top of page

REVIEWS

Heavy Train Album Review

Black Whiskey are a four piece rock band from Surrey, England, UK. Black Whiskey is a serious melting pot of talent as each member of the band has been involved in one genre of rock or another over the years, from NWOBHM, Thrash, Blues, Alt and Prog. When founding member, Simon Gordon (Vocals - ex, Xentrix, Hellfighter), Kev Ingles (Guitar - ex, 3 State Blues, Swampstake), Mark T. Parkin (Bass - ex, Prezence, Stargazer) and Rich Bannister (Drums - ex, Nakedium) came together to form Black Whiskey, the common ground was classic rock. The band have taken their inspiration from the classic sounds that they grew up with during the 70's and 80's rock era. With the likes of Led Zeppelin, The Scorpions, Thin Lizzy, Deep Purple, Free, UFO and Rainbow, this debut album, Heavy Train, will be an interesting listen as the band bring a modern sound to the classic rock style. Black Whiskey have recently signed to Rocksector Records to bring us this debut album so let's get this train rollin' and see if their credo is true, "The more things change, the more they stay the same".

Idol Rich - As the drums and guitar hooks come at you with an energetic bounce, the vocals break in and you'd think you'd been teleported straight back to a gig in the hey days of classic rock!. This has an awesome energy of pure feel good rock that will put a smile on anyone's face and get them up having a good time. The bass lines are superb and the guitar hooks are catchy as hell!. The build up to the bridge unleashing the guitar into a full on riff shredding solo that'll blow the cobwebs away big time!.

All Seeing Eye - The intro to this reminds me of Kiss's, Love Gun, in tone but then goes into its own as the galloping bass lines and distorted power chords roll along with the awesome drum work and cymbal fills. This is a classic swaggering rock track that just hits the spot and brings an attitude to the mix. The military style drums, bass lines and guitar harmonics at the bridge quietening the track before unleashing itself into a fired up guitar solo that'll keep any budding air guitarist happy.

The Devil Rides - There is a wickedly addictive bluesy guitar hook running through this track and if this doesn't get you up rocking then you need to go and buy some chart music and stop calling yourself a rocker!. This has an immensely addictive quality to its beat and the whole collective sound just makes you want to get up, mosh and stomp about. The vocal harmonies running alongside the guitar at the bridge seriously gets you feeling good as you know the guitar solo is about to come screaming at you and once again, the bass lines are just sublime throughout.

Stone Cold Comfort - This track opens with determined swaggering bass licks, backed by the drums and cymbals as the guitar comes wailing in to fire up this track before relenting to let the reflective vocals narrate. The chugging bass line is perfection throughout this track as its dominance shines through. This track waxes and wanes between quiet reflection and a groovy stomp around with its attitude in places. The track once again rising to a crescendo at the bridge with a guitar solo that just makes the hairs stand up with its eminence.

Hungry For Bullets - The wah laden, distorted guitar "chats away" as the tom toms thunder in behind to unleash this track into a groovy stomp around that'll get everyone hooked. With its tones of seduction, it struts and strolls around with its tom tom rolls and wah guitar medleys to charm the senses and give that dirty rock and roll edge.

Save My Life - The guitar riff instantly fires up the senses as the drums and bass hooks bring a rolling bounce to the tempo. A classic cruising blues tone to this track that just gets you instantly foot tapping and nodding along. This has a quality all of its own that just blows you away, especially the wailing guitar solo at the bridge.

The Coming Storm - This is an easy going bluesy rock track akin to Gary Moore in tone yet has an Audioslave quality to it too. A groovy track that rolls along in its reflection before it builds at the chorus's and unleashes its guitar medleys. The track rises at the bridge with its electro acoustic rhythm guitar, wicked bass licks and drums to let the lead guitar take charge with its sublime solo to seal this glorious track.

Heavy Train - A wickedly groovy track that thunders along like a freight train with its rock blues tone. The bounce in the bass lines bring a feel good edge to the track as does the sublime guitar lick as it descends down the fretboard. Another awesome wah guitar solo at the bridge ignites this funky track as it rolls along to get everyone's party going.

