OCTAVATE – ARTIST SPOTLIGHT & SINGLES REVIEW
My cousin Rick is a disc jockey in Boston on Wave Radio Boston. He has the 4-6 pm time slot on Friday nights. He recently sent me a text about a band he knows from the area called Octavate who have just released several high powered singles this year. After taking a listen, I had to agree with him. The band’s sound is incredible.
Octavate is hard hitting with grungy accents but even more than that. They add dynamic modern day intonations to their music. The band also has incredibly strong songwriting that easily transcends the norm. In addition, their musicianship is exceptional. Octavate truly captures the sound of the times fluidly mixing genres in order to create new musical life forms.
Octavate‘s lead singer is SV whose voice carries volumes of depth. He can wail with the best but his brazen inflections are pure gold. His melodic density delivers an aural keenness that ensnares the listener from the very beginning. SV’s vocals ring supreme. Numba9ne (Josh Prost) is Ocatavate‘s bassist and main songwriter. His propulsive basslines are immense. Plus, his songwriting has a rich ruthlessness. Their songs are monstrous with treacherous textures and nuances.
Guitarists Ian Kaloyanides (Kal) and Ken Cerreto are both proficient baritone players which can be heard on a number of Octavate‘s tracks. The two musicians totally compliment each other in every way possible constructing a sound that is thoroughly unique and heavy yet still harmoniously pure. David Jamison on percussions is a monster with forceful drumming and stellar fills. He is definitely the fuel that keeps the engines running.
Octavate dropped four amazing singles this year each with their own signature sound. February brought “Hold My Drink”. Numba9ne’s bass line is absolutely killer. It dives deep in your soul. SV’s vocals are edgy and cinematic. The guitars set off flares of punchy sound. Jamison’s percussions are blazing with tension filled vitality. May brings two tracks. “Space” is more straight forward. It carries a steady rock beat with singular guitar solos and blazing riffs. The vocals are aggressive and almost punky. Once again, the drumming paints an imposing picture.
The other May release is “Forgive Me”. It’s a complete change of pace. More grungy and Soundgarden/Alice In Chains infused. SV’s vocals are spacey and full of ethereal lushness. The guitars glow with grunge fire and Numba9ne’s bass flourishes with an explosive deepness. Jamison’s drums shine with an exotic texture. Octavate‘s last single was let go this month. “Dream Away” is mid-tempo rocker with an intoxicating cadence. SV’s vocals are gnarly and up front. Kal and Cerreto’s heated guitars flow like volcanic lava. The bass is brutal and the percussions execute sonic nirvana.
I have to thank my cousin Rick for introducing me to Octavate. This is probably one of my fav new bands this year. Don’t walk, run the next time these guys play out. They’re that good.
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