The Hell – ‘The Hell’ (Drunken Sailor Records)

The Hell – ‘The Hell’ (Drunken Sailor Records)

Imagine Bloodclot riffing on plenty of NYHC and throwing in some Cerebral Ballzy and the Drips for good measure. You can then press play on this fine record that is over in the blink of an eye. Proper old school hardcore. Heads down and play fast as fuck no bullshit no compromise no fuss.

Absolutely it’s a frantic ’n’ furious 13 minutes If it was any longer it would overstay its welcome – The Hell hail from Norfolk County, Cleveland, and this is their debut offering This shit is proper old school probably the most authentic mid-80s romp from the crows nest to CBGB and back again its that good. It’s relentlessly, pounding and raining earbombs on your skull that sound fresh as anything this genre has thrown up in a long while (Bloodclot probably). Ten songs fly by before you’ve even had the chance to fully get your head around what you’re hearing. If I had a gun at my head I’d say ‘National Razor’ is my Top of the pop then follow it up with the more measured and slower ‘One More Thing’ (partially slower anyway).

The band found each other due to some collision of stars or something like that having all been kicking around in underground bands but it now all makes sense because The Hell are tearing it up on this ferocious debut. It doesn’t matter what the song is called there isn’t time. what you do know when you play it is they feel memorable and fresh and vibrant and at the moment – this isn’t a nostalgia trip to a moment in time long long ago it’s 2023 and in your face enjoy it and turn it up.

You won’t hear a better Hardcore album all year anywhere and if you do, it’s gonna be one hell of a record to be better than this. Get on it! This is excellent from ‘Pistol Grip’ to ‘What A Laugh’ ten slabs of pure Hardcore gold.

Released in UK/ Europe via Drunken Sailor Records, Not For The Weak Records in the USA 

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Author: Dom Daley

Dead Express – ‘Game Changer’ (DXS)

Dead Express – ‘Game Changer’ (DXS)

Action Rock or Scandi Rock call it what you like – it’s alive and kicking (and screaming) as Dead Express will testify. With this album of loud guitars with some Garage punk rockin’ attitude Dead Express sing from the same Hymn sheet as the likes of Hellacopters and Gluecifer for starters and to be fair they do it really well.

‘Game Changer’ is the bands fourth album and I’d suggest you pull up a chez lounge and a couple of cold beers and get ready to sing along. Formed in  Nyköping, Sweden. they’ve certainly not let the grass grow around their feet having produced albums consistantly with a sound DIY ethic the production is crisp and packs a punch.

The songs that come across the best are the ones with the big hooks either a riff or the gang vocals the opener ‘Roky’ has a good riff and the melody grabs your attention no doubt about it. ‘Hang Em High’ is one of the albums strongest songs. ‘Stinkin Rich’ is a badass tip of the hat to Angus and DC with a crisp riff. To be fair the Riffola is pretty relentless as the songs roll by and by the time you hit ‘Road Trippin’ with its fucked with ‘All The Day’ melody nicked from the Kinks and dragged through the dirt on the back of a drag car no doubt whist the band chug beers all the way. I dread to ask what ‘The Swamp Incident’ might be all about.

As the album screeches to a halt, there’s a track entitled ‘Method To My Madness’ – They couldn’t could they? Hell no is the answer to that, few some songs are sacrosanct and that might just be one of them. Their song of the Lord’s name is pretty decent as it wipes its snotty nose all over the song from the choppy riff to the punky melody and sing a long chorus it’s one of the best songs on offer.

This steaming rockin and rollin machine grinds to a halt with a balls to the wall all out rocker ‘The Naked Truth’ and then no doubt they all exploded into oblivion due to rockin so hard. If you want a full tilt sleazy Action Rock experience then Dead Express might just be the band you’re looking for otherwise step aside sucker because these cats aren’t stopping for anyone – they’re hellbound and outta control.

