ALBUM REVIEW: Wayward Sons bring the boom on Ghosts of Yet To Come

WE have always had a large amount of admiration for Toby Jepson - his work with Gun, Little Angels and solo recording, not to mention his production credits. When news filtered through that he had assembled a new band thoughts turned to whether he could remain at the top of his game with Wayward Sons.

But when you have rockers of the calibre of Sam Wood, Nic Wastell, Dave Kemp and Phil Martini you have the collective experience of not only Jepson's bands, but a resumé that includes Spear of Destiny, Treason Kings and Chrome Molly brought to bear.

Thus their début album 'Ghosts of Yet To Come' is a true hard rocking release that recalls the 90s, with more than a smidgeon of a tip of the hat to classic acts from the 70s and 80s.

Throughout the riffs and melodies are to the fore, especially on the immense track 'Ghost' and the mid-pace rollick of 'I Don't Want to Go'.

What makes it an enjoyable album is that they are not as clichéd as many of their contemporaries; sure they are treading a similar path, and they nod to their predecessors for example the likes of 'Give It Away' has echoes of The Fountains of Wayne 'Stacy's Mom'.

The album is a trip through memories, but brought right up to date. Jepson is as always giving every ounce into his performance, but with Wood to as a foil the solidity of the songs is clear. And Toby's social stance is present on the likes of 'Small Talk' - a refreshing diversion from others more bland rock lyrics: "I was born into Thatcher's Disaster" is a memorable line.

Many will have the benefit of having samples of the album through the band's decision to release a series of their tracks (four in total) on YouTube, but they should merely be an encouragement to buy this album.

The urgent melodies of 'Crush' are just a flavour of what the rest of the tracks offer (see video below).

For fans of true hard rock this is an essential buy. Unfortunately they won't be with Inglorious in Belfast, unlike other parts of the tour, but hopefully they will land in Northern Ireland soon to give us all a treat with their melodic boom.

Review by Jonathan Traynor

NEWS: Wayward Sons set for album release - video released

FROM being solo artist, band member and producer Toby Jepson has moved on to his next project, and it's a pretty exciting one for lover of hard rock...here's the blurb:

Wayward Sons are delighted to announce the release of their debut album “Ghosts Of Yet To Come” on the 15th September through Frontiers Music Srl.

 Wayward Sons is a UK guitar act made up of Toby Jepson (Vocals/Guitar), Sam Wood (Guitar), Nic Wastell (Bass), Dave Kemp (Keys) and Phil Martini (Drums). They have an impressive resume of groups they have previously worked with – Little Angels, Gun, Spear Of Destiny, Treason Kings and Chrome Molly to name a few - which is reassuring in terms of the band as players, but doesn’t really hint at their sound. Wayward Sons sound nothing like the sum of their parts. The music is hard rock but mixed with a vitality and energy – both musically and lyrically.

The band is set to release four videos to support single releases. The videos together will make one short film. You can see the first video (for debut single 'Until The End') below.

'Ghosts Of Yet To Come' is a hugely accomplished debut album – as might be expected. From the staccato riffing of 'Give It Away' to the melodic intro of first single 'Until The End', from the hard rock of 'Ghosts' to 4/4 rock of 'Don’t Wanna Go', the album sounds familiar yet of its own.

Toby Jepson had the basis of songs written when the band formed. Together they then took these rough song ideas and forged their own sound. Lyrically the album sees Jepson treading a far more personal line than some of his previous output.

“I feel I have unfinished business, stories still left to tell, points to make, noise to create, all of the above... besides, it wasn't a choice, more of a need. My intention is very simple. I want to write about what makes me tick; about what I believe in. Hopefully you will believe in it too. It will be warts and all,” says Jepson.

The album was produced by Wayward Sons (Toby Jepson’s previous credits as a songwriter and producer include the likes of Katie Melua, The Virgin Marys, The Answer and Toseland) and Chris D’Adda (Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds).

