Pressure-Demonic Oath
It’s time Pressure brings melodic metal to the masses again. After a short break, the heavy-hitters are back with another superb single. Challenging the norm, they have always tried to bend and fold around the weird purity metalheads are notorious for demanding. With changing times, they bring life to a style that is growing in popularity. This is their latest single, Demonic Oath. With an opening fit for Vikings, Pressure bring riff utilisation to the maximum. Their vocalist Olof Jönsson has peaked his performance in every song, whether it be a fast-paced kicker like this single or one of their slower breakdowns. When Olli Violet joined them, you saw this spiral upwards, a helix of metal and symphony that culminates in a fjord of dreams. The duality in the vocal approach brings the registers in a phase of unison, tying together what many bands lack. Though this is a studio recording, you know their effort and sound will be just as good live. The blistering double bass strafes us in parts, while the gunning riffage is what you’re hooked to. Simon “Siirpo” Forsell brings a memorable solo that serves as the break before the verse explodes into the closing. I’d like to hear this in the 1994 comic adapted film, The Crow. With some really cool action sequences and a soundtrack leaning towards metal, this song would ring well within the cogs of the movie. All The Things and their self-titled single Pressure are some of their best work. Be sure to listen to their album from earlier this year as well, called In A Dark Heart We Trust. So go ahead and surrender to the metal!
Pressure-Demon Warrior
Pressure have pushed what definable metal is with their unique tone and style. Not just looking at it as subgenres but one whole, cohesive mass-they have changed the game. Their “melodic metal” is a fluidic transpose between many categories that purists whine and bicker about. This is their latest single, Demon Warrior. I have always loved the fantasy world of metal. It is these themes that have drawn me to the songs in the first place. Whether it be Iron Maiden or the specific faction of Amon Amarth, there is a lot to obsess over. With this single, they wade into power metal while retaining the melodies and symphonies. It is one of their most varied, melody wise. The anthem like drum beat for the verse will make you want to pump your fist towards the sky. The chorus is an inspiring, hair-raising part which might make your eyes tear up. Inspiring, yet versatile-the vocals from Olli Violet are what bring a choir like feel to the song. You can see how Pressure bring the darkness of black metal with just the lyrics. The harmonic solo after the breakdown threads through beautifully with the lyrics and vocals. One of their best. I would love this to be in the God of War (2017) movie. Though there are themes that are only parallels, this movie missed out on a crushing soundtrack. Pressure will be able to fill that void with the resonating melodies they write. Listen to their singles like All the Things and Demonic Oath as well, to have the most metal of nights. Follow them for more!
Koburg - This Game Called Love
The latest single by Koburg, "This Game Called Love," masterfully blends the raw intensity of alternative rock with the grandeur of symphonic metal. The track opens with a rich harmonic bed, layering modulated guitars and synths that set a hauntingly cinematic tone. As the song unfolds, Koburg's impeccable vocal delivery shines, weaving a tale of love’s treacherous game with both power and vulnerability. Her voice soars above the intricate instrumentation, commanding the listener's attention with every note. The production on "This Game Called Love" is nothing short of stellar. The drums bus exhibits a vivid dynamic range, punctuating the track with moments of explosive energy and subtle restraint. The stereo field is carefully crafted, allowing each element—from the soaring strings section to the dark, pulsating bass—to occupy its space without overshadowing Koburg's vocals. The result is a mix that feels expansive and immersive, pulling the listener into the depths of the song’s emotional landscape. This track would find a fitting home in the soundtracks of films like The Neon Demon or Crimson Peak, where the themes of self-sabotage and estranged romance are explored with a dark, gothic edge. The song's brooding atmosphere and poignant lyrics mirror the emotional turmoil often depicted in such narratives, making it a perfect complement to the indie music scene's more avant-garde side. Koburg, who performs live as Of Koburg & Kin, has truly cemented her place in the symphonic metal genre with this release. Co-produced by Dean Baker & Anthony Malpass, and signed to Evolve Or Die Records, her music offers a unique blend of orchestral grandeur and rock grit, positioning her as a leading voice in the UK’s symphonic rock scene.