Mick J Clark has become a firm favourite for us to review and with each song we see just how versatile a musician he really is. Mick is a singer / songwriter who plays guitar and keyboards from the UK. He has written over sixty songs, released four albums and four EP’s and Anuther Sunny Hulliday is an older song from him, released on 10/03/2014.

Anuther Sunny Hulliday is a great song for this time of year, an upbeat, cheerful track that really does remind the listener of escaping to hotter climates for their holidays.

The song is funky, with a reggae beat to it, and there is also the hint of Latino music too. This great combination really makes the listener want to get up and boogie around the living room while shaking maracas and drinking cocktails.

The Spanish guitar solo part way through the song is awesome and cements the sound of the song, while groovy beats really drive the song forward. Mick’s vocals fit perfectly into the style of the song, his strong voice a great combination of gentleness and grit, and with layered back up vocals there is a great depth to the song.

This track is a great one to get you into a summer mood and with the Caribbean and Latino vibes it has, once you have heard it you’ll want to jump on to a plane and head somewhere hot, hot, hot!

Also, check out the ‘Anuther Sunny Hulliday Dance Video By Mick J. Clark’ on YouTube. The kids are going to love the parrot!

This review is the property of The Metal Asylum

On are trio Lucy Di Santo (vocals, bass), Dan Cornelius (drums), and Steve Fall (guitars) and. Veterans of the Toronto music scene, On’s members have previously spent time with popular 90’s bands Acid Test, Danko Jones, and Rocket Science.

Make Me is the band’s latest single and was released on 19/06/2023.

The band are forward thinking but with a foundation in “classic postpunk, new wave, old school funk, metal and timeless rock n’ roll,” and this creates a sound for the band that is uniquely theirs.

The track takes the listener on a nostalgic trip back to 90’s alternative rock, while still maintaining a modern vibe. The guitars are rocky and throw riffs out to the listener from all angles and the drumming is energetic and hard-hitting with lots of crashing cymbals, an edginess to them that creates the post-punk vibe to the song. Strong basslines that are both meaty and funky really hold the song together, while giving the track a groove that really is infectious.

Lucy’s vocals are strong and are packed full of energy and attitude, the perfect accompaniment to the musical arrangement of the song.

This is a high-energy song that really will get you moving about, and its catchy melodies and hooks will stay with you long after you have finished listening to the track.

A great track that combines a bit of nostalgia with modern day music. I look forward to more from this band in the very near future.

Photo by Matt Cornelius

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Carsten Schnell is a classically trained composer who stunned critics with his debut album, Adjust, in 1992 with his unusual sound sculptures, injecting some electronics into instrumental melodies. He is considered one of the first artists at BSC Music and was often compared to Jean-Michel Jarre and Vangelis.

Now thirty years later he has made a shift in sound to early Chicago blues with his new single I Have Been Waiting, which was released on 16/06/2023. This is the follow up to his well-received previous single, Another Day, Another Dollar.

With just guitars, piano, bass drums and vocals, this track wears its influences of Buddy Guy, Muddy Waters and John Lee Hooker proudly on its sleeve. With Carsten’s rugged vocals being the main attraction in this song, this is a really catchy song that will remain your earworm long after you have finished listening to it.

The guitars are classic blues, and the piano has some real hooks that will pull you into the song and WILL make you tap your foot! Each element, from the pounding bass drum to the swaggering bass and the vigorous piano playing, shows just how talented this guy is and also the diversity of his musicianship.

This is a great, easy to listen to, dynamic track, that will appeal to fans of classic rock as well as blues fans.

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Harry Kappen is a Dutch musician and music therapist. He is a multi-instrumentalist and composes his songs in his home studio in the Netherlands. Having previously reviewed a couple of tracks by Harry, I was eager to hear more. And I wasn’t disappointed. Not All Of Us Agreed is his latest single and was released on 15/06/2023.

Known for writing string, hard-hitting lyrics, Not All Of Us Agreed is about the rapid increase of new technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, and the questions and impacts it has on the human race. It thinks about our interactions with technology, the reality of the news we are given and whether humans will eventually just turn into algorithms. There are some very deep and profound lyrics in this song that really should make us all sit up and think about the effects technology is having on all of us.

With a classic, soft rock basis for the track, there are also some pop rock and AOR influences shining through.

