Rambling Man's Reviews

  Words by Anselm Anderson The blog continues to discover incredible new bands on British shores, and none are more impressive than the latest LP from the Welsh blues rock trio, Cry For Mercy. The band is set to release "This Machine" on Friday, April 4th. Cry For Mercy also self-funded this 12-track album on their path to recognition. The release showcases the drive and determination of the group through raw emotion and thought-provoking storytelling. They have been described as "Classic 70's fused blues rock" with a modern sound. I  agree with that sentiment as the trio blend soul, blues, and 70s rock with a strong guitar-driven edge. Their warm and compelling vocals are soulful and evoke comparisons to Paul Rodgers and David Coverdale. Formed in 2008, the trio consisting of vocalist Kev Plant, his son and drummer Aled, and guitarist Andy Cutty has emerged as a significant force in the UK underground rock scene. They have captivated audiences with their live...

Edited and written by Anselm Anderson Shock Rocker MARILYN MANSON has unveiled details about his return to the stage this Autumn for the second leg of the One Assassination Under God Tour. The ticket presale starts on April 2nd at 10:00AM local time. General public tickets are available on April 4th at 10:00AM local time at https://www.marilynmanson.com/ . The singer is returning for his first headlining world tour in six years, announcing a tour that will include over thirty dates. It will kick off on August 7th in Sturgis, SD, at The Buffalo Chip. Following his shows across the US, he will perform in the seaside towns of Brighton and Bournemouth in England this October. The 'Disposable Teens' singer will also visit Manchester, London, and Nottingham before continuing to Europe. The tour will cover several countries, including France, Czechia, Poland, and Italy, ultimately concluding in Lisbon, Portugal on November 30th. The singer recently released his 12th studio album, ...

Photo Credit: Anabel D'Flur Edited by Anselm Anderson World-renowned Horror Rocker  WEDNESDAY 1 3 returns with the second single "In Misery", taken from his new full-length album , Mid Death Crisis , released on April 25, 2025, via N apalm Records.  Currently touring across North America on his "There's No Such Thing As Monsters" tour, celebrating 20 years of Transylvania 90210, the follow-up to acclaimed,latest single "When The Devil Commands”, "In Misery" blends goth-punk and sleaze metal with heavy genre influences.   WEDNESDAY 13 comments about "In Misery": "There are too many love songs out there about people confessing their love to one another. I wanted to do the exact opposite, and confess the misery of being in a bad relationship. Hopelessly, madly in misery with someone. I see it every day, people miserable together. I see it almost as much as I see people happily together. Some people enjoy misery, and this song is a...

  Words by Anselm Anderson  Decrepit Youths  is the latest band to gain popularity in the UK. This Newcastle-based quartet of rap metal musicians released their three-track debut EP, "Love Psycho Kill Machine", last week as an independent project. Formed in 2023, they quickly gained widespread airplay on BBC Radio One as part of the channel's Introducing series. The band features a dynamic vocal partnership between David Stoker and Connor Pattison, accompanied by bassist Tim Gambles and drummer Thomas Lee. They now offer a preview of their high-octane, aggressive sound. The group isn’t shy about tackling themes such as drug and alcohol use, as highlighted in the opening track "Love Psycho Kill Machine." This song is a burst of rapid rap verses layered over gritty guitars and distorted monologues, evoking the chaos of a very messy night out. Photo courtesy of San PR The chaotic and dysfunctional sound continues with "Black Dove," which features a combi...

    Bournefest 2025  have announced the full Lineup for their upcoming Festival on Saturday, October 18th in Sittingbourne, Kent.  Bournefest has welcomed some of the best in Blues, Rock & Roots for the past six years since 2019.  Rockin' Roots Events presents the festival with a declaration "for another sensational lineup of National and International Acts", according to the supplementary press release  Promoter of Rockin Roots Events,  Mark Matthews c omments on the event : “I am massively looking forward to hosting Bournefest 2025. Bournefest stands each year as a prominent fixture on our calendar for The Bourne Music Club . Each year delivering a lineup of exceptional national and international talent. This October marks 10 years since I started promoting live music, and we are celebrating the occasion with an absolutely awesome schedule of events. Bournefest 2025 will feature a compelling lineup of quality talent. Some of the acts announced i...

