Bad Touch-Half Way Home

Self-Release/Independent
2015


Formed back in November of 2009 while it's members were still serving time in high school and college, Bad Touch are a up-and-coming classic rock and roll band based in Dereham, Norfolk. Comprised of vocalist Stevie, lead guitarist Rob G., rhythm guitarist Seeks, bassist Bailey and a drummer named George, with the bluesy rock of "Half Way Home" serving as their full-length debut, Bad Touch list their influences as being bands like Guns 'N' Roses, Aerosmith, Led Zepplin, Skin, AC/DC and Little Angels. Despite hailing from the UK the band has more in common with the American hard rock scene of the seventies and early eighties as well as the southern rock sound of the band The Black Crowes. And all of that is fine and dandy when it comes to the enjoyable "Half Way Home" as what the band might lack in originality they make up for in enthusiasm and charisma. Having just returned from a 18-date UK tour with The Answer, Bad Touch are all about spreading the gospel of classic rock and barroom blues to the all of those who are dear to their hearts! And of course that has to includes the faithful fans of bands like Led Zepplin and The Black Crowes as Bad Touch drinks from the same cool waters as their heroes once did! If you live in or around that part of the world and you get a chance to check these young rockers out live and in all kinds of brilliant colors then by all means make it so! These young and hip guys are on their way onward and upward with the easy rockin' of "Half Way Home" sure to be a classic album in so time at all! I don't know about the rest of you, but this is the kind of bad touching I can't help but crave! You can find out more about Bad Touch by heading here friends!

Gypsy Chief Goliath-Black Samurai-Single

Black Vulture Records
2012

It's fair enough to say that this single, while not years past it's initial release date, is still a bit on the older side of things. That being said, "Black Samurai" just recently found a way to sneak into my inbox and, in doing so, it managed to draw me in (or at least it peaked my interest) like a tiny bug flying smack dab into a spider's web! Besides, it's not like good music ever goes out of style right? So yeah, I am usually a stickler for posting music more "fresh" (date-wise) and all that jazz, but I'll just say it folks-good music, especially if we're talking about some form of stoner rock, will always get a pass from me. With that thrown out there for public consumption, who really cares if it abides by our silly concept of time or not! So, with that long bit of rock and roll rambling out of the way, what exactly are we looking at with this single? Well my friends let's just say that this Canadian act had me hooked as soon as the harmonica kicked in!  Yes, I said a harmonica. That, in and of itself, doesn't sound all that impressionable I realize, but there's more to this bunch that must be acknowledged. You see, when you're talking about a band like Gypsy Chief Goliath (or G.C.G for short) which just so happens to indulge in a southern-fried form of stoner rock then well, this single takes on a whole new life of it's own! The single "Black Samurai" does bring to mind Black Sabbath (and rightly so as they seem to be the idol of just about every stoner rock band out there these days!), but it also sounds as if it's been force-fed some Thin Lizzy, Lynyrd Skynyrd and "God Of Thunder" Kiss! It's not often then that you'll find a band like this right? One would imagine that G.C.G probably has some ZZ Top LPs mixed in with their Pentagram and Saint Vitus ones, but time (and a supposed second album that's in the works) will tell just how much southern gravy this bunch will decide to smoother their brand of heavy doom. For now though you can find this single, as well as their 2012 album, "It's a Walk in the Mist", on iTunes.

