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Alter Bridge

‘Alter Bridge’

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ALTER BRIDGE – ALTER BRIDGE – ALBUM REVIEW

As Alter Bridge’s self-titled eighth album kicks in with the monstrous opening riff of ‘Silent Divide’ you are instantly brought into their maniacal world of glorious heaviness.

Yes, the band keep up their consistent record of releasing a new album every three or so years and it’s only fitting that this record is self-titled because it embodies all that sets the band apart. Those riffs are accompanied by soaring vocals, thundering rhythms and the dual-maestro guitar sound that gets pulses racing.

It will always be a marvel that the members of Alter Bridge can consistently conjure this level of credible output despite also finding time play and record with their solo projects and other bands. The talent on offer is indeed scary.

WATCH THE VIDEO FOR ‘WHAT LIES WITHIN’
Alter Bridge – ‘What Lies Within’

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It’s natural that at times even the most talented artists will see their powers wane; and some may wilfully track down lulls or blips in their back catalogue – this however is very much true and pure Alter Bridge.

At an hour in length though and with the shortest track still clocking in near four minutes, you will need to invest yourself in this record to reap the rewards on offer. That though should come naturally to fans of the band and epic closing track ‘Slave to Master’ at nine minutes long is another huge opus for them to sink their teeth into.

This album is a very good listen and whilst this may not be their most accessible record, is is probably their heaviest and is unquestionably amongst their very best. Their fanbase therefore will be very pleased with album number eight.

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Full Pelt Magazine

Vol. 114

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Beans On Toast

Kill Them With Kindness

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BEANS ON TOAST – KILL THEM WITH KINDNESS – ALBUM REVIEW

It’s December and we again have a year of horror and wonder behind us. It’s difficult to make sense of the realities of life but you can also rely on Beans On Toast trying to do just that at this time of year.

His traditional birthday album this year finds him releasing his eighteenth collection and in all of those years he has had plenty of inspiration – both good and bad. The past twelve month have been typically concerning, but throughout all of the big stuff, the fascination with life itself is what glistens on this record.

‘Kill Them With Kindness’ naturally has some pointed messages for those big players who heap misery on the world of communities that make humankind human and kind. It is his ability to highlight stories from the hearts of these communities however that make this an uplifting album. A reminder of what makes life special.

WATCH THE VIDEO FOR ‘That’s Why I Don’t Drink Tequila ANymore’
Beans On Toast – ‘That’s Why I Don’t Drink Tequila Anymore’

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‘The Glastonbury Oak’ may be the perfect Beans On Toast track – a song about a festival and a tree! ‘Taylor Swift for President’ represents his fantastic knack for pushing his tongue in his cheek whilst still making absolute sense. ‘Pelican Crossing’ is a fine example for his observational skills. ‘That’s Why I Don’t Drink Tequila Anymore’ is a fantastically fun new favourite and ‘Our Cat’ will ring true with many a dad out there.

Yes, there are personal stories, political commentaries and general experiences of existence on what is an all-round great Beans On Toast album. Made with his newly minted Beans On Toast Band, the music accompanying his words adds new levels of class to our yearly journal.

This does feel like a new pinnacle for an incredibly prolific artist.

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Full Pelt Magazine

Vol. 122

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Seven Blood

Life Is Just a Phase

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SEVEN BLOOD – LIFE IS JUST A PHASE – ALBUM REVIEW

Germany’s Seven Blood may only have released their first music together last year, but you wouldn’t believe it given the maturity of their output thus far. A string of infectious singles has rightly garnered them attention and now’s the time for the quartet to make their first big statement.

That moment arrives in the shape of their debut album, ‘Life Is Just a Phase’, which gives a permanent home to many of those singles. There is therefore something of an instant familiarity that exudes from the record for those that are already on board with their journey.

For those only now waking up to this genuinely exciting new prospect, the album does it’s job very well by making that important opening statement. This is a band with their hearts on their sleeves passionate about creating an inspiring and identifiable sound.