With laid back drum and guitar work to begin with, the song builds in intensity as it progresses until it reaches its crescendo with an awesome guitar solo underlying the rest of the music and the lyrics.

Once again, Harry’s vocals are strong and powerful enough to deliver the message of the track with the force that is required, and the musicianship is first class.

This is a great track, with an important meaning, so head on over to social media and check out Harry Kappen and his music and let’s help him spread his messages.

This review is the property of The Metal Asylum

Roxx Revolt And The Velvets are a “earth shaking electrifying rock n’ roll band,” from Naples, Florida, and Turn Your Head This Way is their new album, released on 26/05/2023. The album is the bands debut album, released by Steven Machat’s SSK Records and with it the band are pioneering a sound that really is unique to them.

A fantastic mix of a multitude of genres, the band flip easily from arena rock to power pop, blues, punk and even through in a western twang for good measure. The band say of the album; “I think we can all agree this is a very diverse album. We wanted to experiment with different colors and be open to showcase each band member’s influences and talents,” and I think they did exactly what they set out to do.

Headbanging to heavy riffs one minute, and dancing to a ballad the next, this album really does have something for everyone, and, although influences can be heard, these guys have set out from the start not to replicate any other band.

The album is straight up rock ‘n’ roll from start to finish, and one that will make you want to dance around and sing along to.

The guitars are heavy, with a fuzzed-out sound that really creates a great sound, and the basslines, although meaty and heavy, are, at times, funky and groovy, giving the album a certain swagger that really shows the confidence this band has.

With energetic drum work backing up the rest of the instruments, musically this album has a strong foundation for the powerful, raspy vocals of frontwoman Roxx Revolt. Strong, energetic, and full of attitude, this woman really can sing, and really does take command of the songs, while at the same time allowing other members of the band to flourish and really show their talent.

This is a great album, the first of many I hope, and I am sure it is one that will appeal to a wide range of listeners. It’s edgy, it’s glitzy, it’s glam……and it totally rocks!

Track Listing:

1) Coming Down

2) King Revolt

3) Shotgun

4) Get High

5) Birdie Like A Woman

6) Run For Cover

7) Carolina

8) Rolling On

9) Fire

10) Combat Song

11) Mosquito Song

12) Second Thoughts

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9 O’clock Nasty are a Leicester-based alternative band with punk influences, and consists of Sydd Spudd on beats, Pete Brock on guitar and vocals and Ted Pepper on bass and vocals. Dude, Your Mom’s A Squid? is their latest single and was released on 17/06/2023.

Opening with some funky beats, this track is different to other music I have reviewed by this band. Smoother than previous tracks, this track veers away from the punk sound that we love from this band, and steers more towards a dark-pop, psychedelic sound.

“We’ve all been there. You know the feeling, right? You had something dodgy on that pizza and the next moment you’re introducing your mother to God AND YOUR MOM’S A SQUID. It all makes sense. For one moment of clarity, you understand the universe. Then you throw up.” This is how the band describe the song. Yes, its all a bit whacky but who said you can’t have fun with music. And that is what this band do with their music.

The track is a collaboration between 9 O’clock Nasty and I Am The Unicorn Head, and one which, I must say, works a treat. 9 O’clock brings the beats while the truly whimsical lyrics are delivered by I Am The Unicorn Head.

A track that is so far out there, it’s hard to come back from, Dude, Your Mom’s A Squid? is a great track that, for just under four minutes, will transport you away into a nonsensical, weird world, and return you to planet earth wondering what the hell just happened!

Absolutely love it!

This review is the property of The Metyal Asylum

Electric High is rock band from Bergen, Norway and consists of PV Staff on vocals, Olav Iversen on vocals, Marius Mørch on guitars, Einride Torvik on bass and Tor Helge Opdahl on drums. Flicking the Bees is the3ir new single and was released on 09/06/2023.

Spreading the message that if you flick the bees, they will eventually sting you and it will hurt. So, stop wasting time on silly stuff! “Do good, be cool, and you’ll be alright!”

With twin lead vocals, this song has a great depth as soon as it starts, the two singers really complimenting each other. With an electric energy the vocals and lyrics really hit you right in the face and it is difficult not to bop around to this track. Backing each other up, there is a great character to the track, as both personalities shine through.

