/10

The Groggy Dogs: No Grog No Glory

The first album from the pirate punk/metal/ska collective in four years, and continues on from their previous releases excellently, being another fun trek! It’s like the perfect blend of Dropkick Murphys, Mad Caddies’ Rock the Plank and even a touch of Social Distortion. ‘All Hands on Deck’ is the perfect opener, setting the tone excellently. Then you have the likes of ‘One Last Toast’, the pretty heavy ‘Ballad of Woodenhand Sam’ and ‘Roll the Woodpile Down’ that are all personal highlights. However, there really isn’t a bad track throughout, the album has a great flow to it as every song plays perfectly off the last. It’s impossible not to have a fun time listening to this, and it’s a release that I’m already desperate to hear some live from! It’s a sound that, while does seem to be growing in popularity again, we certainly don’t have enough of around! It won’t be for everyone, but if you are at all curious, this is well worth giving a spin, you might love it as much as I did! I’m so glad the band returned to the studio for another release, and I can’t give this any less than 8.5/10. Great stuff!

Ural: Anthropic Generic Involution

Some more awesome thrash metal for us this week, this time curtesy of the Italian five-piece. This thing goes hard from start to finish, too. It’s just over half-an-hour of balls-to-the-wall riffing and drumming, with some damn catchy vocal moments and some tasty soloing to only add to the excellence. It’s like late 80s Exodus in the best way possible. All of the chanted backing vocals add a fantastic layer throughout, adding to the surprisingly melodic main vocals excellently. Single and opener ‘Extreme Paranoia’ is amazing, while tracks like ‘Wrong Children’ and ‘Terror Eyes’ are also huge highlights. Every song on this release is amazing in its own right, though and the 33 minutes goes by in a flash. As a thrash kid at heart, I absolutely loved this from start to finish, and the band certainly have a new fan in me! Check this out if you are at all interested, and it gets a very solid 9/10 from us!

new music mondays

New Music Mondays: Ella Langley, Lord of the Lost and More!

13th April 2026 Overtone Leave a comment

A massive week of new releases for us to dive into today, from metal to country to rock! Let’s dive right in!

Ella Langley: Dandelion

This finally dropped this last Friday to a hell of a lot of hype behind it. Langley has become one of the biggest names in country the last couple of years, so there is no denying this will be one of the biggest releases in the genre in 2026. I, however, have a bit of an up-down relationship with her music. There is no denying her talents as a vocalist, songwriter and musician. However, I find her almost overall a little slow for my liking. I had the same sentiment with her last album; some of the tracks are incredible in their own right, but as an album it’s a lot of the same sort of thing and is a bit of a struggle to get through the full hour in one sitting.

Tracks like the title one, ‘Be Her’, ‘Bottom of Your Boots’ and ‘I Gotta Quit’ are honestly career highlights for Ella. The Miranda Lambert-featuring ‘Butterfly Season’ is also fantastic. Most of the rest of it, as good as it is in its own right, I wouldn’t necessarily hurry to revisit as much. However, as I’ve said, none of it is bad by any stretch, and if you are into her particular brand of noise, you’re gonna love it. I do believe it’s her strongest album to date, and I think you’d be hard pressed to find many that disagree! And, it’ll probably grow on me more with subsequent listens. Even with my criticisms, it’s still a solid release, and I’d check it out if you are at all into country music! For the sheer force of nature that this release is alone, I can’t give it any less than 8/10

Lord of the Lost: OPVS NOIR Vol. 3

We’ve already checked out this awesome album! Read the full review here.

Bilmuri: KINDA HARD

The former Attack Attack! clean vocalist has been making waves with his solo project in recent years, and the hype for this release has been pretty high. However, try as I might, I sadly just can’t get into it. It’s just generic pop music but with ch0nky guitars behind it. Like, it’s fine, but I struggle to think much more than that. The riffing is good, there are some okay hooks, and the sax from Gabi is a fantastic touch as always, but the songs themselves are kinda meh. Songs like ‘TWICE’ and the country-esque ‘BACK, THEN’ are personal highlights. But I found all the songs blended together; all being so painfully similar and pretty bland. It was wholly forgettable, nothing sticking with me after the songs ended. If you enjoyed it that’s awesome, and as I said it isn’t bad by any stretch. But I shan’t be coming back to this any time soon. 4/10

Julia Pratt/JULITH: This is a Kindness

This is a damn interesting collaboration between two alt-pop rising stars. It’s definitely very different to the rest of this list in terms of style, but was still a fun release and I’m glad I gave it a listen! Both women are insanely talented, and have crafted something really interesting and unique together. I also love whole album collabs, really pushing how far they can work together to fascinating results. ‘Monsters Out of Men’ was a personal favourite track, both lyrically and musically fantastically written. It’s something I’d happily revisit again and I’m curious to hear what the pair are like on their own. While I do some digging, though, this gets a 6.5/10 from us. Not typically my sort of thing but damn good for what it is!

Florence Black: POURING RAIN

One of my favourite modern bands dropped their highly anticipated third album this last Friday. No pressure, but their last was our album of the year back in 2024… I somehow haven’t had the time to check out the singles of this one though so am going in completely blind. Let’s hope they can keep up with their stellar track record!

This thing comes out swinging. ‘COLOURED IN’ is heavy and fucking awesome, the perfect tone-setter for the album. It’s rather indicative of the journey the band have been on in recent years. BED OF NAILS was darker and heavier than WEIGHT OF THE WORLD, and this release continues that evolution. They’re travelling closer to that early 2000s alt/industrial/nu metal sound, and I am all for it. At this rate, their next album will be fully Tetrarch!

The rest of the album follows the openers suit in fantastic fashion. ‘HALF THE WORLD AWAY’ is their heaviest track to date and is awesome. ‘LADYBIRD’ and ‘TAKE MY WORD’ are massive radio singles waiting to happen. The title track is an amazing ballad-like song, the albums ‘WARNING SIGN’. And that closer, DAMN. However, every track that I haven’t named is also awesome, trust me! It’s an incredible 40 minutes of hard rock/alt metal, and one that I’d recommend absolutely anyone reading this check out at least once!

While not quite as earth-shattering as their previous release, it’s still a damn solid entry into their absolutely stellar discography, and an album I’ll surely be spinning for months to come. 9/10

Tenille Townes: The Acrobat

The first album since 2022 from the country star, and it’s a surprisingly-short, beautiful release. It follows the lead of some of her most successful tracks in being stripped-back, acoustic-focused numbers. It’s 32 minutes of emotion-filled, folk/Americana infused pop-country, and it’s impossible not to love! Her voice is so unique and captivating, and the lyrics throughout are utterly fantastic. From ‘the acrobat’ to ‘enabling’ to ‘what’s meant for you’, there are some incredible highlights throughout. However, there isn’t a bad song on the release, honestly. Much like with Bilmuri above, it is all pretty similar, which sadly drops it a little, but it’s all great and a very easy album to listen through. It would have been nice to have had a few band bits smattered throughout, be it some drums or strings or even keys, but I completely understand why the album was so stripped back, given its lyrical theming. I will certainly be listening again, and can’t give it any less than 7.5/10!

Check out when we saw her live here!

Voidchaser: Interstellar I

The Canadian-Swedish prog metallers follow up their highly acclaimed 2025 sophomore album barely a year later with this, and do so absolutely spectacularly! The intro track sets the tone of the album perfectly, and leads into the absolutely phenomenal ‘Welcome to Terra Corp’ masterfully. It’s heavy, melodic and epic all in equal measure, and is a fantastic pace-setter for the rest of the album. Tracks like the Charlie Griffiths-featuring, heavy ‘Hyperconverter’ and the technical masterclass of ‘Ivory Tower’ are both also huge highlights. However, the whole album is amazing! It has a fantastic flow to it, nearly 50 minutes going by in a flash. And everything from the writing to the playing to the production to the storyline throughout is truly excellent. And can we just talk about that artwork? GODDAMN, *chefs kiss*. It’s all ripped straight from an 80s sci-fi fantasy, and I can’t get enough.

Check this out if you are at all interested. I’ll definitely be spinning it again, and am already hoping we are getting an Interstellar II, though given the theming I’d think maybe not. Still, I’ve at least got their previous two albums to dive into more alongside this, and I gets a very easy 9/10 from us!

Black Oak County: Misprint

Firstly, thank you to the amazing Glamrat for turning me onto these guys. Secondly, holy crap, this is AMAZING. To get the obvious out of the way; this is definitely like a heavier Nickelback. And that isn’t a bad thing at all! It’s essentially nearly a whole album of ‘Burn it to the Ground’; excellent, groove-metal-adjacent riffing, solid drumming and some of the best and catchiest vocal melodies out there. And I haven’t been able to get enough all weekend! It’s packed to the rafters with hit after hit, making it impossible to pick highlights. Heck, over half of it has ended up on my personal playlist. It’s an almost perfect 41 minutes of heavy rock music that I would recommend to absolutely anyone. For a first full alnum from them for me to check out, I couldn’t ask for anything better. I was already becoming a fan but this has solidified that as much as it could. The band are insanely talented musicians and songwriters, and how they aren’t massive already is beyond me. Hopefully this is the album to push them to that point, as it is truly a special release. I’ll be spinning it for months to come, and would imagine anyone who listens will be doing the same! An incredibly easy 9.5/10

As Everything Unfolds: DID YOU ASK TO BE SET FREE?

Album three from the post-hardcore Brits is a fantastic release! It’s heavy and radio-friendly in equal measure, as well as being such a modern sound. The band fit perfectly alongside everyone from Spiritbox to Jinjer to ADTR and Hot Milk, and I would honestly say this release is up there with some of the best from any of those bands. Right from the opener it kicked ass, and songs like ‘GASOLINE’, ‘CUT THE LIES’, ‘SET IN FLOW’ and ‘WHAT YOU WANTED’ are all massive other highlights. The whole album is excellent though, and 41-minutes surprisingly goes by in a flash! The band have already been gathering a lot of momentum as of recent, but I truly believe this release has what it takes to push them to the top of the heavy music world. I’m sometimes a little fussy when it comes to the genre, only liking it if it’s really good, and this is really damn good. This is my favourite thing the band have put out by quite a margin, and it gets a very solid 8.5/10 from us!

I Am the Avalanche: THE HORROR SHOW

The Brooklyn-based emo-punk/post-hardcore band are back with album number five, and their first in nearly six years. It’s a genre I am generally a little hot-and-cold with, but I had a good time listening to this! From the heavy title track to ‘I’M NOT DEAD’ to ‘TRUE LEGENDS NEVER DIE’, there are plenty of highlights. However, the album has a great vibe and flow to it throughout, and at half an hour in length it’s an incredibly easy listen! There’s some great riffing and melodies, and some of the lyrics are honestly phenomenal. It’s packed full of emotion, be it darkness or a more uplifting feel, and really takes the listener on a journey. Honestly, it grew on me more throughout and, with more listens, it could even continue to do so! It almost has a touch of a skate sound in here too at times, getting some vague nostalgic vibes out of me. If you are into any of the genres I’ve mentioned already, do yourselves a favour and check this out! I’ll be spinning it again soon, and it may grow on me even more then, but for now it gets a solid 7.5/10!

We Three Kings: Stone Cold Kiss

The NWOCR duo are back with their sophomore album, another punk/indie-infused powerhouse of a release. We loved their debut back in 2024, and honestly this is right up alongside it in terms of quality! It’s packed full of energy, attitude and swagger; massive riffs, solid drums and some great, catchy vocal lines. While all nine tracks on here are amazing, personal favourites include ‘Nothing Without Me’, ‘Judas Take me Home’ and ‘Shotgun’. It’s impossible not to have a good time listening, and it urges you to tap your feet, headbang and dance along. It’s an album I’ll be revisiting plenty in the weeks and months to come, and it goes hand in hand with By Royal Appointment as must-listens for anyone into the punkier side of rock ‘n’ roll. A solid 8/10 from us!

Broadside: Nowhere, At Last

Album number five from the pop-rockers is… certainly one of the albums released this week. I get that it’s not typically my sort of style to begin with, but there have been plenty of artists like this win me over (my obsession with One OK Rock springs to mind). It’s not a bad release by any means, and if you are into this sound you’ll probably love it. The vocals are great, and there are some catchy hooks and choruses throughout. Tracks like ‘Nowhere at Last’, ‘I Think They Know’ and ‘Dark Passenger’ are big highlights, and the latter two were great choices for singles. And while the rest of it is okay, it just feels a touch forgettable. I don’t know quite what’s stopping me from fully getting into it, maybe it’s just because others have done it better. It may grow on me with more listens, as it is a touch further through the first, and it’s at least inoffensive and easy to listen to. If you are at all interested, I’d definitely recommend giving it a spin and seeing for yourself! A tentative 7/10 from us, that could go up or down at any minute!

Pineland Moor: Self-Titled

The debut EP of the Finnish melodic metal quartet is the definition of all killer, no filler. It’s 18 minutes and four tracks of incredible talent, playing and songwriting. Whether it’s the opener or the proggy ‘Floating on Unknown’ or the excellent other two songs, it’s amazing from the very first note to the very last. I already want to hear more from them, but for now I am happy to just keep spinning this! If you are at all into the melodic side of metal, give this a spin ASAP, you won’t be disappointed! I can’t give it any less than 8/10

Mines: Nous

The second EP from the heavy rockers, finally following up their 2023 debut, this already hasn’t gotten nearly the love it deserves. It’s 20 minutes of phenomenal riffing and writing, as well as some really interesting vocal melodies and lyrics. I was hooked right from the opener, and ‘Vice of Kings’ may be up there with one of my favourite songs of the year so far. The whole EP is phenomenal though, a proggy, heavy masterclass in writing technical music. It’s right up my street, and has made me a massive fan of the band immediately. My gushing over it won’t do it the justice it deserves, just go and check it out and thank me later! It gives off vibes of everything from VOLA to Coheed to Devin, and I’m a little bit obsessed! 9.5/10, my only complaint is that it isn’t longer!

