MEGAWHAT is a newly formed band originating in Memphis Tennessee who have just released their debut single, “Wake Up. Composed of Chris Sanders (guitar/vocals), Victor Cavola (drums), Christopher Swenson (bass/vocals) & Joe Casey (guitar/vocals), the band’s style is a mix of Alternative Rock, Pop-punk, and 2000s Pop-Rock.
The track starts right away with Chris Sanders’ overdriven vocals, and the fast paced guitars set the mood straight away. After the verse, we move on to the chorus which gives the feeling of a live arena performance due to the way the track was recorded. Drummer Victor Cavola plays explosive drum lines that intertwine with Christopher Swenson’s thumping bass making listeners immediately energized and wanting to headbang.
The song’s main guitar line, played by Sanders and Joe Casey, is followed by a short instrumental bridge that doesn’t overstay its welcome and then it’s followed by one last chorus, and a beautiful outro I didn’t expect. These guys can change the direction of the song by changing the guitar tones and playing a different rhythm while still making it coherent with the sections before it – they are true pros.
All in all, this is a wonderful debut single, with a sense of being immersed in a live performance. The production is wonderful and the guitars are so clear with their tones standing out and their distortion matching energies with that of the vocals. The song’s positive and uplifting lyrics are some of the best I’ve heard this year, and the way the guys’ sing the chorus with their voices in unison creates a sense of unity and power. It’s a surprisingly powerful song, and to think it’s just the band’s debut single makes me wonder how the upcoming full length album will sound like.
