Get ready to rock together with this UK brigade and their debut album, leaning into life’s recognizable moments with tongues firmly in cheeks.

Playing the kind of Heavy Rock that grew up on Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Aerosmith and Dio, with a focus on big hooks rather than nostalgia, UK’s Hard Rock brigade Toys That Bïte is unleashing upon humanity their debut album, titled You Have Been Warned. Recorded by the band itself and engineered and mixed by Ben Turner at Axe & Trap Studios, and mastered by Romesh Dodangoda at Long Wave Studios, the debut by Adam “AJ” Stanley on vocals, Karl Bauers and Dave Rivett on the guitars, Jason “Shep” Sheppard on bass, and Terry “Tezza” Anderson on drums leans into life’s recognizable moments with tongues firmly in cheeks, offering an overdose of twin guitars, punchy tempos and choruses built to be shouted back.

Those old school rockers rev up their engines in style and hit the road with Toys That Bïte, with AJ taking the lead with his alcohol-infused rockin’ vocals; and presenting the galloping rhythm made famous by bands like Iron Maiden and Judas Priest, with of course Shep and Tezza stealing the spotlight, we have Genius Level Stupid, followed by The Devil Took My Heart, sounding like a song taken from the classic album Turbo, by Judas Priest, mixed with influences from the 70’s while Karl and Dave slash their axes mercilessly. Tezza then hammers his drums in the Rock N’ Roll party Last Train To Hell, making it impossible to stand still to such a thrilling tune, a wild ride where their riffs and solos exhale the essence of the genre. Ladies Of The Night offers another travel back in time to the glory of the 80’s, a song clearly inspired by the Sunset Strip sound, whereas Tits (Makes Him An Animal) showcases a weird name for a song, a bit too sexist, but if you don’t worry too much about it the song is quite entertaining.

Then presenting elements from Sludge and Southern Rock and Metal, the band invests in a more cadenced, yet extremely heavy tune titled Little Black Book, showcasing the power of the riff by Karl and Dave. Shep and Tezza once again craft a rumbling kitchen perfect for an avalanche of riffs in Hit That Like, while AJ delivers those classic, in-your-face Hard Rock vocals tailored for singling along with the band; and they keep firing their blend of classic Hard Rock with a strong Rock N’ Roll vein in Gentleman’s Club, with its backing vocals offering a nice support to AJ throughout the entire song, not to mention their incendiary guitar solos. Let’s keep on dancing the night away together with Toys That Bïte to the sound of Psychopath, also highly recommended for hitting the road (just be careful with the speed, of course), whereas the album closes with their ode to the art of drinking, Pour Me A Whiskey, of course presenting a powerful Southern Metal core, with its background keys elevating the song’s epicness considerably.

The rockin’ crew of Toys That Bïte can be found on Facebook and on Instagram, and I’m sure they’ll love to hear what you have to say about their music, and don’t forget to also subscribe to their YouTube channel, stream their music on Spotify, and put your hard rockin’ hands on You Have Been Warned by clicking HERE and selecting your favorite version of the album. AJ, Karl, Dave, Shep and Tezza are ready to kick some asses armed with their debut album of sheer Rock N’ Roll, and you better get ready for their sonic attack because those toys definitely bite.

Best moments of the album: Toys That Bïte, Last Train To Hell and Hit That Like.

Worst moments of the album: Tits (Makes Him An Animal).

Released in 2026 Dr. Johns Surgery Records

Track listing
1. Toys That Bïte 3:52
2. Genius Level Stupid 3:27
3. The Devil Took My Heart 4:02
4. Last Train To Hell 3:45
5. Ladies Of The Night 5:10
6. Tits (Makes Him An Animal) 3:06
7. Little Black Book 4:41
8. Hit That Like 3:42
9. Gentleman’s Club 3:47
10. Psychopath 3:32
11. Pour Me A Whiskey 4:57

Band members
Adam “AJ” Stanley – vocals
Karl Bauers – guitars, backing vocals
Dave Rivett – guitars, backing vocals
Jason “Shep” Sheppard – bass
Terry “Tezza” Anderson – drums