Zodiac - Road Tapes Vol. 1

I was first introduced to Zodiac late last year when their record Sonic Child came out. Now I sit here listening to their first live release Road Tapes Vol. 1 and I'm realizing that Zodiac are very much a force to be reckoned with. Slightly less spaced out and ethereal than their studio output Road Tapes Vol. 1 shows these blues rockers at their best - dominating the live stage and forcing punters into a stunned silence. Deeply emotive and wholly fascinating Zodiac understand the immortal spirit of rock and roll.

I think that a big part of what captures my imagination about this record comes from the Thin Lizzy like majesty that dominates the live sound. Toss in a stellar cover of Cortez the Killer alongsides a few Zodiac classics and you start to get a sense that these guys are turned onto something much deeper. The sense of authenticity that dominates these tracks is perhaps what makes Road Tapes Vol. 1 so memorable for me. There is something deeply appealing about songs that speak so deeply to the human condition. Zodiac delve into the collective unconscious with largely improvised and intricate compositions that carry you off to a strange new world - and I love it.

Yet even as the band seems to start to be fading off into esoterica they manage to come back down to earth with gritty and memorable rock riffs. Sure you can call these dudes out as being part of a revival music - but I get the sense there is something more to that. Sure the influences are clearly from 70's rock, but the fact of the matter is there is something intangible about Zodiac that is planted in the 2010's. These are the last remnants of Chuck Berry's music being pulled out of obscurity and into the light, enjoy them and fall in love with their undying magic.

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/Zodiac.Rock?fref=ts

The Answer - Raise A Little Hell

Lately Napalm Records has been putting out some really good rock records and they have given me new hope for the music that Chuck Berry created 60 years ago. Today, The Answer come straight at you from Northern Ireland with a powerful sound that is reminiscent of classic acts, yet has enough millennial bite to keep it interesting for fans today. With big choruses and powerful guitarmonies, The Answer will capture your imagination within seconds and have you singing along before the end of the first song.

The grooves on Raise A Little Hell are immediately palatable, it gives the music a distinct flavor. A part of this too seems to be the guitar tone which is just jangly enough to be vintage but has a slight twist to it that keeps things fresh. The open chords on songs like The Other Side work nicely with this tone, but so do tasty lead lines that are found throughout the record. The band has been able to construct something unique that still falls within the grand tradition of classic rock. There is a certain poetry to these songs that speaks of long hair and summer nights roaring down the highways of Middle America. The Answer may not be a modern Led Zeppelin but they sure are damn good.

These Irishmen have seemingly taken the entire spectrum of classic rock and managed to condense it into a band, hell, within the folksy Thin Lizzy vibes we can still find elements of glam. Couched within the sonic layers there is a lot more going on than might initially meet the ear. As it stands though, The Answer have a fun sound that's going to make you want to spin this record again and again. Let the grooves wind their way into your soul and fall back in love with the 70s, the music is calling your name.

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/theanswerrock

Year of the Goat - The Key And The Gate

Year of the Goat have been putting out some pretty cool metal oriented material for a few years now, and I always dug the 70's occult vibe that defined so much of their sound. While there can be links made to Ghost I feel like Year of the Goat are significantly different than that. There is something a lot artsier about this band and perhaps even progressive. On this new EP The Key And The Gate one needs to look no further than songs like Mystic Mountains to realize that Year of the Goat are starting to get on to something much deeper.

The songs here have a very real sense of darkness that is quite simply wonderful. These songs will capture your imagination, they certainly got a jaded old metal dude like me thinking. When these dudes rip into solos and let their music shine through they show that they have the capacity to do anything. There is something mystical and powerful about their sound, as if their obsession with Satan has led to them selling their souls and achieving rock and roll transcendence. I will say this though, the ideas found on The Key And The Gate are very solid, but it feels far too short. These songs need companions, brothers, to help keep things exciting, otherwise it's harder to get deep into the music.

