Love European power metal? Double bass drum barrages? Endless widdly guitar solos? High pitched vocal gymnastics? Lyrics about swords and steel? Well, my friends, you’ve come to the right place.
Wake of Ashes is the debut album from Hungarian based power metallers Burning Sun. The band wear their influences on their leather studded sleeves, the obvious comparison to classic Helloween is plain to hear. There’s some Queensryche, Accept and Maiden thrown in too for good measure. The songs are cohesive and superbly executed, the production has an old school vibe which helps with the nostalgic feel of the album.
Apparently, Wake of Ashes is a concept album based on Zoltán’s World of Warcraft character Emaly…. I know nothing about World of Warcraft so I couldn’t possibly comment on that, but I do know a good metal band when I hear one! You get 8 melodic songs with a playing time of just over half an hour. The songs are short, fast, and sharp and I felt that a few more tracks wouldn’t have gone amiss.
Fans of the power metal genre will love Wake of Ashes, the album artwork by Alan Lathwell is great too. The album is available on CD, cassette, and digital platforms.
Marc Valentine, the unmistakably British singer-songwriter whose powerpop-fueled debut album was released last year to critical acclaim, returns with ‘Jinx Of Finchley Road’ – a digital single scheduled for release through Little Steven’sWicked Cool Records.
Produced by Dave Draper (The Wildhearts, Ryan Hamilton, The Professionals), the song hints at nefarious and uncanny happenings in North London. Nostalgia and mystery meet in a basement full of hooks to create a single that sounds as if it was plucked from the charts during the glory days of Britpop.
Having honed his craft over four albums with cult pop-rockers Last Great Dreamers, Valentine launched a solo career in 2022, his album ‘Future Obscure’ delighting fans and picking up praise from an array of publications.
‘Jinx Of Finchley Road’ marks his return to the spotlight, which looks set to grow even brighter through 2024.
Another day, another impressive album of psyche rock blues from France. Even though I live there, I’m not sure what they put in the water, but The Arrogants are convincing enough to have persuaded Pete Townshend to have them as support to The Who in Paris. “You really have captured the vibe of the very early ‘60s Mod scene and the UK R&B scene, this will work because you have reinvented it all so well. I wish you luck”. Pete Townshend.
The roots of the mod scene were quite varied, and these lads from Lille have an affinity with the scene, man. It’s by turns groovy, simple, spaced out and infectious. From the opening instrumental onwards, this could have been released in 1966-67. Not so much “reinvented”, Pete, but that’s not a criticism. ‘No Question’ and ‘Show Me How’ wouldn’t shame The Fuzztones, ‘Stoned Blues’ is perhaps a little too perfunctory, but pleasant.
‘Look At Your Body’ is more energetic, bonus points for the frenetic bass line which doesn’t let up. This should get you dancing. ‘Dark Flowers’ is equally catchy, the Hammond filling out the sound, while ‘I’m Tripping’ tips a nod to Roky Erickson. ‘Smokey Eyes’ and ‘6000 Years’ are quality garage rock, in a Morlocks style. They certainly tick all the boxes of the genre, and have worked hard at creating an authentic-era sound. This needs to be heard in a sweaty club, as you frug the night away.
‘She Smiles (She Comes)’ ends the album, drawing things out, starting off dreamy, then picking up pace like a youthful Stones. 14 songs, if you trimmed off the slower blues it’d be perfect, just my opinion. An impressive second album, I hope I get the chance to see them soon.
RPM Online we’re super stoked when Matt got in touch and asked if we’d like to air their new single. Of course we said a rousing Hell Yeah! so here it is kids. ‘Knocked Down Again’.
They just finished up a run of shows during the summer for what was called their Midwest “Tour” – tour in quotes due to it being several different out of town weekend gigs through the past couple months instead of a bunch of shows every day for a while. It was a total blast!
