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SINGLES
STRANGERS - “Into the Night” (Frontiers Music)
A feeling of desperation is coming out of Madrid, Spain. This feeling of desperation is coming from an extremely pessimistic melodic rock band named Strangers. This stunning, yet shocking band views the world as a bleak place where disaster is lurking around every corner with no hope in sight. This sentiment is brought forth in the band’s latest single “Into the Night” which was released on April 1, 2025 featuring screaming vocals and blistering melodic rock melodies that sound like a woman who is writhing in pain after being exposed to the sunlight for any length of time.
This track is an agonizing tale about a introverted individual who has a difficult time blending in with mainstream society because of their inability to interact with other people. This introverted person prefers to be alone working under the cover of darkness because it gives them a sense of peace and freedom. Strangers is a passionate band with an odd view of the world. The world has no beauty whatsoever it is full of nothing but pure evil who are out to destroy the weak.
ROBIN RED - “Nobody’s Watching Us” (www.frontiers.it)
The heat of passion runs wild out of Sweden as Robin Red releases his sizzling single “Nobody’s Watching Us” courtesy of Frontiers Music srl. This track is the perfect cure for the summer blues as it serves as the ultimate rebellion of sorts as the good girl falls in love with the bad boy with it gritty vocals and sultry melodic rock melodies that sound like wild animals are letting their inhibitions run wild under the cover of darkness with no regrets.
Robin Red is the solo project of vocalist Robin Eriksson of the Swedish hard rock band Degreed, but with a much sexier tone and radio ready. This sweltering rock sound is reminiscent of the vibrant sound of the 1980’s. This gives long summer nights a high dose of energy before the youngsters suffer through a long school year.
ALBUMS
SIX FINGER SATELLITE - Massive Cocaine Seizure (2025 Remaster) (www.subpop.com)
It appears as though the Planet Earth has been invaded by aliens in the form of a bone-jarring post punk band which formed in the mid nineties from Providence, Rhode Island calling themselves Six Finger Satellite. Now, the have resurfaced with the release of their shocking single “Massive Cocaine Seizure” courtesy of Sub Pop Records. This obnoxious single sounds like animals drooling and screaming as they get off of their spaceship after their heads have been exploring strange new worlds under the influence of an illegal drug.
It is fair to say that this band is not for the clear minded citizens of the world, but for those individuals who are dazed and confused. Therefore, this abrasive single is part of this band’s forthcoming album “Severe Exposure: Deluxe Edition the Expanded Version” will truly dizzy up the fall season. Six Finger Satellite is probably not suitable for all listeners even after the band’s second album’s original release three decades ago.
 BRET MCKENZIE - Freak Out City (www.subpop.com)
A little dose of humor is coming out of New Zealand in the form of a comedic musician named Bret McKenzie. This whimsical pop rock artist is releasing his second album “Freak Out City on Sub Pop Records. Eye brows will be raised as well as a few chuckles will come out as listeners watch the hilarious single “shouldn’a Come Here Tonight” features a man who appears to be out of place in a tuxedo without a shave dancing through a hotel sliding down a staircase with raspy vocals and vibrant electro pop melodies that are making stuck up people squirm in their chairs.
Bret McKenzie is a lighthearted musician who is injecting some much-needed pleasantness in an unpleasant world. He reminds people that it is okay to laugh at the stuffiness in humanity once in a while in order to breathe rather than choke on the relentless rigidity of society.
 KANADIA - The fire That is Tearing Through Our Home (604 Records)
The sirens are blaring as an inferno of anger is raging out of Oxford, United Kingdom. This raging inferno comes in the form of a brooding alternative rock band named Kanadia. This fearful band portrays life as a treacherous journey full of endless heartache and pain throughout their forthcoming album “The Fire That is Tearing Through Our Home.’” This depressing album features ten tumultuous tracks about a troubled man on the verge of a nervous breakdown with whining vocals and blistering rock melodies that sound acid eating through a troubled man’s soul.
