#NewMusicFriday: September 20th 2024

After last week’s ridiculously busy #NewMusicFriday, today is relatively quieter. However, there is still a handful of new releases that are worth mentioning. For example, new albums from Fidlar, Void of Vision, and Giant Walker are covered in detail below.

Elsewhere, there is the return of European symphonic metallers Nightwish as they deliver their tenth album – ‘Yesterwynde’. Vended aim to step out of their father’s shadows with their self-titled full-length. It’s ideally raw and intense with a helping of metallic grooves and the occasional hook (see ‘The Far Side’). Kublai Khan TX gives the young upstarts a run for their money in the chaos stakes with ‘Exhibition Of Prowess’.

There is also new music from Bearings as they give last year’s ‘The Best Part About Being Human’ the deluxe treatment. You can also hear new releases from goth-rockers Unto Others, reggae-rooted punk quartet The Calamatix, longstanding post-grunge group Seether, and Bright Eyes return with ‘Five Dice, All Threes’.

FIDLAR – Surviving The Dream

Four albums deep into their career, SoCal surf punks FIDLAR are getting to grips to no longer being the spring chickens they were when they burst onto the scene in 2010’s.  ‘Surviving The Dream’ sees them return after five years away, and explores their reckless spirit while maintaining a familiar surf punk sound.

From the outset of ‘Fix Me’, Zac Carper presents a feeling of existential crisis, accepting his bi-polar diagnosis. It’s backed by a blistering, adrenaline-rush of feedback-drenched guitars and speedy drums. Carper’s downbeat tone, more often via self-prescribed drink and drugs, appears throughout the 13 tracks on the record.

‘Sad Kids’ is irritably catchy, bedding itself in cutesy power pop as Carper admits to “fucking up” is his “passion”, before ‘Down N Out’ provides some Beach Boys-esque harmonies amongst its sturdy, jangly surf punk. It continues Carper’s story of recklessness. ‘Orange County’s washed-out guitars are complemented by conflicted words of giving up. Likewise, ‘Get Off My Wave’ dismisses the people who try to help Carper, continuing his self-destruction.

Stylistically, FIDLAR does show diversity. Whether that’s on the grunge fuzz of ‘Change’, the sun-soaked ‘Dog House’, or the tension-building stop-start of ‘Nudge’. It does offer just about enough to see ‘Surviving The Dream’ all the way through to the end. Although it does start strongly, its mid-section comes off as fairly weak and forgettable. The variation is welcomed but considerably lacks a lasting impact.

Despite Carper’s personal issues and seemingly self-destructive tendencies, FIDLAR have survived the dream they began over a decade ago. However, you can’t help but feel ‘Surviving The Dream’ sees a band in an uncertain transition. They’re still attached to what made them so exciting yet drop hints of progression albeit limited.

Void of Vision – What I’ll Leave Behind

The story of how ‘What I’ll Leave Behind’ came to exist is somewhat miraculous. For Jack Bergin, of Aussie nü-metalcore mob Void of Vision, his life in recent years has been dominated by severe headaches, exhaustion, surgeries, and seizures. Bergin had suffered an arteriovenous malformation (AVM), in short, a tangle of blood vessels in his brain, and later bleeding of the brain. His recuperation led Jack to question his own mortality and wondering what his lasting impact will be on the world.

Fast-forward to the present and ‘What I’ll Leave Behind’ sees Bergin put all out there emotionally. ‘Oblivion’ sees him question “Well is there really more than this?”, serving as a release for the pent-up frustration. Paired with an industrial crunch and a towering, melodious chorus, it sets the tone well. ‘Supernova’ hints at Bergin’s regret and time lost (“Another year I signed away, Another product of my own mistakes”).

Throughout, Bergin along with James McKendrick (guitar/vocals), George Pfaender (drums) and Mitch Fairlie (guitar) musically thrive in their assured brand of synth-laden metalcore. ‘Blood For Blood’ is a pummeling onslaught. Whereas ‘Neurotic’ and ‘Midnight Sweat’ show industrial grit but are often countered by expected genre tropes. ‘Gamma Knife’ and ‘Decades’ both ride on soaring choruses and pulsating breakdowns. Yet they attack each song with the same amount of vigour, bringing a sense of consistency.

Tied together by tales of vulnerability, it all comes to a head on the electro-swelling ‘Angel of Darkness’. With its title being shared with Bergin’s new on-stage persona, it highlights his internal conflict with being an artist or focusing on getting better.

If you look past the occasional generic traits of metalcore, you’ll find an album that strengthens Void of Vision in the genre. Threaded by an emotional narrative, and aided by an assured and a (somewhat) distinctive sound, ‘What I’ll Leave Behind’ is a rewarding record.

Giant Walker – Silhouettes

Having caught the eye of Church Road Records (Blanket, Palm Reader, Respire), Geordie quartet Giant Walker‘s second album, ‘Silhouettes’, comfortably marks them out as a name to watch in the prog rock sphere. While others in said genre opt for sprawling instrumentation, Giant Walker realises where their strengths lie.

For starters, there is the astounding soulful voice of Steff Fish. Throughout she dominates, and soars early on from ‘Make Me’. While ‘Time To Waste’s luscious melody wraps itself around sturdy, stringent guitars. Additionally, tracks like ‘Halcion’ and ‘Round and Round’ sound muscular. The latter thrives on its big riffs. In contrast, the title track, along with ‘So You Say’, allows the four-piece to show their softer side with ease.

By favouring a melodic-driven sound, ‘Silhouettes’ and Giant Walker stride with conviction, creating a compelling album in the process.

What is out on #NewMusicFriday?

Nightwish – Yesterwynde
FIDLAR – Surviving The Dream
Beartooth – The Surface (Deluxe Edition)
Bearings – The Best Part About Being Human (Deluxe Edition)
Vended – Vended
Hot Mulligan – Warmer Weather
Bright Eyes – Five Dice, All Threes
Kublai Khan TX – Exhibition Of Prowess
Giant Walker – Silhouettes
Void of Vision – What I’ll Leave Behind
The Calamatix – The Calamatix
Unto Others – Never, Neverland
Seether – The Surface Seems So Far
LoveLost – Collapse
LICE – Third Time At The Beach
Charlotte Wessels – The Obsession
Kingdom Of Giants – Bleeding Star
Rival Schools – Pedals (deluxe reissue)
Rival Schools – United By Fate (LP repress)
Rival Schools – Found (LP repress)
Regional Justice Center – Freedom, Sweet Freedom
Downhaul – How To Begin
Neon Trees – Sink Your Teeth
No Guidance – Late To The Party
The Black Pacific – Here Comes Our Wave
Bird’s View – House of Commando
Death By Gong – Descalator
Noopinion – Revolt and Resolve
Stoke Signals – Make Dying Fun
Half Happy – Conversation Killer
I Prevail – True Power (Expanded)
Uniform – Nightmare City
All Hope Remains – Find My Way

If you think I’ve missed something or have a new album/EP/song to tell us about, tell us about it here.

If you’re looking for the latest tracks focusing on rock, punk, hardcore, metal, emo, and everything in between, then check out our ‘Newish Music’ playlist on Spotify or Apple Music.