The epic soundscapes and mournful tunes found within The Key And The Gate are going to capture your imagination, make no mistake. It's merely a question now of how deep down the rabbit whole you are willing to go. With crunchy guitars and moody keys out in abundance I don't think that anybody is going to truly dislike this record, and a lot of people are going to love it to death. So go forth and let The Key And The Gate into your life, sure it has yet to drop, but get pumped, this is going to go down hard, loud, and proud.

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/yearofthegoat

Zero Down

Zero Down is a fun New Wave of British Heavy Metal styled band who have all of the wonderful grit of early Maiden and even the occasional touch of Megadeth. With melodic guitar riffs and powerful choruses it's easy to fall in love with the majestic Zero Down sound. These guys are clearly having a whole lot of fun with songs like Cold Winters Night, and that makes them a joy to listen too. The solos here are largely pentatonic and reek of early NWOBHM bands. It's great to get groovy with some of these delicious up-tempo tracks that will get your headbanging and body shaking. Zero Down are the kind of band who have a fundamental understanding of heavy metal and will push it to the limit. This Seattle quintet are coming out with exciting new ideas that will keep fans across the globe entertained for years to come. Now that their newest record No Limit To The Evil is just about ready to come out you have to wonder where this band will take the madness next!

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Zero-Down-Fan-Page/262964899318

Night Demon - Curse of the Damned

I love bands who seek to emulate Iron Maiden and moreover, bands who do it well. Today I bring you Night Demon whose new record Curse of the Damned is the kind of album that speaks to the crushing and frankly beautiful power that this kind of music can have. Loud, extravagant, and a blast to sing along too, Night Demon have clearly understood the formulas laid down by Maiden and have incorporated them into their own unique realms of metallic majesty. Vicious and ready to rock, their new record Curse of the Damned is something of a masterpiece.

The beauty of Curse of the Damned is in the high power riffs that groove with an easy confidence, proving that the spirit of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal will never die. These songs have a very distinct sense of drive behind them that makes tracks like Heavy Metal Heat so much fun to listen too. Despite what I said about the bands penchant for Maiden worship, it's important to note that these guys proudly sport the influences of other classic metal bands out there too. Most notably I feel Saxon-esque vibes on the songs dedicated to metal and the scene. Meanwhile, some of the crunchier rhythms are reminiscent of Judas Priest. What more could you want?

Let these tracks plow their way into your mind and through your soul. Night Demon know how to lay down some epic sounding tracks that any fan of the NWOBHM movement will have a blast rocking and rolling too. Night Demon understand what heavy metal is supposed to be about and are chief among a whole host of revival bands who seem to be swarming across the globe right now. Night Demon are going to rock you back into the 80's and by God you will love it, so let yourself get caught up in the tide!

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/nightdemonband?ref=br_tf

Alpha Tiger - iDentity

Alpha Tiger are the kind of hard hitting NWOBHM-styled band who prove that true heavy metal will never die. Reminiscent of the first White Wizzard record (Which is arguably also the first Holy Grail record) Alpha Tiger's new release iDentity is a very fun heavy metal record that will get your head banging and body shaking. Alpha Tiger are a joy to listen too and you can tell that the band had fun recording this record. This is what metal is all about, good times, flashy solos, and choruses that get your fist pumping as you sing along with pride.

I think that the sheer enthusiasm and sense of fun behind iDentity is what makes it so enjoyable. Alpha Tiger have clearly gone all in on this album and now we sit here as they gloat, confident in the knowledge that they have put together a record that few are going to forget any time soon. My only complaint is that some of these songs are maybe a little too long, here and there there's an extra bridge or verse that might have been better off being left at the cutting table. That being said, these songs are still a blast to listen too, and you're not going to forget it anytime soon. If nothing else the big choruses are going to capture your imagination and leave you spinning iDentity again and again.

