PlanetMosh Keeping it Metal
Bulletboys a Rock n Roll band from Hollywood, California were founded in 1988 by former members of King Kobra and Ratt. Thirty years later with more former members (see here) than years service, including some famous names such as DJ Ashba, Steven Adler, Jason Hook and Chris Holmes, the band released their latest album; From Out of the Skies last month via Frontiers Music s.r.l. preceded by a ten date UK tour. The only remaining original member is Marq Torien having formerly been a member of, albeit very briefly, both Ratt (as a gutarist) and King Kobra (as lead vocalist).
The album opens with Apocalypto, and whilst it has the same title it wasn’t the theme tune for the 2006 film, it starts off gently but speeds up into a song with a chugging beat, great riffs and includes some Falsetto Bee Gees style vocals and harmonised backing vocals ending with a burst of bullet fast drumming from newest Bulletboy, the man with the mohawk, Anthony ‘Tiny’ Biuso. D-Evil a fast, rapping number features Jesse Hughes from Eagles of Death Metal a devilish vocal duet, between Marq and Jesse, interspersed with devilish screams.
The title track From Out of the Skies with some fast and furious riffage, reminded me of Towers of London’s Superbowl in places. Hi-Fi Drive By a gentle ballad put me in mind of Fly High Michelle by the band they have just toured the UK with Enuff Z’Nuff. Losing End Again a ballad with an underlying Flamenco beat. What Cha Don’t with a long guitar and drum roll intro leading into a superfast song with some soaring riffs. P.R.A.B. a more funky number I’m thinking Red Hot Chilli Peppers meets James Brown Play That Funky Music White Boy.
Sucker Punch another rapping song has a bit of a Skid Row vibe and includes the lyrics ‘My Chinese butterfly‘ and the theme ‘From Out of the Skies‘ i.e. butterfies remains for the penultimate song the acoustic Switchblade Butterfly.
Usually stories start with ‘Once Upon A Time‘ but in this instance the story, or rather the album ends here, with the power ballad of that title. The last line of both the song, and the album being ‘Moment of my life’ and indeed the final track of a ten track album is but a moment, in the history of a band which has been going for thirty years now. From rap to funk, from hard rock to power ballads From Out of The Skies the newly released album from the Bulletboys is a well produced album which showcases Marq Torien’s amazing vocal range. I hope the Bulletboys have many more moments left in them yet!
Highlight Tracks: From Out of the Skies and What Cha Don’t
Track Listing:
1. Apocalypto
2. D-Evil (with guest vocals from Jesse Hughes of Eagles of Death Metal.)
3. From Out of the Skies
4. Hi-Fi Drive By
5. Losing End Again
6. What Cha Don’t
7. P.R.A.B.
8. Sucker Punch
9. Switchblade Butterfly
10. Once Upon a Time
BulletBoys – Current Line-Up
Marq Torien – vocals, guitar
Nick Rozz – guitar
Chad MacDonald – bass
Anthony ‘Tiny’ Biuso – drums
Links
- £10.99
