Bullets And Octane – Riot Riot Rock N Roll

With US hard rockers Bullets And Octane you pretty much know what you are going to get, spirit rousing air punching rock ‘n’ roll yet that familiarity has not prevented each of their albums evolving a sound increasingly slapping down  its own individual character and roar; one which certainly has got deeply under our skins, as for so many others. Riot Riot Rock N Roll is no exception, the band’s new album living up to its title with relish to be the most aggressive and compelling offering from them yet.

Predecessor Waking Up Dead stirred a whole new width of global attention with its release two years back and led to 5 European Tours and a US tour for the St. Louis originating quartet as well as shows with the likes of CKY and numerous festival appearances. Bullets and Octane did extensive touring for the album while opening slots for CKY and festival appearances at Malmo Festival in Sweden and Call Of The Wild in the UK only built upon an already rabid fan base. During that time on the road the band wrote their new album and you cannot help feeling that the adrenaline of such intensive gigging has been an inspiration to the almost pugnacious energy and lusty boisterousness behind Riot Riot Rock N Roll.

The album drives in on a barrage of beats, each a bitch slap on the senses as riffs equally gear up for the attack of its title track. When it erupts full force it is a demandingly infectious affair; an immediately gripping groove wrapping a contagion only accentuated by the familiar and rousing tones of vocalist Gene Louis. The infection is in full virulence across the quickly erupting chorus, gang vocals adding to the anthemic incitement as the track’s manipulation descended upon and used body and vocal chords like a puppet. The song is superb, guitarist Felipe Rodrigo casting web of hook littered temptation as the rhythms of bassist Zachary Kibbee and drummer Jonny Udell direct the rousing affray.

The stunning start is quickly matched by new single Ain’t Gonna Be Your Dog a song co-written with ex-Buckcherry guitarist Keith Nelson. It too instantly had a firm grip on attention, its vocal and sonic blast taking hold to pave the way for a subsequent more controlled but no less captivating stroll equipped with senses clipping riffs and crisp beats.  That reserve also hugs Louis’ vocals though unsurprisingly it only leads to a chorus which erupts like a fire dosed up with gasoline before the cycle returns with fiercer melodic flaming and boisterous catchiness.

The Devil springs its robust rock ‘n’ roll on ears next, riffs and beats colluding with a meaty appetite inflaming bassline as again vocals anthemically holler. As with the previous pair, there is no escaping the call and want to join its howl and swing to its creative clamour before Give Me A Reason brings something akin to pop punk meets alternative rock infection to its hard rock shuffle. Four tracks in and each has trespassed the passions with individual voices and enterprise, a trait just as potent within the deviously addictive As The Bombs Fall. Reminding a little of UK’s own Senton Bombs, the track also fuses rock pop catchiness to its muscular stomp; rhythms a punchy manipulation in the voracious bait offered and again devoured.

A touch of glam rock is courted by next up Addicted To Outrage, old school rock ‘n’ roll also embraced by its instincts as the predacious song prowls ears before swinging to its own viral dynamics and exploits to breed another major highlight which Heaven Can Wait matches with a less intimidating but no less aggressive saunter bound in lively hooks and melodic dexterity all matched by the vocal prowess of Louis and the band.

From its first surprise carrying breath Chaos was manna to the ears, the track a boozy, body swinging flirtation that infested the passions like a Central European enchantress with all the fire and vitality of a warrior. It sealed favourite track in mere moments, bawling at and romping with anyone around it leaving Rooftop Tears plenty to do to pick up an exhausted companion which it surely did in no time as Kibbee’s heavily breathed bassline stomped through ears amidst the similarly tempting sentiment loaded tones of Louis. There is a touch of Grumpynators to the track which only added to its pull and the rock ‘n’ roll pleasure feasted upon.

The album comes to a close with Lost Crazy Psycho, a track with a title that tells you all you need to know about the slice of galvanic schizo rock quickly leading the listener into inhibition free shenanigans. It is also another song which revels in the craft and imagination of a band which has uncaged their most eclectic and unique not forgetting thrilling album yet.

So do you really want to miss out on the riot?

