SAGE and PINKNOISE Tap Into What It Means To Be "COLD BLOODED"

One of New Jersey’s latest and greatest growing bands, SAGE, is quickly creating a name for themselves across modern rock with their blend of new and classic sounds that occasionally tap into our nostalgia. Their latest single, “COLD BLOODED,” featuring PINKNOISE, brings together aggressive instrumentation and incredible vocals on a track that immediately demands your attention.

The band formed in 2023 consisting of vocalist Mike Rafter, vocalist and guitarist James Benedetto, guitarist Chris Coletti, and drummer Nick Perrone. Their team is earning a reputation, built on previous releases like “Deep End” and “LOST,” for emotionally charged songwriting and high-energy performances. “COLD BLOODED” wastes no time diving into intensity, and SAGE leans fully into the tone they’ve established.

The heavy guitar riff right out of the gate, along with the percussion, creates a constant sense of momentum. I was immediately introduced to both the excellent screaming techniques and melodic tones that would be present throughout the rest of the song when the opening scream led into the first verse. As the song carried forward, it was clear that the entire collaboration was developed with the voices in mind. The blend of PINKNOISE, Rafter, and Benedetto is nothing short of a joy to listen to (even with the topic of the track) when they stack, harmonize, or bounce off of one another back-to-back. When asked about the collaboration, the band shared:

Our good friend PINKNOISE was in the studio with us from the start of the instrumental writing process all the way to the end. We are all super fans of PINKNOISE, and there's nothing more special than having their vocals on this song to commemorate the experience and our collaboration on this song.

Speaking of the instrumentals, the amount of energy and anger put into it feels like an extension of the track’s emotional core. Written about confronting someone who hides behind deception, manipulation, and a refusal to take accountability, lyrics like “Spin the story around and you tear in two / The writing don’t match the walls” and “You can’t fake your way out / You can’t play pretend” make the type of person they are dealing with clear. While I can’t say every person has dealt with someone who lies often, it is definitely a lyrical approach that allows for anyone listening to understand the pain someone like that would cause.

What stood out to me most about “COLD BLOODED” is how well SAGE balances their heavier elements with the melodic side of their sound. There is a sense of familiarity in the rock instrumentation from their previous work, but the production and vocal performances give the track a distinct edge. The result is a track that feels cathartic and that I can easily see finding its place in both a live set and a regular listening rotation.

“COLD BLOODED” is ultimately a great introduction to what both SAGE and PINKNOISE have to offer if you are unfamiliar with them, while being something absolutely headbanging for those that are familiar. Between its crushing riffs, energetic percussion, balanced vocals, and the added presence of PINKNOISE, the track has plenty to sink your teeth into while still being a great listen.