The Mechanist: Synthetic Sun

The debut album from the Yorkshire-based electronic-infused metalcorers goes hard. It’s equal parts ch0nky riffs and massive melodic cleans, as well as a healthy dose of crushing drums, screams and breakdowns for good measure. From ‘Engram’ to ‘Sungazing’ to the wonderfully chaotic, Adam Barkley featuring ‘Invasive Prosthetics’, there is so much to love here. However, if you are into modern metalcore, or even bordering on deathcore at times, this whole thing will be very much your sort of thing! I’ve spun it three times this weekend and it’s grown on me more and more each time! For a debut album it’s absolutely phenomenal, and a sign that this band are set to go far sooner rather than later. I need to see this live, but while I wait to do so will certainly keep listening to this pretty regularly. 8.5/10

Metal Church: Dead to Rights

After a rather massive lineup switch-up that has now brought us alumni of Flotsam and Jetsam, Vicious Rumours and Megadeth, the heavy metal titans are back with album 14. I remember enjoying their last album, and was pretty gutted to hear Lopes had been cut from vocal duties. However, Brian Allen kills it here, as do the rest of the band! It’s nearly 50-minutes of thrashy metal awesomeness, and is every bit as good as their fellow 80s counterparts also still releasing great new music. Single ‘F.A.F.O’ is a lot of fun, giving off ‘Toxic Waltz’ vibes, and the likes of ‘Deep Cover Shakedown’ and ‘Wasted Time’ are also massive highlights. However, there isn’t a bad song throughout. It more than lives up to not only their last album, but honestly the very best that they’ve put out over their nearly half-a-century careers. If you are at all a fan of the band or 70s/80s metal in any way, you have to check this out as soon as you can! The band feel rejuvenated with their latest incarnation, and I can’t give it any less than another solid 8.5/10!

new music mondays

New Music Mondays: Corrosion of Conformity, Charley Crockett and More!

6th April 2026 Overtone Leave a comment

Another week, some more awesome new music for us to check out from across the spectrum. Let’s dive in!

Corrosion of Conformity: Good God / Baad Man

I’m hoping this album is a grower, not a shower. Unless what It’s showing is that Down should finally put out some new music again. The riffs are certainly there, and I liked a good bit of Pepper’s vocals, especially when he channeled his inner Mike Patton/Jello Biafra. However, something about it just didn’t hook me in, especially the opening few tracks. ‘The Handler’ was the first track that I found myself actively enjoying. Songs like ‘Lose Yourself’ and the bluesy ‘Handcuff County’ are also personal favourites. Honestly, the album was better later on when they leant into that side of their sound, with the opening half being a bit of a slog. As a fan of their 90s output, I much preferred their sludgy blues stuff to their experimental hardcore early sound, so did feel slightly let down when they didn’t get to their most popular grooviness until later on. While I get and appreciate what they were trying to do here, it didn’t really work for me, sadly. Also, this thing is over an hour in length; that’s just too long.

If you like all of their previous sounds, you’ll probably love this. However, if you like one over the other, you may get a bit of a culture shock with this release, like I did. As I said, it might grow on me more with more listens, and I do want to give it more of a chance in the coming months. Disc 2 (‘Baad Man’ onwards) is honestly awesome, and would have made an amazing 37 minute album. But I didn’t like much of Disc 1, so because of that, I give this a tentative 7.5/10. It could get higher with repeat listens, though!

Charley Crockett: Age of the Ram

We’ve already checked out this awesome release! Read our full review here.

Michael Sweet: The Master Plan

The first solo album in seven years from the Stryper main-man, this is an epic 40-minutes of AOR music! The opener/title track is some Genesis-level grandiose movie score type stuff. It also sets the tone perfectly for another nine soft rock bangers! ‘Lord’, the truly epic ballad ‘Eternally’ and ‘Faith’ are also big highlights, but there isn’t a bad song on here. It’s a bit… incredibly… preachy, which definitely drops it down a notch or two for me, but musically it is still damn good. Don’t get me wrong, It’s not Stryper, but It’s still good music if you’re into the likes of The Police or Foreigner or even Seal. And if you can get past all the god stuff (or you’re genuinely into that, of course!). It’s good music that I sadly probably won’t revisit often. However, it still gets a solid 7/10. It would definitely be higher if I god-bothered.

Foreignwolf: Merely Mortal

The second EP from the alt-metallers comes nearly five years after their last. Honestly, they really stepped up with this release too, this thing is 14 minutes of absolute awesomeness! ‘Tyrant’ is the perfect opener, metalcore excellence. Then you have the slower, more epic ‘Hollow’ heavy single ‘Imposter Syndrome’ and the post-hardcore, almost emo closer. Each track is as good as the last, all feeling different to each other while still sounding like the same band. It’s one hell of a testament to the bands stellar writing talents. And, it all flows fantastically together, making it a must-listen in full at least once. If you are into the heavier side of things, check this out ASAP. The band certainly have a new fan in me, and I already can’t wait to see where we go from here! 8.5/10

Nervosa: Slave Machine

Max: So this was my first time listening to Nervosa, and I must say, I was not disappointed. This is a very solid album with an intensity that keeps you hooked through out with bouncing riffs that are simply fun. There is also a nice balance of melodic sections and filthy, intense moments so the album is able to appeal to a multitude of people whilst not disappointing anyone. From what I have read, this is only the second album since their current vocalist and founding member Prika Amaral took up the role, and it really is a great album so I will be sure to check out their previous album as well. a very solid 8.5/10!

Emma Harner: Evening Star

The debut album from the ‘math folk’ rising star is a beautiful, chilled out 36 minutes of acoustic-based music. While not strictly my sort of thing, there is no denying her talents as a musician and a songwriter. Tracks like the epic-building ‘Charlotte’ and ‘Cowboys Chords’ are standouts for me. However, if you are into this sort of style, It’s all an excellent journey and listen. In the nicest and most complimentary way possible, it is sad white girl music. So, if that resonates with you, this is well worth a listen! It’s not something I’d revisit often, but certainly wouldn’t turn it off if it was on again! A still-solid 6.5/10 from us, and I’m curious to hear where she goes from here.

Toxic Shock: Future is Calling

Max: I’ll be clear, I didn’t like this at all. It’s not a genre I particularly like and whilst this album is far from the worst thing ever, it doesn’t change my perspective. It not an objectively bad album by any means, I just found it very boring. The first few tracks were good they gave me hope but the last few tracks really weren’t great, and the last track in particular, “Sex Beat”, just didn’t land with me at all. I can’t give it any more than a 5/10

Enquire Within: Doomsday Profit

The UK metallers are back with a follow-up to their absolutely stellar 2024 EP, and I for one have been damn excited since I first heard about it! And honestly, it lives up to my hype for it. This thing is fucking awesome! All nine tracks on it are excellent too, making it almost impossible to pick highlights. It has a great flow to it as every song feels unique enough to keep it interesting throughout, while still all feeling distinctly Enquire Within. Having said that, the modern Machine Head-like ‘Rebellion’ definitely has my heart! From the solid drumming to the amazing riffing and breakdowns to both the harsh and clean vocals, it’s all fantastic, and kept me hooked throughout! The band are really making waves in the underground scene, and with output like this It’s incredibly easy to hear why. If you are at all into the heavier stuff, from alt metal to metalcore to melodeath, this is an absolute must-listen! A very easy 9/10 from us!

No Terror in the Bang: Existence

Following up their 2024 album, the French prog metallers go hard with this five song collection! I wasn’t familiar with them heading in, but they immediately have a HUGE new fan in me! ‘Moon’ was the perfect opener, having me hooked in from the start and not letting me go for the full 20 minutes of the EP. The heavy ‘Goat’ and the epic closer are also big highlights, but every track on this is amazing in its own right. It’s clearly inspired by the likes of Jinjer but, honestly, I enjoy this even more, evolving that sound and taking it to new heights! I honestly can’t get enough of this release, and it’s insane to me that they aren’t a much bigger name already. Check this out if you are at all interested; it isn’t long and shows off exactly what the band is about. Another solid 8.5/10

Luke Grimes: Red Bird

The second album from the rising country start, we actually loved his debut in 2024. Sadly, this one is taking a little more getting into. Don’t get me wrong, songs like the opener and ‘Drink Drink Drink’ are great, and the beautiful duet of ‘Without You’ is also damn memorable. However, a lot of the rest of it is pretty slow overall, a folk/Americana/classical sound. Don’t get me wrong, his self-titled album is also pretty slow and similar at times, but I think overall there’s a bit more to it, or at the very least it’s longer so there’s more room for varied sounds. And from memory even the slower tracks felt like they had a bit more to them, a slight more of a radio hook. I enjoyed Red Bird, but outside of the aforementioned songs it just makes me want to listen to his other stuff. If you want a chilled folky album to throw on and relax to, this is absolutely that. It’s also packed full of plenty of emotion, which is always great to hear. As I said, it isn’t a bad release at all, but is a bit of a tough second album. Hopefully it grows on me with more listens, but for now I can’t give it any more than 7/10

Codefendants: LIFERS

This is 30 minutes of glorious, 90s-inspired chaos, and I loved every second! From punk to hip-hop to hardcore to metal, the band very much wear their inspiration on their sleeve, and it’s amazing to hear it all blended together like this. ‘Crime Wave’, is apparently how they’re describing their genre, which honestly kinda fits. I somehow missed their debut back in 2023, but this sophomore album is a lot of fun, and a real breath of fresh air from Fat Mike, Sam King and Ceschi Ramos. Heck, I even got touches of modern, MCR-like emo in there in the slower, more ballad-tracks. From ‘Rivals’ to the pop-punk ‘Crime Wave’ to ‘The Right Wrong Man’, there are some massive highlights on here. However, the album has a fantastic flow to it that makes it an easy full listen, and none of the songs are bad.

It’s nostalgic for me, growing up with all the sounds individually, yet still feels like something wholly new and interesting. If you’re a fan of stuff a bit more out there, but still with some attitude, edge and something to say, this is very much the album for you! I’ll be listening to it a lot moving forward, and already it gets a solid 8.5/10 from us!

Shelby Stone: Silveryear

The debut album from the emerging Texas red dirt country singer-songwriter dropped this last Friday, and is a full 71-minutes of greatness! She combines typical darker country with a heavier rock edge perfectly, arguably more successfully than bigger names who attempt it like Brantley Gilbert and Koe Wetzel. Heck, the epic opener sets the tone for this perfectly, building to a massive, metal-boardering soundscape that rivals that of DOROTHY or The Pretty Reckless, as much as the earlier stages are more Bridge City Sinners. It’s an absolutely phenomenal track that had me hooked from the get go. From there, ‘Killing Time’ continues the vibe perfectly, adding a bit more country to the proceedings, and ‘Burns Blue’ being an early up-tempo banger. Then you have the likes of ‘This Time Around’, ‘Fire Escape’ and the boot-stompin’ ‘Dynamite’ that are all massive highlights in their own right. However, not only is there not a bad song throughout, the extended length goes by in a flash, a true testament to Stone’s insane talent as a musician and songwriter! While it maybe had one or two too many slower tracks in a row at times, Shelby’s powerful vocals and emotional lyrics still kept it all incredibly interesting.

As you can tell, I can’t rave about this release enough! This is an absolutely incredible album that has made Stone a massive new fan in me. How she isn’t an absolutely massive name already is beyond me. She straddles the line between country, rock and even modern pop seamlessly, and has crafted something truly special with this release. I’ll be spinning it plenty moving forward, and I can’t give it any less than 9.5/10. Amazing stuff!

new music mondays

New Music Mondays: Black Label Society, Ty Myers and More!

30th March 2026 Overtone Leave a comment

Another massive week for New Music Mondays, with plenty of releases for us to check out across rock, metal and country (and also some pop for good measure)!

Black Label Society: Engines of Demolition

The first album from the legendary biker metallers in a whopping five years, it marks the longest gap between releases the band have ever had. Obviously Zakk has been busy with Ozzy stuff over the last few years, so it’s more than understandable. However, this is a very welcome return! I’ve been a fan of the band for honestly as long as I can remember, and remember enjoying Doom Crew Inc. when it dropped. Honestly though, this may be even better than that! Of course the guitaring throughout is off the charts, the riffing and soloing is expectedly excellent. However, the whole band are playing great across every track, and there’s plenty of catchy, memorable memories alongside them. From ‘Gatherer of Souls’ to single ‘Broken and Blind’ to ‘Pedal to the Floor’, it’s packed full of a great songs! It’s sludgy and doomy and heavy; it’s exactly what you’d expect from a BLS album. However, we still get a slower, ballad track in ‘Back to Me’ tucked in the middle, just as good as the others! It’s maybe a touch long at 50+ minutes, but there aren’t really any tracks that I’d cut. It’s a fun heavy metal album that I’ll definitely be revisiting again soon! 8/10

Ty Myers: Heavy on the Soul

We’ve already checked out this awesome album! Read the full review here!

