Page 26 - Black Velvet Rock Magazine Issue 113

BV113 Albums p26.qxp_BV113 pg 04/12/2025 20:43 Page 1

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YYYYY Excellent YYYY Very Good YYY Good
YY Listenable, Just Y Poor

is an example of a band softer side in 'You Want It the inclusion of saxophone softer side, and is a magi-
not resting on their laurels, All' and, even more so, in in the guitar solo and the cal showcase of a rock
taking all the lessons they album closer, 'I'm Coming aforementioned 'Night Of voice destined to go much
have learnt and using them For You', a real tearjerker Passion' has some great further than her native
to better themselves and, which succeeds with the synth touches, while 'Body- shores.
surely, moving Halestorm level of emotion packed rock' closes the record with YYYY
ever closer to the top of the into vocalist Lauri Ylönen's a quite sublime twisting tor- Michael Coventry
rock music mountain. It's words. ‘Every promise that nado of a guitar solo that
appropriate that 'How Will I left in the wind, keeps re- will have you believing it's DELILAH BON
You Remember Me?' minding me of all I've lost’ the mid-80s again. PRINCELESS PRINCESS
closes the album because really hits home. While YYYY (TRASH QUEEN)
HALESTORM the answer is, more than 'Weirdo' may not contain Michael Coventry From the brain of for-
EVEREST ever, with the greatest of another mega hit to bring mer Hands Off Gretel front-
(ATLANTIC) affection and respect. these Fins back to every- CASSIDY PARIS woman Lauren Tate,
Say what you want YYYYY one's attention, it is cer- BITTERSWEET Delilah Bon is Lauren’s
about Pennsylvanian quar- Michael Coventry tainly a reminder to those (FRONTIERS) alter-ego, born out of the
tet Halestorm, but no one who think they know them Sophomore albums need to ignite female em-
can deny the graft they that they should think are a notoriously tricky powerment and take a
have put in since their self- again. business. Often, they can stance against certain
titled debut album rocked YYYY make or break a music ca- men’s behaviour. Lauren
into our lives in 2009, Michael Coventry reer. The good news for ris- truly is an artist with, not
which makes the title of the ing Aussie star Cassidy just talent, but awareness
new record so fitting as CHEZ KANE Paris is she has more than and guts, and she is much
they have literally been RECKLESS nailed the task with 'Bitter- needed in today’s society.
climbing rock's mountain (FRONTIERS) sweet’, an album that is Delilah Bon’s latest EP,
with every step since, with- You shouldn't judge a 100% sweet and 0% bitter PRINCELESS
out taking any shortcuts. book by its cover, they say, in every regard. Cassidy PRINCESS’, sees the title
The closer to the summit but, in some cases, every- was still in her teens when track challenging the idea
you get, the harder the THE RASMUS thing you need to know is her debut album, 'New that women need a Prince
climb becomes and the WEIRDO right there. This is abso- Sensation', turned heads Charming. Delilah pulls
temptation to take an eas- (BETTER NOISE - PLAY- lutely the case with British two years ago and it's re- from fairytales and rips
ier route becomes greater, GROUND MUSIC) melodic rocker Chez markable how much her them to shreds, forming in-
but Halestorm have not Highlights of The Ras- Kane’s third studio album, music has matured in that stead, powerful, inspiring
done this and, rather than mus’s career include 'Reckless', the cover boast- short time. The debut was narratives for today’s fe-
stick to the tried-and-tested shooting to fame with 2003 ing Chez in a more-than- very much an ode to 80s males to consider. Delilah
format or roll the dice with mega single 'In The Shad- revealing leotard, power rock and the new sings, ‘I don’t need no
something different, they ows' and, more recently, stockings, lace gloves and record sees that same prince to save me’ and ‘No
have taken an even representing their country big hair. If this doesn't give DNA infused with a whop- hassle, no assholes’. Her
tougher path, they have in the 2022 Eurovision you a clear idea of what is ping dollop of pop rock, blend of grunge rock, hip-
simply amplified every- Song Contest with to come, then the opening which means 'Bittersweet' hop and rap is striking, as
thing. Their previous work 'Jezebel'. However, seconds of the title track is a delicious taste of rock she creates ingenious lyri-
