Arkells: Only For A Moment
This new single from the Hamilton band's upcoming album, Rally Cry, reflects upon a karaoke-boosted respite from dark times. Another winner from a group whose moment is now.
By Kerry Doole
Arkells - "Only For A Moment" (UMC). This is the third song to be made available from Rally Cry, the keenly-awaited new album from the Hamilton rock heroes, following on from "Relentless" and "People's Champ."
In a label press release, Arkells mainman Max Kerman explains the new single's origins: "There’s a line in our tune 'Come To Light,' 'The underpass would keep us from harm.' It’s that moment when you’re driving through a rainstorm, and you have a second of respite from the chaos outside. I find myself writing and thinking about those moments of calm, and how important they can be.
"'Only For A Moment' is an extension of that idea. My friend’s mom was struggling with some oppressive mental health issues. It was tough for everyone in her family. But there was a moment we were out one night, where my friend seemed to leave the trouble behind - just for an hour - and could just enjoy her life. The stress in her face seemed to disappear. And I was happy she could have that."
The message is conveyed effectively on this mid-tempo tune, with lines like "at karaoke we were trading each verse" painting a picture of light being wrestled from the darkness. This line inspired Arkells to surprise fans with an appearance at a Toronto karaoke bar on Wednesday night, featuring a raucous acoustic performance of new favourites.
That's just another example of the way this band has built a loyal fan base expected to grow exponentially with the new record.
Arkells play US dates Oct. 12 to Nov. 12, followed by shows in Germany and the UK.
Links
Cypress Hill at FEQ 2026David Garcia / Billboard Canada
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Testament at FEQ 2026FEQ