Category: news

  • The 30 Greatest Living American Songwriters

    Taylor Swift, Jay-Z and other music legends in their own words.
  • Listening Now : Nightkites – Destinations

    Nightkites, the project of Brighton-based composer Murray Stockdale, crafts a fluid and immersive soundscape with Destinations, an epic melodic house piece inspired by travel and shifting emotional states. Drawing from influences like Burial and Four Tet, the track blends ambient textures with subtle rhythmic pulses, creating a sense of movement without urgency. It unfolds like a quiet journey—layer by layer—balancing introspection with a gentle forward momentum.

    Atmospheric yet grounded, Destinations feels like drifting through memories of places both real and imagined.

    Connect:

    Instagram

  • A View From The Back Of The Room: Solence (Alex Tobias)

    Solence, Dream State & Written By Wolves, The Fleece, Bristol, 28.04.26



    I popped over the bridge tonight to catch Swedish metal band Solence on their Angels Calling UK tour as it rolled into Bristol. With support from Wales’ own Dream State and New Zealand rockers Written by Wolves, the weather was good and the queue was already stretching around the building—always a promising sign. Let’s get inside and see how it all went down.

    First up were Written By Wolves (7). I’d never seen or even heard of this band before, but that definitely won’t be the case going forward. The venue wasn’t at full capacity yet, but the crowd that had arrived gave them a warm welcome as they launched straight into their set. Right away, I was struck by a sound that was pure fun—groovy, energetic, and infectious.

    There’s a clear nu-metal influence, especially in the big, singalong choruses, but the band bring a lot more depth than that. Expect big rock riffs, heavy breakdowns, and plenty of variety. Vocalist Michael Murphy shows off an impressive range, shifting effortlessly between powerful screams and clean vocals that sit perfectly in the mix. Between songs, he shares how grateful they are to be playing their first-ever UK show: “We’ve been a band for 14 years—this proves hard work pays off.” The crowd responds with loud appreciation.

    A standout track was Genius from their 2025 album The Archives—a song that’s almost impossible not to move to. It’s packed with catchy hooks and gives off hints of Fall Out Boy in the chorus. There’s something special about seeing a band for the first time live without any expectations, and Written by Wolves absolutely delivered. A fantastic way to kick off the night.

    After a short break, it was time for Dream State (7). This was my second time seeing them—the first being on a massive stage at Cardiff Castle—and I’d been keen to see how their sound translated to a smaller, more intimate venue. I’m happy to say it worked just as well, if not better.

    From the opening song, the pit was alive. Dream State wasted no time getting the crowd moving. Jessie Powell’s vocals are a highlight once again, blending aggression and melody seamlessly. Even after revealing mid-set that she’s battling flu, there’s no drop in energy—she powers through impressively, and the band match her intensity throughout.

    Still Dreaming, from their 2024 album of the same name, was a standout moment. It perfectly captures what the band are about: chunky riffs, atmospheric melodies, crushing screams, and beats that hit hard enough to keep the pit going strong. Dream State are a tight, talented group who clearly love what they do, and it shows in every second of their performance.

    After the sweat and chaos of that set, a bit of fresh air was needed. As everyone caught their breath, the atmosphere shifted—lights dimmed, and the crowd belted out Dancing Queen at full volume before Solence (8) took the stage to huge cheers.

    They kicked things off with Angels Calling and immediately followed it with Good Fkin Music, setting the tone with relentless energy. The crowd responded in kind, with pits opening up across the floor. The band’s chemistry is obvious—they’re clearly having a great time on stage. Guitarist David Strääf frequently interacts with the front row, fist-bumping fans between riffs, while vocalist Markus Videsäter keeps the energy high and thanks the crowd for bringing it all night.

    There were plenty of standout moments. Death Do Us Part delivered a powerful mid-section that sent chills through the room, while “Heaven”—a track I’ve had on repeat lately—was even better live, packed with energy and passion. The crowd clearly agreed, singing along loudly.

    The set also featured a solid cover of Imagine Dragons’ Warriors, before wrapping up with Animal In Me. The encore, Who You Gonna Call (Solence), sent everyone home buzzing. After a band photo, hugs, and fist bumps, the night closed out with ABBA’s Mamma Mia playing over the speakers—an oddly perfect ending.

    Solence proved exactly why they’re gaining momentum: high energy, catchy songs, and a performance that guarantees a good time. 
  • A View From The Back Of The Room: Solence (Alex Tobias)

    Solence, Dream State & Written By Wolves, The Fleece, Bristol, 28.04.26



    I popped over the bridge tonight to catch Swedish metal band Solence on their Angels Calling UK tour as it rolled into Bristol. With support from Wales’ own Dream State and New Zealand rockers Written by Wolves, the weather was good and the queue was already stretching around the building—always a promising sign. Let’s get inside and see how it all went down.

    First up were Written By Wolves (7). I’d never seen or even heard of this band before, but that definitely won’t be the case going forward. The venue wasn’t at full capacity yet, but the crowd that had arrived gave them a warm welcome as they launched straight into their set. Right away, I was struck by a sound that was pure fun—groovy, energetic, and infectious.

    There’s a clear nu-metal influence, especially in the big, singalong choruses, but the band bring a lot more depth than that. Expect big rock riffs, heavy breakdowns, and plenty of variety. Vocalist Michael Murphy shows off an impressive range, shifting effortlessly between powerful screams and clean vocals that sit perfectly in the mix. Between songs, he shares how grateful they are to be playing their first-ever UK show: “We’ve been a band for 14 years—this proves hard work pays off.” The crowd responds with loud appreciation.

