Some bands defy and push the boundaries of a genre or a style until they make a sound that’s characteristic and unique to them. It’s also hard to balance between the genre’s elements and what makes it loved by audiences and your own twist or touch. Today’s case is a band that decided to take 2000s Alternative Rock/Post-Grunge and make it into a riff-based headbanging fest that feels inspired by melodic rock and heavy metal.
UK-based rockers Sadcult have succeeded in creating that personal style on their latest single “Night Terrors”. The track is relatively short -3 minutes and 12 seconds- and begins with that main riff right away. The riff is really catchy and stays in your head the moment you hear it…thanks to the amazing bassline that’s propelling it forward and making it make sense with the vocals and drums.
The track is sectioned into that chorus riff and a chord progression for the verses. The open chords are an example of those genre elements that can’t be left out. The band’s grunge element isn’t all there is to them though, as the bridge section is a little spooky and a little slow, then the amazing riff starts playing once again. It’s been a while since I’ve had this much fun with an Alternative rock RIFF…not a chord progression or a cool strumming pattern, but an actual melodic riff this time.
The vocals are dark and mostly in the middle and low range…which is a great choice to fit with the lyrical theme of the track. The ways this bassline plays and those lyrics are pronounced made me feel like the song could be in the soundtrack of a horror movie, and it could fit a chase scene or even a violent one where the “Night Terrors” are creatures that hunt down their victims and try to hurt them.
In conclusion, I recommend this track if you’re looking for something faithful to the 2000s Heavy rock roots but with a fresh new twist and a distinct personality…I’m sure this is a track fans of Three Days Grace and Disturbed will find in common between their playlists one day, because of its wide range of influences and how it targets more than just one taste or demographic.
![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://www.rockeramagazine.com/night-terrors-by-sadcult/&media=https://www.rockeramagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Night_Terrors_Artwork.jpg&description=UK-based rockers Sadcult have succeeded in creating that personal style on their latest single "Night Terrors". The track is relatively short -3 minutes and 12 seconds- and begins with that main riff right away. The riff is really catchy and stays in your head the moment you hear it…thanks to the amazing bassline that's propelling it forward and making it make sense with the vocals and drums.){kind=link}