In short, Alpha Tiger have proved with this album that they have the potential to be a truly great act. SPV has had a history of growing bands into something great and I think that Alpha Tiger could very easily be the next band on this list. Alpha Tiger understand the fundamental spirit of rock and roll and their sound is ridiculously fun to listen too. As they continue to polish and refine things will only get better. There is a ton of potential here and I'm excited to see how these guys evolve. The world is at their feet, now it's time to see if they can take it.

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/AlphaTigerBand

Brant Bjork and the Low Desert Band - Black Power Flower

Napalm Records might actually be the greatest rock label in the world at this point. The latest evidence towards this beautiful reality is Black Power Flower the most recent release from Brant Bjork and the Low Desert Band. With ten tracks Bjork and his cohorts are able to unleash some of the most exciting riffs, pummeling grooves, and wonderfully triumphant vocals that have ever graced the realm of rock and roll. Brant Bjork and the Low Desert Punk Band get it, and there's no stopping them now.

I think that the primal sexual energy that defines a lot of this record helps to make it so exciting. While many of the songs are not explicit there is something deliciously brooding in the grooving vocals of Brant Bjork himself. These songs, while impacted by the 'desert rock' sound go far beyond that with psychedelic trips interrupting main lines, blood feasts, and even carburetor farts. What I'm trying to say is that while Bjork stays very much within the maxims of the nebulous term 'stoner rock' he's not really willing to acknowledge a whole lot of boundaries, and it seems to me that he's actually going so far as to willfully destroy many of the limits some might try to place on his tone

I think that simply put, the magic of Black Power Flower is that it's fun to listen too. In a world where a lot of rock and roll is pretentious and played out, Brant Bjork and the Low Desert Band are creating something simple, yet incredibly easy to fall in love with. These are songs that anyone with a taste for that rock and roll music can fall in love with, and if you want to boogie, then look no further. Brant Bjork gets it and that essential understanding of rock and roll has allowed his music to touch something fundamentally adolescent within all of us, and that, that is what makes this record so goddamn listenable.

Find them on Facebook!

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Brant-Bjork/123800120977061

Audrey Horne-Pure Heavy

When it comes to crunchy good old rock and roll in the modern context, you often can't get better than Audrey Horne. These guys have a fun sound that is polished to perfection and showcases a great understanding of pure songwriting. Yet another example of how Napalm Records is one of the best hard rock labels in the world today, their new record Pure Heavy is going to keep your head banging and body shaking to Ozzy-esque jams that show a deep understanding of rock and roll. Let it consume your soul, these grooves are worth worshiping

Audrey Horne have always been dedicated to invoking the power of the old gods. Yet, as per their past output, something about Pure Heavy indicates that it could only have really been made in 2014. This record is not only an example of grand old songwriting, the top notch production and multi layered productions show us how far hard rock has come. Ultimately though, the beauty of this band lies in the fact that there is something vaguely familiar about it. Much like your first exposure to a group like Fastway, which you might not discover in your first exploration of the NWOBHM. It feels like it belongs to the movement, but has a glorious twist on it that keeps you excited. Pure Heavy feels like the NWOBHM record you always meant to check out but never found the time to.

So let this recrod take control, Audrey Horne know exactly what they are doing in large part because they have been doing it for more than a decade. The lyrics will draw you in and inoke a sound that you may have thought forgot, Pure Heavy is just that, old school heavy metal that is simply put, pure. They understand what the fans want and deliver with aplomb. I get a good vibe from these guys and I think they will be doing some exciting stuff as they grow bigger. Perhaps, this may finally be the record that gets the band the recognition they so readily deserve!

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/AudreyHorneOfficial

Kaine-The Waystone

For years people have been saying British heavy metal is dead and all these revival bands just sound tired out and dull. Well now we have Kaine and we can be assured that heavy metal will never die. An exciting act who bring a modern touch to a New Wave of British Heavy Metal chassis. These guys know how to craft top notch metal songs with crazed harmonies, powerful choruses, and riffs that simply fill you with energy. This is the sort of heavy metal that the world needs more of, the thing that leads to ascension, redemption, and ultimately freedom.

