Skip to main content

Posts

Showing posts from March, 2023

Album Review: Last in Line- Jericho

  Rock supergroup Last in Line releases their third studio album Jericho today via ear MUSIC!  The name might be familiar to the ardent classic rock fan: it was the name of the 1984 album by Dio.  Formed in 2012 by former Dio Luminaries, guitarist Vivian Campbell, bassist Jimmy Bain and drummer Vinny Appice, the trio did with the intention of celebrating the charismatic singer's memory. However, the band soon decided to move forward and create their style of music in the vein of Dio. Jericho catches that same power and energy with the powerful vocals of Andrew Freeman instead. The album features enough meaty riffs for the average rock fan to gnaw on, alongside the impeccable drumming of Mr Appice and rumbling basslines of new bassist Phillip Soussan: a replacement for the late Jimmy Bain, who sadly passed away in 2016.  Those familiar sounds of Appice's snare drum open with 'Not Today Satan', a resounding track to kick off any rock album with Campbell's leads, an e...
Post a Comment
Read more

Album Review- The Rhubarb- Symptom of Failure

  Glasgow Quartet The Rhubarb have unleashed their debut album Symptom of Failure  via  Milky Bomb Records.  Formed in 2015, the band's brand of doom stoner rock, merged with the interchangeable male/female vocals of Hannah White and Sean Maguire will send shivers down your spine. They have built up a solid following with notable support slots to bands like Bongzilla , Alunah and Black Moth , as well as airplay on  Total Rock, Amazing Radio and Hard Rock Hell. Symptom of Failure is the follow-up to 2020's EP Black Sun and features eight tracks of distortion-drenched riffs and psychedelic rock destined to leave your head feeling like in cloud nine. The low-strung psychedelic Mist opens the album like a soundtrack to a B-horror movie. White's enchanting vocals mesmerise the listener over fuzzy guitars that build to the introduction of Maguire's softer input. The song's spine-tingling instrumental breakdowns resonate throughout this release. Next is t...
Post a Comment
Read more

Song Review: Holy Reptile- The Land

  Bristol's Psychedelic Three-piece Holy Reptile have released 'The Land', their latest single taken from their upcoming second EP.  Produced by The Wytches' Kristian Bell , the band reconnects with the true feeling of Psyche music with inspiration from Gothic Literature icons Hunter.S.Thompson, Kathryn Scanlan  and Shirley Jackson.  'The Land' hopes to bring the same bone-chilling and hypnotic feel to tape. The Analogue recording helps identify a dark and crispy tone. The recurring rhythmic guitar patterns hypnotise the listener over sombre and jagged vocals. The sound is reminiscent of 60's jangly rock with a twist. The track builds up the tempo to an unexpected change in the middle eight. The band suddenly switch gears and let out a ferocious scream to channel the true horror of 'The Land'. Words by Anselm Anderson Follow this link  here  to keep updated with all the latest news, Interviews, and reviews from Rambling Man's Reviews. Social Med...
Post a Comment
Read more

Song Review- Plastic Barricades- Counting Fireworks

London-based Singer/Songwriter Dan Kert AKA  Plastic Barricades returns with the uplifting 'Counting Fireworks', taken from their forthcoming album We Stayed Indoors. 'Counting Fireworks' delivers a positive message about overcoming anxieties through finding beauty in what surrounds us. The song's feel-good vibes begin with Dan Kert's infectious vocal melodies, accompanied by stirring guitar harmonies. The track builds to an energetic chorus that leaves the listener with a depth of warmth inside. Kert has enlisted the help of some talented musicians for his upcoming release and it shows in his singles. The simple songwriting is entuned with people's well-being and serves as a reminder that music doesn't need to be gloomy to enjoy. Plastic Barricades is set to release its third album,  We Stayed Indoors  later this year. Words by Anselm Anderson If you enjoyed this article, you may like this one about Plastic Barricades; Rambling Man's Reviews with ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Song Review- Amnesiak- Worms of the Mind

