Much is often made of how modern music is heading in an increasingly genreless direction. Most new artists claim their sound is a mixture of different influences and scenes, and in the age of streaming, it’s no wonder bands want to pitch themselves to as many different audiences and playlists as possible.
Amongst all that noise, it’s rare to find those whose sonic dexterity feels like a genuine part of their identity, as opposed to an attempt to keep up with whatever sound is enjoying its moment in the sun. Step forward Leipzig trio blacktoothed, whose raucous blend of riffy radio rock, modern metalcore and synth stylings presents a band with a musical identity all their own.
There’s a uniqueness to what the three-piece do, with new LP Headway containing the kind of powerful vocals and slick solos characterised by classic rock but accented with an array of contemporary elements that elevate the songs to a fresher sound. Novocaine is a great example of blacktoothed nailing this formula, where the band’s riffing is illuminated using synths, and vocalists Hendrik Rathgeber and Mathilde Keitel dovetail nicely between their very different styles.