The Waystone is the sort of release that shrieks of British steel, and not just the Judas Priest album, but more something distinctly English. Their is a vein running through Kaine's music that they share with bands like Iron Maiden and Saxon, it's seriously that good. Compositionally, The Waystone is a very impressive record, it brings in a myriad of ideas into something fresh and new. This fusion of old and new is found right off the bat with Iron Lady. Epic bass riffs intertwine with melodic guitarmonies too craft something that hits you right in the gut. Modern death metal is great and all, but there will always be something to be said for guys who can really just come out, rock hard and ride free.

If you've been looking for the sort of heavy metal record that will bring you back to what you love about the genres roots search no more. Spin The Waystone after having listened to Priest and Maiden for all day and it will fit right in. Yet Kaine bring their own unique elements to the mix and keep it fresh and interesting. These songs are harmonically rich and really interesting to dig into. Scream along to the chorus and let your soul be taken up into a Valhalla of blood, fire, and steel. Kaine understand what it means to rock and will do it until they drop dead.

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/kaineband/timeline

Black Trip-Goin' Under

Hard and heavy rock and roll reeking of the late 70's English rock scene? Yes please! Black Trip's new record Goin' Under is eight tracks of delicious Thin Lizzy and UFO flavored rockers that give their own twist on a classic sound. With fringes of the occult and a wonderful dedication to their music, this is the sort of album that you can really get off on. Simply put, with Goin' Under Black Trip not only invoke the spirit of rock and roll, but they get at something else, something more. Perhaps its the fact that these guys are all more known for heavier acts (Three members are ex-Nifelheim) but maybe it's just that when this group of five guys gets together, magic has to happen.

One of my favorite aspects of Goin' Under and something that comes up again and again throughout the record are the melodic guitar lines. I really dig the New Wave of British Heavy Metal feel it adds to the album and certainly keeps things interesting. The thing is though, the guitar tone and production feel much more reminiscent of UFO than Maiden, so take that NWOBHM comparison with a grain of salt. Black Trip is bringing the old school heavy vibes, but in a way no one has ever done it before. Beyond all the 70s iconography and riffs, there is something more, an element that is distinctly 2014, that speaks to the beauty of these musicians darker heritage.

There are a lot of layers to Goin' Under and I don't have the time to describe them all in this short review, yet it is certainly something worth digging in too. Black Trip have created a powerful statement with this record and it bodes well for the future of the band. Contrasting darker moments with parts filled with an incredible infectious joy, I'm excited to hear more from these guys as they evolve. They capture a very distinct vibe very well and I think that not a lot of bands can claim to have the authenticity and power they do, so come on and fill up your plate, Black Trip is going to rock you tonight!

Find them on Facebook!

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Black-Trip/184303701663532

Wicked Inquisition-Silence Thereafter

Wicked Inquisition are the kind of modern traditional doom band that many say the world has enough of. I beg to differ. As a long time Sabbath worshipper, hearing a band who give their own unique twist on this sort of music. With their new record Silence Thereafter these guys show they have no fear of mixing dark and light and their powerful, poignant melodies grasp at some of the more decimating side effects of what it means to be a metalhead. Wicked Inquisition are on a sort of witch hunt of their very own, finding the poser scum and crushing them under riffs that are simply to die for.

The vocal lines are especially well delivered, while the singer is certainly no Dio his simple and powerful delivery certainly gets the job done. In fact, this is one of those times where the lack of skill on the part of the singer helps to make it beautiful, it simply reflects the human condition so much better. Otherwise, as I mentioned before, these guys are clearly REALLY into Sabbath, and not just the traditional stuff, every once in a while on tracks like Radius of Fear you hear a song that calls to mind some of their acoustic instrumentals, chock full of a strange and ethereal beauty. Toss in some psychedelic solos and you have a band who really get to the spirit of doom.