has always been packed 'Weirdo' is their 11th studio will confirm it. Massive, music from a young artist cal acrobatics that stand up
with heart and soul, but album and the band have melodic guitar riffs and who is more than living up against outdated, old-fash-
'Everest' truly has more, been consistently produc- soaring 80s-inspired vocals to the promise she dis- ioned traditions. ‘CIN-
which is summed up in the ing an impressive standard for Chez and, quite simply, played on her first album. DERELLA’ is explained by
title track, where the in- of goth-infused rock for a good time for everyone, While the music may have Delilah as being, ‘about the
credible Lzzy Hale cries, over 30 years. 'Weirdo' because Chez more than changed in the last few men online that threaten
‘Knowing I won't ever rest, continues this trend. Open- delivers with party banger years, one thing that has me whenever I sing about
until my dying breath, 'til I ing songs 'Creatures Of after party banger. It will not is Cassidy's voice. That women’s issues… Fuck
have nothing left’. To better Chaos' and 'Break These come as no surprise that voice ensures she stands you’. Delilah holds nothing
explain the notion of the Chains', the latter featuring Crazy Lixx frontman Danny out from the crowd and will back as she reveals, ‘While
band amplifying everything Niko Vilhelm of Blind Chan- Rexon has played a signif- grant her the permission to you defend the rapist, I
we have enjoyed before, nel, are very much in keep- icant part in the writing and establish herself as one of wanna make him suffer’.
imagine 'Dear Daughter' ing with the producing of 'Reckless' as the all-time greats in time. ‘BUSH’, with its deep, tribal
with more passion and you aforementioned songs that his band’s DNA is all over She truly is that good. But beat, prompts a big smile
have 'Like A Woman Can'; the band's reputation was the record, but Chez's a voice is not enough on its as Delilah feistily sings, ‘I
'Amen' with more foot greatly built on, but, as the unique talents mean that, own. You need the songs wanna see the women
stomping and crowd chant- album unfolds, you dis- while this will be a sure-fire and musicianship and 'Bit- bring the bush back’. She
ing and you've got 'Rain cover what their fanbase hit with all fans of the tersweet' has both. spits at how ‘All the worms
Your Blood On Me’; 'Love already knows, that they genre, it also stands on its Throughout the 13 songs they be wantin’ girls so
Bites (So Do I)' with more are so much more than own unique footing. Sure, on offer, there are more young, they don’t like it
venom and rage and this. The title track is a the subject matter is a little catchy guitar riffs than you when a woman is a
Halestorm give you cracker, blessed by the vo- repetitive, the likes of 'Night can count and numerous woman, they just want a
'WATCH OUT!'; 'Here's To cals of Lee Jennings from Of Passion', 'Strip Me cracking songs which will woman looking like a
Us' with more celebration The Funeral Portrait. It is a Down', 'Tongue of Love' guarantee future live woman from the waist up’.
and there is 'How Will You thought-provoking, won- and 'Love Tornado' are shows as unmissable. It is a song that definitely
Remember Me?'; and 'Fa- derful piece of music which pretty much exactly what 'Wannabe' is a wonderful provokes wholehearted
miliar Taste of Poison' with motivates the mind and you would expect, and will slice of pop punk, 'Give Me agreement. Delilah Bon is
more chills and goose- senses in equal measures. likely be a touch too much Your Love' is a great an- so outspoken, so artistic
bumps and you have 'Dark- Even better is 'Banksy', a for some. However, a them, which will generate a and creative, and so very
ness Always Wins', fantastic piece of pop punk closer listen will reveal sub- huge singalong when per- much needed in the world
arguably the peak of 'Ever- which is boosted by the vo- tle differences which help formed live, 'Stronger' is a today.
est', where the skills of Joe cals of guitarist Emilia the songs shine individu- big, fat slab of classic rock, YYYYY
Hottinger on guitar shine Suhonen. At the other end, ally. The title track is while 'Can't Let Go' stands Shari Black Velvet
the brightest. 'Everest' truly The Rasmus show us their boosted considerably by out, showing Cassidy's
ALBUMS