The SUMMONERS Train Just Keeps Rolling With New Release "The Abyss"

"The Abyss" is out now [photo: Summoners]

We all know what Gene Simmons once said about rock being dead. Clearly, he was looking in all the wrong places, as if he looked to England's south coast, he would've seen SUMMONERS. The Portsmouth quintet burst on to the scene at the start of the year, and quite frankly haven't stopped since, carving their own eclectic path in the modern rock scene. The band's infectious alt energy continues with new release "The Abyss", seriously solidifying Summoners as a band you need to watch.

A fuzzed up riff opens the track, straddling groove with heavy technicality. This is something the band have excelled in with their previous releases - finding the fine line between headbanging and dancing, and toeing it effortlessly.

There is plenty here on offer to whet the appetite of any rock fan - the Nine Inch Nails influence heard in previous track 'Spite' remains present here, though now with added sprinkles of Foo Fighters and other alt rock staples.

From the get go, the production is solid, sounding like a band well beyond their years. The secret, of course, is that these guys are an incredibly talented bunch, refined in their craft and packing a modern rock punch that hits. Hard.

The songwriting continues to be a standout point in Summoner's discography, vocalist Joshua Elkington delivering the lyrics with strength and power. It's a perfect accompaniment to the heavy and grooving instrumentation, balancing catchy riffs with an emotionally heavy message.

[photo: Summoners]

This is three and a half minutes of pure, infectious alternative rock.

Rock may be in a different state to what it was in the 80s, but it is by no means 'dead', not with bands like Summoners making their mark. This is a band that has all the makings of a great arena band - it's simply a matter of 'when', not 'if'.

"The Abyss" is out NOW on streaming platforms