Tie It Down - You cannot help but want to strut around to this track. This is stomping territory with its feel good funky tones and grinding power chords. With a bounce and swagger in the tempo this just has a serious feel good factor about it that will get everyone involved.

Can't Kill The Fire - A pure rock and roll track that instantly comes at you with a feel good party vibe to get anyone up enjoying themselves. A bounce in the rhythm section and grinding guitars ignite this track as it takes off into an awesome guitar solo at the bridge. I'm sure this track played live will get everyone joining in with the addictive chorus lines.

Black Whiskey brought us their debut album "Heavy Train" and I have to say it's one of the best I've ever heard!. This album is just pure enjoyment and although there are traits of classic rock running though it, this album feels so refreshing in it's energy and vibe. Feel good rock and roll seemed to fall to the wayside as the newer genres have taken hold but you cannot fault old school rock and an album of this calibre should seriously be in your collection. For a debut album, the quality of the songwriting, instrument playing and tightness just screams perfection and professionalism. You can seriously hear the influences of the classic rock bands yet you just can't put your finger on where you've heard certain parts and that's where I take my hat off to Black Whiskey. This is old school rock with a refreshing retake on it that Black Whiskey have purely made their own. This album needs to be in your collection!.

Bury The Ghosts EP Review

Sertraline are a five piece alternative rock band hailing from Stoke-on-Trent, England in the UK. The band features four ex members :- Tom, Josh, Mike & Hendo of local band, Blue Origin, who had minor success with their debut album, Somnium. Aware, as a collective that they wanted to create music that sounded fresh and evocative, set about auditioning vocalists. Not knowing whether they wanted to go with a male or female vocalist, they left the door wide open and after many candidates, Leeds lass Lizzie's sparkling personality bounced in and stole the show. Being the definitive choice, Lizzie became the lead vocalist and Sertraline was born!. The band entered Vale Studios last September for a solid 10 days then passed the tracks onto producer Lee Batuik (Deaf Havana, While She Sleeps) for mixing and mastering. The final result, a 6 track mini album, Bury The Ghosts, which is due for release early 2015 so, let's see how it rocks!.

Dead Set - A wicked bass hook instantly grabs you and slams you face first into the explosive drum work and wailing guitars. The tempo turns into an antagonistic bounce with the drums and chugging guitars as Lizzie's vocals enter with a beautiful tone and clarity before she injects the attitude. The backing vocals are sublime and add weight and harmonisation to the choral sections. The guitar break at the bridge really igniting this track, introduced by Josh's growling vocals. This song has swagger and a serious energy that just grabs you and you can't help but be carried away by it. Instantly catchy with a seriously heavy edge on the drums and guitars to fire up your inner rocker. More please!

Not Enough - Snare drum beats and cymbals bring in the guitar with its catchy riff before the rhythm guitar and bass join in and all hell breaks loose to unleash this thundering pop-rock / punk track. This has attitude written all over it yet has a fun bounce to the tempo that just makes you want to throw yourself around the pit and have a good time. The breakdown at the bridge really adds an edge with some beautiful electro acoustic guitar brought into the mix that rounds this track off perfectly.

Mean To Me - Wailing guitars and a glorious drum beat instantly make the hairs stand up and take you away with a serenity before the angst is really felt. The tempo and sound turns heavy and dark only relenting to let Lizzie's vocals really inject the pain, backed up by Josh's empowering growls. This is both dark and beautiful and is just so impressive for a band that are just starting out. Beautifully addictive and just ticks all the boxes when it comes to a heavy rock ballad of pain and disappointment. Seriously can't stop playing this track!.

Colours - Glorious electro acoustic guitar introduces this ballad, akin to The Cranberries, Zombie in tone. Lizzie's stunning vocals join to accompany the electro acoustic guitar rolling in the background before the cymbals later add rhythm. The soft drums and acoustic work bring weight to this track as it rises into a crescendo of angst driven guitar wails and empowering vocals. This really is such a beautiful ballad that just tugs at every emotion.

