Page 39 - Black Velvet Rock Magazine Issue 104

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favourite. 'The Olde Dawg', Road studios. most hardworking and ded- stripped-back song com-
being the title track, makes Packed full of Tesla icated bands and is a must pared to the rest of the
it anticipated. It’s met with classics from their rich for all Tesla fans, old and album, it boasts just as
surprise, the vocals more back catalogue and brand new. much power and feeling as
prominent on this track as new tracks from last year's YYYYY anything else on the album
it showcases Crimson highly impressive 'Shock', Ian Trigg as well as packing yet an-
Star's drive and determina- this intimate location pro- other wonderful guitar in-
tion to showcase their tal- vides the band with the EVERYDAY HEROES strumental. The album
ent and admiration for all unique opportunity to show A TALE OF SIN & SOR- ends with 'Without A
things rock. off the diversity of their ROW Throne' which underlines
YYYY music along with its sheer (EVERYDAY HEROES) the band’s immense talent.
BONFIRE quality. This quality is given Dubbed as being ‘for YYYY
FISTFUL OF FIRE the chance to shine at its fans of hard rock, Southern Michael Coventry
(AFM) utmost as the recording is rock and Black Stone
Legendary German produced superbly, so Cherry’ could perhaps be
metallers Bonfire have powerful and clear that you the most perfect descrip-
added toughness to their feel like you are actually in tion for Everyday Heroes'
already strong melodies on the room, and the five- debut album 'A Tale Of Sin
their latest album. Founder piece sound better than & Sorrow'. In fact, the only
member, guitarist Hans ever as a result. The per- thing which could make
Ziller, sees this as a more formance kicks off, like the that description better is to
focused and consistent ap- majority of Tesla live add it has a strong hint of
proach to a direction evi- Sara Ashton shows, with the punchy Monster Truck as well but
dent on their previous 'Cumin' Atcha Live', with more on that in due course,
album, and it suits them. HANDS OFF GRETEL the added snippet of the as record opener 'Texas
First up, after mid-tempo THE ANGRY EP Grateful Dead's 'Truckin'' Red' could easily be taken RED
instrumental ‘The Joker’, (HANDS OFF GRETEL) which they appended to for one of Black Stone DECLARATION
‘Gotta Get Away’ is the When Jack Off Jill first this song on the original Cherry's best pieces of (THE FUEL MUSIC)
bold, high-energy start you came to our attention in the 'Five Man...' release. Then work. The instrumental ‘Declaration’ is the sev-
would expect, with vocalist 90s, we were invigorated it's bang up to date with opener is thick and imme- enth studio effort from hard
Alexx Stahl at full power by their riot grrl attitude, 'Tied To The Tracks', which diately packed full of rockers Red, and it is also
and hitting impressive high seeped in discordant gothic sounds just as heavy and Southern rock goodness their first independent re-
notes. ‘The Devil Made Me angst and alt. punk fuzz. with the same powerful and when it's time for Luke lease since departing from
Do It’ has a fantastic, fast- And to some extent, ‘She groove as on 'Shock'. From Phillips to open his mouth their major label home of
paced rhythm, hammering Thinks She’s Punk Rock N the same album we also and add his quality to the 12 years. With no restric-
drums, frenetic guitars, and Roll’, the first track on get the live debuts of 'Cali- song it becomes mighty. tions weighing them down,
shout-along gang chorus. Hands Off Gretel’s ‘The fornia Summer Song' and It's actually a little hard to the quartet have been al-
Power ballad ‘When An Old Angry EP’, is reminiscent of 'Forever Loving You', which believe this quartet hail lowed to spread their
Man Cries’ is emotive in Jack Off Jill. There’s a arguably sound even better from the rock-generating wings, resulting in what is
full-on rock mode, and magical sound of calamity, acoustically, given the laid- hot bed of the UK which is their heaviest album to
even more so as the which climaxes with an in- back feel of the former and Wales as their Southern date. The opening track,
acoustic reprise closing the tense scream from vocalist the heartfelt sweetness of rock roots are so strong ‘All For You’, is powerful -
album, while title track Lauren Tate. Lauren uses the latter. you would be forgiven for both lyrically and musically