These electric prophets of destruction are not going to leave your mind soon. After listening to their record its hard to not want to follow it up with Black Sabbath or Sleep. It's important to note too, though these guys may certainly be very influenced by Sabbath they know their stuff, throughout the songs you can hear touches of Blue Cheer, Captain Beyond and Budgie alongside more traditional riffs. So welcome to a world where your mind is the key, where a greater understanding of all that is doom comes as a product of dedication to the genre God forsook. Wicked Inquisition invite you to a Silence Thereafter and I highly recommend you join in.

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/WickedInquisition

Kamchatka-The Search Goes On

Let's be honest, most of us are only familiar with Kamchatka because of the game Risk. if there was no Kamchatka region in that game I for once would be lost trying to understand this groups name. So now were do we start? This groups new record The Search Goes On is a riff heavy rock release that uses a lot of tasty fills and earthy vocals that get at the spirit of rock and roll in a way that few of the groups contemporaries can touch on. Wonderfully mixed and very exciting, this is yet another top notch rock and roll record to come out in 2014.

Part of what makes The Search Goes On so darn appealing is simply how human it sounds. Kamchatka really get at the spirit of riff heavy 70's rock bands. Yet rather than aping them as most of their contemporaries in the 'revival' or 'vest metal' movement might, they really get at the spirit of the thing and this is what makes them special. Kamchatka are so much fun to listen too because they truly channel the drug addled spirit of the 70s, getting a dynamic and exciting sound that is filled with twists and turns. Yet it all seems natural, all a part of the flow, reflective of the beauty of the music and demonstrating the undying power of this kind of music.

Kamchatka are promising songwriters, and The Search Goes On is proof of that. The riffs are heavy, the songs engaging, and the vocals simply magnificent. As you fall into the incredible well of sound that this group has formed for themselves it is hard to believe that this is a 2014 release. Yet all of the elements are here, the moment is right, and rock and roll will dominate once more. So, brothers and sisters, I want to see a revolution out there, start up your rock and roll bands, and if you can be even half as good as Kamchatka, then you'll be going places.

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/Kamchatkaofficial?fref=ts

The Graviators-Motherload

The Graviators are the kind of trudging doom metal act that few people can really seek to compare too. This is the sort of band who are held together not by metronomes or regular meter, but sheer empathy. The riffs here have a very primal and almost personal strength that allows tracks like Narrow Minded Bastards to really stand out and showcase the magic of this group. Their new record Motherload is not the sort of thing you just listen to, but more something you feel, a complete sensory experience that seems to go on and on, a triumph in the world of sludgy hard rock.

The thing about this record that gets me excited is the way that they are combining these modern doom elements with the true spirit of 70s hard rock. In one song you hear Sabbath and Thin Lizzy riffs dueling side by side, and somehow working to create something magical. The Graviators are very much in touch with their roots and it allows them to rock harder and louder than their peers. Furthermore, these songs really lay it all on the line for the riffs. In many cases, this might be less than ideal, but The Graviators have such a sense of Gravitas that their Sabbath inspired trudge comes along as passionate and mighty, driving things forward with an impressive roar.

Stoner metal madness at its finest, this is the sort of album that grabs your heart in a unique and powerful way. Motherload forces your body into some form of unholy and twisted motion, rocking and rolling for its nine track duration. The beauty of this record lies in how it gives you a sense of completeness, the final track, the thirteen minute plus Druid's Ritual provides the perfect endcap to this masterpiece, leaving the listener gently and preparing them to go back into the world beyond the unholy and majestic soundscapes of Motherload that never truly leave the mind.

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/thegraviators

BlackWolf-The Hunt

There are few enough top notch hard rock bands around these days. A lot of them are unoriginal, bland, or simply go for the horrific butt rock of Nickelback. So when you discover a rock band who offer more than that, it's a pretty special occasion. With their new record The Hunt BlackWolf showcase multiple levels of rock and roll madness at its finest. From bluesy solos to punk derived riffs there is a little something for every  fan of the genre to be had here. So plug it in, turn it up and let's go, we have some good old rock and roll music to listen too!