The relentless nightmare begins to expose the emotional turmoil that has overrun a couple’s home in the heart wrenching track “The Ways.” This track features haunting vocals and scorching melodies that sound like the Devil himself is enjoying a once loving couple destroy their relationship over stubbornness and the inability to accept changes that occur over time. Meanwhile, resentment continues to grow within a bitter man’s soul in the in the anxiety ridden track “Too Late Now.” This track features weeping vocals and eerie melodies that sound like a wolf is howling at the moon expressing the heartbreak of a man who is devastated by how quickly a vibrant, loving relationship quickly turned into a pile of smoldering ashes.
Finally, the endless nightmare comes to an excruciating end in the in the chilling track “Going Nowhere.” This track features raspy vocals and creaking rock melodies that sound like a lonely man who is sitting alone in a rundown hotel room and drinking a bottle of whiskey and wallowing in self-pity over a romance that has slowly eroded after many years of anger and resentment.
Kanadia is a passionate, yet gloomy Alternative Rock band who feels that romance brings humanity nothing but heartache throughout their pessimistic album “The Fire That is Tearing Through Our Home.” This is the true spirit of early Alternative Rock revolution that was prevalent in the 1990’s when sadness and angst ruled the music industry putting out the vibrant sounds of the 1980’s in a hurry. It is safe to say that the era of darkness and rainy days have made a strong comeback. Life is not always full of happiness or beds of roses for human beings to roll around in until the end of time. Romance can be a brutal weapon that will cut deeply into one’s tortured spirit.
 RISEN ATLANTIS - Glory for the Brave (www.frontiers,it)
An adrenaline rush is coming from an exciting power metal band named Risen Atlantis courtesy of Frontiers Music srl. This intense and powerful band is being led by veteran German vocalist Frank Beck with is ear-piercing vocals that could shatter glass and blow put speakers everywhere.
This is evident in the band’s explosive single “Glory for the Brave.” This is the second track from the band’s ferocious debut album “Power to the Past” which is paying homage to the bombastic vibe of the 1980’s with gritty, yet operatic vocals and thunderous power metal melodies that sound like Zeus is whipping up the howling winds and churning up an angry ocean because people are tired of being oppressed by overbearing rulers. Therefore, they are willing to fight for freedom with no fear of death in order to have peace for all mankind.
Risen Atlantis is a mighty band with that will hold its own weight within the current and ever-changing music scene.
 FORTH WANDERERS The Longer This Goes On (forthwanderers.Bandcamp.com)
A game of love and lies is on full display as a moody and unforgiving alternative rock band hailing from Montclair, New Jersey named Forth Wanderers released their dreary fourth album “The Longer This Goes On” on Sub Pop Records. This excruciating collection of music feels like a woman crying a river of tears over a string of bad romances throughout this ten-track album that sound like a person is drowning in an ocean of misery with gurgling vocals and shorted out alternative rock melodies.
The game of love and lies begins to take its toll on a woman’s soul in the anxiety ridden track “Call You Back.” This track features moaning vocals and fluttering alternative rock melodies that sound like butterflies swirling around in an angry woman’s stomach due to the fact that her narrow minded boyfriend is begging her to take him back, However, she is having second thoughts race through her head after what ended their tumultuous relationship, Meanwhile, the game of love and lies continues to give a heartbroken woman even more chaos in the painful track “Springboard.” This track features haunting vocals and ringing alternative rock melodies that sound like a tortured woman’s head is bouncing of the walls of her bedroom as her on -again-off-again relationships with devious men drive her insane.
Finally, the game of love and lies calms down in the reflective, yet sarcastic track “Bluff.” This track features raspy vocals and abrasive alternative rock melodies that sound like a scorn woman who found the courage to stand up for herself after years of manipulation and spit nails at those men and have the ability to stand on her own to feet and enjoy personal freedom.
Forth Wanderers is an ominous alternative rock band who has the strength to bring out the negativity that can be part of romance. However, realizing that one does not have to live in fear. The awful truth is blatantly pointed out in the band’s course album “The Longer This Goes on.” This album brings back the classic alternative rock sound. No frills.