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Author: Dom Daley

Therapy? – ‘Hard Cold Fire’ (Marshall Records)

Therapy? – ‘Hard Cold Fire’ (Marshall Records)

 Therapy?’s sixteenth album ‘Hard Cold Fire’, was written and pre-produced during an unprecedented time for music, but one the band insists isn’t a lockdown album but was rather done after lockdown and with a determination of not being another lockdown record. What it is is a hefty, yet accessible record, a concise distillation of everything that has made them what they are – hewn from County Antrim basalt, still possessed of their stoicism, but casting a renewed focus on catharsis and healing.

a spiralling, hypnotic grinding, pulverising cocktail of grunge-rock meets Hard Rock meets indie full of towering melody that sees the trio focussed and reinvigorated after their layoff. A fully charged Therapy? 

This ten track offering kicks off with the twisted energetic thrust of ‘They Shoot The Terrible Master’ that distills what Therapy? do so well wrapping melody in a thunderous rhythmic blast with a filthy guitar riff stomping over the insane rhythm section. The therapy? fans will love this openermade of pure adrenalin.

And so it begins, the record twists and turns those melodies from ‘Woe’ through ‘Joy’ which sits like a barking alsatian straining on its leash building to a lush chorus of dreamlike quality before dropping back into the rhythm. Cairns’s vocals are also in top form here. Neil Cooper is in top form it has to be said as he weaves some awesome patterns on ‘Two Wounded Animals’ as the band lays back for the first time on the album letting the song breath.

‘To Disappear’ is as heavy as Therapy? get with a monumental riff then follow it up with a Cairns whispered vocal on ‘Mongrel’ that opens up into a lush melody one of the albums most accessable songs on the album. As we head into the homestraight the bands single plays out as ‘Poundland Of Hope And Glory’ is unleashed telling the story of how a lie is told so many times it becomes ones truth and the myth telling becomes normalised. Classic Therapy? lyrics you’ll invest in when digging deep into this album.

‘Ugly’ enjoys a wonderful solo whilst a twisted melody scratches away in the background of what is quickly becoming one of my favourite songs on the album. Saying that the albums closer is a brooding beast of post Grunge and for me is the standout song from the whole record the melody is a real earworm, ‘Days Kollaps’ is as stronger song the band has ever finished with. Restrained in a sea of noise and chaos dark and wonderous showing that the band are still at the top of their game and the rich tapestry of ‘Hard Cold Fire’ is a beautiful thing offeing variety and style as well as ten top tunes. Buy it!

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Author: Dom Daley

Ryan Hamilton – ‘Haunted By The Holy Ghost’ (Wicked Cool Records)

Ryan Hamilton – ‘Haunted By The Holy Ghost’ (Wicked Cool Records)

We’ve been banging on about Texas singer/songwriter Ryan Hamilton since before RPM was even a thing, and for good reason. Ryan is an artist who always seems to be on the verge of breaking through with every new album, before some personal tragedy scuppers his plans and he’s back to square one.

They say what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, well that all depends on what is trying to kill you, I guess. In Ryan’s case it could be a cheating first wife, addiction, divorce, online abuse, the record business, cancelled tours and most recently…a delayed album due to manufacturing errors. All the above have happened in the last decade and you really couldn’t make it up, but Ryan is still soldiering on, and thank your lucky stars he is.

‘Haunted By the Holy Ghost’ follows his 2020 break up album ‘Nowhere To Go But Everywhere’ and the following lockdown album ‘1221’. Produced by go-to-guy Dave Draper who also plays bass, along with Ben Marsden on guitar and Carol Hodge and Emily Ewing on backing vocals. It was recorded at Draper’s studio The Old Cider Press and Ryan’s home studio in Texas, making the whole album a transatlantic power pop affair.

The opening song ‘Asshole’ shows Ryan’s current attitude towards the music business. It was released on Valentine’s Day as an act of self-sabotage guaranteeing zero radio airplay, which is maybe a silly idea if you are a struggling artist wanting airplay, but I’m sure he knows what he’s doing…. but its ok, because this album is choc-a-bloc with singles!

The title track is classic Ryan power pop, a radio-friendly earworm inspired by his Catholic upbringing. With an infectious hook and a euphoric feel, it is an early highlight. ‘Paper Planes’ again, is the sort of song Ryan first showed promise with on ‘Hell Of A Day’, full of quirky, power pop goodness and a euphoric middle section that takes it up a notch.

