Tower - Shock To The System

Tower have long been my favorite NYC hard rock band, and I think it's easy to see why. Their late 70s inspired New York aesthetic is a ton of fun and showcases a group who understand what it means to write an excellent rock song. Their new record, Shock To The System is chock to the brim of all of the elements that make Tower great, killer songwriting, epic vocals and high powered guitars. It's the sort of thing you know is immediately going to translate to the live stage and which shines with a level of fun few of the bands peers can compare too. 

Shock To The System is an absolute delight to spend time with. It's a record that is full of rock and roll histrionics, but th3ey make sense and feel good in the context of the band. This is music for people who want a young and fun band who straight up rock, who build on classic rock with their own brand of high powered glory. This is a shock to the system because it's so much more compelling than almost any other rock coming out these days. It speaks to a band who understand the magic of this music and inspire even the most square among us to come out rocking and rolling, reveling in the neverending magic of a veritable ballroom blitz. 

This record is a significant step up for Tower and one that I think fans of the underground are going to dig deep into. It's an album that consistently one ups itself with triumphant moments of slightly ridiculous bombast - but bombast that Tower control expertly. This is heavy music done right, at a million miles an hour and with a vision that will guide listeners into headbanging bliss. Join me in reveling in the magic of Shock To The System -  a rock and roll record that proves there is still hope and that NYC still kicks ass when it wants too.

Buy the album!

https://towernyc.bandcamp.com/album/shock-to-the-system

Sister - Stand Up, Forward, March!

Sisters are the kind of rock and roll band who understand the magic of the modern scene but also the beauty of bands like Motley Crue. Their music is appropriately halfway between the two. There are moments that would fit on a 80s glam record, but Stand Up, Forward, March! belies an intensity that many of the bands peers would find borderline intimidating. These guys are clearly incredibly talented and there is a fiery passion behind these songs that make them anthems of a generation whose system failed them.

It's easy to dive into what the band has to offer on Stand Up, Forward, March! This is an album that encourages you to bite from the forbidden fruit and take a darker step in the world of rock and roll. They have twisted, magical lyrics, songs that hint at a more evil world and one that so many of us willfully ignore. Sister exist in a triumphant state of rebellion. The snarl that dominates the record periodically shifting into something more melodic, but also unafraid to go into a harsher growl. It adds a surprising dynamic layer, one that harsher vocals tend to lack. These guys are masters of their craft and fucking know it.

With big choruses, ripping solos and a sense of... dare I say wonder? Stand Up, Forward, March! captures everything that we love about rock music and hints at a bold future. It remains vibrant, virile and ready to blow at any given moment. These guys have an incredible understanding of melodic content and their songwriting chops fucking slay. It's impossible not to have a good time while jamming Stand Up, Forward, March! so come join me and enter the pit. There's still hope for rock and roll even in Trumps America.

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

Valient Thorr - Old Salt

I write this review as my hoe country of France goes through yet another long night after the terrorist attack in Nice. I almost feel like a traitor reviewing this particular band, because Valient Thorr are by definition a 'good times' band, but fuck it - no terrorist is going to tell me what to do. The point being - the bands 2013 effort, Our Own Masters has been in regular rotation for me for three years now, so suffice to say expectations were high for this particular release, Old Salt. Fortunately, the band delivers.

The thing about Valient Thorr is that they are best when they preserve their swagger, so Valient Himself's potent cry of "You are a dead man!" that defines the first track is exactly the kind of thing we need to make this album come off on the right foot. The burning sense of fun, and the fiery passion that Old Salt represents is counterbalanced by something new though. Where Our Own Masters had a lot of shorter more chorus oriented songs, Old Salt sees the guys expanding on what they've done in the past, growing their sonic palate and showing us that this is a band who refuse to be stymied.

