Page 39 - Black Velvet Rock Magazine Issue 103

BV103 pg39_BV103 pg39 23/12/2019 02:37 Page 1

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

rus. The lyrically inspiring Me' is the album's soulful Round' and 'In It For Love'. typical band and this isn’t
‘Tear Us Apart’ is one of the ballad and 'Flatline' will Spearheaded by the silky your typical album. Intro
lighter songs musically, but likely become the big sing- smooth, impressive vocal ‘Eleonora’ is also the title of
with its stirring sing-along along anthem of their live abilities of the talented An- an Edgar Allen Poe tale
chorus, it is made for are- shows, meaning there is gelo Tristan, his voice and ‘Phantoms’ is an
nas. This album, ‘Walk The not only a little something makes an instant imprint album inspired by the writer
Sky’, will see the band soar for everyone here, but that on your brain but it's the and which carries a
to new heights. ‘We’ll be Anchor Lane are far from a sublime guitar work of Todd haunted-by-a-former-love
victorious, we’ll take the one-trick pony. Winger that makes the po- theme. ‘Only The Lonely
crown’, Myles sings in the YYYY tential of the band so spe- Survive’ sees Josh Ram-
triumphant ‘Take The Michael Coventry cial and his ability to say sing ‘no one will scar
ALTER BRIDGE Crown’. Those words sum remain subtle and under- me like you do’. It’s a
WALK THE SKY up perfectly the point at ABLAZE stated when needed is re- dancey track with a gra-
(NAPALM) which Alter Bridge is at NO CHASER markable and makes the cious air. ‘Echoes Of You’ is
Every three years, now. Long may they reign. (ABLAZE) moments where he truly incredibly catchy in its cho-
since 2004, something truly YYYYY Australia’s latest export cuts loose and shows what rus, while its verses intri-
magical happens: Alter Penny Gower is hard-rocking quintet he's capable of all the more cately weave in and out,
Bridge drop a new studio Ablaze, who are unleash- noteworthy. The album's like a ballet dancer follow-
release. That time has ANCHOR LANE ing their first album on an first single, the punchy and ing an unraveling roll of rib-
come around again and the CASINO unsuspecting UK. The powerful 'Lullaby' and the bon. Josh has impressively
hard rock quartet have de- (R7) largely no-frills bar room sole track to make the cut silky vocal skills that sound
livered their sixth album, Scottish quartet Anchor rock benefits from near- from Collateral's debut EP, particularly magnificent on
‘Walk The Sky’, to the Lane have thrown a hell of perfect production, high- '4 Shots!', 'Midnight this track. Roger Joseph
world. The band’s passion a curve ball as they pitch lighting just how damn Queen', are the best songs Manning Jr. (Jellyfish) is a
and commitment to the their debut LP, 'Casino', to good this band is. They on offer, which in no small guest on the song, adding
music is undeniable; that is the world and, in doing so, have energy and infectious part are down to monstrous his vocals after the bridge.
just one of the many rea- they have hit a home run. rhythms, fiery riffs and big, injection of southern-style The song rises like an elec-
sons why, after 15 years to- Those familiar with their shout-along choruses. A rock given to them, al- tronic spaceship heading
gether, they are still rising. work on maiden EP, 'New deceptive ghostly guitar though to call them south- into the stratosphere.
Following the delicate intro, Beginning' and the lead intro quickly gives way to ern rock would be a There’s an out-of-this-world
‘One Life’, the lead single single from the album, the first instance of the fre- mistake as these are the instrumental element and
‘Wouldn’t You Rather’ 'Fame Shame', may expect netic guitar work as ‘Back kind of sounds that put Bon the song is so creative it’s
comes crashing through a full-on classic rock For More’ kicks off pro- Jovi on the map in the 80s almost a theatrical master-
the speakers, full-throttle. album, but opening song, ceedings with a straight- and the likes we've not re- piece on disc. Being the
Alter Bridge are back! The 'Blood & Irony', may make down-the-line rocker. The ally seen to this standard son of a successful music
overall vibe of ‘Walk The you wonder if you are even lyrics are a promise – ‘We’ll for some time. The latter producer, it’s no wonder
Sky’ is positive and at times listening to the same band, keep you coming back for song also stands out as Josh Ramsay is a master
