Album Review: Sons of Alpha Centauri – Push (Self Released)

After 20 years as an instrumental act, Sons of Alpha Centauri are proud to announce Jonah Matranga, from the post-hardcore legends Far and Gratitude, has joined the band as vocalist for their brand-new album, Push.

In addition, the band are now joined by the drumming powerhouse Mitch Wheeler, known for being the backbone of Will Haven and being the founding member of Ghostride and The Abominable Iron Sloth.

Sons of Alpha Centauri will release Push on August 27th, 2021.

Founding member and bass player Nick Hannon said:

SOAC has a split personality – this is most certainly our darker and heavier side – we grew up on 90’s alternative rock and to harness our vision with the purveyors of the Sacramento post-hardcore sound will make this a true landmark release and we have taken it to the extreme collaborating with Mitch and Jonah!

As a long-time fan of SOTC, I will admit to approaching this album with some trepidation. After all, their instrumental progressive sound has really resonated with me, so to see them introduce a vocalist and go down a darker and heavier route is a little worrying.

I shouldn’t have worried though as this band know exactly what they are doing and produce a stellar piece of post-heaviness. It helps that Jonah Matranga is a fantastic vocalist too with a massive amount of range. Crooning and smooth at times but powerful and abrasive at others, and that’s just in the meaty opener, Get the Guns.

Murkier and heftier sounding, Listen is a treacherous sounding effort as the instruments do battle with the vocals. Though the following filthy chunk of percussion and growling riffs of the following The Enemy is one to fall in love with. Sons of Alpha Centauri showing off their wealth of talents in a 4-and-a-half-minute burst.

The bassy ring at the start of the title track is smile-inducing but this is a track that showcases urgency. Whereas the following Buried Under has a slower and dirtier tempo but is also one of the groovier tracks on offer.

A passionate and, as they said themselves, consistently heavy effort continues to up the ante as Boys and Girls reveals chuggy riffing and some serious melodrama in the vocals. Before emotionally charged and cold melody dominates Saturn for something truly out of this world. The best track on the album? It’s a good shout.

Tighter then usual, Dark Night and Own wrap up a seriously satisfying listen. The former’s riffs ring out loudly and dominate proceedings. While the latter is soooo moody it’s laughable. Enjoyably laughable though!

Push is, unsurprisingly, another fantastic effort from Sons of Alpha Centauri. The changes work and certainly make for an even more exciting future.

Sons of Alpha Centauri – Push Full Track Listing:

1. Get the Guns
2. Listen
3. The Enemy
4. Push
5. Buried Under
6. Boys and Girls
7. Saturn
8. Dark Night
9. Own

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