So yeah - perhaps no band as perfectly blends hardcore, blues and rock and roll as well as Valient Thorr. The dudes have done their job better than we could have ever imagined and there is something endlessly addictive about Old Salt. Though I've only had the record for a few days I'm already four listens deep. It's rare that you have a band with this level of swagger and burning attitude. Old Salt is exciting and fun and even suggests that a band who have been as traditionally stripped back as Valient Thorr can add a few exciting frills.

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

Tournament - Teenage Creature

It's always nice when you stumble across a release that invokes the true power of rock and roll. The psyched out freaky vibes out Tournament and their noisy masterpiece, Teenager Creature is a perfect example of this. An album that is at once reminiscent of The MC5 and Kvelertak the band has managed to distill the unique power of rock and roll into a handful of tracks. This is an album that refuses to fuck around but instead which drives forward with a inhuman might, pounding through the streets and reminding us that rock and roll can still be dangerous.

The thing that really gets me about Teenage Creature is the sheer chaos of the sound. It almost reminds me of early Donnas. The band is driving forward at a million miles an hour, but it feels like they could call apart at any moment - which is exactly why I love the music so much. Tournament have captured the magic of basement jam sessions and turned up half stacks in tiny rooms. It gives Teenage Creature a rather organic feel. Obviously the garage rock vibe helps, but it's more than that. The quasi improvised magic of a song like Biff's Future perfectly encapsulates the weirdness that rightfully defines this band.

Is Teenage Creature breaking the rules or redefining what rock and roll can be? No, not really. But that's not the point. What this album is doing is proving that there is still a place for those who love it loud and who just want to turn it up and vibe out to some crazy songs about the pain and beauty of existence. Tournament reflect the human condition because they truly comprehend how rock and roll should be interfacing with it. So sit down, turn it up and let's go - this is a band who could save us all. 

Find them on Facebook!

https://www.facebook.com/TOURNAMENTBAND/

Supervoid/Red Desert - The Second Coming Of Heavy: Chapter 2

I've long thought that The Second Coming Of Heavy series was one of the coolest things happening among a flock of cool things that Ripple Music has going on. The latest submission to this series, appropriately titled The Second Coming Of Heavy: Chapter 2 is a split between Supervoid and Red Desert. Featuring the fuzzed out tones that make so much of this classic rock and roll stuff so worthwhile these two bands prove that they both deserve a place in a scene crowded by posers and chumps.

Supervoid kick off the split with wide open sounds and psychedelic riffs that seem like they'd be nicely complimented by something green. The way that the band so easily straddles sonic landscapes is actually really exciting to me and suggests that Supervoid are building towards something truly great. Sure they may not have found the key yet, but I get the impression they know where to look. Meanwhile, Red Desert seem a bit more down to earth, using tight pentatonic solos and throbbing grooves to court listeners into rock and roll submission. Feeling them vibe out with stripped down passages contrasting surprisingly lush soundscapes is ridiculously enjoyable.

It's good to take the time to properly vibe out to a record - especially in this high powered hyperspeed day and age. The Second Coming Of Heavy: Chapter 2 lets you do exactly that. A fitting tribute not just to the scene but all the great shit that Ripple Music represents it's easy to fall in love with the broken hearts and fall aparts found within this record. Let the droning bass lines and punchy guitars carry you off - rock and roll is in full on revolution baby, and its compilations like this that are leading the charge.

Find the bands on Facebook!

Supervoid: https://www.facebook.com/SuperVoid.PGH/?fref=ts

Red Desert: https://www.facebook.com/reddesertmpls/?fref=ts

Mondo Drag - The Occultation Of Light

After a stressful day down at the freelance writing ranch it's always satisfying to be able to sit back and chill out with some heavy psychedelic vibes. Mondo Drag bring exactly that on The Occultation Of Light a wonderfully weird and fuzzed out release that really gets the spirit of psychedelic music in all of its twisted glory. There is an inherent weirdness here to the jazzy keyboard fills and hypnotizing bass lines that helps to make The Occultation Of Light one of my favorite releases of 2016 thus far.

