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Rise Against

Rise Against

Ricochet

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RISE AGAINST – RICOCHET – ALBUM REVIEW

What is everyone expecting from a Rise Against record in 2025? Lyrics targeting injustice and big topics, music carrying their signature punk rock sound? Well, you’re in luck as they set free their tenth studio album, ‘Ricochet’.

The album is once again undeniably a Rise Against record and they obviously aren’t about to significantly shift their politics or their sonic resonance. What fans will find though is a renewed polish as the band bring in a high-profile production team of Catherine Marks and Alan Moulder.

This shift is noticeable in resulting in an even more accessible sound for the band. This largely works and helps to ensure a different feel for the record, albeit at times it feels like it’s at the detriment of their fiercest tendencies leading to this album sometimes feeling a little too easy to listen to.

WATCH THE VIDEO FOR ‘NOD’
Rise Against – ‘Nod’

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This though is absolutely overarchingly a good record which is well worth your time whether you are a diehard fan or just discovering them. The pre-release singles ‘Nod’, ‘Prizefighter’ and ‘I Want It All’ do standout but so do the title-track and ‘Black Crown’ featuring Andy Hull of Manchester Orchestra.

The one thing that this record truly proves though is that the band are never going to rest on their laurels. Be that musically, their beliefs or their willingness to stir pure emotion and a sense of urgency.

Whilst ultimately ‘Ricochet’ isn’t their best record, it’s still a relevant and rousing collection of staple Rise Against calls to arms, and we should all be grateful in this mess of a world for artists willing to make a statement still.

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BABYMETAL

BABYMETAL

Metal Forth

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BABYMETAL – METAL FORTH – ALBUM REVIEW

The ascent of BABYMETAL continues as the group played their biggest headline shows this year and now unleash their ridiculously fun new album, ‘Metal Forth’.

Their fifth record finds the band in full on collaborative mode and features appearances from… *deep beath*… Poppy, Electric Callboy, Slaughter To Prevail, Bloodywood, Polyphia, Spiritbox and the legendary Tom Morello!

The album kicks off with the huge Poppy crossover ‘from me to u’ and then finally finds a home for their mega hit with Electric Callboy, ‘RATATATA’. That should give a good impression of how the album will continue.

WATCH THE VIDEO FOR ‘RATATATA’
BABYMETAL x Electric Callboy – ‘RATATATA’

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Each track has its own identity and takes on the essence of their collaborator whilst maintaining that signature BABYMETAL madness. This ensures that you have a rich tapestry for this collection captivate you from.

On the flipside of that, the album as a whole can feel more like a compilation record then a true standalone album, particularly following their more conceptual 2023 release, ‘The Other One’.

The full integration of newest member Momoko Okazaki (Momometal) alongside Moametal and Su-metal is a highlight of the album and is a positive sign for the future of this band that keeps excelling where everybody predicted failure.

They’ve long since dispelled the flash in a pan style visions of demise by naysayers and ‘Metal Forth’ is only going to grow their credibility further!  

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The Black Keys

The Black Keys

No Rain, No Flowers

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THE BLACK KEYS – NO RAIN, NO FLOWERS – ALBUM REVIEW

In recent years The Black Keys have struggled to add to their reputation and may in fact actually have diminished it with some well publicised undersold shows following a series of increasingly lacklustre releases.

Blame poor management (they did) or band led complacency like others have, but either way their stock has been in decline and something has been needed to re-energise them. Recent releases have felt bloated and a quick look at the album credits for each album shows that their circle has gotten bigger and bigger over time.

Whilst new album, ‘No Rain, No Flowers’ may not be the revered back to basics approached some wanted, the duo have altered their collaborators and mindset in order to reset themselves and it may have worked!

WATCH THE VIDEO FOR ‘MAN ON A MISSION’
The Black Keys – ‘Man On A Mission’

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No this album isn’t up their with their biggest releases but it’s a big improvement on their recent releases and should act nicely as that much needed reset moment. Their blues-rock sound feels more controlled and accessible across these tracks and the shortish runtime assists greatly in making this the easiest Black Keys listen in a decade or more.

