Melbourne modern hard rockers Riff Raiders have dropped their latest single and video “Sound Mirror”, celebrating the release of their new album Welcome To Mars on compact disc.
Listen to “Sound Mirror” here:
https://lnkfi.re/soundmirror
Listen to Welcome To Mars here:
https://tinyurl.com/WelcomeToMars
There is something very cool about a hard rock band taking inspiration from strange corners of history, and Riff Raiders have done exactly that with “Sound Mirror”.
So, what is a sound mirror?
Sound mirrors were giant experimental concrete “acoustic ears” built along the British coast in the 1920s to detect enemy aircraft before radar existed. They were designed to pick up the sound of incoming planes, standing as strange and eerie monuments from a time when the world was waiting, listening and bracing for what might come next.
That idea gives “Sound Mirror” its weight.
The track delivers a classic hard rock punch, loaded with massive riffs, a dark stoner groove and the ominous feel of a pre-radar world sitting on edge. It pulls from the idea of how these sound mirrors might have been used in wartime, before radar changed the face of warfare forever.
Following the success of their set-on-Mars video for “Broken Halo”, the new “Sound Mirror” clip has again been created and directed by Riff Raiders guitarist and songwriter Marty Powell.
This time, Marty imagines an alternate reality where those haunting listening monuments became an active line of defence against an imaginary European enemy. The video features an Edwardian “Peaky Blinders” type character scanning the skies for an approaching invasion, giving the whole thing a heavy, brooding and cinematic feel.
There is a real sense of DIY creativity behind it all, too. It feels like another example of Riff Raiders mixing big ideas, hard work, new technology and a proper rock and roll attitude into something that stands apart from the usual single release cycle.
Formed in 2017, Riff Raiders have steadily built a strong reputation across the Australian rock scene. Blending modern hard rock with big hooks, sharp riffs and a live energy that hits hard, the band have become one of Melbourne’s most reliable names for no-frills rock firepower.
Their explosive live shows and relentless early gigging run saw them shortlisted for Best Punk / Rock Act at the 2021 Music Victoria Awards. They have also shared stages with acts including D-A-D, Baby Animals, The Poor and The Lazys, further cementing their place as a band who know how to bring it live.
Their new album Welcome To Mars brings together 11 tracks that move through plenty of different rock flavours.
From the darker depths of “Broken Halo” to the punchy title track “Welcome To Mars”, the swampy rock of “Climbing The Walls”, the three-part power pop smoker “Feels Like Something”, and the psychedelic grunge edge of “Sound Mirror”, the album gives listeners a lot to dig into.
It is the kind of record where your favourite track could shift every time you spin it.
Welcome To Mars is out now, with CDs available through Rue Morgue Records, Bandcamp and riffraiders.com.
Riff Raiders will also return to the stage for their first show since 2023 with a special appearance at Rock Is Not Dead 3 Festival.
Riff Raiders Live
Rock Is Not Dead 3 Festival
Friday, August 28
Prince of Wales, Melbourne
Tickets available now.
Use promo code RR7 for discounted tickets.
With “Sound Mirror”, Riff Raiders show once again that they are not just writing big riff rock songs. They are building songs with concepts, atmosphere and plenty of punch.
Welcome To Mars is out now.
Welcome to Mars CDs are now available through
Rue Morgue Records, Bandcamp and riffraiders.com.
