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Artists are putting time spent in lockdown to good use and the sheer amount of top-quality singles released on a weekly basis shows no sign of abating at any time. This week, amongst others, we have symphonic power metal from Paraguay (with a recognisable face attached), some magical power-pop from Chicago veterans, easy-going strains from Texas, maniacal energetic alt-metal from Canada, as well as a whole host of homegrown talent; ranging from trippy psych-rock to a bit of the blues, from modern-metal with a powerful message to classic punk-meets-’50’s rock & roll. As usual, just click on the artist’s name in bold, and follow the link to the relevant YouTube video or social media page.
Paraguayan composer, producer, and keyboardist Adrian Benegas has released his latest single ‘Orphan Of Life’, and symphonic power metal fans might just recognise the golden-throated vocals from Herbie Langhans on this monster of a track. One of Tobias Sammet’s go-to-guys in Avantasia, Langhans is one of the most reliable vocalists around today, and with producer Sascha Paeth behind the console, this is a bit of an Avantasia family reunion. With the symphonic elements being less bombastic than you would normally get within the genre, ‘Orphan Of Life’ relies more on Langhans’ vocals and the crunching, galloping guitars than it does on layers upon layers of keyboards or operatic vocals. The lavish, sweeping arrangements are there, just not as in-your-face as you might expect. The end result has more of a power metal feel and a damn good one at that. Curious to hear what Benegas comes up with next.
There is something perfect about a new Cheap Trick single landing on a Friday. If ever there was an American band that sums up that sense of anticipation for the weekend that a Friday afternoon brings, then it is Cheap Trick. Even the title sums up Cheap Trick to a tee: ‘Boys & Girls & Rock N Roll’. It does what it says on the tin really. Simple power chords, nothing fancy; just a band still hitting the same sweet spot, time after time, decades on from ‘Dream Police’ and ‘Live At Budokan’. Vocalist Robin Zander hasn’t aged at all, and he makes this music malarkey look easy. This is the sound of a band all pulling in the same direction and (like Alice Cooper) ensuring that any new music released enhances its legacy rather than harming it. If only Aerosmith would listen to both Cheap Trick and Alice Cooper and feel invigorated enough to get into the studio for a kick-ass hard rock record. If only.
In true “don’t know what you got until it’s gone” fashion, how much of a miss is Purson? The English psychedelic rockers were a band offering up something a little different and in frontwoman Rosalie Cunningham, they had an artist constantly thinking outside of the box, and wowing with every release. Thankfully, Rosalie has been creating some incredible solo material (the self-titled debut album is highly recommended), and new single ‘Number 149’ is further proof if required, of her talent as a songwriter and musician. With Rosco Levee handling drum duties, Rosalie takes care of the rest of the instruments, and there are a lot of them; four, six, and twelve-string guitars, keyboards, and maybe even a xylophone. The vocals are as warm and rich as ever, and it’s a puzzle why Rosalie Cunningham doesn’t get more recognition. This is late ‘60s-influenced psych rock at its best, and the end result is (for lack of a better word) hella-groovy. And with that mind-blowing video to accompany it, this is a total trip from start to finish.
The sensation gained from a new track from Ryan Hamilton, Texas’s best export since the Texan chocolate bar itself, is akin to coming in from a cold day and wrapping up in your favourite sweater in front of a roaring fire. Instant warmth. And with his 1221 project delivering a new song each month, there is a genuine sense of anticipation just before pressing play. This month’s song is a brand new original, ‘Caught Up In A Moment’, a gentle-paced moment that offers up some hope for those feeling a bit out-of-sorts in whatever relationship that they are in, be it personal or professional. The simple piano tones are crucial to the overall feel of the track, and along with the subtle background arrangements and the chorus of ‘na na na’s’ throughout (from a sizeable British contingent), help make ‘Caught Up In A Moment’ soar. Did we mention the always-vital production from Dave Draper? Now we have. Same time next month, Ryan?
Probably the most endearing urban legend that surrounds Blues music is Robert Johnson selling his soul to the devil at the crossroads between Highways 61 and 49 in Mississippi, hell, the Karate Kid even made a movie about it (with Steve Vai no-less)! Blues-players regularly pay homage to the tale and FM guitarist Jim Kirkpatrick uses it as the backdrop to his current single ’61 & 49’. Opening with some slide licks on a gorgeous resonator guitar, Kirkpatrick soon switches to a Tele and ups the ante as the band kicks in. Anyone who has checked out Kirkpatrick’s recent solo album ‘Ballad of a Prodigal Son’ will know that he has a warm voice full of spirit, ideally suited to this brand of traditional blues meshed with a rockier touch, and ’61 & 49’ highlights this. Great foot-stomping vibe throughout the intro, riffs that sizzle, and a turn-in-pace that should have you reaching to turn the volume dial skywards.