The first thing that strikes you after listening is the power of the songwriting. While many of the tracks are around 4-5 minutes long they each have unique ideas that come across in interesting and beautiful ways. The soundscapes crafted by BlackWolf are not especially intricate or majestic, instead they are luscious in their simplicity. With a fairly open sound, every instrument is accentuated and allowed to showcase its full potential. One of the things that is best showcased in the bands mix is the voice of their lead singer. Throughout The Hunt he showcases the unique ability to roar as well as to croon. He has an excellent range and really takes the band to a whole new level.

In conclusion, BlackWolf is the sort of act who have the capacity to rise up and take the rock world by storm. And to some degree they already are, with thousands of Facebook fans and an upcoming tour with The Answer the future seems bright for these rockers from Bristol. Soulful and passionate, this is the kind of rock and roll music that the world could only do with more of. Not a lot of bands 'get it' in the way that Blackwolf do and for that they will one day reign triumphant. With a groovy sound that is a blast to listen too I'm excited to here what they put out next!

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/ukblackwolf

Blues Devils

Dirty and partying rock and roll of the grand old style, that's what Blues Devils bring to the table. A sound that is unique, powerful, and often very poignant. You see, there is an earthy magic to the music of Blues Devils. They have an approach to rock and roll that reeks of Motorhead. These guys know that they just want to rock and they are proud of it. One of the best aspects of Blues Devils sound is the way they add blues to their sound (pretty appropriate considering the name) it gives the entire thing a very down and dirty 60's or 70's hard rock vibe. There is nothing complicated or esoteric about Blues Devils music, instead it is down to earth and ready to deliver, the kind of music that touches the soul with its simple understanding of the nature of rock music. I simply love the emotions they bring forth and the heart and soul they clearly pour into their music. A group who prove rock and roll will never die Blues Devils seem to have a bright future ahead of them!

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/bluesdevilsofficiel

Buffalo Summer-Self Titled

So now I bring you another tried and true rock and roll record from a band who care about heavy riffs, good vibes and genuine rock and roll insanity. A band who are quite simply over the top and very proud of that Buffalo Summer's self titled debut record reflects all of the fun that rock and roll can have while still maintaining a powerful message. And also, them beards yo, how many bands these days rock beards that impressive? That's got to count for something. Seriously though, the plain and simple good vibes of Buffalo Summer make it more than just a rock record, but an album that could go down in history next to Bachman Turner Overdrives finest.

The thing about these guys is their music is just straightforward. There aren't a lot of frills to the Buffalo Summer sound and this really just allows the band to rock out and roar into songs with punchy riffs and touching lyrics. The thing is, Buffalo Summer get rock and roll and they simply understand what rock music is gunna need if its going to survive in its purest form for generations to come. With no pretentious songs and a simple dedication to their craft Buffalo Summer seem to really dig the parlance of our times. Even as Buffalo Summer create something that perfectly pays tribute to their old masters their is a certain hindsight on this record that makes it seem very current, in other words it becomes a record for everyone, old or young, Buffalo Summer have a relevant message for all.

In short, these tracks represent the beating heart of rock and roll with tons of blues, gallons of groove and solos that are just to die for. Very much in the vest metal vein these guys are not afraid to make the music they want, yet despite that it is incredibly relevant, showcasing all the magic that good old rock and roll has. I'm curious to see what the future holds for Buffalo Summer and I'm glad to know that they only need to take a brief hop across the Channel to come play in Paris. So here's to Buffalo Summer, may true rock and roll live ever on in our hearts!

Find them on Facebook!

https://www.facebook.com/buffalosummer?fref=ts

Albatross

Albatross is a nifty bluesy hard rock band who in many ways remind me of bands like Led Zeppelin in the way they are not afraid to mix light and dark. Their modern hard rock elements add in a taste of Altar Bridge to their heavier parts and the sheer groove is at best reminiscent of Black Sabbath. Their is a certain vibe here that is just magic, the bluesy acoustic playing that gives the music a great old school classic rock feel and the roaring pentatonic solos. While the band could use another member to fill out the sound (Some parts do sound a bit 'empty') Albatross's music is still exciting and dynamic showcasing a band who know what they want to do and more importantly how to do it. I especially like the drum lines, the cowbell playing on Smoke and Mirrors really captured my heart. The slide guitar parts add a certain earthy quality to the music that few other bands can emulate and with a more full sound the group might be able to get down and gritty. In short, one of the most exciting bands to come out of Ontario in a long while (See, there CAN be Canadians who rock!) the future seems bright for Albatross!