Set The World Alight - Instant fire in the guitar and drums throws the attitude straight at you as this swaggering track takes no prisoners with a similarity in tone to Sons Of Plunder by Disturbed. This is a grinding battle cry with antagonistic undertones that will get everyone fired up and bouncing with the rally cry!.

All Choked Up - An addictive guitar hook instantly captivates with its walk around the fretboard and rises the fire within as the dispirited lyrics and rolling drums grab you. Lizzie's vocals are reflected and empowered by Josh's growls to really entice the stance of the lyrics and just adds a perfect dimension to the intensity of this track. The track waxes and wanes between reflective vocals and a defiant, angst driven chorus that just fires you up inside to feel the indignance.

Bury The Ghosts may only be 6 tracks long but they are some of the best tracks I've ever heard!. The intensity and speed of the instrument playing is so professionally polished you'd think Sertraline had been around a lot longer than they have. Lizzie's vocal range and power is just perfection and I can seriously understand why she was picked as lead vocalist. All this comes together in one glorious package of epic rock tracks along with some of the most beautiful ballads I've ever heard!, which just goes to show the talent that is embodied in Sertraline. This may only be a mini album but for those that like The Pretty Reckless, Flyleaf, The Dirty Youth and Asking Alexandria, seriously check out Sertraline and add them to your collection!.

Beast Inside Album Review

Control The Storm are a 6 piece female fronted melodic metal band from Bristol, England, UK. Control The Storm, was formed in 2010 by Rich Shillitoe (Guitar), Raedon Mac (Keyboards), Daryl Barrett-Cross (Guitar) and Gareth Arlett (Drums), from the ashes of a previous band and the line up was finally completed when Hayley Martin (Vocals) and Becky Baldwin (Bass), were welcomed into the fold. Further into 2010, the band released their debut EP which was extremely well received and helped them to forge a fan base. Due to other musical commitments, Daryl, sadly left the band in 2012 and after performing as a 5 piece band for a short period, Patrick Sanders was brought in after a lengthy auditioning process to play 2nd guitar. Things then really began to take off, as the band were awarded a coveted slot at Bloodstock in 2012, on the festivals "New Blood Stage", after winning Reading's "Metal To The Masses Competition". Forward to 2014 and the line up once again changes as vocalist, Hayley Martin and drummer, Gareth Arlett step down from the band. A new chapter begins as Nath Hutchins takes over the drums and Kate Norris becomes Control The Storm's new voice to bring us the current line up and their debut album "Beast Inside", along with a tour of the UK and Europe in the spring of 2015. "Beast Inside", was recorded and produced in Swindon, England, UK, over 5 months at the home of Raedon Mac, where the band gave every spare minute they had to prepare the tracks for mixing and mastering before passing the task over to the extremely talented, Chuck Creese of CC Productions, Bristol, England, UK. "Beast Inside" is due for release 2nd March 2015 and is on pre sale now at Amazon, iTunes and CDBaby.com plus signed copies can be purchased at, www.controlthestorm.bigcartel.com The band promise to bring unforgettable melodies, an astounding double assault of dual guitars, atmospheric keys and the hard hitting rhythm section that modern metalheads crave so, let's fire this up and see what this storm brings!.

Day Of Days - This comes flying at you with a thundering onslaught of drums and grinding guitars with a distinctive bounce to the rhythm. This is fast and instantly addictive. The soft vocals from Kate are accompanied by hard male growls to add intensity and tone in places. The guitar medley at the bridge is accompanied by beautiful harmonic vocals from Kate and the atmospheric piano just takes you away with the guitar. This is pure melodic metal at its best!.

Hysteric Silence - This one comes swaggering at you with defiant snare drum beats and keyboards before unleashing its potent mix of rolling drums and chugging guitars. The soft reflective vocals narrate the determination, accompanied by growling vocals once again to add depth. The keyboard hook in the background really catches the senses and the bass tone throughout is perfection as it rumbles alongside the drums and double kick pedal to add potency to the rhythm section. This is another addictive track that has a wicked edge to it and thunders along like a runaway freight train to get any metal head moshing.

