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EP REVIEW: ELECTRON- HOLLOW

  Review by Anselm Anderson London-based contemporary metal band Electron released their new EP 'Hollow' last Friday (May 24th). Following last year's debut album 'Defiance', this release features five turbo-charged tracks. The band combines grunge vocals with crunchy riffs to captivate the listener's attention. Formed in 2022, the trio are led by the angst-ridden vocals of guitarist Jason Payne, the heavy strikes of drummer Nuno Bessa and the hypnotic basslines of Joanna Hyde. The trio create hook-laden, anthemic rock with razor-sharp riffs that harken back to the tale end of the Nu-Metal era. The band has promoted the release extensively across digital platforms and magazines and has also toured the UK in support of Riff-masters King Buffalo. 'Hollow' was produced by acclaimed producer Romesh Dodangoda, whose work I have covered extensively. He is a producer who likes to get the best out of his artists, and this five-tracker is no exception. The sear...
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LP REVIEW: SLASH-ORGY OF THE DAMNED

  G'N'R guitarist Slash has ventured into the blues for his sixth solo effort 'Orgy Of the Damned' which was released last Friday ( May 17th) via Gibson Records. This may surprise many fans of the fuzzy-haired musician with the big hat. He has roped in fellow musicians and friends to record 11 covers of some blues classics by T Bone Walker, Muddy Waters and Robert Johnson, as a tribute to his favourite music. Slash or Saul Hudson to his parents was born in Stoke, England and was introduced to the Blues by his American Grandmother, and subsequently onto his guitar hero B.B King. He now wants to pay homage to some of those greats with his old Blues Ball bandmates Johnny Griparic and keyboardist Teddy Andreadis, joined by drummer Michael Jerome and fellow guitarist and vocalist Tash Neal to lend some rhythm and blues to some notable tracks sung by guests, which include AC/DC Frontman, Brian Johnson , ZZ TOP guitarist Billy Gibbons , Punk icon I ggy Pop and pop star Dem...
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EP REVIEW: REVENANT- WHAT A TIME TO BE ALIVE

  There seems an upsurge in Southern Rock acts these days, but they don't capture the true essence of their American roots. Revenant is a Southern Rock band from Basingstoke, England, and they capture the essence of those roots from across the pond. I hear the influences of southern rock giants like Lynryd Skynryd in their music, which I fail to hear from today's so-called southern rock bands. The Quartet unleashed their new five-track EP, released last Friday. Lead singer Sugarman Sam has led a storied musical adventure. He began his journey with The   Voodoo Men , before forming Dead Jackals with fellow guitarist and bandmate Matthew Hudson. They soon joined drummer Carl D and bassist Robin Nutley to form Revenant. The result is a surprisingly straight-out rock release with plenty of riffs and hook-laden choruses to please the average rock listener. The lively song "Coming Back To Life" has a sound reminiscent of the debut album "Pronounced Leh-Nerd Skin-Nerd...
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THE RAMBLING MAN INTERVIEWS: BLUES GUITARIST DARNELL COLE

  The Rambling Man caught up with blues guitarist Darnell Cole to discuss his upcoming "Life on The Run" UK tour this June, which will include several local venues and festivals. I also grabbed an opportunity to discuss his band The Vibe, The differences between American and British audiences, and what instruments Cole will be using on the tour. Scroll down to read the full interview. Hello Darnell, Could you tell me a bit about yourself and your band, The Vibe? Haha, I don't know if anything about us can be summed up into little bits. I started this current journey after the end of Porcelain Hill and have metamorphosized into something much more impactful, I truly feel it is my goal to bring the world together with this music, music that transcends politics, genre, age, and music you experience. To do that I need musicians who are on the same wavelength, that deep meaningful frequency because the audience can tell, and this current Lineup of the Vibe is RESONANT!  Congra...
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ALBUM REVIEW: THE TREATMENT-WAKE UP THE NEIGHBOURHOOD

  Words by Anselm Cambridge is best known in England for boat races and universities but you can now add The Treatment to that list. The quintet returns with their highly-anticipated sixth studio effort entitled Wake Up the Neighbourhood  via Frontiers Music SRL. I have been a fan of this group for a while, ever since the release of their album 'Power Crazy' in 2019. They are part of the NWOCR genre, which includes other bands such as Thundermother, Massive Wagons, The Lazys, and many more. These bands typically produce defiant and anthemic rock tracks with influences from legendary bands like AC/DC, Thin Lizzy, and Led Zeppelin. If you're familiar with this genre, you can expect more of the same from The Treatment's newest release. The group was formed in 2008 and has released five albums so far. Their debut album 'Running With the Dogs' in 2014 served as a prelude to their future music. They have cited Def Leppard, Thin Lizzy , and AC/DC as their influences...
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Album Review: Pale Wizard Records Presents- Sparks :Kimono My House-50 Years Later

