Ain’t is a one-man project from Italy, the brainchild of Stefano D’Angelo and the Lo-Fi Demo EP was released on 01/07/2022.

With seven tracks that last a total of 20 minutes, this is a raw sounding EP that combines together a whole host of genres, no mean feat for one person yet Ain’t pulls it off perfectly.

Kicking off with Christaway, a doomy sounding instrumental, the next track Dirty World is punky in comparison with shouty vocals and full on guitars and drumming.

This EP takes us on a musical journey that really is a treat for the ears. One minute we are in the midst of stoner rock and the next we are flung head-first into the world of grunge before being dragged back to some punkier tracks. The listener really has no idea which way the EP is going to go next and this is always a good thing in my book.

Guitars features heavily on this EP and distortion is used to great effect, creating the grungey, sludgey feel that radiates all the way through and this is something that I absolutely love about this EP. The word industrial can be used for so many genres of music but this really does have an industrial rock feel to it and the rawness of it all really does draw the listener in.

The vocals are awesome on this EP and can range from grunge vocals reminiscent of the likes of Soundgarden, to punk and seemingly everything in between and even the swagger of alternative/indie rock raises its head every now and then.

Influences can be heard all the way through this EP, from Nirvana, to Marilyn Manson, to Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails and these are all great bands to be influenced by. But still, Ain’t puts his own unique twist on everything and this makes for some interesting music, as he experiments with different sounds and background noises, and mixing this with his vocals really does create something special!

This is a great EP that will appeal to fans of many genres but especially if the likes of the bands mentioned above are your thing, then you will love this!

I now wait expectantly for more music from this incredibly talented musician!

Track Listing:

1) Christaway

2) Dirty World

3) Stand The Dominoes On End

4) Flashes, Clones & Street Motherfuckers

5) Narcissistic Christ

6) Mantra For Inner Light

7) Flashes, Clones & Whores

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Cory M Coons is an independent performer, musician and award winning songwriter from Eastern Ontario, Canada who has over 30 years in the music industry, travelling and playing with popular covers band in 90’s before setting up his own classic-melodic rock band “Tycoons”, with which he released two independent recordings. He has also gained recognition from the Los Angeles Music Awards, the Producer’s Choice Honors, The Josie Music Awards, International Singer-Songwriter Association and the Radio Music Awards, among others and has won many awards.

Trail Of The Chosen One is his latest single and was released on 03/02/2023.

The song kicks off straight away with some classic rock riffs and guitar work before Cory’s awesome vocals jump in. Cory is backed up by some very talented musicians, namely Marc Muir on lead guitar, Thom Sullivan on drums and Allen Hunter on Bass, and Eric Sauve providing the organ work.

The track is a great mix of Americana, AOR and classic styles, bound to get you jumping around the living room as it is so upbeat and the energy and oomph that emits from this song is hard to miss. There is a definite 80’s vibe to the track yet with a modern twist that keeps it fresh and up to date.

This is a pure rock and roll song that is very catchy with some great melodies and riffs that will definitely stick in your head.

A great track for a Friday morning! Look it up on Spotify and YouTube and see what you think!

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Trummerkind are an alternative punk band based in the UK and Revolt was released on 19/08/2022.

Combining elements of dark wave, punk and alternative rock, this track is a nostalgic nod back to the 80’s and 90’s but with a modern twist.

The track starts of with haunting female vocals that could have been straight out of an 80’s goth band, before everything erupts with funky bass lines and heavy riffs that will stick in your head for the rest of the day.

Musically this track is superb. Its melancholic in a stomping way and there is a dark atmospheric feel to the song that really does pull you in. It’s a protest song, a passionate and moving tribute to the Ukrainian victims of mass genocide and effectively conveys the message it is spreading by use of chanting and strong beats throughout.

The vocals switch from spoken word to whispers to shouts and this clearly shows the frustration the band are feeling about the subject matter they have chosen to write a song about, and it is a subject that all of us can resonate with!

I hope this song gets out to as many listeners as it can. We might not be able to change things with the power of music but we can at least bring these matters to the ears of the general public. A job that Trummerkind have pulled off effectively.

Great work guys!

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Brand Slogan is a solo project by multi-instrumentalist Damon Kardon (The Moats / Gypsy Trail / E & Special Tea) and is heavily influenced by the music he heard growing up (Alt-Metal, Emo, Shoegaze, Progressive Rock) and by the bands who pioneered the sound (Deftones, Sunny Day Real Estate, Failure, Hum, Dinosaur Jr.). He is from Pennsylvania and started writing and recording as Brand Slogan in 2018.

Brand Slogan is his latest EP and was released on 20/01/2023.

Not wanting to stick to just one genre, Brand Slogan covers a multitude of styles and this has created a sound unique to him.

Using alternative rock as a base, Brand Slogan extends into the shoe-gaze (a style of rock music characterized by a sound in which the distinctions between separate instruments and vocals are blurred), indie and grunge genres too.

