Rambling Man's Reviews

Photo Credit: Nick Pegg This past Friday, Montreal’s The Fake Friends released Let’s Not Overthink This , a full-length that blends post-punk rhythm / new wave late-night record. On Stomp Records , the record nods to Pylon , Wire , Parquet Courts , Cloud Nothings , and Franz Ferdinand , cutting through. The release has been described as a lively and wired album that reflects the city the band were brought up in. What began in 2020 as an opportunity to socialise became a regular occurrence for the group.  Founded by Frontman Matthew Savage and guitarist Luca Santilli, they were soon joined by longtime collaborators Felix Crawford-Legault, Michael Kamps, Bradley Cooper-Graham, and Michael Tomizzi until the lineup locked into place.  The record opens with “ Ministry Of Peace ,” a jittery broadcast that moves toward media noise and cultural static. Savage repeats “no truce” as the song builds, guitars cut through the haze. It sets up the album’s central theme: trying to hold ...

     [Photo Credit: Patric Ullaeus] Gothenburg ’s masterminds of melancholia, Prog Metal act   EVERGREY , hope to bring some cheer for their fans with the announcement of their fifteenth album, Architects Of A New Weave , which will be released on June 5, 2026 via Napalm Records , just days before the band takes the stage as special guest to  Iron Maiden , for two shows on their Run For Your Lives World Tour . The band will soon follow up this news with a music video for their first single, but you will need to stay tuned for when. Personally, I am interested in discovering what music they will bring. Lead vocalist  Tom Englund   explains the story about Architects Of A New Weave: “We’ve literally never had this much trouble picking singles. And honestly? That’s the best problem we could possibly have. Every song on this record is fighting to be the one you hear first—because we poured everything into making an album we’re flat-out obsessed with...

Photo Artwork courtesy of Rogue PR  Words written by Anselm Anderson Before the Sirens is another exciting new discovery on British shores. They released their most recent EP in December of last year, a follow-up to their debut EP, Desolate Seas and Darkened Skies . The EP is ' As it is Above, 'So it is Below , and the five-track brings an intense new sound with soaring vocal melodies and heavy riffs. The band is described as metalcore , but I argue they lean more towards a modern, accessible metal route. The band are fronted by vocalist Alun Davies , guitarist Chris Tiday , bassist Adam Aldridge and drummer Alex Budge . On this latest outing, they write about struggles and mental health .  Promo Shoot courtesy of Rogue PR. These themes are evident in the way the music is presented. In the opening track, "As It Is Above," vocalist Davies’s soft vocal textures blend seamlessly with the fierce riffs and pounding drums. This combination conveys a sense of imploration, ...

Angel Du$t by Nat Wood | Rising Rock'n'Roll act Angel Du$t have released their final track, ahead of the release of their new album this Friday. This week, they're releasing their highly anticipated new album, COLD 2 THE TOUCH , and today they're sharing " Pain Is A Must ".  Arriving this Friday, 13th February, via Run For Cover Records, COLD 2 THE TOUCH is a 26-minute blast of eclectic, hard-hitting music that proves Angel Du$t's drive to make authentically aggressive rock & roll. "Pain Is A Must" follows the usual recipe of singles,  ahead of an important new release. " I'm The Outside ", " DU$T ", " Cold 2 The Touch ", " The Knife ", and " The Beat " and its guest vocals from Terror's Scott Vogel are sure to leave listeners excited for hearing COLD 2 THE TOUCH in full on Friday. Stream "Pain Is A Must" everywhere: angeldustmoney.lnk.to/painisamust Pre-order COLD 2 THE T...

Photo Credit: Duff Press Have you ever dreamed of becoming the lead singer of an Eighties' Classic rock band? Do you imagine being Sebastian Bach and reminisce about those wild days of your youth? Well, you might be in luck. Legendary hard rock band Skid Row have teamed up with USA company Sweetwater, the world’s leading online retailer of musical instruments and pro-audio equipment, to search worldwide for their next lead vocalist. The collaboration invites singers from around the world to audition for the opportunity to front one of rock’s most enduring and respected bands. This year marks the 40th anniversary of Skid Row. Over four decades, the band has delivered some of hard rock’s most iconic anthems, including “ 18 and Life ”, “ I Remember You ”, “ Monkey Business ” and “ Youth Gone Wild ”.With multi-platinum albums, chart-topping releases, and a global touring legacy, the band has remained a defining force in rock music. Now, Skid Row is opening the door to a new era by se...

Photo Credit: Tina Gross Edited by Anselm Anderson Seattle’s The Darts return with “Apocalypse,” the second from their upcoming LP Halloween Love Songs, arriving March 3. “Apocalypse” follows up on “ Midnight Creep ,” which felt like a B-movie anthem. “Apocalypse” is part of the darker half of the album, featuring explosive rhythms and a sing-along chorus. It has a creepy yet sultry vibe that elevates the pulse of horror rock . This track was released yesterday and is available online to enjoy before the album hits the streaming platforms next month.   Watch the Video for “Apocalypse” below. . Singer/organ conjurer  Nicole Laurenne  was inspired to write the song following a trip to  Angers, France , when she visited the massive medieval Apocalypse Tapestry , a wall of woven chaos, angels, beasts and storms. “The lightning bolt struck me,” she says. “The song practically wrote itself in the van as we left the castle.” Nicole felt the strange liberation of ...

