The Indie Rock Dojo

 "The World is on Fire" is a 2-song single by Titanosaur that releases on June 23rd, 2023!  I am honored to be able to listen early and give you my reaction the best I can!  I normally don't review more than one song in a post, but in my opinion, Titanosaur is one of those deserving artists in the independent music scene that needs to be heard by as many ears as possible, so writing this flows easily. "The World is on Fire" starts calm with a lone guitar with effects, then BUSTS OUT in heavy full band metal power!  What a gigantic mix!  I can instantly hear the predators chasing their prey, eyeing it's victims with intensity.  I can feel the prehistoric landscape wildfires everywhere!  The guitars are doing everything in this tune!  Areas of heavy palm-muting.  Sections of no-chord riffing.  Instrumentals of gigantic rhythm guitars with a lead melody over the top.  I love the first verse where the drums and bass lead half way, then ...

 Girl With a Hawk is from Boston, Massechusetts USA.  "Same Stars" is a calm, reflective rock song with smooth, passionate melodic vocals that get soaked in another vocalist's harmonies during the chorus and occasionally in other areas as well.  She has an outstanding dynamic to her voice that fits nicely in the calm parts as well as the parts of the song where the strategic building of intensity hits its climax. The drums sound authentically live as if we were listening at a show...keeping the beat smoothly...not overdoing it...only doing what the song needs.  It takes a good ear to know what to play to fit the song's feel than to play unneeded fills, and this drummer's GOT IT! The guitars do a great job of melodically leading, even when underneath the vocals.  These guitars do an excellent job of building the song's atmosphere. The sound quality is on point for every instrument, with such a great mix. I'd have to say I'm more than impressed with this...

The Rupert Selection are a band from Massachusetts, USA, and they are a heavy post-grunge rock band with a very tight chemistry among the members. "Astronauts" starts with a nice build that blasts off with heavy guitars and bass doing the coolest thing...making a descending slide from one chord to the next...plus the solidarity of the guitar, bass and drums gives it the coolest sound. The band sounds as if they've been playing with one another for years.  The drummer is steady and very active.  The bass has a smooth and thick tone, constantly moving as well...and especially during the calmer areas...the song's personality never leaves.  The guitars keep the tone mostly in the mids and avoid the highs, making it easier to turn up this song without fear of going deaf!  The vocalist has a smooth, tone full of air that cuts through the mix nicely.  He reminds me of the lead singer from The Exies.  His voice fits very nicely in this area of rock and doesn't miss...