ACE MAFIA - VICIOUS CIRCLE (Cd Review)

01.No More Excuses
02.London Underground
03.Feel The Fire
04.Best Thing
05.Rolling
06.Difference
07.Someday
08.Open Your Eyes
09.So Cruel
10.Vicious Circle
11.Fallen From Heaven

K.Ghibli (Vocals/Guitar)
Richie Faulkner (Guitar)
Bruno Agra (Drums)
Geos Letona (Bass)

Formed in 2008 and based in good old Camden, the band hold a special place for me as their 'Feel The Fire' ep was the very first cd i reviewed on this blog on 30th August 2008.
So now i have been handed an advanced copy of the debut album 'Vicious Circle', time to hit play.........

'No More Excuses' is a great rocker with a BLS vibe, then its straight into 'London Underground' always my favourite song and after a year it still kicks with punchy riffs an awesome solo, great vocals and powerhouse drumming.Its a weird song lyrically about a man finally away from the rush hour nightmare of the Underground wishes he was back there while he is at the office ?!

'Feel The Fire' is a power ballad that also carries emotion and gives a nice break in the album.Wow is all i can say about 'Best Thing' its a fantastic song, a nice commercial sound that is boosted by some brilliant orchestration and guitar work.

The human condition is the subject of 'Rolling' dealing with the story of a man who loses his confidence, blames the world but sets to win it back by believing in himself and fighting his own self doubt.

'Difference' is pretty much a full on metal assault with a melodic breakdown thrown in and there is a really neat acoustic guitar solo in the mix as well.

Okay so it has a great solo in it but i cant really get into the ballad 'Someday' its one of those get your lighter out moments,but doesnt quite hit the mark for me.

The previous track is soon eradicated from my brain (Cell) with the moody 'Open Your Eyes' and then 'So Cruel' with its superb bass playing crashing through the speakers just gets that head a banging again.

The title track 'Vicious Circle' is a wonderful mix of guitar solos, crazy drumming and really strong vocals.

Finally 'Fallen From Heaven' comes up all too soon and as you might expect from the title its one of those big rock ballads, but this one is outstanding, a really nice acoustic intro is soon mixing with some furious double peddling and then once again the superb guitar playing from Richie, i tell you this one has it all and at six minutes it gives you plenty of time to get into and enjoy.

Rating 10/10

For fans of : Black Label Society, Guns N Roses, Velvet Revolver, Alice In Chains

STU

KING LIZARD,METALWORKS - Monarch 24.08.08 (Gig Review)

Metalworks & Friends
King Lizard
Metalworks

Monarch Camden 24.08.08

The Monarch was packed out tonight and im not surprised,Metalworks are the best covers band i have ever seen.Lets face most covers bands are average "pub bands",but not this lot,oh no,the level of musicianship here is top class.You may recognise bassist Dave from Zodiac Mindwarp,this guy is amazing ! Guitarist Rikki looks like Paul Kossoff and plays like Zakk Wylde ! when vocalist/guitarist Steff sings ac/dc he even sounds like Bon.All in all brilliant,they do what you would expect Paranoid,Born To be Wild etc but they throw in Maiden,Megadeth,Metallica and the best version of Wishing Well since Free.They play most sundays at the Monarch so go!!!

Next up the monsters of rock themselves King Lizard,every time i see them they just seem to get better and better and tonight was no exception.Kicking off with an instrumentle intro for the first time they then follow this with a bunch of the catchiest rock songs you will ever hear,all the classics are there 'Video Lover','Hell Yeah','Outrageous' and the brilliant 'Rain On You' but tonight we are treated to a brand new song called 'Viva La Decadence'and its an instant hit with the audience who quickly join in on the chanting chorus,the set ends with 'Late Nite Dynamite',which they are.
With their brand new EP out in November and a huge uk tour planned and a definate possibility of an album early next year,the KL lads are about to get seriously noticed (and about time too).

As if all that was'nt enough Metalworks return for a jamming set with various friends joining in the set of more Ac/Dc,Maiden and even a little Billy Idol.Flash and Niro from KL jump up for 'Sweet Child Of Mine',shame the night had to finish.On a personal note,thanks to Flash,Sky,Niro and Alice for the best birthday bash i have had for years !

STU

Metalworks

King Lizard

ACE MAFIA - Feel The Fire (CD Review)

1.Feel The Fire
2.Best Thing
3.London Underground
4.Rollin'

K.Ghibi - Vocals/Guitar
Richie Faulkner (Lauren Harris Band)- Lead Guitar
Bruno Agra (Zodiac Mindwarp & Love Reaction) - Drums
Geos Letona - Bass

Any band that starts their record with a ballad are either mad or genius,well Camden based rockers Ace Mafia are definatley the latter,crafting their debut ep with great care.

Showing clear influence from Guns N Roses and Motley Crue,throw in some Zakk Wylde guitar and vocals reminicent of Jerry Cantrell what you get is an overall mature rock sound,well produced and expertly executed.Feel The Fire is made for late night rock radio.Best Thing has flute on it (! more Magnum than Jethro Tull) and sampled string section,its really catchy and has that "Makes you nod your head and tap your feet" quality.London Underground is my favourite track,but there is a temptation to sing Sabbaths 'Hole In The Sky' in places,that matters not because this song "Kicks".Rollin' closes the ep and just leaves you wanting.

What can i say,just a brilliant self released ep of solid hard rock,theres only a couple of hundred at the moment so contact the band at their myspace,or if you are in Camden you might be able to pick one up at the Eclipse Tattoo Studio where one of the band members works.

Rating : 10/10
Get This If You Like : Black Label Society,Alice In Chains,Motley Crue,Guns N Roses.

Contact : www.myspace.com/acemafiarock

STU