Hells Addiction - Raise Your Glass - Album Review

Ya know, sometimes, something magical comes along that restores your faith in humanity. Well this week I've had the pleasure of listening to some AMAZING music, and Raise Your Glass is an example of this. Imagine the best elements of SkidRow, GnR, and all those classic rock bands, moulded into one brilliant album. Well, thats exactly what you have here!!

The lads from Leicester, deliver on all fronts. With their take no prisoners approach, awesome riffs, ear splitting vocals, and heart pounding drums, if this album doesn't launch them into the stratosphere, then there's something seriously wrong!!

What you have here is a collection of 10 head banging, middle finger-saluting, hard rock anthems. These guys will pound your ears until they bleed!! And you'll love every second of it, I promise. From the outset, Feels Like Rock N Roll get's us off to a flyer, immediately showing what class and talent these guys have. What then follows is another 9 tracks of rock awesomeness!! Each track, even the couple of  quieter ones, is delivered with the brute strength and force of a goods train speeding along the track. Ben on vocals and guitar, Liam on lead guitar, Jason on the bass and Luke on on drums, (all hail THE beard!!), are on fine form from start to finish and the rock is relentless for the whole album. How Ben  keeps the vocals going, is amazing. (And if you think he sounds good recorded, get along to a live show, and prepare to be amazed!!)

The singles, Alcohol and Let The Good Times Roll, are definate throw backs to the classic hard rock bands of the 80's/90's, but with enough of a twist to ensure they sound like the modern rock heroes that they are destined to be.

If you love your rock with metal vocal strength, the mightiest beard in music, and filled with amazing riffs that will blow you away, get your hands on this album!!

Track Listing:-
Feels Like Rock N Roll
Let The Good Times Roll
Heaven Sent Me
Breaking Free
Feel The Fire
Big Bitch
Alcohol
Brand New Story
Raise Your Glass
Wings of an Angel

Hells Addiction are:-
Ben Sargeant - Vocals, guitar
Liam Sargeant - Guitar
Jason Green - Bass
Luke Morely - Drums

Coming soon!!

Hi all. It's been a while since there was any great amount of work on the blog, but that will change over the next few weeks.

The past 5 months have been a blast in a lot of ways, but immensley frustrating also in a lot of ways. So for that reason, the live events are taking a bit of a break while I plot my next move. They will definatley be back, they are definatley going to be what BritRockArmy is all about, but changes need to happen to make them a success, and a worthwhile excercise for bands, venues, and myself.

Over the time that plans are planned, and plots plotted, I will get back to doing what I enjoyed before the events took off. Writing about quality bands releasing quality music!! The bands that will be featured will predominantly be bands that have taken to a BritRockArmy stage over the last 5  months, but there will be a fair share of new bands, and bands yet to play a BritRock event. There will also be some more international bands taking the spotlight.

I will also make a small announcement at this point. I'm planning another BIG all day event. this time, it will be a special 'Uprising' event, so I will be inviting as many of the bands that appear on 'The Uprising' album as are available. The event will be sometime in the Summer, I just need to confirm this with the venue.

So there we have it. It's been a great 5 months of live events, time to get a bit more focus back on the blog, so get ready ROCK!!

Kill Kasper - Stuck Between The Devil and The Blues in Drop C - EP Review

I only have one bad thing to say about Portsmouth dirty rockers, Kill Kasper's debut EP Stuck Between The Devil and The Blues in Drop C, and that's that it's not long enough!! Just when you get into the 3 awesome tracks, that's it!!

Now by no means is it a disappointment, but the tracks certainly leave you wanting more. a lot more.

Proceedings kick off with the Foo Fighter-esque 'Start The Revolution'. It's brimming with power vocals, dirty, killer riffs, and a chorus that is sure to have crowds shouting out at any live shows. 'Rock This City', draws you into thinking it's a slower tempo number with it's toned down opening, but then you're kicked back with full force as the chorus once again is a real crowd shouter! The track has some awesome riffs, great solo parts, and again, great vocals.


Start The Revolution by Kill Kasper

The closing track, 'Who Lied',  is a slightly slower pace, but no less powerful than it's 2 predecessors, and at just over 7.5 minutes, it's a bit of a monster, and is full of dirty guitars, great riffs. The EP is an absolute belter, can't wait to hear the guys live! Fingers crossed our paths will cross when the next lot of BritRockArmy dates are booked.

Kill Kasper are:-
Kolonel Jamie Kasper - Vocals, guitars
Paul Karuana - Lead Guitars
Matt Knight - Bass
Sean Kenneally - Drums & Keys 

Guest Blogger - Den Haag EP review

Our guest writer has also written a review of Den Haag's EP 'Trials and Tributes. Read it below

South East UK four piece Den Haag originally released their debut EP as a free MP3 download with Zorch Factory Records last year. The feedback from the release however was so strong that January 3rd 2013 saw a full digital release for 'Trials & Tributes'.

Turning in at 6 tracks, the EP is a good introduction to the sound of the band, minor chords built around chunky basslines and strong guitar riffs. It's all driven by drum parts which vary well, giving each song its own identity. There is a definite 'garage band' flavour to this release, a band working at the grassroots.

