www.facebook.com/Sindogs [Release date 01.08.23]
When I was compiling my “Best of” two decades in terms of ‘Live Acts’ for GRTR!@20 it would have been very tempting to include Zal Cleminson and /sin’dogs/ appearance at the 2019 ‘Giants Of Rock’. My GRTR! colleague Pete Whalley exercised no such restraint: “The band’s brutally heavy, and impenetrably dense wall of sound was unsparingly savage, but provided the perfect platform for an unforgettably charismatic virtuoso performance. Pure pantomime and one of the most memorable performances I’ve seen – ever.”
Sadly it wasn’t long afterwards that the band split with Zal and they have now re-emerged with this new EP. I assume that some songs had been left over from earlier times.
The band members have an excellent pedigree but only two remain from the original line-up: the redoubtable David Cowan (keys) and Nelson McFarlane (bass). Both played in an Alex Harvey “tribute” and so that influence remains.
Without Cleminson’s showmanship and authenticity would /sin’ dogs/ now be able to deliver? One of the characteristics of their excellent album “Vol 1.” was the heavy as hell vibe described by Joe Geesin: “There’s a definite enjoyable groove throughout the album, it’s mind-blowingly heavy, certainly compared to Zal’s more theatrical work that many will be familiar with.”
‘Renascence’ is simply superior melodic hard rock. Vocalist Peter Scallan (Moritz, Samson) makes a fine job of ‘Day Of Reckoning’ with quite wonderful synth/guitar breaks and characteristic “sin”-copated groove. This could even be the bastard offspring of Hughes/Thrall ‘Hold Out Your Life’. Yes we’re talking classic early 80s metal. ‘The Strange Door’ has echoes of early 90s House Of Lords mixed with Alex Harvey menace in the vocal department. I know, what a combination!
‘Knock Em Dead’ has a tremendous rock solid groove whilst ‘Dark Side Of Your Soul’ shows the softer side of the band with an orchestral approach and Andy McLaughlan’s guitar figures remaining an EP highlight.
Whilst it seems that /sin’dogs/ won’t completely shake off their Alex Harvey-related heritage in the live context, I look forward to more original material rather then any pastiche. Their second album is due later this year. ‘Renascence’ is a clear statement of intent. *****
Review by David Randall
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
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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.
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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)
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