Lisbon hard-rock band Yellow Dog Conspiracy took inspiration for “March” from the student-led March for Our Lives movement, which emerged after the Parkland school shooting. Released on October 16th, the single confronts gun violence and the consequences it leaves behind, with a message that staying quiet won’t change anything and that people need to stand together. The rallying refrain is “Stand for peace, stand for life and be the change.” The title carries a double meaning for the band, standing for both the movement itself and the idea of moving forward together. The song was written by Andre Vice, Joe Castanheira, Luiz Arantes, Filipe Gonçalves, and Heitor Tenorio, and Castanheira produced, recorded, mixed, and mastered it as an independent release.
Musically, this is reminiscent of Poets of the Fall in how dramatic it is and the rhythmic choices. I thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere, and the chorus has a great hook. My favorite parts, though, were the main riff and the tom groove that accompanies ambient noise like helicopter and police radio chatter. It’s very cinematic and immediately paints the picture the song’s narrative is trying to tell.
The band says “March” keeps their hard-rock roots while moving into more progressive territory, and it points toward their planned album, Liberation. It follows Confrontation, a record the band describes as exploring confrontation with governments, other people, and ourselves, which was produced by Brad Cox with Mike Clink, known for his work with Guns N’ Roses, as executive producer. Live, they have opened for Winger and Harem Scarem in Lisbon and for Dan Reed Network in Lisbon and Madrid, and they have played Camden Rocks Festival and Manchester Rock Fest in the UK. With “March” setting the tone, Liberation is the one to watch for.
