If you like some good old, clean cut, catchy guitar driven rock, ‘the Sow’ from Sheffield alternate rockers Sabella will be well worth your time. It is a tightly controlled, slow rock anthem, and everything about the song is well put together. 

The easy on your ears vocals, the clean but crisp guitars, or the well crafted imagery of the lyrics: “don’t reap before you sow…”It all adds up to a well thought out, radio friendly feel that grows and grows with each listen. The lead guitar also adds a nice little bit of spice, when allowed to take centre stage with a nice wailing melody that builds into a decent but mellow solo towards the end of the song. 

If you like things a little rougher around the edges then this may not be your thing, but if you have any sentiment at all for some nice accessible rock then Sabella are the one for you. Checking out some of their other songs shows that this is a band with some good variety with some pacey tracks such as ‘Hang me Dry’ and ‘Hard Enough’. 

Sabella also seem to be pretty active playing gigs in and around the Sheffield area, as well as some festivals. Be sure to check them out if you like what you hear and they are playing near you. ‘Sow’ is certainly a worthy addition to their set list and your ears will be reaping the benefits.

3 out of  5 Hooks 

Written by Jimmy Rock

Sinclair first grabbed our attention back in February when we were at The Fleece, Bristol ready to watch headliners Area 11, but before they even started we were absorbed when Sinclair hit the stage with their track ‘Palms’, a pleasant and well-crafted song. So a few months later when we received a message from Sinclair that they had a new track, ‘Prada Glow’, they wanted to share with us we pounced at the opportunity to listen. The days of their “indie on a come down” style have come to pass, and we have been introduced to a style of Indie-Rock-Pop which is so crisp, fresh, current, and intriguing. It’s simply fantastic. 

The four piece playing out of their base in Bristol are; Liv Weston, Jordan Round, Rafael Martins, and Jonathon Poulton. They have been busy hidden away in the recording studio developing new material and in the process formed a sense new identity which is apparent in their new sound and artwork for the record ‘Prada Glow’. All of those hours working hard has been more than been worth it as Sinclair will catch a lot of new eyes and ears with this new record.

‘Prada Glow’ starts with a menacing guitar intro which sets you up for the tension to follow, and this is only built on as Liv sings the lyrics “How much are you paying your preacher” sending sinister waves across through the track. They have managed to effortlessly mould multiple tempo changes into the record which makes the whole song absorbing as you don’t know what’s around the corner. When you don’t think it could get any better the verse throws in a flair of techno rock making everything you listen to have an edgy stance that engulfs you fully.

When you listen to the whole track you realise that Sinclair has found a trademark vibe to hold firm to and mature into something special. With catchy lyrics like “won’t find god in the gutter” you sense that this track could get even better when played live with a crowd chanting the lyrics back to the band.

For me this is a near perfect track and shows great signs of things to come, Sinclair seems to have evolved into a confident band with something every special in their grasp and I can only hope that they continue down this road and fully embraces this new sound.

4.5 Hooks out of 5

Written by Kess Anthony 

Photo by @dominika_scheibinger

If we are honest, Korn fans have not really had all that much to get excited about in the last fifteen years or so. There have been odd rays of competence in the half dozen or so albums since their peak ‘Untouchables’ but nothing has really come close to lighting the fuse on the fireworks that were their early work.

Their newest track ‘You’ll never find me’ shows some signs that things may be heading in the right direction with a killer riff that gets just enough playtime to get your head nodding. Jonathan Davis has spoken recently about doing the vocals his way and taking his time to get them exactly as he wanted them to be, drawing on the darkness caused by the horrendous recent tragedy in his own life. In ‘You’ll never find me’ as Davis sounds on top form, delivering some of the best vocals that we’ve seen in recent years from one of the most unique talents in metal and breaking down into agonised shouts as the song draws to a close.

Davies has always been the spice of Korn but the engine room that drives the band has always been the guitars and bass of Head, Munky, and Fieldy. Its heartening to hear that after this unit can still crank it out sounding heavy as hell and whilst things have undoubtedly evolved, it still sounds definitively like Korn. If there is a disappointment, sometimes the drums whilst decent feel that they could just give that little bit more and they miss that occasional extra off beat hit on the snare. 

