The Routine are a four-piece band from Cambridgeshire who first formed in 2019 and consists of members Liam Palmer (vocals/rhythm guitar), Ben Taylor (lead guitar), Ben Nunn (bass) and Mark Thomson (drums). Don’t Give Me Hope is the band’s latest single and was released on 22/09/2023.

The track is a roaring power pop / rock number with influences from bands such as Foo Fighters, Feeder, Bush, Franz Ferdinand, and this is not a band who afraid to wear their influences on their sleeves.

With catchy hooks and melodies, this is a track that the listener will still be humming long after they have finished listening to it, and the singalong lyrics means that it will be sung out by many. The lead vocals are powerful and strong, and, with just enough grit, they are immensely emotional too. The backups vocals accompany the leads perfectly and as the song progresses so does the intensity of the vocals and lyrics.

Musically, this is an awesome track. The guitar riffs and hooks are heavy when they need to be, yet are more melodic at other times, really generating a great contrast as the song develops. The drum and bass sections are tight and together they keep the track solid and on track. The guitar solos are absolutely fantastic, and all the instruments really gel well together.

This is a totally awesome track that I had to listen to four or five times as the pull it has on the listener is just phenomenal. I will definitely be checking out the debut album when it is released! Awesome track.

This review is the property of The Metal Asylum

Gary Dranow and his band of merry men are back with a new single, The Cry Of War, which is from his upcoming double album Never Give Up and was released on 28/09/2023. The track is inspired by the Ukrainian peoples fight against tyranny and the right for self-governance, and combines roaring guitars, pounding drums, and soaring vocals.

A hard rock classic, this track features heavy, stomping riffs right from the start and this sets the tone for the rest of the track. Influenced by bands such as Counting Crows, The Verve, Oasis, Train, and Bryan Adams, this track really does have elements of all sorts of genres showing through and this really creates a great vibe to the track.

I have reviewed lots of music by Gary Dranow and the various incarnations of his band, and this is by far the heaviest track I have heard, all the instruments working in unison to generate some interesting hooks and melodies. The guitar work is absolutely fantastic, from the riffage to the solos that really are spine-tingling, and the drumming is out of this world, hammering and thumping, the drummer certainly knows how to strike those skins!

The vocals are classic in style, powerful enough to get the message of the lyrics across sincerely and effectively, and gritty enough to really an edge to the track. And with backup vocals that match the leads in every way, there really is a brilliant depth and dimension to the song.

Another brilliant track from this very talented bunch of guys. Keep them coming, they just get better and better. Absolutely fantastic track with a very important message to spread, and there is no better way to spread crucial points than with music!

This review is the property of The Metal Asylum