Ryan is never shy to pen an 80’s style power ballad or two, and for this album he has outdone himself. There are two ‘lighter in the air’ moments that could end up on future teen lovers’ mixtapes. The first ‘Overdose’ is not about drug addiction, but about falling madly and deeply, like ‘first love’ deep or ‘marriage material’ deep. You know, right? We’ve all been there. Elsewhere the emotive ‘Absence Of Love’, lyrically is the complete opposite to the aforementioned ‘Overdose, while full of heartbreak and yearning, it is still as emotive though.

A cover of Splender’s ‘Yeah, Whatever’ is given a lick of aural magic by Ryan and Dave Draper. Indie beats and those quirky vocals give the turn of the century alternative hit a new lease of life, as they do with George Strait’s ‘All My Exes Live In Texas’. This fun run through was a past single but shows its face here as a hidden track (it’s a homage to the CD era, kids!) after the closing song of the album.

‘Sad Bastard Song’ officially closes the 12-track album, and it is the best song here for several reasons. For one, I just love the countrified acoustics and pedal steel guitar vibes, and secondly the tongue-in-cheek lyrics may on the surface make it seem like a throwaway, comedic song for losers, but the stark reality is that these lyrics are from the heart and probably ring truer than you would think, and it’s probably my favourite song on the goddamn record.

It’s a sad fact that some of my favourite artist from the last 30 years will never get the commercial success or the critical acclaim they so rightly deserve. Times are tougher than ever for the underdog, but only one thing can make a difference…you, the music buying public. It would be a tragedy for an album this good to slip under the radar when it should be up there with the Adele’s and the Tayor Swift’s of the world, but how can Ryan compete with those big guns? Who knows, but maybe if when you finish reading these words, you were to click a link and buy this album, that would help just a little. I mean, c’mon, it’s worth it just for that cover art of Jesus in shades, right?  

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Author: Ben Hughes

Cock Sparrer – ‘The Decca Years’ (Cherry Red Records)

Cock Sparrer – ‘The Decca Years’ (Cherry Red Records)

Ah ‘The Decca Years’, It’s the first time on vinyl (other than the picture disc version), Finally Sparrers Decca years gets it’s dues.

Thanks to Cherry Red Records you can now add this fantastic record to your collection. Fourteen tracks pressed on black vinyl for the first time it features everything seminal Oi! band Cock Sparrer recorded during their time with Decca Records in the late 70s. Bosh!

Of course, it’s therefore crammed with classic live favourites, ‘Runnin’ Riot’ and ‘We Love You’ plus ‘Sunday Stripper’. It’s in great company here rather than just buried on the legendary ‘Oi! The Album back in the day. still revered as the go-to scene compilation and is often fondly talked about in punk rock circles because of the inclusion of songs as good as ‘Sunday Stripper’.

As with many Sparrer records this one is limited, so if you snooze you will lose. To draw you in, this version comes in a splendid gatefold sleeve complete with an inner picture collage and stacks of memorabilia from the era. Current guitarist Daryl Smith has overseen the artwork layout and therefore it has the authenticity it deserves from inside team Cock Sparrer. It adds to the release and you’ll love it when pouring over the pictures as the album blasts out of your speakers.

It’s hard to believe it was the bands 50th Anniversary recently and many of the tracks featured on this compilation are still the staples of their current live set and stand tall alongside more recent tunes.

‘Running Riot’ is a great opener and the aggressive punch of ‘Chip On My Shoulder’ sounds exactly as the title suggests. If you are new to Cock Sparrer then this is the perfect place to start your journey down that rabbit hole From the snarl in McFaulls vocals to the rawness of the riff, culminating in the solo that hacks and slashes, it’s such a great song. There is no chink in the armour of Decca era Cock Sparrer, not for a single seccond does the energy drop, nor does the quality of songwriting, Mixing punk rock with hard rock wasn’t easy back in the 70s but Cock Sparrer used their influences when songwriting from the hard rock of ‘Platinum Blonde’ and the twin guitar duelling to the amped up charge of ‘Teenage Heart’ these songs are simply brilliant and to say that after 50 years is not to be sniffed at. There aren’t many artists who can claim to have written songs that still sound fresh after four decades.

Had Slade or Thin Lizzy boogie Woogie like ‘I Need A Witness’ people would have championed it for many years no doubt about it. That’s not even going near the classics like ‘Sunday Stripper’ that had someone like Steve Marriott penned it would be huge, I kid you not but these influences are all in these songs even the snottier punk songs.

