The Atlanta music scene may have gained its musical notoriety as a showcase for upcoming rap and hip-hop artists, but the city also has a thriving rock and metal scene. Over the years bands like The Black Crowes, Mastodon, Sevendust and Attila have all gotten their start in Hotlanta. Pistols At Dawn is the latest band to emerge from this southern underground and is well on its way to breaking out.
Originally formed in 2015, the band suffered a tragic loss in 2018 with the death of guitarist Mike Buffa and the future looked a bit unsure. Thankfully, Pistols At Dawn reunited in 2019 with a new, fiery hot guitarist named Tommy Richardson and a new chapter began. Their lineup was completed with the addition of frontman Chris Pierson who may sound more than a little familiar as he was a finalist on the VH1 ‘Rockstar Supernova’ television show.
Twenty-twenty saw the band hit a new stride with three new singles released worldwide early in the year and the completion of a brand new, four-song EP ‘Nocturnal Youth.’ The EP is full of ready for radio hard rock with solid songs that highlight the musical skills of the band members. Working with producer Jeff Tomei (who is known for his work with Smashing Pumpkins and Matchbox 20) and mastering guru Maor Appelbaum , the band exudes a cool confidence that is not usually seen this early in a career.
The lead single, ‘Voices’, is the kind of song that sticks with you and one you will find yourself singing the chorus to out loud. The guitar intro on ‘Crown’ was a nice change-up to the standard blistering riffs but to be honest the guitar work on the entire EP is quite fantastic. When Pierson is shouting “Black! Black!” on the bridge of ‘Gone Black,’ the guitar comes searing in like a hot knife through butter and just keeps building and building until the peak and eventual release. My only complaint, and it’s a trivial one at best, is the vocals seem to be a bit lacking in the mix, giving it a muddy feel. Pierson definitely has the pipes for the job so please let us hear it.
‘Nocturnal Youth’ seems to only be the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the possibilities that Pistols At Dawn holds and it will be interesting to see where the future takes them.
- ‘Nocturnal Youth’ is released on 19 July. You can get your copy HERE.
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