spiritually uplifting. The such is its unique quirki- more’ – which the guys one of the most upbeat at creating music himself.
songs hold Alter Bridge’s ness. That is until Conor more than make good on breakup songs you'll ever ‘Don’t Miss Me?’ is soulful
signature hard rock riffs, Gaffney truly lets rip with with the funkier rhythms of hear and will resonate with and smooth, glossy pop-in-
carry glorious melodies his blistering vocal range ‘Dirty Little Secret’, fast- many going through a dulging and bears one of
and some big choruses, which is boosted and sup- paced sleaze and attitude tough time, while it's left to the most memorable lyrics
bringing together the sound ported in sensational fash- of ‘Just A Taste’, bluesy the concluding 'About A on the album - ‘I’m just a
Alter Bridge are renowned ion by the amazing guitar tones of ‘(We’re Gonna) Boy' to be the record's drink away from honesty so
for. The band’s musical skills of Lawrence O'Brien. Rock ‘N’ Roll’, and the rol- most stripped-back track who knows what’s true’.
style hasn’t changed ex- When these two combine licking Celtic rock vibe of which shines just as bright ‘Glimmer’ stuns you from
cessively over the years, and put their collective ped- ‘Where’s My Drink?’. ‘The as anything else here and the moment it begins,
but with each album they als to the metal, it's a Darkest Day (What I’ve Be- the extra emotion makes it plucking at the heartstrings
manage to widen their breathtaking combination. come)’ comes out of left a powerful way to wrap with a gorgeous feel that
scope musically, incorpo- Nonetheless, 'Blood & field, an epic slow burn of things up. With just nine you’ll want to dive headfirst
rating different elements Irony' is somewhat of an moody introspection featur- songs to share, Collateral into. You feel Josh’s emo-
and sounds. A case in point uncharacteristic way for the ing piano, acoustic guitars leave you wanting and tion through songs such as
is the song ‘Pay No Mind’, band to commence their and soaring guitar solos, wishing for more. ‘I Knew You When’ and
where you’ll hear synthe- album, but the fact they are building to a glorious cli- YYYY ‘The Death Of Me’, while
sizers being used; another willing to lead with this un- max. It’s a magnificent Michael Coventry the album ends with ‘The
is the immensely catchy derlines their boldness and track on a staggeringly Killing Kind’, a 6 minute 46-
‘Godspeed’. It’s a move ambition. That's not to say good debut. second epic. Beginning
that has paid off brilliantly. there isn't plenty of the YYYYY dramatically, at 3 minutes it
Something remarkable still great stuff we've come to Clare Huckett bursts into an operatic
continues to happen when expect from Anchor Lane in soundtrack before turning
Myles Kennedy, Mark the past here. The afore- COLLATERAL up the guitars and launch-
Tremonti, Brian Marshall mentioned 'Fame Shame' COLLATERAL ing towards an orchestral
and Scott Phillips go into is an absolute barnstormer (ROULETTE MEDIA) and climatic ending that
the studio with their long- of a rock song and has the It's fitting that new UK deserves a standing ova-
time producer, Michael fingerprints of Toby Jepson hopefuls Collateral chose tion. Marianas Trench cre-
‘Elvis’ Baskette. They have of Wayward Sons and Little 'Mr Big Shot' as the song to ate such elaborate albums
a knack of making each Angels fame, who worked take their first step forward MARIANAS TRENCH that are so much more than
record sound fresh without with the band, stamped all on their debut album as PHANTOMS most of today’s music. With
diminishing or overshad- over it, while 'Clocks' and this song alone confirms (604) so much thought and work
owing the key attributes the 'Dead Run' are also superb they are destined to be big Your introduction to going into this album, you
fans love about the music. hard rock songs blessed shots on the rock scene. ‘Phantoms’ sees Canada’s can’t help but be staggered
Mark takes over lead vo- with some mesmerising 'Mr Big Shot' commences a Marianas Trench sing in by their talent and musical
cals for the powerful ‘For- guitar work from O'Brien. run of songs which are all gloriously harmonious output.
ever Falling’, with Myles 'Voodoo' is an enchanting catchier than man flu, acapella style. This intro YYYYY
coming in during the cho- slice of blues rock, 'Shell Of 'Promiseland', 'Merry Go shows that they’re not your SBV
ALBUMS