This is Idles taking things a step slower. The energy and attitude are still present even with a reduced tempo. The anger is what’s calmed down while still being fiercely direct in writing. Joe Talbot’s tone always come through in any situation. The singles “Dancer” and “Gift Horse” sound familiar but the majority of deep cuts on the album that prove IDLES have changed gears. It’s gritty but somehow uplifting. Love if a fing and that message is definitely proclaimed through the album. It’s meant to be positive even in the lowest notes. Less of a dance album and more of a movement through music, and I do feel this album stands out because of it. I don’t know if this would be the best introduction to all of Idles music, but I do know it works well in many ways and proves the group can inspire. 8/10.
“The new album “TANGK” from the band Idles is a departure from their previous work, as they explore the theme of love in a more melodic and experimental way. Lead singer Joe Talbot’s personal experiences have influenced the album’s focus on love, making it their warmest record to date. The band collaborated with producers Nigel Godrich and Kenny Beats, resulting in a blend of taut programmed drums, emphasis on melody, and analog tape loops. This has led to a surprising mix of influences, creating a sound that is both familiar and innovative. The album showcases a softer side of Idles, while still maintaining their signature intensity and authority.” (Perplexity)
“The first time we heard it back in our studio we just stared at each other with our mouths open,” says Courney Taylor-Taylor of THE DANDY WARHOLS about the wah-wah superpower added by legendary guitarist Slash to the new single and A.I.-produced video “I’d Like To Help You With Your Problem.” “What he played on the track is amazing. I’ve never heard him play quite like that, but what is so fascinating to me is that it is clearly him playing. As recognizable as a familiar human voice.”
Taken from their upcoming album ROCKMAKER, which will be released on March 15, 2024 via Sunset Blvd. Records, “I’d Like To Help You With Your Problem” is an anthemic rock track that surges with Slash’s trademark burning guitars. “The song has a real Vietnam-era acid rock sound,” he adds. “We wanted that kind of guitar playing on it, but we don’t have anyone in the band who can do it. Once we began discussing it, it became apparent that there wasn’t really anyone else whose hands we could put it in, so thus the Hail Mary to try and get Slash to play on it.”
The follow-up to “Danzig With Myself” which featured the inimitable Frank Black on surf guitar, “I’d Like To Help You With Problem” is the third single from the Portland, OR band’s 12th album (the revved-up and greased banger “Summer of Hate” was released in Summer 2023). Diving deeper into minor chords that often characterize post-punk, deep metal and goth, ROCKMAKER showcases the band’s alt-rock roots while exploring different reaches of the rock idiom (their last album Tafelmuzik Means More When You’re Alone was a three-and-a-half-hour exploration of what The AU Report characterized as a “soundtrack that would typically score a mid-16th century banquet”).
In addition to Frank Black and Slash, ROCKMAKER features celebrated British DJ and producer Keith Tenniswood (David Holmes, Primal Scream, Rotters Golf Club) of Two Lone Swordsmen who mastered the record and acclaimed British producer Jagz Kooner (Massive Attack, Kasabian, Garbage) who mixed it.
Formed in Portland, OR, The Dandy Warhols combined the best bits of shoegaze, alternative powerpop and heavy rock with a wicked satirical pen. Spawning alt-rock mainstays like “Bohemian Like You”, “Not If You Were the Last Junkie on Earth,” “Have a Kick Ass Summer (Me and My Friends)” and the synth-disco jam “We Used to Be Friends.”
The Dandy Warhols is Courtney Taylor-Taylor (vocals, guitar), Peter Holmström (guitar, keyboards), Zia McCabe (keyboard, bass, percussion), and Brent DeBoer (drums, backing vocals). ROCKMAKER will be available on March 15, 2023 via Sunset Blvd.
The Mars Volta have announced an upcoming string of live dates taking place this June with support from special guest Teri Gender Bender. Tickets go on sale this Friday, February 16 at 10AM local time.
The band is confirmed to perform a set at this year’s Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival, taking place June 14 in Manchester, TN. Tickets are on sale now: www.bonnaroo.com
The Mars Volta continue to support their most recent albums ‘The Mars Volta’ and ‘Que Dios Te Maldiga Mi Corazón’. The dates announced today are cities the band have yet to perform in since their return to performing together.
