Psychedelia meets stoner rock, PINK FLOYD reinvented for the 21st century, GRAVEYARD in prime form. Opener "Godnatt" has a "...bells " echo and definitely the stampo of David Gilmour guitar sound in an otherwise psychedelic folkish tune. "Twice" has a nice uptempo garage feeling reminiscent of the great UNION CARBIDE PRODUCTION, a projectile to distorted guitars and the dirty 60s.The speed slows down again at the hypnotic "I follow you" an upbeat blues oriented psychedelic lament with echoes from THE CRAMPS, GUN CLUB and DANZIG. "Breathe in breath out" has the Nick Cave feeling of loss and absurd warp in the melodic lines of GRAVEYARD that echoes 60s, a poisonous yet charming blend with the stamp of Nilsson and Ramm guitars. Minor riffs and 60s keyboards at "Sad song" and another small masterpiece of grief that could come from San Francisco in the mid 60s is here, an elegy for the lost. But GRAVEYARD have also a tougher side as they present us at "Just a drop" an uptempo heavy blues with Hendrix, CREAM influences roaming before the melodic chorus with the psychedelic overtones take over.The same mid tempo 60s influenced style keeps evolving at "Bright lights" and the slow tempo "No way out" that echo from bands like BLIND FAITH and LOVE."Rampant fields" are closing the album with another melancholic turn to things, full of shadows and grey colors accompanied by some great guitar riffs to enhance the feelings. GRAVEYARD are playing at their hometurf , expanding their sound and keeping their roots close to what they love, psychedelia, 60s rock but without being retro they recreate and expand their sound through their own creative filter. The result an album that you listen from start till the end, atmospheric with no fillers that demands your attention and pays you off, big time. 8

You have to listen to the album and then look at the band members' age and think, think hard. How can a bunch of 80 year old rockers give us such a youthful album. Besides that the ROLLING STONES have made a pact with the devil or found the fountain of youth, they certainly have found the magic apple of inspiration. "Angry" is a tight blues rock driven song with soulful vocal delivery by Jagger. Richards produces immortal riffs at the one for "Get close" a rhythmic stomper that has this melodic chorus where Jagger shows off again his melodic calibre with a great saxophone break "Depending on you" is a semi acoustic, ballad with great lyrics, "too young to die , too old to lose" and the country blues style that they loved back in the 60s. STONES never stop to surprise us and "Bite my head off" fast. angy punk rocker with the participation of Paul McCartney is a revelation of their spirit and passion, a true diamond among diamonds. "Whole wild world" is another great melodic, guitar driven rocker, anxious, edgy giving a lesson in songwriting to all THE STRUTS, and THE OASIS of the world with Jagger in prime form and Richards proving a good rock solo wont need more than 30 secs of intensity and imagination."Dreamy skies" is another laid back, countrified ballad full of emotion. "Mess it up" is another key riff from Richards riff machine and a great pop/rock beat making it an instant radio hit."Live by the sword" is a funky rocker, dirty, groovy with Sir Elton John adding some honky tonk piano, aiming to send you to the dancefloor after listening to the first bars, not to mention the participation of the now deceased drummer Charlie Watts and ex RS bass player Bill Wyman, a fitting reunion to honour their recently deceased drummer."Driving me too hard" is a melodic rocker with Jagger rambling around a broken heart , love story. Another piece of resistance of the album is "Sweet sounds of heaven" that gets flourished with the participation of Stevie Wonder and Lady Gaga who gives an astonishing blues performance side by side with Jagger at this slow tempo blues, in the best 60s Chicago blues tradition. A song exploding in a vocal tsunami dwells between Jagger and Gaga proving that traditional soulful blues are difficult to be beaten when you have the heart and the guts to sing them, with the song power magnified by some excellent horns and Wonder's piano."Rolling stone blues" is a delta blues ,heavy blues with harmonica and slide, striped down, traditional , a tribute to their roots and influences. Overall this is an unexpectedly good album that stands close to the classic STONES era with slick production, great songs and most and above all throws more fuel to the fire of the legendary ROLLING STONES as the last of the Mohicans who can still deliver.Jagger, Richards and Wood keep the crown of the most dangerous rock n roll band on earth with ease and class. 9

