Benmozes is a four-piece alternative rock band from Boston, Massachusetts and Immigrant is their debut album, released on 10/02/2023. The band consists of vocalist and guitarist Amit Ben-Moshe, lead guitarist Neil O’Connor, bassist Mike Burke, and drummer Cole Calise and they play a blend of dark-melodic rock and roll with some heavy blues thrown in for good measure.

The album kicks off in such a way that the listener is no misconceptions as to what this band is about, and that is pure, in your face, rock and roll.

The guitars are heavy with riffs exploding all over the place and clever use of distortion gives the album a grungey feel, and the solos are immense. The drumming is energetic and heavy and the basslines add a slight fuzzy funk to the tracks. Musically, this album has nailed it perfectly. All the musicians work well together and the sound they have created together is simply outstanding. The guitar work is the driving force behind the album, and the powerful rhythm section keeps everything tight.

The vocals have their roots firmly in the classic rock genre, but with influences drawn from a multitude of other genres, he really has made a sound that is all his own. His voice is strong and powerful with an added grittiness that really makes him stand out. He commands the songs, never being overshadowed by the obviously very talented musicians who are accompanying him.

The album has a very nostalgic 90’s feel but the modern twist doesn’t make it feel dated and the tracks could stand up to any songs released at the present time.

The album is a ten track journey through highs and lows, through inner thought processes and societal speculations and is a musical ride that questions rules and stands up to oppression.

The album in general is quite upbeat, with melodies and harmonies that will stick in your head and if you are not bouncing around with your air guitar or air drumsticks, do you even like music?

This is a great debut from a band that, I think, have a lot to give to the alternative / indie / rock scene and I look forward to further music they release. If this album is the standard they have set themselves then they will go far!

Awesome!

Track Listing:

1) Fake

2) Immigrant

3) Losing It

4) She’s The Wave

5) Trips In Time

6) Ominous

7) About Time

8) As Memory Fades

9) Witches and Slaves

10) Waiting For Good Luck To Come

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Arn-Identified Flying Objects and Alien Friends is the solo project of former Redmoon member, Arne Floryd and hailing from Stockholm in Sweden, the band has some eclectic influences in 60’s and 70’s rock and hints of folk and punk, combining rock and power pop with a retro vibe.

I have previously reviewed music by this band and am always happy to hear more. Wedding Song was released on 22/05/2021.

The Swedish singer / songwriter cleverly mixes alternative and indie rock with a hint of pop to create a very nostalgic sound, reminiscent of the 80’s, but still maintaining a modern twist so the song doesn’t appear dated.

Musically, this track is very laid-back with a mellow and gentle vibe to it. The drumming is soft and the guitar work has the suggestion of a country rock twang, with the solo part way through the song taking its influence from classic rock.

Once again, the vocals are soft and gentle, yet command the song from start to finish. Layered backups add to the depth of the song and there are some great harmonies.

This track has a big sound with the addition of stringed and other percussion instruments, noticeably bells, and to think this sound has been produced by just one person is formidable.

Another great track from this very talented musician!

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Veg are a four piece hardcore, stoner rock band from Birmingham, consisting of Abe Hartshorne (Lead Guitar), Christopher Whitehurst (Drums, Vocals, Lyrics, Guitar), Chris Williams (Bass) and Sky-Maya Groom (Guitar, Recording Engineer, Mixing Engineer, Mastering Engineer, Backing vocals) and Technology is there debut single, released on 10/03/2023.

Being just over 30 seconds in length, the track discusses how the overuse of technology (social media) shortens our attention span and feeds us fake happiness and insecurities.

Despite the lyrics “technology, technology, fuck you” repeated during the second part of the song, Veg are not adverse to the use of technology, rather that we “take a step back and assess what forms of technology are bringing value to your life and what forms of technology are devoiding you of it.”

With pounding drums, punchy guitar work and punk-influenced vocals, the track is short, to the point and explosive. It gets its message across very clearly and succinctly, all while providing a snapshot of what this band is about.

A great introduction to a band I think will have some very important issues to write about. I look forward to hearing more from them in the very near future.

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Hello Amnesia are a five-piece rock band from London, consisting of Wes (Bass), Sean (Vocals), Marco (Keys/BV’s), Kaan (Guitar/BV’s), and Sam (Drums) and Meet Your Maker is their second single of 2023, released on 17/03/2023.