The song lacks the punch and heft in the chorus to be a classic and if this is the best that ‘The Nothing’ has to offer when the full album drops in September, then my excitement will quickly fade but for now there are plenty of signs that Korn’s next album is going to be worth checking out. 

3 out of 5 Hooks   

Written By Jimmy Rock 

Lavde's debut single 'Facts Not Feelings' lyrical story is matched by its musical development. A slow-burning start that breaks through midway along is ambitious progressive rock done with a modern touch. 

A gentle and spacious opening means that you can really get drawn into the lyrics. The build up of the song also describes the build towards a possible romance. The second phase is underscored by some rapid electronic percussion before Pink Floyd-esque guitars sweep in and land on a repeated guitar hook that ascends towards the heavens. 

This opening salvo makes me curious to hear more. There is clearly talent and ideas here that promise much much more!

3 out of 5 Hooks

Written by Matt Nicholson 

China Bears are an indie four piece band based in Buckinghamshire but this band originally formed in Somerset in 2015 when twin brothers Ivan and Frazer Proctor decided to make music together and now with Dean McCaw and James Zealey adding their musical talents to the band, China Bears have dropped their new single ‘Stay for good’, so let see what’s it’s all about.

The track starts with blistering guitars that takes you by surprise and you begin to realise you have caught up with the record but just at that moment, the track calms right down to a rhythm which introduces Ivan’s voice and mellowed tones.

Ivan then gently pulls outs catchy lyrics which makes your ears pay attention to the record’s words about struggling to get over a break up and lyrics like “Oceans between us on unsettled seas” allows this record to be an Indie display with great momentum and layer of upper tempo and slower beats blinding into one another successfully.

During the song there are a couple of sudden bursts of spiky guitar from Frazer and James which comes out of nowhere which are a nice contrast from the quieter moments within the song, the structure of the record comes from the a good base drum beat from Dean throughout the song. 

At the end of the track China Bears strip the song back to just the vocals of Ivan which allows a sadness to bleed out of the lyrics, then a fitting end appears with a smack of guitars to bring the curtains down on Stay for good. Great track!

3.5 Hooks out of 5

Written by Kess Anthony 

'Bring On The Night' have operated under a number of previous guises but have re-launched to challenge themselves afresh and reignite their love of making music. 

They are twin brothers Joe and Alex, who operate from a flat in Manchester and are solely responsible for what's served up here; new single "Fake Royalty". Underneath the smooth surface of this second single "Fake Royalty" there's a dark pumping heart.

Heavy bass notes offset a nursery-rhyme piano line. It's an immersive experience, ultimately lifted by the discordant guitar riffing during the middle eight.

So musically, this is an accomplished piece of work indeed. But it's brooding sound gives texture to a powerful story of lost friendship. Joe and Alex describe meaningful relationships being dropped in the empty pursuit of superficiality.

By the sounds of their first offerings, 'Bring On The Night' are successfully making something fresh; an indie sound that belongs in 2019”. Anthemic but pensive - I found this an enjoyable listen that improved with listens.

3.5 out of 5 Hooks

Written by Matthew Nicholson 

Kaiber Koi haven’t wasted anytime getting their sound out to the world, with only three gigs under their belt Kaiber Koi have found a track to present to listeners as a hint of their identity.

This means the Manchester based band has only just started their journey and this track is a good start on that journey, Kess Off The Hook Music feel this song is an important beginning for Kaiber Koi which allows them to build on to newer fresher sounds.

Archaic Wave is a lengthy track at 6 minutes and 26 seconds, which means this isn’t a song for the radio but a track for fans of progressive rock and metal alike.

We love how this track is guitar driven like taking a ride on a fast high speed wave which provides you with an instant guaranteed adrenaline kick.

The level change with the vocals during the verse is a pleasant addition, then a middle eighth which builds on a good guitar solo and brings you to a climax of the last minute of the track, you find yourself enjoying the sound of the rushing wave just before you land on solid ground.  

The lyrics aren’t for the faint of hearted and they can be confronting but this is what a band like Kaiber Koi are made for, daring you to let the music engulf your body and take over your ears.

Written By Kess Anthony