Iron Tongue-The Dogs Have Barked, The Birds Have Flown

Neurot Recordings
2013

"The Dogs Have Barked, The Birds Have Flown" is the 7-track debut album from Arkansas-based Iron Tongue. Prior to this the band, who are fronted by Chris "CT" Terry of  Rwake fame, released a split 7” with The Dirty Streets. On that split the band covered "Two Timer" by Kiss who, the band claims at least, influenced Iron Tongue along with the likes of  Blue Cheer, Grand Funk, Deep Purple, Buddy Guy and Lynyrd Skynyrd. While Kiss might have served as an influence lyrically, as Gene Simmons and company certainly knew how to write a heart-felt song or two, Iron Tongue are more southern-flavored & blues-infused then anything. The group has shared the stage with everyone from High on Fire to Lita Ford and was created out of a "common interest in the need to get down and dirty and way, way gone". Mission accomplished I'd say. Billy Anderson (Melvins, Sleep, Neurosis, etc) recorded and produced "The Dogs Have Barked, The Birds Have Flown" at Iron Tongue guitarist Jason Tedford’s Wolfman Studios and his hand is felt all over this slab of gritty and raw southern rock. In addition to vocalist CT and guitarist Jason Tedford the album features guitarist Mark Chiaro, bassist Andy Warr, keyboardist JR Top, backing vocalist Stephanie Smittle and drummer Stan James. While the group manages to play some really good down and dirty rock that is quite soulful (see opener "Ever After") it's actually "Lioness", which recalls a southern-style Black Sabbath, that is my favorite track here. Doom and southern rock are no strangers of course and "Lioness" shows how a good band can combine the two into one sweet combination! Iron Tongue has the feel of a well-traveled band who has seen their fair share of heartache and despair even if they are a relatively young act. With it's bear-soaked blend of blues-rock, doom, stoner rock and southern rock this 7-track album is comforting like an old friend when your in need of companionship. Recommend.

Cancrena-Hidden Depravity

LOGIC(IL)LOGIC RECORDS
2012

Hailing from southern Italy (Bari to be exact) comes Cancrena and their 10-track debut album, "Hidden Depravity". Formed in 2000 the band was said to be initially influenced by the likes of Pantera, Testament and Sepultura although further down the road they seemed to pick up on the southern sounds of groups like Down and Black Label Society. Prior to this release the band put out a few demos, but for all intensive purposes this is the real deal for this band and, if you didn't know they were from Italy, you would almost swear this one came stumbling out of the backwoods of down south, USA. Francesco Morgese leads this 4-piece and, for a band that only has that 4-piece Pantera like line-up (singer, guitarist, bassist & drummer) they sure as hell make a lot of racket! The words "bone crushing heavy" come to mind and that album art above really does a bang-up job of representing the southern-fried, nightmare-inducing dark metal on display here. There's no need for me to get all cute and fancy with words here (as far as describing this one) other than to just say if the idea of a band influenced by both Slayer and Pantera appeals to you then Cancrena are worth tracking down.

https://www.facebook.com/cancrenaofficial

Robot Lords of Tokyo-Virtue & Vice

RLOT Music
2013

Ohio's Robot Lords of Tokyo return with their 3rd full-length album. With nine original tracks, a cover of "Night Songs" (from Cinderella's 1986 debut "Night Songs") and guest lead guitarists including Chris Poland (Megadeth), Tracy G (Dio), Wayne Findlay (Michael Schenker Group) and Steve Theado (American Dog) it's hard to find any fault in "Virtue & Vice". Yet again the band (Rick Ritzler-drums, guitar and Paul Jones-vocals, guitar) enlisted Joe Viers (Bobaflex, No Sky Today) as a producer/bassist with mastering done by Richard Bengstsson (Oepth, Arch Enemy). Rhythm guitarist Beau Vanbibber (Deflagration) joins in on the bulk of these tracks and I must say how much I like the fact that this pair enlists numerous Ohio musicians to fill in the gaps. Aside from the guest guitarists above you get lead guitar work done by Ohio's own Terry Adams (ex-Trigger Zone/Throttle Z) on the killer Black Label Society-like rocker "Two In The Belly (One in the Head)". Speaking of Black Label Society (and all things southern rock) the group spices things up with sweet harmonica on "Chicken Little". It's not all southern rock grooves from this pair though as the Robot Lords of Tokyo also indulge in stoner rock, doom and hard rock. There's a distinct Clutch vibe going on here (which is all golden if you ask me), but there's splashes of  Down, C.O.C., Alabama Thunderpussy,  Monster Magnet and Motörhead as well. Or at least to these ears. I've also felt like this Ohio-based outfit had a bit of a dirty rock/biker rock edge going for them and "Virtue & Vice" just affirmed that in my mind. It's a shame their not more well-known among stoner/doom and groove metal junkies though as the riffs are heavy as hell and these guys know how to throw shit down! By the time the 9 minute "Through Perdition's Flames" wraps things up you feel as if you've been thrown to the lions, chewed up and spit back out with nothing but your stripped-clean bones left!  Bless the gods of rock n' roll for giving us the pair of Rick Ritzler and Paul Jones and this (much needed) smoked-out/whiskey-soaked new batch of songs. Especially as we need a counter-attack to all the crap the suits like to call "music"!

