Page 41 - Black Velvet Issue 101

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YYYYY Excellent YYYY Very Good YYY Good
YY Listenable, Just Y Poor

tane rock and all we need the record there is plenty to thank the gods of rock for pleasing about this album,
now is a tour to back it up. enjoy and the decision to that! It starts with a drum aside from Lewis being on
YYYYY include these songs is beat, brings in a bass excellent form and Guns’
SBV more than vindicated as rhythm followed by the gui- always sparkling solos, is
they are among the best on tar riff, then in comes the the variety of styles. You
AT THE SUN offer, especially the EP's vocal and off we go with are not going to be bored
LEAVE BEFORE THE title track and the afore- title track ‘Light Up The with this one!
LIGHT mentioned 'Devil In Your World’, a swaggering YYYY
(AT THE SUN) Eyes’. Shoot for the sun rocker with plenty of ap- Clare Huckett
In the Autumn of 2017 and at least you may hit the peal. The foot-stomping
our review of the debut EP stars they say, but with intro on ‘Better Days Com-
A NEW REVENGE of London-based hard rock 'Leave Before The Light’ AT ing’ segues into a hard
ENEMIES & LOVERS outfit AT THE SUN sug- THE SUN are destined to rock/AOR-style with a duet
(GOLDEN ROBOT) gested the word shooting soon be stars in their own between Matt Fitzsimons
When four men from was missing from the right. and guest vocalist Amy
four different musical proj- band's name but with their YYYY Montgomery. It’s a really
ects come together to cre- maiden album 'Leave Be- Michael Coventry strong track. ‘Psycho’ is a
ate a new one, you never fore The Light', they aren't much heavier beast,
know what electrifying just shooting at the sun, SILVER END slower-paced and leaning
magic will be kindled. Tim they've smashed it. The CONQUER THE SILENCE towards melodic metal in
‘Ripper’ Owens (Judas thing which makes an im- (SILVER END) the theatricality of Matt’s
Priest, Iced Earth, Yngwie mediate impact with you is Silver End may not vocals. Acoustic slow burn CAROUSEL KINGS
Malmsteen), Keri Kelli the band’s ability to write a have a lot of recognition ‘Executed’ has a country PLUS ULTRA
(Alice Cooper, Slash’s superb riff. This is evident outside their native Norway vibe which makes an inter- (VICTORY)
Snakepit, Night Ranger), from the second you press yet, but judging by this they esting change, while Carousel Kings have
Rudy Sarzo (Ozzy Os- play with opening track really should. It hooks you ‘Breathe Again’ switches followed up their 2017 re-
bourne, Dio, Whitesnake) 'Only A Fool' and as soon from the opening notes, re- back to a heavier blues- lease ‘Charm City’ with an
and James Kottak (Scorpi- as the guitar work of Chet fuses to let go through 12 rock vibe and includes a even more charming re-
ons) are all mainstays in Jogia, Kieron Heavens and tracks, and still leaves you frenetic bridge, largely lease. ‘Plus Ultra’ is vibrant,
the rock and metal world bassist Alex Matthews hits wanting more. Formed in courtesy of Adam Parkin’s buoyant and everything
and all busy with their re- your ears your foot will be 2012, Silver End honed high-class guitar work. It’s you expect from a pop
spective projects – yet stomping, your fingers their skills through live a great second album from punk release while also
have managed to find the clicking and your head shows and 2 albums, so by a band that’s showing a pushing the boundaries
time to come together to banging and they probably this third album they’re tight confidence matched by and making their songs
release a full-length album still will long after you've hit as a drum. Instrumental their skills. even more addictive with
following shows in their the stop button. There are opener ‘Let’s Go’ leads YYYY some gorgeous deep,
previous guise of Project many examples of these straight into title track and Clare Huckett rocking melodies, more
Rock. Although Rudy in infectious riffs throughout melodic metal masterpiece fascinating riffage and
particular is so busy with 'Leave Before The Light' ‘Conquer The Silence’. The L.A. GUNS even a few new instru-
other projects that Phil which will quickly implant subtle layer of synths adds THE DEVIL YOU KNOW ments such as a ukulele
Soussan has since themselves into your mem- depth, the guitars are on (FRONTIERS) and saxophone adding to
stepped in. ory with songs such as fire, and the rhythm section Hot on the heels of the the equation. There’s a glut
‘Enemies & Lovers’ is 'Devil In Your Eyes', 'Rene- carries a thunderous beat, Phil Lewis and Tracii Guns of honesty in songs like
definitely a project rock – or gade' and the tremendous all overlaid with a powerful reunion album comes ‘The ‘Move Slow’ (featuring
rock project. The album musical explosion towards vocal. ‘Aim To Please’, with Devil You Know’. It’s like Lexxe), while ‘Ghost’
kicks into high gear straight the end of 'Bite Your its rapid-fire drums and Guns and Lewis are mak- shows frontman David
away with ‘The Distance Tongue'. As critical as the scintillating, classic hard ing up for lost time. It’s also Alexander’s range of vo-
Between’. Riffs power musicianship of the band rock guitar celebrates both more metal on top of their cals; it starts off in a low
through ‘The Way’ while is, so too are the vocal tal- the band’s love for perform- late 60s/early 70s influ- key, before rising higher,
‘Never Let You Go’ has a ents of Harry Dale which ance and their continuing ences and the sleazy, and then lowering again.
