Artist:  Velvet Star
   Title: In The Face Of Vanity
   Label: Rocksector Records
 

Spreading their wings and picking up some of the countries newest stars over the years, Rocksector Records have again scooped up another hard rocking band in Velvet Star, who deliver suckerpunch high octane punk/sleaze.  Think 70’s punk attitude and a modern swagger.

The bands debut release shoots from the hip with the opening barrage of the stunning ‘Revolver’, a track with Ramones speeds built around a Hellacopters riff, all soaked in a heady bass and drum combo and wrapped in a 70’s punk angst filled vocal.  The fuel injected rock n' roll is kept at break neck speed with ‘Rockstar/Superstar’, again big chunky bass lines drive this one ever forward as the big guitar riffs come thick and fast.  Something the 70’s punk bands never had.

The tempo is brought down just a touch with ‘One Of Us’.  Although the tempo is brought down a few notches the attitude is turned up to ten.  I have to bring in resemblances to The Glitterati at this point, the similarities in basic sound are so near, but what you find with Velvet Star is that there is a touch more attitude and bite about their songs.

It's groove filled hard rockin' all the way with the splendid ‘Zero’.  Think a modern day Stooges with more guitar zing.  Then it’s ‘Easy’, a more bass ridden rocker that eases off the pace just for a moment, before its picked up with one of my favourites off the album the superb ‘Ego’.  Again chunky riffs all over the place that really set you up for that suckerpunch chorus line.  You never see it coming before it leads you into the big lick filled finish.

There is no rest bite at the big licked guitar rock continues with ‘Give It To Me’ and excellent ‘It Aint Over’.  The latter bringing a little more of a Hard Rock vibe to the mix.  If Green Day did Hard Rock then this is what they would sound like.

It’s back to the Punk Sleaze rock with ‘Something About You’, before the album closes with in style with the revved up sleaze of ’15 Minutes’.  This album shows there is a wealth of young talent out there in the world of rock n' roll and again Rocksector have had foresight to sign a young band on their merit and not on what’s the so called popular music genre that’s has strangling the British Music scene over recent years.  Long may it continue! Britain’s Got Talent, REAL TALENT!  If it takes people like Mark to bring it to the masses then so be it.  Also you can check out the band as they support fellow label mates Falling Red on tour in April this year.  In addition to that you can also catch them at this years S.O.S. Festival where Rocksector Records bring together not just their own bands, but the best up and coming talent around.  Gun are headlining too so that’s just another reason to get yourself down to Radcliffe Civic Hall later this year.

 Tracklisting:

1. Revolver
2. Rockstar / Superstar
3. One Of Is
4. Zero
5. Easy
6. Ego
7. Give It To Me
8. It Ain't Over
9. Something About You
10. 15 Minutes

                  

 

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