Page 29 - Black Velvet Rock Magazine Issue 114

BV114 albums pg29.qxp_BV114 pg 29 11/06/2026 21:38 Page 1

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and boasts two quite in- cious, while ‘One Of The another epic, while ‘Hell & ily friendly, look no further
credible guitar solos from Boys’, released as a single Back’ wouldn’t be out of than 'Dance, Kid, Dance',
Tyler, backed perfectly by at the end of March, is place on a Skid Row 'Safe And Sound' and
Ricky Hodgkiss on bass super catchy; one to get album. 'Deep End', which deliver
and Ed Evans on drums you up out of your seat. The final track of the this in large amounts and
and also a fifth instrument ‘Rotten’ is fun, complete 10-track release, ‘Written are sure to become high-
of James' vocals or wails with ‘Oi Oi’s; toe-tappingly In The Scars’, is both vul- lights of their live shows.
and screams which en- catchy, while ‘No More’ has nerable and powerful at the But where Shinedown
hance these instrumental an anti-war feel, with a same time. With violins, vi- excel is when they tug at
pieces to a remarkable dirty, rabid air. It’s a look at olas, cellos and double the heart strings. When
level. It's been a two-and- current day events with bass, the song is a four- they provide songs that tar-
JAYLER a-half-year wait for Jayler wars going on. ‘War – what minute, gently rising opus. get raw, real, human emo-
VOICES UNHEARD to follow up their debut EP, is it good for? Absolutely Overall, it’s an exceptional tion and offer comfort and
(SILVER LINING MUSIC) 'A Piece In Our Time', and nothing’, CJ steals from album release, one that strength to those going
Take one quarter coun- it's been more than worth Edwin Starr. ‘Twenty Two’ many music fans have through these experiences,
try and western, one quar- the wait. With 10 more orig- is an exciting expedition of prayed for. they just seem to get better
ter 80s hair metal, one half inal songs, they already musicians on the road. YYYYY and better at it with age.
indie music and add a dash have a catalogue which will ‘Here we go, here we go, Shari Black Velvet 'Three Six Five' already
of blues and roots and be the envy of many. In we’re heading for the turned on the tears in the
Hendrix and the results 'Hate To See It End', show,’ CJ sings, looking build-up to the release of
may surprise you. These James cries ‘We don't have back to the year 2022 'EI8HT' and, while its story
are the ingredients James to be what they don't want when he went out on tour of loss and grief tops the
Bartholomew and Tyler Ar- us to be’ and, with this with Scott Sorry and Grand billing here, 'So Glad That
rowsmith told Black Velvet record, Jayler are exactly Theft Audio. The final track You Asked' and its tale of
comprise Jayler, but the what they should be. of the album, ‘Fade’, fol- mental health is a very
second their debut album YYYYY lows the sad loss of CJ’s close second. And, despite
'Voices Unheard' kicks into Michael Coventry parents, with the musician being overshadowed,
gear with 'Down Below' it reminiscing about times 'Searchlight' is still pure
may not be the taste you'd with them and how they brilliance and, while maybe
expect. Instead of what- had dementia in their old not as motivational, 'Wide
ever you might predict from age. The song ends with a SHINEDOWN Open' is set to become a
these influences, you get a recording of CJ saying ‘I EI8HT hidden gem of their CV.
sound which comes love you’. It’s very heartfelt. (ATLANTIC) Overall, 'EI8HT' is the
straight from the 70s and The 10-track album is US stars Shinedown sound of one of rock’s most
will instantly remind you of a release that CJ can be have pulled out all the established bands of the
some of rock's all-time very proud of, and we, stops to make their eighth century firing on all cylin-
greats and one or two of most definitely, love every- studio album a real cele- ders and showing the world
your favourites, but equally, thing about it. bration for their fans, treat- they've still got lots more to
there is something distinc- YYYYY ing them to no less than 18 give.
tive which makes their po- CJ WILDHEART Shari Black Velvet new tracks and over an YYYYY
tential all the more special. DEViL hour of Shinedown good- Michael Coventry
There is no escaping that (CJ WILDHEART) ERIK GRÖNWALL ness. ‘EI8HT’ sees Shine-
at the heart of this distinc- CJ Wildheart, best BAD BONES down doing what they do DEAD PONY
tiveness are the vocals of known as a founding mem- (GREENWALL ENTER- best, and in some cases a EAT MY DUST!
