EP review: SVEN GALI, HANNAH WICKLUND

SEVEN GALI - 3

RFL Records [Release date 12.06.20]

Sven Gali started out in the late 80’s as a covers band before releasing their self-titled debut in 1992, which earned them a gold disc in their native Canada. Sadly grunge appeared to spell an end for them and others in the hard rock arena, despite them going in a more grunge friendly direction on their second album ‘Inwire’. The band split in 1996 before reuniting in 2007 and now they release their first new EP in over 20 years.

The original trio of vocalist Dave Wanless, guitarist Andy Frank and bassist Sean Minden were joined in 2018 by drummer Dan Fila and guitarist Sean Williamson.

The five songs on here (although ‘Now’ appears twice including a radio edit version) were recorded between 2018 and 2020, with ‘Kill The Lies’ being released back in 2018. That is the best song on here still, followed by ‘Now’ which has a tasty in your face riff. The other two songs, ‘You Won’t Break Me’ (the nearest they get to the sound of their debut album) and ‘Hurt’ are standard songs, nothing to really grab your attention.

Sven Gali have modernised their sound again, bit of Shinedown in the mix now, and there lies perhaps their problem. They won’t have fans of their hard rocking debut rushing back, there is no sign of a grunge revival anytime soon and plenty of bands are starting to sound like Shinedown and their ilk. One for hardcore fans only. ***

Review by Jason Ritchie

HANNAH WICKLUND  The Inbetween

Good as 23 year old blues rock singer, songwriter and guitarist Hannah Wicklund’s self-titled debut in 2018 was, it didn’t really ‘flow’ in terms of the variety of styles on offer.

Here she lifts 4 tracks from that album and gives them a cohesive ‘acoustic’ treatment.  The riff driven ‘Bomb Through The Breeze’ is given a tender piano arrangement, the acoustic guitar version of ‘Meet You Again’ echoes shades of Tina Dico, ‘Shadow Boxes’ – a wistful, folk like album highlight – is sensitively stripped back to its core as she does when playing it live, and ‘Ghost’ – an album highlight – gets a haunting minimalist electric guitar work out.

Even if, overall, her vocals are a bit screechy, it all hangs together in a manner that her debut simply didn’t. And while probably just career detour, it does signal her wider potential as a mainstream artist.  ***1/2

Review by Pete Whalley


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.

Josh Taerk Sunday Sessions 2024

Latest session: Sunday 14 April

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 7 April 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 2 April 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 15 April 2024

ENMY The Ledge (FiXT)
KAROBELA Get Hard (indie)
KATH & THE KICKS Neptune (indie)
THE BEE TELLERS River Poem (Black Sand Records)
LAUREN FREEBIRD Like A Bomb (indie)

Featured Albums w/c 15 April 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023
14:00-16:00 KATARINA PEJAK – Pearls On A String (Ruf Records)


To see our Tweets you need to be logged in to a Twitter account



Popular (last 10 days)


This entry was posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Leave a Reply