With Just A Hint Of Mayhem

Music reviews, gig reviews, fun trivia and extra added random stuff!

“The Crow” – Celtic Legacy January 5, 2025

Filed under: Review,Single — justwilliam1959 @ 6:11 pm
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Irish rockers Celtic Legacy are clearly fans of the Crow, the supernatural superhero. The character was first seen in a 1989 comic book series and has appeared in films in 1994 and 2024. The first saw the sad death of actor Brandon Lee. The band are such huge fans that they have a new song out called “The Crow”. It tells the tale of the titular hero. He gets murdered with his girlfriend. A crow brings him back to life to seek vengeance. The song is dark, heavy and wonderfully constructed melodic metal. The riffs are perfectly persistent. I love the vocal from John Bonham and the guitar solo screams like the best of 80s classic rock. This is a band on top of their game. The chorus eases into you quite easily and locks itself in.

The video is slightly extended by some great Crow related narrated animation based on the original graphic novel. When the first riffs kick in the band appears against the animation background as kind of partially drawn lifelike characters. The video certainly adds to this already great song. The video was filmed, edited and directed by Dave Morrissey, one of the bands guitarists. Weirdly my wife saw the video and is now convinced that I have a doppelganger in bass player Dave Boylan! This is the first new music from the band since 2015. They are already planning two more singles for 2025. I don’t know if they will also be Crow related. But based on this song I will definitely check them out.

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“Fractures” – RORO and Snapir January 4, 2025

Filed under: Review,Single — justwilliam1959 @ 11:04 pm
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Finnish producers RORO and Snapir have joined forces to put out a collaborative album. It is called ‘Colors Left’ and will be released on 17th January. The latest single from the album is “Fractures”. It starts with some ethereal sounds. These sounds would match some of David Bowie’s best work with Brian Eno on the Berlin Trilogy. They would also fit well with the 1995 Bowie Eno collaboration on ‘1# Outside’. It has an undercurrent of a weird combination of Jean Michel Jarre and the Aphex Twin. The sound captures your attention. It drifts into your mind. It prepares to haunt you for a very long while. This is experimental elactronica at its finest. Based on this the album could be quite special!

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“First Kiss” – Marples

Filed under: Review,Single — justwilliam1959 @ 9:51 pm
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Sheffield band Marples released a new single at the tail end of last year. It is called “First Kiss” and it is rather good. It opens with almost screaming guitar from Thomas Martin. A hypnotic riff underpins it and powers the tune like a 21st century Chuck Berry. Joseph Neville’s vocal is clear and reminiscent of some fine vocalists from UK music history from Lennon to Alex Turner. The track conveys the nervousness and excitement of a first kiss. At least I think it does, mine was a hell of a long while ago!

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“Candles Burning” – LIREDEL featuring Geoff Bell and Charlie Wareham January 3, 2025

Filed under: Review,Single — justwilliam1959 @ 1:13 pm
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This is a gorgeous simple song that hits all the right buttons. It has a soothing piano riff and some great vamp style backing vocals. But the cream on top is the performance of LIREDEL, what a fabulous voice. It has some sultry jazz tones and huge emotion with a hint of Amy Winehouse. The message in the song is about loved ones who are no longer with us. It serves as a reminder to keep their spirit alive by lighting a candle for them. Liredel said this about it “The track is about keeping a metaphorical candle lit for those that are no longer here …..it’s a beautiful song about keeping the memory flame alive for all time. Remembering the good times with loved ones and keeping a piece of them alive with you through your memories.” Incidentally, the featured Geoff Bell is the classy British actor. He has appeared in loads of films including ‘Mike Bassett: England Manager’. I have listened to more of LIREDEL’s songs and it is clear that she is a supremely talented artist!

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“All Your Dreams” – Aeon Empire January 2, 2025

Filed under: Review,Single — justwilliam1959 @ 3:52 pm
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If you like your rock hard and classic then the new single from Aeon Empire is right up your street. “All Your Dreams” was written by Paul Gerard Reed. It overflows with riffs. These riffs remind me of the likes of Deep Purple and Nazareth. The song races along at 100 miles per hour. It crashes into your skull early on. It refuses to back out. Jota Fortinho’s vocals epitomise how a great rock vocalist should sound. The underlying blues element adds to the appeal of this great tune.

Ronnie König , the band’s founder and bass player said this about the track. “This song showcases what our band is all about. Aeon Empire is about delivering rock anthems full of catchy riffs and melodies. We’ve poured our hearts into this album and we can’t wait for the world to hear it.” The video, directed by lead singer Jota Fortinho, is a great showcase for the band too.

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