The upcoming film ‘Omar and Cedric: If This Ever Gets Weird’ was recently announced to have its North American premiere at the upcoming SXSW Festival. The film shows the iconic duo’s journey from the hardcore scene in El Paso, Texas, to rock and roll acclaim; from growing up as minorities to their rise to success; from struggles with loss, and addiction to their blazing comeback. A depiction of love, death, and inspiration — with a soundtrack that has defined a generation. It was directed by Nicolas Jack Davies and produced by Clouds Hill Films in Association with Pulse Films.
June 9 – Egyptian Room at Old National Centre – Indianapolis, IN
June 10 – The Admiral Theatre – Omaha, NE
June 12 – Kemba Live! – Columbus, OH
June 14 – Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival – Manchester, TN
Formed by guitarist/composer Omar Rodríguez-López and singer/lyricist Cedric Bixler-Zavala, The Mars Volta rose from the ashes of El Paso punk-rock firebrands At The Drive-In in 2001. On a mission to “honor our roots and honor our dead”, The Mars Volta made music that fused the Latin sounds Rodríguez-López was raised on with the punk and underground noise he and Bixler-Zavala had immersed themselves in for years, and the futuristic visions they were tapping into. The albums that followed were one-of-a-kind masterpieces, their songs of breath-taking complexity also possessing powerful emotional immediacy. After the group fell silent, a legion of devotees kept up an insistent drum-beat for their return.
Cybergrind. It’s a genre that is more than just a cavalcade of chaos, noise, and insanity – it’s an underground movement that has been steadily making the rounds in the early 2020s. Whether it’s the sold-out Subterranean show last summer or labels like Prosthetic Records putting their faith in this perplexing, provoking style of music with signs like Blind Equation and Thotcrime, cybergrind is becoming undeniable.
One such group is ZOMBIESHARK!, the cybergrind outfit that has been taped by Hate5Six and shared by Anthony Fantano. Corey Swope, whose art graces merch from bands like Sanguisugabogg and Elysia, has been plugging away at the project for years with stellar releases like I Will Destroy You, Myself, and Everything I’ve Ever Loved. and BORN FROM A WISH. So, can Die Laughing maintain the momentum for ZOMBIESHARK!?
Music’s great for a lot of things – singing along, focusing on something else with it in the background, etc. But ZOMBIESHARK!’s cybergrind approach is a digital raid of hyperproduction and corruption. The minute-long climax build of “The Fool” positively erupts into a loud “DIE!” the instant “Party All The Time” begins. It’s then evident to the listener that cybergrind means time signatures are a joke, and desperate screams overlap what feels like a visceral panic attack. What I love about ZOMBIESHARK’s take on Die Laughing is that there are interspersed moments of bliss to break from the disorder where Corey gives the shouts a rest and sings. With intense moments from the get-go featuring double bass faster than my mind can comprehend, it’s a strong a start as any.
Something noteworthy about Die Laughing? The average song length is 1:53. These short bursts are meticulously crafted to throw the listener for a loop and keep them immersed, and it just works. Each following track feels as demented and disturbed as the last, but ZOMBIESHARK! ensures that there’s discernible ebbs and flows across the whopping 16 songs. Even at that quantity, Die Laughing doesn’t feel bloated due to the brief runtime. Most of the risks end up paying off and I can’t imagine interest will be lost as the record hits its back half. It’s refreshing to see an artist get all of their ideas out and not have to scrap anything they aren’t 100% set on.
The last 20 seconds of “Loxosceles On The Isosceles” have been stuck in my head for longer than I’d like to admit; it’s a devastating, bleak onslaught that eases into dreamscape interlude “Mosquito In The Embroidery Room”. The breakdown in “Procedurally Generated Bear Traps” is a vitriolic incursion that just may be the best heavy moment on the record, whereas the vulnerable singing in single “Put Your Glasses On, Nothing Can Be Wrong” is a night-and-day difference in a really beautiful moment amidst the ruckus. A Fire-Toolz feature in “Online Garden of Eden” made my hair stand on end with harrowing vocal delivery – another opportunity to feel cybergrind’s avant garde stylings.
