Share the post "Album review: DRIVING MRS SATAN – Popscotch"
Does the world need an album of metal covers by acts like Helloween, Metallica, Iron Maiden, Anthrax, AC/DC, Black Sabbath, Slayer and Faith No More?
You might not think so, but when it’s something as unique as Popscotch, by Italian indie alt / pop outfit Driving Mrs. Satan (Claudia Sorvillo – vocals, Giacomo Pedicini – double bass, and Ernesto Nobili – acoustic guitar/ backing vocals) the answer in an emphatic ‘yes’.
Because Driving Mrs. Satan don’t just ‘cover’ classic metal tracks such as ‘I Want Out’, ‘Hell’s Bell’s', ‘Can I Play With Madness’ and’ Never Say Die’, they totally deconstruct them and reinvent them as shimmering, playful acoustic indie pop in a style not a million miles removed from the short lived brilliance of Oh Laura.
Perhaps best appreciated if you have a familiarity with the originals, but that’s far from a prerequisite and it would be a real blast to see the Driving Mrs. Satan open for one of the aforementioned bands. They’d go down a storm, guaranteed.
Clever, ambitious and hugely enjoyable. Watch out for the forthcoming Driving Mrs. Satan GRTR! live session in March. *****
Review by Pete Whalley
Driving Mrs. Satan have an album here that metal fans will either like with a ironic smile whilst listening to the music or burn as a sacrifice at the next Manowar gig. Why? Well they cover metal classics from the likes of Anthrax, Metallica and Iron Maiden in an indie pop style, often verging into easy listening.
The soothing vocals of Claudia Sorvillo sound perfect as she sings ‘Can I Play With Madness?’ or the Sabbath classic ‘Never Say Die’. Most bizarre was listening to Motorhead’s ‘Killed By Death’ which sounds so musically soothing despite the lyrics, as the band play double bass, cello and acoustic guitar. I actually think Lemmy would approve of this version!
They even have the guts to cover a Slayer tune (‘South Of Heaven’) and AC/DC’s ‘Hells Bells’ which sounds like some ethereal folk song. If nothing else listen to Metallica’s ‘Battery’ given the soothing indie pop treatment on the band’s YouTube channel.
It is a musical novelty and being honest it’s fun to listen to now, however not sure I will be playing this one much in the future. Hopefully it will find the ears of some metal fans as the vocals and musical arrangements are excellent. ***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.
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 3 November 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 29 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 11 November 2024
ARCANE MOON Hello Sun (indie)
S8NT ELEKTRIC XTC (Long Branch Records)
ARCANA KINGS Here We Go (Curtain Call Records)
KLOGR face The Unknown (Zeta Factory)
BEYOND UNBROKEN Dance With The Dead (FiXT)
REVENGIN Decadent Feeling (Wormholedeath)
Featured Albums w/c 11 November 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)
Share the post "Album review: DRIVING MRS SATAN – Popscotch"
PDF - you can delete unwanted sections
