Quick plays: MERRICK’S TUSK, THE EXPERIMENTAL

MERRICK’S TUSK Between The Earth and The Trees Undead Collective Records [Release date 03.05.19]

Although Merrick’s Tusk have been around for the last decade, the band are now releasing their debut album “Between The Earth And The Trees”. With the band labelled as post-hardcore, it would be fair to say that the album is packed with progressive rock style time signatures, heavy riffs and melodic tunes, and that it follows the musical pattern of their earlier EP releases.

The album’s first single (complete with live video), “Hold The Waves” is one of the stand out tracks amongst the twelve on offer. The others include “The Earth”, two lighter, more melodic efforts in “Alternate” and the almost stuttered feel of “Persist”, and the big and slow moving “Never Enough”.

Whilst there may be nothing ground-breaking here, there is also nothing to fault either. Having had a more solid line-up for the last couple of years it now seems like Merrick’s Tusk are able to take advantage of that and move on to the next level, and with the release of “Between The Earth And The Trees” it looks like they have found the springboard to do just that. ***

Review by Nikk Gunns

THE EXPERIMENTAL What Do We Want?

As soon as the opening, and title track, to The Experimental’s new album “What Do We Want?” started I was immediately hit with the phrase Thin Lizzy meets electro pop meets Scandi rock, this led in turn to the volume being turned right up.

The band are actually British and this rather good album was recorded in Devon and Cornwall, but yet that Scandi sound continues throughout, in particular “Long Time Dead” and “Blacken My Heart” have vocals that remind me of Hardcore Superstar whist the more pop tinged “Million Voices” is reminiscent of Placebo at times.

The album features massive bass and stabs of guitar courtesy of Joe Billingham and Darren Curnow respectively and with drummer Chris Firrell the vocals are shared amongst the band. “What Do We Want?” has a darker, more electronic side in tracks “Sirens” and “Beautiful Horizons” and with its Rage Against The Machine tendencies “Bounce” has the makings of a great live track.

The album’s other stand out tracks are “The Energy” and bass driven “Vultures”, the latter bringing the end to a close. Energetic and upbeat, the album will surely do well for the band and the BBC have already described “Million Voices” as “It’s a corker, crank it”, I would suggest you apply that sentiment to the whole album. ****

Review by Nikk Gunns

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

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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 22 October 2024.

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Power Plays w/c 28 October 2024

THE RASMUS Rest In Pieces (Better Noise Music)
THE PLAGUE What Else Can I Do (FiXT)
STAR CIRCUS Turn The Tide (indie)
DEFENCES Breathe It In (Long Branch Records)

Featured Albums w/c 28 October 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)