The Unripes: This Is Not America

    This Is Not America is an album which wraps hard rock, punk, and sleaze up into a pleasing ball of energetic rock n roll which easily captures the imagination, a release which knows what it is good at and presents those elements with a confidence and swagger which is quite magnetic. Released by Italian rockers The Unripes, the Street Symphonies Records released album has all you wish for in a rock album brought with style and accomplished craft.

Formed in 2005, the Modena based band made strong impressions locally early on and though The Unripes went through line-ups changes as a young band has continued to evolve into an impressive and accomplished band. The quartet of original members vocalist AxiA and guitarist Mike Pelillo alongside new members bassist Uncle Sappa (Midnite Sun and Sutuana), and drummer Sevens (a.k.a. Luke Setti of Trick Or Treat), have delivered a debut album which is bursting with hungry rhythms, assertive riffs, and infectious melodies and hooks which light up the ear.

Opener Track No. 1 is the immediate proof as it instantly engages on its appearance through an electronic breath and shadowed vocals which pull one into the following storm of energy and passion. Into its full stride the song is a thumping stomp of fiery riffs and vociferous vocals over firm beats from Sevens. Its chorus is as anthemic and catchy as you could ask for and the bass of Uncle Sappa a growling beast which is impossible not to be fully enamoured with. It is a straight forward song but like the album knows how to make the strongest persuasion and give a comprehensive pleasure.

Next up Reload is the biggest highlight on the album, an impossible to refuse contagious lure to voice and limbs to join its aggressive and energy driven feast of sound and passion. The lead track from the album which also was chosen as the official soundtrack to the 2012 main event of Italian wrestling company IWC, the song is a fiery charge of rampant riffs and sonic flames upon firmly jabbing rhythms and a real muscular treat to party with.

Arguably the strength of the song ensures that the following songs like Get On This Rollercoaster and You Are The One fail to reach its heady heights but to dismiss them or any song on the album would be irresponsible as all are potent and highly agreeable slabs of rock n roll. The first of this pair is a feast of sturdy riffs and raptorial basslines behind strong vocal harmonies and inspiring melodic craft whilst the second is a power ballad which shows an emotive depth and diversity to band and the fine vocals of AxiA. Again the cantankerous bass sound steals the show but every aspect of the song is highly satisfying.

Throughout the album there are loud whispers of bands such as Motley Crue, Steel Panther, Black Stone Cherry, Zakk Wylde, and more and if there is any real negative about the album it is a lack of a distinct and unique voice to the obvious creative craft and invention of the band, not that it makes the enjoyment of the album suffer. With further highlights coming with songs like the voracious My Muse Is Called Rock’n'Roll, the sinewy  Damned Electric with its open heart and enterprise, and the irresistible Scream If You Wanna Go Faster, easily one of the favourites on the album, This Is Not America hits the right spot from start to finish.

The Italians are a band on the move and their debut album the perfect way to join their ascending rise. The release offers honest prime rock n roll for the masses courtesy of a band you will hear more of, The Unripes.

http://www.facebook.com/theunripes

7/10

RingMaster 07/02/2013

Copyright RingMaster: MyFreeCopyright

Zeroking: Kings Of Self Destruction

Enthusiastic and unfussy yet openly addictive is the only way to describe the latest album from US hard rock band Zeroking.  With an obvious intent to have and give the fullest of best times Kings Of Self Destruction simply leads the ear and emotions on a boisterous and mischievous rampage through insatiable riffs and fully loaded melodic enterprise. It is not the most inventive or ground shaking of releases but it sure is one of the more eagerly enjoyable.

Formed in 2005, the Huntington West Virginia quartet of vocalist Andy Haught, guitarist Shane Day, alongside Paul First and Chris Webb on bass and drums respectively, took no time in garnering strong attention and growing acclaimed from their debut EP Sweet Sale Of Excess in 2006 and the sharing of stages with the likes of Anthrax, Twisted Sister, Bobaflex, Jackyl, Dope, Black Stone Cherry, and Airbourne, as well as impressive appearance at various festivals. Listening to their album it is no surprise, the impossible to ignore songs a feast of infectious melodic imagination and feisty addictive riffs and honest rock sounds. As mentioned there is not anything particularly startling or unique to the release but do not mistake that for it being flat or boring. Kings Of Self Destruction is a thrilling ride from first song to last, a familiar but inventive party to fully engage with from beginning to end.