 WORDS BY ANSELM Pale Wizard Records presents the fourth instalment in their '50 Years Later' series, featuring a special edition of Sparks' 'Kimono My House.  The label has achieved success by honouring iconic releases from artists like Alice Coope r, David Bowie, and Budgie. The series presents a chance to appreciate classic tracks while bringing new acts to the global stage. Pale Wizard Record s has excelled over the years in highlighting bands such as Alujah, Sergeant Thunderhoof , and Phoxjaw. Phoxjaw and Sergeant Thunderhoof a re among the bands featured in this release, along with Tony Reed, Krooked Tongue, Josiah , and many others. Each act put its own gloss on twelve classic tracks of this period. The bands manage to capture the original's wit and quirkiness while adding a modern twist. As for the album, 'Kimono My House was released in 1974 by Spark s via Island Records. This marked a pivotal moment in the careers of Ron and Russell Mael, the sib...
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EP REVIEW: EDIT THE TIDE-REFLECTIONS IN SOUND

  WORDS BY ANSELM The Rambling Man has showcased another wave of British rock. This week's spotlight is on Edit The Tide , hailing from Swansea, Wales. This new band, formed last year, has released their debut EP, ' Reflections in Sound.' The five-track EP narrates their foray into the music industry with a progressive metal style, with vocal melodies and hooks that echo bands such as Biffy Clyro and Funeral For A Friend. They have graced the stage alongside notables such as the previously mentioned acts, as well as  Skindred and Bring Me The Horizon. The EP was produced by a newcomer producer   Sam Kilby at Unit 13 Music Studio  Abe Fihema  helped master the record at Luna Crown Audio. It is quite an accomplishment for a new band to achieve so much before their debut release. I am always eager to introduce new acts to the readers of this blog, but they often don't gain much traction before their release. Currently, Edit The Tide appears to be riding a cre...
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Single Review: Allan James- Our dreams

Words were written by Anselm Anderson for Rambling Man's Reviews Allan James  is a much-accomplished singer-songwriter, based in Northern Virginia, USA James is a self-taught musician, who began playing guitar and singing songs aged 8 and by the time he reached his early teens, James had started to record and perform his original music for school, dances, and charities. James returned to the US following a successful stint as host of his own guitar TV show in Iceland, whilst living over there. Allan James achieved critical acclaim following the release of his debut single on local radio stations, as well as releasing  6 albums to date. James has always been at the forefront of utilizing technologies and using the internet to build a fanbase.  He now returns with " Our Dreams", the latest single off his forthcoming new album. A beautifully structured track that captures the soul with its succinct guitar play and poetic lyrics. The track conjures feelings of serenity...
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Review: Stereophobia- Choke on This

Photo Credit: Eclipse Records   Words written by Anselm Anderson Last week, Stereophobia released their highly anticipated sophomore album, Choke on This , through Eclipse Records. This album follows their 2023 debut, No One Cares, and features a straightforward blend of alt-rock and grunge influences. Stereophobia is a power trio based in Lisbon, Portugal, consisting of guitarist and vocalist Mike Rocha, drummer Daniel Antunes, and bassist Bruno Santos. Produced by Miguel Camillo and mixed, mastered and recorded alongside Stereophobia at MC Studios. Choke on This consists of thirteen tracks filled with musically unsettling tones, angst-driven lyrics, and sonically enriching riffs that cut deep. Photo Credit: Rodrigo Vargas The album opens with an unsettling monologue that transitions into the intense cries of 'Maggots', which combines frenetic riffs and frenzied harsh vocals, propelling this album into a dramatic surge of grunge. The album maintains a grunge essence, echoing ...
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EP Review: Virtue in Vain-Nothing is All I Am

  CoverArtwork Courtesy of San Pr Words Written by Anselm Anderson Today marks the final chapter of an emphatic trilogy by British Metalcore Heavyweights , Virtue in Vain . Nothing is All I Am ' is the third instalment exploring human emotions and psyche.  The trio began their journey in 2015 with their debut EP,  For All You Know is the Mask I Wore ,  focusing on the loss of identity, before 2019's   Dusk//Dawn looking at the consequences of a terrible night out, whilst 'Nothing is All I Am ' focuses on rebuilding a fractured mind. The trio of lead vocalist Hywel Thomas, guitarist Mason Williams, and drummer Daniel Bryant hail from South Wales deliver another dose of metalcore that hits like a sledgehammer to the head. The band replicates what many other British bands of the genre do, but they bring a story behind their music. Their emotional cries blend with powerful riffs and down-tuned instrumentals that resonate long after the music has stopped. Their...
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