With Just A Hint Of Mayhem

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

“Toys That Bite” – Toys That Bite November 1, 2025

Filed under: Review,Single — justwilliam1959 @ 10:06 pm
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UK band Toys That Bite have just released their eponymously titled debut single, via Dr John’s Surgery Records, and it is a rifftastic barrage of powerful rock. The band have described the song as “a superb track that takes you back to the good days of rock, with a twist that’s uniquely theirs“. Frankly it would be hard to disagree with that. The band was formed by Karl Bauers on guitars and vocals (former Metal Gods) and Adam Stanley on lead vocals and drums (former Whailtale, King Walrus & Communicators). They are joined by Jason Shepard (Bass Guitar), Terry Anderson (Drums) and Dave Rivett (Guitar/Vocals). Their sound draws on a wide range of old school influences and could be the bastard child of the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal from the early 80s. I can hear elements of Iron Maiden and Judas Priest in this track to name just a couple. The bands fans are called biters and maybe that is because this band bites fucking hard when they hit top gear, as they do on this track. This is an awesome song from an awesome band! You might not know it yet, but soon you will know that you need Toys That Bite in your life!

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“Give In To Me” – Pure Obsessions & Red Nights September 14, 2025

Filed under: Review,Single — justwilliam1959 @ 7:29 am
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A Michael Jackson cover by a metal band? Will that work? Fuck yeah! This is on a par with Alien Ant Farm’s cover of “Smooth Criminal” from 2001. “Give In To Me” in its original form was the seventh single released from Jackson’s eighth studio album ‘Dangerous’ in 1992.

Apparently Pure Obsessions & Red Nights recorded the song six years ago during the sessions for their ‘Mr. Strangler’ trilogy. They take the song from it’s syncopated modern pop R & B roots to another level entirely. They bring some magnificent dark metal and industrial vibes to give their take on the tune a deep and Stygian gothic feel. This is not some awful facsimile type of cover. They make the song feel new, fresh, disturbing, bombastic and absolutely fucking awesome!

Philippe Deschemin, who took care of mixing and mastering, reflects on the release: “During the recording of the Mr. Strangler Trilogy, I wanted to step aside from my own compositions and work on a cover. I’ve been a Michael Jackson fan since my early days, and many of his songs have a strong rock foundation. The choice of ‘Give In to Me’ felt natural. With the Trilogy leaning toward Gothic Metal and Industrial Rock, I wanted to push the guitars and give the song that weight. I’m glad to finally release it, six years after its recording.” Give this cracker a spin, you won’t regret it!

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“Songs In The Key Of You” – David Judson Clemmons March 11, 2025

Filed under: Review,Single — justwilliam1959 @ 8:35 pm
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David Judson Clemmons has been an incredibly inventive musical artist for many years he is not afraid to try new things musically. He currently lives in a small town just north of Berlin, Germany, where he works as a full-time guitar teacher, an experience he describes as his greatest source of inspiration to date. He released his first solo album, ‘Life In The Kingdom Of Agreement’ back in 2004. Later this month on 28th March he releases his new album ‘Everything A War’. In advance of that he has just issued the second single from the album “Songs In The Key Of You”.

The track is anthemic and cinematic and heavy with emotion. I love the way it slowly builds from a soft start to a monumental crescendo. Clemmons vocals hold enough power to light a small city and the guitar solo is a stunning piece of work. The song made me think of Biffy Clyro and Pink Floyd among others. Lyrically it is mega powerful. I love the refrain “For those who live to break the hope of others. This song’s in the key of you“. Is this a message to so many of the vile leaders in the world today? I hope so. Based on just this song the album will be something special.

The tune is accompanied by a gorgeous music video directed by Stefano Mastronicola. The landscapes alone are stunning and surprisingly the monochrome seems to add depth and colour. Yes I know that sounds weird, but that is how it made me feel. You need to listen to this beautiful song and watch the video NOW! That is an order!

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“Too Much Ain’t Enough” – Travoltas January 16, 2025

Filed under: Review,Single — justwilliam1959 @ 10:49 pm
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“Too Much Ain’t Enough” is the new release from Travoltas and it is a towering mix of mountainous riffs, punk rock energy, eighties hair rock guitars and melodies and harmonies that Brian Wilson might kill for! This bunch are from the Netherlands and have been around since 1990. Since 19-fucking-90, how the fuck have I not heard of them until now? I will be spending the weekend listening to their vast back catalogue! The new track was produced and mixed by frontman Perry Leenhouts at Point Break Sound in San Diego and recorded both there and at Mick’s (Michel Meeuwissen guitarist) Basement in the Netherlands. This is such a fun song and one I will probably playing again and again throughout 2025. And you gotta love that action movie style picture on the cover, right?

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“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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“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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