Phil Campbell & the Bastard Sons – ‘Kings of the Asylum’ (Nuclear Blast)

Phil Campbell & the Bastard Sons – ‘Kings of the Asylum’ (Nuclear Blast)

Those Bastard boys have had a busy summer. Gigs supporting Guns N Roses in Europe, countless festivals including Hellfest, Wacken Open Air, Graspop Metal Meeting to name but a few. It’s been amazing seeing the constant and well-deserved upward trajectory of the band. They really know how to keep their rabid fan base happy and are one of the hardest working bands out there.

September 2023 sees the release of their third studio album – ‘Kings of the Asylum’. The album is the first studio release with frontman Joel Peters, so no pressure there Joel! The album was recorded at their own Stompbox Studio and production was handled again by Todd Campbell. I’ve been eager to hear the album after the winning combo of the two pre released singles/videos – ‘Schizophrenia’ and ‘Hammer and Dance’. Just hearing that bass rumble from Tyla Campbell gives me goosebumps. The Motorhead influence is never far away, but the band have done a fine job of remaining on the cutting edge of modern hard rock at the same time.

The album (literally) kicks off with ‘Walking in Circles’, an up-tempo beast with another catchy Bastard chorus. We needn’t have been concerned about Joel Peters stepping up to the mark, he’s on fire throughout the record. I feel that what we have here is the definitive version of the band, they really are the full package now. Just watch them climb even higher than the dizzy heights they have already achieved.

Next up we have ‘Too Much is Never Enough’, another full-on rocker with drummer Dane Campbell whacking up a storm. The rock n roll lifestyle lyrics fit the song perfectly. ‘Strike the Match’ has an AC/DC vibe to it’s nod along opening bars before getting into more familiar territory with more chugging riffs. The album’s title track swaggers along nicely with some great guitar work. ‘The Hunt’ screams Motorhead, you can almost hear Lemmy in some of Peter’s phrasing. Some tasty double bass licks from Dane elevate the track nicely. ‘Show No Mercy’ has another barnstorming chorus that sticks in your head long after listening, the hallmark of any great tune!

‘No Guts! No Glory!’ again highlights the guitar prowess of the Lord Axsmith himself and Todd Campbell. They work together gloriously! My favourite song on the album is ‘Ghosts’, by far the most commercial track on the album, it will sound fantastic live. ‘Maniac’ closes the album with a rock n roll boogie and manages to get the word gobshite in the lyrics! Brilliant!

‘Kings of the Asylum’ is the bands best album to date, FACT! Superb performances, production values, and fantastic artwork make it one of 2023’s highlights. Keep ‘em coming lads. The album is released on Sep 1st 2023 on Nuclear Blast records and is available on CD, several vinyl variations, cassette, and there are bundles to pre order here

Or Amazon Here

Author: Kenny Kendrick

Michael Schenker Group – ‘Immortal’ (Nuclear Blast)

Michael Schenker Group – ‘Immortal’ (Nuclear Blast)

‘We were looking and looking for someone who had that, the added X ingredient, and there it was, right in front of us…. The blonde bomber turned up’. Phil Mogg (UFO Vocalist)

There aren’t many guitar players that have the pedigree of the German maestro Michael Schenker. From Scorpions to UFO to MSG, the axeman has paved the way for every guitarist that set ears on his hugely influential body of work. The likes of Kirk Hammett, Dave Mustaine, Dimebag Darrell and George Lynch have all cited him as an inspiration for picking up a six string. The image of Schenker and his trusty flying V is truly embedded in hard rock and heavy metal history.

His latest offering Immortal is the 11th released under the @ moniker and it certainly won’t disappoint his legions of loyal fans. Schenker has assembled an all-star cast with vocal duties shared by Ronnie Romero (Rainbow), Joe Lynn Turner (Rainbow, Yngwie Malmsteen) and Ralf Scheepers (Primal Fear) as well as Barry Sparks (Dokken) on bass, Steve Mann on keyboards, and drum stool duties are shared by drumming royalty: Simon Phillips (Toto, Judas Priest, The Who), Brian Tichy (Whitesnake, The Dead Daisies) and Bodo Schopf (The Sweet).  Michael Voss has returned as producer and delivered a punchy and bottom-heavy sound that certainly delivers the goods in the most part.

Opening track ‘Drilled to Kill’ kicks the album off with style, a crunchy riff, thunderous double bass drums and a fist-pumping chorus along with some Jon Lord style keyboard flurries certainly grabs your attention. The melodic lead guitar work adds layers to the song and the dueling keyboards and guitar at the climax are very impressive.

‘Knight of the Dead’ is another highlight with Ronnie Romero showing why he is very much in demand with a fantastic performance on vocals. Another powerful track with the whole band firing on all cylinders. There’s plenty here for classic rock and metal fans to get their teeth into with more fantastic musicianship on show.

We have an obligatory power ballad with ‘After the Rain’, producer Voss takes over vocal duties on this one. There’s a nod to the eighties with this track, it certainly wouldn’t have sounded out of place on one of those ‘Soft Metal’ compilations from the time. There are some decent vocal melodies and of course, the guitar work is great but there’s nothing particularly memorable about it.

There is some filler material as well, unfortunately, with the likes of ‘Devil’s Daughter’ with its dated and inappropriate lyrical content – ‘super-high stilettos’ and ‘lady of the underworld in a red hot dress’ Oh dear….

‘Sail the Darkness’ brings the quality back with a Maiden-style gallop and a catchy punch along chorus. ‘The Queen of Thorns and Roses’ has a great nod along riff with more fantastic guitar work from Schenker. He really knows how to elevate a song with his inimitable style.