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/albatrosscochrane/app_2405167945 

Dick Venom & The Terrortones

Somewhere along the line, in that weird period that we collectively refer to as the 90s, rock and roll lost its raw hedonism, that adolescent and primal magic that made so much rock worth listening to. When that crazed youth vamoosed we were left in a vacuum only filled by shoegaze musicians. Now, while shoegaze is good, can it really match the madness of the MC5 or The Troggs? This is why we have Dick Venom and the Terrortones, they are here to restore our sense of rock and roll with fun and bombastic music that gets to your gut and reminds us what rock and roll should really be about. Their new single Invasion of the Spider Queen/Planet of the Honeyfuzz represents the filth and grime that need to accumulate to create something as glorious as these guys have made. An image heavy band who know exactly what they want to do Dick Venom & The Terrortones could very well lead a return to straight up rock and roll, and none of this vest metal stuff, but pure, unadulterated, unapologetic Iggy Pop inspired punk. Check them out!

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/DickVenomandtheTerrortones

Shadow Alliance

I'll be honest with you, normally when I get a 'traditional heavy metal' band like Shadow Alliance I find a group of 'unique' 18 year olds who are excited to start a band now that they're in college with a mediocre 'singer' and a 'virtuoso' guitarist. The lyrics are contrived and the playing sloppy. I am glad to say that this is not the case with Shadow Alliance. Here to kick out the posers with roaring vocals and soaring guitar lines Shadow Alliance are a group of gifted musicians who understand what heavy metal is and want to reveal it to the world. With riffs that will get a mosh pit moving and a singer who is quite honestly in the league with Halford Shadow Alliance have the potential to get huge fast. The riffs are fun and easy to latch on to making them great for both trve metallers and more mainstream fans. This is one of the rare bands that can appeal to the common man and retain its trve nature. A group of very talented musicians I tremble to think how well this band will do when they can finally get a full length out! Suffice to say, if you are a lover of metal anthems and good times, Shadow Alliance is the band for you!

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/shadowalliancemetal/app_2405167945

Cosmic Shakedown-Mammoth Sessions

Cosmic Shakedown is a fiery rock band from Buffalo New York (Coincidentally the city Cannibal Corpse is from) their explosive sounds will entrap the listener in the glorious spirit of true rock and roll. This new set of four songs represents how powerful Cosmic Shakedown can be. Mammoth Sessions promises to be the high powered genuine rock and roll record that shows off how magical this music can be. With a promising mix of hard hitting guitars, bombastic bass lines and some stellar vocals this is an album for the ages and a sign that Chuck Berry's music will love forever on.

What really strikes me with this record is the moody atmospheres crafted throughout. The soundscapes have a certain Led Zeppelin like aura to them, but still reeking of early American Hard Rock. Yet their are a few more modern touches here and there suggesting a touch of a Black Keys and White Stripes influence. I think what really makes the atmosphere special is the down home keyboard lines which give the entire music a bit of an American grit. At best it's almost reminiscent of The Doors in how it undulates and gives an unholy energy to the songs.

In conclusion, if you're looking for a rock record that will take you back and show you that Manzarek's unique playing style will live on even after his death then this is the album for you. Moody and hard hitting this is a record that would not have been out of place in the record racks in 1971, even if there are a few more modern influences. Rockers and rollers across the world should check this album out if they're looking for any sort of redemption. One of the most promising debut's that I have heard in a while I'm excited to see what the future holds for Cosmic Shakedown!

Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/CosmicShakedown