The recording of the album began with producer and engineer Steve Riley mid 2009 and last year saw Zeroking release the EP A Taste Of Self Destruction which featured three tracks from the album as a teaser and followed previous single Stone Cold Bitch/Girls of California, the pair of songs also appearing on the release. Both garnered impressive acclaim and marked the album, as one to eagerly or impatiently wait for.

From the opening Dead Rock Star the band unleash a riot of sounds and songs which recall a brew of flavours from the likes of Guns N’ Roses Motley Crue, Saliva, Seether, and Buckcherry to name a few. Anthemic and rife with the best rock/metal tendencies, the album pulls you to your feet from the off and leaves it breathing heavily and sweating satisfaction. The opener incites only enthused responses to its familiar and compulsive sounds. It might play like an old friend but it is a fresh and vibrant returning buddy which lights up the senses and invites full union, something you can tag the whole release as.

The following Forget Vegas with its breezy swagger and flashy horns immediately is evidence to the diversity across the album soon backed by She Said with its twisting riffs and brooding bass sounds of First. It is a more reserved saunter through the ear than previous songs though still has the impetuosity which endears across Kings Of Self Destruction.

Showtime Revolution is an immediate highlight as soon as it entraps the ear with addictive hooks and a melodic infection to ignite inner fires. The guitar of Day is an electrified bristling delight whilst the rhythms of Webb jab and punch with the precision of a middleweight to drive the song home wonderfully. Vocalist Haught as on every song is an impressive focal point without distracting from the quality the rest of the band offer every time.

Songs like the sexy blues bar room joy Southern Lady, Ex-Godiva, the mesmeric Love Is Dead featuring the fine emotive voice of Stacee Laswson, and the aural contagion that is the title track, lead the senses into more devilment with a varied and wicked glint in their individual eyes. Again the music is uncomplicated, immediately your best friend, and completely infectious. To be honest hard rock has never been our favourite flavour at the RR but when it comes with such vitality and pleasure as that brought by Zeroking there is not a whisper of complaint to be heard.

The excitable metal veined treat which is Girls Of California leads the climax of the album to be ably supported by songs such as the teasing and incendiary stomp Black Friday and the majestic emotive ballad Valentine, the release continuing the strong and open diversity it started and persisted with.

    Kings Of Self Destruction is an excellent riot of rock n roll sure to find a home in every rock and metal heart. Honest and without pretensions the release is nothing but enjoyment and Zeroking a band who deserves more than a minute of any ones time.

https://www.facebook.com/Zerokingfans

Ringmaster 04/07/2012

Copyright RingMaster: MyFreeCopyright

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Defy All Reason: Shake it

A strong and eager rock song can be one of the best flavours to lose oneself within to simply forget the trials and tribulations of any day. The new single from North Wales band Defy All Reason, is a fine example and a track which sets the band up as one to watch closely over the months ahead. Shake It is a muscular and confident slab of heavy rock with essences of blues seeping into its keen veins of Southern rock, and a song that easily inspires eagerness to hear more from the band.

Formed in the closing months of 2011, the Wrexham quartet of Gavin Jones (vocalist/guitar), Darren Jones (guitar), Lee Shenton (bass), and James Radhi (drums), rose from the ashes of local bands. They were four friends who came together to put their experience and mutual musical vision, drive and determination into a new exciting band and sound. Recently signed to Teesside based independent record label Satellite Records the band releases Shake It their debut single on July 2^nd

Shake It bustles in on groove loaded riffs that rile up the heart rate and a melodic rock energy wrapped tightly around them. The vocals harmonies are nicely raw whilst the infectious heart of the song expands the further it rumbles through the ear. With a touch of Trucker Diablo and Black Stone Cherry to it the song is a fully satisfying and pleasing slab of rock n roll.

The band is working on their debut EP for later in the year and after Shake it the anticipation is sure to be high. Possibly the band have yet to find the final definition to their sound but the single suggests that is well in hand  and the future is vibrant for Defy all Reasons.

www.facebook.com/defyallreason

RingMaster 12/05/2012

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