The Occultation Of Light is one of those records that you can't help but getting lost in. The and members are all incredibly talented and the jam oriented feel of these tracks helps to make it a mesmerizing experience. The way things sort of ease forward and give you a chance to really sink into the music is strangely refreshing. Above all though - you can not understate the power of the organs and synths on this record. They provide a nice fuzzed out feel and couch everything in a sort of Jon Lord-esque haze. It provides a sense of artistry to the work and nicely pads out the sound for the Blue Cheer inspired guitar parts.

There's a lot to dig in to and vibe out on on The Occultation Of Light. This is a band who aren't afraid to break the rules and who feel the pure sexual magic of rock and roll. Mondo Drag use their crunchy guitars and punchy piano parts to give you a chance to just ride out on a cloud, feel the surrealistic pillow of your soul escape you and slowly step into a psychedelic dreamland. This isn't a band to be taken lightly, but rather a group who have a sort of spiritual connection to rock and roll and all that it entails.

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

Mothership - Live Over Freak Valley

Black Friday is a weird day - you feel full and shitty and then all too often you feel forced into some sort of fucked up consumerist trend. That's part of why I find this new live record from Mothership so god damn perfect for a post-Turkey day celebration. I've long felt that these Texas rockers shine most in the live setting - I've seen them a couple of times now and both times I was simply impressed at the magic of the vibe that they were able to elicit. These are rock and roll masters at their peak and Love Over Freak Valley communicates that in a beautiful fashion.

There are two things that really define any good Mothership song, and that help to guide this record forward, groove and atmosphere. Live Over Freak Valley manages to charm because of exactly that. The groove is immediately apparent, the swinging riffs and Black Sabbathian drawl of the songs gets you bouncing along and feeling the blood rushing through your veins. Meanwhile - the dialogue between songs, as well as the waves of distortion helps to create an atmosphere about the record that you only find on the truly great live albums. I am completely serious when I say that Over Freak Valley may very well be on par with an album like the MC5's Kick Out The Jams.

So dive in and let these rivers of sound soak into you. Mothership are not just the rock band we want - they are the rock band we need right now.  They encapsulate something very important about the American experience - and because this is a live album we get a much more organic sense of what the band is capable of. As they call out to a new German crowd and beg for them to come closer, and then encourage folks to hang out with them at the merch booth you realize that this is a young rock band out to take the world by storm. Perhaps Kyle Juett said it best when he closed out the record, "We will be back!"

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

Ape Machine - Coalition Of The Unwilling

Ape Machine is one of those wonderful psych rock bands that help to make the scene so goddamn rich. Their heavy pentatonic grooves and wah pedal derived antics are far too much fun to get into and will be sure to set you rocking and rolling all night long. Ape Machine drive forward with pounding drums and flashy guitar lines - all hallmarks of a great rock and roll band. These Portland stalwarts use their latest record, the indomitable Coalition Of The Unwilling to drive forward heavy sounds that are impossible to forget.

See - part of what makes Ape Machine so great is that though they use a lot of 70s tropes I always get the impression that they couch it in a mindset that feels distinctly 2015. Coalition Of The Unwilling, while certainly a fitting tribute to the 70s could never have come out in that era - simply because it sounds too modern. That being said - I think the modern twist speaks to the greatness of the band. They're not just rehashing old ideas, instead you get to hear touches of Faith No More alongside the Zeppelin and Sabbath - creating a sound that is wonderfully exciting and distinctly their own - and isn't that what rock and roll was meant to be about in the first place?

Coalition Of The Unwilling is a veritable rock record for the ages - one that speaks to where the genre is in 2015 and shows us that there is plenty of room to grow and we don't need to forget our musical forebears. Rock and roll needs time to expand and contract and find its rolls in this world. Ape Machine get what the genre is meant to be about and give you a chance to close your eyes and be carried off into a strange new world. In a world where far too many say rock is dead Ape Machine spit in societies face and bring it hard and heavy with the potential for years of great material to come.

