British rockers Massive Wagons Reissue their third album Welcome To The World. Originally released in 2016 the band were not happy with the way it was originally recorded (in just 12 days), between shows when they were touring religiously. Since then it's become something of a favourite amongst their fans as it was a raw vital record that allowed them to become the band they are today. The songs from this record are still a part of their live set but there was always that nagging unhappiness with the album so now they are more established and have more time between shows they have gone back to re-evaluate the record.
Revisiting Matt Ellis at Axis Studios they listened to the original recordings and set about not just re-releasing and re-mastering it, they've gone back to the bare bones of the songs and re-worked and re-mixed them to more like the what they wanted them to sound like at the time. I'll say here I've never really been the biggest fan of of the band live, but on record they give a strong showing, similar in style on tracks such as Tokyo to The Wildhearts and The Almighty, as the punk, rock and pop trappings meld for big anthemic choruses, biting riffs and a lot of foul language.
If you've listened to the album before and are a fan of the band this will be like rediscovering and old friend in brand new clothes. The extras including some digital only tracks, acoustic versions and a live cover. If you've not listened to Massive Wagons then I'd say this version of this album would be the one to start with. 7/10
Night Thieves - Polarity (Self Released)
London rockers Night Thieves bring us their new EP Polarity. It's their second release and is dripping in modern rock trappings as chuggy riffs are paired with emotive vocals and electronic elements the core trio of Jess Moyle (vocals), Paul Andrews (guitar) and Rick Hunter-Burns (bass) are joined by Dream State drummer Tom Connolly for this EP but have since recruited Ryan Delglyn behind the kit.
Comparisons to Biffy Clyro and Spiritbox have been levelled at the band and when you hear these four tracks, you can understand why, the production of Romesh Dodengoda capturing their formidable live sound while also working with band on expanding their ideas for this sophomore release. There's a conceptual touch to the record as the songs often deal with opposing viewpoints, linking to the title of Polarity. Night Thieves' music is anthemic and punchy, this second EP cementing them firmly on the UK scene. 7/10
Psyanide - Vertigo (Wormholedeath Records)
Thessaloniki band Psyanide return with their new album Vertigo. It's the follow up to 2018's I Declare War and sees them signing to Wormholedeath to bring their death tinged groove metal to a wider audience. They're inspired by bands such as Lamb Of God, Gojira and Heaven Shall Burn so they play melodeath with some groove influences coming in as well. The vocalist stays in that Randy Blythe bark for the entirety of the album even when they switch up the pacing on tracks such as Oleka, a very strong finish to what is a record brimming with talent.
Vertigo starts with the title track, a rampaging riff-fest that segues into the battering Empires Down, the drumming unrestrained even when they slow for the big shouting chorus. The tracks such as Present Perfect add more melodic touches with some killer solos and thrashy riffs, yeah it’s a style that has been done numerous times but it’s also one that remains incredibly popular so when the band play with the ferocity and power of Lamb Of God, but aren’t afraid to shift focus into more moody realms such as Time, they deserve to be given the time. Vertigo will get them heard by a wider audience and that’s a positive thing. 7/10
Trafic Jam - The Joke Is Over (Rockshots Records)
Some of you may be old enough to remeber Bruce Dickinson's first solo album Tattooed Millionaire, on it The Air Raid Siren tried to emulate Deep Purple's Ian Gillan, using his rough mids on some hard rock. It was very different to what he was doing with Maiden at the time but did give way to Bring Your Daughter To The Slaughter which became Maiden's only number one single. Why do I mention this?
Trafic Jam - The Joke Is Over (Rockshots Records)
Some of you may be old enough to remeber Bruce Dickinson's first solo album Tattooed Millionaire, on it The Air Raid Siren tried to emulate Deep Purple's Ian Gillan, using his rough mids on some hard rock. It was very different to what he was doing with Maiden at the time but did give way to Bring Your Daughter To The Slaughter which became Maiden's only number one single. Why do I mention this?
Well Arno T. Walden of Trafic Jam sounds a lot like Dickinson on that particular album. He also sounds like Gillian on his solo albums but musically Trafic Jam play some bluesy, classic rock that is inspired by Deep Purple and Jimi Hendrix and late 60's early 70's rock. Created by guitarist Valentin Labani, The Joke Is Over is their debut album and is of course as retro as it needs to be.
Labani's guitars augmented by the keys/organs by Olicer Castan, brings you straight into the 70's musically, but there's not just one band you can latch on to. Yes it's very Deep Purple but there's lots of parts that you'll be guessing at, as bassist David Jacob and drummer Stéphane Cavanez lay down the grooves, young hotshot Damian Salazar adding guitar to Show Me as Caroline Indjen adds backing vocals for some soul/gospel twists.
The Joke Is Over is a homage to a very particular decade of music, if you want a good rocking then Trafic Jam will satisfy but there are plenty of bands doing this with a bit more oomph. 6/10
The Joke Is Over is a homage to a very particular decade of music, if you want a good rocking then Trafic Jam will satisfy but there are plenty of bands doing this with a bit more oomph. 6/10
No comments:
Post a Comment