Tasting Blood by Deer Fang is ranks up there with one of my favorite songs (the whole album this is on, for that matter) that I've heard...and it's from an independent rock band from Canada!  The drummer is stellar, the guitars sound amazing, the bassist is solid and the vocals are incredible.  The production was very well done, capturing the essence of a heavy alternative rock band nearing metal.  The female-fronted vocals are melodic, forceful yet gentle as they are easy on the ears but can crush you.  Plus there are backup vocals that will growl and scream, giving that metal vibe along with those blasting guitars. I highly recommend you check this band out.  I'm placing this song on the #HeavyRock playlist!

 Reels GFY by Simian Politik is an active alternative indie rock song led by lowish-gain distorted guitar riff with a definite live music feel.  I really love the groove that the active bass line provided on top of the steady drums, as it gives the song movement and intensity, and is mixed in nicely to accomplish just that.  The vocals are not sung, but more poetically performed, giving a feel that many 90's grunge bands would use. I'm placing this on the #AlternativeRock playlist.  Check it out!

Pools are Perfect for Holding Water by Glory Fell is a heavy metalcore song that has a mixture of melodic pop-punk vocals and metal screaming that tag team in a way I never knew needed to happen!  The instrumentation is spot on, with blasting high-gain heavy guitars, booming active bass, and drums that never rest.  The rhythm changeups by the drums are very tasteful and create an atmosphere of intensity that is hard to match.  That drummer is always feeling the music and not afraid to lead the charge with the feel and direction of the song.  So impressive! I'm adding this song to the #HeavyRock playlist (scroll).  Check them out.  You will not be disappointed!

 Refoulement by Ashen Skies is an incredibly heavy blast to the face with amazing guitar sound, giant booming bass, active crushing drums, and some of the best vocals to ever hit heavy metal rock.  I hate to assign it to a genre, as it is consistent mix of heavy metal, alternative, metalcore and more, and it hits just right. Nik Barker is a very notable name that led me here, as he is the incredible former lead vocalist of Twelve Foot Ninja.  If you've listened to them, you'll know he can sing any genre you throw at him with perfection...even well outside of rock.  His versatility is something special, and he's demonstrating it throughout this whole brand new album that they just released.  The dynamics, harmonies, etc. are jaw dropping. I chose Refoulement to add to the Hidden Scrolls #HeavyRock playlist because it wastes no time getting to the nitty gritty of this top-notch new sound.  They are purposely exploring an unrestricted creative process with thi...

 Vagus Nerve (Acoustic) by Gozer Goodspeed is a great acoustic version of his song that includes solid instrumentation, spot-on vocals with great tone, and most impressively some impressive guitar solo work.  Vocally, I get some serious Jason Mraz vibes inside of a bluesy infrastructure.  The production sounds great with a tasty vocal-focused mix. I placed this onto the #AcousticRock playlist (scroll).  Check it out!

 Escape the Gravity by Jacob's Fall is one of my favorite independent rock songs out there.  In fact, I wrote a review of this song a few years ago. https://theindierockdojo.blogspot.com/2022/11/escape-gravity-by-jacobs-fall.html They bring a heaviness not only with the guitars, but with some of the saddest, gut punching lyrics with vocals that enhance all of it with how it is sung.  Instrumentally, it's perfection with the heavy guitars, smooth deep bass and pounding drums...plus piano and strings that fill up the whole audio spectrum. How can a song feel gentle with giant guitars?  This band has done it. I'm adding it to the #AlternativeRock playlist.  Check it out!

 Cianuro by Gino il Carbonaio is a fantastic high energy song with blasting guitars and catchy vocals. The band is from Italy, and the lyrics are in Italian!  The self-produced sound quality is really well done.  I really enjoy that bass and drums alone under the melodic vocals in the verse.  Then the guitars start punching their way through the chorus.  The gigantic drums pound their way through and make obvious the transition between different areas of the song, even adding intensity when changing rhythm when the chorus is repeated. Although I can hear the punk influence, I'm adding this to the #AlternativeRock playlist.  Please take a listen!

 Next Big Thing by False Advertising is a melodic alternative rock song with solid rhythmic, loud fuzzy guitars, great drums, solid bass lines and a rhythmic female-vocal in the verses with a catchy, melodic hook in the choruses.  The talent in the vocals caught my attention, especially with the proven ability to emotionally gravel.  The production is really great, capturing the buzzing distorted guitar without overwhelming the mix from the booming drums and everything else.  I really enjoyed this song when the bridge came in with even LOUDER guitars! I put this song on the #AlternativeRock playlist.  Check it out!

 FLOWERS by OUR GREAT ESCAPE is a fantastic alternative rock song that draws the line somewhat close to progressive rock, but definitely not far enough to give it that label.  This is a very well put together song with soft, heartfelt vocals and lyrics, big booming drums with smooth rhythms and fills, incredibly intricate and active distorted bass lines, smooth and clear lowish mid-gain distorted electric guitars and soul-driven guitar solos.  This song was not predictable, which I love.  On my first listen, I truly had no idea what direction it was going to go, but had no problem following it.  It's amazing how a sound that traditionally should be a bit harsh is smooth and pleasant without any harshness at all.  This could be partially due to great production, but also from stellar songwriting. I put this on the #AlternativeRock playlist.  Check it out!

 Garbage Man by Tuesday X is an extra aggressive energized alternative rock song that is a wall full of sound and great performance.  The first thing that catches my ear is the vocals are extra aggressive, an emotionally crushing scream much like that of Local H's early music.  The guitars sound full and very active.  I LOVE the instrumentation during the bridge.  If only the kick could have more presence in the track, I would feel that rhythm even more!  But, as is true and incredibly important in music...it makes it obvious how humanly real this music is by incredible musicians that the emotion is real...and I feel it. I'm adding this to the #AlternativeRock playlist.  I'm here for this and I hope you are, too!