Page 44 - Black Velvet Issue 89

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

uppercut smashing your tility of ‘Betray Me’, a re- ‘Cynics Playground’, is ticularly with the growling
senses, until you scream 'I minder how fragile both packed with five interesting guitar riffs, and ‘Swansong’
Can’t Change', all the while trust and loyalty are, is and energetic tracks. The is a particularly high-calibre
the riffs and chops reach in placed in between the alt rockers mix heavy in- example of heavy rock.
and scramble what’s left of softer tracks ‘Dust’ and strumentals with the un- This is a strong album cry-
your brain. With a great ‘Tore My Heart Out’. The usual vocals of Paul Smith ing out to be blasted at full
crunching guitar riff and thing that Tremonti do ex- to give it a distinctive sound volume.
jacked up solo, 'Take It All' ceptionally well is blend that feels reminiscent of YYYY
keeps the momentum melody with the coarse- classic rock and roll. Open- Clare Huckett
going. Vocalist Sharpy un- ness of thrash metal, but ing track, ‘Digital Man-
BLAQK AUDIO fortunately does not have the closing number brings nequin’, comes in at full
MATERIAL the voice of an angel... but a different tone to the force straight away, it holds
(BLAQKNOISE/KOBALT) he does have the voice of album; ‘Unable To See’ is back nothing and is a
Rockers-turned-elec- a devil! Yeaaaaaah! This is beautifully atmospheric, it’s catchy yet lyrically strong
tro, Davey Havok and Jade rock ‘n’ roll at its best. 'More strong, yet holds an air of track that demonstrates a
Puget (both also members Than Nothing' continues vulnerability. There may be lot of technical skill which is
of Cali rock band AFI) re- the down and dirty assault nothing on here that devi- sustained throughout the
convened for their third stu- of your senses with a slide ates too far from Tremonti’s EP. ‘All I Wanted’ throws a
dio album, ‘Material’. And guitar solo straight out of previous material, but few darker metal-like
it’s not an album to be the devil’s naughty drawer ‘Dust’ holds no fillers and is sounds into the mix, whilst
missed. From their and a bass line dirtier than just as good as its counter- ‘Miss-Guided’ showcases
unashamedly upbeat elec- a house full of hookers high parts. Turn it up and rock the range of Smith’s vo- SKARLETT RIOT
tro tracks, such as ‘Graphic on Hammerjack. A must out! cals, and ‘Self Hate’, the SENTIENCE
Violence’, to the perfectly have for any rocker’s col- YYYY killer riffs that these guys (FACTORY MUSIC)
fused melancholic lyrics lection. Penny Gower can construct. Some may Since their inception in
and synth sounds of ‘Black YYYYY see the similar sounds of 2010, Lincolnshire-based
At The Center’, this album Shane Bradley BLACK ACES tracks on this this EP as a quartet Skarlett Riot have
goes from strength to SHOT IN THE DARK weakness of the quintet, gone from strength to
strength. It also caters for a (BAD REPUTATION) but the slower, ballad- strength. It’s been all go
range of musical tastes; Black Aces’ debut esque ‘Dying Breed’ shows since their debut album,
fans of their work in AFI will album ticks all the right that whilst they’ve built a 'Tear Me Down', was re-
probably be most drawn to boxes for raucous Aussie definitive niche, their style leased in 2013. They have
‘Anointed’, a track that hard rock. Pace, gravelly isn’t limited by any means. either been out on the road
starts with a scratchy guitar vocals, crunching guitar This EP is certainly worth or in the studio, recording
riff and progresses into an riffs, and thumping drums, listening to and builds on new music and making
exploration of faith with a it’s all good. Title track their already striking collec- new fans alike. May 2nd
new wave tinge. Title track, ‘Shot In The Dark’ is de- tion of work. saw the release of a five-
‘Material’, is another one ceptively laid back in spite YYYY track EP entitled 'Sen-
that stands out, with of the intro chords, shriek- Yasmeen Frasso tience'. This release seems
Havok’s slightly chilling TREMONTI ing vocals and solid bass to be a stopgap between
singing of ‘I am all alone DUST rhythms. It’s a solid opener MAGICK TOUCH albums, a sort of marker of