Chez Kane: Reckless

Album three from the 80s glam throwback woman is one I’ve been impatiently waiting for since she first announced it, and it’s every bit as good as I’d hoped for! Powerzone was awesome a few years ago, and I still spin it to this day, and this builds on everything that was great about that album and turns it up to 11. It’s 41 minutes of arena-filling off power-ballads, dripping in synth and swagger. The opener/title track sets the tone excellently, and tracks like ‘Strip Me Down’, ‘Love Tornado’ and ‘Street Survivor’ all carry on that energy amazingly. However, there really isn’t a bad track throughout, and it has a really excellent flow to it all! It’s catchy, sleazy and incredibly horny in all the best ways, making for one hell of a fun listen. None of these tracks would sound at all out of place on the Rock of Ages musical, and I’m so glad people like Chez and Sam Millar are continuing on this vibe!

If you are at all into the 80s Sunset Strip sound, this is an absolute must of an album. It’s certainly going to have me hooked for months again, and it’s insane to me that she isn’t a bigger name given her insane talent! Every chorus is massive and so very catchy, just begging to be played to huge festival crowds as well as neon-soaked dive bars. And shoutout to her band too, who kill it just as much as she does! I feel like it will continue to grow on me with more listens somehow, even though I’d easily put a good half of these up there alongside her biggest hits. I can’t give it any less than another solid 9/10!

Flea: Honora

I didn’t know what to expect from the Red Hot Chili Peppers bassists debut solo album. Somehow, experimental jazz-funk both was and wasn’t it. Either way, sadly this is pretty bad. I’ve been thinking for a few months now that I want to try and get into jazz because I feel I’d enjoy it. Then I hear ‘Morning Cry’ and all that goes out the window. And don’t even get me started on his spoken word nonsense on ‘A Plea’. It feels like Flea felt it sounded like Zack de La Rocha, but it came across far more Lulu. And, on top of that, this thing is 50 MINUTES LONG. That’s a lot of crap. Heck, there may be someone out there that is really into this and loves it, but that someone certainly isn’t me. Not even Nick Cave could save this thing, it’s a mess, and a slog. At least everyone involved is at least talented, even if, in this writers opinion, it’s not fantastically written. You can tell Flea’s playing a mile away, and some of his basslines are at least fun. The slower ‘Thinkin Bout You’ is probably the most enjoyable song. Hell, at least it’s better than the last couple of RHCP albums, right…? 2.5/10, not my thing at all. At least it’s finally over.

Whey Jennings: Baptized by Fire

Some real old-school country now, with the grandson of legend Waylon himself putting out his second studio album. It’s 40 minutes of classic country tracks, just like his granddaddy played, but also gives slight vibes of Drake White or even Drew Holocomb too for good measure! Tracks like ‘What Lovin’ You Does’, his duet with Karen Waldrup and ‘Copperheads and Butterflies’ are all personal highlights. However, if you like a traditional style, you’ll love every track of this, I’m sure! His vocals are awesome, and his lyrics and delivery are packed full of emotion. It’s exactly what you’d expect heading into it, and I personally had a great time listening to it. He’s continuing on his family legacy perfectly here, and it gets a solid 7/10 from us!

Mallavora: What if Better Never Comes?

This has one I’ve been hyped for for a while! It was part of our most anticipated albums of 2026 list, and we’ve loved them for a while now. So, no pressure!

To say it lives up to the hype is an understatement! It’s heavy, melodic and packed full of awesome melodies and emotion. ‘Smile’ opens things perfectly, having some truly brutal screams and breakdown riffs, as well as a more alt chorus. Then you have songs like ‘Birth of a Sun’, ‘Skin’ and the closer/title track that are all also excellent. However, there isn’t a bad song throughout, everything around these tracks also being pretty good. It’s like Spiritbox meats Hot Milk in the best way possible! And, having said that, I would say some of the writing here, both lyrically and riff-wise, is arguably better than both bands. All four of these guys are extremely talented musicians and songwriters!

There’s no wonder the band have gone from strength to strength in recent years in the UK, and this album caps that off wonderfully, but also surely starts a band new, even bigger chapter for the quartet. If you are at all into the alt/modern metal scene, this release is an absolute must! It’s impossible not to see huge things for them in the years to come, and this gets a solid 8.5/10 from us!

Hellripper: Coronach

Max: An 8 track, 45 minute adventure that keeps you gripped and having fun throughout. The latest Hellripper album really is a work of art, the riffs, screams, well to be honest really everything is very very good. Now don’t worry I’m not going to say that this is the best album ever and that Hellripper has perfected their craft but what I am saying is, if you have ever held off on listening to Hellripper because you weren’t sure if you were going to enjoy it, well now’s your time to start listening. Honestly there wasn’t a single track that I didn’t thoroughly enjoy and I really think its a great set of tracks. 9/10

Will Carter Band: WCB

Album number four from Mr Carter, though it seems second as a collective, is a fantastic throwback to the late 90s early 2000s alt country sound! Think Hootie & The Blowfish, Blake Shelton or even Matchbox Twenty. Right from opener ‘Don’t Need Much’ I was hooked on this thing, and tracks like ‘X’s on my Hands’, ‘Can’t Sleep Without You’, and ‘Ain’t All That Lonely’ are all huge personal highlights. The whole thing is excellent from start to finish, though, it having a great flow and going by in a flash. How these guys aren’t a bigger name by this point I have no idea, but if anything is right with the world this will be the release that puts them on the mainstream radar! It’s fun yet at the same time packed full of emotion, the whole thing being written expertly. If you are at all into county or southern rock, this is an absolute must listen. Easily an 8.5/10, and it may grow on me even more with more listens!

RiotWeekend: Table4Four

The sophomore EP from the UK alt-rockers/pop-punkers builds perfectly on their 2022 self-titled debut. It’s 14 minutes of fun, catchy rock music that fits perfectly in alongside anyone from Simple Plan to Paramore to even ADTR! Heck, we get a breakdown in ‘Harry’, which was unexpected awesomeness! What’s more, all four tracks are as good as each other, it being an incredibly solid release from front-to-back! And it’s pretty varied too, each song having a different vibe and pace to it while all still feeling distinctly RiotWeekend. It’s a true talent to be able to write like that, and the band have shown it off perfectly twice now! This is a damn good EP, and one I will definitely be spinning plenty moving forward. 8/10!

Check out our interview with the band about the release here!

RAYE: THIS MUSIC MAY CONTAIN HOPE.

An album that isn’t something that we’d usually cover up now. Having said that, we’d done everything from Bruno Mars to Eminem to Lady Gaga in recent years, and this very much channels that similar alt-pop vibe to it. And heck, I was listening to it anyway, so figured I might as well write out my thoughts!

Firstly, she’s such a talented, fascinating artist, and it‘s easy to hear why she’s become such a big name in a short amount of time. Perfectly blending everything from pop to jazz, soul to R&B, it’s a truly unique sound and such good fun to listen to. And, it’s packed full of awesome songs! From the excellent, emotional opener ‘I Will Overcome.’ to the epic ‘I Know You’re Hurting.’ to the swinging ‘I Hate the Way I Look Today.’ to the huge single ‘WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!”, there is a lot to love throughout. A lot of it is amazing though and, though it definitely feels its bloated length, it’s a chilled-yet-emotional listen that held my attention a lot throughout. Arguably the only full disappointment was ‘Click Clack Symphony.’, I thought having the legendary Hans Zimmer involved would have produced something a bit more epic and interesting and dynamic. However, overall it is an epic release, and well worth the time if you have a spare 73 minutes! I probably won’t do the full thing often, but the few songs I loved will be on regular rotation! 7/10

The Pale White: Inanimate Objects of the 21st Century

Max: So this one was strange for me, it is quite far from what I normally listen to so at first I have to say I didn’t really enjoy it that much. Its fine, its easy to listen to, but not really for me. By my third time listening, I think I started to get it a bit more. There is this fun blend of styles and feelings throughout. The melancholic tone that some parts have can really hit you in the feelings but then the bouncing alt riffs and grooving bass and drums bring you back up. it really is a roller coaster that I ended up really enjoying. For a track recommendation, I would say either ‘Float Away’, or my favourite which is ‘Mannequin’ (I don’t know how to put in to words the feeling it gives, it’s something that I think you need to experience with no input from the outside). 9.5/10 (really its good)

Final Coil: 1994

Following up their 2024 album, the bands first foray into EP territory is a lot of fun! It’s very much a product of the year it’s about, full of grunge and alt-metal energy and riffs. ‘Instant Fix’ is a great opener, and the Rob Zombie-like ‘Woke’ is another career highlight. However, each of the four songs is awesome, and flow together perfectly. From the riffing to the drums to the vocals, it’s all amazing! If you are a fan of the band this is well worth checking out, and is a great stop-gap (hopefully!) between longer releases. A solid 7.5/10 from us!

Ashley Monroe: Dear Nashville

An eight-track surprise drop from the modern country star on Friday has given us a great listen over the weekend! And, it’s a pretty honest, heart-felt and reflective listen, at that. Starting the release with a song titled ‘I Hate Nashville’ is a ballsy move in 2026, and it is a huge highlight of the album. Then you have songs like ‘Haunted’ and ‘Having it Bad’ which are also big personal highlights. It’s another release that follows her slower, chilled-out country vibe, much like with last year’s Tennessee Lightning. It’s very Paula Cole or Miranda Lambert in all the best ways. It’s not something I’d revisit often, but is perfect for throwing on and relaxing to, especially in the coming summer months! And that first song really is an excellent track, up there alongside her hits, thanks for sure. 7/10, good stuff!

Party Cannon: Subjected to a Partying

The crazy Scottish death metallers returned with a brand new EP (alongside some remixes and lives) this last Friday. It’s exactly what you’d expect from the band, or if you heard the words ‘classic death metal’. It’s like if Cannibal Corpse kept Barnes but had more modern production these days. If all of that sounds like your sort of thing, definitely give this a spin. As I’m sure you can tell by my dancing around the subject, it isn’t hugely mine. I honestly kinda preferred the remixes to the original tracks, though do have to say the vocals over the top of them may have been fun! And honestly, it seems like something I’d much prefer live, the recordings from Glasgow sounding awesome. But yeah, sadly on track it isn’t too much of my thing, as fun and hilarious as the themes are. Still, if you like old-school death metal, this is well worth a spin! It’s run, regardless, but the vocals sadly don’t do much for me. 6/10

Siege Perilous: Becoming the Dragon

The debut album from the epic, Colorado-based power metallers is a true journey from start to finish. From soaring melodies to insane harmonised guitars to the solid drumming and powerful vocals, it’s 44-minutes of grandiose heavy metal through and through! ‘As the Dragon Falls’ (feat. the awesome Fabio Lione) is a huge high point of the album, as is ’Chieftain’ and the epic closing track. It reminds me a lot of Fellowship or even Dragonforce, that epic huge power metal built more for its huge moments and soundscapes. The band are insanely good songwriters, and for this to be a debut album makes it feel like we have some truly special things to come in the next few years! They’re ones to watch, for sure! However, for now, this is an excellent release for anyone into the genre even a little bit! 7.5/10

Numbskull Narrative: The Gutters

The brand new EP from Galway’s own ‘noisy boys’ is three awesome heavy, hardcore-tinged tracks. From the sludgy breakdown riffs to the heavy screams, there are some incredible moments throughout, and at only nine minutes it is very much all killer, no filler! I’m always a bit on the fence with modern hardcore stuff, but the heavier edge to this definitely won me over! Some of the playing actually reminded me of Zakk Wylde or Dimebag, which was awesome to hear with this sort of drums accompanying it! It’s impossible to pick highlights as all three are great in their own right. The band definitely have a new fan in me, and this gets an easy 8/10 from us!

Calder Allen: Fault Lines

Album three from the fifth generation Texan is a short, chilled romp through some beautiful old-school country music. At only eight tracks long it goes by in a flash, and each song perfectly bleeds into the next. Highlights include the rocky title track, ‘Carry On’ and ‘Norwood County Line’. But, as I said, each song blends seamlessly together, and none of them are bad by any stretch! The more I listened to this, the more I fell in love. It’s a damn good country/Americana album that reminds me of everything from Drew Holcomb to Luke Dick to even hints of Jack Johnson. He’s another artist that has a new fan in me this week, and I can guarantee that if you check this out, you’ll enjoy it as much as I do! It’ll be an album I revisit plenty throughout the year, especially over summer, and I can’t give it any less than 9/10!

Rain Diary: Night Church

This gothic collective are back with their first new studio release in a while, and honestly sound better than ever! The title track sets the moody-yet-catchy tone perfectly, and every track that follows it fits thematically fantastically, and is great in its own right. It all feels like one art piece instead of individual tracks, though ‘Dark Flowers’ and ‘End of the World’ are personal favourites. It’s hard to even compare it to other artists, as it feels like something wholly unique, which made it an incredibly easy listen despite the length! Each member of the band are insanely talented, with the two vocals of course being the big highlight. It won’t be for everyone, but I had a good time listening to this, and it’s a solid 8/10!

new music mondays

New Music Mondays: The Black Crowes, Lamb of God and More!

16th March 2026 Overtone Leave a comment

A typically stacked week of new releases for us to check out, from rock to metal to country. Let’s dive right in!

The Black Crowes: A Pound of Feathers

Owen: Following a 10 or so year hiatus, A Pound of Feathers is the third album in as many years for The Black Crowes. After almost 40 years in the industry, various member changes and 30 million albums sold, the group still sound like they are in their prime. ‘Profane Prophecy’ opens the album and sets the scene for everything that follows; upbeat, riﬀ-heavy and well placed cowbell. A blend of southern soul and classic blues rock with high energy and good helping of attitude from frontman Chris Robinson.

