Here’s yet another desperate attempt to clear my ”To Be Checked” list. There’s just too much interesting music released these days! And I can’t say that I have a diverse taste in music, I just try to keep up with what’s happening in this melodic rock genre mostly. If I was one of those ”Oh I like all kinds of music”-types I would have lost my mind many years ago! I know, there’s probably a diagnosis for this type of behavior, but I doubt there’s medication for it.
First up, there’s WHITE SKIES from the UK. They released their first album ”Black Tide” in 2022, and I think I heard it back then and have a sort of a positive memory of it, but that’s about it. What we have now playing in the speakers is ”Shouting At The Hurricane”, their second effort. For some reason, I initially thought that this was a younger band, but having done my research I now know that most of the guys come from the thriving 80’s British hard rock/AOR scene and have played in bands like Samson, Ya Ya, Sam Thunder, First Strike and AOK, to name a few.
There’s definitely something very British in these songs. I can’t pinpoint what it is, maybe it’s some kind of a down-to-earth attitude and rawness, although at the same time these songs are well produced and polished. Anyway, Mick White’s raspy vocals are superb throughout the album and I like the guitar work and subtle keyboards and everything… but the songs could have used more hooks. After a few spins there’s one song that really stands out - ”Righteous Zone” has a truly excellent chorus. Otherwise this is well-done, enjoyable hard rock but somewhat forgettable. With this much talent in the band, I am sure that they can come up with a killer album one day. RRR.
I’ve liked CRASHDÏET since their first release. ”Art Of Chaos” is their 7th album so far, and the first with John Elliot on vocals. Guitarist Martin Sweet is the only member left of the line-up that recorded the first album, and now he’s the sole songwriter on this album.
For whatever the reason, ”Art Of Chaos” (RRRr) isn’t one of the better Crashdïet albums, but it isn’t the worst either. There are several good songs, like ”Silent Place”, ”Quitter” and ”Sick Enough For Me”, but I’m not sure whether any of those would be in my ”Top 20 Crashdïet songs” list. Maybe this is a bit of a transitional album, now that the band’s gone through the latest line-up and label changes?
And moving on… no, apparently we’re stuck in Sweden. ERIK GRÖNWALL has released his first album of original songs since leaving Skid Row, and ”Bad Bones” (RRRRr) is rather brilliant! With a little help from the likes of Jona Tee (H.E.A.T.), Anders Wickstöm (Treat) and Erik Mårtensson (Eclipse) he has come up with a selection of songs that shouldn’t disappoint any fan of his work in H.E.A.T.
My favourites are ”Born To Break”, ”Praying For A Miracle”, ”Lost For Life”, ”Twisted Lullaby” and the very poignant ballad ”Written In The Scars”. Hey, that’s half of the album! I guess that alone says something.
Just to make sure that this blog entry isn’t dominated by the Swedes, let’s have something from Puerto Rico, okay? MATTADOR is the band, and ”III” is their comeback album. During their first run in the late eighties and early nineties they released two albums, of which I am familiar with ”Save Us From Ourselves”. I had it back then, but eventually sold the CD. Now that is available for streaming, I have checked it again and it has its’ moments, maybe I shouldn’t have sold it.
Mattador were never a straight-ahead AOR or Hard Rock band, but with ”III” they’re spreading their wings even more. The first three songs are heavier than before, slightly reminding me of Queensrÿche. Then they go into AOR mode for the next two tracks, only to switch into Zeppelin mode for ”Crawling”. Then a funky, melodic rock style for ”Some Kind Of Crazy”, which is followed by a bit Guns’n Roses-like ballad. ”Portal” is an instrumental in the style of the first few songs, while ”Slow Down” reminds me of Kik Tracee. ”No Way Out” closes the album in Queensrÿche style again.
The band is obviously talented and ambitious, but for me this is album is a bit all over the place. ”III” gets ”RRR”.
I guess it doesn’t come as a surprise that we go back to Sweden for the next act? THE DEVIL WEARS NADA have released their second album, which I’ve been waiting for with high expectations, after hearing their great single ”Last Forever” some time ago. ”In Lust We Thrust” (RRRRR) does not disappoint, clearly the single wasn’t an accident. The band can churn out that kind of catchy bangers one after another it seems. While I can hear the 80s influences, The Devil Wears Nada doesn’t sound as retro as some of the other bands. What’s more, they’re still young guys so there’s hope for melodic rock! The genre needs bands like this.
The songs such as the aforementioned ”Last Forever”, ”Misery In The Room” and ”Elephant in The Room” should be all over rock radio, this is the kind of music that could cross genre borders and appeal to masses. There’s really no weak tracks here, and I have to give extra points for the lyrics, some of which are quite clever and different. Check out the horror story ”Dead & Breakfast” for instance… I wonder how Lordi hasn’t thought of that title already?
This is my favourite album of 2026 so far, and I have a feeling that It’ll still be at least among the top 3 once this year is over. Now, what are you waiting for, go and check it out!