Another stand-out moment is ‘Come on Over’ with Romero doing his best Coverdale impersonation with more standout riffs and some superb drumming. It’s hard to believe that Schenker is 66 years of age. His playing is outstanding. MSG have some UK dates penciled in towards the end of the year, let’s hope they go ahead. This album deserves a live airing.

Final track ‘In Search of the Peace of Mind’ is a reworking of a track from the Scorpions debut album ‘Lonesome Crow’ that Schenker wrote when he was 15 years of age. It’s a decent version in all fairness and it brings everything full circle for an artist that has survived 50 years in the music business and is still releasing some strong material. That is a testament to a fascinating character and a legendary career.

Immortal indeed.

Buy ‘Immortal’ Here

Author: Kenny Kendrick

Rainy Days & Mondays

Rainy Days & Mondays

Not letting the grass grow. Hands off Gretel are about to release a new EP.  Heres the new video for ‘Milk’.

second out round two.  Our favourite Black metal legends Midnight. ‘Fucking Speed And Darkness’. Ave it!

The brand new 69 Eyes video folks? of course.

As an extra treat, this cold and damp morning here’s the brand new video from those mysterious garage punks Dboy. now on yer way

Rainy Days & Mondays

Rainy Days & Mondays

First up on this rather fresh UK morning are the Ghost Wolves with their track ‘ Let’s Go To Mars’ this will twist your melon first thing.

 

The undisputed kings of Americana are back in the game with ‘Thoughts And Prayers’ taken from their soon to be release new album. Enjoy

We hope Ricky is on the mend after his recent stay in hospital so to share the love we bring you the brand new Black Star Riders video for ‘In The Shadow Of A War Machine’

Finally a last-minute addition will warm the cockles of your heart and one for all action rockers to put on before braving the cold outside is the excellent ‘Phoney Highs’ from the excellent Electric Shakes.  It’s a right belter taken from their EP 2019.  Find it and fill yer boots.

See you next week same time same place when we’ll have a few more choice videos might be new might be classic who knows. Tra

Black Star Riders – Another state Of Grace (Nuclear Blast Records)

Black Star Riders – Another state Of Grace (Nuclear Blast Records)

I’ve been a huge fan of Ricky Warwick for a long time and have enjoyed whatever music he has put out whether it’s the loud punk-metal of The Almighty or his storytelling solo albums and what we now come to know the great rock’n’roll of the Black Star Riders.

On the first trio of the Black Star riders albums, the songs have been largely co-written by Ricky and guitarists Damon Johnson and the legend that is guitar slinger Scott Gorham.

So it was a surprise when it was let known that Damon Johnson was moving on to pastures new and that the vacant guitar player slot was being filled by Christian Matrucci who is guitarist of Stone Sour and also to my delight I have discovered he has had various bands of his own over the years which I have found too have released top draw music but the question is  would he gell with Black Star Riders.

Fear, not Christian has not only fitted in but the music is all the better for it.

Starting off this new album titled “Another State Of Grace” we have the track “Tonight The Moonlight Let Me Down” and immediately the ears are treated to a great guitar riff and Ricky’s trademark gruff vocal. Scott and Christian’s guitar mesh together beautifully to create a great rock’n’roll sound and we even have some saxophone added into the mix which fits in perfectly.

On track two we get the song “Another State Of Grace” which was the first song to be released as a single and this song has a big Celtic sound to it with a backing chant of “hey” being shouted which really makes the track stand out.

Up next we have “Ain’t The End Of The World” which is the second single to be released and this track has what I would call the classic Thin Lizzy sound with Scott Gorham’s trademark guitar all over it yet has a freshness that while takes you back to the glory days of Thin Lizzy it also shows how the Black star riders are very much their own band with their own identity.

“Underneath The Afterglow” starts off with a great classic rock guitar riff with a great vocal by Ricky and what strikes me is how Christian’s backing vocals go together so well with Ricky’s that you would think they have been in a band together for years.

“Soldier In The Ghetto” is up next and this track adds a funky intro before relaxing back into a great Black Star riders chorus and shows a band that’s not afraid to mix things up a bit but when they do they do it well.

“Why Do You Love Your Guns” slows the pace down a bit with a beautifully crafted acoustic guitar intro before a crunchy electric guitar riff is introduced to build the song up and a great passionate vocal by Ricky makes this track another winner.

Next up we have “Standing In The Line Of Fire” and this track picks the pace back up with some pounding drums and driving bass and a shredding guitar solo that makes this a great rock song.

“What Will It Take?” is another track which features acoustic guitar mixed with electric to add to a song with great harmonies. Also, we have some great female backing vocals which yet again add another dimension to the Black star riders sound.

“In The Shadow Of The War Machine” is a awesome rocker of a track with some real biting guitar and lyrics that describe the troubled times we are living in yet even though this is a serious song it still has the great harmonies and an uplifting chorus that I hope to hear live on the upcoming tour.

Finishing off the album is the track “Poisoned Heart” and this is how an album should be finished off and that is with style with Ricky’s soaring vocals backed with great backing vocals from Christian and great all-round work from the rest of the band making sure this album goes out with a bang.

Overall words are hard to describe how great this album is because every song on here is a sure-fire crowd-pleaser with no weak tracks or filler to be heard anywhere.

This is a great album that on repeated listens is an album that will keep on giving and in this reviewer’s opinion is Black Star Riders finest work to date.

Buy ‘Another State Of Grace’ Here

Author: Gareth ‘Hotshot’ Hooper

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