Page 6 - Black Velvet Magazine Issue 106

BV106 pg 06.qxp_BV106 pg 06 11/05/2022 18:47 Page 1

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work on ‘The Vulture Club’ a whacking double punch. styles, from the stomping track, but not when Crobot
that makes you stop what Another triumph is the bal- intro and chorus rhythms to perform it. Mouth organ
you’re doing and look at ance of the musicianship, the lighter, clearer verses pumped up to ten, the
your music player, as it is spearheaded by guitarist and sparkling solo. ‘Pulling opening lyric of ‘Dust off
so impressive. You can Stu Bailey, who commands Me Under’ has a hint of your shoes, get ready to
definitely tell that this band numerous cool riffs funky bass rhythms but is go, there ain’t another thing
is in it for the long haul and throughout the record, and otherwise a straight hard you need to know’ should
at the top of their game. the vocals of Will Taylor. rocker. ‘No Regrets’ has an tell you everything you
In ‘The Worst Is Yet To What’s great is that these alt. vibe, interesting rhythm need as this is the song the
Come’ Chris sings ‘I hate guys have much more to changes and a lot of ap- world needs to shake off
what I’ve become’ – but we come, and we definitely peal. ‘Stranded Alone’ the blues of the last couple
FOZZY love what Fozzy has be- look forward to seeing mixes a heavier guitar, of years and, indeed, look
BOOMBOX come, and think this is their where they go from here. pounding drum intro and forward to better times. And
(MASCOT) best album yet. While pre- YYYY hard-rocking choruses with ‘Feel This’ continues to
If ever you need an vious album ‘Judas’ re- Michael Coventry a reggae bounce on the suggest better times are
album or band to remind cently received gold verses which shouldn’t re- ahead, especially when it
you how much you love certification, this album is ally work but, surprisingly, comes to a Crobot show in
music, take a listen to deserving of the same, if does. There’s a similar the future. The belting an-
‘Boombox’, Fozzy’s new not more. An album you bounce to ‘Fade’, while them that is ‘Livin’ On The
album, the follow-up to definitely need in your col- closer ‘Surround You’ has Streets’ is destined to be a
their 2017 release ‘Judas’. lection. the faintest hint of Spanish highlight live, as will their
We have definitely not felt YYYYY guitar rhythms leading to a epic tribute song ‘Golden’,
this renewed and invigo- Shari Black Velvet heavier, doom-laden mid- their nod to Chris Cornell,
rated in a long time. Open- section which eases up to while the supremely
ing with the powerhouse WHITE RAVEN DOWN the end but cuts out quite melodic ‘Dance With The
‘Sane’, ‘Boombox’ is an DON’T SHOOT THE MES- abruptly. What you will al- Dead’ will surely become
album you need like blood SENGER ways get from Beardsley is the party piece of their live
in your veins. ‘Sane’ is (ROULETTE MEDIA) FONZY & COMPANY phenomenal guitar work tour. ‘Let’s go dance with
packed with killer riffs, pow- A killer debut album is TOUCHÉ and strong vocals, these the dead, they know how to
erful drumming and a men- sometimes the most pow- (FONZY & COMPANY) are decent songs delivered kill it,’ Brandon cries in the
acing bass, which hardly let erful weapon a band can It’s been a while since well. A good second album. latter piece and while that
up throughout the album. have in their arsenal when we’ve heard a band with YYYY is true, so too do Crobot.
You can feel the passion they are looking to break male and female vocals Clare Huckett So make sure you get a
burning through the moti- free from their local scene sounding this good to- good feel of ‘Feel This’;
vational ‘I Still Burn’, a driv- and move to the next level. gether. Bristol-based quin- CROBOT you’ll feel better for doing it.
ing force of an anthem. And, with ‘Don’t Shoot The tet Fonzy & Company are FEEL THIS YYYY
‘Even when they think I’m Messenger’, Essex-based like a hidden gem in the UK (MASCOT) Michael Coventry
at my end I get up again, I quartet White Raven Down music scene. Their four- In a time where it is
still burn,’ sings Chris Jeri- have packed some heavy track EP ‘Touché’ kicks off nigh on impossible to have HALESTORM
cho in this exhilarating and artillery into their cannons with the buoyant and up- a unique sound, Crobot do. BACK FROM THE DEAD
inspiring gem. with more than enough beat ‘The Kids Stay Home’ And, if you are unfamiliar (ATLANTIC)
‘Army Of One’ is a power to explode them for- and the sound of summer. with the Crobot sound, it’s The last couple of
slightly solemn tune. It has ward. It’s been nearly four The combination of male time to catch up and, with years have been tough, but