The Next show for Poison Boys will be at Reggie’s Music Joint in Chicago on Wednesday 9/27/23 opening for the Oi! band Booze and Glory from the UK. Matt has Been powering through with this new three piece lineup of (Matt Dudzik) on vocals and guitar, new bassist Johnny K who just joined right before their Spain tour back in February of this year, and drummer Matt Chaney.
This video was filmed by our Swiss friend Sleepy Doc Julius who came along on this tour for film and photography. In the past he has filled in on guitar for our tours in 2017, 2018, and 2019.
Released on vinyl through Heavy Medication The Dogs second full length record originally only go treleased on CD so its been a long time coming but finally, its here in all its Motorcity glory. Loud loose and hocked up on gasolene ‘Hypersensitive’ is a killer record. Sure the opening salvo and salute to the forefathers of the Garage proto punks is one hell of a signal as the flag is raised with a middle digit in the air as we all get our freak on.
The 2012 release was the Los Angeles-by-way-of Detroit punks tribute and Features material going back to the band’s late ‘60s/early ‘70s origins, plus a cover of The Pagans’ “Her Name Was Jane.”
‘You Can’t Catch Me’ is thunderous as it hurtles along like a runaway express train from that ultra bassy riff hypnotising the listener to the gang vocals on the chorus and ripping solo. You can just imagine this live tearing the roof off the venue with ease from the low flying blades of that wah as it goes through the gears and back into the verse via some howling feedback – exhilerating stuff.
‘Slash Your Face’ is a heaving hypnotic rolling thunder of a track filled with menace and darkness before pulling away through the gears. Originally featured on the ‘Killed By Death’ comps. As for that Pagans cover ‘Her Name Was Jane’ is a mighty fine tribute.
Formed in 1968 and consisting of guitarist/vocalist Loren Molinare, bassist Mary Kay, and drummer Ron Wood, The Dogs played shows with their idols The Stooges and MC5 before moving to Detroit in 1973. By the following year, they’d moved briefly to NYC (where they shared stages with KISS, Television, and The Dictators) but ultimately set up base in L.A. and recorded two now-legendary singles.
They even took up residency in London briefly but soon returned to LA playing with a wide range of bands from AC/DC to Van Halen as well as the Stooges. As a part of the LA punk scene, however, their Detroit roots were a mixed blessing. Their sound bridged the gap between hard rock and punk, which probably explains how Loren joined Little Caesar.
Fast-forward to the 2000’s. The Dogs’ inclusion on cult compilations KBD and “Bloodstains Across California” has revived interest in the band. In addition the band recruited Tony Matteucci who replaced Wood on the drums.
‘Hypersensitive’ is a fantastic collection of songs with the title track being one hell of a song as it motors on. Songs like ‘Good Time Girl’ lean heavily on the likes of The Dictators with its familiar riff its got a ton of energy.
‘Beatin’ The Floor’ is the first song they ever wrote and its a banger filled with timeless riff-o-la and makes you want to see them live where these tunes would truly shine. Good on Heavy Medication for pulling all this together and releasing a sonically excellent and coherent record that ebbs and flows nicely.
Get an earful of this Dogs bark, it’s terrifying and wonderful at the same time seems you can teach an old dog new tricks after all. Besides you should buy it on the strength of the cover art alone. Now kick out those jams mother fuckers!
A brand new 2023 version of “Organ Grinder” has been released as a Digital Single. Please vote for Organ Grinder (Under “T” for The Boys) on the Legacy Charts click here
Finnish Record label Woimasointu will also release it today as a double “A” side 7-inch vinyl single. The vinyl single will come in three different versions including two Special Limited Editions.
Version One: “ORGAN GRINDER” c/w “Punk Rock Girl” & “Punk Rock Girl (live version). Luminous Violet vinyl individually numbered 1-125.
Version Two: “PUNK ROCK GIRL”
c/w “Organ Grinder” & “Punk Rock Girl” (live version) Red vinyl individually numbered 1-130.
Version Three: “ORGAN GRINDER” c/w “Punk Rock Girl” & “Punk Rock Girl (live version). Regular black vinyl issue.
