Steeleye Span
Featuring Francis Rossi
Hard Times Of Old England
 
The 70s were a brilliant decade for new music with rock n roll and folk music taking the lead against the steady flow of disco and dance. An alternative sound is often what defines the period for many of us and two giants of the day are still captivating the imagination and the interest of fans with their skills. Status Quo’s Francis Rossi has teamed up with the folk superstar band Steeleye Span to rework Hard Times Of Old England. When the boomers get busy, they always do the best possible job and here we have a shining example of what the elder generation of creatives can do. An exceptional career behind both parties, it’s good to know they’re thinking about how it is for most of us. Record profits against recording prophets, let’s take a trip back in time.
 
The song bursts into the stereo with a full harmony chorus that sets the key and tone. A sudden blues rock melody from Francis Rossi enters on a synonymous sound we can feel straight away. The rest of the band join in with their traditional sounds that build on the warmly distorted guitar. The quick-moving and tuneful song whips around the streets like a spring breeze, carrying aromatic pollens and whispers of good cheer. A flurry of notes culminates in the progressive and uplifting remedy to struggle and strife. Keeping the spirits up while acknowledging the battle is what folk and the blues both do best.
 
You can find out more on the Steeleye Span website

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Sylosis
Absent
Reading
 
After their announced hiatus, the long-absent thrash-metal band Sylosis return with a new album and single. A Sign Of Things To Come and the new single Absent are out. Absent is released with a nifty remix by Zetra on the B-side, which gives listeners something fresh to get their ears into as well as some handy merch. Since being signed to Nuclear Blast Records, Sylosis have been prolific with releases and tours combining to rocket them into fandoms around the globe. Now they’ve returned after a hard-earned holiday, the decompression and refocusing have paid off with interest as their sound still reverberates around the world.
 
A dirge-like bass throbs with industrial clamour and reverb as the music progresses. A vocal begins, angelic vocals gently add melody over the atmosphere and thickness of tone. As palm-muted guitar shimmers in the background as drums add a percussive backdrop with misty veils between them. The vocals adapt with the gradual energetic shifts within the verse section. The anticipation of a high is tangible, a build-up with vibes like this only means one thing. Then it arrives, the vocal changes to screams, vibrant and primal emotion takes control of the projected sensation. The guitar swells to evolved status with heavy chunks of chord mirroring soaring blues solos that sing like woodland birds at dusk. A mountain climbed, and song enjoyed, and a passion for wanting more with Absent from Sylosis. On to the B-side.

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Liam Gallagher and John Squire
Just Another Rainbow
Manchester
 
Two familiar faces, one from The Stone Roses and one from Oasis, John Squire and Liam Gallagher unite for a rush of adrenaline and a trending new track. With two massive careers behind them, it’s difficult to paint a picture you’ve not seen before. Manchester’s highlight band of the 80s, The Stone Roses have been cracking on with their ever-extending repertoire. John Squire was part of the original line-up and since departing from the paleo-petals, he went on and made two awesome albums with The Seahorses. Liam Gallagher was the frontman in the 90s global Britpop phenomenon that was Oasis. A run of charting albums and sell-out headline shows prevailed for a decade or more before the brothers Liam and Noel decided to work on other projects. With a legacy like Oasis, is it worth the risk adding to it now? This new stuff sounds pretty good, too.
 
It begins with a blissed-out fuzzy guitar melody that carries a sense of the blues into a rock n roll sky. Liam begins to sing his synonymous voice calls out with vocals we can relate to and join along with. It’s never just another rainbow, is it? As the music progresses, the melody of the verse shifts and a drum fill brings out a flurry of new guitar which floats in with layers of balanced stereo frill. A dreamy sense of nostalgia flings in the background as familiar homely tones merge with new-found creativity and sonic delivery. A choppy progressiveness lends novel phrases and dynamic sections to the easy-going number to give it some kick. Cool electric guitar leans out in jettied sections of blues and emotion as a driving pace maintains a frank and forward momentum. Just Another Rainbow is much more than another pop song, it's got character and drama and multiple colours to enjoy.
 
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You can also find out more on the John Squire website

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Sershen & Zaritskaya
Rainbow In The Dark
Ukraine
 
The Sershen and Zaritiskaya phenomenon rises further as the Ukrainian No Apology side-project, known for releasing fiery cover versions, enter 2024 with their rendition of Rainbow In The Dark. Ronnie James Dio would be very proud indeed to see his music further its reach and become symbolic in even more interesting ways. Since the Russian invasion, which has seen mass murder and destruction in the name of crooked national security, the brave Ukrainians have done everything they can to carry on as normal. By releasing this song, the band can be sure that the new single will help to elevate their story in the global talking shop for years to come.
 
The track enters with the classic guitar riff. The mixing has elevated the sound to bring out a raw and modern heavy metal edge that sounds slightly new. Daria Zaritskaya begins to sing. She hollers the vocals in a powerful volley of paced and pitch-perfect lines. The guitar chugs and burns behind the vocal with neat harmonics and chord blends that add all the oomph we can handle. As the middle eight bursts into the scene a guitar solo repeats the iconic section from the classic song with a few extra bits of flair in the setting for good measure. If you want an alternative version of Rainbow In The Dark that sounds as energetic and as passionate as the original yet with a woman at the helm and an extra salute to the people of Ukraine, find your Rainbow In The Dark in Kyiv.
 
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