Believe - A beautiful, reflective guitar wails and wanes as its accompanied by atmospheric keyboards before the drums roll in and fire up the bass hooks and duel guitars. The intensity then seriously increases as the tempo changes into a fast paced firestorm of relentless drum beats, angry bass slaps and attitude driven guitar grinds. The inspiring and defiant lyrics seriously adding fire to this rolling maelstrom of metal as it rises into its war cry.

No Chance At All - This track is so powerful and atmospheric as the piano and keyboard strings lead us into heartfelt guitar wails, rolling cymbals and kick pedal. A bounce emerges in the tempo and the bass really stamps its authority as the piano tinkles in the background. This has bitterness and pain written all over it with a serious anger in its attitude.

Falling - This is a beautiful ballad of loss, torment and remembrance. Gentle guitars and piano add a serenity in the background as the bass and drums roll slowly alongside the soft vocals. The track rising to a crescendo letting the stunningly beautiful guitars carry you away. This is purely magical and so powerful.

Nothing Hurts - This is a hard and heavy track that comes galloping at you with its ferocious double kick pedal, grinding dual guitars and intense keyboards. This has a hard, heavy defiance and seriously fires up your inner metal God to ignite any mosh pit.

Stronger - This is one of those awesome melodic metal tracks where you can just close your eyes and lose yourself. With a glorious piano intro, the bass and guitar add weight before an inspiring guitar hook carries the stunning vocals and introduces the drums. The guitars and drums really fire up at the bridge with an aggression as the intensity of the track increases. The vocals also increasing in pitch to further empower the track.

False Eternity - This is a cracking melodic track that thunders along as the lyrics narrate torment, angst and scorn. The rolling drums introduce some glorious keyboards as the tempo takes off into galloping guitars and defiant vocals. This is such an addictive track and the wailing guitar solo is sublime with the galloping double kick pedal of the drums at the bridge. The keyboards really stand out in this track and the chorus should get everyone joining in and fist pumping.

Twisted Truth - Atmospheric piano and strings lead us in as the drums and bass start the galloping tempo. The guitars in this track are absolutely stunning and there's some serious fretwork skills on show. This track waxes and wanes between soft vocals and piano to thundering drums and glorious guitaring that will seriously blow you away. One of those tracks where you can just sit back and lose yourself and has some serious replay value. Its sublime in every sense and you just can't get enough of it!.

Beast Inside - A phasing guitar riff unleashes the drums and bass as the tempo and lyrics turn into a swagger driven defiance. This is antagonistic in tone and the heavy guitars chug away with serious authority. The guitar medley at the bridge adds some colossal energy to the ferocious drum work while the keyboards inject even more atmosphere before bringing this album to a close.

Control The Storm have seriously impressed me with this debut album, "Beast Inside". From the songwriting, to the instrument playing and production, everything screams perfection here. The dual guitars working in harmony really bring new weight and clarity to the sound and some of the fretwork is truly inspiring. The slap and pop of the bass is sublime and its good to hear it's potency in the majority of the tracks here. The keyboards add so much atmosphere to this album and really empower the tracks, from the ballads to the full on melodic maelstrom's that'll knock you sideways. The drums really drive this album with some exceptional double kick pedal work that will ignite any metalhead into a frenzy and lastly the vocals. It makes such a refreshing change to hear a melodic metal album that doesn't have operatic or choral tones to the vocals, but soft female vocals that just carry you along as you enjoy the heaviness of the music. This is melodic metal at its best!. For such a young band to emerge and produce a debut album of this quality just makes me hungry for more!. For those that like Delain, Lacuna Coil, Nightwish and Amaranthe or just melodic metal in general, seriously check out Control The Storm and their debut album, Beast Inside. They promised unforgettable melodies, an astounding double assault of dual guitars, atmospheric keys and the hard hitting rhythm section that modern metalheads crave and they certainly bring that to the table!.

â—„

1/1

â–º

Please reload

bottom of page