VERNON REID - Hoodoo Telemetry (Players Club; mascotlabelgroup.com)
The prolific veteran guitarist Vernon Reid who shocked the world in the late 1980’S with mind-blowing riffs in the heavy metal band Living Colour will once again shock the world with his mystifying new album “Hoodoo Telemetry” released by The Players Club. This well-crafted alternative rock album features fourteen tracks that capture raw human emotion about romance and the chaotic scene caused by the world’s current political upheaval. This brilliant album showcases this Grammy winning guitarist’s ability to combine blues and elements of soothing soulful melodies which will make listeners feel as if they are in an endless nightmare because life is unpredictable.
The endless nightmare begins to expose a man’s inner demons in the fearful track “Door of No Return.” This track is a sultry instrumental tale that sound like Medusa has had a good time seducing a curious man’s heart. Then, ripping it out of his chest Therefore, leaving him to writhe in agony and having a bitter taste in his mouth vowing never to fall in love again. Meanwhile, the endless nightmare continues as a feeling of intense fear engulfs a man in the frightening track “The Haunting.” This track features eerie vocals and chilling alternative rock melodies that sound like ghosts howling loudly inside of a troubled man’s mind. This track is a depressing tale about a lonely man who feels lost after being kind to people. Then, people have taken advantage of him without a second thought. So, the world is no longer full of warmth. It is full of darkness and pain.
Finally, the endless nightmare is spinning out of control in the frustrating track “Dying to Live.” This track features quivering vocals and pulsating blues melodies that sound like a man’s blood pressure is rising with each passing day. This track is a reflective tale about an angry man who is tired of working hard to make ends meet and getting nothing in return other than more aggravation for doing what is morally right as an honest citizen.
Vernon Reid is a brilliant guitarist who will continue to impress the music world with his emotionally powerful album “Hoodoo Telemetry.”
 ROULETTE - Go! (www.soundpollution.net)
Is romance a game of chance? The answer to this question is, yes. A veteran Swedish melodic rock band that began in the 1980’s named Roulette courtesy of Sound Pollution is getting ready to burn rubber with their fiery album “Go!” which feature ten thunderous tracks about the unpredictability of romance.
The game of chance begins to play out at night as a lonely man’s dreams of forever torment him in the sizzling track “Answer to My Prayers.” This track features snarling vocals and blistering melodic rock melodies pulsating melodic rock melodies that sound like a nervous heartbeat. This track is a sultry tale about a lonely man who is having dreams of forever racing through his head about a beautiful woman he set his sights on earlier in the evening. Now, his sinful thoughts are relentless because he truly believes that she has been sent from heaven. Meanwhile, the game of chance continues as the gleaming light sent from heaven turns into darkness in the anxiety ridden track “Strangers.” This track features gritty, yet quivering vocals and brooding melodic rock melodies that sound like a tornado has ripped a couple’s home apart. This track is a heart wrenching tale about a once loving couple who are living separate lives under one roof unable to speak to each other.
Finally, the game of chance comes to an excruciating end as a thriving romance turns into a river of tears in the agonizing track “Take Me as I Am.” This track is groaning vocals and explosive melodic rock melodies that sound like a volcano has erupted spewing lava everywhere and causing unhappiness. This track is a heartbreaking tale about a frustrated man who is upset with his girlfriend because she is expecting him to be someone he is not after the couple has been together for many years. So, the frustrated man’s girlfriend is having a hard time with the couple’s relationship changing as they grow older.
Roulette is a great melodic rock band that will go full throttle with their high-octane album “Go!” leaving a trail of smoldering tire tracks behind them.
 BRANDON LAKE - King of Hearts (providentlabelgroup.com)
For those who are feeling lost in an angry world there is a glimmer of hope coming out of a soul bearing worship Christian singer-songwriter and Provident Entertainment artist named Brandon Lake. This mind-numbing Christian worship artist released his breathtaking album “King of Hearts” featuring eighteen tracks that will awaken wounded souls by giving them hope when there is no hope in a world that is full of hate.