The blues have their own ritual and VINTAGE TROUBLE are well aware of that. Gospel, honky tonk, New Orleans and rock n roll blended in a charming mix. Soul driven "You already know" is the first icebreaker in an album hot as hell fire.Vintage Trouble is a band from LA consisting of lead vocalist Ty Taylor, guitarist Nalle Colt, bassist Rick Barrio Dill, and drummer Richard Danielson. This wrecking crew has blended everything like in "Baby what you do" with its Do Wop, 50s and soul influences, a book out of the STAX best songbook with Ty Taylor proves himself more than the clasic rock singer with deep velvet voice and emotion. "Feelin on" is a great soul infused, grooving dance rock tune followed by "The love that once lingered" a funky tune straight from 70s New York, groovin 'and shakin', a monster of groove with some great bass lines.. Classic rock and FM combined in "Alright alright" an uplifting tune ready for major airplay.VINTAGE TROUBLE are the real deal as they live and breath 50s 60s rock n roll and Soul and "Holla" is a prime time example with the ROLLING STONES influences all over but with the VINTAGE TROUBLE sign all over it."Shinin" is what the tile says an up tempo rock song with some feelin good funk groove."Repeating history" is a mid tempo blues based song that just grooves and grabs the listener with is smoothness and a great Hendrix a like solo that change songs direction and caught you by surprise, another great performance by VINTAGE TROUBLE. "Heavy hymnal" is as the title says a collection of songs where passion meets the groove, 50s, 60s and 70s blend as does funk,soul and blues and a bit of FM rock. The final result is among the more enjoyable albums of the year for those who love groove over distortion. 8,5

Retro, Hard rock, blues originated, classic rock quartet from LA are an example that time is not one dimension and expands according to the conditions. In a parallel universe, Bon Scot's AC DC, early AEROSMITH and probably Pat Travers trio could jam together over some "Night in the rut" tunes. This is the spot where DIRTY HONEY comes into the room , steals the tamplatures, the demo tapes and the drugs and moves through the wormhole to modern day L.A to give us the "Can't find the brakes" abum. "Won't take me alive" is the best AEROSMITH song that toxic twins never wrote and one of the best performances Steven Tyler could have given if it wasn't for his rivalry Matt La Belle, a man with pipes , attitude and timber that has the edge of Tyler and the strength of him in his prime time with a small hint of Robert Plant at the lower notes. "Dirty mind" is another mid tempo, groovy rocker that really shakes the tree. DIRTY HONEY are a tight, hard rockin band that reminds me of the early days of THE ANSWER and THE BLACK CROWES although the DH are more US Hard rock oriented. The blues echo strong in their guitars, but it is the lean , stack rhythm section, especially drummer Jaydon Bean, a human freight train behind the kit, that makes their sound distinctable. A freight train on the loose with the rest of the band performing the best of the AEROSMITH/ACDC catalogue inflitrated through their own imaginative sogwriting perspective. "Roam" starts with some compulsory 70s organ and major guitar riffs, a song ready for the Fillmore East, oozing 70s, LED ZEPPELIN, Janis Joplin and all inbetween. The bass lines of Justin Smollan give the inner beating of the song while guitarist John Notto finds another chance to show off in an emblematic 70s way: more notes, less scales. "Get a little high" is another tight ass, stomp rocker, destined to raise the clubs with its groove. "Coming home" is the typical, mid tempo, semi-acoustic ballad, to low the high blood pressure from the fast rockers that came before. But the groove is all around , the riffs too and here it comes the same title song, a more down to earth hard rock tune who winks to the funk and blues."Satisfied" is a bit more raw, mid tempo ACDC like rocker, that will keep you satisfied, with a great guitar rock n roll solo in the middle section.Another laid back song at "You make it alright" , where the star of the show is LaBelle's voice with its falsetto. The closing 'Rebel son" is a LED ZEPPELIN inspired, mid tempo, slow funky rocker. With the guitar riff filling the background , it lets LaBelle sing his story while the rest of the band explodes sonically one by one, bar to bar. DIRTY HONEY have studied their homework well. There in no way, revivalists but a band of time travelers who like their music, sweet, edgy, groovy and dirty, watching the sunset in California or smoking the last joint at a New York club. Let the music do the talking and get yourself some DIRTY HONEY, now it is still affordable. 8

