The release of Inglorious’ last album Ride To Nowhere was more or less over-shadowed by internal turbulence within the band. In just one day three members of the band – guitarists Andreas Eriksson and Drew Lowe plus bass player Colin Parkinson – had jumped the ship, leaving singer Nathan James and drummer Phil Beaver to their own devices. Not only that but there was lots of online clips on social media, mostly from James showing up on, what it felt like, a daily basis – all while the new record was coming out. James and Beaver wasted no time finding new members for the band and in no-time guitarists Danny De La Cruz and Dan Stevens and bassist Vinnie Colla were recruited.
The band – which has more or less been looked upon as the great, new hope for Classic Hard Rock – did some touring before the pandemic hit but truth be told, there was a lot of focus whether James and Beaver would maintain their momentum created by especially their two first albums. It needs to be pointed out though that Ride To Nowhere was a damn fine effort even though the two first albums were slightly better. Now with the band’s fourth album, it’s time to put up or shut up for the band and show the world that they’re still as relevant with the new line-up as they were before.
Opener and leading single “She Won’t Let You Go” speaks volumes as it says – “Hell yeah, we’re still effing relevant”. It’s a rhythmic, fat and energetic Classic Rock stomper with some crunchy guitars, fueled with Hard Rock with an 80’s touch, albeit not in a pop-metal way. It’s a powerful yet melodic belter with an edgy riff and a striking chorus that pulls no punches and gets you hooked by first listen. A killer track that easily could have been from one of the two first albums. Latest single “Messiah” follows and again, the band sounds as convincing and hard-hitting as ever. The tune comes in a mid-pace but it strikes with a chunky riffage and the beat is nothing but thunderous. The verses might hold a more down-beat approach without losing its static groove and the chorus is massive with an 80’s take on Classic Rock and catchy as damn without going sugar-pop on us. Awesome.
With second single “Medusa” the band takes a few more steps back into the 70’s Classic Rock, bringing on both a raw edge and some muscular rhythms which in turn making them come across as a rougher Whitesnake. There’s a bluesy vibe to the song but it also flirts with Southern Rock and sends some slide playing our way. The heavy riffing combined with an infectious groove and in-your-face melodies takes the tune for the win and the direct and effective chorus is just the icing on an already tasteful cake. Great. “Eye Of The Storm” tells us it’s ballad time. It’s a slow number, quite calming on a floating rhythm where the held-back verses takes on a soothing vibe paving way for a more upbeat chorus in an early 80’s Classic Rock ballad way. The tune goes back and forth with softer passages and more upbeat Classic Rock touches. A damn good one.
“Cruel Intentions” with its Def Leppard “Billy’s Got A Gun” like riff takes a more Melodic Rock way mixing a raunchy and punchy outlook with a smoother and more pop-laden structure. The AOR-flirtatious melodies might go for a more slick outlook but the Classic Rock is never far away and the band mixes in some fine Led Zeppelin crunch in a fine way, giving the tune a chunky edge as well. Great stuff. “My Misery” is again a slow-burner, very blues-laden yet with a more late 80’s Whitesnake Classic Rock structure but never without the punchy beat, crunchy guitars and the catchy riffs. Adding both a piano and keyboards to the mix there’s a smoother twist to the raunchy guitars and the verses are fine tuned with an almost levitating rhythm while the chorus hits big and fat and its hooks draws you in right off the bat. Great stuff.
Going full-on 70’s with Led Zep influenced riffing, “Do You Like It” is a ballsy and big-grooved Classic Rock beast where the rowdy guitars is accompanied by a roaring Hammond organ and a stone-hard rhythm where bass and drums is doing its best to punch you out. The intense verses takes you on ride towards the uplifting, heavy and direct chorus – a terrific tune. “He Will Provide” is uptempo and heavy with raspy guitars and a kicking groove, very much with its feet back in the mid 70’s. The beefy verses alternates between up and mid tempo although the beat’s always up. The tune’s slight gloomy ambience contrasts to the edgy and in-your-face Classic Rock outlook but the almost Metal inspired ferocious riffing fits right in with the darker touches. The chorus is a killer as well – a true KO.
A distorted bass kicks off “We Will Meet Again” but the song soon continues as a raunchy Classic Rock stomper with a Melodic Rock twist and a riff slightly borrowed from Mötley Crüe’s “Dr Feelgood”. The vocal-melodies are a bit laid-back yet hooky over a groovy beat, it holds some slight proggy turns here and there and the chorus is very strong with pop-hooks which brings on some big hit-potential. Very good. “God Of War” starts out with a meaty riff but the verse comes on slower in a laid-back mode and a timid vocal-arrangement which builds up for the pre-chorus which goes for a more punchy and stompy route which in turn gives the refrain a lift when it arrives in a plethora of hooks. The song brings on an early 80’s Whitesnake feel complete with a fat Hammond organ and a crispy, sweaty guitar sound. Great.
Inglorious closes the album and bid their farewells for this time with the title-track, a song that throws a massive groove our way and the Deep Purple influence is all over both riffery and rhythm. The earthy verses is a bit on the down-beat side, darker with a moody gloom, something that contrasts brilliantly to the bigger, fatter and rowdier chorus which takes on a more aggressive tone and the soundscape is just massive. The song really hits like a ton of bricks and takes no prisoners. Great, great stuff.
After only one spin it stands clear that Inglorious has lost nothing when it comes to song-writing and even though I still hold the two first albums as the band’s finest hours, this one really breathes down their necks and is a step up from its predecessor. The nine certainly isn’t that far away. The fourth killer album in a row – how impressive. We’re still treated with Classic Rock where the 70’s meets the 80’s with slight nods towards both Melodic Rock and AOR, all done in a powerful way with grit and heaviness and never, ever do they go into candyland, making stuff sugary or syrupy. They way I see it, Inglorious is still that great new hope for classic Hard Rock and a band that should be headlining festivals in the future!
8/10
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Tracklist:
1. She Won’t Let You Go
2. Messiah
3. Medusa
4. Eye Of The Storm
5. Cruel Intentions
6. My Misery
7. Do You Like It
8. He Will Provide
9. We Will Meet Again
10. God Of War
11. We Will Ride
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