Page 31 - Black Velvet Rock Magazine Issue 111

BV111 albums pg31.qxp_BV111 pg 31 12/12/2024 17:20 Page 1

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fier’). There are ballads that heart. ‘It’s a struggle wak- recognisable and remark- CHRISSY COSTANZA
tug on the heartstrings. The ing up in the morning, I’m ably unique, not to mention VII
emotional ‘Happy Wedding sick of giving over my time, silky smooth and powerful (CHRISSY COSTANZA)
Day (Alex’s Song)’, takes a I’m always thinking I’m all at the same time. But Debut solo albums are
sidestep from the overall going nowhere, that’s life,’ 'The Art of Letting Go' also always an interesting ani-
theme for a moment, allow- Baz sings. It’s a song that reminds us, not that it's mal, and especially so
ing the listener to be part of has hit home with many, needed, of his incredible when they come from an
something more intimate. and, if any song stands the songwriting ability and tal- established act. Which way
This song is an open letter, test of time, this one will. ent for penning a catchy will they go when they are
written by frontman John ‘The Good Die Young’ and infectious hook and riff. left to their own devices? In
Cooper, to honour his (featuring Hundred Rea- The 10 songs on this the case of Chrissy
SKILLET daughter - who he shares sons’ Colin Doran) has album are all worthy of Costanza, fans of her reg-
REVOLUTION with Korey (guitarist/key- such an anthemic beat. your attention, and, in the ular feature as the talented
(HEAR IT LOUD) boardist) - for her wedding The chant of ‘We will die on title track, 'Behind The Veil', frontwoman of Against The
Skillet’s first release as day. this hill, we will die on this and 'Miss You When You're Current will not be disap-
an independent artist car- From start to end, hill,’ sticks in your head Gone', there are some real pointed as her solo record,
ries a strong title: ‘Revolu- ‘Revolution’ is a poignant long after the song has fin- bangers. Admittedly, this 'VII', falls very much under
tion’. It’s one which could and powerful offering. Skil- ished. ‘All We Got’ is a record isn't likely to win the banner of more of the
be mistaken as a political let always find a way to up- super-catchy, shake-your- Myles any new fans who same, albeit with a very im-
reference, but that is not lift and encourage the body number, while ‘Cool aren’t already familiar with portant twist. Given that
how it is intended. ‘A revo- listener, to have hope, to Like A Fox’ is a real charac- his talents, but it will further Against The Current came
lution to love your ene- believe that things can, and ter, with blistering, stadium- your admiration and re- onto the scene a decade
mies,’ is how John Cooper will, get better. No matter rock guitar riffs. spect for a true genera- ago, it is easy to forget the
explains it. This album cov- what your beliefs may be, ‘Earth To Grace’ is a tional talent and give you a still young age Chrissy is
ers a theme of being willing we all can agree with Skil- high-quality, top-class re- great reason to catch him and that this amazing
to stand up for what you let on one thing - love is the lease that makes not just next time he plays live. woman has grown up in
believe in, while being un- most important thing. Let Lancashire, but UK rockers And, for those reasons, it's front of our eyes. So, while
derstanding and tolerant the revolution begin. as a whole, proud. Some- a triumph. the music itself of 'VII' may
towards the beliefs of other YYYY thing may be missing on YYYY not yield too many sur-
people, even if you do not Penny Gower TV, but absolutely nothing Michael Coventry prises, the lyrical content
agree. It’s a topic that, iron- is missing on this album. might. This is a much more
ically, causes arguments YYYYY THE FUNERAL POR- mature record than we
galore. Now that the band Shari Black Velvet TRAIT have come to expect from
have more control over CASANOVA (FROM BE- Chrissy, and, the deeper
what they do, they are able MYLES KENNEDY YOND THE ABYSS) you delve into the words of
to delve into areas that THE ART OF LETTING BETTER NOISE the songs, the more re-
may have been deemed GO ‘Casanova (From Be- warded you will be, and it is
‘unsuitable’ before. (NAPALM) yond The Abyss)’ is a four- likely these words will strike
“Ready. Set. Show-
Some things in life are
time!” These opening just so. They are exactly track EP from The Funeral a chord with the majority
Portrait, celebrating their
who listen to it. Throughout
words are the signal for what they say on the tin. ten-year existence as a songs like opener 'But,
your attention during the And this is the case when band. The outfit, fronted by What If I Fly?', ‘Pick Your
10-course delivery of Skil- MASSIVE WAGONS you come across anything Lee Jennings, originally Poison' and 'Some Like It
