🏆 Breakthrough Artist of 2024:
The Let There Be Rock chosen breakthrough artist of 2024 goes to a British rock band who bring all the swagger and energy of a bygone era. Formed in 2018 Collateral have been on the verge of a breakthrough for some time. Ever since hearing their first single ‘Midnight Queen’ taken from their debut EP ‘4 Shots’ I felt there was something special about the band. Channelling their inner 1980s hair metal style, mixed with a modern take on what the genre should look and sound like in current times, they fly the flag for the British, in a resurgence of the old school glam metal.
In a time when rock isn’t as mainstream, and standing out from your peers gets drown out in a sea of social media posts, Collateral have let their live performances do the talking. After all there’s nothing better than standing out against 200,000 other entrants to win a support slot for Jon Bon Jovi on his Runaway to Paradise Mediterranean cruise, which they did back in 2019. One of many achievements of the band that opened up exciting new doors for the Kent-based rockers.
In 2020 the band released their self-titled debut album via Roulette Media Records, and it went straight to number 5 in the Official UK Rock Charts in the week of release. Unfortunately for the band, this happened just prior to the world being put into a global lockdown when the Covid pandemic hit, which also forced them to cancel their highly successful tour with Phil X (Bon Jovi) halfway through. Not to be deterred, this made the band more hungry to keep the momentum. Performing live streams to a global audience, and picking up new fans along the way. Post covid the band went on to become special guests supporting the likes of Skid Row, H.E.A.T and Reckless Love.
For a band that have earned all their acclaim through relentless live performances, and gained a solid fanbase from the opportunities to support some of the bigger and more established names in the genre, it will come as little surprise that it was in a supporting roll where I first saw them play. Having played their tracks on the radio from the very start, in 2024 I had the pleasure of seeing them perform live at the Leeds Brudenell Social club in support of the mighty FM. Finally getting to witness why this band have been so highly praised, it was a thoroughly enjoyable performance, with front man Angelo Tristan commanding the stage like he was playing to a stadium. High energy and feel good vibes, you couldn’t help but think they just have what it takes.
Unfortunately the timing of seeing the band support FM was just prior to the release of the second album ‘Should’ve Known Better’, despite the fact we were treated to performances of their new singles including ‘Glass Sky’, I was rather miffed that there was no new album for me to buy and to get them to sign. Although I did buy a copy of the re-mixed and re-mastered version of their debut album re-titled as ‘Re-Wired’ which features Jeff Scott Soto, Phil X, Kee Marcello, Rudy Sarzo, Danny Vaughn, and Joel Hoekstra. A band with friends in high places, who are incredibly modest about their talents too.
‘Should’ve Known Better’ was released on the 24th May via Big Shot, produced by the highly in demand Dan Weller, who has worked with many of todays emerging talents, such as Those Damn Crows and Kris Barras. The single ‘Just One Of Those Days’ was voted as Classic Rock’s track of the week, and with its feel good and catchy anthems the album landed an impressive number 5 in the Official UK Album Charts. It’s fair to say this band have been on a roll these past 12 months, raising their profile massively and demonstrating why they are Let There Be Rock’s breakthrough artist of 2024. Here’s to a bright future.
Album: Should've Known Better
Released: 24th May 2024
Label: Big Shot
Website: https://www.collateralofficial.com
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