Page 25 - Black Velvet Rock Magazine Issue 110

BV110 pg25.qxp_BV110 pg 25 13/06/2024 22:21 Page 1

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

ergy blasting through your (in tracks like ‘Faces’, es- punk rock experience. The itching for more. The first
speakers kicks off this al- pecially) is clear to see fusion of Mason, Luke, half of 'Force Of Nature' is
ternative album with open- across the whole album, Lee, Aaron and Josh is a as good as anything you
ing track, ‘Nothing Left’, giving you an insatiable finely-tuned collective, op- will likely listen to in 2024.
with undertones of elec- craving for not only more, erating seamlessly in a The title track is a rip-roar-
tronically intoxicating notes but to see them perform symphony of collaboration. ing slab of classic rock and
that leave you hanging on live too. Crushed By Lyrics like ‘Now it all makes a perfect introduction to the
Arran’s vocals word for Waves have taken control sense to me,’ in ‘Drop The talents of frontman John
word, as you are encour- here, learning who they Act’, and ‘I’ve lost my mind, Hartwell and lead guitarist
aged to open your mind. are, and their capability is jump ship, I'm falling every Arran Day, who are a sub-
The track ‘Optimistic’ demonstrated in every night,’ in the final track, lime pairing and bounce off
SCREAMING EAGLES evokes a sense of reflec- track of this stunning ‘Jump Ship’, showcase the each other spectacularly
HIGH CLASS ROCK ‘N’ tion with lyrics like ‘Why do album. The boys are, quite band’s knack for crafting throughout the album.
ROLL I let your opinion affect me simply, masterful musi- catchy and relatable songs Their skills are likely to be
(SCREAMING EAGLES) so bad?’ and ‘Will it ever be cians, who weave captivat- that blend impactful lyrics the first thing to grab the at-
Screaming Eagles re- enough, it’s never good ing narratives into each with memorable melodies. tention of anyone new to
leased their third studio enough, we don’t really track, and across the ‘Jump Ship’ accentuates the band. The form of the
album, ‘High Class Rock give a fuck but you do’, a album as a whole. So, the guitarists’ expertise title track continues in
‘N’ Roll’, towards the tail track that makes you real- whilst you’re left thinking, ‘I mid-track, displaying mas- earnest with 'The Family'
end of last year, and it’s a ize that it’s not worth hang- just need to make this last,’ terful skills with precision and 'Black Gold', where
stonker. Packed full of glo- ing on to others’ opinions by hitting that repeat but- and finesse, before the their blues influences shine
rious riffs, it’s ten tracks of and that when you’ve ton, this album, ‘More To track gently tapers off, em- through and offer two
full-on, horns-up rock ‘n’ made your bed, you have Life’, is just the beginning bracing a gradual, slower cracking songs that will
roll. ‘Thunder And Light- to lie in it. There’s certainly for these truly gifted lads. finish, accompanied by lin- have your hips shaking
ning’ comes thrusting out of no getting out alive from Prepare yourselves for gering vocals that resonate even if you are sitting
the speakers, jumping becoming a fan if you aren't quite the journey ahead. softly into the musical si- down, before 'Testify’ intro-
straight into your face and already, with tracks like YYYYY lence. From the outset, this duces some sleaze to the
pulling your ears along for ‘Won’t Get Out Alive’, as Sammie Lynch EP, ‘Premonitions’, exudes mix. ‘She tastes like sugar
the exhilarating ride. ‘We’re Dan and Andy cast a spell irresistible rhythms that and goes down like honey’
gonna show you tonight,’ with their light fingers and compels toe-tapping and may sound like the latest
Chris Fry sings, and this expertly demonstrated head-bopping to the max. lyric from Steel Panther,
four-piece definitely show prowess on their guitars. Fortune Teller has honed but These Wicked Rivers
that they know what they’re The album’s title track, the skill in creating such perform it with a level of
doing. ‘Burn It Down’ is ‘More To Life’, offers an en- rhythms with the raw and class which is, in itself, im-
flaming fantastic, while chanting start, as Arran’s emotional lyrics that take pressive. All this pales,
‘Public Enemy’ begins like softer vocals initially lull you on a journey, capturing though, to 'When The War
