The Rockstar Reviewer (Rambling Man's Reviews)

  Art Coverwork: Stan W Decker Northern German Powerhouse Mob Rules have been around for over thirty years, releasing thematic concept albums , master storytelling and powerful melodies. They are set to release their latest EP, titled " Stories From the Verdant Valley ", which features a five tracker, through ROAR . The EP follows on from the success of last year's full-length " Rise of the Ruler ", which told the story of a post-apocalyptic world . This was a continuation of their earlier albums, such as 1999's " Savage Lands " and 2000's " Temple of the Two Suns ".  Rise of the Ruler marked a turning point for the band, earning them critical acclaim for their ability to reach a wider audience with powerful,dynamic music. Photo credit courtesy of Karsten Koch The five tracks from  Stories from the Verdant Vale are songs that did not make the final cut for  Rise of the Ruler,  continuing similar theme s  from the album.  Vocalist Kl...

  Photo courtesy of San PR Words by Anselm Anderson Scotland's Hard rock band Kelowna are set to release their debut album Superstar in a couple of weeks. The five-piece hails from "Up North" in the British Isles and received critical acclaim for their five-track EP last year. "Superstar" will be their first full-length, and an opportunity to listen to them. The ten-tracker is full of raw emotion and depth, capturing the band's different moods through bluesy riffs, powerful ballads, and soulful vocals. Formed in 2024, the band consists of vocalist Davy Wilson , lead guitarist Paul Moody, Bassist Simon Amos, Keyboardist Ian King, and drummer Rory McEwan. This combination produces magic on each track through every lick and insightful lyric. I hear similarities to bands like Bad Company , Deep Purple and Dire Straits because they capture the seventies sound with a thick tone and a feel-good vibe. Photo Courtesy of San PR Kelowna, like many British bands at ...

  Photo Credit: Rogue PR Words by Anselm Anderson Arizona's Progressive Rock band Little King have released a standalone single in support of their most recent tour across the States. The track has been released following last year's critically acclaimed "Lente Viviente". You can find a link to The Rockstar Review here "Opus Perficit" offers another side to the band's usual standard bluesy stuff. I think the last album opened the door to the band's penchant for experimenting with different ideas and styles. This is more progressive, with some nice acoustic instrumentals that lean more towards an expressive and emotional side for the band. The Rockstar Reviewer has covered the band for the last five years and has always been impressed by the band's musicianship and tendency to craft hook-laden tracks that capture the listener's attention from the start. The Texas-based trio formed over thirty years ago, but continue to push itself as a unit, a...

  Photo Credit: Nuclear Blast Records Words by Anselm Anderson NYC Hardcore Punk band Madball released their tenth studio effort today. " Not Your Kingdom " via Nuclear Blast Records. The quartet delivers fourteen high-tempo, aggressive tales of survival through conviction and pure punk energy. Formed in 1988,  the band originated as a side project for fellow New York Hardcore band Agnostic Front . They were formed by Fred Cricien , the younger half-brother of Agnostic Front vocalist Roger Miret . To date, Madball have released ten albums and four EPs, and they are often cited as an influence on the NYC Hardcore scene. I'm unfamiliar with the history of the band; this is the first release I've heard.  I am always intrigued to listen to something new, so I was excited to give this one a listen after reading about the band. Produced by Andrew Bayliss in Nashville, Tennessee, "Not Your Kingdom" doesn't feel like a political album. Instead, it presents itse...

Photo courtesy of Peter Rasmussen Today, Punk band The Something Ain't Rights release their debut EP Rotten In the Brain via Hovercraft Records . The quartet blends post-punk and garage rock with a touch of country to create the perfect ingredients for a nine-track social commentary on modern-day America. Formed in Astoria, Oregon , The Something Ain't Rights have a rich history in the music scene. The band comprises musicians from New York, Washington DC, New Orleans, Texas and Oregon. Fronted by vocalist and guitarist Mike Vasquez , along with bassist Alpha Rasmussen , drummer Carrie Beveridge , and guitarist Dan McLure , they blend their passion for punk to create a cynical take on life in the States. They also perform as Beta Voids , a local punk band from Astoria. Vasquez is a professional engineer and the owner of Austin's Legendary Sweatbox Studios . He helped record and mix "Rotten in the Brain" at Cannon Deck Recording last winter. The album was inten...

Photo courtesy of San PR Words by Anselm Anderson North Eastern English five-piece The Larches are set to release their latest EP Nihilistic Majesties on July 24th. The band have worked to change their sound from an indie setup to a more  dissonant sludge metal sound . On this five-track release, the songs are drenched in thick, discordant riffs, snarling vocals, and a groove-oriented vibe, creating a chaotic, disillusioned sound. "Nihilistic Majesties" explores themes of collapse, isolation and endurance.  These are challenges any upcoming band aims to overcome in a tough music industry to break through. Formed in 2023, the band comes from Middlesbrough, England . I know it more for their industrial side, rather than anything else. However, The Larches aim to reflect their grievances in the only way they know how. The band consists of lead vocalist Noah Annandale , lead guitarist Sonny Evans , Rhythm guitarist Joel Hardwick , bassist Alfie Murphy and drummer George Moss ....

  Words written by Anselm Anderson Latst Week, Eclipe Records latest signings,  Gothic Rock act Outshine released their first studio album . Truthsayer , their fifth release overall, is  packed with haunting keys, dark vocals, and backbeats that perfectly capture the   dark, atmospheric metal  of the band. Outshine hail form  Gothenburg, Sweden , They have been round for over thirty years, touring  across the States and Europe. They’ve supported such acts like Paradise Lost  , performing to  over three hundred shows. Since joining Eclipse Records, the band consists of  founding vocalist Jimmy Boman , drummer Robert Petersson ,bassist Niklas Ingvarsson , and  guitarist and backing vocalist Par Arvidsson . "Truthsayer" was produced and recorded by Kenny Boufadene and Jimmy Boman at Studio Meltdown , Kungsbacka, Sweden, The duo capture the melancholy  of the band's nature through nine dark, eerie songs. Photo courtesy of ...