Portland experimental punk trio OGRE have released their new single “Rare Earth Metal” through CorpoRAT Records, delivering a tense and abrasive track that captures the band’s evolving sound at full force.
Built around blown-out distortion, pounding rhythms, and tightly wound arrangements, “Rare Earth Metal” blends noise-rock chaos with sharp technical control. The song crashes through frantic punk sections, heavy bass-driven riffs, animalistic drumming, and foggy walls of sound while still maintaining a surprisingly focused structure underneath the noise.
Unlike many traditional punk bands, OGRE build much of their sound around bass guitar rather than standard lead guitar work. The track’s wiry surf-inspired melodies and grinding textures come largely from bassist Ace Jennings, whose original riff helped spark the song’s creation. Jennings has described it as one of the most technically demanding ideas the band has written so far.
The single also reflects how much the trio has grown since first forming. When OGRE began, the members were still learning their instruments. Over time, the group developed a shared musical chemistry that now fuels the band’s chaotic but deliberate style.
Lyrically, drummer Nils Niswonger approached “Rare Earth Metal” in a loose and impressionistic way, shaping the song around themes of insatiability and emotional overload without locking into a direct narrative. Meanwhile, bassist Grace Crane contributed a dance-inspired bassline influenced by Bollywood film music, adding another strange layer to the song’s unpredictable energy.
The track serves as another preview of OGRE’s upcoming release Bryan, which continues the band’s harsh and unfiltered approach to punk and noise-rock. Influences from black metal, no-wave, and math rock can all be felt throughout the song’s unstable atmosphere.
Known for intense live performances and confrontational sound design, OGRE have become a standout presence within Portland’s underground scene. Following the release of “Rare Earth Metal,” the band continued a run of shows across the Pacific Northwest with stops in Seattle, Tacoma, Spokane, and Missoula.