When you get to ‘What’s It Like To Be Old’ you can smile back and say it’s alright to be fair, even if I’ve waited this long to get these on one LP in their original state this old lark has such a great soundtrack. The Decca Years is an essential purchase for anyone who loves guitar-based Rock n’ Roll exactly how it should sound. But take my word for it you’ll have to be quick because these will be snapped up sharpish. Lace-up those Doc Martins and get a sprint on – this will sell out. Buy It!

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Author: Dom Daley

The Church – ‘The Hypnogogue’ (Easy Action Records)

The Church – ‘The Hypnogogue’ (Easy Action Records)

Longserving Australian psych-rockers THE CHURCH have signed with UK label Easy Action Records.

The new partnership will see a UK and European release for the band’s brand new full-length The Hypnogogue. Recorded just prior to the Covid pandemic, the album is the band’s first new studio album in six years and the first to feature the newest line-up of founder, bassist and vocalist Steve Kilbey, drummer Tim Powles, guitarists Ian Haug and Ashley Naylor, and multi-instrumentalist Jeffrey Cain.

Easy Action are also going to give their back catalogue a physical release as wel as some digital only releases which will excite fans.

‘The Hypnogogue’ is the twenty-seventh release which in itself is an incredable achievement in itself from any band and shows how prolific writers they are.

Often seen as the originals of Australian psych which has spread all across the globe influencing Tame Impala and King Gizzard And The Lizard Wizard, The Church have gone on to maintain a loyal and fanbase and thats set to go further as they evolving their sound in 2023.

This albums opens with a dreamy ‘Ascendance’ that builds and changes shape almost like a camelelion with a haunting ebow ebbing and flowing. ‘C’est La Vie’ is a dark pop song with ringing guitars. The record swirls and glides in places with lovely toned guitars and keys making way for poingient vocals.

Spread over thirteen songs its a very confident sounding record where the band seem in a great place and its th esound of a band enjoying their work. The darker Bowie like ‘Flickering Lights’ is sparse and brooding almost five minutes stroll.

The title track is a momoth six minutes of cinemascope psych rock very understated and atmospheric. Its a long record and one that will please existing fans and new ones looking for something just outside the box but mature in design but full of good songwriting and the performance is as youd expect, excellent.

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HeWhoCannotBeNamed – ‘Imposter’ (Beluga Records, SpaghettyTown Records, Ghost Highway Records)

HeWhoCannotBeNamed – ‘Imposter’ (Beluga Records, SpaghettyTown Records, Ghost Highway Records)

After the debacle of his last long player, we worried that he would hang up his studded codpiece and mask and say fuck it and head off into the desert and look for other life forms on planets far far away but alas he’s back in the saddle and shooting from his hip with his usual caustic, amusing controvercial punk rock songs that are instantly loveable and instantly burrowing into your ear heading straight for your brain and the part that likes nice things.

Still banned from venues all over this spinning rock and Interpol reportedly has an ongoing warrant out for his immediate arrest on undisclosed charges. He rarely appears in public and very few have seen him without a mask. There have been numerous reports of Hewho impersonators spotted all over the world, especially when The Dwarves play live shows. It has even been suggested that He Who Cannot Be Named does not really and is merely a rock legend. Perhaps Hewho himself is an imposter. We will probably never know for sure. but this latest album is working off the real deal, not an Imposter these songs couldn’t possibly have been written by someone else and neither would anyone attempt to perform instead of him. Imagine the life lived inside that mask FFS only one man could be depraved enough to put it on and do what he does night after night and its also a fact he records wearing nothing more than the mask and his unwashed codpiece its what drives him on to write and perform such classics as those that appear on this here album.

I think it fair to say early doors that this is easily my favourite HeWho solo album every song is classic HeWho with some just shading it for one reason or another like the suitable un PC ‘Proud Girl’ Hot for Hitler ffs, HeWho is gonna be cancelled. Anyway, Let’s wind back to the top and the opening one or two of ‘Funny Farm’ then straight into hypertension that is ‘Panic Attack’ pure Hewho and I love it.

