WOLFMOTHER- "Rock out"

 

 

Aussies are having fun. Andrew Stockdale and co  (?) return with a new album and are high on music. From the opener "Fallin out" with Jack Whites/WHITE STRIPE ghost all over the song, especially the manic , distorted riff and the vibe, to the im a cover but won't admit it "Rock out" that could be easily "Detroit rock city" by KISS, disguised as the main riff is accidental the same, WOLFMOTHER are diving deep in the blues/alternative songbook of the 90s and return with some shining diamonds. , "Upload' is a modern rock anthem with some 80s LA dirt all over it.''Humble" is his BLACK SABBATH/LED ZEPPELIN tribute and it suitsf ine the retro rock sound of the album with its groove and its guitars making the difference in every bridge, making Tony Iommi proud for his legacy. "Only way" is the "modern" approach with its electro intro, kinda like MUSE decided to leave the glamorous roles and get down to basics.

 

 

 

On "Metal and fire' he pays a successful homage to his heavy metal roots, at least those he still remembers could be BOC, could be JUDAS PRIEST or even PRAYING MANTIS and early BLACK SABBATH but with the NOWBHM feeling all over the riffage of the song."Outside" could be on any DUBROVNIKS album and is the best song Iggy Pop still haven't composed. "Mantle" is heavy metal, 80s infused and really stripped to the basics with the Ozzy impersonation, dominating his voice in the best possible way."Ego" goes also  the BLACK SABBATH territory with some excellent 70s soloing, a treat for the ears, with some HAWKWIND shades all over the song."Walking" comes as the suiting closer, a groovy , guitar driven anthem from the glorious alternative 90s. 

 

In conclusion, Andrew Stockdale of WOLFMOTHER as he likes to call himself these days, is exactly what he says, an old school dreamer, who knows to bring the best of the 70sand 90s to present without using any kind of time capsule, just his guitar and his voice.

 

8,5

 

 The Lucid Furs- "Damn!That was easy"

 

Groovy, retro rock where female and male lead vocals combine and change lines at the funky opener "Right on my level" gives you the idea what to expect. Here we dont have another Zep clone. On the contrary Santana, MOUNTAIN, FUNCADELIC, JEFFERSON AIRPLANE,HEART are all here jamming over a loose groove with persistence, patience and the will to tear the joint apart with the sheer power of their music.  "Five finger Disco" is the second in line barnstormer, where rockers meet the groove in some 70s underground NY Disco club, embracing themselves in a rhythm dance that lasts for ever until the guitar make the rock origins visible and audible. Detroit's Lucid Furs come third time and the charm is here. Chicago blues at "Lying again" and the voice of lead singer Karen O Connor lays her heart over a jazzy guitar riff. A bit soul, a bit blues but most and above all soulful defines the bands style as retro but not retro rock in the narrow way,revivalists did the last 15 years. 

 

 

Far more open to influences, they incorporate everything from Amy Winehouse to PORTISHEAD to Chess records artists and the result vindicates them."Pull the string" finds them going for a more big fat sound, Led Zep along Deep Purple let their spirit interfere with the song.The groove is back at "Conscience" reminding of the great BIG CHIEF,with bass rolling all over the song.  Hard hitting, guitar driven and rock at "Another page" with Blackmore's soloing meets Led Zep groove over some great female vocals, with a touch of early HEART."Straight to my head" follows the road, with Zep becoming more obvious along some Eastern influences and  rhythm section partying. "Follow me" keeps the 70s,psychedelia trip going on with speed increasing.  Closer "One time investment" with its acoustic overtones and O Connor in a trippy performance comes straight outta JEFFERSON AIRPLANE songbook spiced up with LSD, or whatever acid you might like and its a proper closer, for an album as retro,as contemporary.

 

7,5         

Song of the week Wham! - Last Christmas (ROCK COVER by Sershen&Zaritskaya)

Song of the week

Wham! - Last Christmas (ROCK COVER by Sershen&Zaritskaya)

 

Kent Hill-'The rumble"

Good melodic, hard rock is a joy for the ears and when such a magnificent voice such as Kent Hill (PERFECT PLAN,GIANT) decides to make a solo album, (his first one) it is a double pleasure to listen more from him. You won't find anything more or less, than a singer who moves between Steve Perry and David Coverdale with a deep, melodic ,high pitching when needed voice in some more than adequate melodic rock songs. 