RIVAL SONS second album in one year and the prolific songwriting seems to pay foo. A stunning, tight rock n roll blues based number in "Mirrors" with the LED ZEP groove all over and some psychedelic hints opens the album in the most appropriate way. "Nobody wants to die' is a groovy , fast pace rocker with a cacthy melodic choris and a messed up, all fuss solo, showing that RIVAL SONS are not a band to thake for granted, always ready to expand thier imits, without being too left sided , they still amaze us and intirgue us. "Bird in the hand" is a more 60s inspired , rocker with massive riffs and addicitve melodic line. "Bright light" is a melodc rocker, a mid tempo ballad, ehoing the maturity of RIVAL SONS i the eyars, with the Bohnam style drumming, meeting the Hendrix soloing over some great vocal 60s inpired vocal lines,a song crafted with the most classic rock ingredients. ."Raprture" is another great song with some massive riff to get the contrast between them and the anthemic distorted choruses of Buchanan who sing his heart out with true beleif."Guilottine" is another meat and potatoes rocker with 70s echoes, and a more dark essence, like BLACK SABBATH meets CSNY, a song out of the normal 3 min, cathcy, rockers we re used with a darkk groove and more metalic sound."Horses breath" is a celtic influenced, filled with distortion psychedelic rocker with tis spacey atmpsphere, that will captivate you.Closing track "Darkside" is a long piece of massive riffs, dark shadows a mid tempo rocker that balances between the spkoen work of Buchanan and the roaring guitars of Scott Holiday. An album full of shadow and light, heavy, rocking, ispired and with its own character, far less immitaitng than some other stars tha media promote all the time. An album worht your time now and in the future. 8

Modern Hard rock/alternative rock/dance rock with the eyes stared at the future, that's what KID KAPICHI are. From the opener "New England", the sound is both futuristic and at the same tie heavy. A mix between electro sounds, heavy guitars and dance rhythms, and rap vocals, spitting the words over some "computerized", massive vocals at choruses, the sound of the suburbs of the new declined Western world is here. A "Clockwork orange" soundtrack for the 00s. The punk element (DAMNED)-Brit pop (BLUR) takes over in "Rob the supermarket" driven by a stressful rhythm and the punk attitude all over the lyrics and the aggressive guitar riff. The punk inspirations are all over and to the next one "Days on" with modern youths frustration explodes in this small masterpiece. Kid Kapichi has the street attitude infused with dance beats and at "I.N.V.U" spits the words like another VIAGRA BOY bringing you to the dance floor ready for a ballroom fight. The mix of heavy guitars and light industrial rhythms along dance beats, Birt pop melodies is going on at "Super soaker", "Cops & robbers" But its not all aggression, it is wit, clever and poignant lyrics and crooning at "Party at N10", in case the tenants of N10 understand the youngers generation frustration and fear of the blank future. There alo the psychedelic, dance anthems like "Tar pit" a song out of Trainspotting,But it is his more laid back, sensitive moments who shows the real KID KAPICHI at "Never really had you" a piano driven ballad, that OASIS or Robbie Williams would be proud to have at their set list. When the tough gets going KK gets Iggy Pop on speed as in "Smash the graff" , a beat driven protest with the PRODIGY stamp all over it ."Special" is the closing track, a song full of futility and disappointment, a dark mid tempo end , perfect to describe a blur, wasted future. It might not be the most inspiring album but has its upbeat moments and as any clash with the establishment and even ourselves its us and downs, providing the ;perfect soundtrack for a wild night in the city , either for clubbing or for confronting the state forces whatever they call them. 8

