Remember when rock songs had massive choruses, guitar solos that made you air-guitar like your life depended on it, and enough angst to soundtrack an entire teenage crisis? The Greater Belfast band Rumor Den leans into its progressive rock roots with a sound that feels straight out of the 2000s post-grunge era, bringing together emotional songwriting, heavy guitars and an infectious guitar solo that demands to be heard. The brainchild of AJ Gilmore (Vocals, lyrics), Steve Simms (Guitars), Alan Boyd (Guitars B/Vocals), Billy Causby (Bass & B/Vocals) and Gerry Lisk (Drums), the band has really cooked up a track to remember this time.
The track reveals itself slowly, letting its different elements fall into place rather than hastily drive towards the climax. Acoustic guitars add a smooth, almost vulnerable touch to the soundscape. Then the chorus arrives, with theatrical choir and synth embedded in its undertones. All these textures pay homage to their progressive rock roots. It almost took me into a hazy trance as the song bled through the earphones into my ears. It feels like all your emotions have been dialed upto the maximum.
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The guitar work deserves limelight, especially the melodic solo in the climax that brings home an old-school touch to the soundscape. In an era when plenty of rock tracks race to the finish, ‘Shoot The Messenger’ takes its time and lets the instruments do their thing. The solo adds more character than what polished modern productions could ever bring without feeling like a technical flex for the sake of it.
Rumour Den clearly understands the appeal of rock that balances melody with carefully crafted riffing. ‘Shoot The Messenger’ has enough progressive detail to keep things interesting and enough post-grunge grit to get the heads banging. For listeners who miss the days when rock songs could be both emotionally charged and unapologetically heavy, this one should hit the spot.
Listen to the full song here:
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neurotic but nice 🙂
