Page 44 - Black Velvet Issue 84

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there’s rockabilly foot- tional power to the album. come change in pace for are pure rock heaven.
stomper ‘Backdoor Man’, ‘I Opener ‘Mad Dog’ sets the 'Are You Waiting For A From the throbbing bass
Keep On Dancing’ letting tone with a tub-thumping Train' a slightly longer intro and soaring guitars of
loose with a brass section, drum and guitar rhythm. acoustic track with heart- ‘Like An Old Man’, through
harmonica, and thrumming Title track ‘Shake Electric’ breaking, poetic lyrics be- the mid-paced groove of
bass, and the soulful is a highlight, big on the fore 'We Were Young' ‘No Glory’, which is some-
‘Break Free’. The countri- hooks, carrying contrasting brings the album to a gen- thing a bit special, to the
fied covers of Motorhead’s rhythms and melodies over tle, nostalgic close and heartfelt yet powerful ‘Bro-
‘Killers’ and Cameo’s ‘Word a strong bass line. ‘Lonely leaves you craving more of ken Parts’, it’s an album
Up’ have to be heard to be Nights’ is a classic 70s Tom Napier's unique, that doesn’t pull its
BONAFIDE believed (they really work!). style rocker, short-lived but slightly raspy vocals. Light punches. Title track ‘Fire
DENIM DEVILS The BossHoss bring a perfectly formed and remi- You Up have an undeni- Inside’ has a foot-stomping,
(OFF YER ROCKA) good time, true individual- niscent of Thin Lizzy, while able talent for melody and whisky-soaked rhythm that
Swedish foursome ity, and are pretty much ‘Back On The Streets’ turns songwriting, and 'All We've hooks you in and is one of
Bonafide deliver goodtime guaranteed to make you it up a notch with a more Ever Known' demonstrates the highlights of an excel-
rock ‘n’ roll, complete with smile. Do not miss this, it’s grandiose style. ‘Control’ is huge hooks and choruses lent album. And then
Southern rock, blues and a terrific. faster-paced with a punk in a number of different there’s ‘October’, which is
hint of sleaze. Recorded as YYYY attitude in the vocals, a styles throughout the wonderfully expressive and
almost live in the studio, Clare Huckett steady drum beat and gui- album. Light You Up is ex- has a great deal of soul,
their fifth album captures tars alternating between actly what the UK pop punk plus not one but two mag-
their stage energy per- FERAL SUN soaring solos and a more scene has been waiting for, nificent guitar solos. Dead-
fectly. Compact opener EVACUATE metal thrum, in contrast and if they can continue to line has a Sunset Strip
‘Round And Round’ has a (FERAL SUN) with ‘Hard Times’ which is produce music as consis- swagger, truly excellent
country swing, swaggering British heavy rockers slower paced, mellow and tently strong as the title musicianship, and pretty
its way into classic rocker Feral Sun have rebooted bluesy. Closer ‘War Of The track they are sure to rise damn good song-writing.
‘Hold Down The Fort’ which and re-released their debut World’ is big, brash, bold to the top. This is a very strong debut
is all solid riffs and the album, and it’s a work of and snarling, rounding off a YYYY full-length album.
strong, gravelly vocals of finely balanced contrasts. retro album that nonethe- Carissa Thorne YYYY
Pontus Snibb. ‘Get A Grip’ Opener ‘Find A Way’ is a less has freshness, a mod- Clare Huckett
has a 70s bluesy, trippy metal monster, heavy on ern feel, and very skilled BULLETPROOF ROSE
vibe, while ‘Rock ‘N’ Roll the bass with pounding crafting. LOUD HARD AND FAST HERMAN RAREBELL &
Lifestyle’ is a rough, beer- drums and guitars that both YYY (BULLETPROOF ROSE) FRIENDS
soaked anthem. ‘One Kiss’ plumb the depths and soar Clare Huckett This EP is a confident HERMAN’S SCORPIONS
is a power-pop surprise, for the skies. ‘Alone’ mixes debut from Cumbrian four- SONGS
complete with a ridiculously aggressive choruses with some Bulletproof Rose. (SOLID ROCKHOUSE)
catchy chorus that sticks in more reflective verses, They deliver big riffs, Following 2013’s
the mind, and it bounces showing a melodic sensibil- thumping drums, and a acoustic album, Rarebell
along at a decent lick. ity which really comes to sleazy edge in a riotous gives us the electric ver-
‘Missing You’ might be mel- the fore in ‘People Are display of rock energy. sion of his Scorpions
lower but it has an emo- Dying’. It’s lyrically bleak ‘Loud Hard Fast’ has a feel songs. He has recruited a
tional power and is one of and despairing while being good retro rock ‘n’ roll vibe, varied cast of singers to
