As we seem to be nearing closer to another space launch (in the middle of a pandemic?) maybe those heading to Kennedy Space Centre should just invest in the newest album from Black Rainbows. Now established as one of the preeminent heavy psych stoner rock bands around Cosmic Ritual Supertrip is the the bands latest foray into the stratosphere through the medium of big riffs and mind melting psych sounds. Black Rainbows are led by Gabriele Fiori (guitar/vocals) who knows what stoner/psych rock is all about, not just because of his band but also through being the founder of Heavy Psych Sounds, who have released this album (funny that). So in the two years since their last record has anything changed in the Black Rainbows camp? Not really no, this 8th studio album is once again crafted through countless tours and festival slots, transfering that live energy to a disc/mp3.
Fiori and the rhythm section consisting of Filippo Ragazzoni (drums) and Edoardo Mancini (bass) are old hands at this now so the music here has a certain deliberately relaxed feel, as if it's all been thrown together and jammed out but there's a professionalism that betrays the space rock ethos. Though it never intrudes, Cosmic Ritual Supertrip bursts out of your stereo with fuzzy, riff worship right from the off. While At Midnight You Cry flashes by with a punk energy, Universal Phase has more in common with doom, The Great Design is a trippy semi-interlude to the Monster Magnet-like Master Rocking Power Blast. Dave Wyndorf and co are a band you can definitely say have influenced Black Rainbows with nods on Isolation, Glittereyzed, Radio 666 and in fact all the way through there are transmissions beamed through the prism of the Space Lords. Ballsy space rock from these Romathafuckers (their words not mine), play it at volume. 7/10
Her Chariot Awaits: S/T (Frontiers Records)
I can hear the thought process that went into making this debut album. "Hey guys!? Do you like Halestorm?" the answer of "Yes" came back and then they set about writing music similar to this, though Her Chariot Awaits being another project from guitar virtuoso Mike Orlando (Adrenaline Mob), there was always going to be plenty of fret-fireworks to go along with the poppy hooks of tracks such as Stolen Heart. Mike Orlando formed this band with Spanish singer Ailyn (ex-Sirenia) who has very gritty, attitude filled, radio friendly but distinctly European vocal, moving away from Sirenia's more symphonic sound to the groovy American metal sound of Orlando's other projects such as Adrenaline Mob.
It's heavy yes, Orlando plays some powerhouse, straight down the line, riffs such as Turning The Page but there is a sense of sparkly pop that comes into play on Line Of Fire. Constant Craving is a bittersuite ballad perfect for Ailyn to show off her classical strains. As with most Orlando projects he plays guitar, bass, writes everything and produces the album so this can be really seen a duo though they have Jeff Thal (drums) and Brian Gearty (bass) as additional musicians on this bouncy heavy rock record. I'll level with you here, if the US radio metal of Adrenaline Mob, Halestorm, Shinedown etc appeals, then you'll love Her Chariot Awaits, it's a s simple as that. 6/10
Maelstrom: Of Gods And Men (Self Released)
Maelstrom? Never 'eard of them! That could be because they fall into that category of bands that formed in the 80's, flash brightly and then disappeared, much like so many NWOBHM acts. However Maelstrom are not a a British band, no they were born out of US thrash scene in Long Island, New York playing between 1988 -1992 and then grunge happened and Maelstrom just blew away. However this was a storm worth revisiting for writing partners Gary Vosganian (vocals) and Joey Lodes (guitar/bass) and in 2007 they reconvened and after numerous fits and starts they have finally released their debut record Of Gods And Men. So after 32 years has it been worth waiting for? Well they have certainly worked extensively on the cinematic aspect of this record, this is progressive thrash metal with added theatricality, built on the thrash style of those early Metal Blade artists along with Savatage, Sanctuary and even our own Sabbat.
Cellar Stone: One Fine Day (Self Released)
Formed in Athens by members of Diviner, 4Bitten, Persona Non Grata and The Slayerking. One Fine Day is the debut album from Cellar Stone a band who were formed by George Maroulees (guitar) and Aris Pirris (vocals) adding Akis Rooster (bass) and George Karlis (drums) they set about writing a record that blends the classic rock of Zep, AIC, Metallica (Black Album) with the modernity of Black Stone Cherry and Alter Bridge. So you have groovy riffs, a big rhythm bounce and some gritty powerful vocals from Aris who has that same style as Shinedown's Brent Smith. Now this is a sound that has been done to death but not often does a debut do it a slickly as Cellar Stone do, there's certainly an American shine to One Fine Day the songs coming out as 10 fully formed heavy hitters, pairing meaty riffs with melodies that have you singing along on Wash My Sins Away, songs like the title track and Live While You're Alive pound away, Spread Your Wings has some Tremonti-esque riffs and solos while Wasted Tears and Hands Of Fate show they can do a mean ballad too. As I said earlier One Fine Day has emerged a full formed, skillfully composed with a slickness of our cousins over the Atlantic. 7/10
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