Janne Stark
Country: USA
Year: 2013
Label: Grooveyard Records
I've been writing and reviewing for magazines like FUZZ Magazine, Backstage, Hard Roxx, Sweden Rock Magazine, Metal Zone etc. I'm still occationally reviewing and blogging for www.metalcentral.net. As Metalcovenant is in Swedish, you'll find some of my reviews translated here. Have you released a CD you'd like me to review? Send me a copy! Mail me for an address: stark(at)starkmusic(dot)net Cheers! Janne Stark
Monday, 16 December 2013
MOJO RADIO - Rise (CD)
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Another stellar blues rocking release from
Grooveyard Records. Torn Asunder opens the album pretty cool with acoustic
guitar, distorted harmonica and Adam Zierten’s bluesy vocal delivery, a bit
similar to Paul Rodgers actually. This was however just the calm before the
storm, as all hell breaks loose shortly after. Groovy, heavy blues rock at its
best! Wailing slide guitar, groovy bass and drums with a ton of swagger. Throw
Free, The Black Crowes and Gov’t Mule in a blender and this is what would
probably come out. No need for further explanations. Each and every track
delivers and this is a 100 % safe buy!
SNAKE HEAD RITUAL - Snake Head Ritual (CD)
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Ok, I may be partial, but Grooveyard Records have a special knack for digging out outstanding bluesy, riff-oriented great bands! Blindstone, Gugun Power Trio, Tony Spinner, Plankton, the list goes on. Snake Head Ritual is another name to add to that list.This band taps on that good old vintage riff based southern rock vein of classic bands like Point Blank, Blackfoot and Molly Hatchet, witch a strong touch of vintage Cactus at times. The riffage is unmistakeably seventies and the vocal delivery from Kevin Chez sounds like it could have been ripped from an old unreleased early seventiesrecording by Fanny Adams or Truk, back when the singer showed some true feeling in his vocal delivery. The riffs are timeless and the delivery is stellar. This band grooves, twists and turns and there’s no damn way I can sit still while listening. Ten great tracks is all it takes to make an album that makes you long for the next release. Montrose did it, Mountain did it, now Snake Head Ritual has done it!
Ok, I may be partial, but Grooveyard Records have a special knack for digging out outstanding bluesy, riff-oriented great bands! Blindstone, Gugun Power Trio, Tony Spinner, Plankton, the list goes on. Snake Head Ritual is another name to add to that list.This band taps on that good old vintage riff based southern rock vein of classic bands like Point Blank, Blackfoot and Molly Hatchet, witch a strong touch of vintage Cactus at times. The riffage is unmistakeably seventies and the vocal delivery from Kevin Chez sounds like it could have been ripped from an old unreleased early seventiesrecording by Fanny Adams or Truk, back when the singer showed some true feeling in his vocal delivery. The riffs are timeless and the delivery is stellar. This band grooves, twists and turns and there’s no damn way I can sit still while listening. Ten great tracks is all it takes to make an album that makes you long for the next release. Montrose did it, Mountain did it, now Snake Head Ritual has done it!
Janne Stark
Country: USA
Year: 2013
Label: Grooveyard Records
BLACK MOUNTAIN PROPHET - Notorious Sinner (CD) - corrected
Jarrod England is one helluva singer. He
proved it in Rufus Huff and here he proves it again, now in Black Mountain
Prophet. Rufus Huff is gritty, raw, bluesy hard rock and Black Mountain Prophet
actually have some similarities with Rufus, especially in songs like I’m Ready,
which is high class classic bluesy hard rock with a touch of vintage Humble Pie
or Free. The same goes for the catchy I-can’t-stop-singing-along-rocker Too
Much Of A Good Thing. Groovy, rocking, bluesy and so damn good. Bob Watkins and singer Jarrod are two helluva great guitarists! Jarrod also has some really tasteful slide playing under
his belt, besides handling drums and bass in some songs. Don't you just hate such talented people ;-). Wish I was... It actually took a few spins for this album to really sink
in, but now it’s become one of my favourites! It ranges from good old bluesy
hard rock to up-tempo rockers like Speed Freak and cool heavy stuff like the
title track. This one, just like Poor Ole Broken Heart balances between wanting
to break loose and rock out, but still keeping a cool restraint vibe with
Jarrod’s gritty, bluesy soulful voice all over it. If you’re missing bands like
Cry Of Love or King Karma, this one’s definitely for you. A killer!!
Janne Stark
Country: USA
Label: Grooveyard Records
Year: 2013
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