the aforementioned James ber of The Wildhearts, lives TAINMENT) little better than ever be- (ADA)
Bartholomew which helps and breathes punk rock ‘n’ “I’ve had the honour of fore. 'At The Bottom' very Scottish four-piece
make Jayler sound like roll. ‘DEViL’ is his 8th solo fronting some great bands, much sets the tone. An in- Dead Pony welcome you to
nothing else you'll likely album, which saw him work but now it’s time to tell my troduction which is almost ‘Eat My Dust!’ and, after
hear from a quartet of early with long-time friend and own story,” Sweden’s Erik Broadway-esque, but, one taste and you’ll be
20-something-year-olds in producer Dave Draper Grönwall said, before the when it really kicks in, it is begging for more. The six-
2026. But, make no mis- again, and Jason Bowld on release of his solo album, very much off to the races. track EP opens with ‘What
take, the guitar skills of drums. While CJ says he ‘Bad Bones’. His career 'EI8HT' is an album from a If?’, which sees front-
Tyler are just as important. struggled to find the drive has seen him fronting band that knows what woman Anna Shields ask,
And they do like a healthy for this one, you definitely H.E.A.T., Skid Row, and they’re doing and what ‘What if I’m still not good
dollop of mouth organ too can’t sense that when lis- touring as the vocalist for their fans like, but there is enough?’ – but this is not
which, as we all know, usu- tening to it. The album is an Michael Schenker, but now, a hint of something a little something that the band
ally makes any song sound energetic blast of life in full the spotlight is truly on him, different which, in time, will need to question. Songs
better. 'Voices Unheard' is glory. Opening with ‘Nein, and him alone. make this album stand out such as the title track and
an absolute rip-roaring Nein, Nein’, a fast and flo- Opening with the im- in their impressive musical ‘Freak Like Me’ are high-in-
blast from start to finish. ral, in-your-face call to pressive ‘Born To Break’, catalogue. 'Burning Down tensity workouts for your
'Down Below' sets the tone arms; it’s both passionate Erik shows that he has def- The Disco' sees ever-pre- ears. The four-piece are a
but 'Riverboat Queen' and and riotous. CJ’s vocals initely turned from a ‘whis- sent lead singer Brent creative force, melding a
'Need Your Love' maintain are razor-rough, akin to old per to a scream’. He’s risen Smith adapt an almost nu- mix of genres into each
the pace and comprise as skool punk rock that up in the ranks, thanks to metal approach to deliver- song – there are pum-
good an opening trio to an doesn’t give a damn and his immense talent and ing his lyrics for the verses, melling drums and bass,
album as you'll ever hear. A stands up loudly and hard work. ‘Born To Break’ before the chorus explodes infiltrated electronics, nu-
deeper dig into the album proudly. The melodic ‘The is a solid rocker, with Erik into an earworm you'll be metal melodies, plus
reveals more stunning Art Of Being Free’ sees CJ singing ‘I’m gonna be humming for some time Anna’s highly captivating
treats which establish the sing ‘I’ve got to get away, stronger than ever’. This after. The same can be vocals are hauntingly
band as one to watch. 'Bit- get away from here. If I had song definitely shows his said for 'Machine Gun', serene. ‘Fury’ is a fuzzy
tersweet' is simply James to stay, I think I’d lose my strength. It’s a powerhouse where Zach Myers’ guitar blur of fun. The band en-
and an acoustic guitar and mind’. He tells it how it is of a song, fueled with metal work borders on pop-punk sure that every track either
is just beautiful. There is no with a sing-along chorus, guitars and Erik’s striking to help deliver another kicks ass with a load of
other word worthy to de- revealing that he’s ‘Got a vocals. ‘Praying For A Mir- wonderfully addictive foot- savage energy, or embod-
scribe this near five and a lot of life in me. I perform acle’, a personal song for stomper. But it's when ies an emerging flame that
half minutes of pure bliss. on energy’ - and that Erik, is melodic rock Shinedown do what they burns brightly. The band
This is followed by 'Hate To comes across in the song heaven, while ‘Who’s The do best where they truly are on target to take over
See It End' and 'Over The and throughout the whole Winner’ is a majestic, the- shine. When it comes to the world.
Mountain', where the throt- album. ‘Diva’ is very punky atrical, piano-driven mas- barn-burning rock tracks YYYYY
tle is torn wide open again and rowdy, sneering and vi- terpiece. ‘Lost For Life’ is that remain somewhat fam- Shari Black Velvet
ALBUMS