Die Laughing Records are pretty damn cool. Full of top-quality OG punk and pop, it’s one of those labels purely in it for the music, and latest signing is rather special indeed: vocalist Pearl E. Gates, more commonly known as Pearl Harbour. Fans of The Clash will be familiar with the name, and Die Laughing are determined to introduce Pearl to a brand new audience, hence the re-release of the seminal Pearl Harbour album ‘Here Comes Trouble’. First up is the re-release of the single ‘Trouble’, originally recorded & released in 1995 and just about the coolest slice of new wave mixed with 50’s greaser rock & roll that you can bust a move to. The guitar tones echo Duane Eddy mixed with Link Wray and a dash of Keith Richards and if that’s not enough to pique some interest then, dude, what will? Pearl’s vocals are raw, vibrant, and full of life. Tarantino knows that this one has been re-released? Yeah? Perfect.
Rising-UK four-piece Skarlett Riot are gearing up for the upcoming release of their new album ‘Invicta’, (released May 7th, 2021), by drip-feeding new music to their ever-growing army of rabid fans. With the combination of clean vocals and the occasional growl, new single ‘Stronger’ is the perfect showcase for the modern metal outfit. Great drum work, fantastic riffage, and the customary towering vocal performance from Skarlett herself. Lyrically, ‘Stronger’ is about standing your ground and standing up for what you believe in. How good would it be to see Skarlett Riot standing their ground as openers on the upcoming co-headline tour from Amaranthe and Beyond The Black? Make it happen, gods of metal, make it happen.
Canadian alt-metallers Sumo Cyco marries together so many different styles that at times it’s dizzying trying to catch up. The solution? Say “to hell” with overthinking, or making things more complicated than they need to be, and just go with the flow. One of the most electrifying live acts that you can witness, Sumo Cyco are led by the livewire known as Skye “Sever” Sweetnam. There are no hiding places at a Sumo Cyco gig and don’t think about just standing at the bar watching the show, for chances are that Skye will use the top of the bar to conduct the cheering section. Capturing that lightning-in-a-bottle energy, in a studio setting is tricky, but judging from the material already released from upcoming album, ‘Initiation’, Sumo Cyco seems to be on the right track. Latest single ‘No Surrender; is one of those moments that you just know that you will be jumping along to once live gigs return. The correct mix of bouncing electronics, sharp riffage, and psychotic vocals from Skye. Featuring fantastic energy from start-to-finish, it’s what is commonly known in the trade as a banger.
At the core of ‘My Wasted Heart’, the latest single from Jason Sweeney, you will find killer, simple power chords, instant sing-a-long moments, and eargasms aplenty. One of those uptempo tracks that hang around for sometime after devouring, burrowing deep into the listener’s psyche, only to pop out at any given time. It’s a damn few feelgood minutes perfect for the open road with the top down and the wind blowing in your hair. It’s also a heartache song, which becomes all the more apparent when you pay attention to the lyrics and you realise that you’re eavesdropping on an argument or the fallout from one. You might even have experience of some of the phrases used yourself? Good fun though, great vocals, and those power chords – scorchio!
The “good old boys from the deep south of the UK”, otherwise known as The Outlaw Orchestra, are back with a new mini-album; ‘Powercut’, out March 26th, and to get the juices flowing, the band have let loose a new single – ‘Rattlesnake Sour’. The track takes its name from a drink the band concocted on the road, best explained by drummer Ryan Smith: “Take any good cooking whiskey add a generous squeeze of lime and a spoonful of honey, stir quickly, then slam even quicker. It sure soothes a singing voice, first thing in the morning”. As the album title suggests, this is The Outlaw Orchestra stripped-back and organic. With singer/guitarist Dave Roux breaking out the bottleneck slide on his dobro guitar, and Banjo Pete living up to his name, this is as authentic as it gets without canoeing into the Georgia wilderness and squealing like a pig. Joking aside, although The Outlaw Orchestra play with a nod and a wink, they are consummate musicians (the combined breakdown where the guitar and banjo mesh is stunning) and have an uncanny knack for creating simple, enjoyable well-crafted songs: ‘Rattlesnake Sour’ being a great example of all three. Bad-ass video as well! The perfect blend of old geezers bustin’ a move, the band enjoying a drink or three, and snakes, lots of snakes.