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

Magic Circle - Journey Blind

It's no secret that I was pretty darn stoked on Magic Circle's 2013 self titled debut, but I'll admit, I hadn't listened to that particular record in far too long. So their follow-up, the exciting, booty shaking, earth quaking Journey Blind comes as a particularly pleasant surprise – 7 tracks of rock and roll brilliance turned up to the max and leaving your whole body in awe of the majestic odes to everything and nothing that Magic Circle have wrought. Chock full of guitarmonies and powerful vocals, this is what rock and roll was meant to be.

As we see the genre coming back to the fore in 2015 it's bands like Magic Circle that make it so valid. The thing is – they understand what rock and roll means but they put something of a modern spin on it, keeping it engaging and entertaining. That being said – the straight Thin Lizzy worship in some of these tracks is highly appreciated. Simply put – Magic Circle know how to write a fucking rock and roll song. You find yourself falling in love with the infectious grooves that the band has been able to craft and in between occult melodies you have to genuflect at the sense of pure bliss that the band has been able to conjure up with this particular release.

Magic Circle are a magical band, invoking all that we love about an art form that looks like it is once more about to have its day in the sun. It's easy to find the sense of sublime power in tracks like A Ballad For The Vultures because Magic Circle have spent time investing raw and potent emotion into their work. This is the kind of record that critics go gaga for bcause it sounds pretty, it's engaging and it simply resonates with the rock fan in all of us. So if you too promised the gods that you would play it louder than hell, but sometimes want something a little more elegant.. well then this might just be the record of a lifetime.

Check them out online!

 http://www.magiccircleheavymetal.com/

The Offenders - X

The Offenders are more than just a bouncy ska band - they have a profound understanding of punk rock too which makes their sound an engaging fusion of styles that will keep you charmed and open your mind with potent sounds and powerful lyrics that will get you singing along and pumping your fist. The fact of the matter is that after 10 years of hard work The Offenders have been able to release a definitive statement with X that will make listeners smile and draw new fans to their rather unique sound.

While yeah - at times the production can sound a little flat, you don't get to put out six albums in ten years if you're not an absolutely top notch band - and The Offenders are. They have been able to balance a diverse set of sounds on this record and I think that it definitively proves the enduring power of rock and roll. The fact that in the same song you can hear elements of The New York Dolls as well as The Specials, or hell even Streetlight Manifesto is stunning to me and is a huge part of what makes X so god damn enjoyable. Simply put - The Offenders have created a feel good sound that will make you want to dance around the pit.

Jangly and light hearted The Offenders have really gotten to the bottom of things on X and it leaves me excited for what is to come from these rock and rollers. Icons in their own right it's hard to deny a band who speak so directly to the heart. The Offenders know what it means to make you laugh, cry and hurl and that's exactly what makes this whole thing so beautiful. At the end of the day - it's impossible not to fall in love with what this Berlin based group does, so get your dancing boots on and come join in!

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

Jackson Firebird - Shake The Breakdown

Jackson Firebird really impressed me with their debut record Cock Rockin' last year. But now things are better than ever with the bombastic two piece releasing some of their most virile music yet on Shake The Breakdown. Anthemic and bold this is the kind of rock and roll record that we need if we want the genre to hold on to its precious soul. Jackson Firebird are dirty, raunchy and powerful, talented musicians who can deliver any sort of rock and roll at the drop of a hat and leave you gasping in awe.

The thing is Shake The Breakdown sees an even greater depth of diversity than the bands debut. Songs like Headache Mantra have a sound that combines Rage Against The Machine with Jack White. Meanwhile the cover of Fat Bottomed Girls helps to prove that these guys know their roots and it provides an even more poignant breadth to the music. Toss in some quasi acoustic and psychedelic moments here and there and you have to admit that Shake The Breakdown is the kind of release that demands the attention of anyone who seeks to keep abreast with what rock and roll can be in 2015.

