Goia Paranoia - Black Out (BlackValley Records)

I’ve always had a bit of a complicated relationship with the heavier side of music. It’s not that I’ve turned my back on it completely; it’s just that much of it doesn’t seem to resonate with me the way it used to. But hey, that’s on me, not the music. We all grow, we all change, and maybe I’ve just been away from that thunderous landscape for too long.

And then along comes “Black Out” the debut track from Goia Paranoia, a track that’s very much steeped in that intense, visceral world I thought I’d left behind. Yet, it manages to pull me in, speak to me, and remind me of why I once loved that sound. It’s a wake-up call, a realization that maybe I’ve been too quick to judge, too eager to distance myself from something that still has a lot to offer.

What strikes me about Goia Paranoia is how they deftly thread together elements from across the heavy music spectrum. There’s a foundation in classic hard rock, flirting with modern metal, and a nod to punk’s rebellious spirit. You’ll also catch whiffs of grunge’s gritty heart and stoner rock’s laid-back groove. The robust riffs also bring a surprising melodicism to bear; the metal influence delivers raw power, and all of it is topped off with anthemic vocals that howl at the moon. Toss in some nu-metal vibes, bluesy sludge, and intricate and incendiary guitar work, and you’ve got a sound that’s as dynamic as it is devastating.

I realize now that I was missing something. “Black Out” is a potent reminder of just how electrifying heavy music can be. For the die-hard metalheads, it’s a feast; the goths will lose themselves in its dark atmospheres, the stoners will warm to its heady but heavy charms, the classic rock crowd will find solace in its rhythms, and the industrial fans will appreciate its harsh, apocalyptic edge. But if, like me, you’ve been out of the game for a while and are thinking about dipping your toes back in, this track is the perfect gateway.

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