S.A.M. make a grab for the brass ring with their two-fisted new album Choke Artist — showcasing today on Tinnitist.
Relentlessly hard-hitting yet skillfully executed, the Tennessee titans’ debut full-length comes on strong from jump street, hitting the ground running with the anthemic rocker Remedy. The rest of the eight-song album keeps up the pace and the consistency, with the quintet offering a slate of aggressively punishing modern-rock hits-in-waiting like So Low, Infect, Bury Me and Coward. Boasting a skillful balance of melody, might and menace, Choke Artist‘s cathartically explosive tracks are fashioned from monstrously craggy riffs, wickedly pummelling grooves and ominously atmospheric keyboard textures — all functioning as a massive springboard for Shi Eubank’s darkly introspective lyrics and soaring, arena-sized choruses. Check out the first single and video for Way Out and you’ll get the picture — right between the eyes.
“At times we may ask ourselves Where am I, how did I get here?” Eubanks says, explaining the meaning behind the track. “This idea became the catalyst for the song: When you find yourself in an unfamiliar place it becomes easy to get lost in an endless cycle of negative thought. Climbing your way out of that place is the true test of courage and resilience. The dark imagery within the song is something that most people can relate to, yet the hope is that people find their way out of this place to become the best versions of themselves.”
S.A.M. — which stands for Savage After Midnight — have been working toward that goal since Day 1. They first made their way on to the national scene with their 11:59 EP in 2019, and have been building steadily ever since, with singles 10 Feet Tall, Heartless Machine and Unleash helping to solidify their place in the rock firmament. 2021 saw the band continue their climb with Remedy (featuring guest vocalist Danny Worsnop of Asking Alexandria) and So Low, co-produced by Jayden Panesso of Sylar. S.A.M. have toured with Shinedown, Papa Roach, Sick Puppies, In This Moment and Memphis May Fire.
Listen to Choke Artist below, watch the video for Way Out above, and meet S.A.M. at their website, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