 

Although Frontiers has major issues with the plastic sound of the last decade, as a result of using the same people to compose, record,produce, in cases like Hill, his voice takes the reins and leads the songs most of the time above the average. An album of melodic rock in the vein of WHITESNAKE, HOUSE OF LORDS, SHOUT, TREAT, EUROPE that you won't regret listening to. An album perfect to drive, dance, laugh and enjoy music listening to.

 

8

 PEARLz-"Feel fine"

Female fronted German quartet with a modern hard rock sound that owns a lot to the LA scene and also to bands like GUANO APES with their new metal riff o rama. Straight in your face, dirty, down to earth, no bullshit heavy rock anthems with screaming guitars and great vocal delivery from Sandy. The songs are tight, aggressive with enough melody to keep them at the hard rock territory but with enough swagger and edge to make them contemporary. The more commercial side is equally attractive as you can find out on your own at the popish ,melodic "Empty cask" with the CRANBERRIES influences all over the song, but only influences.

 

 

Stand out tracks "Crystalline soul", "While we 're dynamite" where the band exceeds the expectations and combine catchy choruses with heavy riffs. I have also to mention , a stripped down metallic version of "Layla" that is anxious and full of aggressiveness making the original sounding like a nursery school lullaby. A debut that promises a lot.

6,5

TRAGIK- "Ultima radio" (Rock Company)

Modern hard rock with a dark twist. Imagine the early years BON JOVI with some low tuned guitars in the vein of ALTER BRIDGE and CREED at some points but with the sense and essence of melody deep in the bands DNA. Songs like "One last time " have the world airplay written all over them, while 'Seeds of the sky" and 'Piece by piece" have a more heavy metal direction. As metal as ACCEPT were on 'Eat the heat". Far more melodic and anthemic kinda SCORPIONS or shall I say BONFIRE try to modernize their sound. The guitar work is as usual top notch and the songwriting a bit confusing sometimes, as it is always diverse from the ballad "All i have left" to more left wing melodic pieces like "Requiem" where BEATLES meet TROUBLE over some ULTRAVOX melodic lines. 

 

TRAGIK consists of Damian D’Ercole (Guitars, Percussion), Dirk Phillips (Drums, Keyboards) and Phil Vincent (Vocals, Bass, Keyboards)assisted on lead guitars by Vince O Regan and William Roux. . This power trio can pretty much play anything and everything from keyboard loaded AOR to more modern hard rock. It is a matter of prioritization and targeting where they want to be and how, if they want, to be categorized. For all of you who like their rock, catchy, modern and bit sugar coated at some points, TRAGIK have the package.

 

7

 

The Temperance movement- "Covers and Rarities"

Once a big hope for British retro rock, today a vivid, mature hard rock scheme, seasoned on stages and with a new singer, TM releasing an album full of covers and rarities. A release to prove to any misled infidel, that they have the influences and the guts to honor them. LED ZEPPELIN, David Bowie, DEEP PURPLE (with the participation of Ian Paice) along with some Brit pop, BLUR (Tender), OASIS (Up in the sky) along with some of their own songs and the truth is bare naked laid in front of us. 

 

 

 From the DP cover where the band gives its own funk tempo, to the heartbreaking "Mothers eyes" the retro scene as it was defined by BLACK CROWES and QUIREBOYS is here, present and loud. TM have their own identity, bit ROLLING STONES,  bit FACES,  bit HUMBLE PIE, they deliver their rock brassed, smoked and with passion. Down to earth , they play the best, as music pours out of their hearts like the fountain of truth. Not overindulging they prefer to put the effort in being realistic and sensitive. 

 

They won't rediscover America with such an album, but they'll reinstate the faith of their followers, that the true belief and love for music, is still in their hearts burning like a never ending fire.

 

7