A highly energetic track, this is one that will really get your foot tapping.

With its roots firmly in the classic rock genre, this track draws influences from many other genres to create a fantastic sound that is unlike a lot of other music around at the moment.

Kicking off with a guitar riff that remains prevalent throughout the whole track and one that will definitely stick in your head, this song soon erupts into a high energy anthem that will soon have you bouncing around the living room. There is a change of pace part way through the song when everything slows down and the basslines become the most prominent instrument before the track launches you head first back into a rock n roll frenzy.

This is a great track that has the combined writing talents of all the band members and this is the third single released using this collaborative writing method, a method which is obviously if this is the calibre of material they are producing.

An absolutely corker of a tune and I can’t wait to hear more from this incredibly talented bunch of guys. I’m off to Spotify now to see what else I can find from them!

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pip is a band, formed during lockdown, from Birmingham and offers “a gateway for growing crowds of like-minded twenty-somethings to a nostalgia-induced distraction and escape the terror of the adult world.”

Forniphilia is the band’s latest single and was released on 17/03/2023.

A mix of alternative rock with rock pop and indie rock, the track has a very floaty feel, with the female vocals being haunting and very hypnotic.

The music side of things is very subtle for most of the track, being an accompaniment to the vocals rather than overpowering them, although there are times during the song when all the instruments erupt into a grungey frenzy with heavy riffs and pounding drums.

This gives the track a very edgy and nostalgic feel, as it is very reminiscent of the sound of the 90’s, but there is enough of a modern twist to keep the track fresh and up to date.

This track will appeal to fans of alternative rock as well as indie rock and grunge too.

Great job!

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I have previously reviewed two singles by 9 O’clock Nasty, namely Too Cool and Low fat Jesus and I am always happy to hear more from this awesome band.

A Leicester-based alternative band with punk influences, 9 O’clock Nasty consists of Sydd Spudd on beats, Pete Brock on guitar and vocals and Ted Pepper on bass and vocals and Disco Investors is their latest single, released on 19/03/2023.

Opening with some funky guitar work, the riffs were made to stick in your head. As with previous tracks, the funkiness in the guitars is prevalent all the way through the track and this mixed with some heavy riffs, really does make the track stand out.

Combining classic rock guitars, with punk influenced drumming, which is raw and energetic, and groovey basslines, really gives this band a quite unique sound. Add to the mix the quirkiness of the vocals, which combines punk-style leads and shouty back-ups, and you really do have something special.

The listener is taken on a journey through a multitude of genres and with the collaboration with producer, Hugo GT, who is known for his filthy soundscapes and restless creativity, the result is a striking, raw, gritty and addictive track that is full of attitude and rebellion.

Another awesome track from this fantastic band. Looking forward to many more!

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Folsom are a heavy blues rock band founded in Paris in 2013 and Old Pop’s Truck is their latest single, released on 16/03/2023. The song is dedicated the band’s friend Pop and his tireless work to keep his truck running. It is also a song about friendship, perseverance to achieve your goals and never giving up!

With a deep South vibe this is a great mix of Americana, hard rock and the blues, with a little bit of stoner rock thrown in for good measure.

The guitar riffs are heavy, yet melodic and are the driving force behind the whole song. The solos are clean, with a base in classic / southern rock, and are very reminiscent of the likes of Lynyrd Skynyrd and other 70’s southern rock bands.

The drumming is energetic and funky bass lines give the song a certain swagger that can usually be found  in country rock. The vocals on this track are awesome, strong, powerful with the grittiness of stoner rock and the subtle twang of country rock.

This is a very nostalgic track as it takes the listener on a trip back to the late 70’s and early 80’s, while also maintaining a modern twist to keep the sound fresh and up to date.

I really liked this song and I think it will appeal to fans of classic rock, country rock, southern rock and stoner rock alike. Awesome job, and I look forward to hearing more from these guys in the very near future.

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Charles Warren Orchestra are a US based rock n roll band and Too Rare! is their latest EP, released on 14/03/2023.

Not really belonging to any one particular genre, these guys take influences from many and have created a sound that is unique to them.

With five tracks in total,  the EP clocks in at just over fourteen minutes which is quite short but it is fourteen minutes of raw energetic rock and roll.

