Album review: TAL RASHA – Luminology

October 22nd, 2026 by jason

Bandcamp [Release date 20.11.26]

In these crazy days of AI-generated slop, isn’t it gratifying to know that some things, done in their most authentic and feral form, remain without equal. A four-piece comprised of drums, guitar, bass and lungs is like a sore dick….you just can’t beat it.

Consider also that all types of music generally touch you in one of three places; cerebrally like jazz, Jethro Tull and most prog rock, emotively like recalling a noteworthy time, place or person or right in the groin like the blues, ‘DC and the Stones.

On that basis, Luminology, the first full record release from Tal Rasha following their debut self-titled EP two years ago, is a bona fide blast of a rock album that will caress your crotch and groove your grey matter.

Named after the legendary original leader of the Horadrim who sacrificed himself to trap the Prime Evil Baal inside his own body (obviously, DUH !), Tal Rasha come freshly marinaded in ‘70s blues/rock sensibilities with groove and grind aplenty. And lead guitarist, Marty Zissel, is the absolute spit of Ritchie Blackmore !! This much younger “man in black” riffs for fun and his solos swing like a prize fighter but always in service of the song.

And that is exactly the difference in the band on this record compared to when I saw them supporting DeWolff in Feb 2025; in a crowded space, there are really three ways to set yourself apart from the unwashed pretenders – the songs, the songs and the songs. And they’ve written some real belters here.

Kicking off with a straight-up, good time rocker (Electric Shiver) and a chorus that’s catchier than the clap in Manilla, Tal Rasha are mastering their songwriting craft as evidenced by “Planet Machine”, a cool, retrospective cut, ambitiously-placed as the second track of the album, maybe as a sign of their growing confidence.

Two monster stand-out tracks are “Sorrow Creeping In” and the rather mysteriously-titled “No-one Sees But Nola and Me” – the tracks you’d play to an alien if it wanted to know what all the Tal Rasha fuss was about – really strong, Free-meets-Bad Company vibes (see if you can spot the tip of the hat to a famous 1994 cult movie classic in “Nola” – very cool).

The title of the album represents the juxtapositions of light and dark – the idea being that side one is more rock and roll and side two is as dark and moody as a horny teenager. That stacks up generally – back in the day of a-pound-a-pint, patchouli oil-soaked gigs, track one/side one, last track/side one and first track/side two were usually the teasers and the high points. In these days of streaming and downloads, you have to guess but if “Nola” is the lead-off of side two and “Hands of Time” is the closer of side one, that jives. “Hands…” is a corker of a three-parter, whether originally written that way or as three songs thrown together, it has it all…..starts out as an in-yer-face rocker, morphs into a dirty, sumptuous blues akin to Rocky Mountain Way before heating up again into a gospel-tinged call for a witness – brilliant stuff and I’m sure, a live fan favourite. American vocalist, Joshua Cook, gives it “maximum-lung” and leaves nothing on the stage after this one

“In Another Light” – is just “all-Zep, all-the-time” from about the Coda-era and there’s nothing wrong with that, right ? “Gardens of My Mind” has that slightly Eastern/psychedelic feel and “Atlas Skyline – The Yaz” has a slightly threatening groove and builds into an epic ear worm – tons of four-piece fun.

With something to like about every single track, Luminology is a very satisfying revelation with the band really cooking on gas. Swiss bassist, Ben Geiser provides a rumbling backdrop to Monsieur Le Batteur, Jeremy Cortes’ tub-thumping. Six-stringer, Zissel, can really play and is the principal song-writer with everyone contributing to the final product. It all blends perfectly with Cook’s voice and his often stream-of-consciousness lyrics.

****1/2 – (‘cos you have to give them something to aim for but otherwise……pssst – it’s a 5 out of 5 !)

Review by Mark “Mad Dog” Shaw

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions,

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

Josh now hosts “Taerk’s Tracks” as part of the Singer Songwriter Sunday sequence on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio.

This is the first show broadcast on 27 September. Josh presents some of his inspirational artists and tracks.

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 27 September 2026.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

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 live or listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

Power Plays w/c 12 October 2026

TAKIDA – Lion’s Den (Drongo Records)
SCARDUST – Symphony (Frontiers)
ANBERLIN – Gravity (Rude Records/Equal Vision Records)
MISSING TOYS – Lifeline (Pride & Joy Music)
SWEET GORILLA – It’s Your Life (5000 Records)
ROYAL BLOOD – Dead Company (Warner Records)

Featured Albums w/c 12 October 2026

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Singer Songwriter)

Our occasional Newsletter signposts latest additions to the website(s). We also include a selection of recent top albums, based on GRTR! reviewer ratings. The newsletter is sent out a few times a year.

If you’d like to register to receive this occasional mailing please complete the form:

If using a smartphone/tablet please tap here or re-orientate your device

(Note that this registration is separate from site registration which allows you to leave comments and receive daily emails about new content. If you wish to register for this – in addition or separately – please click or tap here – for more information – the form is at the foot of each page. Please read our privacy policy when opting-in to receive emails.