MUSIC RECOMMENDATIONS

Hello my lovelies! Something different this time around which is why this is a bonus upload. Music is such a major part of my life and has helped so much with my mental health in recent months. Music takes me to another place and i will make an excuse to listen to it at any given opportunity. As you will find, I love rock music as I love the raw emotion in the lyrics and it really makes you understand a story. Some people cannot listen to heavier music and that is understandable but I feel rock music has such a way of connecting with its audience, it moves me in such a way which i don't think people understand can be done with something 'heavy' but you will find the lyrics are beautiful and portrays such an important message underneath. 

I thought I would give you some detail into my favourite bands of the moment, favourite songs by them and why they have stuck with me. If you love rock music then you are in for a treat and if not, why not give some of these bands a try. I will aim to explain which are heavy and which are not incase you wish to do so. Thankyou for reading and I hope you enjoy! 

BASTILLE 

Bastille have been my favourite band for almost 5 years now, since they released Pompeii which is their biggest song to date. Bastille are an alternative indie/rock band (although it's hard to fit them into a category) and what I love about bastille is the message they portray in their songs. They have written songs about grief, politics, plagiarism, battling demons, addiction, leaving a trace when you pass away and a number of other topics that many bands wouldn't think to write about. Each song has a different sound and they have a way of connecting with their audience through songs. They certainly know how to play with your emotions! My love for this band will never leave me and id be very surprised if you did not enjoy their music, they certainly are something special and I love them dearly. They are also the kings of covers, they certainly know how to cover a song but make it their own and 99% of the time I enjoy their version more than the original! If you listen to any band from this blog post, Make it bastille. Seeing them live after 4 years was the best experience of my entire life! (Vidoes on my Instagram). 

Seriously how cute is Dan😍 (2nd in from the left)

Favourite songs- Pompeii, icarus, flaws, good grief, blame, fake it. 

Favourite covers- basket case, what would you do, no scrubs. 

In fact just listen to everything😂🙈 

ROYAL BLOOD

If you love riffs then you are in luck. Royal blood have been a love of mine for a couple of years now, they somehow manage to make every song incredible with just the two of them. Beautiful drumming and unbelievable guitar riffs make royal blood & I just love their style. I can't seem to get enough and don't even start me on the new album, I was blown away. Roll on November when I get to hear that beautiful album live, certainly one to check out if you love guitar riffs!! 

Favourite songs: figure it out, lights out, I only lie when I love you, come on over, hook line & sinker, sleep. 

BRING ME THE HORIZON

This band is the reason I became a fan of heavier Music, I came across 'drown' which is a standard rock song from their latest album 'that's the spirit'. I delved a little deeper and found myself reaching for this album but then found 'sempiternal' which has a much heavier sound (and is still one of my favourite albums ever) and from this i became a fan of heavier music and found similar bands. They have a mix of rock and metal songs and I enjoy both, they are also from Sheffield so are fellow South Yorkshire people like myself🎉 (oli Sykes being incredibly hot is just a bonus). Worth checking out if you love heavier music with a lot of guitar or listen to 'thats the spirit' if you are just venturing into rock music! 

Favourite songs: sleepwalking, shadow moses, true friends, happy song, house of wolves, antivist. 

THE VEER UNION

okay so the veer union are a new find of mine. I've only been a fan for a few months but they have made a huge impact on me. They are a rock band with such incredible riffs and beats, they have such a raw vibe going on and I really love the messages they portray and the way the lyrics are written. I believe this band should be a lot bigger than they are, they certainly give bigger rock bands a run for their money! They aren't too heavy so those who don't enjoy metal should love these, definitely check them out! 

Favourite songs: defying gravity, I will remain, the bitter end, borderline. 

POP EVIL

Again, this band are a new love of mine. I found them through their song 'torn to pieces' which is a tribute to the lead singer's late father, I fell in love with this song due to losing my grandad recently and really felt a real connection to the song. They are a really fun rock band with so much energy and I really enjoy Leigh's voice (lead singer). Each song has a different vibe and are certainly worth checking out, I can't wait to hear more from them! 

Favourite songs: torn to pieces, so many ways to get high, trenches, deal with the devil, boss's daughter. 

AVENGED SEVENFOLD 

I was recommended this band by my flatmate at university who has been a fan of this band for as long as he can remember. Avenged are a heavy rock band with some of the most incredible guitar riffs you have ever heard! Their guitar riffs put them above the rest and make them stand out, they just have such a musical talent, every riff is unbelievable! M.shadows (lead singer) has such an incredible voice, so raw and so unique! I absolutely adore them and they make such incredible music with really important messages behind them. So far away has got me through these last few months since I lost my grandfather, its so beautiful. Check them out if you love guitar riffs cos this band certainly do not disappoint! 

