My Top 10 Music Discoverys In 2021

 As mentioned in yesterdays Top 10 Albums Of 2021 post, I've been in a rut! There is however a rather nice list of artists here, even if the short list was just as small. Three of these are a regular features on my Twitch streams too! So on that front I'd say its a success. I have decided however to be far more fussy when it comes to listening to the same bands still pedaling out the same old music. Its time to give a little more focus on whats fresh and new! I say this often but this time I have a plan of action that starts with reduction.


(10) Secret Stairways

The exploration of Dungeon Synth continues to be an interesting one. Its roots before the online explosion of Bandcamp records a decade ago seems to have fans unearthing lost relics. These newly surfaced cassettes have us enjoying a deceased musicians work from a time before there was much of an audience to enjoy it. An interesting sentiment but the music is good too!

(9) Tetrarch

Initially I wrote this band off for its formulaic creation of era inspired Nu-Metal. A lack of originality doesn't necessarily mean bad music. It can be a tough thing to look past but with time passing from my initial assessment, I've found myself really enjoying this record and getting those nostalgic youthful chills too!

(8) Chevelle

Very much of the Tool inspired camp, the reference point has helped me find a way in! Its a new breed of metal for me and with little else of familiarity, I've really enjoyed this bands take on the Progressive and Alternative Metal sound. Originality is not a strength but the whole approach is fun and exciting for me right now.

(7) Arcanist

Another Dungeon Synth record but this one is way more inline with what I'd like to hear. A new taken on the genre that infuses "Berlin School" synth ideals and paints an exciting soundscape with its progressive songs that move together on a journey. It was a short but sweet journey and is now very much one to look out for future releases.


(6) Cocteau Twins

Not a new discovery but an intentional deep dive into an artist I knew of two records already. Sadly, the plunge into both an extensive amount of EPs and albums went a bit sideways as fatigue quickly set in. I will pick up the journey again at some point. It was however a really nice experience to get a bigger picture of a band with timely influences felt in the decades that followed them. Treasure is still an all time favorite of mine but now I got to add a few more songs to the list.


(5) Pop Will Eat Itself

As a huge fan of Metal and Hip Hop it is practically an embarrassment to have never stumbled on this British act before. There 80s crossover of the two opposed sounds is just wonderful! A true moment in time capturing the energy, spirit and culture of that era like a musical time capsule. Its dated in the very best of ways!


(4) Gelure

Having had permissions to stream this artist, my love of the music really settled in as its relaxing ambience and warmness creates a wonderful relaxed state that comes along with waffling about whatever is on your chest for hours on end. It suited the experience so well my worry now is that I might listen too it too much. A good problem to have!

(3) Jim Kirkwood

Another from the streaming list, Jim has been on a "Dungeon Synth origins" list of mine for years. Finally pulling that trigger, I have now discovered wondrous world building music that has an ancient nostalgic charm, built on those classic keyboard tones without the steering into darkness that is all to common now. The Tolkien themes and general vibes of the music is very Dungeons and Dragons and that stream of imagination is my cup of tea!

(2) Lena Raine

To extend the simply enigmatic music of C418 and his Minecraft soundtracks would of once sounded like an impossible task yet Lena has stepped into that space wonderfully well. Reflecting many of the old ideals and injecting some of her own personality, it seemed likely her genius would extend beyond contributions to the soundtrack. That has certainly turned out to be true and I am now deadly excited to check out her debut album!

(1) The Alan Parsons Project

For all the Progressive Rock I was raised with, The Alan Parsons Project was not a part of that picture. It is however a perfect fit for that era and thus I've had the odd nostalgic experience of discovering new songs that remind me so fondly of my childhood music. Its as if I knew these songs already. A novel and rare experience that I've treasured working my way through the three records considered to be his best. I think I'll has a couple more to the playlist at some point next year!

Tetrarch "Unstable" (2021)

Is the Nu Metal revival on? There is certainly no shortage of acts doing something with the sound twenty years on from the genres hey day. As the music of my youth and formative years, records like this scratch the nostalgic itch along with a frilly rush of adrenaline. That being said, its not creativity or originality but the cliches and tropes being re-spun that's exciting. Tetrarch bring little beyond competency and execution. Practically everything on this sophomore record echos the big names in the genre.

Firstly singer Diamond Rowe has a remarkable closeness to the sadly diseased Chester Beninnington. His inflections, accent, temperament and cadence all hailing back to Hybrid Theory. It is a big component, fronting the songs with poppy hooks and catchy deliveries. Secondly, backing his vocals, the bulk of instrumentation here resembles Korn. However it is not their classic era but specifically The Serenity Of Suffering. The general beefiness of aggression is akin but the electronic creepy melodies that ring out in the backdrop of every song are uncannily alike.

Thirdly in brief stints, and notably on the opening track, the percussive element shifts gear with rhythmic riffs that sound practically lifted out of the Slipknot discography. Take A Look Inside's opening riffs also stink of Gojira. Pointing out the supposed "plagiarism" is too look past the competency though. This is a well written set of lean Pop Metal song structures with a seriously beefy and hard hitting exterior. Track after track pummels with pain and anger, occasionally frothing with rage. To its credit, some excellent electric lead solos get weaved in the mix. High octane, fast and vibrant they sound of the back of whats been done in this region over the last ten years.

 Lyrically blunt, its plain lyrics dive into the deep end of that self loathing, endlessly frustrated and emotionally tormented teenage angst. Everything is self indulged pain with a lack of resolution, words that would of consumed me in my youth but these days feel meaningless with a lack of resolution offered. Its quite remarkable to me just how naked and to the point it captures that approach from twenty years back. My quarrel with them is that besides offering respite and catharsis through connection, it can also be somewhat of a self fulfilling prophecy to circle the problem.

If you love Nu Metal then this is a wonderful bit of fun. My enjoyment here is an extension of what I already adore considering there is little new on offer. It should be said, some of these un-original themes and lyrics are delivered with a wonderful shot of adrenaline, no thanks to Rowe's singing. It does however makes me wonder as to where this band could go from here? These songs are well written, it works as is. There is no hiding from the shadow they live in though. I have no idea where this revival is going but if it blows up, I could see Tetrarch riding the wave!

Rating: 6/10