Today, progressive metalcore band, Rogue, unveil their new single, “Viper.” Drawn from the band’s upcoming EP, Phantom, due out October 22, the track reflects on the good and evil of human nature. The band says, “‘Viper’ represents coming to terms with the bad aspects of our nature as a species. The lyrics recognize and acknowledge the better aspects of humanity with an overall tone of hopefulness for sustaining a society founded upon these idealistic principles. However, our true nature would never allow for such a utopian future.” Fans can watch the official music video for the track here: https://youtu.be/Lyj447vXU6g.
Introspective, somber, and bittersweet - all unsuspecting words that can be used to describe Rogue’s return with their new record Phantom. Loyal listeners of the band have grown to expect the scrutinization of political structures and metaphysical realities atop pummeling guitar riffs from the progressive metalcore act. However, rather than repeating history, Phantom represents a band staring death in the face and not being afraid of what comes next.
Amidst a worldwide paradigm shift, singles “Viper” and “Serpent Syndicate” arose from a place of sorrow, leading the band down a darker path both sonically and individually. Instead of peeling back the curtain on global leaders during an unprecedented pandemic, the band looked inward to explore their emotions of defeat and hopelessness. Through a cathartic creative process, the band forged on resiliently to conclude the story begun three years ago in their debut track “Meta.”
Calling back to the final line of the band’s sophomore record, Phantom ultimately tells the tale of the fallibility of the human species through the lens of ancient symbols such as the ouroboros and the jackal, while also expanding beyond the aggression fans have come to expect. Without abandoning the sound referred to as “face-shattering” and “hard-hitting” by The Noise, dark industrial elements and soaring melodies flood the listener as the title track paints the portrait of a dying soul. By the end, the listener is left to perceive a band, once driven by the power to spark change, now embracing the fact that no good thing lasts forever. At its core, Phantom is the vulnerability of Rogue now on display for the world to see.
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