While the tone is consistent throughout, there is space for a couple of outliers. ‘Pharmacy Chronicles’ drops the wailing guitars for a slower acoustic sound, backed up by a slide guitar and a bright piano, the track standing proudly as a southern country rock ballad. ‘High & Lonesome’ is another track that feels like a departure from the rest of the album to show us yet another side of The Black Crowes, this time falling into a 60’s beat with some abstract glam rock influences of the same era. Overall, A Pound of Feathers is a strong collection of tracks proving once again the Robinson brothers and company are still here nearly 40 years on for good reason 9/10

Lamb of God: Into Oblivion

We’ve already checked out this awesome album! Read the full review here.

Avery Anna: forgive, forget.

The follow-up to her huge sophomore album last year, this is a great six tracks of moody radio-country music. Opening on yet another collaboration with her close friend Sam Barber, somewhat controversially it’s probably my least favourite track on the release. Following track, the rockier ‘Man Downstairs’, and the 2000s country ‘Life Ain’t Like the Radio’ are much better, in this writers opinion. And the riffing on the out-and-out southern/blues rock ‘Blood Runs Thicker’ is amazing, and her vocals and lyrics fit perfectly over the top. Stuff like that is far better than her vaguely older-Olivia Rodrigo or Sabrina Carpenter slower, moodier stuff. They’re still good songs, but didn’t catch my ear anywhere near as much.

Because of this, it very much leads to an EP of two halves. Three of the tracks I absolutely adore, and the other three I can kinda take or leave. The slower, pop-oriented tracks aren’t bad, and will probably do better for her than the others, but I find the upbeat ones much more interesting. Heck, it almost feels like she had a better time writing/recording them, too. It will be a release I’ll revisit because of a few tracks, and hopefully the others grow on me with more listens. But, for now, I can’t give it any higher than a 7/10. Still, if you like country, this is well worth a try!

Ravenspell: Obsidian King

Max: I don’t really have too much to say about this one. It’s decent, not great not bad. Its fine and unoffensive. I should probably say I’m not really the biggest fan of power metal or similar genres, but for a bands first full length album, coming in at 40 minutes, this is really pretty decent. It is polished and well produced and recorded. The solos, as is common with this music, and definitely a highlight. However, the best parts, in my opinion, were actually the riffs that were a bit chunkier and galloping. then brought a lot of energy. Probably my biggest issue with this album was that it didn’t seem unique, it felt very middle of the road and similar to other albums in the genre. That’s not bad, if anything it gives more room for them to explore and try something different and a bit more adventurous later on. 5.5/10

The Fray: A Light That Waits

Those guys that did ‘How to Save a Life’ some two decades ago have put out four studio albums since then, but this is their first in over 12 years! It’s also the first release since the departure of their original vocalist, Isaac Slade, in 2022. So, to say this could be a make or break album for them may be an understatement!

Honestly, it impressed me a lot more than I expected it to! The opener/title track is excellent, reminding me of the perfect blend of James Bay, Kings of Leon, and Kip Moore. Then you have tracks like ‘Ice Cold Lakes’ and ‘Tasted Glory’ that are also big personal highlights. It made me nostalgic for the sort of sound that was big in their hay day, a sound that sadly isn’t nearly as popular the last decade. Don’t get me wrong, 35-minutes of slowish, similar sounding music did get a bit much for me and my tiny attention span around the halfway mark, but all of it was still damn good music. Each track in isolation is great, and it fits together perfectly on the release. Joe King (lol) makes for a damn good lead vocalist, and really feels like he is leading the now-trio into a new chapter of their careers. And I for one am excited to hear where they go from here. For now though, I’d say this is easily their best release since their 2009 self-titled output, and it gets a solid 7.5/10 from me!

Roswell Road: Rebel Joy

This beautiful combination of folk, indie and Americana is pretty damn amazing for a debut album! The female duo have been building up to the release for the last two years with a total of six singles, culminating in this nearly-40-minute collection of incredible harmonies, lyrics and instrumentation. While not typically my sort of sound usually, I couldn’t help but get lost in this, the pair’s talent on full display throughout. The opener featuring the equally-great Dunwells is a huge high point of the release, alongside ‘Can’t Take my Soul’. It’s a great album to throw on and chill-out to, while still having plenty of weight and emotion at the same time. The pair have a very bright future ahead of them, and if you are at all into the sort of style I’ve mentioned above, this is well worth giving a spin! It’s another I will probably revisit if I ever want something more relaxed, and it may grow on me more then. However, for now, a solid 6.5/10 from us.

Angus McSix: …And the All-Seeing Astral Eye

We’ve also checked out this great release! Read our love for it here.

The Scratch: Pull Like a Dog

Album number four from the modern folk-metallers isn’t at all what I expected heading into it, but I enjoyed it a lot all the same! It’s like the other side of the folk-metal coin. There are plenty of bands that incorporate folk instruments into a metal sound, usually more of a traditional heavy or power metal style. I haven’t known really any band to just play straight up folk or bluegrass music but just transposed to distorted and ‘rock’ instrumentation. That is, until now! And, the fact that they have toured with the likes of Dropkicks and Dermot Kennedy should outline exactly what I’m talking about, as they are incredibly fitting supports for both. It makes for a fascinating listen, and a style that I got into more and more as the release went on. It almost makes it as much hardcore as anything else at times, which I am more than down with. And somehow, the Irish accent adds even more anger and attitude to it when it gets to that point.

‘Pullin’ Teeth’ is a massive early highlight, with Kevin Rheault adding even more greatness to the sound. Then you have tracks like ‘Mother of God’ and ‘Horsefly’ that are also great songs in their own right. The whole album is damn interesting though, and quirky enough to keep me hooked from start to finish. They are all clearly talented musicians and there is nothing out there even remotely like this. If you are at all interested, I’d highly recommend checking this out, you may end up loving it! It’s growing on me more with every listen, but for now it still gets a solid 8/10!

Joey Frendo: Harder Than Dreaming

This is a fun, chilled-out soft Southern rock album! From the incredible lyrics to the powerful, emotion-filled vocal delivery, and the excellent, fitting instrumentation behind it all, it’s all so well written and performed. From ‘First Band’ and the title track to the slightly more up-beat ‘Wings of a Song’ and the brass-heavy ‘Back to You’, there’s so much to love. However, there really isn’t a bad track throughout, 40 minutes going by in a flash! He’s a name that should be bigger by this point, but hopefully this sophomore album pushes him to new heights. He certainly has a new fan in me, that’s for sure! If you are at all a fan of the slower side of country/rock, this is definitely an album worth checking out. I’ll certainly be spinning it again, especially when it comes to summer time, and it gets a solid 7/10 from us!

Sweet Pill: Still There’s a Glow

Owen: Still There’s a Glow is the second studio album from Philadelphia-based Sweet Pill. It used to be cliché to compare any emo/punk band with a female vocalist to Paramore in some way but listening to Sweet Pill’s latest release leaves me little option. Whether intentional or not, various tracks from ‘Still There’s a Glow’ would have sit happily on Riot! Or Brand New Eyes. Despite the similarities, Sweet Pill are sure to make their own stamp on the genre and aren’t afraid to lean into an even heavier sound at points; vocals turn briefly to screams and the rest of the band can follow suit. Tracks like ‘Slow burn’ and ‘Smoke Screen’ show where Sweet Pill’s sound can change and evolve. For only the second album from a relatively new band this album is an impressive addition to what is sure to be a progressive and long-lasting discography. 8.5/10

Big Band of Boom: Self-Titled

This is a wild release! Being a blend of big-band brass and ska, punk and metal, it’s certainly unique. And, it won me over immediately, having me hooked from the start to the very end! The opening one-two-punch of ‘Stupid Filthy Rich’ into single ‘Earthquake’ is incredible. ‘Doomscrolling’ is SOAD in every perfect way, and the fact that they even cover ‘Toxicity’ later on to add to it is phenomenal. Another cover, Pendulum’s ‘Propane Nightares’, is another firm high point of the release. And of course, their big track, ‘Big Bad Voodoo’, and also stuff like ‘One Night Only’ and ‘Yügen’ are also HUGE highlights too.

As you can tell, I could gush about this release all day, and happily at that! The band are so damn talented in every aspect, and have crafted something truly unique with this album. They certainly have a big new fan in me, and I’ll be spinning this plenty in the months to come. I’d recommend absolutely anyone check this out ASAP, as it very much has something for everyone. And, I can’t give it any less than a whopping 10/10. Amazing stuff!

Monstrosity: Screams from Beneath the Surface

Max: This one was hard for me. It is, in every manner, an objectively good album. The riffs are great, the drummer is insane (the kicks were a real highlight), the vocals were gross and visceral, just as you would want. “So Max if everything is so good, why was it hard to review?”, well kind reader, its because it was really hard to give it an objective number rating. It’s not reinventing the wheel, nor is it doing nothing at all, it’s a lot of fun and has some weird little quirks throughout, like the high notes on the guitar in ‘The Atrophied’. So after literally flipping a coin to decide what I am going to give it, here it is … 7.5/10

Georgia Nevada: BackFire

The much-anticipated debut album from the UK country star finally dropped this last Friday. We loved her EP back last year, so have been pretty damn excited for this to arrive! To say it lives up to our hype would be an understatement, too! It’s 26 minutes of rock-infused country music, and when I say that every track is as good as the last, I truly mean it! ‘My Town, Too’, ‘Damaged Goods’ and ‘Stones Throw’ are all personal highlights, but there truly isn’t a bad song throughout. I like the even rockier edge she’s taken with this release, and her backing band are all incredible musicians alongside her! It’s easy to compare her to the likes of Kezia Gill, and this honestly feels just as polished and excellent as All on Red is. As the UK scene continues to grow year by year, Georgia has the real potential to be at the very forefront of it sooner rather than later, especially with releases like this! Anyone into country or rock in any capacity, check this out, it’s incredibly fun and a very easy listen. I can’t give it any less than 9/10!

Caroline Romano: It Took me Falling

Following up on the excellent How the Good Girls Die EP from last year was going to be a tall task, but Caroline has dropped a release every bit as good with this! It’s six awesome pop-rock tracks, each flowing perfectly from one to the next. There’s just a touch of country to the slower moments too, which I really liked. ‘Not Used to You’ is probably my favourite song on here, but each is great in their own way! It’s very Olivia Rodrigo, but does have a darker, slightly rockier edge to it too. Her vocals are amazing, and the lyrics skirt the line of emotional and fun perfectly throughout. If you are into her style, this is absolutely a release for you! It’s another release to get a solid 7/10!

Close Enemies: Self-Titled

The debut release from the newest rock supergroup finally dropped this last Friday. I didn’t actually know these guys were a thing until this weekend, but they are a damn good classic rock band, and have smashed it with this album! It very much feels like a sum of some of the parts, being vaguely Aerosmith and even Rod Stewart, but also a little Quireboys, Dirty Honey and our buddies above, The Black Crowes. ‘Sound of a Train’, ‘Wink and a Feather’ and single/ballad ‘More Than I Could Ever Need’ are all personal highlights, but there really isn’t a bad song throughout. Five excellent musicians have come together to create something awesome here, and if you are into any of their other projects, this is well worth checking out! It’s a pretty easy listen and, while it maybe gets a little long-in-the-tooth by the end, it’s still a solid 7.5/10 from us!

Sour Tusk: Lightning Boogie

The first album in seven years from the UK stoner metallers shows that the band haven’t at all lost a step in that time! It’s 40 minutes of great riffing and drumming, and some surprisingly catchy vocal hooks to boot. Between ‘Mission from God’, ‘Hail Hail’ and the punky ‘The Monster in Me’ are all big personal highlights, but there really isn’t a bad track throughout. The band are all insanely talented musicians and have been plugging away at the UK for a good few years now, growing a dedicated fanbase. Said fanbase will love this, as I’d easily put it up there with their debut! If you are at all into the stoner/doomier side of rock and metal, this is certainly for you. It’s like anything from QOTSA to The Sword to even Crowbar. It’s a lot of fun, and will surely push the band to new heights. 8/10

Cat Clyde: Mud Blood Bone

This is a fun classic country/soul album! It gives big Pokey Lafarge or Sierra Ferrel vibes, in the best ways. There’s also a slight gothic edge to it at times, giving off the energy of stuff like Twin Temple or Chelsea Wolfe. It’s certainly not a sound for everyone, but I had a great time listening! And, while it’s an album that begs to be listened to in full, and is very easy to do so, ‘Man’s World’, ‘My Love’ and the almost punky ‘Wanna Ride’ were personal highlights! Heck, I ended up enjoying the second half of the album even more than the first, which is saying something! But, as I said, it’s a fun listen, and just over half an hour goes by in a flash. Her vocals are incredible and fit the tone of each track perfectly, while her lyric writing is also amazing. And the band she has used here are stellar, fitting and representing her style to a T. It’s not a release I’d revisit often, but I know that whenever I do, I’ll have a blast! A pretty solid and easy 6.5/10 from us!

Schattenmann: Endgegner

Album five from the ‘New German Hardness’ band is also the longest gap between records they’ve had so far. Now, we enjoyed their last release back in 2023, but honestly this may be on another level! It’s got a lot more of an industrial edge throughout, but the dark melodies also remind me a lot of the likes of Lord of the Lost or Beyond the Black. The title track is the perfect opener, and songs like ‘Einen Scheiss muss ich’, ‘Schna-na-naps’ and ‘Echo’ are also big high points. The whole album is good though, even if it does feel a touch long. Though it’s only 40 minutes, it’s a lot of similar stuff, and does drag just a touch by the last few song, despite them still being high quality. Still, if you like their particular brand of noise, it’s definitely worth checking out, and it certainly won’t stop me from spinning it plenty in the coming weeks and months. A damn easy 8.5/10 from us!

