Blackwell may be one of the hardest-rocking bands to come out of Eastern Mass in the past few years. The band’s sound harkens back to the classics of 70s and 80s hard rock and metal, as well as newer acts in that vein such as Richie Kotzen and Joe Bonamassa. These influences show on their debut album, "Revival," released on iTunes earlier this year. Guitarist Nate Adelman and singer Nate Burket vie for the spotlight on the album, with Burket’s operatic range and Adelman’s walls of guitars and cocksure solos working in tandem to convey the swagger that this genre necessitates. Drummer Steve Snow and (former) bassist Marc Apesos also lay down some sweet rhythms to underpin the pyrotechnic show put on by the Nates. Standout tracks are album opener “Welcome to Hell,” the Bad Company-ish “Animal Man” and the hooky “Sellout.” Make sure to see them live at JJ’s in Northborough, MA, on December 27, opening up for Tribute This! – Ben Bosco

Vundabar is set to make a wave on the east coast when it brings its chilly surf rock on tour.  Starting December 27 in NYC, the Boston locals will be hopping all around, with Massachusetts stops in Allston and Easthampton in addition to shows in Danbury, CT, and Biddeford, ME. There is a heavy surf rock influence in these guys’s tunes, and yet a coldness in the vocals that fits this New England winter. Hopefully they are headed your way with this tour – check out the full schedule below. – Paul Talbot

12/27 Shea Stadium, Brooklyn, NY
12/28  The Gutter, NY
12/29 Kat Kat Phest, Philadelphia
12/39 Haus, NJ
12/31 University of Maryland, MD
1/1 Mamaroneck, NY
1/2 The Seed, Lancaster, PA
1/3 Heirloom Arts Theatre, Danbury, CT
1/4 Roggies, Allston, MA
1/5 Flywheel Arts Collective, Easthampton, MA
1/6 The Oak and Ox, Biddeford, ME

On Barnswallow’s “Josephine” EP, charming melodies peek their way through a wall of distorted guitars. The title track shifts between a radio-ready chorus and radiant chords and drums big enough to fill a stadium. On “Exhale,” the band again moves from sing-song melodies to guitar solos with just the right amount of almost-too-much overdrive, before dropping everything but a treble-boosted guitar for its two-minute outro. With the inclusion of an acoustic version of “Exhale,” the “Josephine” EP is the closest that Rhode Island’s Atomic Action! Records gets to easy listening, so if you’re on the lookout for more local hardcore tunes, head on over to the label’s Bandcamp page. – Jake Reed

Natick-based Novation may be fresh out of high school, but their sound belies their age with a maturity well beyond their years. Their latest “Good Stuff Cheap” EP encapsulates the rabid energy of their live sets – which in the past have featured inflatable animals careening around the room, the entire audience getting on stage, and much more – into three songs recorded at The Center for Arts in Natick earlier this year. With influences from the Foo Fighters to local acts such as Dinosaur Jr. and George McGann, these guys are a fun listen and even better live show. The set’s final track, “Release,” has an anthemic quality about it, aided by group vocals, the solid rhythm work of guitarist Anthony Santoro and Brian Cumming’s rougher-than-gravel vocals. If you’d rather hear what they sound like in a studio setting, check out their previous studio EPs, “Release” and “We Come In Pieces.” – Ben Bosco

On their self-titled EP, Boston natives Mals Totem are hard to pin down to one genre – "Gargantuan" calls to mind the sensible writing of Young the Giant, while “Grind Tune” is a bit more tense in its anxious guitar riffs and tempo changes. Lead vocalist Dave Vives sounds like a more technically skilled Gerard Way, standing out amongst the band’s complex riffs and mixed bag of styles. Download the EP on Bandcamp now and check out the live video for their song "Machine," released in November, below – Jake Reed