What ZOMBIESHARK! accomplishes on Die Laughing is to capture so many negative feelings and emotions and present them succinctly across defeated lyricism, shrill vocals, layers of production, and mood-changing melodies. It’s not designed for easy listening – if anything, it’s the opposite, meant for cathartic emotional release. Delving into cybergrind won’t appeal to the masses, but those eager for something different, something catastrophic, will find a lot to love in Die Laughing.
The heavy metal ‘n’ roll, dark, madcap visionaries collectively known as AVATAR — vocalist Johannes Eckerström, guitarists Jonas Jarlsby and Tim Öhrström, bassist Henrik Sandelin, and drummer John Alfredsson — will return to the U.S. for a headline tour this May. The trek kicks off on May 8 in Indianapolis and includes appearances at key festivals such as Sonic Temple.
Oxymorrons and Conquer Divide will serve as support. All dates are below. Tickets go on sale on Friday, February 16. Get tickets here.
2024 will be quite a year for Avatar! With headline tours in Europe and Latin America announced, and festival dates in the U.S., the band is set to have a monumental start to their year. Europe already has nine sold-out shows, with many others on their way to selling out. Avatar’s first headline tour in Latin America is a milestone in and of itself. The band will headline a Sonic Temple stage this May — their first headline set at a DWP Festival.
The band’s latest album Dance Devil Dance is out now.
AVATAR ON TOUR: WITH OXYMORRONS + CONQUER DIVIDE: 5/8 — Indianapolis, IN — Egyptian Room 5/9 — Huntsville, AL — VBC Mars Music Hall 5/10 — Greensboro, NC — Piedmont Music Hall 5/11 — Norfolk, VA — The Norva 5/12 — Sayreville, NJ — Starland Ballroom 5/14 — Portland, ME — State Theater 5/15 — Wallingford, CT — The Dome 5/16 — Reading, PA — Reverb 5/17 — Columbus, OH — Sonic Temple* 5/18 — St. Louis, MO — Pointfest* 5/19 — Milwaukee, WI — Milwaukee Metal Fest * *Festivals
If ever an album enticed you to stare into the void and then jump into it head first, this would be it. Wolfe‘s voice and wild creativity are ethereal at points. The guitar tones, the instrumentation, everything in this album creates an atmosphere. It’s not ambient background music either, this album pulls you into it’s gravity. “Everything Turns Blue”, “House Of Self-Undoing” and “Unseen World” have that hypnotic attraction. The lyrics and execution from Wolfe haunt you. This is a darkly themed album but never to the point of despair. It’s a trip you know you’ll escape and be thankful for. Past Chelsea would be proud of present Chelsea, which will make for a proud future Chelsea. Somewhat as the title invokes. 9/10
Best Tracks: “Everything Turns Blue” “House Of Self-Undoing”
Chelsea Wolfe She Reaches Out To She Reaches Out To She Album Review
“Chelsea Wolfe’s latest album, She Reaches Out to She Reaches Out to She, marks a significant evolution in her discography, released on February 9, 2024, under Loma Vista Recordings. This seventh studio album stands out as her first collaboration with the label and features the production expertise of Dave Sitek from TV on the Radio. Wolfe’s signature gothic rock sound delves into themes of surrender and the embrace of the unknown, with a tracklist that includes haunting titles like ‘Whispers In The Echo Chamber’ and ‘Tunnel Lights’. The album’s soundscape is a rich blend of distorted guitars, drum pads, electronics, and piano, showcasing Wolfe’s confident fusion of metal and melancholy. Fans and new listeners alike can explore the depths of Wolfe’s artistry through this album, which is available for streaming and download.” (Perplexity)
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Chelsea Wolfe She Reaches Out To She Reaches Out To She Album Review
The Great Reuniting continues as the world’s most important cultural force, DETHKLOK, returns to American stages and brings their songs of salvation to the masses. Running from April 07 through May 03, Dethklok’s newly announced Mutilation on a Spring Night Tour, produced by Live Nation, will see support from DragonForce and Nekrogoblikon.
Dethklok is an illustrated/animated virtual powerhouse, occupying an elite space alongside Gorillaz. Except Dethklok is bigger, better, more brutal, and totally legendary.