Riot Riot Rock N Roll is out April 24^th via Bad MoFo Records / Cargo Records across most online stores.

https://www.bulletsmusic.com/   https://www.facebook.com/bulletsandoctane/   https://twitter.com/Bullets_And_O

Pete RingMaster 24/04/2020

Copyright RingMasterReview: MyFreeCopyright

Bullets And Octane – Waking Up Dead

Though a name familiar to a great many, attention on the UK side of The Pond did not particularly have Bullets And Octane as a concentrated spot on its radar despite some ear grabbing, appetising inciting releases since the band emerged in 2003. That was until the LA based outfit played a venue ripping tour over here last year with our own fine middle finger raising rockers Hung Like Jack supporting. It has sparked fresh interest and in turn real anticipation for the US rockers’ new album Waking Up Dead which we seriously expect to be embracing rigorous attention upon release. It is a beast of an album, rock ‘n’ roll in its most rapacious and rousing form and without doubt Bullets And Octane in their finest moment.

From the release of their debut EP, One Night Stand Rock N Roll Band in 2003, the St. Louis originating quartet has been on a hungry ride towards acclaim and attention. Their Gilby Clark of Guns And Roses produced first album, The Revelry started the growing appetite for their emergence, each of their subsequent seven albums escalating the temptation, including breakthrough album In The Mouth Of The Young, alongside a live presence which has seen the sharing of stages at shows and festivals with the likes of Avenged Sevenfold, Korn, Stone Sour, Flyleaf, Deftones, Unwritten Law, Gunfire 76, Social Distortion, Eagles Of Death Metal and many more over the years. Now we would suggest they are facing their biggest year and time yet with the release of the Brent Clawson (Wednesday 13, Hell or Highwater, The Knives) produced, recorded, mixed and mastered Waking Up Dead, a slab of devilry declaring that hard rock spun rock ‘n’ roll has never been healthier or more fun.

As soon as Bad Mother Fucker launches its attitude loaded stomp off of a warning siren, it has to said, ears and appetite were swiftly gripped; a hold tightening as the track almost stalks ears with riffs and grooves whilst stirring up the spirit with its contagious roar. Vocalist Gene Louis hollers at its heart with energy and contempt, the band’s united calls supporting his incitement as the swinging beats of Jonny Udell punch and Zachary Kibbee’s bass magnetically grumbles.

A raucously irresistible start to the album aflame with the wiry tendrils of Felipe Rodrigo’s guitar, the track sets the anthemic template for things to come and is quickly embraced by the album’s following title track. Guitar and mass incitement instantly draws ears into the almost as immediate blaze of the song, its pulsating stroll and fiery sonic flames surging straight to the instincts to rock out. There is a devious craft and imagination to the song though, predacious twists and tenacious clamours uniting in its spirit rousing exploits.

The calmer but no less lusty When We Were Young has the body bouncing again, it’s gripping hard rock nurtured canter almost poppy but all raw bustle and bite while Burning at Both Wicks jabs and snaps at the senses from its first touch, takes the listener on a bold hard rock infested ride thereon in. As the whole of the album, the songs blend the familiar with the boldly fresh in their individual escapades, each nagging to get under the skin riff by hook and hitting their target in swift time. It really was impossible not to offer up one’s own vocal and physical participation across the whole of Waking Up Dead as proven yet again by the simply captivating Fires. As its predecessor, there is a touch of Fall Out Boy meets Grumpynators to the track with a whiff of Turbonegro, a spicing which slipped through our ears like nectar.

All the same, every song within the album is stamped Bullets And Octane through to the core, the likes of the melodically aflame Fuck You Song and Murder Me Baby with its predatory prowl and salacious swing diverse proof. Neither track quite hit the personal spot as those around them actually but the fact they had us rocking and pressing replay with perpetually fresh lust shows the might of the rest of the album.

The final trio of tracks keep the stomping and thick enjoyment flying, Rolling Stone casting a ‘mellow’, in comparison to other songs, incitement which only needed a clutch of seconds to bypass inhibitions before Hostage seduced the body into a subservient sway. Even with its relative composure, the song is an insatiable rocker increasing its boisterousness and the listener’s involvement by the minute.

Heart Attack completes the release, the track maybe the best of the lot though it is hard to choose. Hooks and grooves ensnare as rhythms jab, vocals stoking up devilment and alone further involvement; the four prong rock ‘n’ roll attack as manipulative as it is simply balls swinging revelry. A great album deserves a thunderous end and Waking Up Dead certainly gets that though its whole body is a galvanic storm of rock ‘n’ roll; a tempest of pleasure we can only suggest, wherever you are, you should unleash your rocker instincts upon.

Waking Up Dead is released May 25^th through Bad MoFo Records/Cargo Records.

https://www.bulletsmusic.com/   https://www.facebook.com/bulletsandoctane

Pete RingMaster 23/05/2018

Copyright RingMaster: MyFreeCopyright