Sweden’s finest purveyors of honky tonk flavoured rock n’ roll return with a new long player, just over 18 months after the luscious double album offering ‘Slap Bang Blue Rendezvous’ hit the shelves.
It seems nothing can keep Sulo and the boys from delivering good time rock n’ roll like the last 6 decades of musical innovation never happened. The Faces meets The Stones is a good rut to be stuck in and we wouldn’t want it any other way, not when the songs are this good.
Written and recorded over an 8-day period and recorded in old school analogue, ‘About The Hardest Nut To Crack’ sees the Swedish band in fine form from the word go.
12 bar boogie blues is the name of the game with opener ‘Get A Rock n Roll Record’ and the message is as simple as the three-chord progression it rides on.
Next up ‘Blight The Life’ is one of those life affirming, instantly familiar Sulo melodies. You’ve know you’ve heard it before, but you’re not quite sure where. Was it Rod, Jagger or Monroe? Who knows, or even cares as a mournful fiddle leads us down an emotive road, one we love to frequent again and again.
The low-slung rock n’ roll of ‘Wring It Out’ has plenty of Faces swagger and it’s a raucous party that Sulo and the boys are jamming, with gospel-tinged backing vocals, stabs of keys and a certain boogie-woogie swagger.
There are earworms aplenty on offer. The likes of ‘Gurus and Gangsters’ and ‘Desiree, Yet Another Lonely Mile’ are pure euphoric nostalgia, and about as 70’s as listening to the top 40 run down whilst scoffing a Sunday roast. Songs that groove in a certain way and insist you turn up that dial and dance like no one is watching.
Sulo’s reflective lyricism recalls the good times and the tight musicianship but loose delivery backs it all up in just the right way. The banjo action on ‘Old Timer’ gives a rustic, partisan feel that sits well with the low-slung guitars and gravelly vocals. The sloppy, but perfectly delivered solo as worn and weathered as the vintage gear it is played on.
The glam slam, foot-stomping closer ‘Rising From The Ruins Of Rock n Roll’ sees the band sign off by telling us to spin them records one more time and not to forget the reason they (and we) do this thing they call rock n’ roll anyway.
A new Diamond Dogs record is always cause for a celebration, and ‘The Hardest Nut To Crack’ does exactly what you would expect. Naysayers may argue that Sulo and the boys are doing nothing new and shock horror, may even be classed as ‘generic’, but you know what? Sometimes I want something familiar, something that doesn’t stray from the path and delivers exactly what I expect it to, and the Diamond Dogs do it every time. Get this rock n’ roll record, play it loud and spread the word.
RPM Online is super stoked to be asked to be the first to air the video for ‘City’ by Long Beach Band The Legendary Swagger. Suitably dripping with Rock n Roll attitude and hanging on a cool punk n roll vibe ‘City’ is catchy and anthemic. Hit em up on Facebook Here
Taken from the album Gypsies, Junkies and Thieves released in 2022 on vinyl by PMRC, and on CD by Rum Bar Records.
Head over to Rum Bar Records Bandcamp page and check out The Legendary Swagger along with a host of other cool bands like RPM Online favourites Richard Duguay, The Dogmatics, Brad Marino and JJ & The Real Jerks who’ve just released their first record on Rum Bar. Rum Bar Records Bandcamp Page Anyway, here is the video so hit it up and turn it up! Like Share Follow. keep it RPM Online
Hamburg, August 23rd, 2023 – earMUSIC is thrilled to announce the long-awaited release of “LEFT”, the upcoming album by the iconic rock band Helmet. After the critically acclaimed “Dead to the World” in 2016, Helmet is back with their signature blend of heavy, riff-loaded rock and evocative lyrics that have resonated with fans worldwide for over three decades. “Time for your holiday serial murder / How time slips away”, resonate the opening lines of the hard-hitting new single “Holiday”, available today. Helmet take no prisoners in their direct and unfiltered expression, leaving listeners with a lasting impact and a sense of urgency to examine the world around them.
