Exclusive Premeire: HANNA BARAKAT – “Damage Done” [Track Stream]

Austin, Texas-based alternative rock artist Hanna Barakat premieres her newest single “Damage Done” off her upcoming album ‘Siren’ (scheduled to drop this summer). The album was produced by John Moyer (Disturbed), mixed by Martin Nessi (Ariana Grande, Celine Dion, Kelly Clarkson), and mastered by Sterling Sound’s Ted Jansesn (Evanescence, Three Days Grace, Halestorm). Barakat describes the inspiration behind the musical and lyrical themes of the heartfelt new track: Continue reading

Aftershock 2018 Spotlight: PLAGUE VENDOR [Video Stream]

*This is part of our “Aftershock Festival 2018 Spotlight” where we branch out and focus on some of the up-and-coming bands that fans can see at this year’s Aftershock Festival on October 13th & 14th.  This week, we’re checking out PLAGUE VENDOR.*

One of my personal philosophies is that if your music is difficult to categorize, you must be doing something right. Such is definitely the case with Whitier, California quartet Plague Vendor who fittingly classify themselves as “voodoo punk” to describe their style of dark and abrasive, yet often dance-able form of punk rock. At times emerging through are hints of Dead Kennedys, Nirvana, and Raw Power-era The Stooges, but never to an overwhelming degree that overshadows the band’s own uniqueness. Lead singer Brandon Blaine is like a pissed off Jack White with an aggressive and dissonant vocal attack that never fails to add a striking element of chaos or danger to every song. Plague Vendor’s combination of raw simplicity, aggression, and catchiness will have you tapping your foot, nodding your head, and humming along while at the same time feeling a horror movie-like tension pulling you into its sonic madness. This is music that refuses to be confined by a label and thankfully so. Continue reading

The Bucketlist with SHADOW OF WHALES

*In this series we pose the age-old question to a wide array of music lovers. As fans of music, most of us keep a mental list of active bands we want to see live that we haven’t yet seen. The Bucketlist brings to you those lists of your favorite artists and why those bands mean so much to them*

Here at Metal Nexus, our goal is to bring the best in news, updates, and the goings-on with your favorite rock and metal groups.  As well as this, we also strive to bring attention to lesser-known bands that are just as talented.  As many of you know, our Bucketlist segment has shone light on many bands – from main acts on a festival lineup to festival openers and everyone in between.  Recently, Metal Nexus established contact with a great up and coming band that some may know, Shadow of Whales.  Admittedly, I had never heard the band, but after hearing a few songs, I was hooked immediately. Continue reading