let’s 12th studio effort. The EARTH TO GRACE with Myles Kennedy's recorded ‘Casanova (C’est Hot' are questions and sub-
amped up ‘Showtime’ is the (EARACHE) name on it. You know what La Vie)’ back in 2014. Now, jects on relationships and
perfect starter, full of en- Massive Wagons’ sev- you are going to get and a decade later, they’ve difficult life choices, which
ergy and intent. ‘Unpopu- enth studio album stormed you know it's going to be chosen to release a new, enhance the saccharine
lar’, the first single, is a ‘me into the UK charts at No. 4, good. Unless you have reimagined version of the sweet, pop punk-ness her
against the (online) world’ and it was a place well de- been living under a rock or song. The band has sound has become known
anthem. Lyrics such as served. Working with pro- are brand new to rock changed somewhat since for and is perfectly suited
‘When darkness divides us, ducer Matt O’Grady, the music, you'll be familiar 2014, both in sound and in to. But what sets this
I believe that love can con- five-piece have delivered a with Myles' name. And, if members. The new version record apart is its closer, 'I
quer all,’ found within the long-player full of cracking fronting Alter Bridge is his of ‘Casanova’ bears a more Tried To Act Your Age', a
beautiful ‘All That Matters’, tunes. ‘Earth To Grace’ day job and partnering with poised stature and a more story soaked in heartache
and ‘Sing a revolution kicks off with ‘Sleep For- Slash is his weekend job, vibrant, anthemic chorus. and regret and bolstered,
song, we got the fire of ever’, which races along then his solo project is There’s still an element of by its stripped-down ap-
hope in our hearts, march like a Motorhead classic, clearly his bit on the side, post hardcore towards the proach, which helps lyrics
to the beat of love,’ from full steam ahead, weaving but it's obvious it receives end of the song, with dark such as ‘’Cause when he
the title track, showcase in and out to get exactly just as much love and at- and heavy drums lunging killed the motor, had to
the overall message this where they want on time. If tention. It makes you won- at you, but the song, as a grow up too fast’ hit home
album is conveying. the race is on, these Lan- der if the man has whole, now has a new, all the harder and allow you
Having a career that
spans almost 30 years, cashire guys are currently discovered a new 48-hour fresh breath of air. The to appreciate that, under a
in the lead. Second track,
beautiful song, is a terrible
four-track EP also includes
day, eight-day week, as it
here is a band that have re- ‘Missing On TV’, is full of defies belief that he finds ‘Chernobyl’, ‘Hearse For story which Chrissy has
fined their sound, one that melody and hooks, as is time to fit all this into one Two’ and ‘Dopamine’, the been brave enough to
has been labelled within ‘Free And Easy’, both lifetime, and his third solo latter seeing The Funeral share, and will likely offer
numerous categories: being instant favourites album, 'The Art of Letting Portrait nestling into a seat comfort to those in a similar
Christian rock, industrial from the very first listen. Go', does nothing less than in between Muse and My situation. So, when she
rock, nu-metal, alternative Barry ‘Baz’ Mills sings hon- enhance even further the Chemical Romance. The asks in the aforementioned
rock/metal and even pop- est, shrewd lyrics that can reputation of one of the solacing ‘Hearse For Two’ first song, ‘Maybe I'll fall out
rock. Sonically, the songs uplift listeners. ‘Remember, modern day rock and roll is the one that will perforate of the sky, but, what if I fly?
on ‘Revolution’ do not devi- you’re never alone. And if greats. Solo records are your heart though, with Thinking that door was a
ate too far from anything you’re trying to reach too often an interesting affair lyrics about how ‘The wall, I guess I had the key
we’ve heard from Skillet in far, just remember, folks, as they tend to reveal ex- cemetery’s closed today, after all’, it's a question she
the past. There are an- you’re great the way you actly what an individual but I brought flowers any- does need to ask. The lock
thems that are wrapped in are,’ he sings in the latter. brings to the band, which way’. Emo rock hasn’t has been smashed and
turmoil (‘Fire Inside Of ‘Night Skies’ is a true has helped forge their rep- sounded this good in so she isn't just flying, she's
Me’), in loyalty (‘Defector’) gem. It has such a smooth utation and with Myles, the long. soaring.
and assertiveness (‘Ash In and silky, dreamy tone that obvious answer is his YYYY YYYYY
The Wind’ and ‘Death De-
wraps itself around your voice, which is instantly Shari Black Velvet Michael Coventry
ALBUMS