Combining alternative rock and indie rock with a classic rock basis, the EP is a testament to the band’s unapologetic approach to rock n roll. Says the band; “in a time when most artists want a gourmet studio treatment, we stayed true to our garage-rock roots and left this EP a little undercooked. These tracks were polished with nothing but blood, guts, and beer, and anyone who’s got a problem with that isn’t who we’re playing for anyway,” giving the EP a slight punk attitude.

That being said, the EP does have a more polished feel to it than probably the band wanted, but this still doesn’t take away from the fact, this is a bunch of very talented guys.

Musically, this EP has it all, fairly heavy riffs at times, yet more melodic guitar playing at others, laid back drumming which becomes more energetic when it needs to and strong basslines also shines through.

The vocals are somewhat quirky with their foundations firmly in the alternative sector but influenced from other genres and layered back ups gives the EP some depth.

Each track on the EP is different from the last. the listener is never sure what direction they are being taken off in next and the placement of the tracks is perfect, with pacing and timing of the tracks evenly spread out.

This is a great EP and the rock n roll element is what will attract a wide range of listeners.

A job well done!

Track Listing:

1) A Brief History Of Agony

2) 13^th Floor

3) No Price On A Dream

4) Dr. Damiano

5) Everything’s Alright

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The Survival Code are a London-based rock duo comprising of Gary McGuinness on guitar and vocals and Simon Hartop on drums and vocals. The band has been around in many different formats since 2012 but it was in 2018 that they found their final line up and sound.

And boy, what a sound it is! Combining the best elements of alternative rock, emo rock, punk rock and metal, this duo have come up with a sound that is uniquely theirs.

The guitars are heavy and with clever use of distortion, the song has quite a fuzzy, almost grungey, feel to it. There is also quite a melodic sound to the guitars and the main riff that is prominent throughout the track will definitely get stuck in your head. The drumming is energetic and raw and has all the attitude of punk rock.

I love the vocals on this track. They are very reminiscent of Simon Neil from the band Biffy Clyro, strong and powerful with that slight edge to them and together with layered backups, the band has a great vocal arrangement.

One thing that stands out about this track is the fact that there are just two of them achieving the big sound that the song has, and this shows the sheer amount of talent that is on show here

This is a great track, and I will definitely be keeping my ears open for anything new these guys produce!

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Sloppy Joe’s come from Hamburg in Germany and are one of the upcomers in the New Wave Of Classic Rock genre. This trio has a hard-hitting yet refreshing sound, taking influence from the likes of Kiss, Guns N Roses and AC/DC while throwing their own style in at the same time. Forming in 2011, the band consists of Jesse Garon on guitar and vocals, Johnny Angel on bass and Pätzy Dävey on drums. They have performed over 150 live stage shows and have amassed a staggering 750k streams on Spotify since the release of their self-titled EP in 2013.

Live In Hamburg (Vol 1) is their latest EP, released on 28/10/2022 and is the first ever live EP the band have released. It compromises the best tracks from two shows recorded live in Hamburg, one in 2016 and the other in 2019 and the band states the EP “perfectly captures the atmosphere of a Sloppy Joe’s concert.”

And if this EP is an indication of what a Sloppy Joe’s gig would be like, then I want to be first in the queue!

Musically, these guys have everything spot on. The guitars are heavy, with riffs galore that will stick in your head and getting you tapping your foot at the very least. The drumming is energetic and the basslines give the EP a bit of funk to it. All members of the band work in complete harmony together and the music is tight. You really have to listen to notice that this is, in fact, a live EP.

The vocals are superb, strong and powerful and never once overshadowed by the music that is accompanying him, which sometimes can be the case with live recordings. The sound guys at the shows obviously got everything right and all parts of the band can be heard loud and clear.

I have previously reviewed the band’s single Get In The Ring, which was a heavy rock mixed with glam track. This EP, however, has a more punk feel to it, and that is in no way a bad thing, as this shows just how diverse this band can be.

The energy that is emitted from this EP is fantastic to hear and it obvious to hear that this is a trio of guys who really do enjoy what they do. The interaction with the crowd is obvious to hear and this proves that the fans enjoy what the band do just as much as the band do!

Fantastic debut live EP and am very much looking forward to more from this great band!

Track Listing:

1) Intro (Live)

2) Devil’s Music (Live)

3) Right Decision (Live)

4) Lonesome No. 1 (Live)

5) Make Some Noise (Live)

6) Some Broken Hearts Never Mend (Live)

This review is the property of The Metal Asylum