At the end of the day Shake The Breakdown is more than just a throwback to a different generation. Jackson Firebird are crafting a distinct sound that can remain potent even in the twenty first century. They speak to a millenials desire for nostalgia, but more than that there is something very real about what the band has created here and it's hard to deny that they have managed to unleash a sonic assault that few of their peers can ever match. Filled with a triumphant manic energy it's hard not to fall in love with what Jackson Firebird do.

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

Jay Wud

A Dubai based rock artist who has the support of Guns 'n' Roses, Aerosmith and Robert Plant? Oh my God, did somebody create a rock star meant to save a new generation? There is a wonderful energy to Jay Wud that comes through in his new single, Low. The world has been starving for a rock star from the Middle East and it seems that Jay Wud has it all, a powerful anthem, a straight forward sound, and a distinct look. It's this kind of magic that attracted me so much to rock and roll in the first place. As cliché as it might sound, Jay Wud truly understands the spirit of this music, and when you feel his riffs dig in to your soul you get definitive proof that he is the rock master of the 2010's. This is not a man to be trifled with and my knees are shaking with anticipation for the release of his upcoming EP. Jay Wud may very well save us all from the complacence that plagues are age, and I salute him for it.

Find him on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/jaywudrock

Bandit, Afterparty, Good Times, Rollin' Loaded, Pillars of Villainy, Eternal Sleep, and Steel Nation at the West Chester VFW

It's rare that you go to the first show ever hosted at a new venue. Yet tonight was one such night, the West Chester VFW has recently consented to hosting shows, and this particular evening saw a killer lineup that I think few will forget. Proof of the eternal power of the underground, this was a show that got my heart racing and blood pumping, reminding me that the sounds of the underground are the sounds of freedom and if nothing else, this is what we can latch on too to find our way out of the darkness that haunts us all.

The first band up was Bandit, a group who I've seen twice before but who never fail to impress. Loud and destructive, they never fail to tear my face off and have proven to me multiple times that their own take on powerviolence has the power to take over the scene. One of the most exciting bands around right now, they managed to put on a tight and exciting set despite some technical difficulties. It's cool to see that they are really starting to reintegrate their bassist Michael, who had been forced to take time off from the band. These guys are going up fast, and you should catch on for the ride as soon as you can.

Afterparty played next and I have to say, while their brand of pop punk isn't really my thing, they certainly put on a tight show. They're a lot of fun to listen too and they clearly had a blast playing. Their rhythms are catchy and the vocal melodies well thought out. I really liked their growls, some of the heavier songs they did seemed to get an excellent reception and left me begging for more. They could easily do well as a full time hardcore band. As is though, these pop punk maniacs seem to have the potential to only grow their fanbase. As they get tighter and more cohesive I'm excited to see what they do!

Third to play was Good Times, and simply put, they know how to bring a good time. This band is one of those groups who you just have a blast watching live. They rock the stage and own every song they play. These tracks grind their way into your skull and the crunchy hardcore rhythms will get your body moving around the pit in no time. They have a clear sound that's easy to get in to and at times extremely reminiscent of Municipal Waste. Given my own personal predilections, that makes these guys pretty awesome. They were one of the most exciting bands to play the show, and I would love to see them again!

When Rollin' Loaded storms the stage you know you're going to have a good time. These guys put together a set that was a pleasure to watch. It's kind of surreal for me to see these guys because I've been listening to them for so long that the fact that they're essentially a local band for me is strange. They always bring a party and they have a huge West Chester fan base so dozens of fans sang along and danced to their glorious, victorious, and fun music. Though they were pretty different from the other bands on the bill, they still played with a ton of energy and proved that they have the ability to take their sound far beyond the confines of Southeast Pennsylvania.

I didn't expect to hear guitarmonies on this fine evening, but I was pleasantly surprised by Pillars of Villainy, a hardcore tinged death metal band who had technical riffs and all sorts of powerful vocal lines. When the guitarmonies kicked in I really started to get into it, it added a touch of technicality and fun that none of the other bands could grasp. Members of crucial local acts like Fisthammer mentioned to me after the show that these guys were truly great. One of my favorite bands of the night, I'm excited as to what this band will go on to do. Right now, they seem like another stellar addition to the burgeoning PA death metal scene.

