Reviews roundup – The Answer vs. Black Hole Raven vs. Orca

Reviews roundup – The Answer vs. Black Hole Raven vs. Orca

THE ANSWER
Rise: 10th Anniversary edition
Tap Music

I really thought they were going to be “It” when “Rise” came out back in 2006. The most exciting young rock band in a generation. But it wasn’t to be. They never matched the quality (or sales) of their debut, but fair play, they’ve soldiered on.

So, this 10th anniversary edition serves as a reminder of how just how could they were when they exploded out of the traps. It’s no wonder they sold 100,000 copies of it and played stadia with the likes of AC/DC. It remains an amazing statement of potent blues rock. It’s been remastered, which is a bit like giving an old master a second coat of paint, but if there are any young uns out there who don’t know what The Answer were about, then this gives them a chance to find out.

To try and tempt people like me into buying it for the third time, it comes with a second disc with thirteen songs including nine demos from 2004 and some new mixes. It’s alright, but no match for the 2007 special edition which rounded up the B-sides from the single releases, acoustic tracks, three live tracks recorded in Tokyo and their cover of ‘Sweet Emotion’ by Aerosmith. Try and track down one of those!

The original album was never released on vinyl and part of this reissue package will include a limited numbered 180g vinyl edition. Enjoy!

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BLACK HOLE RAVEN
Black Hole Raven
ContraMusik

I’m working on the principle that their press bumph is taking the piss, but if it isn’t, then it’s time for a call to the men with the white van (which was actually grey, fact fans, when they turned up at ny house to cart off my sectioned Aunty Betty).

Anyway, Black Hole Raven (great name) are based over there in that Hollywood (well Germany, actually) place and are worshipping at the altar of seventies rock,with their blues meets stoner meets glam meets rawk. Which is nice.

Kai Neufang (drums), Christoph “Molly” Hautz (bass) and Ralli Rock (guitar and vocals) are the Herren responsible, and they certainly know how to knock out a sleazy, dirty rock and roll tune. They’ve all served their time doing sessions and playing in support acts, so they can definitely play, and if you’re the kind of person who likes their music leather bound and vomit flecked, then songs like ‘No Devils’, ‘Down the Drain’ and ‘Do Not Luv Me’ may well float your boat.

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ORCA
Universe
independent

Some prog metal to finish off the day. Well, what the young folks call prog metal. You know, that arty farty stuff that Tool and Deftones get up to.

They’ve also got a few neo-grunge moves up their sleeve, which is understandable considering that’s what they’ve lived through. They’ve been together since 2014, mutating from an instrumental outfit into the band presented here. They’re certainly good at the heavy riffing and complex arrangements which are required by the genre, and for a debut, they’ve got game.

They obviously know their way around the studio as well, as this self produced effort puts many a major release to shame. At the top of their game, as they are on ‘Amber’, ‘Pyramid’ and ‘PKD’, they give notice that they could be here awhile.

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