Album review: HOUSE OF LORDS – Saint Of The Lost Souls

Frontiers [Release date 24.03.17]

House Of Lords return with their eleventh studio album and a new bassist, Chris Tristram, who replaces the departing Chris McCarvill, who has been in the band since 2005. The other thing to note is that the keyboards have been used a little more, most played by James Christian, although Whitesnake’s Michello Luppi guests on one song, as does Frontiers current ‘go to’ man Alessandro Del Vecchio.

James Christian’s other half Robin Beck (who has a new solo album due on the same label sometime next year) adds her backing vocals which helps make the choruses have a bigger feel about them.

Speaking of keyboards, a suitably pomp keys intro heralds the album’s first song ‘Harlequin’. A typical House Of Lords hard rocker with guitarist Jimi Bell in suitably fine form on both the riffs and solos.

My fellow GRTR! colleague Andy Nathan has yet to be taken with the modern day House Of Lords sound, however I do think this album could change his and fellow doubters minds.

Songs like ‘Ocean Divide’ and ‘New Day Breakin’ have classic melodic rock melodies and catchy choruses, with just enough guitar to prevent it becoming a metal shredfest. Heck there is even a keyboard riff on ‘Reign Of Fire’. The slightly plodding blues based ‘Concussion’ lets the side down a bit though.

James Christian’s vocals still have that raspy tone and he still has a great vocal power. The slower refrains of ‘Hit The Wall’ show his singing off nicely.

I have not been overly taken by the last album 2015′s ’Indestructible’, however ‘Saint Of The Lost Souls’ will please the band’s fans and is one set for repeat plays. ****

Review by Jason Ritchie

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 24 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 26 November 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)