  Words by Anselm Anderson If Cradle of Filth were to write love songs, "The Screaming of Valkyries" may be the closest they will get. The Dark overlords of the Death Metal underworld return with their fourteenth studio effort, released via Napalm Records today. The quintet collaborates again on their follow-up to 2021's "Existence is Futile" by revisiting old ghosts from the past and blending them with a modern sound. This nine-track mini-album is a chance to see the direction Cradle of Filth aims for in the future. The combination of traditional heavy metal styles with blackened thrash, symphonic elements, and gothic influences demonstrates that the band still has plenty of creativity left in the engine. Dani Filth brings his iconic screams and growls over atmospheric tracks like a demonic storyteller sitting down to regale old tales of witches, ghosts and demons. The intense dual guitar work from guitarists Ashok and Donny Burbage heightens the aggression of ...

 The legendary guitaris t Joe Satriani and Colorado-based artis t David Bonvillain have joined up on a collaborative project to create their third charity guitar. The duo continued the trend they began in 2023 when they donated to Children’s Hospital San Francisco and their second to Guitars4Vets last year.  This year this charity piece is their most impressive to date. The guitar is a new Ibanez JS2480 that was refinished by Joe and David over several weeks.  The guitar took over 40 hours to finish - this guitar features a striking glow-in-the-dark base, layered with a stunning white galaxy design in fluorescent acrylics. Hand-painted by Joe, both the front and back showcase his artistic touch, all sealed under a durable urethane clear coat. The original sustainer was replaced with a black driver/neck pickup, and the guitar has been set up with Stringjoy 9 s for optimal playability. All original Ibanez paperwork and a certificate of authenticity are included ...

  Photo Credit courtesy of Sound of Silence.  Words by Anselm Anderson French Quintet Pledge The Silence emerges on the metal scene with the tenacious EP"Guilty as Charged", released via Sound of Silence. Formed in 2005, The Parisians blend thrash metal with raw hardcore elements and aggressive metal. The "Guilty as Charged" production values highlight these styles through emotion and intensity. Each riff culminates in a volatile climax, featuring harsh vocals and poetic monologues interspersed throughout the 23-minute duration. The songs combine deeply emotional subjects like social anxieties and depression with politically motivated ones, enhancing the aggressive nature of the release. The monologues bring stability to an otherwise hectic mini-album. "Guilty as Charged" opens with an intro that transitions into the intense track "Burn the Flag," featuring powerful lyrics and sharp riffs that hit the listener like a sledgehammer to the stomach...

 Words by Anselm Anderson Bristol's rock quartet Oswald Slain, formerly known as Little Chief, has released a new single titled "Ugly," which is part of the upcoming album "Kiss Me on the Mouth," expected to be released in April 2025. The band blends Americana with blues rhythms and energetic rock grooves, influenced by Neil Young and The Band. They tell stories with a quirky sense of humour and a reflective stance. "Ugly" is one such tale, inspired by the 1997 film Boogie Nights , which looks behind the scenes of the 70's adult film indust ry. The song tells the story of seeing the ugly side of the industry. Lead vocalist Charlie Fitzgerald takes on the sleazy lead with his strong, nasal vocals, complemented by the rousing rhythms of fuzzy guitars. The drum's steady beats help enhance the sound and give a 70's edge. The song's provocative lyrics add to the intrigue and enjoyment. Photo courtesy of GLK Media Oswald Slain was born out of...

  Words by Anselm Anderson Punk tri o Lilith's Army celebrates signing with Independent Labe l Criminal Records, releasing their latest LP, on March 28th. Hailing from Northampton, England, the trio comprises vocalist/guitarist Sylvie Studente, bassist Tommy Mayo, and drummer Steve Sherwood. They blend lo-fi punk with grunge and metal, citing influences from L7 and Nirvana. "Doll" features 13 tracks of new material and re-recordings of previous releases. The album has a fresh, boisterous sound, boasting catchy pop-punk choruses and edgy riffs told from a personal perspective on heartbreak, social anxieties, and mental health. Lillith's Army aims to provide an alternative to the punk scene. The trio developed a strong fanbase over the years after a guest slot at the highly sought-after Glastonbury Festival, with support from Total Rock and Kerrang!  Let's get on with the review! The tongue-in-cheek song "Eat My TV" kicks off with a jab at social media ...

