Album review: HOUSE OF LORDS – Full Tilt Overdrive

Frontiers [Release date : 11.10.24]

More of a commitment than an album title, the House Of Lords 12th recording, Full Tilt Overdrive, follows through on the “in your face melodic hard rock” of their 2022 release, Saints and Sinners.

It opens with the thud of a heartbeat, quickly drowned out by chaotic street noise and an almighty roar.

The sound of life and living.

You would have thought that bringing Melodic Rock legend, Mark (Touch/ Drive She Said) Mangold on board would have at least softened the HOL sound around the edges by now. No, not to be.

Jimi Bell’s rampant axe work and James Christian’s gritty vocals often carry the day…’Crowded Room’ and ‘Bad Karma’ are gutsy and aggressively melodic rock songs, getting the album off to an explosive start.

But we expect more. We can almost imagine Christian thumbing through his dog eared melodic rock songbook, checking out the bookmarks, looking for fresh stimulation among the successes of the past.

He clearly found an inspiring idea or two with the clean lines and clear sounding production of the fiery ‘You’re Cursed’, and the tuneful arena rock of ‘Cry Of The Wicked’.

Add to that the inevitable ballad, ‘Taking The Fall’. It works all the usual lyrical tropes, but makes a mark nevertheless.

But not much more ignites. Except for two quite different tracks. The sturm und drang power metal of ‘Not The Enemy’ makes an imposing entrance, and the epic, blustery, nine minute ‘Castles High’ is a magnificently apposite curtain closer.

Full Tilt Overdrive is not what you could call a landmark release for the band, but like actors in a long running play, they are always ready for the next act, proving themselves to be more than just survivors. ***

Review by Brian McGowan

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Power Plays w/c 21 April 2025

THE DEVIL WEARS NADA Late Night Talking (Eonian Records)
DROWNING POOL Madness (SBG Records)
PARKER BARROW Make It (indie)
REDIKIN Nailed It (Wormholedeath)
PENNY FOUNTAIN Euphoria (indie)
CRY FOR MERCY Saving Grace (indie)
VIGILANTES Life In The Fast Brain (indie)

Featured Albums w/c 21 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)

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