driving force while at the demonstrate fantastic ver- journey with a change of blues-tinged rock we know ‘Great White Buffalo’ has
same time bearing a tender satility throughout the personnel. ‘Dwells In Me’ and love. Opener ‘Rage’ more of an emo feel, where
heartfelt melody as Ripper record. While there is no cranks up the theatricality goes full throttle with fre- David sings about being ‘a
sings ‘I’m never gonna let denying 'Leave Before The by contrasting achingly netic guitars and drum monster, an imposter,’
you go’. ‘Glorious’ kicks off Light' is a hard rock record, beautiful, ethereal sections rhythm, plus raucous vocal. adding ‘You can’t even look
almost sounding like Don there are several elements and agonised, aggressive ‘Loaded Bomb’ is a corker, at me, the thought of me
Henley’s ‘Boys Of Summer’ of blues to be found, songs choruses, while piano-led like a modernised version leaves you trembling’. The
before kicking into a fever- like 'Walk On Over' and closer ‘Only A Human’ of L.A. Guns’ early days beginning of ‘Jamais Vu’
ish anthem, while ‘Only 'Lay It On Me' ooze with rounds things on a gentler, and featuring a 70s Bowie- has a Goldfinger feel to it,
The Pretty Ones’ has a real sleaze, 'Bite Your Tongue' more reflective note. It’s an esque solo. It’s one to have with a sumptuous musing
theatrical Alice Cooper feel offers a more stripped-back absolute gem of an album on repeat. ‘The Devil You through the chorus and
to it. There’s an evil tone to side of his voice while on – one not to be missed. Know’ takes the heavy verses. A lot of the tracks
Ripper’s vocals, while the album concluder 'Raise YYYYY route with an ominous, have guests such as
chorus has a more Your Glass’ Harry leads the Clare Huckett thudding rhythm and grind- Spencer Charnas of Ice
melodic, lighters-in-the-air band in a fine sing-along ing guitars, followed by a Nine Kills in ‘Shellshocked’,
feel. It fades out with an im- which is likely to be a pop- GASOLINE OUTLAWS complete change in ‘Nee- although he adds a softer
pressive guitar solo. ular attraction at their future LIGHT UP THE WORLD dle To The Bone’. This one style of singing rather than
‘Here’s To Us’ is a musical live shows, all the while (GASOLINE OUTLAWS) could be a real crowd- the metalcore vocals that
toast to rock fans every- highlighting his ability to PledgeMusic’s troubles pleaser. It’s energetic, in- he’s generally known for in
where, and we think that sing any kind of rock music have the potential to cause fectious and a great classic Ice Nine Kills. There are 11
rock fans everywhere will you'd like to hear. The only major difficulties for many rocker. ‘Down That Hole’ tracks in total and all 11 are
definitely want to toast this criticism here is all four newer acts. Fortunately, fuses post-grunge and psy- belters. Ultra fab.
band. The four-piece has songs from their debut EP Gasoline Outlaws’ second chedelic rhythms, which is YYYYY
managed to encapsulate 'Breathe' are present. Ad- album was largely finished slightly surreal but works SBV
some irresistible high-oc- mittedly, with 12 songs on when all went wrong and well. What’s particularly
ALBUMS