There’s not a bad track on the album, something we couldn’t say about any of their recent records and ultimately this collection holds the power to reignite your love affair for the duo.

As the mellow ‘Neon Moon’ brings the album to a close, you’ll be wanting to hit play again and that’s certainly another thing we couldn’t have said of late regarding The Black Keys. We all know how good this duo can be and ‘No Rain, No Flowers’ is a timely reminder of their talents.  

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Good Charlotte

Good Charlotte

Motel Du Cap

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GOOD CHARLOTTE – MOTEL DU CAP – ALBUM REVIEW

Seven long years have passed since Good Charlotte released their last album, ‘Generation Rx’. Just think how much has happened in that time. War, a pandemic, the death of a monarch, the defeat of Trump, the conviction of Trump… the re-election of erm Trump.

The world is a mess, so any distractions are welcome and new music from the Madden Brothers and co is always something to get excited about.

Curious though has been the casual understated promotion of their eighth studio collection, ‘Motel Du Cap’. None of the usual fanfare for an act such as Good Charlotte has preceded the release and that only adds to the level of intrigue as you press play. What will a Good Charlotte record sound like in 2025?

Well, in truth much like you’d expect from a band of their age. There are plenty of nods to their past, but their sound has naturally matured. Despite working on much of the material with the in-demand Jordan Fish, the record lacks a certain impetus or thrill that their past work managed so well.

WATCH THE VIDEO FOR ‘REJECTS’
Good Charlotte – ‘Rejects’

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The lengthy gap between releases hasn’t been to reinvent themselves or push the envelope in any tangible way. The likes of ‘Rejects’ and ‘Stepper’ are decent and some of their collaborations help to add some layers to the album but as a whole it’s unlikely that this record will achieve for the band even what its predecessor did.

That’s fine in reality because the band have crafted their legacy already but you’d of liked something to standout to justify their return to the studio. ‘Motel Du Cap’ doesn’t therefore add to their legacy but it certainly doesn’t detract from it either.

This is a fine Good Charlotte album, nothing more and nothing less. It may not be the full on distraction that we all need but it’s enough to remind you of why you fell in love with this band in the first place.

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Halestorm

Halestorm

Everest

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HALESTORM – Everest – Album Review

Nobody can ever question the ambition and pure drive of Halestorm. The quartet have been making statement after statement since they first announced themselves to the world with their self-titled debut album in 2009.

Over the past fifteen years, they released a further four well-received records, graced some of the biggest stages and forced themselves higher and higher on the festival line-up barometer of success.

This year they will embark on their biggest headline tour to date with a daring run of UK arenas welcoming them in November. To prepare they have been supporting Iron Maiden and helping to kickstart the moment in time that was Back To The Beginning.

These appearances are apt because along with that ambition, the band have never been afraid to hide their classic influences and their latest album, ‘Everest’ is packed to the absolute brim with some of the most classic of rock’s trickery.

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Halestorm – ‘Everest’

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From the hard-hitting rockers to the melodic ballads and the outright extravagance of it all – Halestorm are a band genuinely keeping the spirit of rock alive. Even when the likes of ‘K.I.L.L.I.N.G.’ seem a bit on the silly side, they still somehow ultimately come across as charming thanks to the undeniable charisma of Lzzy Hale.

Hale’s spectacular voice is against front and centre on ‘Everest’ but the band, as you’d expect, amplify that weapon of mass destruction precisely and magnificently. The title-track, ‘Rain Your Blood On Me’ and ‘Darkness Always Wins’ are standouts but whilst there are definitely some quirky tracks, there aren’t any bad tracks on what can only be considered another success for the group.

You always feel like there is more to come from Halestorm and you again don’t sense that they’ve fully unleashed all of their unique talents but when a band can churn out albums of this quality as standard, you know that they are damn good!