A gleaming light blinds a lonely man in the calming track “King of Hearts.” This track features weeping, yet angelic vocals and floating Christian rock melodies that sound like a lonely man who has been cleansed by living water so that he can live a life of peace and spread a message of love just as Jesus did because no one is perfect everyone makes mistakes. However, one must learn from them in order to keep from getting pulled back into a pool of misery. Meanwhile, the reborn man feels an earthquake occurring in the earth-shattering track “Hard Fought Hallelujah” (with Jelly Roll). This track features gritty vocals and pulsating Christian rock melodies that sound like two man are reliving their past struggles with addiction and were fighting mightily to get out of their self-imposed prison by calling to a higher power to gain their freedom.
Finally, the bright light is still growing within a loving man’s heart in the riveting track “But God.” This track features soulful vocals with a bit of rap elements combined with infectious groovy melodies that sound like a happy man who is dancing on air with a positive vibe filling his heart without fear of obstacles that will stand in his way because he knows who he can call on when trouble is on the horizon.
Brandon Lake is an amazing Christian worship singer-songwriter who has literally been to hell and climbed out of darkness and found personal victory throughout his stunningly beautiful album “King of Hearts.”
DANA WHY - The Cracked Hand (Mint 400 Records; danawhy.bandcamp.com)
Life is spinning out of control in Asbury Park, New Jersey from a pessimistic pop artist named Dana Why. The gloomy singer-songwriter portrays life as one endless nightmare on his latest album, featuring 13 tumultuous tracks about shattered dreams, hopelessness, and feelings of regret combined with groaning vocals and haunting pop melodies.
A feeling of intense fear comes out of a lonely man in the anxiety-ridden “Warm Bed.” This track features sweltering vocals and sultry pop melodies. Meanwhile, intense fear continues to grow in the ominous track “Wednesday,” which features screaming vocals and sizzling pop melodies that sound like a lonely outcast who has been raked over hot coals by society.
Finally, intense fear reaches the breaking point in the bitter track, “Leona,” which features slithering vocals and heavy, pulsating pop melodies that sound like a nervous heartbeat. Dana Why's world may be dark but his musicianship and abililty to express emotions make this a memorable listen.
 RAMONDA - The Walls Are Crumbling Down (www.frontiers.it)
A rush of excitement is coming out of Argentina from an electrifying hard rock band named Ramonda. This fierce band is being led by the powerful vocalist Santiago Ramonda who will set the world ablaze with fiery debut album The Walls Are Crumbling Down”. This powerful album will make fans of the bombastic sound of the 1980’s very happy with its loud, vibrant attitude about romance, heartache, and the possibility of a full-scale war hovering over humanity.
The rush of romance comes alive in the ravenous track "Under the Moonlight,"" this track features howling vocals and sizzling melodies that sound like a restless couple who is letting their innermost desires run wild under the cover of darkness regardless of what others may think about their hasty relationship. Meanwhile, the heat of a hasty romance quickly turns into a nightmare in the haunting track “Without Love,” This track features screaming vocals and sharp, abrasive melodies that sound like a heartbroken man who has been stabbed in the chest with a knife. This track is an agonizing tale about a guilt- ridden man who is regretting the fact that he cheated on his former girlfriend causing her to become angry and literally leaving him in the dust. Now, the guilt-ridden man wishes he could take back what he did to her, but he cannot. He will have to swallow this bitter pill and move on with his life.
Finally, the feeling of overwhelming fear is reverberating all over Planet Earth in the frightening track “The World’s Gone Crazy.” This track features slithering vocals and explosive melodies that sound like a war of epic proportion is on the horizon with people frantically running for safety, but having absolutely nowhere to go. This track is a pessimistic about how the world has been thrown into a state of endless chaos. This state of endless chaos will end only if humanity decides to behave with civility rather than warfare.
This band is destined for rock and roll greatness and they will remind listeners to crank up the volume on their stereos full blast. This is the perfect cure for a seemingly endless wrath of absolute utter chaos.
 MR. BLACKWATCH - Mary, Me (www.greenmonkeyrecords.com)
A flurry of emotion is pouring out of Tacoma, Washington coming from a charming yet dramatic rock band from Green Monkey Records named Mr. Blackwatch. This soul bearing rock band released its modern-day rock opera “Mary, Me which is a double album full of sixteen emotionally intense tracks spit into two acts exposing the trials and tribulations of romance combined with raspy vocals and groovy rock melodies that will tug at the heart strings of listeners everywhere.
