Rambling Man's Reviews

  Gothic Rock band  8Snake , formerly known as The Francesco Fonte Band, recently released the dark and moody 'Another End' VIA 8Music Group, ahead of the trio's forthcoming new studio album. Formed in 2011, the band has drawn comparisons to Pink Floyd, Nine Inch Nails, and Nick Cave. 'Another End' is the new track featuring Grace Wilson from the band Amnesiak. The track tells the story of a suicidal night on a spiral of alcohol and drug abuse. 'Another End' is a post-gothic tale of escapism with progressive rock elements. The song begins with the skyscraping sound of distorted guitars, which slowly build toward gloomy vocals and the repetition of simple strummed guitar patterns. The song comes to life in the middle eight with dual vocals by Wilson and Fonte. The aggressive guitar sounds in the outro are met by Wilson's lung-busting vocal performance to complete an interesting look into 8snake. Words by Anselm Anderson Follow this link  here   to keep ...

  French Prog trio Oaks have released their muchly anticipated debut LP, Genesis of the Abstract, via Argonauta Records.  The trio describes their sound as 'Conceptual' and that is a better way of summing up 33 minutes of a powerful and evocative instrumental album. The Paris-based band has drawn influences from Tool, Russian Circle, and Mastodon across various musical contributions. 'Genesis of the Abstract' begins with an opening monologue over angular guitar riffs and segues into the ten-minute 'The Harmonist', a track that builds slowly to a thunderous climax. The groove-laden riffs have a crisp and dense texture. The trio knows how to convey a compelling story through the language of music with these haunting tracks reflecting a world in disarray. The aggressive stomping rhythms of 'The Chasm' arrive with a dynamic of slow, cumbersome basslines against the fast tempo of the lead guitar.  The mellow blues of 'The Dawn' feels like a new chapt...

  Rambling Man's Reviews presents to you another offering of British rock in the guise of female-fronted Alt metal band  Novacrow from Liverpool, England. The band recently released their debut album Look at Me Now , an enjoyable rollercoaster of funk, metal, and alternative rock.  Formed in 2013, the band recorded this record during Lockdown. They have built a strong fanbase over the years with the release of two EPs, several Festival appearances, and a winner of Merseyside's Metal for the Masses competition this year. 'Look at Me Now' fuses horror influences with a dark brand of humour. The murky and tantalizing grooves of 'Shapes in the Sky' kick things firmly into gear. Lead singer Kitty Staunton seduces with her soaring vocals over crunching riffs and mesmerizing pedal effects. Next up is the six-minute 'Hollows Amour', a beautiful and haunting rock song with flamenco-infused guitar play set over clear and powerful vocals, Novacrow makes sure each...

Birmingham's Rising Metalcore outfit A Titan A Deity released their latest EP,  Descendant, earlier last month. Formed in 2016, the five-piece has had some momentum behind them, appearing at several festivals in the UK, as well as earning support slots to Monuments, From Sorrow to Serenity, and Dropout Kings to name a few. They combine blistering Tech Metal with progressive elements and combining harsh and clean vocals to create a unique sound for the band. 'Descendant' is a six-song collection, clocking in with just over twenty minutes, this gives an insight into the young Englishmen. 'Io' is a progressive song with some interesting time signatures and a dynamic sound. The Skyscraping ambience sounds to accompany the soaring vocal melodies juxtaposed with aggressive howls and scintillating riffs.   Next up is the thunderous 'Revelations' with angular guitars, harsh vocals, and instrumental breakdowns. This track offers something different from the first tra...

  NYC Lo-Fi rock act LonnieClaire has released 'Rusty Hardware', following the release of their latest LP Livin' with a Ghost. Formed in Washington D.C, USA, the band has created a fresh brand of Lo-Fi rock combined with grunge guitars and an Americana feel. The band has endured many line-up changes to finally find a polished sound that suits them. They have amassed over 15k followers on Twitter, as well as gained regular exposure through hundreds of Music Blogs worldwide. 'Rusty Hardware' is a song inspired by the band's upbringing. It is a Roots song that looks at a damaged generation that took a long time to repair. The song sees Lonnie Claire's distinctive jagged vocals reflect through intelligent and evocative lyrics. The band's angular guitar melodies add extra poignancy to this. Words by Anselm Anderson Follow the link below to read more about LonnieClaire https://anselmanderson.blogspot.com/2022/08/song-review-lonnie-claire-cars-bars-and.html Fo...

