Song Rundown - CONCRETE, BAPHOMET, NIGHT OF THE WITCH, & MORE

(By Melody Werner)

A relatively new reoccurring segment here. Basically, I'll run through a bunch of singles that I have been vibing on lately and tell you to go and listen to 'em if they sound interesting based on my recommendations. Consider these a taste of my formal reviews for each. FYI, all of these songs are gonna get 5/5's, something you can probably tell based on how much I gush about 'em.

This time, all I've got to talk about are rock and metal tracks. I'm sorry, but I'm not in the mood for poppier stuff right now.

Concrete

I didn't know that I needed metal + pop in my life, 'til I listened to Rina Sawayama's STFU. Now this obviously isn't that, but Poppy has had an interesting progression all of her own--a counter-cultural pop project that has become darker and darker with each subsequent record; as though there was an infection metastasizing within this project. Concrete is a delightfully absurd tune with lyrics you will find nowhere else. Ever. I guarantee you it.

Tell Me Something New (Tigerblood Remix)

Bro, what the fuck? Why have I never been told about this song? It kicks so much ass, at least with this remix, courtesy of Tigerblood. Holy FUCK, THAT BASS!  The original cut by Wellmess and Van Psyke is cool too, but my god does this remix blow it out of the water. I mean, it was a pretty chill song initially, so the fact that a remix like this was able to make it so propulsive and have it work so well is strange. Praise be upon Peter Coffin. They're one of the best YouTubers, period, and turning me onto this beaut is incredibly appreciated.

Dead Weight

Apparently PVRIS is big shit? Never heard of 'em. I kinda just stumbled into this one--and it's pretty dope. Lynn Gunn has a pretty savage delivery, the R A T T L I N G  H I H A T S are well implemented in this here rocker.

Night of the Witch

I've only lately gotten into thrash, but I'd heard good things of Testament for a while now. A week or so ago, I was bored and decided to give 'em a bash--and the first song I listened to was this, off of their new EP. This here is what we call a rager. Love the high octane brutality and theatrical vocals.

Baphomet

Zeal & Ardor are one of my favorite bands now. Possibly my favorite. And so, while I'm waiting for whatever EP or LP they have next, I tried out a live recording of their track Baphomet--which, so far, they have not released a studio cut for on an album or as a single. Can such a studio recording compare to the monstrous live versions I've heard, with their pummeling riffs and primal screams? We'll see if they even do it, and compare if they do.