Sokras!

Panjang Umur Perlawanan

(Parties Record)

As is true of many upstarts, in-studio Sokras seems much more disciplined than the live incarnation. Onstage (as depicted in video footage) the members sort themselves out and appear rather shambolic, before eventually coordinating and unleashing the passion they pour out on record. Once they do, though, sparks shoot indiscriminately.  

Recommended: "Panjang Umur Perlawanan," "Kesaksian Air Mata Darah," "Barisa Para Pemuda," "Dilarang Sakit," "Buruh dan Tani"

Video: "Barisa Para Pemuda" (live)

Amazon

se.7digital

QOBuz

Anghami

Back In the Day

Hillbilly Hellcats

Early Daze   digital album

(Rockin' Cat)

From the songwriting pen of Chuck Hughes sprang some of 1990s neo-Rockabilly's wittiest, most sparkling compositions. They offered Country and Jazz accentings within amphetemine romps that occasionally verged on Psycho. These tracks were put to tape in 1994, two years prior to debut LP Rev It Up With Taz (Rockin' Cat). The standup-slapping of Hellcats-cofounder Lance "Romance" Bakemeyer and Chuck's own jaw-droppingly alacritous way with the fretboard ensured the band's rank as among that era's finest.

Chuck now fronts a reshuffled edition and is doubtlessly charting 2024 gameplans. 

Recommended: "I Hate Music," "White Trash," "Crazy Little Baby," "My Baby Moved," "I Dig Jazz," "Let's Rock," "I'm Leavin' Colorado," "Danger," "A Little Less Talk and A Lot More Action," "Over and Over Again," "Hot Rockin' Rhythm," "I Never Thought"

Video: "I Hate Music" (Live in the Netherlands, 2010)

Site

Facebook

Bandcamp

Amazon

Spotify

Vince and the Moon Boppers

Rockin' Down the Tracks 4-track release

(El Toro Records)

Previously, Vince Mannino accrued international acclaim by leading  the Sun Boppers. His successive Moon Boppers embrace the same vintage-styled Rockabilly and ring as authentic as a classical double-bass's slap-back echo. In their sprightly interpretations of airtight compositions, affability endears and traditions (including snapped-tight soloing) are reverentially preserved.

Recommended: "In Love Again," "Keep Me By Your Side," "Two Hearts"

Video: "Two Hearts"

Facebook

El Toro Records

zdigital.com.au

Dr. Void & the Death Machines

Frostbite: Frozen Stiff Remix

(Self-issued)

Their lusty spree along the razor-edge between neo-Rockabilly and burgeoning Psycho finds trio members hot-rodding with formidableness. Whereas potency unfocused would accomplish little, the robustness evidenced here gains effectiveness from well-carpentered songcraft inclusive of twists and relatable hooks. 

Recommended: "In the Valley Of Death," "In Flames We Ride," "Throw It All Away," "Night Of the Living Dead," "Fools," "Rock-and-Roll Heart Attack," "Why Do I Want You More," "Frostbite"

Video: "In Flames, We Ride"

Facebook

ca.7digital

ReverbNation

Spotify

King Size Drag

La Via Della Morte   digital album

(Self-issued)

There can be no resisting the magisterial influence asserted by Lance Neil Hulsey and Lucky Lemont. Their stringed articulations of Americana's varied idioms resound as decisive, complemented to warm effect by muted vocals comfortably in lower register. Unhurried picking of melodious knowing and reliably solid acoustic bass combine in distinction.

Recommended: "Snake Line," "The Devil's Seed," "of Roses and of Wine," "Lucy In Vain," "18 Wheels"

No video available

Facebook

Bandcamp

Deathtones

Universal Monsters

(Horror Records)

Daubed upon near-operatic landscapes of goth-metallic nature are portrayals of monster-men who stalked across yesteryears' silver screens. Instrumentation is of executive caliber, with guitars marauding and keys further coloring the expanse. Not so much songs as deeply developed, stately productions, chapters are lent forboding imprint by vocals worthy of horrific spectacle. 

Recommended: "Dracula," "Frankenstein," "The Mummy," "The Invisible Man," "The Wolf Man," "Creature From the Black Lagoon"

Video: "The Wolf Man"

Facebook

Bandcamp

Pontus J Back

Three Chords

(Talking Music)

In the gifted hands of Finland's Rock Pastor, power chords and the all-important Word become as one and are right. Solo articulations, of which there are many, scream and scintillate. Packaging salvational testimonies in metallic crunch facilitates conntemporary carriage. Besides, that flame, like unto the Sacred one, just plain burns inside Pontus. 

Recommended: "Three Chords," "God Is Here," "God Is Love," "One Way Ticket," "Why Don't You Give Your Life To Jesus," "What a Friend We Have In Jesus," "There Is a River Of Life"

Video: (teaser)

Site

Facebook

Talking Music

zdigital.com.au