Page 8 - Black Velvet Magazine Issue 107

BV107 albums pg 08.qxp_BV107 pg 08 04/12/2022 17:39 Page 1

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So, yes, 'Pawns & KENSHIRO! unique Texan rockers have likely already forged
Kings' doesn't quite rein- DEATH GRIP EP Nothing More when vocal- an opinion on Nothing
vent the Alter Bridge wheel (PUNCH-IN-THE-FACE) ist Jonny Hawkins cries More but if nothing else,
but it does confirm its posi- Metal fans unite; this is ‘some people's minds just 'Spirits' is more than suffi-
tion as one of the best and one gritty, rocking, head- aren't worth changing, cient that if you are not a
longest-standing in rock banging EP to get stuck some people's games just fan to make you give them
today. into. KENSHIRO! are a aren't worth playing’ and another listen.
YYYY Norwegian metalcore trio, this is a very apt lyric when YYYY
Michael Coventry self-producing this kicker of considering the bands sixth Michael Coventry
a debut EP, ‘Death Grip’. studio album 'Spirits'. From
Get ready to feel the ag- the moment 'Turn It Up
ALTER BRIDGE gression and heavy, stand- Like (Stand In The Fire)'
PAWNS & KINGS out drums and guitar solos kicks into top gear there is
(NAPALM) amidst the melodic and no denying that this record
While some artists striking nature of the bass is going to be a full-on as-
reach a crossroads in their and vocals that provide a sault on the senses and a
career and decide to take a release and means of es- quite brilliant, sometimes
sharp turn and try some- cape for the anger and bananas, blend of heavy
thing new, when it comes emotion within, or an as- rock, nu-metal and proba-
to global giants Alter Bridge sertively dynamic five-track bly some other stuff that
and their seventh studio EP to sink your metalcore you can't quite define
album 'Pawns & Kings', SKID ROW teeth into, or both, at full which all helps make Noth- THE HUNNA
they have elected to con- THE GANG’S ALL HERE volume of course! ing More... well, Nothing THE HUNNA
tinue on their tried and (EARMUSIC) Lyrics add a depth to More. (LMW)
trusted path, which will de- This is Skid Row’s first this infectiously tenacious But any fears that this Releasing their fourth
light fans. Myles Kennedy full album in 16 years and EP with an inspiration to is just more of the same is record, the self-titled album
and Mark Tremonti are fast the wait has most definitely get up and go, to cry, to quickly dispelled with 'You from The Hunna is a fitting
becoming rock's latest been worth it. If you’re fight, to live. Lyrics like Don’t Know What Love transition from their strug-
greatest double act and looking for an album that is ‘Stand by, we are ready to Means', a song which not gles in the music industry
there is plenty to support a rock ‘n’ roll riot from start fight’ and ‘We go hard ‘til only slows the pace of the and life in general, and
this here. It is evident from to finish, this is it. It’s partly the day we drop’ in ‘Trojan album, but increases the their previous album, ‘I’d
opening track 'This Is War'. thanks to producer Nick Horse’ and ‘I refuse to be amount of passion and Rather Die Than Let You
From Myles' soaring vo- Raskulinecz, who is no bound’ in ‘Death Grip’. emotion poured into the In’, released mid-pandemic
cals, that have already es- stranger to hard rock re- Guest vocals by Charlet songs tenfold and when in 2020. This 13-track
tablished him as one of the leases after producing al- September on ‘Who Will Jonny sings the chorus and album is a true display of
most respected and tal- bums for the likes of Save Us?’, provide a sub- the song title you can liter- the band that the fans love,
ented frontmen in the Halestorm, Alice In Chains lime, fanciful and other- ally hear the heartbreak a trio who have been
genre today, to Mark's epic and Foo Fighters. Another worldly layer to an already being pumped into words. through so much in recent
and spellbinding guitar part is due to new vocalist intoxicatingly intense track, It's something you would years and a band who are
work, supported tremen- Erik Grönwall, previously of so prepare for a whirlwind come to expect from your unapologetically them-
dously by the powerhouse H.E.A.T., bringing his ex- of journey throughout this standard rock ballad but selves throughout each
drum work of Scott Phillips, traordinary vocal talents to debut EP. An already epic this is no ballad and that and every word, riff and
this is as Alter Bridge as it the camp. ‘We are resur- EP, ‘Death Grip EP’ is fur- makes it all the more spe- drumbeat. You will find
gets. And the same can be rected’, Erik sings in ‘Res- ther enhanced with what cial. yourself taking a ride
