Riot Dawn (vocals), Keytar Mark Wagler (guitar/vocals), Troy Harper (bass/vocals) and Terry McDowell (drums) are Toxic Blonde. The band from Cedar Rapids Iowa has been entertaining audiences and is expected to drop a new EP later this year. Back in 2021 the band released a single entitled “Invisible” which I spent some time with.
The song is pretty epic overall. It sounds huge and reminded me of arena rock that was more common in the ’80s. That being said the song feels like it’s been updated for a more contemporary feel but still has a lot going on in it that you heard from bands back in the day. The composition commences with a powerful impact from the drums, accompanied by distorted guitars and a consistently rhythmic bassline. In a short span of time, the band effortlessly transitions into an ethereal and dreamy verse, enveloped by captivating vocals. The clever application of reverb and subtle trickling elements adds an enigmatic quality to the song. As the distorted guitar reenters the mix, it becomes apparent that the song is steadily progressing towards an irresistible climax. And when the hook finally erupts, its sheer magnitude resonates through every note, leaving an indelible impact on the listener's senses. They move quickly and get back to the verse and rinse and repeat effectively. The second chorus hits and by this time I felt like I was singing along. I thought the guitar was a killer. The guitarist had a bit of Jimmy Page like style to his lead playing. It’s at this point where the song is boiling over with energy. The outro is a triumph and the band crushes it. This is a rock song and doesn't hide. It’s the type of song where people will hold up their lighters. The song can work as an opener or closer on an album. It won’t go unnoticed. That’s for sure. I can’t say I was familiar with this band but this single was impressive. I’m certainly looking forward to hearing what they have up their sleeves for their upcoming EP. Recommended.
1 Comment
William Sedlacek
7/6/2023 06:46:10 pm
This song is really so awesome. I sure love hearing all of their tunes. They have lots of adrenaline in their music. Just like the bands used to have.
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