Track of the Day: BRIA – Optimus Masochist (2026)
Weaving together the debaucherous swagger of the 1980s – when ”…hairspray was mandatory, and guitar solos legally had to last six minutes” – with the innocent recklessness of our digitally-driven present day, Angelo Bria captures old-school and contemporary audiences in a hard rock vice. All ages welcome, of course. Most well-known for his vocal gymnastics with the 80s metal band Aaronsrod, the seasoned musician brings decades of experience to his new project, BRIA. As BRIA, Lowell-George Granath (guitars and keyboard), Bryce Milam (drums), and Angelo Bria (vocals and bass guitar) are “channelling the spirit of David Lee Roth after three energy drinks and a midlife crisis…” Join us as we jump on board with their single, ‘Optimus Masochist’.
The title track off their 2026 EP, ‘Optimus Masochist’ pays homage to all those musicians with big dreams, low budgets, and an insatiable zeal to make it or bust. Bria explains: “’Optimus Masochist’ is the theme song to every self-absorbed musician, where the mirror always lies, and the prize is just over the hill, unaware or indignant to reality. Coming from the classical era of hard rock, one would guess in this retro-starved, rainbow bar and grill-obsessed world, that there is a demographic that would appreciate the content and the story of this song – ask all the 20-somethings that pine for the days of old MTV.”
Lyrically, ‘Optimus Masochist’ has a certain appeal to it, dipping into the abyss of “what if”, dreaming of “it’s gonna happen”, and ultimately facing the reality of “well, now…”. Melodically, it’s as intriguing with a hard rock chaser. Produced by Dead End Bowie, with mastering by Jimmy Caterine, ‘Optimus Masochist’ hits you in the face with the best of hair metal bands – crashing drums, a bold bass, and soaring guitars scorching, sweeping, and swerving with rambunctious infectiousness. Youngsters will begin believing in 80s rock after this, while old-timers are grinning, jumping, and reliving the glory days.
Fun, contagious, and the perfect way to begin a Friday, BRIA ask “Can you dig it” in ‘Optimus Masochist’. Yes, we can.
Find out more about BRIA on their official website, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Bandcamp, Soundcloud and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
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