Check out the video for ‘TO THE UNKNOWN’
Seven Blood – ‘To The Unknown’

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Again – mission achieved! Each track demonstrates a polished knack for writing hypnotic melodies, meaty hooks and personal yet relatable lyrics. You just need to absorb the likes of ‘Monsters’ and ‘Strangers’ to feel the emotion these songs evoke.

Seven Blood have also created something aesthetically bold and unique. These songs have the anthemic appeal of pop-punk but with a heavier modern-metal grit which emboldens the vulnerability of the lyrics.

With a runtime of thirty-six minutes, this is a succinct and direct declaration of intent from a band well worth investing your own time in; and ‘Life Is Just a Phase’ is an ideal place to start!

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Full Pelt Magazine

Vol. 111

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Full Pelt Magazine

Vol. 110

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White Lies

Night Light

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WHITE LIES – NIGHT LIGHT – ALBUM REVIEW

White Lies have always been a difficult band to pigeonhole into a specific genre and that’s ultimately what has helped to set them apart. They have their own identity and each record released tends to show a degree of evolution.

It shouldn’t be much of a surprise then that their new seventh studio album, ‘Night Light’, continues their ambitious path of growth and finds itself as another uniquely crafted set of songs. It’s worth noting that whilst it is of course a set of nine different songs, the album is greater than the sum of its parts and feels purposefully crafted as a singular piece of work.

The opening track, ‘Nothing On Me’ feels like it’s welcoming us to the town of Hawkins before exploding into a bombastic synth-laden groove which soon segues into the more melancholic ‘All The Best’.

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White Lies – ‘Nothing On Me’

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Each track then flows elegantly into the next and mixes the various elements of their sound at different times. This is overarchingly however a slower more methodical record with hypnotic capabilities.

You won’t find yourself rocking out to these songs like you can much of their more front-footed work. No, instead you’ll want to seal yourself off in a dark room and allow yourself to get lost in the music.

There is much to take from this album as a listener even if actually in the context of their entire career it may not receive the acclaim they are used to. Fans of their more exuberant work will feel this is a bit flat, but that doesn’t make this a bad record – in fact it’s a very good one!

If every band stayed static in their sound then music would be boring, so fair play to White Lies for continuing to strive for something bigger and bolder.

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Finger Eleven

Last Night On Earth

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FINGER ELEVEN – LAST NIGHT ON EARTH – ALBUM REVIEW

Twenty years ago, Canadians Finger Eleven were making waves with a string of radio-rock favourites including tracks featuring on movie soundtracks and a handy affiliation with WWE. Truth be told though in 2025, they aren’t a band on many people’s radars anymore.

Indeed, it’s been ten long years since they released their last album, but their 2023 ‘Greatest Hits’ release stirred something – particularly the success of a new track, ‘Together Right’. Subsequently the band entered the studio and the first fruits of their labour ‘Adrenaline’ whetted rock fans appetites last year.

That track kickstarts new album ‘Last Night On Earth’ and helps to give the record a real solid foothold alongside ‘Blue Sky Mystery’ which features Filter vocalist Richard Patrick. The first half of the album incorporates glimpses of their old-school sound but in a somewhat more strait-laced rock package.

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Finger Eleven – ‘Adrenaline’

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As the album progresses it’s clear that the band have put a lot of love into the making of the record and are looking to both pay homage to their past but make something modern and worthy of their resurrection.

Interestingly the standout tracks tend to be the slower numbers such as the centrepiece title-track, the piano-led ballad ‘Wall Dogs’ and the Floydian ‘Body and Mind’. This ultimately becomes one of their most ambidextrous collections.

The only real oddity is concluding the record with a second version of ‘Blue Sky Mystery’ without Patrick which just feels unnecessary. That aside, ‘Last Night On Earth’ is far better than a Finger Eleven album in 2025 has any right to be and hopefully will jumpstart a new era for the band!

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Full Pelt Magazine

Vol. 109

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