Against I: Anti Life

This is a damn good blackened death metal album! Release four from the Swedish trio, they should be getting far more love than they are currently! This album is heavy, dark and epic all in equal measure, and an absolute must for anyone into the heavier side of the genre. And, even at nearly an hour in length, it goes by in a flash, and is a damn fun listen! From ‘Built to Destroy’ to ‘Empires of Bones’ to ‘Where we Lay to Rest’, it’s all so good. It certainly won’t be for everyone, but for someone who isn’t hugely into much black-metal-leaning stuff I was still hooked, so that must say something! The band have really come into their own here, and I can’t give it any less than 7/10, good stuff!

The Kimball Superstars: Here’s to the Memory

The sophomore album from the Washington old-school country band is a lot of fun. It’s simple but such an easy listen. From the title track to ‘No Happiness Alone’ to ‘Thinking Man’s Plight’, there is plenty to love. There are some incredible lyrics throughout, and the vocal delivery of all of it was perfect. Even the instrumentation construed plenty of emotion when needed! It doesn’t reinvent the wheel by any stretch, but is a damn easy album to throw on and relax to, and if you like an older country style this is absolutely an album for you. It’s good, if nothing else. 6/10, will probably listen again at some point soon.

The Gems: Year of the Snake

Following up on 2024’s Phoenix, the classic rock women have produced another awesome release with Year of the Snake. The albums titular track opens things perfectly, while tracks like single ‘Live and Let Go’ and ‘Hot Bait’ and the bluesy ‘Buckle Up’ are all further high points. However, this whole album is banger after banger, and 45-minutes goes by in the blink of an eye. It’s packed full of fantastic riffs, solid drumming and amazing vocals, all wrapped up into a package the perfect mix of sleaze, hard rock and AOR. The trio are some of the best songwriters in their genre currently, and are really operating at the top of their game. Every song on here is as good as the last, from fast stomper to emotional ballad. As much as I loved (and still spin) Phoenix, I think somehow they have managed to top it with this release. I LOVE this album, and feel like it won’t get nearly the buzz it deserves. Still, it gets an incredibly solid 9.5/10 from us, and expect it pretty high on our albums of the year list come December!

Wolfbastard: Satanic Scum Punks

Four years after the Manchester ‘feral underground kings’ dropped their critically acclaimed Hammer the Bastards, the trio are back with another offering. And, it’s another excellent dark, aggressive black-metal-tinged hardcore album! It’s half an hour of balls-to-the-wall anger that feels so take-no-prisoners in the best way. Wolfbastard don’t give a shit if you like them or not, they’re just here to kick some ass! And, as a result, the release has a great flow to it, each track fitting together with each other perfectly. It makes it incredibly hard to pick highlights, as the whole thing just kinda slaps! It’s yet another release that certainly isn’t for everyone, but I had a damn good time listening to it and would LOVE to see it live! A damn solid 7.5/10 from us, and I cannot wait to hear where they go from here

new music mondays

New Music Mondays: Hunter Hayes, Lost Society and More!

9th March 2026 Overtone Leave a comment

Another massive week of new music for us to dive into, from metal to rock to country. Let’s dive right in! And, once again, welcome back Max and Owen to help out!

Hunter Hayes: Evergreen

The follow-up to 2023’s Red Sky, this is a fun, pretty beautiful 36-minutes of pop-country music. The opening/title track sets things up perfectly, while tracks like single ‘Wait’, ‘Every Piece’ and ‘Human Again’ are also big highlights. The whole album has a good flow to it though, and is a very easy listen. It’s very pop leaning, reminding me more of the likes of Shawn Mendez and Ed Sheeran than anything traditional-country-based. It’s not particularly my sort of thing, but I still had a good time listening to it. His vocals are great and fit the instrumentation perfectly, while his lyrics are more than passable. If you like a more pop-based sound, this is well worth checking out. I’d happily listen again, though I wouldn’t actively seak it out. It’s just a good album to relax to, and I sadly don’t have much else to add. You’ll know straight away if you’ll love it or not! 7/10

Lost Society: Hell is a State of Mind

Album six from the Finnish metallers isn’t what I was expecting, but honestly fucking slaps! I haven’t listened to them since their thrashy first few albums. So, to come into more of a modern metalcore/nu metal/radio metal sound was definitely a bit of a shock to the system. However, it’s not hugely a bad things. I’d have loved some more thrash/death metal from them, but this is so well done that it’s hard not to love. From the opener to ‘Synthetic’, ‘Kill the Light’ to the insane ‘Dead People Scare Me’ it’s packed full of highlights. It’s clear they have pulled from their Finnish counterparts in The Rasmus, Blind Channel and even Sweden’s Smash into Pieces with their big radio-hook choruses. Though, it still has a heavier edge than those, and still maintains some of the great melodic leads and big riffs from their early days.

There really isn’t anyone combining all these different styles currently, making this release pretty unique, keeping me hooked throughout. Even the acoustic ballad of ‘Is This What You Wanted’ was excellently done, and broke the album up pretty perfectly. And it’s a style and heaviness that I do feel is missing from some of the bands I’ve drawn comparisons to above, so it’s hard not to love this. I’m enjoying it more with each listen, and I liked it from the first! The production is excellent too, everything from the mix to the strings adding even more depth and massiveness to it. It almost adds a power metal edge to it at times. And, of course, the band are working their asses off throughout, playing and writing masterfully. It is epic from start to finish, and if anyone is at all into melodic metal, this is an absolute must-listen! It’ll definitely be a mainstay for me over the coming months, and I can’t give it any less than 9.5/10!

Black Stone Cherry: Celebrate

We’ve already checked out this awesome EP! Read our full review here.

The Darts: Halloween Love Songs

The all-female horror-garage-rockers returned this last week with a follow-up to their excellent 2025 output, Nightmare Queens. They have become one of the most consistent bands on the circuit, putting out an album every year of the last four. And, the fact that they are all pretty fantastic releases too really screams to the bands talent. This one is no different, easily being up there alongside their very best. It’s the perfect mix of ‘Ballroom Blitz’, ‘Monster Mash’ and ‘Rock Lobster’, but with a modern flair and production to it! Heck, it also gives off big The Doors vibes in the best ways. And, more oddly, a splash of Pokey, though that may be the overall old-school feel. It’s a sound that isn’t nearly as prevalent these days as it should be, but The Darts do it so well that’s hard not to immediately fall in love with each release.

This is a fun 37-minutes of rock that doesn’t take itself too seriously, and definitely makes me nostalgic for a better time. From the opener to ‘Blood Run Cold’, ‘Every Night is Halloween’ to ‘Up in my Soul’, there are plenty of highlight tracks and songs to love. However, there really isn’t a bad one throughout, even if they do all carry a similar energy and blend together just a touch by the end. If you are at all a fan of any of the sounds or artists I’ve named previously, this is an absolute must-listen for you. I’ll definitely be spinning this plenty in the coming weeks and months, and it gets an incredibly solid 8.5/10 from us!

Insect Inside: Reborn In Blight

Max: A visceral and raw album that keeps punching has just been released by Insect Inside. It’s intense and might be exactly what you are looking for. The first track has this slow almost menacing build but from then you keep getting hit by the heavy and aggressive tone that persists through out the rest of the album. Now sure, this might not be everyone’s cup of tea, lets be honest here this kind of music can be a bit too much, but I love this stuff. I won’t lie I did have to look at the lyrics to know what was being said but the vocal tone is nuts. Setup you speakers well and put this on full volume, because this is expertly well done but on the bands side and the production as well, it is crisp. Now I know I say this a lot, but this one really should be given a go, because everyone in this band is very and I mean very talented. Its a certified Max recommendation. 8.5/10

Teenage Bottlerocket: The Invisible Man

I’m not sure why we have such a vague horror theme this week when we’re only in March, but I’ll take it! The new EP from the modern skate-punk legends comes just six months after their last album, and continues on their sound perfectly. Somehow we missed Ready to Roll when it dropped, but I have checked it out since and do love it! This is no different; four more awesome tracks that are unmistakably Bottlerocket. It’s maybe a touch slower than their album stuff, but is still just good, fun, lighthearted punk music. ‘You Made Me Get Called a Poser’ and ‘Pembrey’s Face’ are personal highlights, but the other two tracks are also good! It’s not even 10 minutes long as a full release, but I had a blast. I think it’s legitimately impossible not to have a good time listening to it! So, for that reason, it gets a very solid 8/10 from us!

Smag Pa Dig Selv: This is Why we Lost

Owen: Acid jazz trio, Smag På Dig Selv, bring us their second album ‘This Is Why We Lost’, following their debut in 2024. The danish collective comprising of two saxophonists and one drummer deliver a mix of electronic, ethereal and energetic tracks in this album. Stand out tracks include ‘Hits 4 Kids Vol. 3000’ a club anthem with an acid twist, and single ‘Like A Word I Never Knew’ opening the album on strong note. The combination of genres makes for an interesting listen, relying on the brass for melody and narrative while the electronic aspects handle the beat and rhythm of the sound. I’m sure for the artists there is some deeper narrative arc to the album but this fails to come across to the listener, however there’s some strong tracks sure to get people moving and some catchy melodies that will stick in your head 6.5/10

Russel Dickerson: Worth Your Wild EP

My complete befuddlement of Russels release schedule/strategy aside, this is a fun EP! I assume it’s a way of putting out tracks that otherwise may not make a full album release so get boosted by being on with a collection named after a big single. That or it just helps streams. He may be onto something, in that regard…

Either way, the other three tracks are good! ‘B.O.A.T.’, apart from the spelling it out, is a great ballad. ‘2 Limes, 2 Coronas’ is a big highlight of the release and the best non-title-track on here. Then ‘Spring Break’ finishes things off in great, radio-ballad fashion. If you are a fan of Russel, this is another fantastic release in a long line of them at this point! However, his style certainly isn’t for everyone, and if you don’t like his pop/vaguely bro country sound, you won’t be sold on him with this EP. It’s going to definitely be a release I revisit in the summer, but I’ll certainly be spinning it before then I imagine, too! He keeps trucking along dropping awesome new music every year, and is certainly getting to the point of being underrated at this stage. 7.5/10

Mother Crone: Embrace the Death

Finally following up on debut Awakening after a decade, this sludgy, doomy, vaguely proggy metal release is the perfect reintroduction to the band. Drawing inspiration from everyone from Pantera to Crowbar to even some hints of Pink Floyd, it’s an interesting release, for sure! It’s packed full of the heaviest of riffs, but also some damn catchy moments, especially with the harmonised vocals. From the opener to the slower title track to the truly grandiose ‘Inner Keep’ are all personal highlights. It’s not going to be a release for everyone, but if you like a longer release that really takes its time and earns every big moment, this is very much one for you. It’s like a heavier Candlemass, and I kinda love it! They’re all such talented players, and work their asses off throughout. Weirdly the only streaming platform I could find it on was Bandcamp, but I am more than happy to support any artist on there over anywhere else! It’s definitely an album I’ll be spinning again. 7/10

Sons of Town Hall: Of Ghosts and Gods

We’ve also checked out this release already! Read the full review here.

Tardigrade Inferno: Hush

Album four from the cabaret metal band is another quirky, fun addition to their growing discography. The combination of horror/circus music with metal has taken off amazingly in recent years with the likes of Ward XVI and even elements of Ice Nine Kills, but these four are very much still running at the front of the pack. It also gives slight Bungle/FNM vibes, though that may just be the vocal delivery at times. There’s plenty to love throughout, too. ‘Deadly Fairytales’, ‘All in Your Head’ and ‘Hush’ are all personal highlights and absolutely amazing tracks in the genre as a whole. The band are all clearly talented though, playing their asses off throughout and crafting something truly interesting and unique. While it took me a song or two to get into, I was soon having a blast of a time and the rest of the album went by in a flash. If you are at all interested, I cannot recommend this enough; they will certainly have a solid, loyal audience, that’s for sure! I’ll definitely be spinning it again, and it gets a solid 8/10 from us!

Legionary: Never-Ending Quest for Purpose

Max: I’ll be honest here, for five tracks, it’s fine. It was however nothing insane. There were bits where I just couldn’t get the feel and the have to say the vocals weren’t really for me. However, I did enjoy the clean vocals specifically at ~ 1:20 in ‘Controllers of Perception’, that really was a highlight of the whole album for me. I would quite like to see where they go from here and what future releases show as whilst it wasn’t really for me, I think they are a talented group. A solid 6/10

Hässi: Keep it Stupid, Simple

This instrumental EP is honestly fucking awesome, showing off Hässi’s talents for playing and songwriting perfectly across its 12 minutes. ‘Bump the Hump Machine’ opens things up perfectly with a bouncy, fun energy, while displaying his insane technical ability. It has elements of funk rock to it that had me hooked right from the get-go. ‘Naked in the Chain’ continues that vein and sound perfectly, being another phenomenal instrumental track. And, I’m sure to the surprise of no one, the other two tracks are just as great. Though it’s all pretty similar, even for an instrumental release it doesn’t overstay it’s welcome, ending just in time and honestly leaving me wanting more. For a debut release this is amazing, and the perfect introduction to his playing and style. Even if you think you are not usually into purely instrumental stuff, give this a listen, I’m sure you’ll love it as much as I do. 7.5/10, amazing stuff!

