Heady Vibes...

Honeymoon Disease - The Transcendence (2015)
 

In The Transcendence, Honeymoon Disease (named after a particularly vicious STD) have created a compelling and well-executed album that brings to mind numerous '70s rock bands (as practically all modern heavy rock bands do).  Perhaps more importantly though, they also sit perfectly alongside their musical peers in a modern music scene that enjoys a generous number of excellent female-fronted metal and rock bands.

The first band that came to mind when I listened to the album opener, "Higher", was the classic Dutch psych band Earth and Fire.  While Honeymoon Disease are less overtly psychedelic and more in a classic hard rock tradition, the organ-heavy opener had more than a little of the fruitful late '60s / early '70s psychedelic scene about it, whilst still sounding contemporary.

Another older group that came to mind was Lynyrd Skynyrd. 
Although less centered around jamming than much of the best-known Skynyrd, the energetic guitar soloing on a number of the songs here brought to mind moments of "Free Bird".  Honeymoon Disease also sit very comfortably alongside a number of comparable contemporary bands.  The retro psych rock of Electric Citizen and at times even the NWOBHM / doom crossover of The Oath is, if not particularly similar to Honeymoon Disease, then at least likely to appeal to fans of Honeymoon's impassioned boogie hard rock.

There are moments of psych on this record, but for the most part it leans more towards the danceable, energetic riff rock and even the occasional southern rock twang of Crazy Horse's frenetic country rock.  The result of these influences is a heady album of fun, easy to like rock 'n' roll.  It's not a game-changer of a record, but it's very hard to dislike and everything it sets out to do is done well.  Although it's not hard to compare this album to classics of the past, it's not derivative, and it's an enjoyable album from start to finish.

~ Martin

For Fans Of; Earth and Fire, Blues Pills, Lynard Skynard, Electric Citizen, Janis Joplin

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Let 'em Burn...

Satan's Satyrs ~ Don't Deliver Us (2015) 

As to be expected, Satan's Satyr's are back with their own unique blend of doom metal and sleazy rock and roll. I have to admit that they've grown on me since the first time I heard their music. That very first go around, I wasn't impressed. Over the years though, things have changed between us. The ferocious attack of the bass and guitar, with the higher pitched vocals can create one hell of a catchy combination at times. That was probably one of the things that made me keep giving them a try, along with the satanic heavy rock on Adderall groove that makes itself apparent when the mood strikes. On their new album "Don't Deliver Us", you're given exactly what you'd expect from these guys. With howling, chaotic guitar lines being the driving force behind most of their work, they storm to the forefront from the very beginning of the album. I was a particular fan of the second track “Two Hands”, kicking off with a chugging bass line and those trademark vocals the song is high energy all the way through. Once you work your way into the second half, a garage rock vibe starts working its way through all of the buzz and fuzz. As it rounds out, the tracks gets more traditional, but still with that same grit we all know Satan's Satyrs for having. For me, this is one of their best albums to date, showing off what makes them such a recognisable band in the first place. You can pick up some physical copies from Bad Omen Records still, or get that digital fix over at bandcamp. 

~Skip 

 For Fans Of; Black Sabbath, Electric Wizard, Witchfinder General, Pentagram

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