Rankin

Rankin’s sound combines the bluesy influence of thumping rock/metal legends like Motörhead and Down with a heavy dose of groove metal and a touch of sludge, thrash and alternative rock.

The Malta-based band is comprised of Shaun Farrugia (Guitar), Gimli Ukkonen (Drums), James Byrne (Vocals) and Callum Hayden (Bass). The band was formed in 2018 after Shaun and James, who worked together as a graphic designer and content writer respectively, began jamming together with bassist Alex Lapinniemi (who stepped down and was replaced by Callum in 2022). After joining with drummer and former black metal vocalist Gimli in 2019, the band quickly took on a more solid shape as a serious metal outfit and their mixture of influences melded together to create a distinct dark and sludgy, but melodic, sound.

The band used the Covid years to record their first album ‘Chrysalis’ with Clayton Cini of XIR Mobile Recording Studio and released it in April 2022.