PlanetMosh Keeping it Metal
About 2012 on a bitterly cold night, queueing outside the Sanctuary rock club in Burnley, waiting to see ex ACDC singer Dave Evans supported by Massive Wagons, an unknown band to me. We went into the bar and they were stood there, looking very shy, but when they hit that stage, their was no stopping them, giving the headliner a hard act to follow.
Many years have passed since then and so have many reviews from myself, so here we are as they release their seventh studio album Earth To Grace, that follows Triggered #6 in the UK album chart. Such is their passion for glory, Earth To Grace has surpassed that position, reaching #4 spot and No1 ROCK ALBUM! I wonder if they knew back then when they formed in Lancaster 2009 how much promise was shown?
These eleven songs on display caught me off guard on the first listen as they’ve reached new heights of musicianship seemingly with ease, point proven by opener ‘Sleep Forever’, an early banger to be one of their fastest songs that vrooms along in the vein of ‘Freewheel Burning’ by Judas Priest, capturing the metal attack of the original with razor sharp riffing and molten metal guitar solos.
Robust riffs drive ‘Missing On TV’ along as this headbanger has a melodic vocal rant but still has the ire for Barry Mills vocals to highlight the class difference between us and our feckless government.
‘Free And Easy’ is not an Almighty cover as a brief drop in pace but still has the balls to rattle your head. More powerful lyrics tell about keeping your feet on the ground and not being something you’re not.
‘Night Skies’ has some neat guitar interplay between Adam Thistlethwaite and Stevie Holl as poignant lyrics once more cry out once more in the majestic choruses.
‘The Good Die Young’ will forever be my favourite Wagons track. It’s to be sung loud and proud in the heavens above as a twin lead vocal from Barry and Hundred Reasons member Colin Doran fire up the rest of the band, but don’t take my word for it, check out the video below.
‘All We Got’ is a country tinged rock and roller that goes down the gears but heavies up for the shout em out loud and proud choruses.
More cowbell please drummer Alex ‘Roy Thistlethwaite for ‘Cool Like A Fox’ to let Barry pour out his lyrics with heart on sleeve nuances until a midway guitar solo lights up the sky.
‘Fun While It Lasted’ is a major rager par excellence of crushing powerchords, pinned down by snappy snare work, an uplifting vocal and spotlight stealing choruses.
‘Whatever Makes You …’ is an eerie number as the gloom of the riffs match creepy vocals and beligerrent bass guitar bombast from Adam ‘Bowz’ Buskill.
‘Underdog’ is another high roller from intelligent lyrics that had me enthralled throughout, demanding repeat plays for another guitar fuelled headbanger.
This magnum opus of an album closes on ‘Rabbit Hole’. Lyrics are spat out at auctioneer speed in three thrilling minutes, venting his spleen for the most over the top song, fighting for the finish line before a laid back midsection gives way for a frenzied guitar outro.
Massive Wagons band info is here :- https://linktr.ee/MassiveWagons
Earth To Grace album track listing :-
Sleep Forever.
Missing On TV.
Free And Easy.
Night Skies.
The Good Die Young (feat. Colin Doran).
All We Got.
Cool Like A Fox.
Fun While It Lasted.
Whatever Makes You…
Underdog.
Rabbit Hole.