The track is a “rock ‘n’ roll stroller,” mid-tempo with some swaggering beats and riffs. The guitar work is riff-laden, and the solos performed by Marius are impeccable. The drum and bass sections are solid, energetic when they need to be but more laid back at other times, and this creates quite a funky sound.

The song builds in intensity as it progresses and ends with quite a frantic vibe, but one that makes you also want to hit the repeat button straight away.

This is a fantastic track that is a great mix of all genres of rock, making its appeal far retching and wide. If you haven’t done already, check out Electric High and see what you think for yourself!

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CS Hellman is a Nashville-based songwriter and guitar aficionado and Up Til Dawn is his latest single, released on 02/06/2023.

It was the wizardry of the likes of Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page, David Gilmour, and Stevie ray Vaughan that has propelled him to try and imitate their guitar licks and I must say he has done a very good job at it!

With a foundation in the alternative / indie rock genre, this is a track that has a great melodic vibe as well as a hard-hitting rock one.

The guitar work on this track is simply sublime, the blues and country influence clear to hear with the unmistakeable country twang to the guitar playing. The solos are impeccable and show the sheer talent that this guy has. Being a left-handed player, he learnt to play on right-handed guitars, but this has not impeded him in any way as he is just as talented as those he has tried to emulate.

The drum and bass sections are solid and keep the song together perfectly.

The vocals on this track are fantastic. CS has a soft voice that seems to have been made for country rock music but one that has also refused to belong to just one genre and the strength and power in his voice, although gentle, is very emotive. Layered backup vocals, which at times are actually quite haunting, gives the track a great depth and the song develops its own personality as it progresses.

A phenomenal song that CS should be very proud of. I can’t wait to hear more from him in the very near future!

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Pressure is a story metal band from Sweden with strong connections to modern music, storytelling, and showmanship. Founded back in 2018, this is a band that is always expanding and exploring new things. Pressure consists of three members, Simon Forsell on guitars, drums and keyboard, Olli Violet on vocals and Olof Jönsson also on vocals, and with the help of session bassist Ignacio Arrua, the band produce songs that are diverse as they believe that different styles of music tell stories differently.

Demonic Oath is the band’s latest single, the first from their upcoming EP and was released on 16/06/2023. This single sets the tone for the stories on the EP to be told, and all are written from the demon’s point of view, showing just a glimpse of their world and their existence.

The song uses a combination of rock, metal, electronic and pop influences to create a sound that really is unique to this band.

Musically, the band are heavy, with guitar riffs and pounding drums hitting the listeners ears from all angles. There is a rawness about the band’s sound that really gives the track an atmospheric vibe and this is a great way to express the demon’s story.

What really stands out on this track are the vocals. Olli takes main control of the vocals, her voice strong and powerful but Olof’s deep vocals beneath Olli’s create an undertone to the track that shows the demon is really talking to us, and the contrast between the two vocal styles is a real pleasure for the listener to hear.

This is a great track and, having reviewed the band’s music before, really shows that they can maintain their high standards.

Excellent work!

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Garland Kelley is an artist and music producer who “combines a love of classic rock with a distinctly modern point of view to create his signature sound.” His music explores themes such as mortality, individualism, mental health, and philosophy and he is a veteran of Nashville’s live music scene.

Having previously reviewed music by this artist before, I couldn’t wait to hear more from him. Give It All Away, a song about materialism and over-consumption, is his latest single and was released on 16/06/2023.

With the track’s roots firmly in the alternative rock genre, the song explodes straight from the start with some funky basslines, captivating riffs, and Garland’s strong vocals. The pace of the song at the start is quite fierce and fast, but this changes numerous times during the song, giving the listener plenty to listen to as the song progresses.

There is a mix of electric guitars and acoustic used throughout the song, creating a great contrast between the two and although the sound is polished, there is still a unique rawness that shines through highlighting Garland’s talent, ability, and musicianship.

Musically this track is awesome, and the genre bending nature of it will really appeal to fans of a wide range, from The Black Keys, Led Zeppelin and Soundgarden to Incubus, Muse and Queens Of The Stone Age, among many others.

Once again, Garland’s vocals are strong and powerful, his voice really expressing the powerful message of the song with clear and meaningful harmonies and melodies.

This is another great track from a very talented musician and I, for one, hope he becomes a main player in the rock world!

This review is the property of The Metal Asylum