The top 10 of 2015

     2015 is over but it brought us some great new music. Here are my top 10 in no particular order, enjoy:

Stryper – Fallen

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Stryper’s new release, Fallen, is a supercharged release to say the least. For a band that has been around for 32 years they have continued to impress. This record is full of killer riffs and powerhouse vocals. I am totally impressed by the production quality of this record. I was even surprised to see a Black Sabbath cover on here “After Forever” is done very well by Stryper.  The track that grabs hold and will not let go is “Fallen” :

     Check out Stryper online:

https://www.facebook.com/Stryper/?fref=ts

http://www.stryper.com/

Ugly Kid Joe – Uglier Than They Used Ta Be

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     Ahhh Ugly Kid Joe, 19 years after Motel California UKJ is back with a full album. These hold a very special place in my heart and always will. This record shows that UKJ has not lost a bit of the attitude that made them so great. This is rock n’ roll pure and undistilled. The stand out here is “Hell Ain’t Hard To Find”:

     Ugly Kid Joe online:

https://www.facebook.com/uglykidjoetheband/?fref=ts

http://www.uglykidjoe.net/

Throw The Temple – No Way But Down

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     Throw The Temple is a hard working band that takes itself serious without being serious about it. Believe me, every move they make is calculated and planned. After seeing them perform for several years they have finally put out and album to be proud of. Full of deep lyrics and catchy tunes ( I even persuaded them to provide the theme song for the Hellion Rocks) this is an album which should be garnering national attention. Enjoy the video for “We Got It Goin'” right here:

     Throw The Temple online:

https://www.facebook.com/throwthetemple/?fref=ts

http://www.throwthetemple.com/

Devil City Angels – Devil City Angels

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     This record was a complete surprise to me. While technically a “supergroup” it sounds nothing like one. I was ina bad mood the first time I played this record, by the end not so much. This is just a feel good record that you can tell was fun to make.  Comprised of the legendary Tracii Guns, Rudy Sarzo, Rikki Rockett, and Brandon Gibbs, this is a DO NOT MISS record. Here’s the video for “Boneyard”:

     Devil City Angels online:

https://www.facebook.com/DevilCityAngels/

Motorhead – Bad Magic

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     Motörhead has always been a guilty pleasure for me. I have always listened to them and probably always will. I have seen the fairweather fans come and go as the trends change. I was extremely saddened to hear of the deaths of Lemmy and Phil “Philthy Animal” Taylor. This final album from Motörhead is to savor and enjoy.  Take a listen to “Electricity” and pay your respects:

       Motörhead online:

https://www.facebook.com/OfficialMotorhead/?fref=ts

http://www.imotorhead.com/tablet/index.html

Skulldron – Through The Smoke

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     Skulldron rocks, plain and simple. I have known these guys for years and years and enjoyed them immensely. Skulldron falls into the Stoner/Doom metal category and they do it so very well. This is a band that NEEDS some worldwide acclaim. This is another record that SHOULD be in your collection. Well crafted and put together Through The Smoke takes you on a trip to a very cool place in your head. Take a peek at G.O.A.T. :

     Skulldron online:

https://www.facebook.com/skulldron/?fref=ts

http://skulldron.com/

Clutch – Psychic Warfare

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     Clutch is band that, to me, everyone should be running to the store and buying all of their records. Firing on all cylinders and then some,  Clutch  simply rules. This album continues Clutch’s streak of aggressive, hard charging rock. I have one thing to say about Clutch, if you don’t like them, you haven’t listened  to them. Psychic Warfare is a great record to introduce you to the awesomeness that is Clutch. “X-Ray Visions” will whet your appetite:

     Clutch online:

 https://www.facebook.com/Clutchband/?fref=ts

http://www.pro-rock.com/

Dellacoma – South Of Everything

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     Dellacoma Rio, vocalist for Dellacoma is one of the hardest working men in rock n’ roll. Hailing from Australia, Del continually works on world domination. Putting together an outstanding band of three world class musicians: Art Struck, Matt Cook, and Rick Reynolds,  Dellacoma wrote and recorded a well crafted piece of art. No frill, no filler, just straight up feel good music. This is my pick for road music of the year. Put this on, roll down the windows,  and hit the road. Let me show you what I mean:

     Dellacoma online:

https://www.facebook.com/dellacoma

http://www.dellacoma.com/

Red Sky Mary – River Child

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     Red Sky Mary was an accidental find for me. I was completely taken aback by the soul in this young band. It was as if someone jumped into a time machine and collected the DNA from several 70’s bands and somehow fused them into Red Sky Mary. I find so much depth and beauty in this record it amazes me that their are bands still making music that you can truly feel. Here is the latest from Red Sky Mary:

     Red Sky Mary online:

https://www.facebook.com/redskymary/

http://www.redskymary.com/

Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators – Live at the Roxy 9.25.14

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     Slash and crew deliver on this live recording from the Roxy. I f you have never had the chance to catch them live this is the next best thing. Relaxed and fun this record showcases Slash’s and Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators talent. With songs that span throughout Slash’s career from GNR, Velvet Revolver, through today this one is a winner. My favorite track from this record:

 

Slash and the boys online:

https://www.facebook.com/Slash/

http://www.slashonline.com/

     it’s loud, it’s dirty, it’s ROCK N’ ROLL!!!

     -the Hellion

Dellacoma is back with South Of Everything

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WAKE UP!!! There’s no sleeping when you fire up the new release from Dellacoma. This is a hard charging album straight from the gate!

Loud guitars, punchy bass, powerful drums, and vocals reminiscent of Rock Stars past, it’s all here.