C’mon you know how this is gonna unfurl from those Beach Boys meets the Dwarves melodies like ‘Happy Unhappy’ backed by multi layered gang vocals and some fuzzed up guitar over a skippy back beat – Joyous!

This one is fourteen tracks that fly by in double quick time – if you don’t like it then I feel sorry for you the lyrics are cheeky and often funny but after a bit of digging really clever. ‘The Thing’ has the Motorhead break down over a Ramones verse chorus verse chorus solo chorus end -genius. If you’re after a howling good time listening to punk rock with melodies and hooks galore with pop sensible choruses all wrapped up with a sense of humour then this album is right up your strasse baby get on it without delay – Beluga – ghost Highway and Spaghetty Town will do you a dirty deal and get this bad boy out to you with love and care because they also know how fuckin good this record is.

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Author: Dom Daley

Killer Kin – Got us on a chain – Video

Killer Kin – Got us on a chain – Video

Dead Beat Records is proud to announce the release of Killer Kin’s self-titled debut album on 04-28-23. The New Haven, CT five-piece has been causing a stir with their unapologetic sound that delivers a fierce and powerful “Metallic KO”.

This high-octane explosion of blistering riffs, pounding drums, and bark-snarling vocals capture the menace of high-energy rock n roll in its rawest form. With tracks like “Mr. Dynamite,” “On The Chain,” and “Motorbanger,” listeners are sure to get that dangerous rock n roll feeling in all the right places.

Lead singer Matt says, “If you haven’t seen a hound from hell, now you’ve heard one!” Our debut LP features ten chain-banging, soul-stripping and razor-sharp rock ‘n’ roll sluggers that are sure to have you stoned on raw powerage.”

Killer Kin promises to unchain an untamed beast inside the listener with their contagious energy and primal intensity that is sure to leave them begging for more.

Ian Hunter – ‘Defiance Pt 1’ (Sun Records)

Ian Hunter – ‘Defiance Pt 1’ (Sun Records)

When you want to release your latest solo album and rope in a few pals to give it a little lift, have a browse through your Rolodex and call some randoms. Jeff Beck (RIP) longtime pal Joe Elliott tick, Johnny Depp, why not. Billy Gibbons, Slash and Duff from Guns n Roses and Taylor Hawkins (RIP) thats some friends right there to be getting on with and the list goes on and on to be fair. Hell get Waddy Wachtel on the blower as well. Now before I’ve even heard a note of this album I’m excited. To Be fair Ian Hunter ozzes Rock n Roll anyway so I’m not really worried about how good these songs are gonna be I just hoped it wasn’t overwhelming. Hunter explained it as a fluke yeah right c’mon man you’ve got Ringo on your first single as well as Tom Petty’s six-string slinger.

Anyway, I digress they say people of Hunters age shouldn’t be making records into the twilight of his years and once the needle drops and you hear him make sweet sweet music with a metallica bass player and Slash winding in some cool grooves. You realise the title is a metaphotical finger poking you on the forehead say hey, have it! It’s classic Hunter and his voice sounds fantastic full of coolness and a knowledge that if this was a fluke he’s got the hand of God turning the dials because this is class.

The first single sounds like its been carved from granite of timeless cool laid back Rock n Roll. I love its late evening glass of wine vibe – we’re gonna wind things up gently and before you know it the bottle is empty and you’re on the table – arms aloft singing the chorus.

It’s not an album like ‘Dirty Laundry’ where the band sound like they’ve been partying for seven days but it is a classy slow burner in places like the ‘No Hard Feelings’ with Depp and Beck laying their DNA over the song in a haunting slide heavy slice of balladeering. If you want some boogie woogie you can head straight for ‘Pavlovs Dog’ or ‘I Hate Hate’ featuring Jeff Tweedy. On reflection this album would make a fantastic bed fellow companion to Keith Richards ‘Talk Is Cheap’ album. It has a classy vibe and I guess having so many unique players it has variety with every slice making it a very listenable and varied record.

The classic Hunter big Ballads are here and on songs like ‘Angel,’ he’s turning back the clock to classic Hoople. It’s pretty much what I was hoping for, and I’m delighted to hear how good these songs are. Either dipping in on a mix tape or going for the full playlist this works on every level form is temporary class is permanent and let’s face it Hunter is class and this Defiant little gem is an absolute Banger, the kids should be quaking because this old dog is still learning new tricks and wagging his tail like a puppy who got the cream. Buy it! Fuck RSD get this.

