By David O’Neill
‘Voices Unheard’ arrives with all the subtlety of a steel-toecap to the teeth, and frankly, that’s exactly what it needs. This debut doesn’t waste time chasing trends or polishing its boots for polite company – it kicks the door in and makes itself at home.
From the moody scene-setter ‘Intro’ into the riff-heavy lurch of ‘Down Below’, there’s a clear mission statement: keep it loud, keep it dirty, and don’t overcomplicate things.
‘Riverboat Queen’ swaggers in with a knowing grin, drenched in retro sleaze, while ‘Need Your Love’ proves they can rein it in without losing their grip.
Elsewhere, ‘The Getaway’ hammers the point home—hooks big enough to hang your coat on, delivered with zero finesse and all the better for it. ‘Bittersweet’ starts with a much gentler acoustic feel that easily demonstrates the gentler side of the band.
The second half doesn’t let up. ‘Over The Mountain’ and ‘Alectrona’ drag things into heavier, murkier waters, while ‘Lovemaker’ struts like it’s got something to prove. Closer ‘The Rinsk’ is gloriously rough around the edges—more spit than polish, and all the more convincing because of it.
It’s not clever or groundbreaking, but it knows exactly what it’s doing – and that counts. You can hear early Greta Van Fleet all over ‘The Rinsk’ and, by extension, Led Zeppelin, especially on ‘Lovemaker’, and that’s no criticism.
Topping their Steelhouse Festival appearance last year the band have an extensive world tour, (yes you heard right “WORLD” tour) as special guests to none other than Sammy Hagar at some venues and the legends that are Deep Purple in others including a gig at The Royal Albert Hall.
- ‘Voices Unheard’ will be released next Friday (29 May).