Favourite songs: so far away, god damn, nightmare, beast and the harlot, hail to the king, almost easy. 

OF MICE AND MEN 

Of mice and men are another new find of mine, I've checked them out before but only recently become a fan. I know they have changed since Austin left due to health problems but I am both a fan of the band with and without him. Of mice and men are much heavier than the other bands i have mentioned as many songs include 'screaming' but the real raw emotion behind each and every lyric is what I love about them. They are just so real and you can connect and really relate to their songs, the lyrics are so well written and I love the messages they want to portray. Incredibly talented band which you should definitely check out if you love heavier music (they also have less heavy songs for those who aren't a fan of screaming). 

Favourite songs: another you (in love with this one at the moment😍), never giving up, back to me, feels like forever, would you still be there, identity disorder, unbreakable. 

METALLICA

If you are a rock fan and haven't listened to Metallica at least once then what are you doing with your life??? Metallica are rock gods!! Most rock bands have based their music on Metallica or metallica have at least influenced it; they have been in the industry since the 80's and have recently brought out a new album which is absolutely incredible (seriously when I heard it omg i was dying). Metallica are another band for you if you love guitar riffs, seriously no one can come close to Metallica with riffs, I can't even put how good they are into words, you are just going to have to check them out! James Hett (lead singer) has such a beautiful, raw voice which I can't get enough of! I am a fan of both old-school and new-school metallica, they never cease to amaze me! LOVE LOVE LOVE! 

Favourite songs: enter Sandman, whiskey in the jar, master of puppets, moth into the flame, hardwired. 

BEARTOOTH

This is for the people who love heavy music. Beartooth are a heavy rock band with a lot of screaming so if you don't like screaming I wouldn't check them out. However, again they are so raw and very real, you instantly connect with the lyrics and have such a way of portraying emotion, they write about real experiences and you really feel what they're trying to say. I first found hated on kerrang radio which isn't as heavy as their other songs but I instantly loved it so delved deeper and fell even more in love. I became a fan about a year ago and they have stayed with me ever since! Worth checking out if you love heavier music, such love for them!! 

Favourite songs: hated, sick of me, beaten in lips, fair weather friend, in between, the lines. 

A DAY TO REMEMBER

I found this band a number of years ago through their cover of Kelly Clarkson's 'since u've been gone' and I have been a fan ever since. I delved deeper and loved them instantly. A day to remember have a mixed selection of rock music and much heavier songs with screaming, I love a mix of both to be honest. I really love the voice of the lead singer and really love the raw emotion behind the songs (you've surely gotta be bored of hearing that now😂). They have such a way of connecting with the audience through lyrics as they write about real experiences- for example: paranoia is one of my favourite songs which is about a battle with paranoia (obviously Lois well done) but somehow to turn this into surprisingly upbeat music. I love their guitar beats which are so incredibly catchy and the story they are trying to tell. Such a raw and real band. Another worth checking out for certain! 

Favourite songs: paranoia, right back at it again, all i want, all signs point to lauderdale, since uve been gone, have faith in me, naivety. 

And that's it! Just thought I would talk about some songs I'm loving right now that aren't included above: 

Phoenix by Alazka- heavier song with some screaming but also an incredible clean voice which really makes the song stand out, in love! 

Song #3 by Stone Sour- Corey Taylor is an incredible man, I love slipknot and the music he creates and this one is no exception. Absolute king in my eyes, this song is not heavy like slipknot but is very beautifully written and I can't stop listening to it! 

Ancient history by set it off- set it off are more of a pop-punk band but I've been obsessed with this song recently, it's so incredibly Catchy and the lead singer...wow😍 (he is incredibly hot omg) 

Bleed American by Jimmy Eat World- again another pop-punk- esque song but incredibly catchy, keep finding myself singing it, I'm obsessed right now!

Wow that was a long one😫😴 I really hope you have enjoyed this bonus upload, music is such a big part of my life and I love sharing it with others! If any of these bands become a new favourite of yours then let me know and don't forget to tell me your favourite bands in the comments so I can find some new music! Subscribe to my blog if you want to hear more and follow me on social media (listed at the end) to keep up to date with new posts and get sneak peeks of upcoming posts! 

Hope you are all having a lovely Wednesday and if you have just returned to school/college/university then I wish you all the luck in the world! 

Lots of love, Lois❤ 

Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/lo_beaaaar/ Twitter- https://twitter.com/Lo_bear97 Snapchat- LoisHowardx