The use of distortion on the guitars creates a fuzzy vibe to the EP and this is backed up by the blurring of the vocals as they mingle in with the music, the two working in perfect harmony with each other.

There is a general “floatiness” to the EP at times too with soft vocals and gentle drumming. However don’t let this lull you into a false sense of security as each track erupts at some point into a crescendo of instruments and the vocals become strong and powerful with a edgy, gritty feel to them.

This is a great EP and one that should be heard by more people. Although this is not my go to genre, I really did enjoy this as it shows just how talented this guy is. To be able to create a sound like does is simply phenomenal.

I hope there is more to come from Brand Slogan. Check them out on Spotify!

Track Listing:

1) Lip Service

2) Hypnic Jerk

3) Eye In The Sky

4) The End Of Socialization

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Craetor are a three piece stoner rock band from Western Massachusetts and Keystone Sessions – Volume 1 is their latest EP, released on 03/02/2023.

The EP is an instrumental and consisting of four tracks it is a little under 17 minutes of pure fuzzy stoner rock.

But this is not just a stoner rock band, as they have successfully managed to incorporate many genres into their sound, and this will widen their appeal amongst music lovers. Doom, stoner, punk, grunge, psychedelia and even classic rock all make an appearance at some point throughout this Ep and kudos must be given to the band to be able to do this without the use of a great amount of lyrics and vocals. The EP contains a limited number of lyrics sang in the background at various times but these are not the main focus of the songs.

Heavily featuring guitars and drums, the band use distortion on both to create a very grungy vibe to the EP. The guitar work is raw, with heavy riffs and a ton load of feedback that really electrifies the music. The pace of the guitar work changes throughout the EP too, sometimes almost at a speed metal tempo while at others slowly right down with pounding, stomping riffs. The solos are awesomely phenomenal, and this shows the sheer talent of the guitarist.

The drumming is frantic and energetic and there are almost punk-like influences coming through here and there on this. With crashing cymbals galore, the drum work is, again, raw and brutal and I can imagine the drummer had a whale of a time creating this EP.

The basslines are strong and keep the tempo of the album perfectly. The music changes pace throughout but this only keeps the listener engaged with the tracks at all times and there is always something new to hear.

The energy and aggression that comes from this EP is hard to miss and there is also a no-holds-barred attitude that all three musicians seem to possess.

I really liked this EP and I will be keeping my ear to the ground for anything else they release. Please check them out on Spotify and anywhere else you can find them.

Awesome job!

Track Listing:

1) Villager

2) Ender

3) Obsidian

4) Stone

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Based in New York City, JShell is a veteran multi-instrumentalist and singer / songwriter and In my Head is his debut album, released on 14/02/2023. The album features guest appearances from awesome musicians Steve Hackett (Genesis), Katie Jacoby (The Who/Bruce Springsteen), Jake Cinninger (Umphrey’s McGee) and Scott Metzger (JRAD/Wolf!) with each guest bringing their own sense of uniqueness to the album.

Videos for all fifteen tracks on the album have been released in a total of 30 days, the first having been released on 17/01/2023 and the final one being released today! (15/02/2023) A mean feat to carry out if ever there was one!

The album in an energetic and chaotic whirlwind of sounds and instrumental explosions. There is always plenty for the listener to hear and it would take more than one listen through to hear everything this album has to offer, although even the first run through shows just how talented this guy really is with him playing everything from drums, bass guitar, organ, piano, keyboards, rhythm guitar, lead guitar, acoustic guitar and percussion to lead and background vocals. A whole host of equally talented musicians join him and with the inclusions of his distinguished guest musicians, this album really is a timeless piece of workmanship.

Combining a plethora of genres, it is virtually impossible to classify this album under just one heading (and who wants that anyway?!) The classic rock riffs are here in abundance but the experimentation into other genres is really what makes this stand out. There are influences from everything from stoner rock to prog rock and even AOR shows its head every now and then. The inclusion of the keyboards and other electronic sounds also gives the album a slightly psychedelic vibe too.

The male vocals are somewhat quirky and mixed with occasional female lead and backing vocals there really is a contrast that makes for some great listening.

The album as a whole is loud and its boisterous but there is also some great melodies and harmonies throughout. The album has a very nostalgic feel, taking us back to some of the sounds of the 60’sand 70’s, while also throwing in some of the 80’s and a modern twist too.

This is a great album that will attract the classic rock fans as well as having a little something for everyone else!

Please do not miss out on hearing this album so head on over to Spotify now to give it a listen. You will not be disappointed as this is an album created by an artist who has literally poured himself into each and every one of the fifteen tracks, giving us the awesome sonic treat that this album, really is!

Track Listing:

1) Crawl

2) You See Me

3) Big Apple Boogie

4) Chain Of Events

5) Haunted

6) Under The Gun

7) You Do You

8) Don’t Ask Why

9) Delusions

10) Thursday

11) That’s The Key

12) In My Head

13) Meant To Be

14) My Last Request

15) Big Apple Boogie (Reprise)

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Roxercat are a three-piece prog rock band from Nashville, Tennessee led by singer Price Jones who is joined by guitarist Stan Lassiter and bassist Bill Francis, and Crime is their latest single, released on 13/01/2023.

