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NMR website featuring new Indie artists, they feature Artists in Focus and also many others On the Radar weekly.
Latest Artists Reviews
Pick Up Goliath Drops a Fierce Chapter : Empire of Circuits
After the cinematic depth of Veil of Illusion and the pounding energy of Rise of the Machine, producer and multi-instrumentalist Sam George — better known as Pick Up Goliath — returns with his most brutal release yet: Empire of Circuits, the third movement from his ongoing symphonic metal saga Artificial Ascendency.
If Rise of the Machine hinted at humanity’s uneasy relationship with technology, Empire of Circuits dives headfirst into the aftermath — a world completely ruled by AI, where order crushes chaos, and freedom has been wiped clean by code.
Musically, George keeps things wild and unpredictable. Written in the style of a Scherzo, the track twists through rapid time changes, intricate rhythmic interplay, and a storm of mechanical precision — all fueled by a dark, industrial pulse. It’s fierce, cinematic, and absolutely relentless.
As GigRadar puts it:
“Pick Up Goliath channels the chaos of rebellion into something symphonic, cinematic, and utterly punishing.”
And Vault Lab nails it too:
“Mechanical yet alive — a perfect union of machine and emotion.”
Backing George are two powerhouses: Josh Baines (Malevolence) on guitar and Mike Malyan (ex-Monuments) on drums, grounding the madness with razor-sharp musicianship.
The track follows George’s award-winning Hymns of the Unholy — the official Cult of the Lamb collaboration that scooped Male International Album of the Year 2025 (ISSA) and Best Music Collaboration, Summer 2025 (World Songwriting Awards).
Entirely written, performed, and produced in George’s Dolby Atmos–certified Mammoth Sound Studio in Cáceres, Artificial Ascendency continues to push symphonic metal into new emotional and technical territory.
Empire of Circuits is out now (October 24, 2025), and the saga wraps up with the final movement, Final Requiem, dropping November 14, 2025.
Pick Up Goliath – Empire Of Circuits (
Bastion’s Wake release their new single and music video, – Willow’s Ruse.
“Willow’s Ruse” stands as a cornerstone of Bastion’s Wake’s forthcoming sophomore album, Go Tell The Bees… — a sweeping conceptual journey through fear, sadness, and the renewal of hope in the face of adversity.
Vision and Resilience
The story of Bastion’s Wake began in 2016, when vocalist and 12-string guitarist Sami joined forces with guitarist Rayto, in their own words, “write the music we wanted to write and play the music we wanted to hear.”
That vision became the band’s creative foundation — uncompromising, inventive, and deeply personal.
With no drummer at the time, Ray engineered a custom-programmed system known affectionately as “the box.” It powered their backing tracks while syncing lights and video, transforming each performance into a mesmerizing audiovisual experience.
Audiences were immediately drawn to Sami’s soaring, ethereal vocals and Ray’s down-tuned, technical guitar work, creating a soundscape that was both cinematic and immersive.
In 2019, Bastion’s Wake released their self-produced debut, Sea Creatures and Sky Pirates — a labor of love blending melodic death, doom, and symphonic metal into a lush, emotional experience.
A year later, the lineup expanded with drummer Rob Westbrook (Pessimist) and his son Ben on bass, solidifying the rhythm section and unlocking new creative possibilities.
Shortly after, tragedy struck when Ray suffered sudden heart failure, surviving only through the emergency implantation of a pacemaker — at just 30 years old. Rather than halting their progress, the band channeled this ordeal into renewed purpose, crafting the material that would become Go Tell The Bees…
The Sound of Survival
Mixed and mastered in Norway by Øystein G. Brun of Borknagar at Crosound Studio, Go Tell The Bees… captures the full emotional and sonic range of Bastion’s Wake.
From the hard-hitting epics “Willow’s Ruse” and “Runway” to the haunting intimacy of “Pathos” and “Tiny Box,”the album is both cathartic and cinematic.
“Willow’s Ruse” in particular encapsulates everything Bastion’s Wake has become — Sami’s transcendent vocals, Ray’s intricate guitar lines, and the powerful synergy of Rob and Ben’s rhythm section. It’s a declaration of endurance, a reflection of struggle, and a promise of rebirth.
“More than a song, it’s a statement of survival,” says the band. “A reflection of our journey — and a glimpse of what’s to come.”
About Bastion’s Wake
Formed in Delaware in 2016, Bastion’s Wake began as a duo with a vision: to merge Sami’s melodic death and doom influences with Ray’s love for symphonic and power metal. When they couldn’t find a drummer nearby, Ray’s technical ingenuity birthed “the box,” allowing the pair to bring a full cinematic experience to live audiences.
The positive reception to their live shows and debut album propelled them onto local and regional stages, including a tour with We Are Sentinels (Jonah Weingarten & Matt Barlow).
In 2019, Rob Westbrook joined on drums after 25 years away from the scene, bringing his son Ben on bass — completing the Bastion’s Wake family.
Their sophomore effort, Go Tell The Bees, takes everything they’ve built and amplifies it — a conceptual work exploring grief, loss, and awakening hope. With Øystein G. Brun’s analog mastering touch, the record finds balance between heavy cinematic epics and atmospheric introspection.
