Ragtime Records [Release date 13.03.26]
“Imagine the Kill Bill soundtrack played by Rage Against the Machine with an orchestra” is the blurb used to entice the wary listener into the music of twelve piece, Birmingham based, Big Band of Boom. Drummer Matt Holmes is the foundation on which Big Band of Boom is built upon, which includes a six-piece horn section and vocalist Josh Wunderlich.
With the horns Big Band of Boom have a swing like the Diablo Swing Orchestra, but when listening to ‘Doomscrolling’, they have definite System of a Down vibes. Hardly surprising then that they cover ‘Toxicity’ and it sounds exactly as you’d expect System of a Down to sound if they had a horn section!
Pendulum’s ‘Propane Nightmares’ is made for this band, not least because of the original’s use of a horns sound in song’s main riff. Drum ‘n’ brass if you will.
Mind you, just when you think you have the measure of the band, up pops their jazzy influences on ‘Not Today’. If Michael Bublé ever needs another song to cover this reviewer would humbly suggest this one.
‘Stupid Filthy Rich’ was the lead single and pulls no punches lyrically and is a decent entry point into the band’s music. ‘Anxiety Universe’ also pulls no punches, including a Ren like spoken rant midway through.
Big Band of Boom could well become your favourite new band! Big band, swing, jazz, fusion, metal…all mixed nicely together to give an album to play on repeat and enjoy. ***1/2
Review by Jason Ritchie
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Power Plays w/c 9 February 2026
EVA UNDER FIRE Murder Scene (Better Noise Music)
ARGOVIA Ebb & Flow (Presagio Records)
TELENOVA In The Name Of Your Love ()
TAILGUNNER War In Heaven (Napalm Records)
FROM ASHES TO NEW Villain (Fiction Records)
WITHIN TEMPTATION & SMASH INTO PIECES Somebody Like You (indie)
EVA UNDER FIRE Murder Scene (Better Noise Music)
ARGOVIA Ebb & Flow (Presagio Records)
TELENOVA In The Name Of Your Love ()
TAILGUNNER War In Heaven (Napalm Records)
FROM ASHES TO NEW Villain (Fiction Records)
WITHIN TEMPTATION & SMASH INTO PIECES Somebody Like You (indie)
XO SOUNDTRACK Talk About Me (indie)
Featured Albums w/c 9 February 2026
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Singer Songwriter)
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