I’d not come across Watford-based outfit, The Wicked Jackals before but, the band having reached out to me, I checked out the sweet clip for lead single ain’t gonna change and was immediately hooked by the depth of the production and the sheer verve with which they attack the melodic hard rock that informs their sound. In their brief bio, they mention the likes of AC/DC, the Cult and Motorhead, to which I’d add some of the melodic nous of The Wildhearts for good measure. Like any good hard rock band, the band know how to speak the language – pile-driving drums, arcing solos and gritty vocals – but they head into it all with such brio, it’s hard not to get swept up in it all.
Ain’t gonna change opens up this svelte, five-track EP and it’s a strong introduction to the band. From the driving rhythm (laid down by drummer James Norkett and bassist Lex Gifford) that opens up to the blistering solos that guitarists Ollie Tindall and Marty Venus fire across the middle-eight like explosive charges, the band know exactly where they’re headed and have confidence and skill in abundance. Second track fortune and glory sees a W.A.S.P influence come to the fore, the Wicked Jackals fully aware of the value of a strong chorus and delivering a sure-fire mosh-pit anthem in the process. Next up, the bluesy she’s gone to the dogs makes good of the band’s AC/DC influence, the bluesy licks and sleazy vocals harking back to the days when Bon Scott dominated the airwaves with a sly wink and a lascivious leer. Every good hard rock record needs an anthem of rebellion and, in Layin’ down the law, The Wicked Jackals have theirs. Strangely, the production seems a touch weaker on this one, especially compared with the pristine sound of ain’t gonna change, although the song-writing shines through regardless, and there’s no doubting the track’s live potential. The EP finishes with up-tempo scream, one final blast of gasoline-fuelled hard rock that seems custom built for biker bars where the beer flows, the leather creaks and the dance floor becomes a heaving, sticky mass at closing time.
The Wicked Jackals are not interested in reinventing the wheel and that’s fine. They clearly love what they do, are more than conversant with the giants of the hard rock genre and able to synthesise their influences into a fiery and exciting EP that ticks all the boxes and provides a strong impetus to catch the band live. Well worth checking out, About time is a hard rock gem that gets the juices flowing. 8/10
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