RockMastersBand is a new Helsinki-based group that features ex-members of bands Spiha, Species and Patsaat. The band has gained plenty of fans with their energetic live appearances and this debut CD released in February is apparently almost sold-out. The CD that is also available as a free download from the band’s web site includes ten killer songs that are usually 3 to 5 minutes in length. The band plays Rock with a capital R and they have very tight touch in their playing. The quite heavy music has influences from stoner/desert rock bands like QOTSA and Fu Manchu and at times the energy levels equal those of MC5 and The Stooges. They must have been listening to some punk and blues, as well. The melodies are occasionally a bit more commercial in nature and even though the music is pretty straight-forward it has a nice amount of clever hooks. Sometimes I’m reminded of some street rocks bands starting from Hanoi Rocks. The singer occasionally also brings to mind The Smashing Pumkins’ Billy Gorgan and along with the band’s guitarist he also plays some keyboards which adds some nice dimensions. The tightly rocking track ”24/7 Sucker” also includes some banjo.
RockMastersBand really don’t have that much in common with psychedelia, but they pay their attentions to that direction too a bit, which is nice. The guys play brilliantly together and the album sounds really good. There are even some guitars solos in there, but not exactly any ultra killer guitar mayhem. I have difficulties in naming any favorite songs since they all have their fortes. One of the most convincing songs still might be the album’s longest track “Declare” that starts to sound like Motörhead during the solo part towards the end. The pace cools down a bit in the last two songs but they don’t start playing ballads or shit like that. I can’t see any reason why this band couldn’t make it in the rock business since they seem to be serious and do their job honestly from the heart. They can also write some great tunes and play well. I guess their music could be described as hard alternative rock with stoner influences, to cut a long story short. If you like Finnish bands Spiha, Kamel or Mannhai, you will also like RockMastersBand.
RockMastersBand is a new Helsinki-based group that features ex-members of bands Spiha, Species and Patsaat. The band has gained plenty of fans with their energetic live appearances and this debut CD released in February is apparently almost sold-out. The CD that is also available as a free download from the band’s web site includes ten killer songs that are usually 3 to 5 minutes in length. The band plays Rock with a capital R and they have very tight touch in their playing. The quite heavy music has influences from stoner/desert rock bands like QOTSA and Fu Manchu and at times the energy levels equal those of MC5 and The Stooges. They must have been listening to some punk and blues, as well. The melodies are occasionally a bit more commercial in nature and even though the music is pretty straight-forward it has a nice amount of clever hooks. Sometimes I’m reminded of some street rocks bands starting from Hanoi Rocks. The singer occasionally also brings to mind The Smashing Pumkins’ Billy Gorgan and along with the band’s guitarist he also plays some keyboards which adds some nice dimensions. The tightly rocking track ”24/7 Sucker” also includes some banjo.