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The K’s

The K's

Pretty On the Internet

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THE k’s – pretty on the internet – album review

Merseyside has a pretty decent history of producing indie bands and as indie itself continues its renaissance period, The K’s are establishing themselves as the areas big hope. Only last year they released their fantastic debut album, ‘I Wonder If the World Knows?’ and now they are back already with their sophomore collection – ‘Pretty On the Internet’.

As soon as you hit play, you are greeted with yet more stellar indie rock singalongs that sound tailor made for the ongoing festival season. We said much the same about their debut, but it’s no wonder that the band are already festival favourites with emotionally charged indie anthems such as these.

This really is another remarkably polished set of songs which demonstrate an underdog charm fitting for the youth of 2025 Britain. Lyrically these tracks are an insightful glimpse into the usual struggles of early adulthood. The mistakes, the regrets, the lessons and the realisations are superbly captured in a catchy as hell package.

WATCH THE VIDEO FOR ‘BREAKDOWN IN THE BEDROOM’
The K’s – ‘Breakdown In My Bedroom’

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Sonically this is a direct follow on of that debut record, but equally there are some delightful moments such as the string-filled ballad ‘Helen, Oh I’, which shows added ambition from the four-piece.

Pre-release singles like ‘Breakdown In My Bedroom’, ‘The Bends (Here We Go Again)’ and ‘Me and Your Sister’, gave a good indication of what to expect from this album. The full record however is still worth your time. As much as the likes of ‘Gravestone’ feel festival ready, the album as a whole has a summers day drive vibe as well.

In a short period of time, The K’s have delivered two very good albums and now the world does really feel like their oyster!

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Split Chain

Split Chain

motionblur

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SPLIT CHAIN – motionblur – album review

The noise (in every sense of the word) that Split Chain have made in such a short period of time is remarkable. A string of impressive support shows, and notable festival appearances has ensured that their name is already seeping into the consciousness of heavy music fans.

With something of a Nu-Metal renaissance ongoing thanks to social media, they band have also been able to grab attention in more modern ways. All of this attention combined means that anticipation is actually high for the release of their debut album.

An often overused music press phrase, there is genuine interest here to see whether or not Split Chain can live up to this early hype. That however brings a degree of pressure with it, so the importance of ‘motionblur’ can’t really be exaggerated.

WATCH THE VIDEO FOR ‘I’M NOT DYING TO BE HERE’
Split Chain – ‘I’m Not Dying To Be Here’

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The fuzzy shoegaze (or nu-gaze!) wall of sound that has become their signature echoes through the opening trio of ‘Under The Wire’, ‘bored.tired.torn.’ and ‘I’m Not Dying To Be Here’. Each track is absorbingly catchy with heavy hooks and a high dose of singability.

Whilst obvious comparisons will arise to the likes of the mighty Deftones, there is a much needed uniqueness to the Split Chain sound that means that they aren’t simply treading old ground. Sonically relentless, the presence of grunge undertones help to manifest a relatable authenticity about these songs.

Nu-metal revivalists will find sanctuary in this album, but those engaged in the growing hardcore scene will also have their heads turned by these unflinchingly ferocious ragers. Indeed, if you’d considered the pre-requisites for this album to be deemed the success it needed to be, you’d likely have a tick next to every box.

With ‘motionblur’, Split Chain have undoubtedly delivered a stunning opening statement which backs up their early credibility and genuinely enthuses you for what’s to follow.

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Panic Shack

Panic Shack

Panic Shack

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PANIC SHACK – PANIC SHACK – ALBUM REVIEW

The time has finally arrived for Welsh indie-punks Panic Shack to deliver their long awaited debut album. The band have built a fierce reputation with their riotous live shows and that has left fans clamouring for a first full-length collection.

Those that have been waiting will thankfully be ecstatic with this self-titled offering which somehow manages to capture the energy of those live shows and put it in a nice little package.

That’s often a hard thing to achieve for bands but the fact that their live essence exudes from each of the eleven tracks is simply a testament to the quirky charisma possessed by the group.

