The Stone Gods : Temple of Rock

Stone Gods – Burn The Witch

Pias UK

Rating – 8/10

Review Al Hey

Most bands go out on tour with some product to promote but, in the case of the Stone Gods, who have recently just completed their first full UK tour, it was more a case of just getting out there to introduce themselves. Having caught the band on tour and also being given access to talk to the band about the future it was revealed that there was an EP due for almost imminent release and that an album was also done and dusted. Well here is that EP…

Featuring four tracks, two of the tracks have been featured as snippets on the bands MySpace site, if you’ve listened to those snippets then believe me you’ve barely scratched the surface of what the full-length versions have to offer. Kicking off with “Burn The Witch”, which is bouncy hard rock, lyrically dark and edgy but a whole lot of fun, Stone Gods deliver some tasty layered guitar harmonies that mildly unsettle and create a musical accompaniment that would make this song a perfect soundtrack for anyone who decided to re-make the movie “Witchfidner General”. Dan Hawkins sounds like he is having lot of fun as he riffs his way though time changes that recall early day Metallica.

“You Brought A Knife To A Gunfight” is ultra catchy and if you don’t find yourself shaking your bits to this song you may want to check your pulse. Vocally Richie Edwards is having a ball as he spits out his lyrics sounding like a British version of Steven Tyler. The guitar solo is pure rock and roll being brash and bold and well arranged. “Breakdown” on the other hand begins with a wonderful homage to Thin Lizzy thanks to a tasty dual guitar harmony intro. Dan has never hidden his love of Thin Lizzy and this track does recall the spirit of that band’s earlier music. It’s pure Gorham and Robertson. The song itself could easily trouble the charts thanks to its infectious chorus and Bryan Adams like vibe. Rounding off the EP is “Heartburn” which instantly brought to mind the swagger of the Georgia Satellites and the country rock vibe of John Mellencamp. It’s a well crafted song that shows flair and taste in the guitar department as it dips into some nice country rock and Rolling Stones like licks.

All in all this EP is going to surprise and please a lot of people. Forget everything you know about the history of this band as the new music is a million miles away from where they came from (The Darkness). Each song displays something different and one is left instinctively knowing that as a collective the band have a great chemistry when it comes to songwriting. I have to admit that the prospect of a full album containing music as well crafted as these does get me very excited. Stone Gods have all the ingredients to become a major force in the rock and I for one hope this year sees the band reaching ever-greater heights.

Hardrockhouse.com