You just have to love a bruising stomp of rock ‘n’ roll where you feel dirty, battered, and exhaustingly contented at its conclusion, and few come more satisfying than the First Gear EP from French rockers One Last Shot. Without worrying about setting new templates for others to follow, it inspires by simply unleashing heavy passion drenched sounds in a blistering antagonistic and aggressive, not forgetting exhilarating form. The five track release is rowdy and refreshing rock ‘n’ roll at its prime, a riot of metal and rock everyone can lose their inhibitions to.
Consisting of ex-members of The Outburst and Crack Ov Dawn as well as the bassist of Sin And Death, One Last Shot creates a roar which takes essences from the likes of Lynyrd Skynyrd, Motorhead, and Guns N Roses but equally involves groove and stoner metal tenacity with punk belligerence in tempests which easily spark attention and hungry appetites for more. Described by some as dust metal, the quintet’s sound is a take no prisoners brawl with the devilry of the sleaziest salacious and thrilling romps. It is an unbridled and seriously accomplished sonic provocation bound in inescapable fun.
Brawler is the first track to accost ears, casting a melodic enticing instantly through one then the two guitars sculpting the emerging song. It is a restrained but spicy opening awash with 
southern winery which opens up into a raw and raucous incitement through the gravelly tones of vocalist Sky and the anthemic riffs of guitarists Shelby and Scarsid. With rhythms as imposing as the hooks and grooves are magnetic, the track virulently strolls with punk hostility and heavy rock intensity. A great solo only adds to the rich lure and enterprise of the track before it all makes way for the even more impressive Skateboard Song. An enslaving hook is the first thing to escape the lips of the song, swiftly followed by the crisp beats of drummer Kmy and a throaty bassline from Void. This is in tandem with great caustic vocals and a contagious blend of ravaging riffs and seductive grooving. The encounter is glorious, again part punk, rock, metal and quite irresistible.
The following G.A.S. is in no mood to let levels drop either, its busier opening a furious mix of snarling riffs and sinew swung rhythms ridden by the abrasing vocals of Sky which are backed by the anthemic calls of the band. Once again infectiousness soaks the guitars as tangy grooves grip ears and passions with consummate ease whilst as in its predecessors, imagination and unpredictability add their own distinctly flavoursome and tenacious bait. By this point in the release, if not earlier, it is hard to imagine anyone not being lost to the impressive craft and addictive hell-raising of First Gear but to make sure another pinnacle consumes the senses through the next up Headbangers. A roll of drums triggers a waspish lure of riffs, each wave coming with a web of toxic grooves and barb loaded hooks. It is a sensational start soon joining a tide of eager intensity and melodic spicing. As elsewhere, there is a gang feel to the presentation and energy of the song, a united front taking on all-comers whilst like an arrogant peacock it simultaneously expels sonic and melodic colours to seduce all before.
Closing with the maybe less dramatic and gripping but no less enjoyable Prophesick, the EP comes to a great imposing end. The last track puts on its heaviest rhythmic boots and harries and batters ears with belligerent enterprise and heart and without lighting the same fires as earlier songs, it still unreservedly pleases as it completes what is an excellent and refreshing proposition.
It is hard to do anything but heartily recommend First Gear; yes maybe originality is not high on the agenda but it twists established weaponry into a ferocious and riveting storm which quite honestly leaves most other similarly bred offerings in the shade.
The First Gear EP is available via Just For Fun Records now and digitally @ http://onelastshotofficial.bandcamp.com/releases
https://www.facebook.com/onelastshotofficial
RingMaster 07/01/2015
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