Track of the Day: Dead Storm Rising – Leo (2023)
Inspired by the likes of Lacuna Coil and Tool, Dead Storm Rising weaves hard-hitting lyricism with emotional melodies in a confident, chaotic manner. Drawing together the natural musical prowess of Wraith (guitar, bass and drums), Kitsune (piano, keyboards and backing vocals) and Hræsvelgr (lead vocals), the US-based trio swiftly traipse across various shades of metal with their music. A brand spanking new band with only one track reaching international ears, this is all of our introduction to Dead Storm Rising. Let’s jump together into their debut track ‘Leo’.
Recorded as part of a Failure Tribute Compilation, Dead Storm Rising tackle Failure’s 1996 single ‘Leo’ – taken off the album Fantastic Planet. Capturing yesteryear’s alternative rock sound with a grunge-tinged flair, Failure’s tune is a strong representation of the 1990s. Dead Storm Rising, however, drags ‘Leo’ not only to the 21st Century but also to the realm of metal.
Combining pounding drums, scorching guitars and a heavy bass, Dead Storm Rising gives the original single a hard-hitting slap. Yet, while the sentiment of vulnerability, despair, inner turmoil and fearfulness of a person with social anxiety trying to cope with each day is retained throughout the songs, it is Dead Storm Rising that truly captures the desperate plea for help in its music. Distorted and haunting, a gothic sentimentality holds up its arms and cradles the falling individual.
While the melody is a slap in the face making you pay attention to the wistful doom, it is Hræsvelgr’s voice that brings an extra soul-stirring element to the single. Reminiscent of Rammstein but with the melodic intricacy of Lacuna Coil and Paradise Lost, his soulful tones are haunting, skin-chilling and entirely breath-taking. For me, listening to ‘Leo’ begins as a moving piece but quickly progresses into a gut-wrenching, tear-jerking, intoxicating capture of my soul. Dead Storm Rising has not only put a unique spin on Failure’s ‘Leo’ but altered it to the point of no similarity standing out as potentially better than the original in a sublime melancholy.
For more from Dead Storm Rising, check out their official website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
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