a bolt of electric lightning you into a trance with this your entire being. So, pre- Is Won', where the pace
over a fist-punching beat. ballad-style tempo, before pare yourself for an awe-in- slows and this emotionally
The title track has a classic going full-throttle. Boys, we spiring experience that will loaded five and half min-
blues rock vibe with a hope you can hear our re- leave you craving an en- utes dazzles, none more
slightly sludgy, hard-as- sponse to letting you know FORTUNE TELLER core. so than when John steps
nails chorus. In ‘Hot Stuff’, we all feel it too, as the PREMONITIONS YYYYY aside and hands the spot-
Chris sings, ‘all your love electricity is buzzing (FORTUNE TELLER) Sammie Lynch light to Arran, whose instru-
makes me invincible’. through the air already. ‘Premonitions’ raises mental piece is nothing
These guys are definitely This standout track takes the pop-punk rock bar with short of breathtaking.
invincible when it comes to you on a journey even at this fast-paced, high-en- But what makes this
writing quality rock tunes. the bridge section, taking ergy EP from Fortune song so impactful and
‘High Class Rock ‘N’ Roll’ is both the track and album to Teller, a five-piece band noteworthy is because it
exactly what it says. Go get a whole new level, as ele- hailing from Rhondda Val- stands out from what
it. ments of screamo hit leys, South Wales. Form- comes before it. The com-
YYYYY alongside heavier, grittier ing in late 2022, Fortune bination of further slow
Shari Black Velvet guitars from Dan and Andy, Teller comprises of Mason burners, 'Just to be a Man',
not to mention the artistry Meacham (vocals), Luke 'Don't Pray for Me' and
CRUSHED BY WAVES of Tom’s delicate yet hard- Jones (rhythm guitar), Lee 'Lonely Road', the latter not
MORE TO LIFE hitting skills on the drums, Vaughan (bass guitar & being out of place on a
(DOWN FOR LIFE before the track tinkers off backing vocals), Aaron THESE WICKED RIVERS Johnny Cash album, in a
MUSIC) into more electronic com- Parfitt (lead guitar), and FORCE OF NATURE five-song stretch is a little
Hailing from Manch- ponents, before coming Josh Davies (drums). Fore- (FAT EARTH) heavy-handed, as 'The
ester, UK, Crushed By back around full circle into seeing the need for an 'Force Of Nature' is a Riverboat Man and 'Lord
Wave, made up of Arran the main part of the track. electrifying surge of energy very apt title for the second Knows', as good as they
Prime (vocals), Dan Collict Whether you feel as to blow us away, there is no full-length record from are, are just not enough of
(guitar), Andy Hoskinson though you’re ‘Close To preparing for just how cap- Derby-based quartet a pallet cleanser to give
(guitar) and Tom West The Edge’ or not, this aptly- tivating this EP is, with its These Wicked Rivers as these songs the same feel-
(drums) burst onto the named track, with its high effortless rhythmic beats the songs it bears establish ing that 'When the War is
scene with their single, energy, has a bridge sec- pulling you in from the sec- their blend of southern, Won' provides, which is a
‘Ceiling’, in late 2020. tion that builds anticipation ond you press play. From bluesy, with a tiny hint of shame. Nonetheless, as
There’ll be nothing left but like no other. It elicits the the first track, ‘Starting country rock, as exactly John cries in 'When The
admiration and the lust for sensation of the pick-me- Again’, right through to that. It's fitting, as well, that War Is Won', ‘I can walk
more from the boys of up you didn’t know you ‘Jump Ship’, it showcases the album coincides with with my head held high,’
Crushed By Waves after needed, both physically an array of melodic and the band’s 10th anniver- rings very true and These
debuting their first album, and mentally. In its entirety, fast-paced guitar riffs, dy- sary and affirms that they Wicked Rivers certainly
‘More To Life’, having put this debut album is a mas- namically flawless drum are here for the long run, can and most definitely
their all into this adventure terpiece, which projects an beats and infectious hooks and, with the quality of should.
that they’ve been on since energy like no other, as the that explode through to tracks on offer here, it will YYYY
forming. A hurricane of en- excavation of their minds create a thrilling new pop- leave fans old and new Michael Coventry
ALBUMS