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Author: Dom Daley

Danko Jones heads to Europe & the UK for winter tour 2023

Danko Jones heads to Europe & the UK for winter tour 2023

Hot on the heels of sharing the news of their upcoming album “Electric Sounds” last week, Danko Jones has now announced European & UK headlining tour dates for November and December 2023.

No band has ever sounded more ready to hit the road than the pumped-up threesome showcased on the hell-for-leather ragers featured on their forthcoming album. Armed with this collection of brand new bangers, Danko Jones launch themselves into 2023 on a renewed mission to rock the living shit-lights out of anyone and everyone that wants to join the party.

Frontman Danko declares: “We love touring in the UK and thankfully we are coming back! What’s not to love when you play in front of crowds that know their rock and know how to rock out?! Every day is just one more day we have to patiently get through until the tour starts. I think you can tell I’m already very ready to do this. Give me a guitar and get me to the stage NOW”!

Special guests for the dates will be US punk squad Radkey.

European & UK Tour Dates 2023:
11/14/23 Helsinki (FI) – Tavastia*
11/16/23 Zwolle (NL) – Hedon
11/17/23 Luxembourg (LU) – Den Altier
11/18/23 Leuven (BE) – Het Depot
11/21/23 Copenhagen (DK) – Pumpehuset
11/22/23 Oslo (NO) – Rockefeller
11/24/23 Stockholm (SE) – Debaser
11/25/23 Malmö (SE) – KB
11/27/23 Arnhem (NL) – Luxor Live
11/28/23 Cologne (DE) – Essigfabrik
11/29/23 Berlin (DE) – Festsaal Kreuzberg
12/01/23 Aschaffenburg (DE) – Colos-Saal
12/02/23 Leipzig (DE) – Täubchenthal
12/03/23 Porthcawl, Trecco Bay (UK) – Planet Rockstock
12/05/23 Lindau (DE) – lub Vaudeville
12/06/23 Zurich (NL) – Dynamo
12/07/23 Milano (IT) – Legend Club
12/09/23 Paris (FR) – Backstage by The Mill
12/10/23 Bergen op Zoom (NL) – Gebouw T
12/12/23 Bristol (UK) – Thekla
12/13/23 Glasgow (UK) – King Tuts
12/14/23 Nottingham (UK) – Rescure Rooms
12/15/23 Manchester (UK) – Rebellion
12/16/23 London (UK) – Garage
* (no Radkey)

Set your alarm! Pre-sales for tickets begin at 10am BST, Wednesday 19th April. Tickets go on general sale starting at 10am BST on Friday 21st April. For all ticketing links and more information, click here.

In addition, Danko Jones are confirmed as main support on Sunday 3rd December at the rifftastic extravaganza that is Planet Rockstock, taking place in Trecco Bay, South Wales and marking its10th anniversary this year. Tickets for that event are on sale now.

Toronto’s archbishops of amplification prove that even a global pandemic couldn’t stop Danko Jones. As first album single “Guess Who’s Back” clearly displays, it just made them even more unstoppable. “‘Guess Who’s Back’ is not only the lead-off track to our new album, ‘Electric Sounds’, it’s also the imperative sentence everyone is begging to answer – Danko Jones”, quips charismatic frontman Danko.

“Electric Sounds” promises to have the instant sound and feel of a classic. With no need to reinvent the wheel, the group have further honed and refined their craft – always at full volume – although Electric Sounds is a deceptively diverse affair. “Electric Sounds” was produced by Eric Ratz, and features guest spots from Tyler Stewart (Barenaked Ladies), Damian Abraham (Fucked Up) and guitarist Daniel Dekay (from Canadian thrash legends Exciter).

“Electric Sounds” was produced by Eric Ratz, and features guest spots from Tyler Stewart (Barenaked Ladies), Damian Abraham (Fucked Up) and guitarist Daniel Dekay (from Canadian thrash legends Exciter). Slated for a release on September 15th, 2023, through AFM Records, the album pre-sale has just started here.