Central Florida’s Nordic Hamster quickly caught my attention with their debut, self-titled EP. On this mid October release, the band explores a variety of different genres, flowing seamlessly between them. It’s almost like a trip through the musical universe. Nordic Hamster takes the listener on a headbanging journey filled with hooks, melodies, and soaring guitar solos. You’ll hear everything from progressive metal, to djent, deathcore, and so much more, so there’s something in here for heavy music fans of all genres.
Nordic Hamster consists of two long time friends, Cody Nordine & Cody Hamilton. The powerhouse duo are united by their desire to do music for the love it. That passion shines through on this EP, which is part of what makes it so magnetic.
Today, both members of Nordic Hamster share the 5 songs that made them metalheads. Keep reading to learn more about the early influences of this emerging metal band. And don’t forget to listen along with the 5 Songs That Made Me A Metalhead Spotify playlist here on Spotify!
5 Songs That Made Me A Metalhead: Nordic Hamster’s Cody Nordine
“Sea of Lies” by Symphony X
From 1997’s The Divine Wings of Tragedy
CN: “This was the first mega hard song I tried learning and having success with. My friends played it all the time, so it just got driven into my head and caused a love for power metal.”
“Ocean Planet” by Gojira
From 2005’s From Mars to Sirius
CN: “My first concert ever they filled in on a date of a major show with Machinehead and Lamb Of God. I had never heard them before, and the opening was absolutely crushing. [I] spent all 3 bands in the pit, [and] I was in heaven. [I’ve been a] metalhead ever since.”
“Bat Country” by Avenged Sevenfold
From 2005’s City of Evil
CN: “This came out when I got my first guitar. My best friend at the time showed me this and I was like ‘nah, he can’t play that, that’s fake.’ It was catchy enough to bring someone who did not know anything about metal to start diving down that hole.”
“Through The Fire And The Flames” by Dragonforce
From 2006’s Inhuman Rampage
CN: “I forget where I saw the music video but to see something played like that was absolutely mind blowing to me. It made me sell my hollow body and go get an Ibanez.”
“Hanger 18” by Megadeth
From 1990’s Rust In Peace
CN: “Who doesn’t listen to this and go holy crap? It’s just a clinic. That whole album and band really was a massive inspiration for me to start playing heavier music.”
5 Songs That Made Me A Metalhead: Nordic Hamster’s Cody Hamilton
“Metal Health (Bang Your Head)” by Quiet Riot
From 1983’s Mental Health
CH: “I used to listen to this with my dad a lot growing up. Even today I walk around with the song stuck in my head! Metalhead inspiration from a young age!”
“Unholy Confessions” by Avenged Sevenfold
From 2003’s Waking The Fallen
CH: “This song is the first song I ever listened to that incorporated screams. [It was] really influential to me in terms of what kind of music I liked.”
“Master of Puppets” by Metallica
From 1986’s Master of Puppets
CH: “[This is] among the first songs that I learned when I was younger. I used to play through the rhythm sections and get into it so hard. Metallica played a huge part in my metal interests growing up.”
“Icarus Lives” by Periphery
From 2010’s Periphery
CH: “Ever since I heard this song, I’ve been super into the band! The tone and rhythms blew me away! Periphery is a very large factor that helped shape the way that I play the guitar.”
“Bow Down” by Born of Osiris
From 2007’s The New Reign
CH: “When Cody first showed me this song/band, not only was the music just mind blowing, [but] it solidified my love for pinch harmonics.”
WHERE TO FIND Nordic Hamster
Listen to Nordic Hamster on Spotify, YouTube, and Soundcloud. And don’t forget to keep up with them on Instagram and Facebook!
WANT TO COLLABORATE?
Click here for more information on collaborations.
