Alternative Rock from Lode Star

Formed during the pandemic in 2020, Lode Star is a Canadian doom and gothic metal duo that rose from a shared passion and a desire to make music with meaning. The studio-based project consists of vocalist and synth player Kate Glock and multi-instrumentalist Jensen Rodolfo, who handles guitar, bass and drums. Together, they combine weighty doom-laden instrumentation with moody, melodic textures to create a sound that’s at once emotionally compelling and sonically dense. Drawing from different musical backgrounds, the duo’s output is brimming with contrast.

Jensen’s influences lean toward the anthemic feel of Alter Bridge, while Kate brings a penchant for hard rock and alternative aesthetic. It’s this collision of musical worlds that results in Lode Star’s unique sonic identity, offering a blend of slow-burning intensity and atmospheric grandeur. The name Lode Star itself speaks to the band’s purpose; defined as a guiding light or source of inspiration, it distils the pair’s intent to create music instilled with a poignant context.

Their songs often reach into themes of inner struggle, endurance and existential thought, serving as a source of strength for listeners. Making their entrance in 2021 with the debut outing “Siren Song,” singles two and three quickly followed before their debut eponymous album arrived later that year. Since then, they’ve continued to build an incredible catalogue across multiple singles, an EP and two further records.

Now they bring us their latest release with their single titled “The Great Beyond,” delivering a preview of what’s to come on their fourth LP. Conceptually based in the existential question of life after death, the track frames the inner turmoil of a character confronting their own mortality, presenting a sound that’s impactful, profound and cinematic all at once. The single also marks a significant step forward for the duo, while it’s still grounded in the doom and gothic traditions that shaped their early work, the single embraces a more expansive and experimental approach.

Launching with the crash of drums and stacked layers of crunching guitars capped by the twang of lead notes, Kate’s brooding voice enters to stitch dark melodic leads into the absorbing musical fabric. With storytelling lyricism delivered by expressive vocal performance that bends from delicate melodic flourishes to belted growls, the slick ebb and flow between hypnotic verse and rousing chorus offers a truly gripping listening experience from start to finish.

Progressing into a stripped back breakdown, the track flows through a passage of intricate instrumentation, casting a dreamy moment of respite before erupting into the charging finale to leave a lasting impression of the song. It’s a spectacular showcase of the band’s powerful rock sound, bringing their highly original songwriting to life via superb performance flair. With their forthcoming record on the horizon, we can’t wait to see what comes next from this thrilling studio-based project and their compelling musical adventure.

Listen to The Great Beyond below

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