The strongest songs are the third and sixth, titled 'Pilgrim' & 'Hustle' respectively. 'Pilgrim' features one of those aforementioned drum rhythms that sets the feel well, while the vocal is at its strongest. 'Hustle' meanwhile is a speedy closer, high energy and with the strongest lyrics of the release.

The DIY sound of this release gives an excellent ‘rough & ready’ flavour to this debut EP. Rock and Post-Punk fans will find something here to enjoy – and a new band to follow on their way up.

LINKS:

http://www.denhaaguk.com/

Guest Blogger - Introducing Den Haag

The following has been submitted by a guest writer. It's a press release for UK punk/new wave band Den Haag.

You can view the writers podcast here http://labelledindependent.podbean.com/

 

Introducing... Den Haag – debut EP out now (January 3^rd)!

Post Punk/New Wave 4 piece release 'Trials & Tributes' in early 2013

Formed in early 2012, Den Haag are looking to top off a strong 12 months with the full digital release of their debut mini album 'Trials And Tributes'. Ranging from the more contemplative 'Hope And Fade' to the full on 'Tensions', the full release available as of now.

Inspired by post-punk-new-wave icons such as Joy Division, Depeche Mode and The Cure, Den Haag are also a band with something new to say. Named after The Hague international criminal court - hence the album name 'Trials and Tributes' - they are looking to create music sprung from the grass roots of their chosen genre, stripping it down to make their recordings sound as raw and live as possible.

By eschewing the usual production techniques, Den Haag have created a rough around the edges sound that genuinely draws the listener in. Standing at six tracks, the EP showcases a true sense of identity which not only makes for a strong first release, but bodes well for the future.

See for yourself:

Homepage: http://www.denhaaguk.com

Album: http://www.zorchfactoryrecords.com/official-releases/item/171-den-haag-trials-and-tributes-ep.html

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/denhaagband

Twitter: https://twitter.com/denhaagbanduk1

Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/denhaagband

Reverb Nation: http://www.reverbnation.com/denhaag

High/Low - Raygun EP review

This follow up to last years 'Forty', left me asking one question. How long will we have to wait for a full album from these guys!!?

This is another belting EP that leaves you wanting more, and more, and more. It's a fantastic mix of heavy guitars, great vocals, and brilliantly produced tracks. The title track bursts into your ears as soon as you hit the play button. It doesn't have the pace of 'Forty' from their previous release, but that doesn't deter from the fact that these guys certainly know how to rock!! Raygun is a great start, and a more than worthy first single.

The first thing you notice about the Raygun EP, is that it's instantly recogniseable as High/Low. they haven't taken the winning formula from 'Forty' and tried to change it in any way whatsoever. Which, to me, is a great thing. If you listened to, and enjoyed 'Forty', then you're going to love 'Raygun, and thats no exageration. From the opening of the title track, through the in your face, Foo Fighter/Nirvana-esque 'Beef Back', via 'Boulder Hill', the pounding percussion of 'Walk Away', which you can't help but nod your head to, then 'Soda' and 'Tapedeck', what you have here is a collection of 6 brilliantly written, produced, and performed indie/rock songs. This should take pride of place in any music fans collection. Steve and Lee prove that 2 people really do make beautiful music together.

Raygun EP by wearehighlow

As with 'Forty', 'Raygun' belongs on your Cd rack, if it doesn't already. It's a purchase/download you will not regret.

High/Low are:-
Steve Weston - Vocals, guitars, drums, and noises
Lee Yates - Bass, Percussion, Keys, backing vox

Black Mamba - Black Mamba EP

So, Black Mamba. A band from the North West that up until a few weeks ago, had flown totally under my RockRadar! Dammit!! These guys are goooooood!! And thats only listening to their self titled EP. God knows they're gonna be amazing to see live, (at some point, hopefully).

If you like you rock heavy, full of dirty guitar riffs, power chords and power vocals, with the odd awesome solo thrown in for good measure then these are the rockers for you!!

Be under no illusion, this EP is gonna kick your ass!! from the opening riff of Give Me Poison, you'll know what you're letting yourself in for. Brothers Jonny and Jimmy Garlo front the band, with the former providing lead vocal and bass guitar, and the latter being the axe master and backing vocals. There's a fantastic solo from Jimmy in Give Me Poison, and also in the second track Refuse To Lose, an equally brutal track with all band members on better than top form.

They wrote the 4 songs on this EP themselves, and they really show the massive potential that this band has. These guys really could be stadium fillers of the future. Song 3, Losin My Mind, has an almost Def Leppard feel to the vocal, with Jonny's voice taking on a softer tone for the verses. But the track has a more metal edge than DL, and there is again some fantastic guitar playing from Jimmy. The final track, Tooth Ache, has a more hardened feel to it. It almost sounds how tooth ache makes you feel, i.e pissed off and angry. But take nothing away from it, it's a great song, and in all honesty, any of the 4 tracks on the EP is single worthy.

With Jonny leading the way, these guys, who see their priority lying with performing their reportoire of self penned songs live, there begs just one question.....how are these guys not HUGE!! Massive vocals, massive riffs, and anthemic songs in the mix, watch this space in 2013, BlackMamba are a band you're gonna be hearing a lot more of!

BlackMamba are:-
Jonny Garlo - Lead Vocal and Bass
Jimmy Garlo - Lead giutar and backing vox
Adam 'Pez' Perry - Rhythm guitar
and a drummer :)