WATCH THE VIDEO FOR ‘GOK WAN’
Panic Shack – ‘Gok Wan’

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You have to say though that the core component of the band, which is what truly elevates them both on stage and on record, is the fun that they are clearly having. These are songs capable of calling out societal and life problems ala their modern punk-aligned contemporaries, but they are designed to be enjoyed.

The likes of ‘Gok Won’, ‘Tit School’, ‘Pockets’ and album closer ‘Thelma & Louise’ are frankly infectious. So much so that the album should probably feature a warning sticker highlighting the likelihood of a serious need to break into a mosh.

The witty lyricism of their early singles is still front and centre and there are plenty of moments which will make you pop, make you smile and make you laugh. Equally the band haven’t been afraid to address both bigger issues and their own past criticisms.

As we said at the start, their live spirit oozes from these songs and more than anything that makes you want to hear these songs live! Sometimes that early hype can fail to build to anything, but on this debut album Panic Shack have smashed it out of the park!

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Calva Louise

Calva Louise

Edge of the Abyss

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CALVA LOUISE – EDGE OF THE ABYSS – ALBUM REVIEW

The individual stories of how each band member came to form Calva Louise is remarkable and when combined their journey to this point is simply incredible. Never afraid to take huge risks, their gambles have all paid off with the release now of a gnarly new album of epic proportions.

‘Edge of the Abyss’ is their fourth album and sees the trio taking giant strides towards achieving their long-held goals of success. Having each moved across the world with hopes of making music, the fact that this record is the genre-defying earworm that it is should serve as vindication for their bravery and daring to believe in themselves.

WATCH THE VIDEO FOR ‘TUNNEL VISION’
Calva Louise – ‘Tunnel Vision’

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This eleven track, forty minute collection is truly fascinating and will warrant multiple listens in order to experience every aspect. It would be easier to list the genre’s not covered here then the various influences that emerge during the record.

Whereas sometimes that means an album sounds disjointed and lacking direction, it works to the opposite effect on ‘Edge of the Abyss’. As vocalist Jess Allanic segues between English and Spanish lyrics, the sonic onslaught feeds the overarching eclecticism of the records identity.

With Allanic’s self-designed sci-fi world again providing the themes of the songs this album acts as a much needed escape from the real world. Indeed, from opener ‘Tunnel Vision’ to the fantastic finale of ‘Under The Skin’ this is Calva Louise operating on another level.

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BIG SPECIAL

BIG SPECIAL

NATIONAL AVERAGE.

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BIG SPECIAL – NATIONAL AVERAGE. – ALBUM REVIEW

Last year BIG SPECIAL, the Black Country duo of Joe Hicklin and Callum Moloney, arrived in style with an incredible opening offering. Their debut album, ‘POSTINDUSTRIAL HOMETOWN BLUES’, rightly earned high praise from fans and critics alike – including us!

With tour dates and festival appearances still in the diary, not many were expecting a follow-up any time soon. But this week the band surprised everyone when they simply dropped their sophomore collection without any of the now standardised build-up! A brave move indeed, but hey, if Taylor Swift can do it then why not?

That new album, ‘NATIONAL AVERAGE.’ picks up where its predecessor left off with that ominous soulful punk sound accompanying the scathing poetry of opening track ‘THE MESS.’.

WATCH THE VIDEO FOR ‘GOD SAVE THE PONY.’
BIG SPECIAL – ‘GOD SAVE THE PONY.’

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The following twelve tracks all follow that same pathway and are driven by the direct social commentary of the lyrics and that sonic rumble that gained the duo their plaudits in the first place.

The fact that this album follows so closely musically to their debut album is probably to be expected given the quick turnaround. Even then though you can sense elements of evolution in the sound of this album. Some though may argue not enough, but ultimately these songs will do a great job expanding their repertoire for those upcoming shows and at this point of their career that’s actually the most important thing.

Further growth can and will likely come in the future, but for now let’s all just enjoy another heavy dose of the frank BIG SPECIAL fever dream. ‘NATIONAL AVERAGE.’ after all will only solidify their place in the busy landscape of the industry.

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