“Ghosts Of Yet To Come” will at turns surprise, beguile and inspire…

ALBUM REVIEW: Chrome Molly re-kindle the magic on Hoodoo Voodoo

WAY back in the long ago mystical times called the '80s' there was this thing referred to as the 'New Wave Of British Heavy Metal'. Always a slightly awkward nomenclature, it nevertheless became a handy name to categorise a clatter of bands under.

Just before thrash outdid the album sales of many of the acts UK rockers Chrome Molly were selling out the Marquee Club (look it up youngsters) and headlining CBGBs in NYC.

After stalling for a while as fashions ebbed and flowed in 2016 Chrome Molly were back on the road with the Graham Bonnet Band including a Belfast show.

As promised on that date Chrome Molly have released their sixth studio album, 'Hoodoo Voodoo' and it is chock full of riffage appropriate for the band's vintage.

For some many the likes of 'Some Kind of Voodoo' will sound a little dated, but this blog is called Belfastmetalheadsreunited! Echoing with the kinds of songs that had us rocking along to Rainbow it takes the template and brings it bang up to date.

Sure, you'll hear all the influences of the likes of Rainbow, Priest, Maiden and Leppard throughout, and the band even play on that with namechecks of the acts on the song 'Pillars of Creation (Albion). If the bands on this track aren't in your collection then you need some serious revision.

The entire album has melodic metal (not the melodic death/black melodies), nicely balanced solos and choruses, and a tight idea behind each song.

There is one song that sits a bit out of place. 'Now That Those Days Have Gone' is a Poison-like ballad and could have been beefed up a little...

Thankfully the following track redeems all, with 'Indestrucible' a well thought out take on Maiden et al.

The band have said that while it isn't a concept album as such, they wanted 'Hoodoo Voodoo' to echo the glory days of the NWOBHM, and they have more than achieved that.

Steve Hawkins (vocals) said: “We wanted to make an album that made us feel like we did in the ‘80’s, one that you can turn up in the car and sing along and play air drums and guitar to.”

Does it achieve that? Well for those of a certain vintage it most certainly does, conjuring up memories of sitting in friends houses, sneaking illicit swigs of beer and comparing band's strengths and weaknesses.

'Rock For You' perfectly captures those feelings, but will a younger audience, now attuned to the various extremes of modern metal 'get it'? If they want to understand the origins of much of what inspired the acts that broke through in the mid to late 80s from the US and Europe then this is an excellent primer (and you'll get an idea of the type of sounds that created all the power metal...).

For the rest of us over 40s and early 50s types this is an album to just wallow in. As the last notes of 'Dial F for Freakshow' fade the repeat button gets hit...leather jackets, cut-offs, tight jeans, white high top gutties, plastic bottles of cider with lager mixed in, and walking tall and proud are but a memory, but one that we can re-live every day and 'Hoodoo Voodoo' makes all the years wandering in the wilderness worthwhile. Welcome back Chrome Molly.

NEWS: Chrome Molly getting set for release of Hoodoo Voodoo on EarMusic

REMEMBER back in November, when Graham Bonnet played Belfast? If you do, and you were on of the types that actually make it in for the support bands you will recall that Chrome Molly opened the evening's festivities.

As promised on that evening the new album, Hoodoo Voodoo, is set to be released on January 27th, via EarMusic.

Chrome Molly made a bid for stardom in the mid to late 1980’s, opening for Alice Cooper and Ozzy Osbourne amongst many others, playing the legendary Marquee Club over 20 times and headlining the CBGB in New York.

How do you take a band that has been performing and recording since 1983 forward? By going back to what you love – riff laden melodic metal with tons of delicious guitar solos that make you want to grab your air guitar and join in.

That is what Chrome Molly have achieved with this, their sixth studio album 'Hoodoo Voodoo'.