The world’s most brutal band are the stars of the Metalocalypse TV series and films, cocreated by Brendon Small. Revolver Magazine calls the writer, director, and composer the “musical mastermind” behind Dethklok. A vocalist and multi-instrumentalist, Small has made four Dethklok albums and assorted releases with legendary metal drummer Gene Hoglan (Dark Angel, Death, Testament, Strapping Young Lad).
“I love bands that celebrate guitar and bands that have a lot of fun onstage. I also love bands that don’t, but for this tour, I think it makes sense to have a lot of dragons, goblins, and ‘kloks together,” says Small. “If you’re going to do this, you gotta go big and over the top. This is going to be a very fun show for people.”
Last year’s BABYKLOK co-headlining trek was the first Dethklok tour in over a decade. “I had no idea how much fun the BABYKLOK tour would be,” remembers Small. “The BABYMETAL girls are delightful, like three princesses from outer space, great singers, and great dancers. Their band is bonkers good. I magically found my way into this parallel universe. The show itself is a great challenge as a vocalist, guitar player, and multitasker. The goal is always to put on the absolute best show that I can.”
2023 saw a flurry of activity from the melodic death metal titans. Army of the Doomstar was a sequel to Metalocalypse: The Doomstar Requiem, released in 2013. 2023 also saw the release of the Army of the Doomstar Original Motion Picture Soundtrack. Dethalbum IV was the most celebrated album of the band’s career, boasting unstoppable anthems like “Aortic Desecration,” “SOS,” and “Gardener of Vengeance.”
“Dethalbum IV is a fantastic death metal album,” wrote New Noise. “Despite Dethklok being an animated band, the music is very real, delivering that scratch to itch the need for good metal.”
Rolling Stone named Dethalbum IV one of the 11 Best Metal Albums of 2023. “The first Dethklok album in more than a decade is totally brutal – and totally worth the wait,” they declared. “Small and Hoglan’s dexterous playing also make the music stand majestically on its own terms. You don’t need to be in on the joke to jump into the pit and mosh along.”
Adult Swim aired four seasons of Metalocalypse from 2006 to 2013. Premiere global and media entertainment company Warner Bros. Discovery distributes the Metalocalypse series and feature films.
“I knew taking on this project meant I’d have to wring everything out of the sponge to make it all work,” Small says of the massive effort put behind the series, movies, albums, and soundtracks. “But this is how I have fun, putting it together, and having the luxury of writing, directing, producing, and making music for something and seeing it all the way through. And when you have great collaborators, everyone elevates each other. I have to deliver everything I can, so I’m proud of it, and they are proud to participate in it.”
“This is a very fun time with the tour, the album, and the movie. I don’t know if Dethklok will be touring forever,” he adds. “So, it’s important for people to know they should get it while it’s hot.”
Artist ticket presales for theMutilation on a Spring Night Tour run Tuesday, February 6 at 1 pm EST through Thursday, February 8 at 10 pm local time. Venue presales run Wednesday, February 7 at 10 am local time through Thursday, February 8 at 10 pm local time. Public on-sale begins Friday, February 9 at 10 am local.
Inkcarceration Music & Tattoo Festival 2023 crowd by Nathan Zucker
Inkcarceration Music & Tattoo Festival Announces 2024 Music Lineup Headlines By Shinedown, Godsmack, & Breaking Benjamin
July 19-21, 2024 at Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield, Ohio
Single Day and Weekend Passes On Sale Now Starting At $10 Down At www.Inkcarceration.com
One of America’s most unique events—Inkcarceration Music & Tattoo Festival—returns to historic Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield, Ohio for its 6th year, July 19, 20 & 21 with a music lineup packed with top rock acts, more than 115 tattoo artists and haunted attractions.
Following three consecutive years of sellouts, Inkcarceration will feature three stages with three full days of music from bands including headliners Shinedown, Godsmack and Breaking Benjamin, as well as tons of fan favorites like The Offspring, Bad Omens, Halestorm, Parkway Drive, I Prevail, Chevelle, Dropkick Murphys, Sleeping With Sirens, Killswitch Engage, Hollywood Undead, Machinehead, Sevendust, The HU and many more. Inkcarceration also marks Chimaira’s first U.S. festival appearance in 14 years, several other reunion & rare performances and will be one of a limited number of Shinedown shows in 2024.
