Album review: BLOOD RED SAINTS- S/T

Frontiers Records (Release Date 4.12.15)

One of 2014’s unexpected surprises in the world of melodic rock was a very impressive debut by Brits In Faith, unleashing a real vocal find in Pete Godfrey. They seem to have had a short shelf life, but the good news is that together with fellow Pete, drummer Newdeck, he has moved on to a brand new project who also promise to be a full touring outfit.

Named after a crack US speedway team with an album cover to match, the album gets off to a somewhat slow start with ‘Kickin Up Dust’ trying rather too hard to maintain the speedway theme, but ‘Mercy’ is a real grower with great guitar arpeggios from Lee Revill and some fine layered backing vocals and the semi ballad ‘The Best of Me’ shows real class. The ballads are outstanding on the album, notably ‘Love Set Me Up Again’, which in places has the classic feel of FM or early Dare.

However it took a while for the album to grow on me, partly as for all the promise on show, at times gaping holes appear in the songwriting such as on ‘Dangerous’, which quite simply fails to flow.

As with fellow Brit Nigel (Three Lions) Bailey, the wonder is that Pete(G) has only emerged into the spotlight in his relatively mature years. At times his vocal stylings remind me of the great Steve Overland and much of the album has he bright feel of modern times FM, notably on ‘The Best Thing and Wrapped Up in These Arms’. ‘Unbreakable’ has a Bon Jovi-esque vibe to it and other influences on the sound seem to include Harem Scarem, Firehouse and Def Leppard-esque vocal harmonies.

While not the finished article, this is on balance an impressive debut that makes the Blood Red Saints one to watch for 2016. I for one look forward to the opportunity to see them at the end of January at the ‘Just Say Yes’ fundraiser in Derby.

****

Review by Andy Nathan

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

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

Check out radio stream repeat on Tuesday 8th (16:00 GMT) and Thursday 10th April (21:00 GMT)
Next Session: Sunday 4 May

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 2 March 2025.

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 on 4 March 2025

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 7 April 2025

SEVEN BLOOD To The Unknown (indie)
FROM FALL TO SPRING Incomplete (Arising Empire)
POP EVIL Side Effects (MNRK Heavy)
ERJA LYYTINEN Abyss (Tuohi Records)
SKY VALLEY MISTRESS Too Many Ghosts (New Heavy Sounds)

Featured Albums w/c 7 April 2025

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