Release Date 26.01.18
Ammunition are something of a supergroup among the thriving Scandinavian melodic rock scene, with their members having pedigree with various bands, notably main songwriters Age Sten Nielsen, former singer with WigWam who were early standard bearers for the 21st century revival of Scandi rock, and the seemingly ubiquitous Eclipse main man Erik Martensson, forming a guitar partnership with Jan Pettersen.
Three years after an album ‘Shanghai’ed’ and well received appearances at festivals like Vasby and Rockingham, they are back with, slightly oddly, a self-titled effort.
The fare on offer is less heavy than Eclipse but relentlessly uptempo and above all fun, in the mould of WigWam. The sound is big and layered, with strong if distinctly heavily accented vocals.
Opener ‘Time’ may not quite live up to its ‘Welcome to the Jungle’ intro but has an Aerosmith or G’n'R sassiness to it, while ‘Freedom Finder’ marries a groove that calls to mind Billy Squier’s ‘The Stroke’ to a strong chorus.
The slower paced ‘Eye for an Eye’ is perhaps the most Eclipse-influenced number with its celtic feel and ‘Miss Summertime’ had a gentler tempo.
However the bulk of the album notably ‘Caveman’, ‘Wrecking Crew’- a Eurovision contender, no less- and ‘Bad Bones’ combine lightweight themes with big choruses. The overriding comparison for me was Alice Cooper in his most commercial ‘Trash’ and ‘Hey Stoopid’ era phase.
The eleven songs whizz by, many only just topping the three minute mark with a concise punchiness that in places resembles one of last year’s best releases, Tokyo Motor Fist.
A couple of songs though worked less well for me – ‘Tear Your City Down’ is an anthem that does not live up to its promise while closer ‘Klondike’ felt slightly disjointed- but overall this is an album of loud, brash and fun anthems designed to create a party mood.
****
Review by Andy Nathan
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.
Next session: Sunday 1 December
Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio
David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 20 October 2024.
UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 22 October 2024.
How to Listen Live?
Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)
Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”
Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.
More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com
Power Plays w/c 28 October 2024
THE RASMUS Rest In Pieces (Better Noise Music)
THE PLAGUE What Else Can I Do (FiXT)
STAR CIRCUS Turn The Tide (indie)
DEFENCES Breathe It In (Long Branch Records)
Featured Albums w/c 28 October 2024
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)
PDF - you can delete unwanted sections