Photo courtesy of Karen Rew BENEDICTION RELEASES VIDEO FOR NEWEST SINGLE, 'ENGINES OF WAR' + ALBUM PRE-ORDER FOR RAVAGE OF EMPIRES STARTS TODAY Transcribed by Anselm Anderson Legendary British death metal band Benediction is back with a new single from their upcoming album, "Ravage of Empires." Today, they released the powerful track "Engines of War." On April 4th, they will launch the follow-up to their 2020 comeback album, "Scriptures," via Nuclear Blast Records. The album will feature the iconic growls of vocalist Dave Ingram, set against pummeling riffs and grooves. As of today, "Ravage of Empires" is available for pre-order on CD, LP, and as a digital album. More information on the physical formats is provided below. BENEDICTION has released a new music video today, shot by Martin Goltermann. PRE-ORDER/PRE-SAVE RAVAGE OF EMPIRES: https://benediction.bfan.link/ravage-of-empires STREAM 'ENGINES OF WAR': https://benediction.bfan...

Art Coverwork, courtesy of Naomi Randall Words by Anselm Anderson Rambling Man's Reviews has recently embraced a Blues revival, featuring rising stars. Amongst the talented guitarists and bands, RJ Archer and the Painful Memories stand out with their ability to blend old traditional blues with modern values.   This past Friday, The quartet released "The Cost of a Loving Crisis", their third studio album. These ten personal songs are packed into half an hour of modern rock, mixed with country, blues and soul. Produced by Naomi Randall at Half Tom Studios in Cambridge, England, she captures each song with a pitch-perfect ear. The vibrant vocals of RJ Archer are complemented by an explosion of tasty guitar licks and a tight rhythm section, resulting in a compelling listening experience. The band had to adjust with Marc Ritchie replacing Ben Kingsbury on drums, while Kingsbury moved to the position of second guitarist. The inclusion of guest musicians further enhances the alb...

Photo Courtesy of Sally Newhouse Edited by Anselm Anderson Chilean-born and London-based guitarist, vocalist and songwriter Miguel Montalban has announced that his band,  Miguel Montalban & The Southern Vulture s, will tour the UK this March. The seven-date excursions will commence on 22nd March 2025 at Cart & Horses, Stratford, London (The Birthplace of Iron Maiden). They will then visit Ropetackle Arts Centre in Shoreham , Y Muni Arts Centre in  Pontypridd, Old Woolle n in Leeds, Pontardawe Arts Centre, Red Lion in Gravesend and Acapela Studio in Cardiff, Wales.  Full tour details and ticket links are below  Miguel Montalban comments on the 2025 UK Tour: “"I am absolutely thrilled to announce that I’ll be touring the UK in 2025, playing at some incredible, cosy venues that will make every moment unforgettable! Don’t miss out—grab your tickets now and let’s create magical memories together. I’m counting down the days and can’t wait to share this amazi...

  Words by Anselm Anderson Nuclear Blast Records continues its excellent run of releases today with "Overdriver," the ninth studio album from the Swedish quintet The Hellacopters.  The follow-up to 2022's comeback album "Eyes of Oblivion" is a guitar-centred eleven-tracker that clocks in at forty minutes. The album was entirely produced by guitarist/vocalist Nicke Andersson at Strawberry Studio and The Honk Palace.  The album has a personal touch that reflects the effort put into bringing these tracks to life. The blend of anthemic choruses and punchy guitar riffs harkens back to classic rock artists of the 1970s. Additionally, the combination of blues elements and powerful lyrics creates a dynamic and rich rock sound. The Hellacopters have been making music for 30 years, and were formed in 1994 by ex-Entombed drummer Nicke Andersson and guitarist Dregen. Initially started as a side project, they quickly became a beloved part of Sweden's hard rock revival....

Photo Credit: Slywia Marks and Christian Martin Weiss Extreme metal giants BEHEMOTH have revealed details and artwork for their upcoming new album, the pleasantly- named  'The Shit Ov God' which is due to be released on May 9th via Nuclear Blast Records .  The title track enjoyed it's premiere last night, courtesy of Youtube. You can watch the video below The painted faces of Behemoth promise their most controversial release in their 34 years of existence with the inflammatory eight-tracker "The Shit ov God". The thriteenth studio effort touches on the subjects of humanity and it's relationship with divinity, notably, what defiance means between individuality and the ones they worship.. Musically, politically, or otherwise. The title of the album is in line with those sensibilities. The polarizing figure of founder and frontman Nergal, says of the title "We chose this provocative title deliberately, rejecting subtlety in favour of a direct and polarizin...