Art Coverwork courtesy of Future Radio Today, South African rock act Future Radio has announced they are set to release  Punk Rock Saved My Life!,   their latest single, on February 20th. On the release, they join forces with South African singer/songwriter Pieter Marcato  to create a pop punk anthem that pays tribute to the genre that, I think, got my generation hooked on pop rock music. The anthem evokes memories of bands like Blink-182 , Green Day and Simple Plan. The track is an ode to the genre that shaped the band's future (no pun intended). It really captures the feel-good mood that music sets, with its catchy choruses, easy-to-hum tunes, and uplifting guitar riffs. It's certainly worth a listen upon its release for fans of that era. The song draws subtle nods to those said bands, such as Green Day, along with bands like Paramore. The track is said to focus on the particular Warped Tour Era of that generation.  Pieter   Marcato  adds about the t...

  Art Coverwork courtesy of STE Words Written by Anselm Anderson Swedish Rock act   The Chuck Norris Experiment  have released the third instalment of  B-Sides and Rarities  from the past couple of years. The release marks the twenty-second anniversary of the Swedish sextet. The band's brand of tongue-in-cheek humour and  energetic punk , combined with  blues-rock stylings , is an enjoyable introduction to the band. The band has been touring across Europe for over twenty years, sharing stages with notable acts such as  Turbonegro ,  The Hellacopters ,  Twisted Sister , and  Danko Jones . They have released twelve albums so far, and this collection of tracks demonstrates that they show no signs of slowing down. ' Hot Stuff 3 ' was released yesterday by  Ghost Highway Recordings  and  Chaputa Records , having been recorded at  Studio Meltdown  in  Kungsbacka  by  Kenny Boufadene . The band's exo...

L to R: Clint Lowery, Morgan Rose, Lajon Witherspoon , Vince Hornsby, John Connolly (Photo Credit: Chuck Brueckmann) GRAMMY® Award –nominated metal icons SEVENDUST r eturn with their  powerful new single “Is This The Real You.” The track showcases the unmistakable sound that has propelled the band to the top of rock radio throughout their career. The band announced their first taste of the new year, a week after the announcement of their upcoming 15th studio album, ONE . SEVENDUST once again delivers a driving, emotionally charged anthem that blends aggression, melody, and authenticity. “Is This The Real You” is available now on all digital streaming platforms. ,   SEVENDUST guitarist John Connolly explains.“It was as honest, natural, and pure as any song can be. If you really want to know what Sevendust sounds like in 2026, ‘Is This The Real You?’ gives you a good idea,”  The accompanying music video, directed by Paul Ribera , further highlights SEVENDUST's abil...

Credit: Blguunee Hiroshi L-R: Enkush (vocalist, horse head fiddle), Jaya (vocalist, wind instruments), Galaa (vocalist, horse head fiddle), Temka (vocalist, tovshuur) Edited by Anselm Anderson  Mongolian rock group  The HU has released their latest single, “The Real You,” via Better Noise Music . With this new song, they’re bringing Western music components to the forefront with a heavy, atmospheric sound, a hard-charging rhythm, and gritty and positively menacing vocals. The track takes their Hunnu Rock , which blends traditional Mongolian instrumentation and throat singing with contemporary rock music, to an entirely new level. “The Real You” was produced by Dashka ( Dashdondog Bayarmagnai ) and mixed by five-time Grammy Award-winning producer, engineer, mixer, and musician Chris Lord-Alge . It is now available on all digital outlets HERE , and the video can be seen below. . ” ‘The Real You’ single is the representation of our forthcoming new album, s ays The...

  CoverArtwork Courtesy of San Pr Words Written by Anselm Anderson Today marks the final chapter of an emphatic trilogy by British Metalcore Heavyweights , Virtue in Vain . Nothing is All I Am ' is the third instalment exploring human emotions and psyche.  The trio began their journey in 2015 with their debut EP,  For All You Know is the Mask I Wore ,  focusing on the loss of identity, before 2019's   Dusk//Dawn looking at the consequences of a terrible night out, whilst 'Nothing is All I Am ' focuses on rebuilding a fractured mind. The trio of lead vocalist Hywel Thomas, guitarist Mason Williams, and drummer Daniel Bryant hail from South Wales deliver another dose of metalcore that hits like a sledgehammer to the head. The band replicates what many other British bands of the genre do, but they bring a story behind their music. Their emotional cries blend with powerful riffs and down-tuned instrumentals that resonate long after the music has stopped. Their...