The curtain rises with heartache pouring out of a woman in Act 1 in the depressing track “The Pieces.” This track features moaning vocals and gurgling rock melodies that sound like a heartbroken woman is drowning in an ocean of sorrow after her once loving romance has ended. Meanwhile, the agony of heartache slowly fades away in the in the hopeful track “Maybe Love.” This track features sultry vocals and groovy rock melodies that sound like a lonely woman who has caught the attention of a handsome man in a nightclub. Then, realized couple might have a little bit of chemistry.
Next, the curtain rises as the sunshine appears to break through the dark clouds in Act 2 with a breath of fresh air soothing a shattered man’s soul in the promising track “Pleased to See You.” This track features soulful vocals and rustic rock melodies that sound like a couple who has reunited and is enjoying a sunny day riding in a convertible with a cool breeze blowing through their hair; Finally, the bells are ringing loudly in the uplifting track “I Do.” This track features quivering vocals and fluttering rock melodies that sound like a happy man who is struggling to hold back tears of joy as he is about to marry a woman who was once heartbroken and now, she is sharing is overwhelming happiness about a bright future together.
Mr. Blackwatch is an intriguing and passionate rock band who sees romance as an epic rollercoaster full of twists and turns. This band’s modern rock opera “Mary, Me” ends with happiness rather than sadness.
 DEAD AIR FRESHENERS with JENNIFER ROBIN – Moon (www.greenmonkeyrecords.com)
A blanket of stagnant air is choking the life out of humanity according to a blunt ambient rock band out of Portland, Oregon named Dead Air Fresheners with Jennifer Robin. This eerie ambient rock band released their nineteenth album “Moon” on Green Monkey Records. This coarse album will take listeners on a mind-numbing ride into the depths of the human psyche featuring nine dark tracks that will make one’s head spin with its groaning vocals and haunting ambient rock melodies that are perfect for use in a creepy science fiction thriller.
The stagnant air and wall of silence is suddenly shattered with screams of fear coming out of a terrified woman in the frightening track “Phantom Hour” This track features blood curdling vocals and chilling ambient rock melodies that sound like a terrified woman who has been awakened from a nightmare that been playing through her head about her undesirable past at the stroke of midnight. Meanwhile, the terrified woman struggles to calm her frayed nerves in the somewhat brutal, yet sarcastic track “Last Night.” This track features cackling vocals and fiery ambient rock melodies that sound like the Devil has been encouraging her to stay under the influence of drugs in order to escape the emotional torment that has plagued her for years.
Finally, the stagnant air is overwhelming a terrified woman’s soul in the agonizing track “Toys.” This track features sorrowful vocals and galactic sounding ambient rock melodies that sound like a spaceship is getting ready to blast off into outer space. This track is a reflective and heartbreaking tale about a woman who is looking back at her troubled childhood and had dreams of being an astronaut and landing on the moon and enjoying the freedom away from a life of misery.
Dead Air Freshener with Jennifer Robin is a gloomy ambient rock band with a negative view of the world around them throughout their ominous album “Moon.” Life is no bed of roses.
 TOM DYER - Irish Tour 2024 (www.greenmonkeyrecords.com)
Tom Dyer is a passionate and fun-loving singer-songwriter out of Olympia, Washington and the founder of the independent record label called Green Monkey Records. This hair-raising artist goes back to his ancestral roots of Ireland throughout is hilarious yet somewhat sarcastic indie folk album “Irish Tour 2024” which features twelve emotionally intense tracks about gruesome stories of people staring at dead bodies in glass cases, Mother Nature’s beauty, and the wedding of a restless woman all are being brought forth by gritty vocals and brooding alternative folk melodies.
The opening track “Bogman” will take listeners on a wild ride through the depths of ancient Irish history with it chanting vocals and haunting alternative folk melodies as a dead king who once oppressed his peasants with utter delight is being gawked at by onlookers in a museum lying in a glass case adorned with crucifixes. Meanwhile, amusement quickly turns into an appreciation for Mother Nature’s beauty in the peaceful track “The Cliffs of Ireland.” This track is a calming and refreshing tale featuring fluttering alternative folk melodies are crashing on a beach below the majestic cliffs as the sun rises as it has for centuries.