 Emerging British Heavyweights Hedra returns with the six-tracker  EP The Pecking Order , via Devil's Cause Records. The English five-piece has worked hard to cultivate a fervent fanbase over the past eight years since their humble beginnings in Norwich, England. The band has put together a true force of nature to deliver brutal riffs and dark vocal melodies to an unsuspecting audience. The band has drawn comparisons with Metal icons like Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, and newer acts such as Tool and Mastodon. 'The Pecking Order' is an EP inspired by the tumultuous reign of former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the band expresses the frustration and despair many citizens experienced at the hands of the bumbling leader. 'Jackdaw' pulls no punches in kicking off this release with sluggish riffs and earth-shattering drumming. This is a track that shows progressive elements with angular melodies. Next up is 'Stolen', a similar track with vocalist Jim Mart...

Cardiff-based three-piece Penny Rich has unleashed their latest single 'Last Meal', taken from the forthcoming debut LP, due out next year. The song is inspired by the notion US Death Row prisoners receive a last meal before they are executed. The single hopes to build on the success of their previous two EP'S. The trio spent the majority of 2020 in the studio, writing and recording their debut album with Andrew Sanders in King's Road, Cardiff, Wales. 'Last Meal' is three minutes of distorted, guitar-driven punk. The jagged vocals scream over energetic riffs and screeching guitar lines . Words by Anselm Anderson.  You can find the band online here:  Bandcamp:  https://pennyrich.bandcamp.com/ Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/PennyRichBand Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/pennyrichband/ Spotify:  https://open.spotify.com/artist/38vjdMLP8PeYNpOMTwVTLN Apple Music:  https://music.apple.com/gb/artist/penny-rich/1317476597 Youtube:...

  Nu-Metal quartet Chaoseum released their fourth studio effort The Third Eye,  earlier last month. Formed in Lausanne, Switzerland in 2018, they have had quite a remarkable rise in those short years. The Swiss men were touring with Soulfly within a year of debuting with 'First Step to Hell'. The momentum from that early success has followed with notable performances in Russia, The US, and their native country. The band's brand of unstable vocals, brutal breakdowns, and lyrics are based on themes such as loss, self-doubt, and depression. They bring a style of the forgotten genre to a new audience. The Third Eye begins with the sinister 'I, Sexy Zombie' which contains the rage and isolation of Korn with pounding drums, pulsating beats, and harsh and clean vocals. Next up is 'Unreal' with down-tuned guitars, catchy choruses, and spine-tingling pedal effects. In effect, Chaoseum shares great similarities to the Bakersfield outfit Korn. The band attempts to e...

  Good morning, how are you? Could you introduce yourself to the readers? Hey! I am Justin Alan Payne ! I am a singer/songwriter/guitarist from Ohio, that has been based in East Nashville for 1 1/2 years. I have been making and self-releasing my own music since 2014 under the Justin Payne & Co. moniker. Could you describe your musical journey up to this point? It has been a long, wild, and crazy ride! I started out professionally as a solo, acoustic, singer-songwriter writing mostly in the folk-rock/Americana wheelhouse. My initial solo EP "Interstellar Vagabond" was self-released in 2014 and led to a great relationship with a high-tier booking agency, which then led to three regional solo tours, as well as two huge national routes around most of the continental US. Eventually, though, I wanted to expand and create different sounds, and play different types of crowds. My next EP, "High Water" from 2016, was my first self-released project with a band under the n...

  British Alt Rock trio Prince Bishop  released their debut album All Is Due last week. Hailing from Durham, North-East England, the trio successfully attempted to create a unique sound that reflects a journey of self-discovery. Prince Bishop originally recorded as a vocal and acoustic guitar performance before Covid reared its ugly head. Instead, they decided to create a 'Live band in a room 'experience. They did this with enhanced layers of studio work. The 44-minute LP features luscious vocal melodies, sweet acoustics, and powerful alternative rock. 'The Good of Good Will' is a haunting passage of Hammond organ amongst a crescendo of reverb and solemn harmonies to welcome the album to a new audience. Next up is 'Come Alive' a more upbeat Indie track with vocal melodies over simply strummed guitar rhythms. The album continues in this tone with radio-friendly songs like 'Return' and the latest single 'Soul of a Man' The band feature some introsp...

Photo Courtesy of Elina Pasok   London-based Indie Rock outfit Plastic Barricades introduce the world to a taste of what's to come on their upcoming new studio album We Stayed Indoors. ' Lucid in the Fall' is accompanied by the B-side single 'Tallest Trees'. Both tracks reflect the never-ending lockdowns of the dreaded Global Pandemic era. Recorded in collaboration with Sheffield-based drummer Chris Barber and German singer/songwriter Aellie Koto, the band's third studio effort focuses on tricky subjects such as Mental health, poverty courage, etc. The brainchild of London-based singer/songwriter Dan Kert, Plastic Barricades also worked with British singer/songwriters John Sibley and Luke Joyce in getting this album finished.Tom Hill mixed the album at Brookhouse studios with longtime collaborator Andy Baldwin mastering at Metropolis Studios 'Lucid in the Fall' is a melodic tale of gluttony and shopping sprees during Lockdown. Beautiful and enchanting v...