The penultimate band was the ferocious Eternal Sleep. With long hair and big beards these guys got going right away kicking the audience in their collective teeth. Their hardcore attack is hardly one to be forgotten and when they burst out of the gate with crazed riffs and memorable grooves I knew I was in for a good time. Jammed in between a pair of top notch acts, they did a wonderful job of getting the crowd going, and by the end of their set it seemed like almost everybody was going nuts. This is a band who understand hardcore on a fundamental level and I get the sense they'll be able to go far with that.

Finally we had Steel Nation, members of the veritable hardcore old guard (Or at least compared to their peers on the show) Their sound was pretty interesting and certainly got the crowd into it. Though they kept it short they had a certain primal joy in the raw magic of hardcore. Cries like "Do your hardcore!" kept everyone involved and excited, proving that the years of experience these guys have is paying off. Their multi vocalist approach and penchant for Metallica style riffs was fun too. They deserve their place among the lords of the Pennsylvania Hardcore scene and I am glad that I got a chance to see them.

In brief, it looks like this new venue is here to stay. It has great sound, a nice space, and a friendly bartender. Though it may have been cold outside, we were all brought together and warmed by a mutual love of the music. These are the things that keep us sane, and though the night may be dark and filled with terrors, we can overcome them together. Let these songs ring through your heart and guide you when times are grim, because nights like these are what makes life worth living. Hailz to Casey Homa, a man who truly gets what the underground is all about!

Find the bands on Facebook!

Bandit: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bandit/598271890207961

Afterparty: https://www.facebook.com/afterpartypa

Good Times: https://www.facebook.com/goodtimessjhc

Rollin' Loaded: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rollin-Loaded/365209083537046

Pillars of Villainy: https://www.facebook.com/pillarsofvillainy

Eternal Sleep: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Eternal-Sleep/220428501368410?fref=photo

Steel Nation: https://www.facebook.com/steelnationpa

Nitrogods-Rats and Rumours

There is not enough straight up Motorhead worship these days. Not enough bands can properly emulate the triumphant rage of one of the greatest bands in rock and roll. Perhaps its better that way, it means that when a band like Nitrogods comes around, a group who really hit the nail on the head and get what gritty rock should be all about, it's truly special. But don't get me wrong, there is far more to this band than just Motorheads influence. In fact, the touches of Thin Lizzy and bits of celtic music actually help to make Rats and Rumours extremely memorable. 

Part of what makes these Germans so special is that they've all been deeply involved in this music for years. Nitrogods has ex members of Thunderhead and Primal Fear. This lends a certain legitimacy to these songs, showing that Nitrogods aren't just another group of young punks trying to rip off the greats. These guys know what they're on about and that's just a part of what makes them so special. The fun loving and dirty lyrics on tracks like Damn Right (They Call it Rock and Roll) show a dedication to the genre that's actually kind of beautiful. Nitrogods understand the core concepts of rock and roll far better than most of their peers and thus they triumph. 

So sure they haven't put out a lot of material yet, but Nitrogods have proved to me at least that they are able to emulate the old masters. Their unique take on powerful rock formulas has created something that could be fatal to the flesh of the weak. As is, if you want to jive to fun solos and jam to hard hitting grooves, Nitrogods are metal with a bop. You can bounce around to the undying magic of a group who have dedicated themselves to honoring their musical ancestors, men who very well may never die but instead grow stronger and more powerful with every passing year.

Find Nitrogods on Facebook!

https://www.facebook.com/Nitrogods

Studfaust - Where The Underdogs Bark

What better than to start my morning with the punk apocalypse called Studfaust? The debut mini long play of the Norwegian band is called Where The Underdogs Bark and it has a couple of songs of the 7" single released two years ago. The reason question is, what kept them so long?