“LEFT” sees Helmet – comprising frontman Page Hamilton, drummer Kyle Stevenson, guitarist Dan Beeman, and bassist Dave Case – carve out a musical landscape that is taut, muscular, and direct. Hamilton’s lead guitar lines feel like everything from downed power lines arcing to exploding resistors in shortwave radios. On “LEFT” every snare crack hits like gunfire, every solo seemingly a manifestation of rabies-induced psychosis. Guided by Hamilton alongside co-producers Jim Kaufman and Mark Renk, and mastered by Howie Weinberg, the 11 songs on the new album are leaner and meaner in their execution than previous aural throwdowns. “LEFT” is powered by unbridled determination, a renewed sense of purpose and a desire to create more new dialects within the musical language Hamilton invented via his use of drop-D tuning. Fans can pre-order the album now which is set to be released on November 10th as CD-Digisleeve, 1LP Black Vinyl and Limited 1LP Transparent Vinyl.
About Helmet: In the late ‘80s, Helmet’s straightforward hard rock stirred the American underground. The band’s 1989 debut “Strap It On” was bold enough to detonate the minds of hardcore lifers, noise-rock aficionados and metalheads whiplashed by the density of Hamilton’s riffing. Helmet proceeded to take on all comers with their Gold-certified album “Meantime”. The original lineup would excel over the course of 10 years, recording two more albums, 1994’s “Betty” and 1997’s “Aftertaste” before adjourning in 1998. By that time, Hamilton’s aesthetic had rubbed off on many bands from bona fide metal units and the then-burgeoning nu-metal scene. After a few years away, Hamilton reformed the band in 2004 with all new members, recording such reputation-fortifying releases as “Size Matters” (2004), “Monochrome” (2006), “Seeing Eye Dog” (2010) and “Dead To The World” (2016).
Due to unprecedented demand TRAMPOLENE (the Welsh group, not the bouncy thing spelled with an ‘i’!) will re-release their classic debut album ‘Swansea To Hornsey’ (Anniversary Edition) on Friday November 17th through Strap Originals. On the same day singer, guitar slinger and lead Tramp, Jack Jones, will publish his first novel, also entitled ‘Swansea To Hornsey’.
Hello my dear friends,
It’s that time again. Where we put a little something out into the world, and I hope you can join us for the ride.
Swansea To Hornsey Anniversary shows and Album re-release. It’s happening. The album has been going for silly money on eBay & people are always asking for it to be re-pressed…so I thought f**k it, let’s make it happen.
You probably don’t know but I wrote a novel to accompany the album – a tale based on my life growing up in Swansea. This is the album and the book ‘Swansea To Hornsey’ as it should have been. We couldn’t find anyone to publish my book the first time round. I always wanted to give you the ultimate experience of listening to the album & reading my book at the same time – the same thing I have enjoyed with so many artists – Julian Cope & Bob Dylan to name a few.
I was gob smacked when Peter (Doherty) said he loved the book so much he was gonna start a publishing company and put my book into the world, not something you hear every day.
We edited it together as we drove across Europe…getting to know each other even deeper. It was a magical time, and now this all feels like a surreal dream.
The live shows Will be fantastic fun and the first time we’ve got to play the album in full with Mr Williams BACK on the drums, whose work on the album gets clearer, greater and grows with the time.
See you on the road, my friends. Love you as ever
Jack Tramp. X
Available on Dragon Red, Daffodil Yellow and Common Welsh Green vinyl with signed prints, Signed CD and with limited edition signed Test Pressings, signed original artwork sleeve versions and signed books available.
To celebrate the release TRAMPOLENE will be performing three special commemorative shows where they will be playing the album in it’s entirety. The shows are:
TRAMPOLENE have been busy this year playing Kendal Calling, Love Trails, Bingley Weekender, Right To Roam, London Calling (Amsterdam) along with playing a sold-out tour (April) and a tour for Independent Venue Week (February). In September Trampolene play at Bosfest Burnham-on-sea (1st) and Digbeth – Ciggy Festival (2nd). As previously announced the band playing the following headline shows:
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