Rock music has never truly left—but every now and then, a new band comes along that reminds us of why we fell in love with it in the first place. The debut EP, Vice Market by Captain Mantis, does exactly that. Produced by Latin Grammy-nominated Paco Lazo and Andrés Lavalle in Monterrey, Mexico, the four-track release is a celebration of rock's diverse heritage—revisited with love, energy, and technical finesse.

In Principle of Least Action, guitarist and composer Ricardo Urquiza has crafted an exceptional conceptual EP rooted in both physical law and musical structure. The title is borrowed from a fundamental idea in physics—that nature follows the path of least resistance, or least effort. Ricardo transforms this scientific principle into a musical metaphor, navigating through structured harmonic repetition and fluid improvisation with elegance and intention.

Eyes Like Torches at the Gate features two solo guitar pieces by the Polish composer and guitarist Ratyński. The music is striking, expressive, and rhythmically intricate. I was especially drawn to the way different rhythmic patterns emerge and evolve, adding depth and emotional resonance to each piece.

The velvet-like yet firm timbre of Giovanni Tamburini’s flugelhorn paired with the metallic, soothing tones of Fabio Mazzini’s acoustic slid

Just for Kicks is a collection of wordless poetry brought to life by Adam Edgemont and his electric guitar. From the very first note, it’s c