This mixture between rock 'n roll, punk and metal is a sure fix for many metal heads, turn it up to eleven, get a beer and throw it to the person next to you and start moshing. It surely is a waste of beer and the music compromises it. Songs like Where The Underdogs Bark, Street Judge's Gavel and Erection of the Egoist are all incredibly catchy songs that it is almost impossible to stand still on. The downside is however that the long play only lasts twenty-one minutes. Although it is not rare for punk to be short, I am craving for more.

In all the songs are exactly what you would expect for a good punk band, the songs are catchy, they are rough and you will go home with a sore neck. They saved the best for last, 1980's ladies is a song you can sing along with after hearing it for the first time. It sticks and Studfaust is doing their job. The album came out on August 15th, so pick it up!

Check them out on facebook; https://www.facebook.com/Studfaust/

Lonely Kamel-Shit City

If nothing else, Napalm Records is putting out some of the best rock and roll I have ever head this year. The latest and greatest achievement of theirs is Lonely Kamels masterpiece, Shit City. (Ironic that I review this on the day I suffered from mild food poisoning) Their unique brand of hard partying rock and roll will keep you going for the show. Shit City is the kind of chaotic slice of rock and roll magic that makes the entire genre worth it. Sure it's insane and surprising, but that's the point. Lonely Kamel are ultimately the sound of liberation, a band who will triumph and allow us to stand tall.

The thing that ultimately will drive you to insanity with this record is the four on the floor rhythms which never seem to let up. Even the gentler tracks really only serve as segways to more rock and roll madness. Shit City is an exquisitely crafted album, engaging the listener from top to bottom with riffs, solos, and hooks galore. The clearly blues oriented vibe of the whole record keeps the record strongly based in its roots. The groovy rhythms on tracks like Is It Over ensure a wonderfully old school feel. Lonely Kamel may be 21st century electro-space hippies, but they certainly aren't going to forget their musical ancestors and the guys who made their brand of rock and roll possible.

So come on out and feel the magic. Lonely Kamel get rock and roll, and are part of why the Napalm Records roster is one of the most exciting in the rock and metal world right now. As these guys howl their way to the top it just feels good to surrender yourself to the shake rattle and roll of Shit City. Sure the world around may continue to get worse, Europe may break into war, ISIS may nuke us, but ultimately Lonely Kamel and bands of their ilk make it all okay. They ensure us that no matter what madness goes on in the world around, rock and roll will stand tall.

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

XII Boar-Truck Stop Baby

I'll admit it, XII Boar is one of my dad's favorite bands. I think something about the bands raw grooves and their English sensibilities really appeals to him and men of his generation. See, XII Boar have a lot of grit, perhaps more even than Motorhead, yet they are also legitimate enough that it doesn't make them look silly. This three piece have recently unleashed a new almighty single, Truck Stop Baby, the kind of track that speaks to the smelly adventurer within all of us. See, it seems to me that XII Boar get something about humanity that many of us aren't turned on too. Sure lot's of us look down on smelly old rockers who never learned, but XII Boar seem to revel in that image and use it to fuel a sludgy sound which has the potential to appeal to thousands of fans of heavy music. XII Boar, rock, roll, and oftentimes slaughter and if you like rock music that will leave you gasping for breath and at a loss for words, then Truck Stop Baby is a single you're going to have to check out.

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

Jay Smith-King of Man

A Swedish rock hero out to unleash his second solo release. Jay Smith is usually known for his work with the band Von Benzo, but now he seems to be out on a track of his own with the genre sweeping King of Man. This is the sort of modern rock and roll release that has the sort of ubiquity that is almost required to succeed in the modern rock game. You see, King of Man shows us something distinctly human about Jay Smith and it helps all the little people like you and me get a better grasp for what it means to be an artist in his prime.

Part of what makes King of Man so appealing to me is the earthy quality to the music. There is a true depth to what Jay Smith is doing here, like he really wants people to get at the fundamental nature of his music. The result of this is a record that sounds honest, through layers of beautiful production and carefully crafted songs. Jay Smith is a man who really knows how to craft pieces of music, every song here has a unique twist to it, but they all fit in the same general vibe. Even his cover of Cowboys from Hell, which is far removed from the original, brings something new and exciting to the table. This is a labor of love and proves Smith to not just be another rock and roller.

