Motorgun – Motorgun (CD)

Those of you who thought Brazil was only Angra or Sepultura, forget that. Yes, I know there are plenty other bands coming from Brazil, but this is by far the best retro style riff rock band I’ve ever heard from there! The band features guitarist/singer Bebeto Daroz, bassist Edinho and drummer Leo Mello. Fans of bands like King Karma, Badlands, Pride And Glory and Black Water Rising should definitely check this unit out. The album kicks off with the close to 7 minutes epic ”Heading For Tomorrow” where the band instantly kicks into heavy riff mode and Bebto proves he’s not only an outstanding guitarist, but also a class A singer! ”Rebel Souls” continues in a Pride And Glory southern drop-D style heavy crunch vein. This is catchy, groove oriented and heavy as fuck! Bebeto perfectly balances between bluesy licks and technical runs, without it becoming show-off. ”Back To Ashes” bursts in like a raging steamroller, but with a cool melodic chorus that gives the song a new layer, while ”Deliverance” has a cool slightly psychedelic touch to it. I won’t get into each song. Basically because all of the songs are frickin’ awesome! Not a single filler! Not a weak moment! Together with the new Crobot, top of the class of 2016!

Janne Stark

Label: Grooveyard

Country: Brazil

Year: 2016

Dust – Soulburst (CD)

Not to be confused with the 70s namesakes, who released two albums. These Swedish retro rockers should however appeal to the fans of the aforementioned. Dust’s first effort really struck like me a sledgehammer! Outstanding 70s sounding riff oriented hard rock with a touch of the mighty Badlands. The debut was a self-financed affair, while they have now been picked up by the appropriately named Attitude Records. This is also, I was told by one of the members, why they decided to re-record two songs from the debut. This means that for us “old” fans this release features seven new tracks to suck on. The album kicks off with “Sun Rising” which instantly shows the band hasn’t changed their winning concept from the debut. Next up is “The King Is Coming” which really shows the band’s Badlands influences with the mighty Roger Solander sounding like Ray Gillen’s long lost cousin. Johan Niskanen is a bluesy riff machine with a lot of tasty leads under his belt, often skipping the rhythm guitar during the solos and leaving it up to the tightly knit power rhythm package of bass player Bernt Ek and drummer Örjan “Dr Rock” Englin to fill every crack and crevice. It’s however not all power riffs and heavy rhythms. “Waiting For You” is a cool blues oriented ballads, with a hint of vintage Whitesnake (when Dave still had a voice and they were a blues rock unit). “Free” is based on almost the same, more or less sacred and forbidden but still often used, riff pattern of Hendrix “Freedom”. A tad too close, but still a great song. “Soul Stealer” is another cool riff rocker in line with the rest of the album. The album closes with a cool Univibe drenched guitar floating on top of the groovy rhythm package and Solander soaring above it all with his bluesy melodic top notch vocals. All in all a solid follow-up to a killer debut! If you’re into bands like Badlands, King Karma etc., don’t miss these guys out!

Janne Stark

Year: 2016

Label: Attitude Records

Country: Sweden

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