‘Fistful Of Fire’ is an out- comments such as ‘She’s Given the setting, we assuming they come from – grabbing your attention
raged battle cry against such a stupid girl’ to pas- are suitably treated to a a different part of the world instantly. It is definitely a
ecological harms done to sionately fuel her musical faithful run-through of their but this is surely wonderful good sign of what is to fol-
the planet. It’s a high-oc- art. ‘Don’t Touch’ is full of cover of the Beatles classic news for fans of this kind of low. During songs such as
tane, no-holds-barred fire while ‘Bigger Than Me’, 'We Can Work It Out', foot-stomping rock who ‘Infidel’, ‘The Victim’ and
barnstormer of an album, a song related to the sex recorded, as they say, in now have some home- ‘Only Fight’ singer Michael
within which the dazzling industry, sees Lauren one the very same room back grown heroes to support Barnes’ vocals switch from
solo guitar of second in- minute musing sultrily with in 1965. Playing the nor- rather than waiting on the ethereal to guttural; it’s fer-
strumental ‘Fire Etude’ is a sense of strength until mally much heavier 'Miles next visit of some interna- vent and raw. With its soar-
worth a special mention for she seethingly screams Away' in an acoustic gig re- tional stars. 'Find My Way', ing melody, ‘The War We
the pure skill on display. ‘Bigger Than Me’. The end ally gives the emotional, and later, 'West Of Forever' Made’ will resonate with
YYYY of the song sees her reveal meaningful lyrics time to is where the Monster Truck many. Reminding us that
Clare Huckett ‘Mary had a lamb dead in stand out and hit home, comparisons will no doubt we ourselves are the cause
the freezer’ before ‘Mary’s plus the always sincere come into play as the band of the destruction going on
CRIMSON STAR not my friend anymore’. and stripped-back 'What introduces a more melodic, in our own lives; if you want
THE OLDE DAWG EP Four-piece Hands Off Gre- You Give' shines even but still heavy beat to their things to be different you
(CRIMSON STAR) tel, and in particular, vocal- more here, with Jeff Keith's repertoire and from here have to wake up, be strong
Birmingham-based ist/guitarist Lauren Tate impressive vocals adding they manage to blend both and fight for change. ‘The
rockers Crimson Star's EP, show so much power and the final heartfelt layer. of these characteristics to Evening Hate’ and ‘Sever’
‘The Olde Dawg’, show- are definitely a force to be Elsewhere, we get rarely- make for a highly memo- (the latter co-written with
cases their talent as a reckoned with. played single 'Call It What rable debut LP. 'Standing Breaking Benjamin’s Keith
band. The passion they YYYY You Want' and forgotten Stones' was a great choice Wallen), are also strong,
have for rock is undeniable; SBV gem 'Stir It Up' from 1991's for a lead single and, standout tracks. Equally
this EP is electrifying in superb ' Psychotic Supper' alongside 'The Witch's compelling and profound is
more ways than one. 'Liv- TESLA album, together with 'Par- King', boasts some quite ‘From The Ashes’; it’s clas-
ing A Lie' kicks off the EP FIVE MAN LONDON JAM adise', one of Tesla's very superb guitar work and sic Red.
with its powerful, rock-filled (UMC) best and passionate per- 'Victorious (Take My You can really hear
sounds. The strong riffs California hard rockers formances, plus their Chains)' is a hugely infec- every bit of heart and soul
and powerhouse vocals Tesla celebrate the 30th biggest hit, the show-con- tious anthem with an ab- each band member has
are something to be ad- anniversary of their hugely cluding 'Love Song', which solutely banging poured into this body of
mired. 'Norma' is heavy successful and influential always has everyone instrumental which helps it work. Red are renowned
rock driven by riffs and live acoustic album 'Five singing along and ends stand out as an album for delivering music that is
drums. This is a track Man Acoustical Jam' with things on an extremely highlight. At the other end intensely emotive; ‘Decla-
packed with energy not to this follow-up release, positive note. of the scale, 'The Crow' ration’ is further proof of
be forgotten. Spine-tingling recorded last year in front This is an album that highlights their softer, but that.
hooks and amplified of a select audience at really showcases the tal- still just as impactful, side YYYY
sounds make 'Norma' a London's legendary Abbey ents of one of hard rock's and, despite being a more Penny Gower

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