Brent Smith of Shinedown said, “We are currently in the studio working on new music for SHINEDOWN #8. We will only be playing a select amount of live shows this year, but when the opportunity came to us to headline this year’s INKCARCERATION, and support DWP, there was no hesitation whatsoever. We are so honored to be a part of this incredible show, and to share the stage with such extraordinary artists, and the GREATEST fans in the world. LET’S GO!!!!!!!!!!”
“Inkcarceration was built on the foundation of community and passion.” says Dan Janssen, Co-Founder and GM of Inkcarceration, “We wanted to create a home for those who love all things rock, metal, and body art, and as we head into our sixth year celebrating three consecutive sold-out events, we’ve accomplished just that. We are expecting another sell-out year, let the countdown to INK 2024 begin!”
During the festival, Inkcarceration attendees have the opportunity to get inked at the onsite tattoo convention hosted inside the world-famous historic prison made famous by the film The Shawshank Redemption. In addition, fans can take self-guided tours of the historic and reportedly haunted Ohio State Reformatory for free during INK, and this is the only time outside the Halloween season that the award-winning haunt Blood Prison is open. Blood Prison is available to Inkcarceration pass holders onsite for an additional fee.
In order to capture some of the supernatural experiences at Ohio State Reformatory, with the help of bands who’ve played Inkcarceration, DWP launched the paranormal investigative YouTube series Voices of Paranormal Prison in 2023. The first season features artists such as Pantera, Corey Taylor, Anthrax, Megadeth and GWAR exploring the haunted prison. Episodes can be watched on DWP’s YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/@DannyWimmerPresents).
Inkcarceration Festival 2024 Lineup
The full music lineup for Inkcarceration 2024 is as follows: Shinedown, Godsmack, Breaking Benjamin, The Offspring, Bad Omens, Halestorm, I Prevail, Chevelle, Parkway Drive, Dropkick Murphys, Killswitch Engage, Hollywood Undead, Sevendust, Sleeping with Sirens, Skillet, Machine Head, Chimaira, The HU, Filter, Poison The Well, As I Lay Dying, Biohazard, Shadows Fall, From Ashes to New, Bad Wolves, Stabbing Westward, Holy Wars, Blessthefall, Trust Company, After The Burial, Ill Niño, Afterlife, Upon a Burning Body, Uncured, Fit For a King, Cold, I See Stars, Flat Black, Devour the Day, Another Day Dawns, Chelsea Grin, Attack Attack, Erra, All Shall Perish, Veil Of Maya, The Word Alive, Dark Divine, The Acacia Strain, Mushroomhead, Brand of Sacrifice, Peyton Parrish, Fight From Within, Kingdom Collapse, Like Moths to Flames, Vampires Everywhere!, Cultus Black, Crossbreed, Traitors, Lions at the Gate, Unsaid Fate, Hunt The Dinosaur, American Dream Machine, Kingdom of Giants, Ten56., The Behest of Serpents, Hannan, Killstreak, Widow7, and Nailed Shut MA
Weekend General Admission and VIP passes, as well as Single Day GA and VIP passes are on sale now starting at $10 down on layaway. Weekend GA passes start at $199.99 plus fees, Weekend VIP start at $479.99 plus fees (with a very limited number remaining), Single Day GA start at $99.00 plus fees. Purchase festival passes and parking at www.inkcarceration.com.
INK passes have sold out well in advance the past three years and early bird pass sales for 2024 have been record-breaking, so fans are encouraged to buy early to reserve their spot for the popular destination event that draws fans from every state and many countries around the world.
Fans looking for a full rock experience in Ohio can purchase the special SONINK pass which includes General Admission passes to both Sonic Temple in Columbus, OH (May 16-19) and Inkcarceration for seven nights of unforgettable music and memories. SONINK is available for $399.99 plus fees.
For a fully immersive weekend experience, fans are encouraged to explore the INK camping options, which include access to the Thursday Night Campground Party in the campgrounds (only available to campers). Weekend Camping Packages are available for both Car + Tent and RVs. Admission to the festival is not included in Weekend Camping Packages and must be purchased separately. Hotel packages bundling hotel nights and festival passes are also available. Details on all festival passes, including hotel packages, camping and parking passes can be found at https://inkcarceration.com/passes/.