Paul Gilbert besides being a guitar player extraordinaire is also a big music fan. This album is his personal tribute to the Great late Ronnie James Dio. Gilbert innovates and instead of try and do renditions of Dio songs he prefers to make a rearrangement of the songs as the vocal lines who are impossible to change, replace even copy, even if you hire Jorn Lande as singer, he replaces the vocal lines with his guitar creating an absolute pleasurable instrumental album. He covers a wide period of the Dio discography from the early RAINBOW to BLACK SABBATH and the DIO years.the result is as expected of high level, enjoyable , quite refreshing and keeping the listeners interest. It is not the instrumental album you'll return to many times but is definitely the covers you may add to your playlist when you don't want another copy of the Man trying to imitate his passion and delivery. The guitar playing and arrangements are as always out of this planet and for one more time Gilbert let the music fan out with great success. There are some stand out tracks in my humble opinion such as "Kill the king","Holy Diver", "Heaven and hell", "Long live Rock n Roll","Lady evil", "Last in line" i guess the high tone more uptempo or majestic with volume songs can benefit more or better by the high end "vocal" delivery of Gilbert's guitar. Overall a nice tribute gesture showing Gilbert's inner fanboy and also his in depth musical knowledge, instinct, feeling and innovation even when he pays tribute. 8

Northern Irish rockers return in form with their new album. Having their own ups and downs, THE ANSWER are far from the promising band they were when they first appeared. Now they're seasoned musicians with solo albums (Cormac Neeson), a hiatus and more mature on what they want and what they can. What they want is to create good music, what they can do is be accepted among those who like real music and not following trends. I saw THE ANSWER opening for ACDC a decade back and the audience was just foolin around. Now the band has the maturity to do their own thing aiming to the right people, even if their fanbase won't be the same with ACDC or AEROSMITH. The opener "Sundowner" is a mesmerizing tune with excellent slide guitar work that dominates the aural landscape. But the new THE ANSWER are not afraid to experiment and widen their horizons, as they do at "Blood brother" part traditional blues rock part contemporary alt rock, a mix for those who like their rock, groovy, rhythmic and edge."California rust" is the ANSWER as we know them, balsy, edge Hard rock with great hooks at the choruses. "Want you to love me" is another groovy monster that demands , i want you to listen to me, with a great vocal performance by Neeson passionate and full of frustration at the same time.Then comes the piece de resistance of the album "Oh Cherry" a tribal, rock n roll, soul infused song that call everybody on the dance floor with this groove.The more uptempo tunes follow in the form of "No salvation" and "Cold heart" great riff oriented melodic Hard rock songs. "All together" dives deeper in the 70s groove with the all together choruses, the organ and the rhythmic breaks that come straight from the AC/DC -AEROSMITH songbook. "Always alright" is a mid tempo , 70s favoured ballad where what stands out is Neeson's vocal delivery with the whiskey soaked, honey covered vocals balancing between edgy and mellow in the finest way and some distinctive 70s organ giving the extra touch to the song. THE ANSWER returned with the album we all hoped for. 70s influenced but with their own stamp all over the place. For those who are into retro/revivalists etc rock this is a great choice from a seasoned band who looks younger contenders like RIVAL SONS and GRETA VAN FLEET in the eyes. 8