Following the amicable dissolution of the Australian based Sunset Riot Dellacoma Rio found himself at a crossroad.Thankfully for us he chose to continue his musical journey.

Like a superhero,  Del summoned forth a new band of musical warriors to assault the world anew. Gathering fellow Australian Rick Reynolds on bass, and from Dallas Texas: Matt Cook on drums and Art Stuck on guitars, Dellacoma was complete.

They then went to ground and began recording the record that was to become South Of Everything. If you have ever felt music in the past and can remember how it made you feel you will welcome this album.

One can hear the many influences this band pays homage to and yet it remains distinctly unique. I find myself thinking of the swagger of Aerosmith and early Def Leppard to Buckcherry even.

The standout tracks for are “Under My Skin” which opens with drums that remind me of a Saxon tune and then quickly transitions into a sleazy rockin’ tune that is near and dear to me. “FJH (Get Me Out)” has a kind of Motley Crue vibe yet retains the Dellacoma swagger we all know and love. “Fame-Slaves-Gold” will take you back to when Aerosmith was still cool, powerful and bluesy I have hit repeat on this track several times.

Those are a few of the standout tracks for me on the record but believe me there is no filler here. This is the kind of record you want to put on in your car, roll the windows down, drive fast and share with the world.

I am proud to say that I have become close to Dellacoma Rio over the years and have seen the behind the scenes struggle this man has endured to get the music that burns so brightly within him out to the world. Now Del, Rick, Art, and Matt are proud to unveil their recipe for good rock n’ roll to the world.

As a bonus for me I was asked by Del to provide him with a photograph for inclusion in the cover art and I am proud to sat it was used for the back cover and CD face. Thank you for that Del and the gang.

Setting my friendship with Del and the guys aside and basing solely on the music I would give this record a solid 10 out of 10 stars. I say this because of this records ability to transport me to a different time and place, a feat that is hard to come by in this day and age of fast food music.

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Thank you Del, Rick, Art, and Matt for a kick ass rock n’ roll journey!

it’s loud, it’s dirty, it’s DELLACOMA!!!

-the Hellion

 

 

 

DELLACOMA signs to Shock Records

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We are very pleased to announce that we have signed our very first record contract! Shock Records will be releasing our debut album “South of Everything” in Australia and New Zealand on 10 April. Unfortunately we still do not have a release date for the rest of the world but the good news is that if you pre-ordered we will be shipping out within the next couple of weeks and even if you missed out on the pre-order you will still be able to order either off the Shock Records website or by messaging the band directly.
This is a giant step forward for us as a band and we are so incredibly grateful for all your support and patience, none of this would have been possible without YOU our dedicated fans. We look forward to seeing many of you soon as we hit the road for more epic adventures.

     DELLACOMA is:

Rick Reynolds- bass
Art Struck- guitar
Matt Cook- drums
Dellacoma Rio- vocals

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     Check out DELLACOMA online at:

http://www.dellacoma.com/

https://www.facebook.com/dellacoma

 

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Check out Shock Records online at:

http://www.shockrecords.com.au/

https://www.facebook.com/shockrecordsaus

     I also feel mighty proud that one of my photographs was used by DELLACOMA for the rear cover!

     it’s loud, it’s dirty, it’s ROCK N’ ROLL!!!

     – the Hellion

 

 

Dellacóma Rio returns with new lineup and a new EP – The Dead Will Rise

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Change
Dead Will Rise
Needle In The Red
Under My Skin

     Dellacóma Rio came to my attention as the dynamic front man of the stellar Australian group Sunset Riot. Unfortunately sunset Riot parted ways last year.   Dellacóma Rio however, decided to forge ahead with his music career and reinvent himself musically. Dellacóma went to ground and worked on some new music to wow the world with. I am fortunate to have been in constant contact with Dellacóma during this transition and now have the chance to tell you about the new EP:The Dead Will Rise  by the band DELLACOMA!!!

Dellacoma Band

     The four song EP shows a departure from the sound of Sunset Riot. Dellacóma’s sound is rougher and a bit raw, and I love it. I don’t have the EP track listing so I’ll talk about the tracks one by one. “Change” has that catchy groove that sucks you in from the get go, there is no time to ease into this track. Great harmonies augment  Dellacóma’s voice and he is singing stronger than ever. The chorus will have you singing along with your fist in the air. “Dead Will Rise” slows the pace a bit showcasing the raw emotion in the voice of Dellacóma Rio. This is definitely a song worthy of raising your lighter (or lit up phone) as the song moves through its soulful guitars and melodies.

     “Needle In The Red” is one of my favorite tracks off of the EP hands down. Dirty raw and nasty rawk n’ roll brings this track to life. Nice guitar hooks with plenty of wah, solid back beat, throbbing bass line combined with the power of Dellacóma Rio’s voice make this a winner “Come and get some, yeahhhh”.  “Under My Skin” is the second of my favorite tracks. It begins with a drum intro worthy of some of the top arena bands of the past. This track is reminiscent of those bands we all know and love form those arena days. It’s very easy to imagine this song cranking as thousands of fans scream for more. Powerful and punchy this track will be a winner live!

     Dellacóma Rio is back and he hasn’t missed a beat. His live lineup is Matt Cook on drums, Rick Reynolds on bass, and Art Struck on guitars. Dellacoma the band is hitting the road this spring in support of the new EP so keep a look out for a show near you!

     Stay up to date with Dellacoma online:

     http://www.dellacoma.com/

     https://www.facebook.com/dellacoma

     it’s loud, it’s dirty, it’s DELLACOMA!!!

     -the Hellion