Having previously reviewed releases by Roxercat, this song does not disappoint either.

It is a fantastic mixture of classic rock with rock/pop and AOR and even has the slight swagger of country rock thrown in.

Despite only been together since 2017, this group of talented musicians have such a grown up, professional sound, that the listener would think they have been playing together for decades.

Opening with some funky basslines which are overlapped with some real bluesy guitar work, the track starts in a way that leaves he listener with no doubt as to what this song is about, and once again, the guitar work is prevalent the whole way through the song.

Despite the obviousness of the guitar work, this by no means takes away from the rest of the band and the musicianship on the whole is spot on. Accompanied by the powerful voice of Price, this a great ensemble that really works well together. Layered backing vocals once again appear alongside Price’s lead and the harmonization between the two is superb.

This track is funky, with a funk-jazz vibe that shows its head every now and then, it’s rocky and it’s groovy (there is also a great video to go with it! Go and check it out on YouTube).

Another job well done by the Roxercat guys and gal!

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9 O’Clock Nasty are a Leicester-based alternative band and Low Fat Jesus is their latest single, released on 11/02/2023.

Having previously reviewed the last single Too Cool for the band, I was eager to see what else they had come up and I wasn’t disappointed.

Opening up with a funky bassline, its not long before the song erupts into lots of punky goodness. Although raw and edgy, there is also a melodic element to this track (which wasn’t in the previous one) in the form of some lyrics that really will get stuck in your head.

The guitars are heavy and, once again, draw on the classic rock influence but also have some alternative riffs thrown in for good measure. The drumming has all the energy that punk rock needs and once again the groove and funk that comes from the basslines is just phenomenal.

Combining elements of punk and alternative in the vocals, the singer’s voice has a unique twang to it that sets him apart from other punk singers. The shouty backup vocals are back on this track and these are mixed with the melodic element mentioned before, creating something that really stands out!

Keep ‘em coming, 9 O’Clock Nasty! We need all the punks out there, old and new alike, to hear you!

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If you want a band that mixes punk with ska and reggae, then Bargain Bin Heroes are your band! From South Florida they are known for getting the crowd dancing…and I can see why! Featuring Eric on lead vocals and bass, Rob on guitar and vocals, Jimmy James on drums, Aaron on vocals, trombone and xylophone and Amanda on saxophone, this band really are a force to be reckoned with.

The six track Waiting For So Long is their latest EP and was released on 03/02/2023.

These guys certainly know how to bring about a nostalgic feel, with the sounds of 90’s punk and ska and the energy of old school punk and rock all combining together to create a heavy sound that has a ton load of attitude and power, while at the same time making you dance around the living room like a loon!

The instrumentation is spot on with the guitars having a classic rock sound, the drumming containing the high, frantic energy that is always associated with punk (in every guise!) and the basslines being strong and funky. The inclusion of the brass trombone and saxophone gives the song the ska sound and it is all mixed together to create a sound that is unique to this band.

The vocals are typically punk ska, the male lead is accompanied by shouty back ups from both the male and female members of the band, and the vocals perfectly reflect the music behind them.

The listener can hear lots of influences in this EP, from The Clash, to Rancid, The Specials, and Madness and I don’t think this band are scared to wear their influences on their sleeves, mixing them all together with their own unique spin on them that keeps the music fresh and up to date too.

Although not my go to genre, I did really like this EP and despite dealing with subjects such as vulnerability, self-esteem, self-doubt and relationships, this is done in an up tempo, upbeat way. This EP will appeal to fans of punk, ska, and rock fans alike and I urge you all to head over to Spotify and YouTube and all other music platforms to check these guys out. You really will not be disappointed!

Track Listing:

1) Getaway

2) All My friends

3) Dreams

4) Full Circle

5) Shark

6) Lost

Photo Credit – Colleen Turley

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Sloppy Joe’s hail 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. They formed in 2011 and consist of Jesse Garon (Guitar/Vocals), Johnny Angel (Bass) and Pätzy Dävey (Drums). Since the release of their self-titled EP in 2013, they have performed over 150 live stage shows and have amassed 750k streams on Spotify!

Get In The Ring is their latest single, released on 21/10/2022 and is an absolute stomper of a tune!

Mixing heavy rock with a little bit of glam thrown in there for good measure and heavy metal influences also shining through, these guys really do have a great sound.

The guitars riffs are heavy and the drumming is energetic and pounding. The basslines that pop their heads up are strong and really add a bit of groove to the song. Musically, this track is spot on, it’s rocky, it’s heavy and it’s totally bombastic.

There is nothing vocally that lets this song down either. The lead is strong and slight distortion adds to the rocky feel of the song. He is backed up by shouty, almost punk like vocals, and this really gives the track depth and dynamism.

The song is super catchy and heard just once, will become your ear work for the rest of the day.

I loved this song and my only grip with it was that it just wasn’t long enough!

When is the next one out guys?!

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