wise, reflecting words. ‘If years since their debut EP, and female vocals help fourth studio album ‘Feel Halestorm are even
you crash and burn, just ‘Conspiracy’, came to be make a sublime song. This’, there is no better tougher. The four-piece
start again, because the and the progression is re- Razor-sharp riffs open the time. Whether it’s Brandon have previously shown us
sting of a failure doesn’t markable, but there are a song, while the melodies Yeagley’s distinctive vo- their ‘Vicious’ side in 2018,
hurt as bad as giving up’. few things the band have are pure magic. ‘Precious cals, the band’s amazing but now they are un-
It’s another song that really done to help ensure ‘Don’t Malicious’ has a slightly gifts for groovy riffs, that leashed and are snarling
pierces the heart. There’s a Shoot The Messenger’ is a dark tone to it. It begins teeny, tiny pinch of a stoner and biting even harder –
fab little guitar solo by Rich fitting follow-up. Opener with the male and female rock element or a combina- especially in the opening
Ward too. ‘Ugly On The In- ‘Demons At Your Door’ has vocals back and forth be- tion of all three, there is title track ‘Back From The
side’ has a slightly fiendish, it, but so too do ‘Not Alone’ fore coming together in the something which makes Dead’. The only thing miss-
twisted tone – and almost a and ‘Masquerade’ a little chorus. The song, and this Pennsylvanian-based ing are canines in Lzzy’s
twist in the tale at the end. later on, and that is epic whole of the EP, includes outfit just that little bit differ- photo on the album cover.
Chris sings ‘You’re ugly on openings. The former and some impressive guitar ent from the competition. Songs like ‘Wicked Ways’
the inside’ before ‘It makes latter songs are brooding, work. ‘No Way (Man You’re All these elements are pre- and ‘The Steeple’ give you
me want you more, maybe while ‘Not Alone’ grabs you Old)’ is punchy and upbeat, sent and correct for album adrenaline chills; they’re
we’re both the same, ugly by the throat, but these while ‘The Serenade’ has a opener ‘Electrified’, as full of power, energy, pur-
to the core’. openings are grand and lulling, timeless tone to it. close to a Crobot-sounding pose and full-blooded hard
The band make ambitious and if they don’t It’s the sort of song you’ll song as you can get and rock. ‘Strange Girl’ is for
Frankie Goes To Holly- have you hooked by the be swaying along to. At the one which fans will lap up. anyone that doesn’t fit in,
wood’s ‘Relax’ their own. time the songs hit second end of ‘The Kids Stay We’re also treated to the as Lzzy sings ‘the world
Their cover version sounds gear, you are more than in- Home’ the band sings wonderful, foot-stomping needs strange girls just like
as good as the original. trigued. Live, the band are ‘yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah’, banger that is ‘Dizzy’. This me’, but it’s the final track,
The dance pop classic is better known for their hard and you will be thinking track is also a fine introduc- ‘Raise Your Horns’, where
pumping and fits right in rocking, bordering-on-80s, ‘yeah’ at the end of it too! tion to the record’s main the frontwoman sounds
with the rest of the album. trademark heavy metal YYYY theme of human nature truly stunning, singing with
Programmed electronics ways, but songs like ‘Mas- Shari Black Velvet and is a tale of volatile re- just a piano as backing - it
are sprinkled throughout querade’, ‘The Road’ and lationships. There are really touches your heart
the album. They stand out the sublime ‘Salvation’ DANNY BEARDSLEY plenty of interesting ele- and soul. ‘We all need
during ‘My Great Wall’. show their softer side. And CHASE THE SUN ments to discover within something to keep believ-
Chris sings about ‘brick by their positioning on the (DANNY BEARDSLEY) the 12 songs on offer, per- ing’, Lzzy sings in ‘Bright-
brick’, and this song is rock album works perfectly, Singer/songwriter haps none more so than side’, and Halestorm
solid, like a wall. ‘Omen’ is making them stand out all Danny Beardsley is back ‘Better Times’. A song of definitely keep us believing
evil-sounding, quite indus- the more and giving the with his second solo that name in 2022, given in them. A life-affirming re-
trial with electronics, brood- heavier tracks more album, very much in the what the world has en- lease from the four-piece
ing guitars and bass, plus oomph, while leaving ‘Lost classic rock mould. Opener dured and continues to en- from Red Lion, PA.
penetrating vocals by Your Hold’ and ‘Void And ‘The Chance To Live’ dure, may typically signify a YYYYY
Chris. There’s some guitar Flame’ to close things with jumps around a variety of slower, more brooding Shari Black Velvet

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