KINGMAKER by Pretty Maids
(Frontier Records)
Danish rock legends, Pretty Maids return with their highly anticipated release, 'Kingmaker', the band's thirteenth studio recording. Ronnie Atkins on vocals, Ken Hammer on guitars, Rene Shades on bass and Allan Tschicaja on drums. The new album was produced by Jacob Hansen (Volbeat, Amaranthe, Primal Fear). Once again the gents from Denmark deliver an album that is nothing short of superb. Serving up a melodic hard rock feast for the ears pushing their artistic boundaries, not so much in an attempt to invent a new sound, but to put together a rocking album that captures the attitude, energy and passion that their fans have come to know and love. After my initial listen to the album I am really digging all the tracks especially, "When God Took A Day Off", the title track, "Humanize Me", "Bull's Eye", "King Of The Right Here And Now", and "Was That What You Wanted". Ken Hammer is still cranking out wicked guitar hooks and Ronnie Atkin's rough and ready vocals sound better than ever. I've been a fan of Pretty Maids since 'Red, Hot & Heavy' and the thing that impresses me about them is their ability to evolve with each album they release, and give the listener something that is genuinely different to the last offering. So many bands churn out album after album using the same tired old formula, but not Pretty Maids. 'Kingmaker' is one of the best melodic hard rock releases you’ll hear this year. One that is sure to get some serious replay time for me for months to come. - Highly Recommended
Tony @ The Dedicated Rocker Society
SOLAS by The Answer
(Napalm Records)
UK based rockers, The Answer have certainly evolved since their debut release, 'Rise'. Each release taking their sound to a whole new level. On their latest release, 'Solas', there are definitely different elements coming together here with something that has soul and a good old blues rock infusion. The Answer are comprised of, just in case you are new to the band, Cormac Neeson - vocals, Paul Mahon - guitar, Michael Waters - bass and James Heatley - drums. Yes, their sound is retro, but they always somehow manage to sound fresh and exciting. Their previous recordings certainly had plenty of that late sixties early seventies psychedelic rock sound in their with touches of Zeppelin, The Who, Free etc. On this album the soulful rock sound is still very much there, but the Zeppelin references aren't quite as obvious, which is good thing, they really do sound far more themselves. Highlights include, the title tracks, "Battle Cry", "In This Light", "Left Me Standing" and "Demon Driven Man". 'Solas' carries a slightly wider musical palette than its predecessors, but the songs are well done. The band sounds really tight and on point while Cormac Neeson shows off his vocals prowess throughout showing off the true beauty of his singing. I have to admit it took a few listens for me to get into this album and let it sink in, its pleasures were not as immediately obvious as on the previous albums, but after a few listens it won me over. 'Solas', is an immersive listening experience. In these days of so much bland pop bands it's pleasure to hear guys such as The Answer still willing to make music with real soul. - Highly Recommended
Tony @ The Dedicated Rocker Society
LONG WAY TO THE LIGHT by Robert Pehrsson's Humbucker
(High Roller Records)
It is an absolute travesty that Robert Pehrsson's Humbucker are not even a blip on the modern American rock and roll radar and is a testament to where rock in the states has completely ignored and traded its roots in blues and r&b for that "who can sound harder while rapping with drop-D tuning" boring bullcrap. Which brings me to Robert Pehrsson's Humbucker latest release, 'Long Way To The Light'. A straight on rock and roll album with shades of 70's classic rock and with a modern rock edge. For me, this reminds me of a little bit Thin Lizzy meets The Hellacopters and a pinch of rock and roll attitude thrown in for good measure and voila, you have a really tight rock and roll album. After a couple of plays, I was totally in the groove, the immediate standouts being, "Send Her My Love", "Traveling Through the Dark", "Break Away from This Broken Heart","The Hollow in a Rising Tone" and "No I Don't". Robert Pehrsson's vocal delivery and amazing guitar work, plus the band's tight chemistry and powerful delivery, never allow you to forget that you're listening to Robert Pehrsson's Humbucker. All in all, 'Long Way To The Light' is an action packed collection of righteously charged rock and roll numbers from a truly an amazing band. - Highly Recommended
Tony @ The Dedicated Rocker Society
GRIT by Psycho Kiss
(Independent Release)