    A standout track was Genius from their 2025 album The Archives—a song that’s almost impossible not to move to. It’s packed with catchy hooks and gives off hints of Fall Out Boy in the chorus. There’s something special about seeing a band for the first time live without any expectations, and Written by Wolves absolutely delivered. A fantastic way to kick off the night.

    After a short break, it was time for Dream State (7). This was my second time seeing them—the first being on a massive stage at Cardiff Castle—and I’d been keen to see how their sound translated to a smaller, more intimate venue. I’m happy to say it worked just as well, if not better.

    From the opening song, the pit was alive. Dream State wasted no time getting the crowd moving. Jessie Powell’s vocals are a highlight once again, blending aggression and melody seamlessly. Even after revealing mid-set that she’s battling flu, there’s no drop in energy—she powers through impressively, and the band match her intensity throughout.

    Still Dreaming, from their 2024 album of the same name, was a standout moment. It perfectly captures what the band are about: chunky riffs, atmospheric melodies, crushing screams, and beats that hit hard enough to keep the pit going strong. Dream State are a tight, talented group who clearly love what they do, and it shows in every second of their performance.

    After the sweat and chaos of that set, a bit of fresh air was needed. As everyone caught their breath, the atmosphere shifted—lights dimmed, and the crowd belted out Dancing Queen at full volume before Solence (8) took the stage to huge cheers.

    They kicked things off with Angels Calling and immediately followed it with Good Fkin Music, setting the tone with relentless energy. The crowd responded in kind, with pits opening up across the floor. The band’s chemistry is obvious—they’re clearly having a great time on stage. Guitarist David Strääf frequently interacts with the front row, fist-bumping fans between riffs, while vocalist Markus Videsäter keeps the energy high and thanks the crowd for bringing it all night.

    There were plenty of standout moments. Death Do Us Part delivered a powerful mid-section that sent chills through the room, while “Heaven”—a track I’ve had on repeat lately—was even better live, packed with energy and passion. The crowd clearly agreed, singing along loudly.

    The set also featured a solid cover of Imagine Dragons’ Warriors, before wrapping up with Animal In Me. The encore, Who You Gonna Call (Solence), sent everyone home buzzing. After a band photo, hugs, and fist bumps, the night closed out with ABBA’s Mamma Mia playing over the speakers—an oddly perfect ending.

    Solence proved exactly why they’re gaining momentum: high energy, catchy songs, and a performance that guarantees a good time. 
  • Listening Now : Xay Charles – Seasonal

    Xay Charles, an artist hailing from Brooklyn, NY, leans into introspection on Seasonal, a track that reflects on the shifting nature of relationships and emotions. Blending elements of R&B, hip-hop, and melodic rap, he delivers a smooth yet grounded performance shaped by personal experience and lived-in storytelling. The production keeps things warm and understated, allowing his vocals to carry the emotional weight without distraction. There’s a reflective, almost cyclical feel to the track—mirroring its title—capturing how connections can evolve, fade, and return with time.

    Connect:

    Instagram

  • Listening Now : Eliz – Falling Into You

    Eliz, a 14-year-old singer-songwriter from San Francisco, captures the bright, butterflies-in-your-stomach feeling of young love on Falling Into You. Taken from her second album Cabin 232 and produced in Los Angeles with Nicolas Essig, the track blends warm indie-pop melodies with a soft, heartfelt delivery that feels both genuine and refreshingly unfiltered. There’s an effortless charm in the way Eliz translates fleeting эмоtions into something vivid and melodic, making the song resonate with a sense of innocence and sincerity that’s hard to fake.

    Connect:

    Instagram

  • Listening Now : Alexandra Alden – sunday morning

    Fusion Studio TIFF File

    Alexandra Alden reimagines sunday morning with a delicate, dreamlike touch, offering a fresh perspective on the classic by The Velvet Underground. Fully self-produced, mixed, and mastered, this rendition leans into hazy guitars and intimate, almost whispered vocals, transforming the song into a soft, cinematic slow-burn. There’s a subtle “femme fatale” aura running through it, balancing nostalgia with a modern indie-folk sensibility. By stripping the track down to its emotional core while adding a lush, ethereal atmosphere, Alden manages to honor the original while quietly making it her own.

    Connect:

    Instagram

  • Kissing Kaos – Debut Album Out Now!

    Kissing Kaos kick the doors wide open today with the release of their debut album ‘To Your Limit‘ (review here), out now via Mighty Music. Blending punk urgency with the punch and polish of melodic hard rock, the record arrives as a bold first statement: sharp, hook-driven, and built to hit hard from the first […]

    The post Kissing Kaos – Debut Album Out Now! appeared first on ROCKPOSER DOT COM.

  • Jesse Damon Unleashes ‘Anthology’ Digital Edition Following Sold-Out Physical Release

    After the strictly limited edition CD release of ‘Anthology‘ completely sold out, Jesse Damon, the iconic frontman of hard rockers Silent Rage, is bringing the collection to the digital masses. This new digital-only release expands on the previous collection, offering even more tracks for fans of classic hard rock and melodic metal. While the original […]

    The post Jesse Damon Unleashes ‘Anthology’ Digital Edition Following Sold-Out Physical Release appeared first on ROCKPOSER DOT COM.

  • Gadget – Coerced (Review)

    This is the latest EP from Swedish grindcore band Gadget. A decade since The Great Destroyer, Gadget finally return. With two new members on vocals and guitar/vocals respectively, Coerced is the world’s first taste of the new Gadget. Has it been worth the wait? Of course it has, otherwise this review wouldn’t exist. Eight tracks, 14 … Continue reading “Gadget – Coerced (Review)”