Modern Rock duo Jordan Red recently self-released their debut LP Hands That Built the World too much anticipation, following their inception during the dreaded Global Pandemic era. Recorded at Long Wave Studio  and produced, mixed, and mastered by renowned record producer Romesh Dodangoda. The band soon set to work to produce something that reflected their own personal struggles. 'Hands That Built the World' focuses on the concept of overcoming challenges in life. The band's brand of 21st-century rock and Alternative metal mixed with a punk attitude will certainly appeal to a new fanbase, eager to listen to an influx of types currently gracing the airwaves. Jordan Red was first formed by Guitarist Dan Baker and New Device vocalist Daniel Leigh. They combined the names of Clinical Psychologist Jordan B Peterson  and the red pill concept from The Matrix film franchise to "seek out the truth by viewing reality through a red pill lens". This 12-track release hopes ...

  Stoner Rock four-piece HWDU (Pronounced Hoodoo) returns with another blend of heavy rock from Swansea, Wales, United Kingdom. The six-track EP Better You Than Me is a follow-up to last year's debut EP Love Crime,  A release this blog gave glowing reviews for.  The self-proclaimed 'Twp Rockers' have been growing their fanbase since last year with support slots at local gigs in support of Ohmms, Boss Keloid, and Tuskar, and with upcoming support slots to Revival Black and Nick Olivieri in November, The four-piece comprises lead vocalist and guitarist Matt Williams, Johnny Randall (Guitars and Vocals), drummer and vocalist Owen Foote, and bassist Gavin Smith. The EP evolves from 'Love Crime' with more riffs and heavier songs to sink your teeth into. The lead single 'Machine' opens up with its alternative rock feeling. The singalong chorus and hook-laden riffs make this an infectious track to kick things off.  Next up is the pop-punk of the title track ...

  Southern Rock acts The Comancheros  return with their latest single 'Blue Yodelling', ahead of their new album Memphis to Mexico,  released on November 25th. Formed in 2015, the trio has been touring non-stop throughout the states, supporting Blackberry Smoke, Cadilac Three, Whiskey Myers, etc. The band is better known for their 2022 cover of 'Mississippi Kid' by Lynyrd Skynyrd. Produced by Kentucky Headhunters' Richard Young. 'Blue in Yodel G' is a straight-up southern rock 'N' roll track that describes the everyday stresses of life. The opening slide guitar intro builds to an infectious refrain and pounding drums. The track is a typical southern rock track full of attitude and having a good time. Words by Anselm Anderson You can read the interview with The Comancheros below; Artist Interview- The Comancheros "We wanted to know what it would sound like if Van Halen did a Waylon Jennings cover album." | Rambling Man's Reviews (anselma...

Artwork courtesy of Leandra Bonnet Singer/Songwriter Katie Drives has returned with a brand-new single 'Ghosts', featuring Poet and musician Dear Me via Initiative Musik. Produced by Ole Kuhlmann, ' Ghost s ' tells the story of a person that has been ghosted from the perspective of the person that broke contact. The track is the first since her debut EP 'Fake Smiles' was released last year. The Berlin-based singer mixes Pop and Rock to create a punk attitude, not experienced since artists like  Alanis Morrisette  and  Avril Lavigne  some twenty years ago. 'Ghosts' sees Drives' warm and infectious vocals sing from a personal perspective. Her rich vocals sing over distorted guitars and pop-infused melodies to create an extra addition to the evolution of Katie Drives as a songwriter. Words by Anselm Anderson Click the link below to read more about Katie Drives. MUSIC REVIEW + INTERVIEW: KATIE DRIVES - MANIAC | Rambling Man's Reviews (anselmanderso...

   Hello, could you introduce yourself to the listeners? Hello! This is Michael. I am the drummer, manager, and one of the songwriters for The Comancheros.    What can you tell me about your musical journey to this point? I started by playing in a punk band with my brother, we did a few death metal bands in our teens, and I started playing country when I was in college. Tanner and I met when I was in graduate school for Greek and Latin. It wasn’t long before I dropped out of grad school to focus on The Comancheros. It’s been full steam ahead ever since!    How would you describe your sound? HEAVY & WESTERN. We wanted to know what it would sound like if Van Halen did a Waylon Jennings cover album. Van Waylon, if you will.    What inspired you to get into music? Personally, I was home-schooled. My parents did not play music, so my brother and I started private music lessons around age 12 and it quickly took over our lives. We were n...

