Nuclear Blast [Release date 08.04.16]

I first came across Tax The Heat supporting prog/pomp rock veterans Kansas back in 2014 and was suitably impressed by their live show. Since then they have toured extensively and signed with Nuclear Blast.

The latter does cause online consternation among some metal fans on the band’s YouTube videos, who are expecting a much more extreme metal act to be on the label. Instead we have this four piece – Jack Taylor (drums), Antonio Angotti (bass), JP Jacyshyn (guitars), Alex Veale (vocals/guitars) – belting out an album of intense and hard rocking blues based tunes. Nuclear Blast aren’t daft as in this band they have one who can easily step in and have a much wider appeal outside of the metal arena.

Opener ‘Highway Home’ far jumps out to the speakers, wallow in the guitars and booming bass riff on this one. ‘Animals’ is the most instant song on here, sure it has a White Stripes/Jack White and QOTSA feel, but what a tune! The vocals of Alex Veale really make the listener sit up and take note, one minute putting venom into the verses and then soaring melodically at the choruses.

Jack Taylor’s drum sponsors must love him as he fair belts out the drums and percussion, none more so than on ‘Under Watchful Eye’. The guitars and bass are not to be outdone though and on this song, as indeed on all of the album, the mix is spot on.

The band do manage to take a musical breather on ‘Some Sympathy’, the nearest they come to a ballad. Neat slide playing seguing into a glorious chorus – for a debut album this is more like the sound of a band who are well into their recording career, such is their musical confidence and strong songwriting.

The future of high energy, blues based rock ‘n’ roll is safe in the hands of Tax The Heat. Play this loud and play it a lot.  ****1/2

Review by Jason Ritchie

---

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.

Latest session: Sunday 26 May

Next session: Sunday 29 September

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 25 August 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 3 September 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 16 September 2024

THE NOW Special Kind Of Stupid (indie)
NEW MONARCH Paper Noose (indie)
AD INFINITUM Surrender (Napalm Records)
KROOKED TONGUE Nothing Ever Grows (indie)
TRUCKER DIABLO Show Me The Way (Big Unit Records)

Featured Albums w/c 16 September 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)

---

---

Popular (last 10 days)

---