Shaft Of Steel – icy string synths and punchy rhythms with an upfront commercial vocal – there’s a very 1980s vibe here, in a Wang Chung meets Asia manner!

As they say they play ‘80s melodic rock’ and could well define themselves as a synthwave band, but also a heavy rock band that blends melodic metal and synth wave to create their very own new genre “Metalwave”. Cool.

Their first full-length album was released by German label “AOR Heaven” in 2020 to wide acclaim in heavy rock magazines worldwide. They have since released a popular cover of Natalie Imbruglia’s “Torn”!

Versus – Melodic grunge/metal/post-hardcore, blending post-grunge grit with melodic heaviness, currently promoting debut album The Catalyst (out via CK Records). Impressive work.

Chewed Out - Ferocious thrash punk/metal just as you’d want it to sound. Something of LARD - maybe the occasional samples leading me to that comparison. All the great US thrash bands of yore resonate for sure.