So where does this leave us? Well, we could simply be gaping in the tracks of one of Sweden's rock superstars, but I think that King of Man gives us something more. Jay Smith is revealing the soul of a master to the people and wants us to connect with him and this makes him beautiful. King of Man is an album from a lord of rock, someone who will not be stifled but only turn it up louder. So let yourself be taken in the storm, there's only so much you can take, but Jay Smith will help you with the burden of everyday life. Let down your hair and join the groove, what else can you do?

Find Jay Smith on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/jaysmithofficial

The Arkanes-W.A.R.

Man, SPV Records has been putting out some of the best rock and roll records of 2014, and they seem to be showing on sign of letting up. The latest gem to come out of the label is the tasty Liverpool quartet, The Arkanes, whose new record W.A.R. is the sort of gem that gets long haired dudes hippity hopping, grooving to a beat that seems to be some sort of unholy fusion of classic rock, grunge, and more than a touch of new alternative stuff. The end result is a record with a distinct sound that is easy to latch in to and then quickly fall in love with.

See, The Arkanes have a great sense of songwriting, and moreover, how their unique take on songs can come forward and give their music a distinct vibe that no other band can truly emulate. With W.A.R. this band manages to rise up and show the world exciting new things can still be done in rock music, be it in low tempo moody tracks like Vampyre or faster rockers like the album closer, Edge, you get a sense that Arkanes just want to live, breath, and simply embody rock and roll. Not a lot of bands have this sort of dedication to the genre, nor the creative potential to really move it forward, but The Arkanes do and this sets them apart, golden gods for a new era.

Dive on in and fill your heart with the rock and roll lust that makes a band like The Arkanes so worthwhile and relevant. In an age where bands start to use up old ideas and leave many concepts played out, The Arkanes are bringing something fresh and exciting to English rock music. Will they be the next fab four? Probably not. But are they capable of touring the world, spreading good vibes and generally making an important, unforgettable mark on rock and roll? Well, if W.A.R. is any indication, then the answer is most definitely yes.

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

Tomas Doncker Band-Moanin' At Midnight: The Howlin' Wolf Project

Longtime readers will know I love me the blues. Muddy Waters, Willie Dixon, and perhaps above all, the legendary Howlin' Wolf. Now, the Tomas Doncker Band has been around for a little while, Doncker himself is a career musician who has been busting genres wide open since the 1980's. So when a figure as talented and gifted as Doncker comes out with a tribute to one of the greatest blues artists of all time, you know you should stand up and take notice. With Moanin' At Midnight: The Howlin' Wolf Project the Tomas Doncker band pays tribute to a true legend.

Part of what makes this record so special to me is the touches of modern blues that Doncker manages to mix into the sound. His takes on classics like Back Door Man and Killing Floor bring in touches of rock elements, a few even toss in a Led Zeppelin vibe. (I know Zeppelin stole a lot from Wolf, but the point stands) Tomas Doncker has gone above and beyond, he knows that of course you can't hold a candle up to Howlin' Wolf, but by god can he put an exciting new twist on it. That's what makes Moanin' At Midnight worth a listen or ten. Doncker gives his unique take on a legends work and it gives the entire catalogue new life and leaves blues nerds like me begging for more.

The ten tributes found on this record are going to capture your heart and make you want to go back and check out not just all of Wolf's catalogue, but also Donckers. As the band roars through an exciting take of I Ain't Superstitious you start to realize that these guys are on to something big with Moanin' At Midnight. Many have tried to put out tributes to the blues god that is Howlin' Wolf, but I think that no complete tribute album is really better than this one. Tomas Doncker gives his all into these tributes and proves once again that legends never die!

Find The Tomas Doncker Band on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/TomasDonckerMusic