Gravemass: This is the Way

Don’t make a Mandolorian joke… don’t make a Mandolorian joke…

Honestly, this is half an hour of brutal excellence. From the insane riffing to the thunderous, relentless drumming to the brutal screams, it’s all so good. It almost has a pretty hardcore energy to it too, none of the tracks overstaying their welcome, being balls-to-the-wall and straight to the point! And every song flows pretty excellently; every track being as good as the last! And, for a debut album and a band that seemingly haven’t been around all too long, this is amazing stuff! They should be a lot bigger than they are already, and hopefully this album pushes them to new heights! From the opener to ‘Harvest of Souls’ to the bands namesake track, there are definitely highlights. Though, as I said before, there isn’t a bad track throughout! And it still has an air of epicness throughout that made me even more hooked. They have a VERY bright future ahead of them, and if you are at all into a more death-leaning metal sound, I cannot recommend this enough. It gets an incredibly solid 8.5/10 from us!

William Clark Green: Watterson Hall

Owen: Watterson Hall is the seventh studio album from Texas country singer William Clark Green. With a back catalog of medium hits it feels like Green has found the recipe he’s sticking with. ‘Whole Lotta Lubbock’, the third track of the album encapsulates this feeling completely, generic lines about being from Texas, mention living in the country and the Ole Opry, call out a few more Texas towns, the crowd will be eating it up right? The rest of the album hits all the points you’d expect, a few slow songs and a few fast ones, but nothing much to tell them apart more than that. This is Country music played safe, middle of the road, inoﬀensive and easily packaged for radio. 3/10

Surfbort: Reality Star

The first album from the Brooklyn punkers in nearly half a decade is… certainly an album… I usually don’t mind a more old-school punk vibe of release, but sadly something about this didn’t really resonate with me. Looking at the bands ethos I’m not exactly their target audience, but even still, that usually doesn’t stop me from enjoying at least parts of it. Don’t get me wrong, the band are talented for the most part, and instrumentally it’s fairly decent; meandering between classic punk and a more indie-infused sound. I think it’s a toss-up between the at-times nonsensical, thrown together lyric writing or the generally unenthused delivery of them that kinda ruins it for me. There is definitely a market for this sort of thing, just look at how big Amyl and the Sniffers are getting, so I completely get that there will be those out there that love this. However, I am not one of those people. When my favourite track on the release is a minute-long skate punk number that just repeats the phrase ‘Hot Chicks Cold Beer’ for most of its runtime, that should tell you everything you need to know about my enjoyment of it. If you like the sort of style I’be described them as, they’re well worth a listen, but I can’t give it any more than a 3.5/10. Sorry guys.

Charlotte Sands: Satellite

Album three from the pop/alt rocker is a fun 28-minutes of radio rock! Her vocals are just as good as ever, and the songwriting throughout is the perfect blend of current-day pop and darker alt rock. I thought I didn’t recognise the name but upon seeing the album artwork for her debut, it all came flooding back. From ‘one eye open’ to the beautiful ‘Afterlife’ to ‘neckdeep’, there are plenty of highlights throughout. However, the whole album is pretty great, especially if you’re into the style. It’s no wonder she’s become such a big name in such a short amount of time, as she is consistently great on her studio work. A must-listen for anyone into a pop-rock style, and a very easy 8/10 from us. I’ll certainly be revisiting this sooner rather than later!

Karelian Warcry: Veripellot

To my slight shock, I actually really enjoyed this! Being pretty frumpy routed in black metal, I didn’t know what to expect, but the injection of death metal had me hooked in from the start, not letting me go until 50 minutes later. The riffing was amazing, and the screams were a lot more palatable than most black metal. And, on top of it all, the production on the album was incredible, something I can’t say much about genre! ‘Joukkohauta’ and ‘Unholan tuntemattomat’ are personal highlights, but the album as a whole has a fantastic flow to it! It’s criminal that these guys have been going so long and aren’t a bigger name, because the talent is definitely there! Maybe it’s because it’s their first big release in 15+ years, but even still, hopefully this album pushes them up the pecking order! It’s not something I’d listen to often, but I feel like whenever I do, I’ll have just as good a time as I did here. Check this out if you like the heavier stuff, it gets a solid 7/10 from us!

Aaron Watson: Horse Named Texas

The fifteenth studio album from the early 2000s country legend blew me away far more than I expected it to! The harmonised vocals that open the thing won me over immediately, and the whole of ‘Hardly Friends Barely Lovers’ is an awesome neo-traditional country track! That is followed up perfectly with a couple of slower, old-school tracks, with ‘Same Here’ being another big high point. Then you have tracks like the title one, single ‘Hit the Hay Runnin’’, ‘Drinking & Driving (You Crazy)’ and ‘Your Kinda Guy’ that are also big personal highlights.

However, my issue is, there’s another 20, YES 20, tracks alongside those I’ve named. This thing is 87 minutes and 26 songs long, which is just far too much. Even if it was half as long, it may still be a little too lengthy a lot of the tracks are slower, more ballad-like tracks, which is rather old-school and not an issue in general, but when there’s so many one after another, it didn’t do much to hold my attention. None of the tracks are bad on their own by any stretch, but as an album as a whole, the length makes it suffer.

I wouldn’t say I’d never listen to this again, as there are a good few awesome songs on here. If it came on in the background, I’d probably have a good time listening. However, I certainly wouldn’t seek out this album to put on very often. Aaron is a damn talented singer and writer, but I can’t give this any more than 5.5/10. Still, if you’re into older country, it’s worth a try!

Shatten: Gegenwart

The German alternative four piece put out their third longer release last Friday, and I enjoyed it a hell of a lot more than I expected to! The band have described the album as ‘exploring the state of the here and now’, and though I don’t understand the lyrics, I fully feel the emotion behind them and their delivery. It feels both bleak and uplifting at different times, sometimes even in the same song, taking the listening on a full journey. And, while it very much all feels like one big piece that is designed to be listened to together, the opener, ‘Raben’ and ‘Ein Toter mehr…’ are personal highlights. It has a definite air of the darker, 90s end of euro-pop, but also has a healthy dose of indie and alternative and even grunge. It’s another release this week that feels pretty damn unique! It’s melancholic while also still being rather chilled-out and easy to listen to. While not typically my sort of thing, the band certainly have a new fan in me, and I’ll be keeping an eye on them going forward. It’s a solid 7.5/10 our end!

Austin Michael: Lonestar

Back with another album after nearly six years, his particular brand of stripped-back, chilled-out country with him. It’s old-school-meets-new-school in maybe the closest way I’ve heard, having a classic vibe while also feeling geared perfectly towards the currently mainstream landscape. While it’s not hugely my sort of thing, I did find myself enjoying certain tracks. ‘Cowboys Don’t Act Like That’, the rockier ‘Why Not Whiskey’ and ‘Least of my Worries’ and the surprisingly heavy ‘Texas Hold ‘Em’ are standouts for sure, both in terms of quality and because they had a different vibe to them than much of the rest. Honestly, the latter two took me off guard a bit, as the rest of the album is more calm, radio-friendly and upbeat, but it’s certainly not a complaint! They definitely broke up the album in a good way, that’s for sure.

However, the tracks don’t quite make up for the album as a whole being a touch slow for me. It’s not a bad album at all, but overall is a little slow. There’s probably half this album that I‘l be happily revisiting, but can take or leave the other half. However, if you are into the slower side of country, it’s definitely worth giving a spin! It may grow on me, but for now it gets a still good 6.5/10

Toys that Bïte: You Have Been Warned

The debut album from the semi-tongue-in-cheek 80s revival rockers is nothing if not a lot of fun! Easily comparable to Van Halen, Night Ranger, Mötley Crüe and Aerosmith, its Sunset Strip-soaked sleaze/hard rock replicated to perfection. The band are insanely talented, with the Eddie-like riffing and soloing being excellent, and the vocals and drums fitting them perfectly. Tracks like ‘Genius Level Stupid’, ‘Ladies of the Night’ and ‘Hit That Like’ are a perfect example of how great this album is, but every song is as amazing as the last! And heck, anyone who has a song titled ‘Tits (Make Him an Animal)’ is automatically good in my book! It’s an album definitely worth a spin if you’re into 70s and 80s hard rock or hair metal, and one that has quickly won me over into a big fan of the band! I already can’t wait to hear more from them, honestly. It’s a blast to listen to from start to finish, and gets a very solid 8.5/10 from us!

Chicago Farmer: Homeaid

This was another album that unexpected blew me away! It’s got a real classic rock thing going on alongside the country, and it makes for one hell of a listen. Like it had elements of everything from The Doors, Lynyrd Skynyrd and even Led Zeppelin at times, as well as a more traditional sound at others. And, the more I listened, the more I fell in love with not just the album, but the band as a whole! From single ‘Peshtigo’ to ‘Mattress’ to the title track, there are some truly excellent songs throughout, though none of them are in any way bad! And it goes by in a flash, not feeling its length in any way. I’m already a little obsessed thanks to spinning it a fair bit this weekend, and am rather desperate for them to come over to the UK so we can see them live! How I haven’t heard of them before now when they’ve been going a while is beyond me, but they certainly have a new fan in me! Regardless of what you’re into, check this out as soon as you can, you won’t regret it! It’s laid back, fun but also plenty emotional, too. I can’t give it any less than 9/10, great stuff!

Jesper Lindell: 3614 Jackson Highway

This was a lot more jazz-based than I was expecting it to be. Going into it from a recommendation on a country site, I had no idea Jesper was a Swedish soul-rock artist until after I’d started listening. However, this is not me complaining, pump this shit into my veins, dude! Opener ‘If I was Money’ sets the tone perfectly and is a huge early highlight. Then you have tracks like ‘Rainy Night in Georgia’ and ‘I’ve Got a Thing About you Baby’ that are also all excellent. And the two tracks that feature guests, Michaela Holmberg and everyone’s favourite dad Phil Campbell, are just as good as anything else. So, if you haven’t guessed already, this whole album is excellent! It reminds me of Cardinal Black at times in the best way possible. It’s another artist I’m shocked I hadn’t heard before now, but am so thankful I have now discovered. I’ll be spinning this plenty moving forward, probably for the rest of the year! And, for that reason, it gets a very solid 8.5/10 from us!

new music mondays, Reviews

New Music: The Lost Releases!

8th March 2026 Overtone Leave a comment

So, a little bit of a different one this time! Try as I like, I am usually just one man, and can’t always check out and review 20+ albums a week. However, I have been going back and listening to some of the stuff I’ve missed, and a lot of it is damn good! Now, I don’t have the chance to talk about all of them (I’ve counted 165 albums I’ve listened to since December, not counting this weekends, but below are some of our favourites from the last three months that we haven’t reviewed yet. Lets dive in!

Josh Weathers: Neon Never Fades

Right at the start of the year, we had this incredible new-traditional country release drop, Weathers’ first studio release since 2019. And, it’s been a release that’s been stuck in my rotation ever since! Right from the excellent opener, ‘Gambling’, I was hooked from my very first listen, and have listened through the following half-hour multiple times since January. From ‘Boys Chase Girls’ to ‘Honky Tonk Time’ to ‘I Gotta Have It’ there are so many highlights throughout alongside the opener. However, every song is amazing, and the album has an excellent flow to it, going by in a flash. I wasn’t familiar with Josh before hearing this release, but he has a massive new fan in me, not just of this album but all of his stuff! It’s a damn fun release, and has made me desperate for him to come to the UK so I can see some of it live. Until that time, I’m happy to keep spinning this album, as I haven’t gotten bored of it yet! It’s one of the best country releases I’ve heard in a while, and after a good few spins it gets a 9.5/10 from us!

Inborn Tendency: Let There be Sin

This debut death/groove metal album is another release that’s had me hooked since near the start of the year! The fact that this is just a three-piece is insane enough as it is, but that it is also of this high quality is nuts. Oh, and for a debut album, INSANELY good! It’s another short release too, only 30 minutes and very much all killer, no filler. The riffs are incredible, the drums go hard and the screams are brutal throughout. If you are at all into the heavier side of metal, this is absolutely a release for you! The album has certainly gotten some more eyes/ears on the band, including this writer’s, and hopefully they continue their upwards trend. It’s another release I’ll be spinning plenty still moving forward, and it’s a solid 8.5/10 from me!

All the Damn Vampires: VICECORE

This is an awesome sophomore album, and a great mix of retro and modern! It gives off vibes of everything from Genesis and Cutting Crew to LALYE and St. Vincent; a modern electronic soft rock. And, while it is slower paced for the most part, it’s epic ballad after epic ballad, perfectly modernising an 80s Miami sound and feeling. ‘Is This Love’, ‘Last Man Standing’ and ‘On My Own’ are all huge highlights for me, while their cover of ‘(I Just) Died in your Arms’ is utter perfection. Every guest on it works their asses off and brings so much to the sound, but the band themselves kill it too on each track. It’s not an album for everyone, but I loved this, and have listened to it at least a couple of times in the last month! It’s an easy 8/10 album, and well worth checking out!

Andy Smith: Long Time Coming

Another fantastic country release from January, and this time from a guy who certainly isn’t getting the love he deserves for such a great album! It’s 44-minutes of great, rock-tinged and emotion-filled country music that I’d put there with any of its contemporaries on mainstream radio these days. Think Chris Young or Blake Shelton, and up alongside them in terms of quality, too. It’s a tad generic sure, but that’s the same as 90% of popular country these days! From the opening two songs to ‘You Can Love a Memory’ and ‘Hematite For Gold’, there’s plenty to love throughout! However, there really isn’t a bad track on the whole album. Hopefully he gets some more love and exposure soon, as he could be one of the biggest names at least in the growing UK country scene off this release. I’ve been obsessed since I first heard it, and cannot recommend it enough to anyone even slightly interested. A very easy 9/10!