http://www.robotlordsoftokyo.com/

The New Black-III-Cut Loose

AFM Records
2013

It was almost one year ago when I reviewed The New Black's "II-Better In Black". After reading back over my notes for that review it jogged my memory and I recalled how I thought these guys, who were formed back in 2009, sounded a lot like Black Label Society (with a few exceptions). I'd say not so much on "III-Cut loose". These Germans are starting to forge their own unique sound. It still falls into that same kind of category as Black Label Society (hard rock/groove/southern rock), but lead singer Fludid and company are doing their best to take their influences and build on them. The band has shared the stage with AC/DC, Volbeat, Alter Bridge and Black Label Society and, with the addition of Motörhead, you could safety argue that about sums up what The New Black aims for. The band, which is filled out by guitarists Christof Leim and Fabian Schwarz, bassist Günt Auschrat and drummer Chris Weiß, does shake things up on occasion. The title is a perfect example. This harmonica-rocker is just flat-out fun. The New Black seems to be learning that it pays to keep things interesting. Of course these guys do excel at simply rocking out so if you're a fan of their southern-fried hard rock have no fear as there is plenty to keep you satisfied. "Not Quite That Simple" just kills it as does the opener, "Innocence & Time". These Germans know who their core fan base is so, by the time the album closes with the cool "Antidote", they make sure there's plenty for fans to rock out to on "III-Cut Loose". It's not an album that's likely to suddenly put them over, but the band's sticking to what they do best while trying out a few new tricks. I give them props for that.


http://metalmark.blogspot.com/search?q=The+New+Black-II+Better+In+Black

Mothership-Mothership

Ripple Music
2013 

Contrary to popular belief rock and roll isn't quite dead. It's still got some life left in it and, if bands like Mothership have anything to do about it, it will be still be around in years to come corrupting our grand children's children. When I read this band's name it was that 2007 Led Zeppelin compilation album that came to mind, but this power trio Texas isn't just another band trying to write their own take on "Black Dog".
Yes, there are some mighty riffs worthy of Jimmy Page's approval. Mothership mean more to the game then that though. While they moved on down the road enjoying the all the sights that their travels would bring them (there is after all so much to see and do if you are a new band trying to find your groove) this young band would make plenty of pit-stops along the way. They would end up basking in southern rock (ZZ Top, Molly Hatchet, Blackfoot), they'd cut a straight line through bands like Iron Maiden and UFO and finally they would indulge in all things rock (Ted Nugent, Cream). So, bands like UFO, Molly Hatchet, Cream, Iron Maiden, ZZ Top, and more helped define Mothership's sound. I guess you could say that this is fuzzed-out southern rock meeting the whole gang (classic rock, NWOBHM and 70's hard rock) in a bar after a long, hard week at work to pound down a few cold ones. If you are a fan of all things 70's then there has never been a better time to be alive! Bands like Mothership are spreading the love and this self-titled, which sounds as if it was forged within the lava of Mount Doom (Mordor), is the perfect way to celebrate the joys of rock and roll. While this was original self-released in 2012 (Ripple Music is apparently re-issuing it in grand fashion) the production is nothing to worry about. For a band like this, who rely on the all mighty wall of fuzz, the production is more then fine. It's almost perfect for fuzzy hard rock and this album, in all it's glory, is just what my week needed.