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!

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

MÅRRAN - Mårran (CD)

Talk about an unexpected musical constellation! Göran Edman, singer extraordinaire with bands like Madison, Yngwie Malmsteen, Kharma, Norum, Glory etc., Björn Inge, drummer with classic seventies hard rockers November and renowned keyboard player Max Lorentz, flanked by bassist Morgan Korsmoe (Larz Christerz) and guitarist Ludwig Larsson (Dynamite Sky). Well, if I would compare these guys to any of their previous outings, it would definitely be November. Mårran plays seventies oriented, blues, groovy, riff-oriented hard rock sung in Swedish. What differs from November is Max’s hot and fat Hammond organ, which gives it a bit of a good old Deep Purple touch. I really love the earthy, acoustic sounding mix. The drums sound like they were recorded live in a good size room and the guitar oozes of tube amplification. Ludwig Larsson, looks like a pretty young guy, but his guitar playing sure sounds like he’s been around as long as his older fellows. The solo the guy kicks out in Dina ögon är blå is just amazing, and the break after the solo-part is worth the price of the CD alone. The track Del av mitt liv, reminds me a bit of the classic Free track Mr. Big and here the band is reinforced with Björn Inge’s former November colleague, guitarist Rickard Rolf, who adds a really nice solo. The intro of Syster Blå brings back memories of the first Montrose album, and Denny Carmassi kicking off Rock Candy. Not the same rhythm I know, but the general feel of it. A cool riff, and a pretty unexpected very melodic chorus. Med Lena shows a slightly folk-oriented touch. This is one of the most interesting Swedish releases of 2012 so far. It’s nothing new, there is no flashy wizardry, there are no hits, it’s just an album filled to the brim with really great music, played by outstanding musicians that have the power to express and transfer feelings through their music. Authentic, dynamic, groovy, infectious and damn great!
Janne Stark
Label: S Rock Records
Country: Sweden
Year: 2012
Link: www.mårran.se