said for much of the record, urrected’ and these songs feels almost like a U-turn And it's not just the through each track, from
but there are exceptions have not just brought the from the full-throttle, high- emotions of their frontman the calm before the storm
which make this stand out. band back to life, but make octane atmosphere cre- which are stamped through instrumental of initial track
'Silver Tongue' is an unde- us listeners feel alive too. ated in the first four tracks 'Spirits' but there are fre- ‘The Storm’, with its hints of
niable highlight, blasting Songs such as the title with a final, acoustic ver- quent examples of the sub- synths and electronic
away with a mesmerising track, ‘The Gang’s All sion of the track ‘Death lime musicianship of notes, to the ‘let’s rock the
riff, which is then accompa- Here’, are hip-shaking, Grip’. A calming and yet guitarist Mark Vollelunga, house down and find our
nied by Myles' harmonies high-octane clusters of lyrically hard-hitting track to bassist Daniel Oliver and way through these strug-
which, at times, could eas- sparkling gold. ‘Not Dead end with, this acoustic ver- drummer Ben Anderson, all gles’ of tracks like ‘Sick’,
ily be mistaken for one of Yet’ almost has a hint of sion broadens your realisa- excellent individually, but with elements of gentle vo-
the musical instruments of Steel Panther to it, while tion to the skills and talent when they collide together, cals, that you can rely on
his bandmates. This is des- further solidifying that Skid of this awesome trio that is like a multi-vehicle car heading straight into high
tined to become a firm Row are firing on all cylin- KENSHIRO! Be ready for a crash, the results are just gear with energetic guitar
favourite in the band’s back ders again. Dave ‘Snake’ rollercoaster ride from this stunning. The instrumental moments too. An album
catalogue. Another high- Sabo and Scotti Hill’s guitar EP that will have you sections of 'Don’t Look that is lyrically hard-hitting
light of the album is the in- work scorches. The siz- chanting along and head- Back' are a prime example and a statement to ‘screw
creased use of Tremonti's zling solo followed by Erik’s banging at full blast, provid- and the ferocity of the song you, you do you, I’ll do me’;
underrated vocal abilities. almost glass-shattering vo- ing a way to really engross leaves you exhausted at its a statement certainly more
In 'Sin After Sin', he offers cals are enough to blaze yourself within the music at conclusion. If 'Don’t Look than evident in a track that
some brilliantly subtle holes through flesh. ‘Time a number of levels, from Back' isn't enough of an in- will by far be a fan
backing vocals to make for Bomb’ has a sludgy drag to the rapid and nimble beats spiration for you then fear favourite, ‘Trash’. There’s
a quite lovely duet with the intro before psychotic of the drums to the alluring not, as there is plenty more certainly no going back, fin-
Myles and this is some- ‘tick tick tick’s take over. vocals from both Geo on to be found, 'The Other F ishing with ‘The Calm’, a
thing the band should seri- The catchy ‘I’m a ticking drums and Sahan on gui- Word', which calls on lis- track that starts slow and
ously consider more of in timebomb, tick, tick, tick, tar, and Charlet’s guest ap- teners to ‘call out the fake’ chill, exploding and reflect-
the future. Likewise, in tick, boom’ is energizing, pearance on the track will no doubt resonate with ing on where the band
'Stay', it is Mark who takes before another captivating ‘Who Will Save Us?’. many and is a shining ex- have been and where they
a step into the spotlight solo shines. If you want to YYYY ample of a song whose may head next. This self-ti-
with lead vocals. It's ar- feel motivated by rock Sammie Lynch lyrics demand closer atten- tled album will have you
guable that on its own this music again, then you def- tion beyond the head-slam- rocking out throughout the
song wouldn't be seen as initely need ‘The Gang’s All NOTHING MORE ming music. indie, pop-punk and alt-
among the band’s best Here’ in your music collec- SPIRITS Which brings us nicely rock ambience pumping
work but, in the midst of the tion. ‘The Gang’s All Here’ (BETTER NOISE) to the words we started out of your speakers at full
record, it's an excellent and we’re all ears. There is a very with from 'Valhalla (Too volume, no doubt.
change of pace and that YYYYY poignant line to be discov- Young To See)'. This far YYYY
alone gives it greater merit. Shari Black Velvet ered within the new work of down the line most will Sammie Lynch
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