Fans rallied behind the project, funding its vinyl pressing to 210% of its Kickstarter goal within 10 days.
Bastion’s Wake are mainstays of Delaware’s “Party Like It’s 793” Festival, hosted by Brimming Horn Meadery, and have shared stages with Tengger Calvary, We Are Sentinels, Ashes of Ares, Fires in the Distance, LÖR, A Sound of Thunder, and many more.
With Go Tell The Bees… and the powerful new single “Willow’s Ruse,” Bastion’s Wake continue to forge a sound that’s equal parts cinematic metal, emotional storytelling, and raw resilience.
Bastions Wake – Willow’s Ruse ( Metal /
Oriana Nash – Woman
Rising queer alt-pop/rock artist Oriana Nash launches a bold new era with the release of “WOMAN” — a hypnotic slow-burn exploring jealousy, obsession, and queer femme power. It’s the first single in a four-part series set to unfold through a cinematic rollout of music and visuals spanning winter 2025 into 2026.
If “WOMAN” were a person, she’d be 5’3″, goddamn pretty, and ready to drag you off your bar stool for touching her girl. Over a brooding groove and the loaded hook — “stay away from my woman” — Oriana channels desire and control into something both intimate and dangerous. The track pulses at the intersection of softness and threat, flipping traditional power dynamics with dark glamour and heat.
The accompanying music video, directed by Oriana herself, stars NYC drag icon Dani Darling and plays out like a queer noir short film — smoky, seductive, and charged with tension. Shot across New York’s Lower East Side and Brooklyn’s underground club scene, it captures the raw energy of a city and community that refuse to be tamed. This visual world sets the tone for an era that’s visually rich, emotionally charged, and unapologetically queer.
Behind the Sound
Born in Miami and now based in Manhattan, Oriana Nash is no stranger to story-driven songwriting. The 21-year-old singer, songwriter, and performer has steadily built a loyal audience through fearless alt-pop releases and electric live shows.
Her love for music began early — sparked by a childhood encounter with Phantom of the Opera, a haunting theatrical experience that ignited her creative imagination. By 14, she was writing original songs and recording with friends, laying the groundwork for a career defined by bold storytelling and emotional honesty.
Since then, Oriana has independently released standout singles including “Trippin on Daydreams,” “More Than We Were,” and “Keep It Going” — the latter remixed by international dance producer Steve Brian.
Whats Next…
With “WOMAN,” Oriana Nash steps into her most confident and cinematic phase yet — a chapter that will continue over the coming months with songs exploring perception, distance, and release.
“WOMAN” isn’t just a song — it’s a statement. Powerful, seductive, and dangerously self-aware.
Oriana Nash – Woman ( Electro / Rock
V-Sor,X – New Electro Pop release – Angel Skin
V-Sor, X (pronounced Veezer-X) return with their brand new single “Angel Skin”, the captivating lead track from their forthcoming album Sun Shooter, due for release on October 3rd, 2025.
“It’s not your average ‘boy meets girl’ love song,” says vocalist Morgan Bryan about Angel Skin. “The song describes a ‘what if’ moment, where two people in a period of change have a momentary connection — an ideal match under better circumstances.”
Rock, Electronica & Storytelling.
Angel Skin showcases the kind of unique storytelling that threads through all nine songs on Sun Shooter. The track delivers a dynamic fusion of rock and electronica, revealing influences as diverse as Depeche Mode, Killing Joke, and Led Zeppelin, with a cinematic flair reminiscent of John Barry.
The album continues V-Sor, X’s reputation for genre-spanning creativity, blending electronic textures, driving guitars, and atmospheric melodies into something both powerful and thought-provoking.
Sun Shooter – Out Now !
Described as a “new chapter” for the band, Sun Shooter follows their 2019 album Reformer — though some songs on the new release actually predate that earlier record.
“Some of the tracks have existed in half-form for some time and were just too good to remain on the shelf,” explains Bryan.
Lyrically, the album takes on bold themes such as climate change and corporate greed, while maintaining an undercurrent of optimism. The band encourages listeners to stop chasing the future and instead embrace the present— valuing what truly matters.
Collaboration & Creation
“There was a real collaborative energy in the studio,” says Morgan. “Each of us brought elements of our influences and musical past to every track. An extraordinary energy came together, and there was a tangible feeling that we had created something special — a complete album that really represents us.”
That belief and chemistry have pushed the band into a new era of reinvention, solidifying their identity and expanding their sonic range.
Sun Shooter Tracklist
Laid Back
Angel Skin (lead track)
Thorns and Scissors
On Another Escalator
There Goes God
More Law
Sunlight Drives
Sun Shooter
Sit Still
About V-Sor, X
V-Sor, X are a trio with serious music pedigree:
Morgan Bryan – Vocals, guitars, keyboards
William Derbyshire – Keyboards, guitars, backing vocals
Ian ‘Rolls’ Roland – Bass, backing vocals
Morgan Bryan has worked with Prince and supported Duran Duran, while William Derbyshire has written hits across genres from K-pop to R&B. Bassist Rolls has been in bands “since before he was born,” bringing deep experience and groove to the lineup.