Firmament: Ashes & Awakenings

The debut EP from the UK melodic metallers is a great example of their talent for both playing and songwriting. It’s technical, heavy a little proggy and has plenty of catchiness throughout. ‘Through Tempests’ is probably my favourite track on the release, but the other four are also awesome in their own right! It’s an awesome 24-minutes that immediately leaves me wanting more, which I would argue is one of the purposes of an EP. Still, until we get more from the band, I am more than happy to keep spinning this truly awesome release! The more I have listened the more I’ve fell in love with it, and I can’t give it any less than 8/10.

P.S. I loved the artwork around this release, with each single being a card and the EP being the deck. It’s little nuances like this that I really enjoy, especially in rock and metal!

Bob Saliba: Testimony

So technically this is a 2025 album, but it was December, so wouldn’t have made it onto our 2025 list. Solo album two from the Kingcrown guitarist is an awesome AOR journey from start to finish! He gets to flex his guitar chops just as much here as he does in other bands, maybe even more so, and the band he has backing him are all so damn talented, too. it’s nearly an hour in length but doesn’t feel it at all, going by in a flash. ‘Dark Lands’, ‘Our Constellation 2.0’ and ‘Savengers’ are all personal highlights. It gives off vibes of Queensryche or Night Ranger in the best ways. The riffing and soloing is excellent, while the drumming and powerful, soaring vocals fit all of it excellently! It’s completely different to Kingcrown, but arguably in the best possible way. If you are at all into any of the genres or bands I’ve mentioned previously, I’d highly recommend checking this out, you certainly won’t be disappointed! It’s an album I can see myself listening to on and off all year, and it gets another very solid 8/10 from us!

Jay Buchanan: Weapons of Beauty

More of a chilled-out, slower country release now, but one that won me over more and more on my first listen. While I do usually like this sort of style, 50 minutes of it is normally a bit much for me. However, Buchanan is so damn talented that I couldn’t help but love every minute of this and have listened to it at least a few times in the month since its release. The first couple of songs are beautiful and great, but the gospel-y ‘True Black’ was really what won me over, and put into context the rest of the album. The rest of the album, and subsequently the previous songs after, I was obsessed with. And while they’re all good individually, this is a release that begs to be listened to in full. It all flows perfectly together and somehow each song improves the other. His voice is hauntingly beautiful, full of emotion and giving me goosebumps on more than one occasion throughout. And, the air of indie/soft rock/Americana on a couple of tracks was fantastic, breaking things up perfectly and definitely serving as album highlights. While I’m personally going to give it a 7.5/10, it is still a fantastic album and well worth checking out for anyone even vaguely interested. And, come summer and after more listens, it may get an even higher score!

Nearly Skulls: PAX AMERICANA

Describing themself as ‘grumpy dad rock’ is somehow both perfect and soul destroying, as this is very much the music of my youth (though the back end of it, I suppose). However, one of the hardest working artists around currently, the band dropped this on January 3rd and have put out multiple singles in the two months since. The frequency of their output doesn’t at all diminish the quality of their music though, as this is an excellent release! ‘Only in America’ is fantastic, R.E.M. goodness. Then you have the more Bad Religion-esque ‘Living the Dream’ and the awesome ‘Polarized and Weaponized’ that I’m also obsessed with. Oh, and the other two songs are also great, too! The whole album has a distinct punk vibe to it, and has some of the best lyrics I’ve heard all year. They’re yet another artist from this list that deserve so much more love than they are getting, but either way they have killed it with this EP! They have a big new fan in me, and it’s a very easy 8.5/10

Fear of Domination: Katharsis

This big Finnish metal band are as theatrical as they are industrial, and immediately draw my mind towards Mushroomhead as the closest comparison. However, even that doesn’t quite do the, justice, as it has elements of melodeath as well as a general epicness that can only seem to come out of Europe. It’s another one that has grown on me with multiple listens, and has caused me to since go back and check out their previous releases, making an easy new fan in me! From the opener to ‘Monsters’, ‘Last Words’ to ‘All as One’ there is so much to love throughout. It’s equal parts melodic, heavy and grandiose, and I truly believe it’s impossible not to have a good time listening to it. The band are insanely talented and have crafted something pretty special with this release, maybe my favourite they’ve put out. I can’t give it any less than 9/10, amazing stuff!

The Last Sound Revelation: The Proximity Effect

Though instrumental, I would recommend anyone check this out, especially if you are a musician yourself. The talent on display throughout is INSANELY HIGH. And, the composition of each try is great too, constantly keeping me interested, shocking for 46-minutes without any vocals! It’s technical, beautiful, proggy and pretty heavy all in equal measure. The Tool-like ‘Angel of Incidence’ and ‘Hypercube’ are probably my highlights, but I have listened through this whole thing at least a couple of times since its release. I’d definitely recommend just sitting in a dark room with some headphones on and really get lost in this thing. It’s very much a release that won’t be for everyone, but if you are even vaguely interested it is well worth giving it a try. As I said, even if it’s just to marvel at the sheer talent on display. I can’t really dwell on it all too long, but it gets 7.5/10 from us, very damn solid for an instrumental album!

Stone Sea: Ad Astra

This is stoner/doom rock awesomeness for almost a solid half-an-hour! The first album from the Ireland-based band in over a decade, it’s clear the band didn’t lose a step at all between releases. From the huge riffs to the awesome breakdowns, catchy vocals to heart-pounding drums, it all fits together perfectly. And, honestly, it all fits together in such a great, concise 27-minute package that it’s pretty hard to pick individual highlights! Some of the melodies on it are fantastic, and so damn catchy. It’s definitely got some QOTSA to it, but also a healthy dose of Homme’s old work in Kyuss. And there are so many awesome other influences tucked away within, but at the same time Ad Astra feels like something wholly unique to Stone Sea. These guys have really hit their stride from a writing perspective here, and it gets a damn solid 8/10 from us. Hopefully we don’t have to wait another 10+ years for the next album!

Abissi: Paramagia

Long-time readers of this site will know I’m not the biggest fan of modern hardcore music. However, when it’s infused with some of the chunkiest riffs ever, I’m all of the way down! I don’t know what it is about ‘Funerale in Messico’, but I wanted it pumping directly into my veins from the first moment I heard it. It’s dark and heavy, but swaggering and also has an insanely technical guitar solo in it, having really a bit of everything! ‘Le Chiese’ and ‘Cemento’ are also both BANGERS. I have no idea what is being said throughout, but I don’t need to, the music and vibe speak for it! I’m nervous to say it, but honestly, this is like Turnstile if they were good. If you are at all into that sort of energy, but also with a bit more metal and stoner infusion, this is most certainly the album for you! And (I’m sensing a trend through this list…), it’s short and sweet, not giving me chance to get bored or distracted. Another excellent album that I’d honestly recommend anyone give a try to, as there’s a little bit for everyone. 8.5/10

new music mondays

New Music Mondays: Gorillaz, Rob Zombie and More!

3rd March 2026 Overtone Leave a comment

An absolutely MASSIVE week of New Music Mondays for us this time, with a whopping 24 releases for us to check out across the rock, metal, country and even pop world! I even had to enlist the help of occasional Overtone writers Max and Owen to help out! Let’s not waste any time, let’s do this!

Gorillaz: The Mountain

As someone who’s never been massively into the Damon Albarn side project, only liking a few songs over the years, I was not at all excepting what I found myself listening to here. I know they’ve been pretty art rock over the years and incorporated plenty of different sounds into their own, but the occasional Asian theming was not something I was ready for heading in. And honestly, regardless of the theming of the album… this fucking sucks. I’m sorry, I know the band are massive (40M monthly listeners is insane), and there will certainly be people who like this album. If you are one of them, that’s awesome, and I’m glad someone does. But I don’t know how anyone can listen to something like ‘The Hardest Thing’ and think “I enjoyed that, I want to listen again!”. I know that as not a big fan of a lot of modern hip-hop or arty stuff, I’m not the target audience, but this is definitely lower in quality than their early stuff. The closest thing to a good track I found was ‘Orange County’ or ‘The Shadowy Light’, and even then I think that claim is a stretch. Again, if you like this, awesome, but fuck was a it a boring slog of a 56-minutes to get through. 2.5/10, make it stop.

Rob Zombie: The Great Satan

Somehow, it does not feel like nearly five years since the last album we’ve had from the horror master. A lot has changed in those five years, though. Firstly, John 5 is gone and is now in Motley Crüe, while Piggy D is now playing with Manson. However, both have been replaced by original members Mike Riggs and Blasko, making this maybe the most impressive lineup of Rob’s solo project yet. And, because of this, we’ve had the most old-school feeling Zombie album in decades. This has a heaviness and darkness and edge to it that didn’t feel present through his more recent stuff. And hey, I like his previous four albums a lot, but this certainly hits different. The opener feels ripped straight from a White Zombie release, while single ‘(I’m a) Rock “N” Roller’ dials up his industrial edge to 11 and tracks like ‘Black Rat Coffin’ and the excellent ‘The Devilman’ still have the lighter, more radio-friendly elements of his modern stuff. It really has a bit of everything, feeling more of a combination/culmination of his previous works. And there isn’t a bad track throughout; nearly-40 minutes going by in a flash. Heck, the back half of the album is arguably somehow better than the first!

It’s an album for old-school Zombie fans, feeling like a return to form from someone who never really dipped or didn’t feel like he went away! It’s such a fun listen and certainly be spinning this plenty moving forward. I can’t give it any less than 9/10, and goddamn do I hope he tours the UK with it this time!

A Thousand Horses: White Flag Down

This leaned surprisingly more into the rock side of their sound over the country that I was expecting. It’s a lot more early 2000s radio rock inspired, such as a Shinedown, but does at least keep the elements of Southern rock in there too akin to Blacktop Mojo or Black Stone Cherry. It was just a bit of a shock heading in expecting ‘Smoke’ and ‘Song to Remember’. It’s not like it was even a gradual change too, as 2024’s The Outside was still firmly routed in country.

If that sounds like a complaint, however, ir certainly isn’t! As different as it is, it’s still damn good music! It’s 36-minutes of non-stop great rock music with a dark, Southern tinge. It’s a journey through loss and trying not to give up, a theme that is all too relatable these days. I love the way it’s arranged too, with the more heavy, aggravated tracks opening before it opens up into more country/Southern rock ballad territory for the back half. The more I listened, the more I loved it, and the more ended up on my personal playlist! I’ve spun this three times over the weekend and every song is as good as the last; all excellent, emotion-filled and fit the tone of the album perfectly. It’s impossible to pick select highlights, as it’s all so good and flows incredibly. And, from the playing to the vocals, lyrics to the tones to the arrangements, it’s all phenomenally well done.

This is a band who have evolved and tried something different to amazing results, proving that they are some of the best and most underrated songwriters around today. It’s going to be an album I revisit often, and will be HIGH on our albums of the year list come December. I feel like I’ve been a touch harsher than usual this year so far, but this is absolutely excellent, and I can’t give it any less than 10/10. Check this out immediately, regardless of what you are into!

Bruno Mars: The Romantic

Okay, so while strictly more pop than anything else, you cannot argue the inspiration Bruno pulls from the rock world, alongside the likes of Soul and R&B. And I’ve been a fan of his since he broke out, and would be listening to this anyway. And, it’s my magazine, so I can do what I want!

While opening on a slow ballad was an odd choice, ‘Risk it All’ is a beautiful, emotion-filled track that is hard to it to love. The other single from the album, ‘I Just Might’, I’d honestly put up there alongside any of his hits, it really is that good! Then you have tracks like the soft rock ‘Why you Wanna Fight?’ and the bouncy, jazzy ‘Something Serious’ that are also huge highlights. However, there really isn’t a bad track throughout. His vocals are as incredible as ever, instrumentally it’s great (a surprising amount of guitar solos) and the harmonies are utterly phenomenal as always. It’s maybe a touch on the slower side overall than I’d have hoped for, but at only 31 minutes, in a rare case, I’d have happily taken more music. Especially when this is the first mainline release from the guy in a decade! It’s definitely worth a listen if you are at all interested, and gets a solid 8/10 from us!

Carpenter Brut: Leather Temple

Max: So, I am not the most versed in instrumental music and especially not synth but after this, I think I’m going to have to listen to more. It’s a bit odd and has some familiar themes throughout. However, the bouncy and flowing nature of each track kept me hooked and moving whilst listening. The metal instruments at points were simply quite cool and gave a number of the songs an almost Doom-like epicness which just keeps you going. Whilst, at least to me, it felt like the first few tracks were a little samey, on a second and then third listen, I was able to notice more and more subtle differences which made each track interesting. Whilst it might not be the greatest album ever in that genre, I wouldn’t say it is in anyway bad. For me, a really fun album that I think everyone should listen to! 9/10

Paul Gilbert: WROC

We’ve already checked out this album! Read the full review here!

Phoenix Lake: Seraphina: The Fall From Eden

The highly anticipated debut album from the melodic metallers finally dropped this last Friday. To say it lives up to the hype would be an understatement! It’s a 45-minute journey of a fallen angel perfectly encapsulated in heavy riffs and soaring vocals. The bands unique brand of melodic hard rock, metalcore and modern power metal is amazing and makes them feel pretty unique, easily standing out around a lot of their peers in the UK. And, on top of that, the quality here is insanely high. Personal highlights are ‘This Abyss’, ‘Fractured Wings’ and ‘Bells of Variel’, though there really isn’t a bad track throughout. It also has a perfect flow to it, everything fitting together amazingly and the interludes helping make it more of a concept album. Also, shout-out to whoever mixed and produced this because damn, everything sounds MASSIVE.

