The Awaited Album from Stone Blind State
Stone Blind State returns with a massive rock release that runs the gamut of subgenres by blending elements of alternative, '90s radio rock, hints of metal, and even southern toned rock, that all come together and really hit with a closed fisted approach but not without its catchy elements, powerful choruses, and the ability to branch off in different directions and remain consistent.
Tracks like "Wake Up" certainly give you that '90s radio with hooky guitar performances and sections, acoustic guitars that underlay the entire thing, and a sort of robust set of vocals during the chorus sections.
When the core sections are approaching the vocal sort of beef up, and you get some great harmonies, but during those sections especially, you really do get this classic '90s rock tonality, and for me, it gave me little bouts of nostalgia because, of course, I grew up listening to this stuff.
Then there are songs like "Monotramp", which just come in swinging. Big, beefy riffs, heavier tones, edgy or soundscape, alternative rock-driven, and slamming performances from the drums all make this song harder.
This song in particular has a bit of an anthemic feel during certain sections as you have layers of vocals coming in along with lead guitars that sort of add a little bit of extra depth and soul to the song, but also follow along those choruses as well in terms of its melody.
This really lets it come through thicker and with more juice.
Now, we're no strangers to this band, and I can certainly tell you that this record is immense. They definitely know how to pull in their many different influences and put them all in one spot. There are so many different rock subgenres flowing throughout this record, strewn about in different places, and sewn in.
You can definitely feel all of these different influences as you listen through the entire thing.
This is certainly an album you listen to all the way through, and one shot.
As I just said, there are plenty of surprises and loads of meat to chew on. Catchy riffs, hands-in-the-air style, sing-along type sections, and loads of alternative rock edginess, but it's never without soul.
I can honestly say that the soul element is one of the main things that is always there.
"Gravitate" is one of my top songs from this record, personally. This one really has a rounded but really heavy feel. It borders grunge, and they do that super well, too. It has a very natural kind of flow, but still manages to remain nice and heavy while holding true to those memorable melodies.
This, as I mentioned before, is the name of the game. This is an album that doesn't really let up in terms of its energy and stamina. It's got a load of chunky riffs to soak in and really comes through with its finger on the pulse of that driving, heavy but meaningful rock soundscape.
Listening to the record definitely makes you want to go see the band perform it all live. They just give the air of live performance energy throughout this entire record.
"Rocket Girl" even ventures into hints of classic, '80s style rock. It's got some great guitar work, and edgy, robust, belting vocals that still aren't without their soul, but just have that extra push to let the song come through a little bit more grittier.
The record closes with an awesome ballad performed with acoustic guitar and vocals, nice and stripped down so that you're paying attention to the lyrics.
You don't really get too much of that throughout the record, although it does come through and hints here and there. This is the song that really encapsulates the acoustic ballad, and it's a beautiful way to close the record because it brings you back to the fact that there is death to this album.
A lot of these songs are powerhouse rock bangers, soulful and southern rock anthems, and there are also tracks with a bit more going on in terms of the lyrics. They're pulled from real places, and this track brings you back to that notion once again.
I would definitely check out this whole record. If you love anything from that '90s and alternative rock feel, to grunge, power rock, southern rock, it's all part of the new, self-titled Stone Blind State album.
So, take a deep dive into this one, and you'll see exactly where I'm coming from.
Don't skip around. Go from the first track to the last.
