“GRIST” is the second in a new series of 30 song double albums, following up “IN ALL MY NIGHTMARES I AM ALONE”, which was itself just released on June 30th. Fans of Swans, 90’s and ‘blackstar’-era David Bowie, Sonic Youth, Skinny Puppy, Ministry, Nick Cave, Portishead, Chelsea Wolfe, The Stooges, Faith No More, Tom Waits and PJ Harvey should enjoy this strange yet cohesive collection. 

“GRIST”  hunts, laughs, mourns, challenges and inspires others to step into their true selves without fear. The themes are wide but related, with philosophy, mental illness, death of loved ones, addiction, spirituality, surrealism and dream language all playing strong roles. With themes like rallying baby bees for the swarm, the artist positions himself as the Queen, ready to move through chaos, come what may.

“Ram Dass famously stated that all life experience, trauma, transcendence, joy, suffering, is all just “grist for the mill of awakening”. That being said, here is the GRIST.”

GRIST stands as a beat-heavy, noise heavy riot crackling through the heart of the city, while also a testament to life, survival from nothing, a celebration, and statement for those abused or undermined, yet who posess an inner power that none can reach.

“This is a pure offering to my baby bees, my ones who know code red, my cubs who climb the mount, my bears who hold their post, my hyenas who crawl under dark of dark. This is for you, who face the weaponry, the cheap bravado, the false while grinding your teeth. Sharpening. This is GRIST. What we are is GRIST. OMEN.“

The best-selling rock album of the 1960s is Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles (1967), with over 32 million copies sold worldwide. This psychedelic masterpiece revolutionized rock music with its innovative production and conceptual approach.

The best-selling rock album of the 1970s is The Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd (1973), with over 50 million copies sold worldwide. Its exploration of themes like madness, time, and death, combined with groundbreaking sound design, made it a timeless progressive rock staple.

The best-selling rock album of the 1980s is Back in Black by AC/DC (1980), with over 50 million copies sold worldwide. Released as a tribute to late singer Bon Scott, it features hard rock anthems like “You Shook Me All Night Long” and solidified AC/DC’s global dominance.

The best-selling rock album of the 1990s is Jagged Little Pill by Alanis Morissette (1995), with over 33 million copies sold worldwide. This alternative rock breakthrough captured raw emotion through hits like “You Oughta Know,” influencing a generation of female artists.

The best-selling rock album of the 2000s is Hybrid Theory by Linkin Park (2000), with over 32 million copies sold worldwide. Blending nu-metal, rap, and electronic elements, tracks like “In the End” defined the era’s angsty sound.</p

The best-selling rock album of the 2010s is Night Visions by Imagine Dragons (2012), with over 20.7 million equivalent album sales worldwide (including streams). With arena-ready anthems like “Radioactive,” it bridged alternative rock and pop, dominating charts in the streaming age.

The best-selling rock album of the 2020s to date is Sour by Olivia Rodrigo (2021), with over 18 million equivalent album sales worldwide. This pop-punk-infused debut, featuring hits like “Drivers License,” captured Gen Z angst and broke streaming records.

These albums, spanning over six decades, highlight rock music’s ability to adapt and thrive through changing musical landscapes. From The Beatles‘ groundbreaking creativity to Olivia Rodrigo‘s modern pop-punk revival, each record not only achieved massive commercial success but also left an indelible mark on the genre’s history, cementing rock’s legacy as a powerful cultural force.

I’ve come across numerous artists who blend rock with electronic elements, synths, and various other styles. Additionally, some are recognised for their contributions to art rock and space rock. However, in today’s music scene, I consider Andrea Pizzo and his band, The Purple Mice, to be my top pick. Let’s dive deeper into their latest EP, We Are All Bots.

Canadian singer/songwriter Elina Filice hits again with her new single “Don’t Let Me Fall” after the success of her latest ep “Flight Risk”. “Don’t Let Me Fall” is a well-crafted mix between upbeat electronic music, electric guitar, and really dark lyrics. Although it’s a dangerous area, Elina handled this mix really well with her expressive vocal melody and the hook at the chorus combined with the neat production that resulted in clear sound and instruments layering. Also, the song dynamics is really interesting and catchy and the beat kept me moving while listening to it, it’s going to be a hit live song.

“Don’t Let Me Fall” is totally recommended if you like upbeat, energetic tunes and I believe that with proper marketing, it can be heard everywhere next summer. Best of luck Elina Filice

Ali Nooriafsher, a Bondi, Australia-based psych-rock/electronic singer and producer, introduces us to his album’s opening single “Awaken” with his captivating voice and grungey tunes. One word to describe the beginning: magical! The vocals are gentle and mesmerising, matching with the lyrics to blow your bubble of fears, face how you’re truth-blinded, encourage mind awakening, and believe that “The world is yours if you allow.”

The skilled musician knows how to blend electro pop, indie rock, and chilly psychedelic vibes into his work. He has a distinct style that draws you in. The single encourages you to “See the light,” but it has a gloomy, dark atmosphere. The bass from intro to outro is flawless, and the energetic electronic arpeggios combined with the dynamic guitar riffs make for the ultimate musical craft!

I can’t overlook the fact that his clever lyrical choices allow everyone to relate to the song in their own way while still understanding the core message. “Bring to light the things that are hidden, let it go, all will pass.” A line like this can be applied to a variety of situations in life. Awaken now and listen to the track below: