Making a name for themselves in Los Angeles, California, Once Around is a hard rock band pushing themselves and musical boundaries to the limits. Dropping an EP full of hits earlier this year, they are ready to rock anyone willing to listen.
1. “I Will Ascend” – Starting heavy and not wasting any time, “I Will Ascend” sets the tone of the EP with deep guitar riffs and heavy drums. The mesmerizing vocals carries the song across the finish line, the powerful singing accenting the backing tracks perfectly and showcasing the band has found their sound.
2. “Rivals” – Static kicks off the song, with the drums and guitar building on top before the instruments back off, letting the vocals sit in the spotlight for the verse. Building back up to the catchy chorus, the song hits the climax at the break before breaking back into the chorus one last time, not scared to switch up how the song is paced.
3. “New Blood” – Keeping with the slower verses and incredibly catchy choruses, the shining star for this track is the riffing on the guitar. Switching from low chugging riffs to simple chorus backing to sneaking in quick sweeps and technical licks, there are a million different ways to listen to this song. The guitar perfectly fits in place next to the drums to allow for the vocals to add the icing on the cake and polish off the song.
4. “Die Alone” – Beginning with vocals, “Die Alone” sits as another song that could be a radio hit. Moving from a low talking for the verse into emotional singing for the choruses and then quick screams for the breaks, this song has everything for vocal fanatics. The instruments don’t pull any punches either, creating memorable fills and riffs that will be stuck in your head long after the song finishes.
5. “Ghost” – Perfect for the radio, “Ghost” begins with a gorgeous build up of guitar and drums, taking a step back for the verse to let the vocals drip over the listener before the explosive chorus knocks your socks off. The catchiness of the beat and vocals of the chorus will drill inside of your consciousness and stay there for years. “Ghost” is another perfect example of less is more, with brilliant pacing and placement of each of the song’s parts, it is masterfully crafted.
6. “Leaving Home” – Launching with an eerie, atmospheric intro to set the foundation for the song, “Leaving Home” slowly builds to the guitar and drums. Sprinkling the intro into the chorus, the vocals are the final ingredient that makes this song stand out. Just as with every song on the EP, Once Around has locked into their sound to create something unique and fresh, while still keeping true to who they are as musicians and as people.
Grab Leaving Home and check it out for yourself, especially if you are a fan of hard rock mixed with a plethora of elements from a variety of genres.
Band Members: Sebastian James - Vocals Wrath - Guitars
Era - Drum