A couple of weeks ago on these pages, I reviewed the latest track from UK's Gothic rock act 8-Snake ; a band fronted by multi-instrumentalist and composer Francesco Fonte . Fonte now appears on the debut single 'Worms of the Mind' by fellow Brits Amnesiak. Mastered by Platinum and Gold awarded Sound Engineer Maor Appelbaum, the song talks about a woman that suffers from the mental illness Delusional Parasitosis Disorder. Lead singer, Grace Wilson's towering and haunting vocals relay the true terror of this illness. The slow, seductive basslines build the tension, as Wilson mesmerises, and details the effects this condition has on the woman. The dark, gloomy atmospherics is an eerie reminder of what serious mental disorders take on the mind and body. 'Worms of the Mind' is the debut single, taken from the band's forthcoming self-titled EP. Words by Anselm Anderson. Follow this link  here  to keep updated with all the latest news, Interviews, and reviews from...
Post a Comment
Read more

Album Review- Carbellion- Weapons of Choice

Carbellion has just released Weapons of Choice via Eclipse Records. The five-piece may be a mystery to people outside of the States, but their raucous style of rock 'n' roll may soon change that. The band's love for all things heavy and original will certainly ruffle a few feathers.  Formed in South-Eastern Wisconsin in 2004, they have paid their dues with three EPs and two LPs. The quintet has been entertaining audiences in over 20 states, while sharing the stages with Motorhead, Shinedown, and Clutch amongst many star names. Weapons  Of Choice is their third LP of grunge anthems combined with a traditional rock structure. Produced by Carbellion and Chris Djuricic. The band's tales of society begin with the fun-fuelled 'Barfight' with its dirty guitar-driven sound and fist-pumping choruses. It tells the story of a typical night down at the local bar. Photo Credit: Sara Hays The infectious grooves of 'Listen for Ghosts' is a reminder rock is far from de...
Post a Comment
Read more

Album Review: Hollentor- Divergency

Hollentor is the project of guitarist Glen Poland . There won't be many readers that will recognise the name, but most likely will know the guests on Divergency. Names of such rockstar luminaries like James Lomenzo (Megadeth, Black Label Society), George Lynch (Lynch Mob)  and Rudy Sarzo  ( Quiet Riot, Ozzy Osbourne ) will certainly pique the interest of the avid metalhead. Glen Poland formed Hollentor in 2014 following a chance encounter with ex-Megadeth guitarist  Glen Drover. The duo bonded over their names and interests in the 1980s Thrash Metal act after the pair met during an online session by Drover. The latter agreed to record tracks for the former to release an album. The guitarist brought in his brother, Shawn on drums and Hollentor was born. Divergency is the third outing for the project, which has brought in the aforementioned names, including Firewind vocalist Henning Basse. The album itself is nine tracks of solid old-school metal with soaring vocals and de...
Post a Comment
Read more

Song Review: 8Snake- The Unreliable

  British Gothic Rock act 8 Snake returns with their latest single 'The Unreliable' via 8Music Group . This track continues the theme of mental health and isolation touched upon in 'Another End'. This time the track focuses on a man consumed by a human's never-ending quest for money and success. This obsession ultimately leads the man to surrender to his alcoholism and drug addiction. 'The Unreliable' was mixed and mastered by Doug Wheeler. The track starts with a similar post-gothic sound of  'Another End'. The dark, eerie riffs resonate with uneasiness for the listener before vocalist Francesco Fonte croons over the verses. Fonte's voice is stern and jagged like the late Pete Steele of Type 'O' Negative. The chorus releases the tension with powerful melodies that reflect the character's need to escape and restart his life.  Overall, 8Snake continues to build up anticipation for their new album with an interesting concept behind ment...
Post a Comment
Read more

Album Review- My Own Fear- Violence Made History

Rambling Man's Reviews began in 2023 with a look at some thrash metal from France. The blog cocontinues by reviewing Violence Made History  by Paris-based Thrash metal band My Own Fear via   Music-Records. Formed in 2011, the five-piece released the 2014 EP Rise,  before appearing alongside fellow France contemporaries such as Aggressor, Mercyless and Primal Age on tour. Violence Made History was originally recorded, mixed and mastered in 2020 by Enzo Biasizzo at Elevation Studio. My Own Fear seeks influence from Kreator, Slayer and Morbid Angel among such brutal metal acts. This can be heard in the 39 minutes of the neck-breaking, teeth-gnashing style of pure metal of the Bay Area like. The  album opens with a dark, haunting piano intro on 'Once Upon A Fall' as it segues into the no-nonsense '6:8-1', five minutes of cutthroat metal. The band's technical guitar skills blend with pummeling blast beats and guttural screams becoming a signature throughout this...
Post a Comment
Read more

Popular posts from this blog

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...
Post a Comment
Read more

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 ...
Post a Comment
Read more

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...
Post a Comment
Read more