Album review: FREAK KITCHEN – Cooking With Pagans

Thunderstruck [Release date – 09.09.14]

When I saw the band’s name and album title I assumed it was a new Heston Blumenthal television series! It turned out that this is the second album release from Swedish rockers Freak Kitchen who describe themselves as a ‘tip top rock trio’, sounds promising.

It is clear that the band has a sense of humour which is always good to see and that translates to their music which is upbeat with hints of Queen and Extreme along with a heavier, almost grunge sounding side which is where the album kicks off.

‘Professional Help’ opens things and sounds like an outtake from the Soil back catalogue, no bad thing. Heavy and catchy in equal measure it is a good introduction to the band. Throughout the album the band run through many musical styles from a bit of Rockabilly on ‘Goody Goody’ to power metal on the track ‘Ranks Of The Terrified’. It is testament to the three musicians that they manage to pull this off with ease.

Singer and guitarist Mattias Eklundh is obviously a man who can multi-task with ease, his vocals are good but his guitar work is exceptional, think Eddie Van Halen mixed with Nuno Bettencourt and you are in the right area. Bjorn Fryklund on drums and Christer Ortefors on bass are no slouches either and they produce the perfect accompaniment to Eklundh’s fret burning.

The guys’ sense of humour also extends to song titles with ‘(Saving Up For An) Anal Bleach’ and ‘I Don’t Want To Golf’ catching the listener’s attention and lyrically the songs live up to their names. The disc though is all about the music which is impressive throughout and with so much going on it certainly holds your attention.

An interesting and enjoyable album then from a trio with talent in spades. If you like a bit of humour and variety then this will fit the bill nicely. ***1/2

Review by David Wilson

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.

Next session: Sunday 19 January

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 1 December 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 December 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 9 December 2024

In this sequence we play ‘The Best of 2024′ GRTR! reviewer selections

Featured Albums w/c 9 December 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2024 (Singer Songwriter)