Like everyone else, Transit Method spent most of the pandemic in hibernation to emerge stronger and more focused. With the LoCoco brothers (singer/guitarist Matt and drummer Mike) now joined by bassist Charlie Anderson (Panopticon) and guitarist Bryan Rolli (various publications, including the Chron), the prog-rocking metalheads streamline their sound on third LP Othervoid. Shouted vocal harmonies support anthemic arrangements, chunky riffs explode into soaring solos, and melodies threaten to erupt into lighter-waving sing-alongs at any minute. “Psychometry” (the obvious single) and “Into Your Mind” get fists pumping; “The Outside” and the epic “Frostbite” (which nods to the 2021 Austin snowpocalypse) drop jaws behind rousing choruses. Having developed a sound that could score them opening slots for both Def Leppard and Voivod, Transit Method blasts out the kind of record that might’ve dominated rock radio back before it quit caring about anything past 1995.

Transit Method

Othervoid (Brutal Panda)

This article appears in February 16 • 2024.

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Michael Toland started writing about music in 1988 on the Gulf Coast, moved to Austin in early 1991, and has inflicted bylines upon the corporeal and digital pages of Pop Culture Press, The Big Takeover, Blurt, Amplifier, Austin.citysearch, the Austin American Statesman, Goldmine, Sleazegrinder, Rock & Roll Globe, High Bias, FHT Music Notes, and, since 2011, The Austin Chronicle.