In 2023, Inkcarceration Music & Tattoo Festival brought together 75,000 music fans over three days, and it’s estimated that upwards of $10 million was invested back into the local economy of Ohio’s Richland County, with more than 40% of festival goers hailing from outside the state of Ohio.
Inkcarceration is co-produced by Danny Wimmer Presents, one of the largest independent producers of destination music festivals in America, and Reinkcarceration LLC, a partnership that formed with the original founders of INK in 2021.
“The Inkcarceration Festival 2024 lineup is set to be an electrifying experience for rock and metal fans. The festival, taking place from July 19 to 21 at the Historic Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield, Ohio, will feature headlining performances from Shinedown, Breaking Benjamin, and Godsmack. In addition to these iconic headliners, the lineup includes a diverse array of artists such as The Offspring, Chevelle, Bad Omens, Halestorm, I Prevail, Parkway Drive, and many others. This three-day event promises an unforgettable experience for music enthusiasts, set against the backdrop of the historic prison where “The Shawshank Redemption” was filmed”
POWERWOLF Announces 2024 North American Tour Featuring Support from UNLEASH THE ARCHERS
Beginning August 29, 2024 in Los Angeles, CA Tickets On Sale this Friday, February 9
New Studio Album Coming in 2024!
Following last year’s massive sellout debut shows in North America, Germany’s currently reigning leaders of heavy metal, POWERWOLF, are thrilled to announce their highly anticipated return to western shores! The Platinum-selling, top charting band will return in 2024 on their very first full North American tour, featuring support from Canadian power metal frontrunners and label mates UNLEASH THE ARCHERS. The tour will begin in Los Angeles, CA at The Hollywood Palladium on August 29 and visit a slew of major North American cities, coming to an end in Laval, QC at Place Bell on September 15.
Tickets for POWERWOLF‘s 2024 North American tour go on sale to the general public this Friday, February 9 at 10:00 AM local time, with select pre-sales launching tomorrow, February 7 via POWERWOLF,Spotify, Blabbermouth and Knotfest. For tickets and more information, make sure to check local venue listings and www.powerwolf.net/tickets.
POWERWOLF 2024 North American Tour w/ UNLEASH THE ARCHERS: 8/29 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Hollywood Palladium 8/31 – Denver, CO @ The Ogden Theatre 9/03 – Chicago, IL @ The Riviera Theatre 9/04 – Cleveland, OH @ The Agora Theatre 9/05 – Silver Spring, MD @ The Fillmore 9/07 – Tampa, FL @ Jannus Landing 9/08 – Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade 9/09 – Charlotte, NC @ The Fillmore 9/12 – Philadelphia, PA @ The Fillmore 9/13 – Worcester, MA @ The Palladium 9/14 – New York City, NY @ Brooklyn Paramount 9/15 – Laval, QC @ Place Bell
If last year’s world-class debut North American performances were any indication, fans know that tickets for this rare and awe-inspiring experience will sell out at near lightning speed! POWERWOLF‘s first shows in New York City and Montreal sold out within days, so local fans should not hesitate to witness the ‘Wolf in 2024.
POWERWOLF says about their return to North America: “Last year, our debut in America and Canada left us spellbound, facing sold-out venues and an incredible crowd. The energy was unreal, and we didn’t want to miss it again. It’s going to be sheer madness! This tour marks the official live debut of songs from our upcoming album – don’t miss the excitement!”
“German metal band Powerwolf is set to conquer North America with their highly anticipated 2024 tour. The tour will kick off in Los Angeles, California at The Hollywood Palladium on August 29 and will culminate in Laval, QC, at Place Bell. Fans can expect an electrifying and theatrical performance, as Powerwolf is known for their energetic shows and great crowd interaction. This is a must-see for metal enthusiasts, as the band promises to deliver a holy heavy metal mass like never before. Don’t miss the chance to experience Powerwolf live during their 2024 North American tour, supported by Unleash the Archers.” (Perplexity)
For a post-hardcore band to truly stand out, it’s quite a tall task. Tastemakers and casual listeners alike tend to stick labels on groups or immediately compare them to something they’ve heard before. That’s why when I first listened to Galleons ahead of Metropolis in 2020, something clicked and I knew I was on to something special. Headed up by Valiant Hearts vocalist Tom Byrne, uncleans from Sergey Rodionov, and instruments from Maxim Shepelev and Evgeny Starshinov, the international act followed up Metropolis with an unreal self-titled in 2021 that really saw the scene start to notice this underrated four-piece thanks to legendary vocal features and a throwback sound that longtime fans of the genre haven’t heard in eons. After 3 years, it’s time for Violent Delights to solidify the seminal group and really bring them into the spotlight. How does Galleons’ fourth offering fare?
