Social Dissonance: “Nightstalker”

For a ton of creatives, Halloween is little more than an autumnal gimmick, an excuse to break from the regular programming and indulge in the creepy, macabre, or unnerving. For others though, the elements of Spooky Season might as well be part of the daily routine three hundred and sixty five days straight.

And you know who we’re talking about; goths, punks, metalheads, and any adjacent scenesters. Folks like the four freaks (we mean that endearingly) from Social Dissonance. Bred out of the pandemic, this quartet’s continued to make quakes across Austin as part of their ongoing citywide conquest. But while Social Dissonance’s Frankenstein style of punk, hard rock, metal, and alternative (plus, as you probably guessed from their name, plenty of socio-political commentary) is a sight best beheld in person and in concert, last September’s Choke EP proved that SD’s fully capable of translating their live riots into a high-energy stereo experience.

And Social Dissonance’s sole track of 2024, “Nightstalker”, is no exception. This five-minute monster mash covers a hell of a lot of sonic territory, starting off with hazy and bleak alt-rock before exploding into ghastly heavy metal that’s tailor-made for your next graveyard rave. Sinister whispers? Check. Instrumental breakdowns that’ll leave your neck sore? Check. And an explosive finish that lays these wicked ones to rest? That’s a big check.

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