The Rockstar Reviewer (Rambling Man's Reviews)

 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 ...

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...

  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....

  Words by Anselm Anderson  You can enjoy not many things in ten minutes, but "Borderland" might be one of them. That is the name of the mini EP from the British Metal act SYPHA. The three tracker is released today to an international audience via all major streaming platforms. The female-fronted band cites Avenged Sevenfold, Deftones, Halestorm, and Marmozets as influences, but their sound is grittier and darker. SYPHA was formed about two and a half years ago in the beachside resort of Brighton, England. Alicia Pilling, whose haunting vocals lead the band, first came to prominence with the video for "World's End," which became a YouTube hit. Since then, they have captivated audiences with their live performances. The quartet combines blistering riffs, dark lyrical content, and pop stylings that resonate with the listeners. "Dirty Floor"  opens with dark, dissonant chords clouded by Pilling's unsettling multi-layered vocals. The juxtaposition betw...

  Words by Anselm Anderson OOB Records invites the listener onto the magical and mysterious journey o f Beyond The Green Realm from the ancient forests of Northern Portugal. Drusuna released their highly anticipated follow-up to their 2016 debut 'Kaytos Kon' last November, promising to reconnect humans with the planet Earth through the traditions of Ritual Pagan Folk music. Drusuna was formed in 2009 by brothers Sephirus and Alvahagal. They initially wanted to tell their stories through organic sounds, using stones, wood, and various other elements to replicate the natural sounds of the planet. However, these plans changed with the release of their debut album. They have since changed their musical direction through a series of appearances across Portugal. Beyond The Green Realm embraces the signatures of Pagan folk music through poetry and instruments like acoustic guitar, flute, percussion, and various other non-folk sounds to captivate the listener into this enchanting wor...

 Words by Anselm Anderson Last month, British singer/songwriter Chris Riley released his sophomore solo album Echoes in a Gloaming  via Nice Mind Records. 'Echoes in the Gloaming' is the follow-up to 2020's Cestrian, Echoes It is an eclectic collection of thirteen personal tracks based on Riley's experiences and inner thoughts. The blend of 60's-inspired pop intersperses with folk ballads and instrumental tracks to create a heartwarming album for these winter months. Rambling Man's Reviews  has previously featured Chris Riley in his other bands, The False Poets and The Support Band,  which focus more on folk and atmospheric material. Riley wrote and recorded most of the tracks here, which gives the album an intimate appeal, through acoustic and electric guitar. The variety of tracks kicks off with the 60's jingly pop of "Kicking On", followed by softer ballads like "Fine Day" and "Another You", which set the tone through visc...