In a sphere where a 10-track album is the norm, Galleons said “forget that” and has 15 offerings for us on Violent Delights. To expound, 5 singles may seem like overkill, but that tracks as only 1/3 of the record – and drew a lot of ears with features from Craig Owens (Chiodos), Ryo Kinoshita (Knosis, ex-Crystal Lake), and Andrew Wells (Eidola). But Galleons is a band where features are just the cherry on top; new listeners will come to love how Byrne is in a class of his own with his satisfying inflection, massive range, and clever melodies that just resonate so well. Just put on “Yakisoba Dare” and try not to get this infectious opening crammed in your head.
When one thinks of what makes post-hardcore so appealing, some initial thoughts could turn to monumental choruses, bombastic guitar runs, groovy bridges, etc. What goes into Violent Delights is leaps and bounds past the surface-level norm, as Galleons throws everything at the wall and it sticks like superglue. Take opener “You Who Swallowed A Falling Star”, a synth-laden, riff-heavy affair, and juxtapose it with the very next track “Kiss the Sky”, a soaring ballad with a sense of rising action as the album is just getting started. It’s also evident early on that mastering duties from scene veteran Kris Crummett pays dividends in elevating Galleons’ succinct songwriting, bringing punctual guitar chugs, unrelenting double bass kicks, and crystal-clear vocals to the forefront.
While Galleons can take tender, relaxing vocal sections, they’re also not afraid to push their range to the limit on Violent Delights. Case in point, “Vagabond”, my easy favorite, packs a wallop at the same time as it tells a story with its reminiscent lyrics. It’s definitely a case of a song transcending musical notes and instead peeking into the listener’s imagination. Galleons’ flair continues in “Kismet”, dropping my jaw during a swerve tempo-change into an off-beat drum pattern whilst Byrne sings for the stars. This track is a testament to Galleons fragmenting their songs against the grain of “verse-chorus-verse-chorus-bridge-chorus-end” and instead opts for a varied, multi-faceted approach.
In an interview I conducted with Byrne in 2020, he shared of Galleons’ future, “We already have about 5-6 decent demos for a fourth album, and we’re once again surprising ourselves with the direction it’s taking”. So even 4 years ago, the seeds for Violent Delights were being planted – and the full realization of each track is astonishing. I can only imagine seemingly random moments like “Blue Lagoon”‘s guitarwork or “Cashmere”‘s melancholic romance theme came to be several years ago. The double-pronged vocal delivery of Byrne’s delicacy and Rodionov’s intensity, both of whom sound considerably more comfortable and defined than earlier Galleons records, makes for a front-to-back singing clinic. And that’s not to say the instruments fall behind – with guitars as the focus in “Russian Roulette” and “The Downtown Dinosaur Gang pt. 3” and off-kilter drums from start to finish, “firing on all cylinders” undercuts just how cohesive Galleons has become.
The obvious question in a 15-track album is, “where’s the filler?” or “are some songs noticeably stronger than others?” These don’t apply to Violent Delights. The songs with vocal features aren’t the best pieces of the pie; tracks like “Lament” and “Violent Delights” stand on their own as the excitement just doesn’t let up at any point – a scalable feat for a record this long. Where Metropolis and Galleons draw soundscapes from some genre staples, Violent Delights is Galleons coming into their own with a definitive uniqueness that isn’t easily emulated. Even if you played the hell out of Violent Delights‘ 5 singles, there’s so much to unearth with this record, and after initial listens, I know I’ll be sticking this into regular rotation throughout the remainder of 2024. As Violent Delights has racked up nearly a million streams on Spotify alone before it’s even out, it’s no hyperbole to say that Galleons is flourishing at long last.
