On The Radar: Code: Marla, Matted & ODC

We’re back with another round-up of new tracks by previously featured GigRadar artists in On The Radar. This round-up brings you new tracks by three bands, of which two are former New Bands of the Week alongside one of our favourite bands from France.

Code: Marla – Kaleidoscope

We featured Kent and Essex-based Code: Marla as our New Band of the Week back in March, when we discovered that they started out as a solo dubstep project that was transitioning down a nu-metal path.

On the sound the band was crafting, CJ (guitar, synth and production) told us: “We are a modern take on nu-metal with more of a focus on the rap and EDM elements. Different members of the band grew up on different music and we all bring those elements into our songs. I’m very much inspired by early 2000s nu-metal and older electronic music. Alastair is younger and so is into more modern metal and modern EDM. Billy lives and breathes rap music of all genres, whilst also having an interest in older nu-metal. And Fraser is more of a classic rock and funk fan, so he brings that to his guitar playing, especially with his solos.”

The band just sent us Kaleidoscope, which was released at the start of last month and they describe as: “A high energy rap-rock mash up with big party vibes that will get you equally dancing and moshing around.”

It opens up with twinkling electronic noises, before a little bassline sets up cool bending guitars. Billy’s laid-back rapped vocals take over with mellow guitars and drums, giving way to vocalist Sonia leading an engaging chorus. The cool bending guitars return alongside heavy growled vocals, before dropping back into a chilled verse that flows into another chorus. The pace slows with floaty electronic sounds, building up to a return of the bending guitars with cool turntable effects bringing the track to a heavy conclusion.

You can follow Code: Marla on Instagram and TikTok, and check out their music on Spotify, Bandcamp, Apple Music, Deezer and YouTube.

Matted – Flowers and Chains

We introduced you to Matted around the release of their debut single, Material, which had been backed by pop/rock band McFly and recorded by drummer Harry Judd. Matted’s young members have performed on West End stages and won a golden buzzer in the 13th season of Britain’s Got Talent, then went on to support McFly.

The band began with lead guitarist Jake Slack and bassist Jacon Swann, who performed together in the stage musical version of School of Rock. But the addition of vocalist Max Walker, along with rhythm guitarist Oscar Paulley and drummer Tom Walker, saw them head down a heavier rock/grunge path.

On the sound they’ve crafted , Jacob told us: “Our sound is a blend of hard rock, grunge and alternative metal. It’s bursting with energy and emotion with heavy guitar riffs and big anthemic choruses. At the same time, there’s a melodic and atmospheric quality, which helps to build layers and add intensity. Our music is definitely full of life; it rocks hard, like the classics, but with a modern and unique take.”

The band is back with their second single Flowers and Chains, which was released at the start of this month, and they describe as: “A hook-laden slice of melodic hard grunge delves into themes of contradiction and inner conflict.”

It opens up with a high-pitched stabbing guitar that continues as heavier guitars kick in and are joined by atmospheric backing synths. Max’s engaging vocals take over with a noodling guitar in support, which flows into a big singalong chorus “Flowers and chains, A part of me, Shackled and tied, We fear the change, Living to die can’t feel the same, Flowers and chains are all I see.” Heavy guitars and synths jump in and bridge into a verse with stabbing guitars building the atmosphere alongside the cool lines “I believe there’s something more to this, Unbridled riot like a pacifist, Petals falling, dying, nurture them, Tell me, why can I not hear the violins.”

The pace drops after the second chorus with mellow guitars and laid-back vocals before repeats of “Gotta get out, I gotta get out, Digging me up, I gotta get out,” build up to a more intense final blast of the chorus.

On the track, Jake said: “Flowers and Chains is about the tension between how things appear and how they really feel. It’s that moment when something that once felt perfect starts to show its flaws. You feel trapped—afraid to move forward, but equally afraid to stay where you are. The song captures the realisation that things aren’t always what they seem.”

You can follow Matted on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, and check out their music on Spotify, Bandcamp, Apple Music, Deezer and YouTube.

ODC – Love, I Tore It Apart

We first discovered Parisian quartet ODC back in October 2020, when we covered their pandemic-influenced track Orwell & I. And we were instantly hooked on their rock meets modern metal and nu-metal approach led by the superb vocals of frontwoman Celia Do. The band have been busy since then, relating a steady stream of singles building up to the impending release of their debut album Twisted Love, which has been produced in Nashville by Memphis May Fire guitarist Kellen McGregor.

Back then, Celia told us: “ODC’s music style is a mix of heavy and modern metal that makes it unique. We mainly write about freedom: freedom to become whoever you wanna be, freedom of thought, freedom of action, freedom to live up to one’s fantasies.”

ODC sent us Love, I Tore It Apart, the first single from their upcoming album, which was released last month. It opens up with Celia’s laid-back vocals over light instrumentals, before exploding into a huge singalong chorus “Love, I tore it apart, I’ve been caught in the misconceptions, Suffering in my delusions, The world doesn’t know me anymore, Lamest use of my excuses, But I’m afraid of falling short.” The pace drops with dreamy instrumentals and high-pitched vocals, before exploding back into another massive chorus supported by heavy guitars and little electronic twinkles.

The pace drops with light vocals “Run, don’t box me in here,” which give way to crushing guitars and delicious high-pitched instrumentals. That sets up a big final blast of the chorus to bring the track to a lively conclusion.

ODC also just released the album’s second single My Only Fan, which features ‘brutal pop’ artist SUN. It opens up with heavy guitars answered by stabbing high notes in a big groovy intro. Celia’s engaging but slightly saucy vocals “Tonight, you’ll sip from a bottle of Chanel, Chanel, My lips will show you how much I am French, so French” with crushing guitars in support. That flows into a catchy chorus “For the night, I’ll be here to satisfy your skin, Begging you tonight, To be my only fan, Come play with me.” A second chorus gives way to SUN’s vicious vocals, perfectly setting up a big atmospheric to finish off this absolute banger of a track. And that debut album definitely sounds like something to look forward to!

You can follow ODC on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, and check out their music on Spotify, Deezer and YouTube.