One of the "underground" bands of the revivalists, 70s influenced Heavy metal/Hard rock as they're also very close to NWOBHM, TANITH return with their new full length work. What you should expect, NWOBHM twin guitars, the spirit of the mighty "Argus" all over and great male (Russ Tippins (ex SATAN-PARIAH)) and female vocals by bass player/singer Cindy Maynard exchanging verses and creating mighty , fire emblazoned songs. The old English traditions revive through TANITH songs. The spirit of the old times, where the fog of time crosses the history and fantasy, a time before Christianity and after the old pagan times, pre medieval, "Snow tiger" is an exercise in heavy metal melody the way it was crafted in Northern England at the glory years between 78-82. But the band has a bag full of riffs and ideas as it shows at "Falling wizard" with melody rules the final result without ever getting mellow or cheesy."Olympus by dawn", is at the same pace and then comes one of the album highlights "Architects of time" a song full of lyricism that could easily be part of the "Argus" track list although has an addictive bridge that is catchy as any ABBA song and a middle section with guitars on fire in true early IRON MAIDEN fashion."Mother of exile" keeps the line of uptempo rockers with the twin guitar attack leading . "Seven moons" is a bit more progressive, lengthy and heavy. "Flame" is a short and sweet heavy rock masterpiece with some GENESIS influences rising from the melodies."Never look back" is a heavier tune with great guitar as all the album, but leaning more to the Sheffield heroes with great riffs and razor sharp licks. An album that could be among the great heavy rock albums between 79-82 and inspiring the younger bands but it is written and released in 2023 , without a trace of lust for the past. Classic melodic heavy rock that sound and is timeless and quality music for the genre aficionados. 8

French blues duo/ collective returns with their newest album horizons. From the opener "At local, think global" they show their intentions, texas driven, guitar distorted blues rock n roll, a bit like ZZ TOP meets CCR and more. The duo sounds is far thicker than that of a duo, and "Wolf s at the door" is a screaming blues number, with funk elements, like ZZ TOP on steroids before they speed down to get the groove at the maximum.Unlike THE BLACK KEYS or THE WHITE STRIPES, INSPECTOR CLUZO have more in common with THE CLUTCH and late days ZZ TOP, with distortion making their sound thicker and sleazier. "Running family farm is more rock than play rock n roll music" is another lean, distorted blues tune with great backing vocals and an aggressiveness reminiscent of AMBOY DUKES, BLUE CHEER, Ted Nugent and BLACK OAK ARKANSAS and of course MOTORHEAD the ultimate rock n roll trio. Another thing that makes IC music more interesting is their out of the box lyrics inspired by being both farmers and rockers and not the usual "life in the gutter" rock n rollers, another common with THE CLUTCH and their outside the band life. Their Heavy rock blues is not the typical one dimension , guitar wizzard over some simple twelve bar tunes. They build songs with character and identification inside the limits of the blues genre and at the same time with their own identity and character i.e "Shenanigans" has a DIRE STRAITS feeling , if only Mark Knopfler would love distortion."The outsiders" is a solid, robust riff driven blues rock song that screams Seattle and alternative 90s mixed with Jimi Hendrix and STEPPENWOLF touches. "Swallows" is a slow tempo, string countrified ballad , echoing the IC life in the farm and the rural area. More into classic rock the mid tempo, "Horizon" is closer to anthemic rock like BIG COUNTRY and U2 with a heavy distorted middle piece to make this duo even more addictive and attractive with drummer "Phil" making a John Bohnam style performance. "Rockophobia" is a Chicago blues driven by a whiskey soaked voice and some 70s organ to a classic US road trip, a cadillac on the highway to hell with guitars blazing and cement rffs, singing "Rock is dead" the perfect funeral song."The armchair activist" is a tongue in cheek, ffurious , fuzzy twelve bar honky tonk, rock n roll thunder.If you love MOUNTAIN as IC do you will enjoy the big, bold ballad "9 billion solutions" a string infused, heavy ballad with great, emotionally charged vocals."Saving the geese" is another stormy rocker where the duo delivers a wall of guitars i the WHO vein, angry and unapologetic.The album closing track "Swallows back" is a reprise of one of the low profile tracks of the album, an almost ambient ,string driven ballad, full with the sense of absence and loss. Overall IC are the epitome of modern blues rock/alternative rock duo with a sound far more in depth and rich than well known names of the genre and lyrics that stands out of the trivial. An album that requires listening and will reward you in each and everyone of them. 8,5