Music: Atlas of the Dogs

had a good story that was also weird. I just wanted to make sure it was coherent for people that really do want to get into the lyrics."

As on previous AI releases, Morrow's vocal versatility on Sundowner is a marvel - he truly elevates this project to another level with his uncanny ability to adapt to every wild musical twist and turn his bandmates throw at him. Just in the span of the opening title track, there's mournful piano, melodic, staccato guitar, a wall of distortion, machine-gun riffing and frenetic drumming - not to mention several time signature shifts. Remarkably, Morrow manages to weave memorable hooks into the mix, veering from a crystal-clear vocal tone to full-throated fury - often from one measure to the next. But it has to be said that Wade, Casey, Cochrane and VanBibber have provided their singer with the most intricate, sophisticated soundtrack in the band's history - a soundtrack clearly deserving of a multi-media presentation. Into the fall, AI will be working with videographer Benji Koelling to create a cinematic interpretation of Sundowner with an eye on releasing the entire musical and visual project together before the end of the year. In the meantime, you can catch the band live at Stage Two on August 12 alongside Attila, Shockwave Theory and A Brighter End.

*A reminder to stay tuned for the debut of lead single "Sundowner" on 9/2. As with the other two pieces, the vocals and drums were recorded by Steve Tyner at Black Cat Recording who also mixed and mastered the project.

For more info, follow The Alpha Incident on Facebook.

COVER ART COURTESEY OF JAMES THIRY

ATLAS OF THE DOGS

Ahead of late summer/fall tour, local rockers set to drop electrifying new single, "Miss Cocaine"

PHOTO CREDIT: NATE PHELPS

Fronted by one of the tri-state's most dynamic singers, Atlas of the Dogs are on the cusp of big things. The band's previous release, 2022's Rising // Falling, served as a powerful introduction to the vocal talents of Jaxon Fleming who absolutely ripped into standouts "Depth" and "Barely Breathing," delivering an emotional gut-punch deserving of his hero, the late Chris Cornell. But the similarities didn't end there. Musically, the 7-track EP also captured the spirit of the 90s grunge/alt-rock era, drawing inspiration from the likes of Soundgarden as well as post-grunge acts, including Chevelle.

Now this up-and-coming group, buoyed by the reception to Rising // Falling, is prepping for a late summer/fall tour - an exciting trek that's being preceded by the release of an electrifying new single out August 5. Produced by Wesley Luttrell of Wally Opus Records, "Miss Cocaine" leans heavily on the Chevelle side of things, with Fleming building the tension vocally - slowly and dramatically - before the dam bursts, sending the track into overdrive for the heart-wrenching chorus: "Miss Cocaine I feel you slipping away/ Your lips like candy, stained." Here Luttrell has the band sounding like they belong with the big boys, creating a mix that's musically intense yet controlled. It only adds to the song's allure.

For more info, follow Atlas of the Dogs on Instagram: @ atlasofthedogs