the best songs on the extremely well constructed with Dane Riach (bass) handle the vocals, includ-
album. The pace changes, musically – alternating a and Dan Wallace (drums) ing Bobby Kimball (Toto),
big choruses, plaintive vo- ballad style with growling setting a rapid pace. Vocal- Jack Russell (Great White),
cals, and a foot-stomping riffs and a sublime guitar ist Jacob Siddle and Brian Paul Shortino (Quiet Riot),
drumline as well as soaring solo. These slower paced LIGHT YOU UP Robinson really get to let and Doogie White (Rain-
guitars – it has it all, and it’s and more emotive tracks, ALL WE'VE EVER rip with some excellent bow, MSG). It’s a no frills
glorious. Bonafide may not including the truly wonder- KNOWN dual guitars on the ex- album – the songs are
be breaking new musical ful ‘Breathe’, are outstand- (RECLAIM MUSIC tended instrumental run. played straight with a raw-
ground, but they are damn ing and demonstrate a real GROUP/ICE GRILLS) ‘Bulletproof Rose’ has a edged production. The
good at what they do. maturity in composition. Yet Birmingham based more aggressive tone, with track listing is very close to
YYYY when Feral Sun choose to Light You Up's debut full- vocals giving it a punk atti- that of ‘Acoustic Fever’ with
Clare Huckett they can really go for the length album 'All We've tude and once more some several singers tackling the
jugular. Album closer Ever Known' is everything excellent guitar work, while same songs. Opening with
THE BOSSHOSS ‘Falling’ runs wild with dis- you could want from a pop ‘Bang Your Head’ with its the classic ‘Rock You Like
GOD LOVES COWBOYS torted guitars, throbbing punk release. 'Breathe' gang vocal chorus is al- A Hurricane’, it’s all very fa-
(CAROLINE) bass rhythms, and discor- gets things started with an most guaranteed to get any miliar and pretty decent
Although German dant vocal harmonies, acoustic melody and up- live audience going. Good stuff too. Don Dokken’s
band The BossHoss have while title track ‘Evacuate’ beat, motivational lyrics, going, lads, this is a rendering of ‘You Give Me
been going for a decade seems guaranteed to whip but everything falls into cracker. All I Need’ is excellent,
they aren’t that well known any audience into a head- place from the first chord of YYYY while ‘Dynamite’ is as ex-
in the UK. ‘God Loves banging frenzy. This album title track 'All We've Ever Clare Huckett plosive as you could wish.
Cowboys’ is designed as is a phenomenal debut, Known'. This track demon- Michael Voss handles most
an introduction to show and Feral Sun deserve to strates Light You Up's true DEADLINE of the guitars with flair, al-
what we’ve been missing! be heard. potential with a huge, infec- FIRE INSIDE though guest soloists fea-
It’s not a greatest hits or a YYYY tious chorus and confident, (BAD REPUTATION) ture too, such as Chris
live album but comprises a Clare Huckett melodic vocals. 'Monsters' French rockers Dead- Hasler who is magnificent
selection of their classic is a drum heavy power- line offer up a slick demon- on ‘Falling In Love’. Latin-
tracks and live favourites. SPIDERS house and 'Foxfire' has an stration of classic guitar-led tinged ‘Animal Magnetism’
Country rock is their base SHAKE ELECTRIC epic guitar line, as well as hard rock – all big riffs, is a standout track, partly
and they play around with (SPINEFARM) featuring guest vocals from huge solos and pounding due to Jose Antonio Ro-
additional elements – some Spiders could have A Loss For Words frontman drums, shot through with driguez’s evocative fla-
blues, some punk, and been lifted straight out of Matty Arsenault, which fit solid bass rhythms, while menco guitar. This is both a
even an R&B influence on the 1970s - heavy-edged perfectly with the tone of the distinctive vocals of Ar- nostalgia trip and a fresh
the slow groove of the title blues-based rock sits the album. All of the songs naud Restoueix are ideal look at some classic tunes.
track. There are the likes of alongside shades of proto- are powered through within for sneering and snarling Well worth a listen.
‘Stallion Battalion’ and ‘Last punk and glam. Vocalist three minutes, and Joe attitude. He isn’t the great- YYY
Day’, with a rollicking guitar Ann-Sofie Hoyles has grit Garey provides the perfect est singer, but he puts in a Clare Huckett
rhythm underpinned by a and passion but also soul, pop punk drumming barnstorming performance,
heavy bass guitar. Then and her voice gives emo- throughout. There's a wel- and the songs themselves
ALBUMS