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“Forget your life ambitions, They\u2019re pointless dreams,”<\/em> screams Kovax<\/strong>‘s Pete Freeth on their new single – ‘Cobalt’.<\/em> Set for release this Monday (7th May), it marks a new chapter for the Leeds-based band. Not only is it the first offering of new music since a line-up change last summer, it also sees the band’s sound becoming increasingly dynamic.<\/p>\n Having honed in on a groove-laden, hard rock sound on last year’s ‘If There Was Ever Any Doubt’<\/em> EP, this revived version of Kovax<\/strong> sees them throwing math rock ingredients to the pot. The end result is a chaotic, riff-heavy 2-minute glimpse of what we can’t expect from the up-and-coming four-piece.<\/p>\n Although ‘Cobalt’<\/em> will be hitting digital services on Monday, we’re premiering the video for the track today. On top of that, we spoke to guitarist Michael Bracewell to find out more about the track, their imminent UK tour and being part of Leeds music scene.<\/p>\n AH: Today we’re premiering your new single ‘Cobalt’<\/em>. What can you tell us about the track?<\/strong> We think it\u2019s a perfect statement of musical intent for our new material and raises the bar of what we can achieve sonically.<\/em><\/p>\n AH: It’s also the first Kovax song to be released since a line-up change last year. Compared to past material, how has Kovax’s sound developed since the changes?<\/strong> AH: As the change happened last summer, can we expect more new material sooner rather than later?<\/strong> AH: The release of ‘Cobalt’ coincides with a UK tour. How would you sum up a typical Kovax show?<\/strong> AH: You worked with Will Cook from fellow Leeds noisemakers Classically Handsome Brutes on the track. It seems the city constantly has a thriving, tight-knit music scene. How beneficial is that to a band like<\/strong> Kovax?<\/strong>
\nMichael: Musically, Cobalt is a combination of early 2000s alt-metal groove and choppy, math-inspired riffs underpinned by Pete\u2019s (Freeth – guitar & vocals) rough shouts and gravelly vocals. Lyrically the song deals with the mistreatment of prisoners in CIA black sites during the early 2000s, so the brutish swagger at the beginning of the song slowly becomes more manic and futile towards the end – mirroring the lyrical content.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nMichael: With the line-up change came a decision to push Kovax in ways we hadn\u2019t before, so the music got heavier and we started playing around with time signatures a lot more. Joel (Small – drums) and myself, both have backgrounds in math rock and this new direction, combined with the more traditional style big Kovax riffs, has really developed our sound.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nMichael: We\u2019re looking into it for sure! We\u2019ve spent a good portion of the past year writing and developing new material, most of which we\u2019re now playing live, so there\u2019s plenty to work with and some general plans moving forward. But right now the focus is on getting Cobalt and the new sound out there as much as possible.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nMichael: It\u2019s three bigger guys shaking their luscious hair around to a loud, riffy soundtrack and an excellent drummer keeping us all in check! Expect lots of energy and an unrelenting, rapid-fire pace.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nMichael: Leeds is an awesome place for any bands playing alternative genres at the moment – with the good work of Bad Owl for the math\/post-rock scene, Veritas Promotions for the alternative rock\/metal scene and the consistently excellent DIY shows popping up all across the city (amongst lots of other great promotors!) there\u2019s just so many good bands to go out and see. This helps everyone – not just us – as a thriving scene means more people at shows, more people networking and more wicked bands for us to drool over. We love Leeds and can\u2019t wait to see what will pop up over the coming months!<\/em><\/p>\n