Finally, a dose of raw emotion spews forth in the sarcastic track “She Was Getting Married.” This track features groaning vocals and murmuring alternative folk melodies mimicking the sounds of annoying gameshow. By sarcastically depicting the looks of bewilderment during the fourth wedding of a restless woman who ran away from her past by escaping to a foreign land.
Tom Dyer is a brilliant independent alternative folk artist who does not shy away from voicing his opinions about the world around him with gritty vocals and quirky alternative folk arrangements.
CHARMING DISASTER – The Double (charmingdisaster.com)
A thick haze is hovering over Brooklyn, New York. A charismatic, yet spooky goth folk duo named Charming Disaster makes fun of the chaos that has overtaken the world throughout their seventh album “The Double.” This dizzying ride through the minds of a quirky duo who makes no apologies for being truthful about the world around them featuring ten tracks featuring moaning vocals and brooding goth folk melodies that sound like a witch cackling loudly as she is stirring up her magic potion that is bubbling in a large pot in the middle of the forest.
This somewhat eerie album opens up with bugs crawling through the trees in the irritating track “Black Locust.” This track features groaning vocals and buzzing goth folk melodies that sound like huge bugs are crawling all over a couple under the influence of drugs on a sweltering evening. The disillusioned couple is desperately trying to escape the reality of what they perceive to be an evil world. Meanwhile, a dose of lightheartedness is coming out of the drug induced has in the sarcastic track “New Moon.” This track features haunting vocals and ominous goth folk melodies that sound like Martians have swooped down from outer space to rescue the lost Earthlings who are wanting to enjoy themselves rather than be oppressed by evil human beings.
Finally, the end of the world has come to pass in the abrasive track “Scavengers.” This track features slithering vocals and sharp goth folk melodies that sound like a flock of buzzards are circling above an abandoned farmhouse and picking apart what is left of a dead cow in the middle of a desolate field. This track is a bleak tale about what the world will look like after humanity has destroyed it in the interest of power leaving the surviving inhabitants feeling isolated.
Charming Disaster is an eclectic goth folk duo who sees both negativity and positivity in an unpredictable world with odd vocal ranges and instrumentations throughout their whimsical album “The Double,” which will no undoubtedly leave listeners scratching their heads.
 NICK HEXUM – Full Memories (SKP Records)
A walk down memory lane is being taken by 311's lead singer, Nick Hexum, on his second solo EP. This heart-wrenching yet soothing collection of music features five country rock tracks chronicling the trials and tribulations of a man who moved to California to pursue his dream of stardom but missed his midwestern roots, and pays homage to them throughout this soul-bearing EP.
A flood of emotion pours out in the calming track “Just to See You Smile,” which features soulful vocals and soothing country rock melodies that sound like ocean waves are crashing down on a beach on a warm, sunny day. It's a heartwarming tale about a happy man who is enjoying life’s simple pleasures away from the hectic spotlight of the music business, with a beautiful wife who keeps him grounded.
The sunshine and the ocean waves of L.A. give way to stormy skies in the anxiety-ridden “Careless,” which features gritty vocals and rustic country-rock melodies. This track is an eerie tale about a restless man who is confused about what to do with his life yet has visions of stardom running through his head.
This flood of emotion comes to an excruciating end as Nexum’s heart screams for a dose of peace, as his meteoric rise to stardom suddenly comes crashing down in the painful track, “California,” which features raspy vocals and fluttering country rock melodies that hit like a cold, stinging rain. It is a haunting yet reflective tale about a heartbroken man who as achieved fame as a musician while enjoying the “perks” that come with it, suddenly becomes an introvert because everyone around him wants a “piece-of-the-pie.” Nexum mourns losing his true identity and pines to return to the simple life of the Midwest where everyone quietly goes about their daily lives without the glitz and glamour of Southern California.
Nick Hexum is a brilliant artist who displays his vulnerable side by moving away from the the fast-paced and vibrant sound of 311 on this solo effort, where he tests the waters of mellow country rock with this passionate EP, focusing on the sweet and bitter side of success. This is one beautiful story.
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