These guys have been building a lot of steam the last few years, and this feels like the perfect time to finally be dropping this debut. If you have even a passing liking of metal, I can’t recommend checking this out enough! The band are going to be a big name in metal in the coming years, and this is the perfect jumping-off point for that. I can’t give it any less than 9/10, amazing stuff!

Iron & Wine: Hen’s Teeth

Owen: Prolific singer songwriter Sam Beam brings us Hen’s Teeth, the eighth studio album under his stage name Iron & Wine. With a career spanning over 20 years, Iron & Wine continues to evolve and develop with age and experience. Hen’s Teeth simultaneously manages to bring in familiar elements from previous albums as well as push new directions for the artist. Beam’s unique vocals remain the focus of these 10 tracks, but the production is more polished and the instrumentals elevated. Certain tracks really show a love for 70’s folk-rock, with tracks like ‘In Your Ocean’ evoking the stylings of Fleetwood Mac or Crosby Stills and Nash. I personally would have liked a few more upbeat tracks in this style on the album as this track particularly shines. Hen’s Teeth also includes two tracks featuring I’m With Her, ‘Robin’s Egg’, and ‘Wait Up’, the combination of the bands vocals with Beam’s own vocal and writing skill is a match made in heaven and worth checking out for fans of impressive harmony. 7/10

Check out our previous review of him here!

Internal Decay: Fires of the Forgotten

Returning with new music for the first time in a whopping 33 years, and their first output since their 2023 reunion, this three track release goes hard. It feels a lot more melodeath than I was expecting heading in, maybe even more so than their debut all those years ago. That’s definitely not a bad thing though, as I loved every minute of this 16. However, the epic ‘A Demon’s Bow’ is a particular highlight for me! I’m so glad the band have returned, and I already want more from them! This may be even better than their album, you can tell they’ve matured as songwriters in their time away. If you are at all into the genre, this is an absolute must! 8/10

A Wilhelm Scream: Cheap Heat

Max: This is my first foray in to AWS but I must say the 3 seconds of reading I did about them before hand was pretty spot on; this is a fun and catchy album where you get realed in immediately. I don’t think there was a track on the album that wasn’t interesting, everything felt spot on and thought out so I never felt like it got bogged down. However, something that might be a positive or a negative depending on your perspective, is that the album is very short, sub 30 minutes! For me, it felt like the perfect amount of time and nothing overstayed its welcome. However, equally I can understand the desire to have something longer. Either way, it is certain that AWS can make a punchy and enjoyable album. 8.5/10

No Murder No Mustache: As Everything Else Decays

Album number three from the Celtic punk soloist Owen Crawford is another damn fun release! Clearly pulling inspiration from everyone from Dropkicks to Ferocious Dog to even the likes of Frank Turner and Offspring, No Murder is still very much its own thing, and does its thing with a unique style. It’s a sound that I’m a big fan of, as well as being nostalgic towards, so of course I love this. However, it’s also high quality in its own right. Tracks like ‘Dic Penderyn’, single ‘Wasted’ and ‘Never Again’ are personal highlights, but every track on it is pretty great. The lyrics are fantastic as well, punk through and through and calling out just about everything wrong with the establishment. However, having said that, 14 tracks (even if that’s including the intro and bonus ones) is a touch long. Still, at least the album is broken up by ballads like ‘As Darkness Falls’. If you are a fan of any of the artists I’ve mentioned already, this is still well worth checking out, and the project certainly has a new fan in me! 7.5/10

Utopia Development Corporation: Industrial Area Swimming Center

This debut EP sure is a mouthful. However, it is also a pretty great indie-punk release! It’s dark and pretty heavy too, with definite elements of hardcore. And, at just 15-minutes, it’s the perfect length for me with this sort of music. Much more and I think I’d have gotten a little bored of its similar style, but when it’s just four tracks it’s easy to appreciate how great it is. The band are all massively talented at their style and instruments, as well as being really good songwriters. Both ‘Repeat’ and ‘Dance Demons, Dance’ are excellent songs I’ll happily have in my rotation moving forward, even though I typically am not into this sort of style as much. If you are into any of the styles I’ve mentioned already, this is definitely worth checking out. They are definitely a band to keep an eye on, and this gets a solid 7/10 from us!

Hannah Schneider: In This Room

Owen: “Melancholic and cinematic alternative pop” is how Hannah Schneider describers her sound,
which as I listen to the 10 tracks that make up In This Room seems a perfect description. Raised in Copenhagen by classical musicians Schneider’s musical intelligence shines through early on in
the album, expect a wide range of musical styles, instruments, and inspirations not only throughout the album but within each track. Fans will recognise ‘Lighthouse’, previously released as a single, a stand out track bringing in a range elements from electronica melodies to Spanish
flamenco guitar. Overall the album is a slow chilled out exploration of the previously mentioned description of her music. Schneider and collaborator Christian Balvig have put together an
impressive album, not one that’s going to start a lively party any time soon, but a contemplative thoughtful collection of tracks. 8.5/10

Nerve Star: White Hot

Another debut album this week, this time from the NWOBHM revivalists. For a band that have only been together a couple of years, this is an absolutely amazing release. Every member works their ass off throughout, all being masters at their chosen instrument. It’s very Judas Priest/Saxon in all the best ways. I mean, anything featuring Janne Stark was bound to be good, but this blew away even my expectations! Tracks like ‘Black Ice’, ‘Black Jack’ and ‘The Harder the Better’ are personal highlights. Every track is good, though I do have to admit that the hour-long runtime was maybe a little much when much of it is so similar. Having said that, I did enjoy the little instrumental tracks that show off Stark and his criminally underrated guitaring! Another must for anyone into the old-school style of metal and a very easy 8/10 from us!

Cryptic Shift: Overspace & Supertime

Max: There are lots of albums that come out that try and really encapsulate what a certain genre or combination of genres should be like. It is this blend of progressive thrash that really like to stand out and in an aggressive way. From the almost soothing scales played as breaks across certain tracks to the jump and strange timing of other rifts its hard to pin down at any point and you really can’t say that it is in any way simple. Whilst it’s not an album for me, just as a case study for excellence you really can’t hate it. Sure you may not like it, but it is oozing with talent and skill through out. The insane feat of the half-an-hour track ‘Stratocumulus Evergaol’ is a particular highlight, and could easily be an album of its own 8/10

Jon Langston: Thing About Me

Somehow only the second album from the rather long-standing country star, it follows up Heart on Ice rather perfectly! It’s a rock-infused country album that is packed full of fun (if a little cliche) songs! It’s does feel like a hangover from the bro-country days, especially from the lyrics, but when the genre isn’t everywhere constantly, it’s enjoyable to get the odd release of it! And, shockingly, 46-minutes goes by in a flash here! From ‘Whiskey Weather’ and ‘Thing About Me’ to ‘Comes Out in the Whiskey’ and the heavier duet with Rory Rodriguez, ‘Find You’, it’s packed full of awesome songs! If you are into 2010s country, like I am, this is definitely an album worth giving a spin. Outside of his big tracks I hadn’t heard much from him, but he’s definitely good at putting out full albums, too! This is a solid 7.5/10 from us!

Necrofier: Transcend Into Oblivion

Album number three from the Texan black metallers goes just as hard as their previous two! This is nearly an hour of dark brutality and, while long-time readers will know the genre usually isn’t my go-to, I had a blast listening to this! It’s also hard to pick singular tracks as highlights, mainly because it is all a similar level of quality, but also because nine of the tracks are bunched together in three parts of the same song, following on perfectly from each other each time. Having said that, the first part of ‘Servants of Darkness’ was particularly awesome! Even in a niche genre, the band deserve to be bigger, and hopefully this is the release to take them to that point. Give this a spin if you like the heavier side of metal, and thank me later! 7/10

Philip Shouse: Side 1

The first solo release from the Accept guitar legend is a fun little jaunt through five great hard rock tracks! He still gets to show off his incredible guitar skills even when not in a metal environment, and it was actually nice to hear a different style from him. Heck, the punky, poppy ‘The Naked Empress’ was probably my favourite track on here, though they’re all good! It’s just a fun, light-hearted release that’s impossible not to have a good time listening to. I already cannot wait for Side 2, whenever that may drop, but I’m happy to wait it out and keep spinning this. I’m honestly shocked he’s not done a solo venture before now, as he clearly has a different style he wants to play and is damn good at writing it! A solid 8/10 from us, good stuff!

Pil & Blue: You Have Chosen Darkness (Level 5)

The first revisit of the (Level)s format since their 2014 debut, the melodic/melancholic/ vaguely proggy rock duo do a great job at continuing on their sound here. Firstly, the fact that they get this level of sound and depth out of just two of them is insane, being equal parts emotional and epic throughout. It gives off very big Chevelle vibes in the very best ways, also mixed with a healthy dose of Placebo. ‘Somewhere In Between’ is the perfect opener for this, while it is followed up incredibly by the thrashy, punky ‘222’. The awesomeness doesn’t stop there either, as the other five tracks on this are just as good, honestly! They are such incredible players and songwriters, and it’s easy to see why they are getting so much love in their home country. They have a big new fan in me, and I’ll certainly be going back and checking out Levels 1-4! It’s one of the best 30 minutes of music I’ve listened to all year so far, and I can’t give it anything less than 9.5/10. Check this out ASAP!

Daniel Young: Another Golden Hour

Album number five from the country-infused soft rocker is a beautiful, chilled-out 46-minute collection. It’s not going to be for everyone reading this, but I had a blast listening. It’s such an easy listen, and all 10 tracks are as good as the last! It gave off vibes of everyone from Jack Johnson to Charley Crockett to Pinegrove throughout. Maybe it was the better weather that this album seemed to summon with its release, but it’s perfect for relaxing in the sun with! If you like things a little slower and more chilled, this is definitely the album for you! Daniel’s vocals and lyric writing are both amazing, and the vague blues/country instrumentation fits both perfectly. I can’t give it any less than 8/10, great stuff!

Lone Assembly: Knots & Chains

The Swiss new wave/post-punk quartet dropped their highly anticipated debut this last Friday, and honestly blew me away with it! It’s a genre I have an up-and-down relationship with, but something about this drew me in immediately and didn’t let me go for its full 38-minutes. They wear their Sisters of Mercy and The Cure inspirations firmly on their sleeves, yet also sound modernised, the fantastic production most likely helping on that front. From the opener to ‘Nocturnal Vision’ to ‘You’re Pulling at the Same Strings’, there is plenty to love throughout! It’s a style that seems to be coming back, at least in the underground, and newer bands like this are building on and continuing the sound perfectly. It’s another incredibly easy listen, all 10 tracks going by in a flash, so check this out if you are at all curious. It gets an incredibly solid 8.5/10 from us, what a hell of a debut!

Owls Over Oaks: O.O.O.

Another massive debut album, this time from the Italian drone-doom collective. First things first, I really enjoyed the idea of this being a three track album, and each is just one word from the band name. Hilarious. However, it’s not a genre/style I think I ‘get’. I suppose the other positive is that there are some nasty tones in this, in the best way. Guitar, bass, drums and even the vocals all sound awesome from a production standpoint. But each track is 10+ minutes of the same thing over and over, and at a pretty slow pace overall. If you are into this sort of thing, more power to you, but it’s definitely not the sort of thing I’ll be rushing back to listen to again. The band members are clearly all talented, it’s just not for me. Maybe I’d get it more in a live setting. However, for now, I can’t give this much more than a 3.5/10, sorry guys. The repetition was just too much for me.

Scratch One Grub: One

Oh look, another debut album! This time it comes curtesy of the Welsh six-piece and their proggy, heavy sound. It’s very hardcore, but also very death/black metal, a splash of gothic or emo, and has plenty of metalcore elements too, making it one of the most unique listens I’ve had recently. The closest thing I can think of as a comparison is Tallah, but even then it doesn’t fit perfectly. The band are also insanely talented, crafting some wild riffs, brutal screams and crushing breakdowns throughout, all fitting together perfectly. Tracks like ‘Vagabond’, ‘Bad Habit’ and single ‘#1’ are all personal highlights, but honestly every track is pretty great, it all flowing together perfectly! I have to see this live, it’s the kind of chaotic energy that already had me wanting to pit on my own in the living room. However, it is also excellent on track, and will certainly be one I’ll be spinning plenty in the weeks and months to come. The band have a big new fan in me, and I can’t give this any less than 9/10, amazing stuff!

Magoo: What a Life

I LOVE that this sort of style is still coming out of newer bands, and this is an absolutely fantastic debut release from the Americana/bluegrass four-piece. They had me hooked right from the opening with that harmonised chorus, ‘Ohio Blues’ being an incredible early highlight. Then you have tracks like the chilled ‘Big Fall’, the Sam Bush-featuring ‘Angel of Telluride’ and the beautiful title song that are also big highlights. Plus, can we just appreciate the sheer mind-blowing playing on ‘Rippin Richard’? Insane! The whole album is packed full of highlights and fantastic songs, and nearly an hour went by in a flash. If you are even vaguely country-leaning, this is an absolute must of an album for you. And for this to be a debut album is even more incredible. It’s a modern, more radio-infused bluegrass, and I’m a little obsessed! Some amazing instrumentation and lyrics throughout, and it’s an incredibly easy 9/10 from us!