Album review: THESE WICKED RIVERS – Force Of Nature

THESE WICKED RIVERS - Force Of Nature

Fat Earth Records [Released date 01.03.24]

This is a perfectly formed second album from Derby’s finest. Formed in 2014, the band combine elements of southern, classic and heavy rock.

The title track is a great calling card and guaranteed to go down well live, instantly catchy and likeable. The ballsy rock is also well evidenced on the likes of ‘The Family’ and ‘Black Gold’, easily giving bands like Blackberry Smoke a run for their money. The Georgia Thunderbolts also come to mind and they’ve been compared to Clutch.

‘Testify’ is a slice of bluesy southern rock whilst ‘The Riverboat Man’ and ‘Lord Knows’are satisfyingly riff-driven. The calmer tracks are also convincing such as ‘When The War is Won’ and ‘Lonely Road’.

Derby isn’t a million miles from Castle Donington and this band should show up there sooner than later. ****1/2

Review by David Randall

Fri May 17th BRIDGWATER Cobblestones
Sat May 18th STOKE Sugar Mill
Sun May 19th MANCHESTER Night and Day
Fri May 24th CARDIFF Clwb Ifor Bach
Sat May 25th BOURNEMOUTH Bear Cave
Fri May 31st O2 Academy Leicester
Sat June 1st EDINBURGH Bannermans
Sun June 2nd LEEDS Brudenell Social Club


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Power Plays w/c 10 June 2024

BASTION ROSE (Epictronic Records)
VOODOO RAMBLE Midnight Ride (indie)
BYWATER CALL As If (indie)
ESCAPE THE PARADIGM Cold (Curtain Call Records)
DEFENCES Gold In The Dark (indie)
BRAVE RIVAL Fairytale (indie)
MOJO ACES Old Crow (indie)

Featured Albums w/c 10 June 2024

09:00-12:00 NESTOR Teenage Rebel (Napalm Records)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023
14:00-16:00 MIRACLE MILE East Of Ely (indie)


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