with my beautiful things’, it (FRET12) that’s full of promise. ELECTRICK SORCERY what is to come from Skar-
again brings a sombre ele- ‘Dust’ is the second Where they really catch (SCS) lett Riot in the future. 'Sen-
ment into the electro and concluding collection fire, though, is in the faster- Magick Touch are well- tience' appears to have a
sounds. Overall, ‘Material’ of tracks from the writing paced numbers. ‘Back On named because this trio much more mature sound
is an impressive album, sessions which brought The Chain’ has a great from Norway definitely as the first single, 'Voices',
versatile enough for danc- ‘Cauterize’ to us in 2015. bluesy rhythm and a killer have it. This is good-time will testify as it boosts a
ing to in a club but pos- This instalment once again soaring guitar solo, while hard rock; upbeat, guitar- huge double drum beat
sessing a lot of substance showcases the tremen- ‘Let It Roll’ is driven along heavy, and infectious. and bass of thunder, with
that much electronic music dous talent from the mem- by the tub-thumping drums Which isn’t to say it’s light- lightning riffs backed up by
lacks, easily making it one bers of Tremonti – Mark and classic rock guitar weight because it’s not, Chloe's powerful-yet-ver-
of the albums to put on a Tremonti, Eric Friedman, rhythm which lets fly with and while the album starts satile vocals. 'Scream At
summer playlist. It’s safe to Wolfgang Van Halen and another top notch, frenetic at the lighter end of the Me' has powerful licks, a
say that Blaqk Audio have Garrett Whitlock. Sonically, solo. ‘Burnin’ Up The High- spectrum with ‘Love rumbling bass line and an
crafted something that the songs on ‘Dust’ are as way’ relaxes the tempo a Rocket’, as it progresses infectious chorus that will
stretches far beyond sim- thunderous and crushing little in favour of an arro- things take a turn for the have you screaming at the
ple material things. as ever. Take opening gant swagger and sway heavier. There are some in- top of your voice, while
YYYYY song, ‘My Last Mistake’, that’s so infectious it be- teresting effects going on, 'Feel' is probably as close
Yasmeen Frasso which is about having a comes one of the highlights like in ‘Underwater Prison’, to a ballad as you can ex-
bad influence in your life of the album. ‘Shot In The which sticks mainly in the pect, with some great riffs
HAMMERJACK that you cannot seem to Dark’ is beer-soaked, clas- lower registers and makes and hooks, it’s almost like
HAMMERJACK break away from; it fero- sic Aussie rock, and al- good use of the bass you can 'feel' the emotion
(HAMMERJACK) ciously and swiftly gives though it’s a sound many rhythms. ‘Joker Vs Ace’ is and intent coming right at
Southern England your ears a pummelling. others have tried to emu- more rapid-pace classic you. Add a killer solo and
rockers Hammerjack re- Don’t think things are going late with varying degrees of rock. ‘Wildfire’ has a slower you have everything to
lease their second EP on to get any gentler. There success, Black Aces man- pace but ups the intensity make this track a possible
the 22nd July, and the are moments within ‘The age to deliver in spades. particularly in the vocals. single. If there is a down-
Guildford quartet are ready Cage’ and ‘Once Dead’ YYYY Magick Touch are particu- side to this release, it’s that
to rock your socks off. The that would give Slipknot’s Clare Huckett larly good at ensuring all el- it’s only an EP, but it is
opener, 'I Can’t Change', is brutality a run for its money. ements are in balance, so something to keep the fans
an indication of what’s on As well as some razor- PATRIOT REBEL you get great clarity for the going while they wait for
offer - flat-out ballsy rock sharp guitar work, Whit- CYNICS PLAYGROUND bass, which adds to the the next full Skarlett Riot
with an infectious chorus lock’s well-executed (PATRIOT REBEL) drama of the track. ‘Out Of album.
that hits as hard as a Tyson drumming really stands out Nottingham five-piece Reality’ is a heavier beast, YYYY
here. The high-speed hos- Patriot Rebel’s second EP, edging towards metal, par- Shane Bradley
ALBUMS