Track of the Day: darkmaterial – Lucky Charm (2023)
After the group Shortwave disbanded, bandmates Ian Larsson (vocals and rhythm guitar) and Oscar North-Concar (bass) continued performing under a new name. Add Joe Murrell (lead guitar) and Sam Sutton (drums) to the mix and you have darkmaterial. Based in Reading, the UK foursome dips into various types of rock sounds from Iron Maiden and Black Sabbath to Megadeth bringing their hard-hitting darkness (in the form of sound, of course) to audiences. While the lads only began releasing original material this year, they are already turning heads far beyond their UK borders with coverage from international playlists, publications and radio stations. The latest addition to their discography is the single ‘Lucky Charm’.
Following the well-received four-track EP The Price of Love, darkmaterial punches elements of hard rock into heavy metal stylings with punk sensibilities. Dragging us back to the metal/rock sounds of the 70s, a nostalgic whiff of Iron Maiden and Black Sabbath can be heard. The pounding drums and scorching guitars create a furious hurricane of sound tossing listeners from side to side with reckless abandon. Yet, while there is an unruly rage to the melody, there is a shimmer of organised clarity existing within the distorted insanity.
I would not call darkmaterial a “tribute to the 70s” band but their leanings toward 70s heavy metal shine through as a blast to the past. Joined by Joe Blake (guitar) and Freddie Larkins (drums), the sophisticated arrangement (produced at Pyramid Studios, Reading with Jack) leaves a tingling sensation in your toes with a spine-chilling jolt to your brain. As in ‘Fall Into The Fire’ and ‘Riding The Waves’, forcefulness shrouds the tune with Larsson’s gruff vocals astounds you in a sublime bubble of music.
Jokingly, the title ‘Lucky Charm’ might allude to a song about cereal; however, this is far from the case – although a cereal-obsessed song would be interesting. The melody is intriguing on its own, but the poetic lyricism brings a certain profoundness to the single. The band explain that “the song is exploring the personification of a lucky charm. It is dark, simple and fun, which was the ethos behind this piece of work.”
For more from darkmaterial, check out their Facebook, Instagram and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
