Tag: High Roller Records

Album Review: Lockhart – City Pulse (High Roller Records)

By: Jesse Striewski

When Lockhart first emerged on the scene with their debut EP a few years back, I knew they were instantly filling a gap I had no idea I needed prior in the world of melodic AOR hard rock music.

City Pulse expands what they had started on that original release, the opening/title track quickly taking listeners on what feels like a continuous ride through the dark, verboten underbelly of any given major city that includes a music video that fits alongside of it perfectly.

Holdovers from the first EP such as “Just Can’t Wait” and “No Chance in Heaven” sound newly polished here, while the album’s second single “Can’t Shake It” is a catchy pop anthem that gets stuck in your head for days, featuring bassist Jason Junop’s Cauldron bandmate Ian Kilpatrick on lead guitar.

In short, what Lockhart are doing is nothing short of phenomenal; it’s the type of music that makes one want to scream from a mountain top to all those wasting their time on so many other substance-less acts out there to just stop. Indeed, there’s something better out there for all of us, you just have to seek it out and find it – in this case I only wish there was more of it.

Rating: 4.5/5 Stars

Album Review: Rave In Fire – Square One (High Roller Records)

By: Jesse Striewski

Truth be told, I’m always on the lookout for more talented, up-and-coming metal bands that check all the right boxes. Madrid’s Rave In Fire certainly get the job done (despite the fairly cheesy cover of their second full-length effort here), delivering solid tracks often in the same vein as Dio, Scorpions, or early Iron Maiden.

The instrumental “Prologue of a Delirium” sets things up nicely before “Dark Poison” and “Crown of Stars” each take respective command of their listeners. Other highlights such as “Untiring Eagles” and “Knightwalker” set a perfect tone in their own right as well.

In a genre with such a vast, already-established history such as heavy metals,’ it’s not always easy to stick out from the rest of the crowd. But when you’re authentic and paying tribute to what’s come before without completely ripping it off or becoming just another cliche/parody (plus when each of your two female members have the ability to turn a head or two – sorry, but ultimately I’m still just a guy!), it’s hard not to take some notice. Looking forward to seeing what else is in store in the near future for this act indeed.

Rating: 3/5 Stars