OPPRESSION likes to describe themselves as alternative or new age rock, but it’s a little bit more complicated than that. They’ve been together since the early nineties and have had many years together to figure out how to spin their varied rock influences into a very specific niche, all their own. The resulting sound of OPPRESSION is a cross between post-metal, hard-core, and industrial.

The band’s signature is powerful, driving riffs, supported by a pumping rhythm section and accented by high-pitched synth and lead guitar. Their single “Who’s In Control” is the prime example. It starts off with slow, otherworldly synths and a super fuzzed, driving bass line and then opens up fully into a post-metal grind, twisted ever so often by the pop of distorted guitar. They’re hoping their music will be enough to carry the message home and already have plans for later rounds in the festival. In that case, you won’t want to miss their Emergenza debut at the Epsy on the 22nd this month.