This Silent Divide – Rockets (2025)
Self-described as a band that “…mix driving drums, wall-of-sound guitars and soaring, melodic vocals to create catchy, high-energy songs…”, one can only imagine the forcefulness of the music blasting from This Silent Divide. This is not our introduction to the New Zealand-based foursome, but it is our first time taking virtual pen to paper reviewing one of their songs. Will the power of their music tantalise our ears and lead to a pretty good review with their new single, ‘Rockets’? Join us and find out.
Following their critically acclaimed single, ‘City Lights’, This Silent Divide continue to build their own brand of alternative rock with ‘Rockets’. Potentially heavier than the 90s alt-rock-inspired ‘City Lights’, the new single leans further toward a hard rock tone with tinges of melodic metal clinging to the sonic wrapper. Produced with Toby Lloyd, the single is exactly what the lads describe themselves as – driving drums with wall-of-sound guitars and melodic vocals. Yet, this is a mere description; listening to ‘Rockets’ is far more immersive than just sitting back and letting the music flow over you.
From the outset, Sunil Jolly’s crashing drums mix with Jonotan Jaworski’s bold bass, building the foundation of a sonic river, all glistening with light bouncing off the dark surface. Shaun Jones and Kieran Williams push you out a little into the charming water with their guitars, then everything suddenly crashes as a kaleidoscopic sonic wave engulfs you, and you find yourself lost in a tumultuous whirlpool of hard-hitting rock music. No place to hide, no air to breathe, no real bearings; just pure, raw, honest music.
For me, it is not only a chaotic push of sound that keeps you locked in, but rather the entwining of raw instrumentation and rich vocals. You might feel a bit overwhelmed, but Jones’ vocals seem to hold your hand, hug you, and guide you in the mire, almost like keeping the chaos as a tempest in a teacup. Interestingly, while the track can seem a little violent and aggressive, the teacup-ness enhances its hopeful message of empowerment, help, and accepting you’re not alone in the complexities of life.
Find out more about This Silent Divide on their Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Soundcloud, Bandcamp, YouTube and Spotify.
Listen to more hard rock music on The Other Side Reviews Hard Rock playlist:
