Page 45 - Black Velvet Issue 95

BV95 albums pg2_BV95 pg45 20/12/2017 04:38 Page 1

BlackVelvetMagazine.Com - 45

nake on occasion (the glo- serves to go far. than multi-layered har- Scream Serenity. It’s a
riously anthemic ‘What YYYYY monies, evident from epic- cracker of an album.
Doesn’t Kill You’ in particu- Clare Huckett sounding opener ‘The YYYYY
lar), and it’s a really good Messenger’. The layering Clare Huckett
listen. ‘Angel In Black’ has THE SOURHEADS is still there but it’s left to
a slow blues rock opening CARE PLAN FOR THE the guitars and rhythm sec- SALTLAKE
but kicks up a pace for a SOUL tion to do the heavy lifting, MEDICATE ME
dynamic and catchy cho- (OAK ISLAND) like on ‘Novacaine’, an ex- (SALTLAKE)
rus. ‘The Fire’ has an epic The Sourheads cite a ploration of the way we be- Sussex alt-rockers
70s quality and allows the range of influences which come desensitised as the Saltlake create a surpris-
rhythm section to really create expectations of burdens of life squeeze out ingly big sound for a trio.
SAMARKIND show off their chops with something a bit psyche- the optimism of our twen- They aim for the creation of
SAMARKIND an extended, jam session- delic or stoner, but that’s ties. Heavy beast ‘Ghosts’ electronic soundscapes
(SAMARKIND) like outro. Tub-thumping really not the case – al- has a melodic strain while with their use of synths to
A rather short but very rhythms add to the deli- though the awesome the excellent ‘Blood Red underpin the straighter rock
sweet debut album from ciously addictive ‘Love ‘Power Of Addiction’ does Sky’, ‘Halos’ and ‘Lucky instrumentation. Opening
Samarkind, coming in with Runs Out’, and the funky go in a trippy direction. You’ go further towards a with ‘Badlands’, it’s got all
8 tracks at 33 minutes. It is closer ‘If You Can’t Handle Their alt-rock stylings lean ballad style which is com- the elements in place and
filled with well-produced The Heat’ allows Vanden- a bit heavier such as on bined or contrasted with is well-balanced – the
original material and great berg to really let rip on the ‘Morally High’ where the heavier rhythms and an- synths aren’t overpower-
musicianship, coming out guitar. Fresh, vibrant and gravelly vocals of Jake guished cries. Self-defined ing, there’s a solid rhythm
of a partnership between really entertaining, this Coxon and Mik Crone’s as alt-metal/post-grunge, section, and the guitar
Polish-born guitarist Michal album is pure quality. chugging guitar rhythms in this is a highly intelligent cranks out the riffs along-
Kubaka and singer David YYYY the verses contrast with a and absorbing album side an intense vocal per-
‘P. Byrne, with Irelands Clare Huckett bluesy solo. ‘Don’t Get which encapsulates so formance. ‘Sympathy
Mark Dempsey on bass Caught (I Am The Lotus)’ much of the human experi- Apathy’ ups the vocal angst
guitar and South African has an appealing rhythm ence. and rounds out the sound
Marius Appelgryn on which breaks into martial- YYYY with a flowing keyboard
drums. The album kicks off sounding drums ahead of Clare Huckett melody under the chorus.
with ‘Black Rain’ and im- some sparkling guitar work. Slower-paced and more
mediately gives you a feel It’s one of the standout melodic, ‘Hourglass’ has a
for the classic blues/rock tracks, although the con- nostalgic beauty to it which
influences that are present stant tinkling of cymbals is makes it the standout of
throughout. ‘Skinny Rivers’ a little irritating. ‘Warbird’ the EP. Title track ‘Med-
really shows David P. brings in some metal ele- icate Me’ is heavy on the
Byrne’s vocal talents off to ments, opening with bass electronica with an ethereal
the max and he shines rhythms and using distor- air and closes things out
over a brilliant blues sound- SAINTS OF SIN tion on the guitar, whereas nicely. There’s not a huge
track. Again, David’s vocals WELCOME TO THE CIR- album closer ‘Mad Dog’ variation in styles but it’s a
shine on ‘Good Man Call’ CUS starts as a surprisingly gen- decent listen.
as the band show a lighter, (3MS) tle-sounding ballad with a SCREAM SERENITY YYY
slower side to their reper- If you’re looking for a simple guitar line on the EYE OF THE STORM Clare Huckett
toire. During ‘Fire And heady mix of sleaze and verses but then switches (3MS)
Blood’ and ‘Blue Mountain’, debauchery, then you’ve up a gear for the choruses Oh, this is a big one. THE STARLING RADI-
Michal Kubaka shows what found it. Saints of Sin have and goes full throttle for the Right from the extended CALS
a brilliant and assured gui- been around a good few end. The Sourheads have intro of ‘The Best Of The PROMISELAND VOL 1
tar virtuoso he is. The years perfecting their per- a sound of their own and Worst’, Scream Serenity (THE STARLING RADI-
album, throughout, is formance and it really it’s pretty damn good. deliver a huge sound CALS)
driven by solid bass and shows because this is a YYYY heavy on the riffs and ham- The Starling Radicals
drums, giving a relentless very polished debut. Stylis- Clare Huckett mering drums. It’s a seri- do a good job at showing
force to the songs. A really tically they would have fit- ously hard-rocking debut off their range of stylistic in-
impressive debut which ted right in on the 80s full of energy and self-as- fluences on this EP. It has
leaves us eager to hear the Sunset Strip – it’s all huge surance. ‘Good Business’ a freshness and energy
songs live, as no doubt choruses, killer guitars, throws an infectious rhythm about it that is really ap-
they will really come alive. plenty of swagger and a into the mix with a belting pealing, giving a modern
YYYYY melodic edge. In spite of chorus that will get fists twist on classic sounds –
Andy Shaw the opening spoken word pumping. It’s a formula that which could be anything
‘The Ballad Of The Big Top’ runs through much of the from 60s to 90s and be-
V A N D E N B E R G ’ S leading into the kick-ass album and is indicative of yond. ‘I’m With Her’ fea-
MOONKINGS ‘Welcome To The Circus’ their years of development tures crunching guitar
MK II this isn’t actually a concept on the live circuit. Scream rhythms in the intro and for
(MASCOT) album but it does empha- Serenity come across as a the solo but mainly goes for
This second offering size their theatrical side. 10 YEARS band that would really pack an appealing groove. ‘You
from Vandenberg’s Moonk- ‘Rocket’ is a fast-paced riot (HOW TO LIVE) AS a punch live. ‘Run Away’ is Make A Mess Of Me’ has a
ings bears witness to their of duetting guitars, infec- GHOSTS a mid-tempo track but still bouncing, sassy rhythm
unity and confidence in tious rhythms and big vo- (MASCOT) high-powered with great and some deft, light-fin-
each other and their sound. cals, while ‘After Dark’ With the return of gui- vocal arrangements, while gered guitar work, particu-
Jan Hoving gives an as- throws in a sinister edge in tarists Brian Vodinh (also title track ‘Eye Of The larly at the bridge, while
sured performance on vo- the guitar rhythms and por- on drums) and Matt Want- Storm’ is a glorious, reflec- ‘The Scottish Play’ is out of
cals, bassist Sem tentous drum beat in its land, 10 Years is both reju- tive ballad with explosive the 80s heavy rock play-
Christoffel and drummer tale of creatures of the venated and reborn. Not choruses and an initially book, complete with soar-
Mart Nijen Es are a great night. The frenetic guitar only is the writing team of trippy solo before the guitar ing guitar solos. Closer
pairing as a rhythm sec- intro of ‘Running’ is fabu- Vodinh and singer Jesse kicks in full-throttle. Cry of ‘Heart Of This City’ has a
tion, and Vandenberg dis- lous and drives the pace of Hasek back together but rage ‘Enough’ is phenome- more leisurely Britpop vibe
plays his formidable guitar a great hard rocker, while they describe the process nal, a real anthem-type, and could easily be a live
skills. It’s a solid mix of ‘Heroin’ is a full-on stadium as more collaborative, tak- and the twin guitars at the favourite. Lively and en-
bluesy 70s hard rock plus power ballad and is utterly ing in the whole band. end are the icing on the gaging rock from this South
more modern styles with magnificent. This is a con- There’s evolution in the cake. For full-throttle, gui- Wales trio.
an inevitable echo of Van- fident and impressive sound as a result, with a tar-led heavy rock you YYYY
denberg’s time in Whites- debut from a band that de- stripped-down vocal rather would do well to check out Clare Huckett

ALBUMS