  Essex-Based four-piece Palps have released their debut album, entitled Black Heart.   The LP follows the 2020 debut EP 'Letters to You (That I Will Never Send)'. Black Heart  is an eight-track concept story that highlights a person's struggles with Mental Health. The album is accompanied by eight music videos that relay this story to listeners. The story is centred around the main protagonist, Matt plus Rose, Charlotte and the nefarious Plague Doctor, a metaphor for suicidal thoughts. Jack Twiner helped mix, master and produce this release at Pyramid Studios in Reading, England. The band convey the seriousness of Matt through emotive pop-rock, huge choruses and meaningful lyrics. The anthemic 'AVA' begins this chapter through striking vocal melodies and distorted guitar riffs. The heart-wrenching 'Love, Always' soon follows, before the first of two duets with vocalist Kirstie McEwan with 'Consequences'. Each song tells the tale of a troubled and co...

 Rising British Heavyweights Ruina release their latest EP As the Sky Begins to Break  today, Friday, 30th September. Formed in 2020, Ruina originally started out as a solo project for multi-instrumentalist Harv Lake. However, a desire to play live and explore new ideas lead Lake to assemble his own band. The four-track EP is eleven minutes of skull-crushing riffage and joint harsh/clean vocals courtesy of Harv Lake and Chris Owens.  The EP begins with the haunting instrumental 'Intro/Exist' before exploding with the latest single 'Ash & Fire', a slice of modern metal that goes straight to the jugular. A hard-hitting track with punishing blast beats and razor-sharp riffs. Owens' towering melodies provide a reassuring accompaniment to Lake's anguished growls. Next up is the equally dark and emotive 'The Truth', in which Owens and Lake's vocal chemistry continues to grow. The odd time signatures. sonic blast beats and eerie guitar melodies make thi...

  La-based duo Tarah Who? are back with a new single 'Yay or Nay' featuring Independent Spanish rock band Faul. Lead singer/guitarist Tarah Carpenter discovered the band through Bala drummer V, the musician's favourite band. Each member of Faul sings in their native tongue: Corinna sings in German, whilst Laura and V sing in Galician. 'Yay or Nay' is another example of Tarah Who? singing songs about the music industry through their brand of in-your-face gritty punk. Tarah Carpenter and the members of Faul somberly sing over fuzzy guitars that build towards a breakneck speed. The women then join together in unison with cries of Yay or Nay (Yes or No). Tarah Who? continues to break boundaries with their messages of support for the independent music scene. Words by Anselm Anderson

  Alternative Power trio Mrs Beckett  released their debut album Unattractively Needy,  this past Friday,23rd September. The band's brand of dirty and powerful rock'n'roll has been heralded as gaining influence from Motorhead and Little Richard. Formed in the North-East of England in 2019, Lead singer/guitarist, Jim Kitson planned on writing a musical about a band reforming after one of its members transitioned. Fortunately, Kitson realised his dislike of musicals and plugged in his Telecaster and brought in long-time musical companion, Peter Peverley on bass and Dave Pipkin on drums. The ten-track LP was recorded live at The Shed in Kitson's home studio in Durham, England. The LP begins with the slow-burner 'Care', an anthemic rock track that has Kitson crooning over bluesy riffs, Next up is the boogie rock stomper 'Defeats', followed by some slow numbers in the latest single 'Devastating' and the rock ballad 'Collapsing'. Mrs Beckett r...

  Masked Nu-Metal act  Anti-Clone has returned after a four-year hiatus with a new EP Human. Recorded at Red City Recordings in Manchester, England by David Radahd-Jones, the four-track EP is a follow-up to 2016's 'The Root of Man'. Following a break in 2018, The band are back with a brand-new look and sound. 'Human' looks at recent events in a fireball of aggressive and raw metal. The EP starts with the self-titled track 'Human'. a neck-cracking juggernaut of industrial metal. The hostile vocals rage over thick guitar riffs and an eerie electronic sound. Next up is the equally menacing 'Punish Me'. Vocalist Clone' sounds like an unstable Cory Taylor as he juxtaposes hollow screams and pop melodies. This track is the more commercial of the four on this release. The band seek to emulate Nu-metal tendencies with modern metal to produce a balance for fans of those genres. 'End of The World' sounds like a less unstable Marilyn Manson with dar...