Devil's Gate Music
Related Articles
With Aerosmith no more (or, if you pay attention to the rumourmongers in ‘Murica, is something on the way?), and (sadly) a Thunder-sized gap in the market, the time is perfect for South-London rockers The Karma Effect to build on the head of steam built up from two well-received albums, and go to that next level with album number three, ‘Cruel Intentions’.
Admittedly, less blues-rock oriented than Thunder, and arguably packing more of a transatlantic sound, the five-piece led by vocalist Henry Gottelier and guitarist Robbie Blake, are the missing link from the multi-platinum second coming of Aerosmith in the 10 years from ‘Permanent Vacation’ in 1987 until ‘Nine Lives’ in 1997, and the emergence of UK acts like Thunder and Little Angels (two acts that opened for Aerosmith in the UK on the Pump tour).
Throw a dart at ‘Cruel Intentions’, and chances are that you will hit an Aerosmith-ism. Be it the trademark Aerosmith shuffle/swagger that runs through the DNA of the album, from the swing of the towering opening track, ‘Ride or Die’ (hooky-as-hell chorus), or the killer Joe Perry-like guitar tones on ‘Dangerous Love’, a track that could have come from any of those typically fraught Aerosmith recording sessions in the 10 years listed above, and one that would have had wall-to-wall coverage on MTV back in the day, ditto the big power ballad ‘Closest Thing to Crazy’.
There are also moments like the gorgeous ‘Lady Bohemian’, which at times is a ballsier ‘Jaded’ (the most memorable moment on ‘Smiths 2001 effort ‘Just Push Play’, but unlike ‘Jaded’, this has a guitar solo), but dig deeper and the track packs such a strong US AOR/Melodic rock punch that it could be Henry Gottelier’s audition tape for Journey if all those rumors about Arnel are true: Gottelier has an impressive set of pipes on him. On the subject of guitar solos, pop on track nine, ‘Long Gone’, and purr with delight at the scorching solo that lands mid-song. It sizzles.
Dirty Honey are another band to mention in all this. But while they have a distinct Californian sound, The Karma Effect have that Britishness that seeps through on ‘Raised on Rock ‘n’ Roll’, ‘Bad Manners’, and the swagger of ‘Waiting on a Miracle’, all of which, like the Little Angels before them, have that perfect mix of American radio anthems and British cockiness. The title track is the closest that The Karma Effect get to straying into Thunder territory, thanks to the blues-rock strut of the guitars, which are goddam infectious.
At the time of writing, ‘Cruel Intentions’ has gatecrashed the UK Official Albums Chart, hitting #1 on the Rock and Metal Album Chart with a bullet, and deservedly so, as it’s a strong album with very few misfires. The Karma Effect need a helping hand from bigger names, though, a foot up from an Academy-sized act, or better still, an arena act like Def Leppard. Stick these guys on with any act, and they will light a fire under the headliners.
Review – Dave
‘Cruel Intentions’ is available now on signed editions, limited alt artwork editions, limited coloured vinyl & more whilst stocks last via the Earache store here.
The Karma Effect are: Henry Gottelier (vocals, guitar), Robbie Blake (guitar), Nathan Keevil (bass), Alan Taylor (drums) & Tom Pitt (keyboard).
Follow The Karma Effect;
SUMMER SHOWS
Sat 06 Jun – The Lexington, London w/ Jared James Nichols SOLD OUT
Sat 27 Jun – Show Bike Rally, Vendays-Montalivet, France
Sat 04 July – SOS Festival 2026, Whittles, Oldham – Saturday Headline
Sat 15 August – Nozfest 2026, 1865, Southampton
UK HEADLINE TOUR plus Juliet’s Not Dead
Thur 29 Oct – The Carlisle – Hastings
Fri 30 Oct – Waterfront Studio – Norwich
Sat 31 Oct – Boileroom – Guildford
Sun 01 Nov – Portland Arms – Cambridge
Thur 05 Nov – Bannermans – Edinburgh
Fri 06 Nov – Classic Grand – Glasgow
Sat 07 Nov – Beta Rock City – Nottingham
Sun 08 Nov – The Patriot – Crumlin
Thur 12 Nov – Waterloo Music Bar – Blackpool
Fri 13 Nov – Corporation – Sheffield
Thur 26 Nov – KKs Steel Mill – Wolverhampton
Fri 27 Nov – Water Rats – London
Sat 05 Dec – Leo’s Red Lion – Gravesend
Portrait photo – credit Rob Blackham/Blackham Images
