Roadhouse Diet – Won’t Bend Or Break (CD)

Swedish southern style power pack Roadhouse Diet are back with a vengeance. They immediately deliver the proof in opener "Powerload", which is a pedal to the metal melodic, yet heavy and powerful rocker with a nice twiddling guitar solo, followed by yet another power-pack in the form of "Devilmaker". The band has now been reinforced by keyboard player Per Wiberg (Spiritual Beggars, Mojobone, King Hobo, Opeth, DeathOrgan etc) and his presence shows, especially in the second number with his Hammond organ beefing up the sound. The album is produced, mixed and mastered by singer/lead guitarist Jonas Kjellgren, a man of many skills. I just love the powerful, organic sound and his blazing guitar work. I also like that fact that he knows not to just drive the guitar amp at full blast, like in Hard Times Ahead, where the guitar just chugs along in the background, and then bursts out in the chorus. Dynamics, people, dynamics! The intro of the title track also provides the chance for Per Wiberg to channel his inner John Lord, and the track itself actually beings his former band Mojobone to mind with it’s kinda quirky rhythmic pattern, even though it was written by Kjellgren. Maybe he’s channeling his inner Per Wiberg? If you’re a fan of bands like the aforementioned Mojobone, and also bands like The Company Band, The Killbilly 5’ers, Hogjaw, Five Horse Johnson – down and dirty southern boogie with a modern twist and the lead boots firmly on – check it out! If a track like "Over The Top, Then Down And Out" won’t hit you like a love-brick in the face, you need to book an appointment with your doctor!

Janne Stark

Label: Mojoholic Records

Year: 2017

Country: Sweden

MOJOBONE - Crossroad Messages & Tales From The Bone (2CD)

If you were only allowed to buy one CD (and it could be a double pack) I would definitely recommend Mojobone Crossroad Message & Tales From The Bone! This is as phat as it gets! Here you will find the rare 2007 Japan-only release Crossroad Message and the 1999 vinyl only 10” rarity Tales From The Bone. Two records that are essential in the collection of every fan of heavy, low down and dirty riff based seventies influenced groovy hard rock. On top of this you’ll get another eleven tracks, one previously unreleased track and ten demo tracks, some of which were never released. I tell you, this is one hell of a double pack! Founder Per Wiberg was also, up until recently, found in Opeth which may not show here. He is however also part of Spiritual Beggars, which makes more musical sense. Besides Per, Mojobone consists of guitarist Per Mårtensson and drummer Eiron Johansson. On Tales the bass work was handled by Christer Malmesjö, while Crossroads featured Markus Aldén. Mojobone sometimes makes me think of Clutch, but with more variation. I do like Clutch, but Mojobone simply has better songs and a better variety in the song material. Besides being a great keyboard player Per is also a great singer. He has a pretty clean voice for the genre, but I really like that contrast, plus he does let out the occasional roar when it fits. I did have both releases before and I’m of course a big fan of their new album Cowboy Mode. However, as Tales was a vinyl only release, plus some of the tracks we’ve earlier missed out on, such as Burned Out, prove to be in the same high class as the rest of the material – order it immediately. This is one release you don’t want to miss out on!

Janne Stark
Label: Hippodrome Music
Year: 2010
Country: Sweden
Link: www.hippodromemusic.com <http://www.hippodromemusic.com/>