Although the band’s Bandcamp page states that it was recorded between 2009 and 2010, Annikki Dawn’s “Chiefs of the Lost” is just seeing the light of day. The album’s seven songs are dark, haunting and times sparse, yet beautiful. Driven by folk guitar and harmonized vocals by James and Kyla Quigley, “Chiefs of the Lost” is accented at times by fuzzed-out guitar chords, violin and other unorthodox textures. For instance, an angelic choir and wavering synth make “Winter Fishermen” one of the set’s creepiest songs – in the best way possible. The album is available to purchase through Bandcamp now – Jake Reed

Civil Pilots has a sound that’s hard to define. On the band’s debut EP, “Blueprints,” they touch on radio-ready rock on “Round Twelve” and “Blueprints,” while opening track “Origin” reaches the melodic heights of Explosions in the Sky. Elements of Explosions-esque post-rock present themselves throughout the EP, from sparkling guitar riffs to booming chord progressions, but strong vocal harmonies and pounding drums keep the pace up. See the band play at the Room in Brookfield, CT, on January 10 and listen to “Blueprints” on Bandcamp now – Jake Reed

Judging by the recent events on her Facebook page – shows in NYC, a VIP pass and red carpet photos at the Boston Music Awards – Sarah Borrello is on the fast-track to fame. While her name might recall pop pianist Sara Bareilles, a similar name and well-crafted skills on the keys are all that the two share in common. Borrello’s debut album, “Exit,” is full of catchy, rock-tinged pop gems, with guitar and drums big enough to match her strong, growling vocals. In October, she released the live EP, “Sarah Borrello Live @ MIT,” which features two new songs and a cover of “Black Sheep” by Gin Wigmore. Check out both the new EP and “Exit” on Bandcamp now – Jake Reed

After celebrating the release of their EP “Attractions” at TT the Bear’s last month, the Cambridge venue asked Butterknife to return for its Holiday Party, alongside bands like the Derangers and Sinnet. Sonically, "Attractions" is straight rock and roll: bass, drums, slick guitar riffs and catchy, raspy vocals. "I saw you in my telescope," vocalist Phil Wisdom sings on the EP’s gripping second track. Check out “Telescope” below and catch the band at TT the Bear’s Holiday Party on December 17 – Jake Reed

As EDM and trap continue to infiltrate popular hip-hop, Falside offers a nice alternative. On his latest beat tape, “Platypus,” the self-proclaimed “beatsmith” crafts jazzy, chilled out grooves that rarely reach the two-minute mark. It’s the perfect soundtrack to your next smoke session – or to keep you calm when you’re stuck in traffic on the way to that big job interview. Check out standout track “Good Grief” and download the EP for free on Bandcamp now – Jake Reed

“I’m not a backup singer so don’t treat me like one,” Alex Handler sings on the second song from The Taxonomists’s “Dolphin Ape Demo.” Handler is right: one of the band’s biggest advantages is having two vocalists. He and keyboardist Anna Neumann harmonize or trade off, taking the reigns whenever either has the most to add to a song. The five-song EP is catchy as hell, packed with chorus hooks and earworm guitar riffs that will stay in your head for days. “Dolphin Ape Demo” has something from everyone, from crunchy indie pop opener “Phase of the Wave” to its closing track “Play It Cool,” which recalls White Denim’s 2011 ballad “No Real Reason.” Check it out on Bandcamp now – Jake Reed

The lovesick Bostonians known as Warm Thrills have just released their self-titled debut album. Loaded with lyrics about heartbreak, “Warm Thrills” oozes with the despair of a faded love. The opening track “Boyfriend” is a familiar plea for a girl to just give it a shot, but the playfully up-tempo drums and syncopated vocal line make it a feel good-tune (if you ignore the lyrics). In the emotional vein of The Cure’s “Boys Don’t Cry,” "Boyfriend" is the stand-out track of the album. The band uses syncopation frequently, creating unsettled and slightly confused shuffles. Filled with retro psychedelic harmony, deliciously desponded lyrics and youthful charm, every song elicits the image of an awkward high school dance in the 50s. Warm Thrills has delivered an honest and dreamy album that reminds us all how confusing and generally messed up it can feel to love someone. Check it out on Bandcamp now – Paul Talbot