There is a massive shortage of quality female fronted hard rock. While groups like Nightwish are abundant, true hard hitting rock is much harder to find. Which makes the latest release by UK based rockers, Psycho Kiss called, 'Grit' a breathe of fresh air. The band is comprised of, Helen Ceri Clarke on vocals, Paul O Brien on lead guitar, Tom Williams on bass, Pete Rose rhythm guitar and Pennfold on drums. The band's writing comes across as genuine. They present the familiar themes of sex, love, rocking out and rebellion in their own style without making them sound cliche'. Helen Ceri Clarke's vocals are powerful and versatile as she can go. From melodic to belting out all out rockers with the best of them and the band is tight with all the songs mixed to emphasize that each musician knows how to play their weapon of choice. The songs are all effectively structured and the lyrics are well written rockers that deliver the goods. There is a great range of intensities on this album. The band's passion for the music clearly comes across in all eleven tracks and the album is stronger for it. From the ballsy titled track" that sets the table for rockers like, "Scream Queens", "Sociopathic Superstar", "Even Better If", "Devil Inside" and "Bloodmoon". I kid you not, this album is fully loaded and guaranteed to rock your senses. The bottom line here is simple. A rock solid and well produced album of hard rock music the way it was meant to be. In an age of over-produced, synthetic junk, "Grit" is an album with great songs that have bite. Psycho Kiss is a rock band who knows the meaning of how to rock and can back it up.- Highly Recommended
Tony @ The Dedicated Rocker Society
ALL THROUGH THE NIGHT by Imperial State Electric
(Psychout Recordings)
Swedish based rockers Imperial State Electric are back with their latest release, ' All Through The Night'. Nicke Andersson, on vocals, guitar, Dolf de Borst on backing vocals, bass Tobias Eggenon backing vocals, guitar and Tomas Eriksson on drums, percussion. For those who like their rock n roll on a more retro tip and haven't heard of Imperial State Electric they are a band you should definitely check out. As soon as you put press play you get that warm feeling that you just might end up jumping around the room playing your air guitar. I have to say, the guitars have been brought a bit more to the front of the mix this time around and especially on the tracks like, "Empire Of Fire" and "Bad Timing". That being said, there are many stand out tracks on this album, notably the catchy title track, "Remove Your Doubt", a track that could have been taken off any Hellacopters' album. "Over And Over Again", the adrenaline filled rock and rolling, "Get Off The Boo Boo Train" and "Would You Lie". In general this is a very varied album and thus every song is memorable. If you liked the band's previous outing like, 'Reptile Brain Music' and "Honk Machine', you should not delay in checking out, ' All Through The Night'. Big guitars, great production, and songs that stick to your brain It's that good. No matter which album of this band you get, you will not be disappointed. Great place to start your collection as well. - Highly Recommended
Tony @ The Dedicated Rocker Society
MATTER OF FAITH by Soul Seller
(Tanzan Music)
Soul Seller return after a five year hiatus with their sophomore release, 'Matter Of Faith' featuring twelve tracks and a brand new line up. Eric Concas (vocals)
Dave Zublena (guitar, backing vocals), Simone Morandotti (keyboards), Cris Audsio (guitar, backing vocals)Mike Zublena (bass) and Italo Graziana (drums, backing vocals). The new album was produced by Alessandro Del Vecchio (Hardline, Revolution Saints). Eric Concas's vocals are quite forceful and effective and really caught my attention. His vocals are my favorite aspect of this album. The album's musicianship, songwriting, and production are solid and spirited. I like the keyboard playing, the guitar play between Dave Zublena and Cris Audsio is cool and energetic. The opening track "Neverending" is just a killer, totally commercial melodic hard rock tune. The chorus line seemed like it came out from the glory 80's and the solo is right on point. From there it's a steady dose of melodic rock at it's finest with, "Given To Live", "Tide Is Down", "Get Stronger" and the epic, "Echoes From A Distant Future". Soul Seller with this album have managed to come up with an album full of substance that is definitely not you average AOR release while effectively demonstrating all the characteristics of the genre. 'Matter Of Faith' is a cohesive album that gives off exciting energy. It sounds pretty fresh and definitely worth a listen.- Highly Recommended
Tony @ The Dedicated Rocker Society
PROMISED LAND by Smokey Fingers
(Tanzan Music)
Italian based Southern rockers Smokey Fingers return and are firing on all cylinders with their latest release, 'Promised Land'. Comprised of, Gianluca “Luke” Paterniti: lead & backing vocals, Diego “Blef” Dragoni: electric & acoustic guitars, banjo Fabrizio Costa: bass and Daniele Vacchini: drums & percussions. For me, Southern rock has always threaded on the boundary with country, which gives most of it the swing that defines it. We hear a healthy dose of blues and (usually) anthems of boozing, womanizing and basically kicking somebody's ass. What sets Smokey Fingers apart from the rest is their classic rock sound. The guitars are up front with smoking licks, wicked slide combined with a solid vocalist make for one memorable listen. The opening song, "Black Madame," is an earth shaking alarm clock that could make you fall out of bed. Other album highlights include, the powerful, "Rattlesnake Trail", "Damage Is Done", "Floorwashing Machine Man" and "Turn It Up," is a south of the border hot pepper of number. Really, not a bad song among the bunch. 'Promised Land' is a slab of high energy smoking southern rock anyway you slice it. So if you like the heavier moments from bands like Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Allman Brothers and Molly Hatchet then give Smokey Fingers a shot. Absolutely essential for Southern rock fans or anyone who has never heard the band. - Highly Recommended
Tony @ The Dedicated Rocker Society