Hoodoo Voodoo draws on the bands core influences. Formed during the latter half of the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal scene, the Mollies were always inspired by the great metal bands and this album is something of a tribute to those acts – you might hear Priest, UFO, early Leppard, Saxon, Rainbow and myriad others echoing through the album.

While not strictly a concept album, the original idea was to create an album that conjured up the magic of listening to the great bands of the ‘80’s, with the riffs and tunes that shaped the band.

Inspired by a friend who asked why bands don’t go in and make albums like they did in the old days, backing tracks were played live and much sweat was poured.

Steve Hawkins (vocals) said: “We wanted to make an album that made us feel like we did in the ‘80’s, one that you can turn up in the car and sing along and play air drums and guitar to.”

Tracklisting:
1. In The Beginning
2. Can't Be Afraid Of The Dark
3. Some Kind Of Voodoo
4. Pillars Of Creation (Albion)
5. Now That Those Days Have Gone
6. Indestructible
7. Save Me
8. Rock For You
9. Feeling Pressurised
10. Dial 'F' For Freakshow

LIVE REVIEW: Graham Bonnet blasts out the hits of yesteryear and looks forward to the next chapter

CLASSIFIED as a veteran of the hard rock Graham Bonnet carries himself as if he was just another singer paying his dues on stage, earning plaudits through performances not posing. When he played Belfast on Saturday (19th November) he was received as if he was the hottest new ticket in town.

Sure he has all the hits, but this was more than a retrospective show, this was a band looking forward to the future.

Before The Graham Bonnet Band graced the Limelight stage there was also a chance to remind ourselves of when the NWOBHM was not just a buzz word but was a real music movement in the rock pantheon.

Chrome Molly were kicking about with contemporaries such as Maiden and Leppard, but it was the late 80s scored a lot of airplay on the likes of The Friday Rock Show. What is immediate from the start is this is a five-piece that retains its hunger.

Steve Hawkins grins throughout and is a thoroughly engaging front man, and while the newer material is well received, 'Shooting Me Down' receives the best reception of their set.

When Graham Bonnet assembled his band there may have been a suspicion that this was a chance for him to tour on the back of his work with the likes of Rainbow, MSG, Alcatrazz etc. But he is a canny crooner, with plenty of creativity left.

With the release of 'The Book' in September Bonnet proved once again that there is plenty still to come from a man entitled to his bus pass. When he bounded on to the stage he showed an energy many younger singers would envy.

Of course, all the hits that were expected were given an airing, but what might have came as a surprise to some is that tracks from 'The Book', such as the excellent 'Into The Night' were given a warm welcome and a smattering of the audience singing along.

Conrad Pesinato is clearly more than a hired axeman. He is the six-strong foil for Bonnet on both new and old songs, with some nice touches to tweak the sound of classics that could have otherwise been tired.

From 'Eyes of the World' through to 'Lost in Hollywood' there was not a foot put wrong. Amiable and at ease Bonnet banters with the crowd in between a lot of the songs. He and Pesinato, together with Beth-Ami Heavenstone (bass), have clearly bonded musically and as a band over almost a year of touring.

It was a set littered with highlights including 'God Blessed Video', 'Dancer' and 'Night Games'. However, it was the closing trio that capped the evening off in special style. 'Since You've Been Gone', 'Assault Attack' and "Lost in Hollywood' would stretch any band trying to maintain their energy on the last leg of a set. But The Graham Bonnet Band powered through. One can never tell the strain on the band playing three classic songs, but many a person in the audience would have awoken on Sunday ever so slightly hoarse from yelling almost every lyric.

For some it is easy to write off the likes of The Graham Bonnet Band, but to do so would be a mistake. There is more to come from Mr Bonnet, and one can also hope that many who packed out the Limelight will take the time to come out to see up and coming local acts as well as the bigger names.

When Graham and his compatriots fly back to their respective homes what we can hope is that when their next touring itinerary Belfast will once again be included...and maybe get to hear even more new songs in the set.

Review by Jonathan Traynor