Not to immediately contradict the title, but I am a couple months late to a couple of these tracks. In my defense, I was in hermit mode and listening to the same playlist on repeat for about a year. But, I am fully rested and prepared to start listening to new rock instead of living under one. Without further ado, here’s the carefully constructed “Something New” Playlist to kick off our 2024!
“Stereo” — ANKOR
Released: October 12th, 2023
To everyone that loves a mix of melodic metal, screams, and ethereal vocals, “Stereo” may become your new favorite song. The track sits as “Chapter 4” in a series of songs exploring the aftermath of not only losing a meaningful relationship, but losing oneself as well. Listeners anticipate a Chapter 5 from Ankor, but for right now, we have an incredible series of vivid videos piecing together a tale about finding yourself again.
Favorite Lyric: “I set my angels free and face my fears, now I let them sleep with me/Only to wake up and find them staring at me.”
“Dream One” — Cold In Berlin
Released: October 20th, 2023
Need a song to daydream about being a ghost dramatically waltzing through their rotting manor during a thunderstorm? If you answered, “Yes, this would be delightful” then this haunting track from your new favorite Goth band is for you. This will be best enjoyed with a vintage, gothic dress with the lace sleeves and a glass of the darkest, reddest wine. Egri Bikavér, anyone?
Favorite Lyric: “Dream three/I wake/but nothing ever feels the same.”
EP Release: The Body is the Wound January 19th 2024
“Bury Me” — Lansdowne
Released: November 3rd, 2023
First of all, we love to see some tarot reader representation in their music video. Second of all, if you’re looking for a band that will be the perfect addition to your Bad Omens and I Prevail playlists, Lansdowne is the ideal one. Third of all, “Bury Me” will be the first track on my list of “Perfect Songs To Launch Yourself Into The Mosh Pit To.” Happy head banging!
Favorite Lyric: “But you don’t care and what you’ll never see/Is all of the hope inside of what we dreamed.”
“Slow Dance In A Crypt” — LUCIFER
Released: December 7th, 2023
Now that we have the perfect song to daydream about being a ghost, we need a track that is going to suit our reclusive priestess vibes. So we begin with waltzing again, perhaps with the ghost of our lover, maybe a fellow cryptid, or even just enjoying a solo dance through your personal cemetery. Whatever nails your coffin.
Favorite Lyric: “In this eternal dream/I should have joined you a long time ago.”
Album Release: LUCIFER V 1/26/24
“Miracle” — Gina Fritz
Released: December 8th, 2023
In the aftermath of the Year of Barbie, may we manifest more women in metal receiving their flowers. Gina Fritz won’t let you down with this lyrical powerhouse. Personally, my inner teenager has the best anime music video to go along with the music. I would love to know which one you picked for “Miracle.” (Mine’s Tokyo Ghoul.)
Favorite Lyric: “I pick myself off the ground/just to let myself down”
“Delirium” — Disconnected Souls
Released: January 10th, 2024
If there is a such thing as a self aware, rage filled anthem, then “Delirium” should be it. Disconnected Souls embodies the anger during the self healing journey, especially with the way they incorporate robotic vocals that take the role of someone’s inner thoughts fighting to be logical through the fog of addiction. If you enjoy songs such as Cradle of Filth’s “Nymphetimine,” then you’ll fall in love with the powerfully haunting “Delirium.”
Favorite Lyric: “Can you hear the angels in Fentanyl-laced dreams? Your friends are reaching out to you.”
“iM aLrIGht” — Further Within
Released: January 11th, 2024
And here I introduce the inspiration for my next playlist, “Songs to Lay On the Floor and Dissociate to.” Seriously though, tell me that Further Within wouldn’t be a perfect band for Suasion and Starset to tour with so I can call you a liar. I’d make you listen to this immaculate banger until you changed your mind.
Favorite Lyric: “But in the darkness I wear the crown.”
“ABYSS” — Normundy
Released: January 12th, 2024
Releasing a toxic relationship of any sort? Normundy wrote the anthem for this. As stated in their video description, “ABYSS” is “a fierce farewell to a toxic person.” Their video of a stumbling space traveler depicts the confusion of leaving said situation flawlessly, and we await what unravels next in her journey.
Favorite Lyric: “And you can wait all you want to hear my swan song/Let it all fall/out of the dark I crawl.”
“Crush On You” — Smalltown Tigers
Released: January 12th, 2024
Amidst the turmoil and existential crisis, sometimes it’s nice to have a track about the joys of forming a crush. “Crush On You” is unfiltered fun, complete with an energetic music video at a carnival. The piece serves viewers and listeners a dose of nostalgia for lighthearted romances in the summer evenings.
Favorite Lyric: “I have a crush on you/It’s driving me insane.” (Honestly, the most relatable lyric ever.)
Album Release: Crush On You 2/9/24
“Downpour” — A Moment In Pompeii
Released: January 12th, 2024
Should the Fast and Furious series ever create a horror spin off, then A Moment in Pompeii needs to be in charge of creating the soundtrack. “Downpour” will send you into the most action packed daydreams of fighting the forces of evil in a cyberpunk setting and high speed chases with demons in the dead of night. I’d win a fist fight with a werewolf if this track was playing in the background.
Favorite Lyric: “Where do you go when you’ve surrendered you soul/And it’s torn to pieces?”
“Reaper’s Call” — LUTHARO
Released: January 12th, 2024
There’s tracks for dancing with the dead, imagining you’re one of the dead, and then there’s tracks for raising an army of the dead. Like this one! Maybe if Aragorn played “Reaper’s Call” while summoning the army of the dead at the Stone of Erech, he would have persuaded them much more quickly. Not that his chosen tactic didn’t work, but, this method would have been a solid—dare I say better—alternative.
Favorite Lyric: “You’ve sold yourself away again on a whim/Summoned the devil now you’re staring back at him.”
Album Release: Chasing Euphoria – 3/15/24
“Trenches” — Fight From Within ft. Taylor Barber (Left to Suffer) and Pablo Viveros (Chelsea Grin)
Released: January 12th, 2024
And here we have the original song that served as the catalyst for this whole playlist. Complete with a return (at least to a Banshee playlist/review) from Left to Suffer’s Taylor Barber. Nothing like ending a playlist to something you want to launch yourself into a wall of death to. And we’re being extra spoiled with some Chelsea Grin vibes? Please. 2024 is the year of immaculate metal music.
Favorite Lyric: “I let you make me whole and you left me alone/And there’s no turning back as I watch it all fade to black.”
