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The Cruzados- Interview with bassist Tony Marsico and Vocalist Ron Young.

The Rambling Man caught up with The Cruzados to speak about their latest album 'She's Automatic'. due out Friday 28th January via Deko Records. The Cruzados return with a new lineup of original bassist Tony Marsico, Little Caesar vocalist Ron Young, guitarists Loren Molinare and Mark Tremalgia and drummer Rob Klonel. The album was recorded last summer in Los Angeles and features some talented guests performances by John Doe (X),  Dave Alvin (The Blasters), David Hildago and Steve Berlin (Los Lobos), Gia Ciambotti (Bruce Springsteen), Melanie Vammen (The Muffs, The Pandoras), Greg Kuehn (TSOL), Jimmy Z (Rod Stewart), Buck Johnson (Aerosmith), among others. Cruzados released their debut album "Cruzados" (1985) and "After Dark"(1987) on Arista Records spawning the singles and videos "Motorcycle Girl" and "Bed of Lies" which quickly became MTV favourites and chart-toppers, with the latter single reaching the #4 position on the Billboard ...
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Album Review: Marujah Con Crhymes-Blind American

San Diego-Based Rock acts Marujah Con C rhymes  unleash the fiery and political Blind American . The Ten-track LP combines Latin-fused rock grooves, punk attitude and blistering hip-hop verses to create a fresh new approach to American culture. Latino rapper Crhymes adds his own style of raw lyrics about violence, poverty and crime in the States that is like a running commentary on the social injustices. The opener "The Trails" is a dark and haunting start. Chrymes delivers his lines with such precision and speed over crunching guitar riffs. Marujah Vocalist Enrique Madico blends emotive and melodic vocals in juxtaposition with the raw power of the hip hop verses to create a powerful track. Next up is the title track, "Blind American" is a satirical look at  American politics' impact on immigration. This is another surprisingly touching track that sees Chrymes' candid and angry vocals combine once more with Macido's distorted vocals. The melancholic and...
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EP OF THE WEEK: ONE LAST DAY: CHAPTER 1: THE END IS THE BEGINNING

  Words by Anselm Anderson Fast-rising UK hard rockers One Last Day released their much-anticipated debut, Chapter 1: The End Is the Beginning  last month via Forge AMP Entertainment. The South-East newcomers have been described as 'heavy and emotive', combining several different rock styles to forge their own identity. The band were formed over a jam session by guitarists Gareth Stapleton and John Harmsworth, who were later joined by vocalist Alex Willox and drummer Adrian Osman. The band produced this eight-track EP, with mixing and Mastering done by IgniteAmr and the artwork completed by Polish artist Piotr. The EP begins with the fabled 'Prologue 'that many bands choose to open albums with these days. A dark and sinister intro that sees the guitars and bass building towards the explosive 'Burning Inside', a reminder rock is certainly not dead. A blistering intro of guitars, powerful vocals, and menacing drums is a good start for the talented quartet. Next u...
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SONG OF THE DAY: COUSIN BETTY- TAXES AND DEATH

 Australian Punk band Cousin Betty returns with an explosive new single "Taxes and Death" on January 10th, taken from their upcoming debut LP, The band have been riding high with the releases of their two EP'S, Left and Overs. 'TAXES & DEATH' is based on President Benjamin Franklin's famous quote and sees the band venting their frustrations at selfish record labels. Cousin Betty was formed by renowned guitarist and songwriter, Damien Stofka Stofka formed the band after seeking inspiration from The  Desert Sessions. The guitarist seemed disillusioned with being part of a standard band, so he decided to spend his downtime compiling albums worth of material with contributing artists and performers he liked. 'Taxes and Death' is a rousing track, clocking in after one and a half minutes. The guitar-driven song is punchy and aggressive. The band shouts over sharp riffs and pummeling drums. This feels like a punk anthem for the reality we find ourselves i...
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ALBUM OF THE WEEK: SMOKING MARTHA-UNIVERSE

Rising female-fronted Rock act Smoking Martha  has released their sophomore effort, Universe , a follow-up to 2017's widely received debut 'In Deep'. The album features the band's diverse sound, combining pop vocal choruses with blistering riffs and infectious hooks over 12 tracks. Smoking Martha, fronted by the charismatic charms of Natasha Doherty, hails from Brisbane, Australia. The quartet has steadily forged a strong cult following with notable support slots with some of rock's recognisable acts, such as Thunder, Uriah Heep and Saliva. The band have also made regular appearances at local festivals in their native Australia, including an appearance at Hard Rock Hell in 2018 in England. The LP was produced by Matt Bartlem and Luke Palmer ( Dead Letter Circus ), and recorded at Studio Circus in Queensland, Australia. The LP starts with the thunderous drum intro of "Good Girls". Doherty's distinctive rich vocals sound similar to No Doubt's G...
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SONG OF THE DAY: AD MELIORA- NO YELLOW BRICKS

  Stockholm-based alt-rockers AD MELIORA returns with the premiere of the video to the new single "No Yellow Bricks." It is the first track since this year's debut EP The Void, The Time, The Path. 'No Yellow Bricks' is a melodic rock song about struggling to overcome doubt and depression to achieve one's personal goals. The quartet consists of experienced musicians from Spain, Italy and The Canary Islands. Ad Meliora combines alternative rock with math-rock elements and melodious passages. The song opens with an alternate finger-picking guitar style that erupts explosively into a distorted riff. This repetition of the riff builds throughout the first verse, slowing towards the bridge. The tempo slows in between verses, as lead vocalist Paolo sings in a reflective tone. The passages are intricate and mellow, as the tempo builds to a climax. The song finishes with a return to the heavy riff that greeted the start of the track, which identifies vocalist Paolo Ala...
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EP REVIEW: EB AND THE DEADLIGHTS- STILL SEE GHOSTS

  Horror rock quartet EB &THE DEADLIGHTS unleash hell on their much-anticipated debut EP Still See Ghosts. The ghoulish Irishmen hail from Belfast, Northern Ireland, consisting of lead vocalist Ethan Beattie, rhythm guitarist Matt McCabe, drummer Alex Williams and keyboardist/lead guitarist Andy McCarney. The band's mix of punk, razor-sharp riffs and contagious choruses all stems from their influences, including Murderdolls, Rob Zombie and Alice Cooper. The album is five tracks long, clocking in at roughly under 20 minutes. The EP begins with the abrasive "Nightmare Of Reality", a raging two-minute blast of harsh aggressive vocals, frenetic guitars, and enough rawness to start things off. Next up is "Heathen of The Mind", a full-throttle blast of raw anger and angst. The song's groovy riffs, pummeling drums, and a cross between feral screams and clean vocals make this the standout track on the EP. The Deadlights play music on their sleeves with an experi...
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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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