Album Review – Gasoline Guns / Metal ‘N’ Roll EP (2015)

Let these Ukrainian rockers show you what real badass Rock N’ Roll is all about with their inebriate and flaming attitude.

Rating5

GG_demo_frontPraising whiskey, fighting, burning gasoline and, of course, our beloved Rock N’ Roll, Ukrainian Metal N’ Roll wolfpack Gasoline Guns might sound as just a tribute to the badass rock music by Motörhead at first, but pay close attention to their music and you’ll see those guys have a lot more to offer to all fans of raspy vocals and dirty riffs. And if you take into consideration the fact that their brand new release “entitled” Metal ‘N’ Roll is actually a demo, even with the overall quality of the songs and the production being significantly better than lots of renowned bands who have been on the road for many years, you’ll get all the more impressed by those Ukrainian rockers.

As aforementioned, Metal ‘N’ Roll is considered by Gasoline Guns themselves as just a demo version of what they can generate, but let’s give this Chernihiv-based band some credit for the awesome work done and call it an EP for reviewing purposes. Although the band has been rocking around since 2013, it’s now in 2015 that they seem ready for hitting the entire world with their uncompromising attitude and boozy musicality, and this demo carries all the elements they need to show everyone that crosses their path what they’re capable of.

The opening track, Jokers 666, sounds indeed like they’re paying homage to the iconic Ian Fraser “Lemmy” Kilmister and his road crew, with its catchy riffs and accelerated rhythm guaranteeing the fun for the listener and the vocals by Dmytro being slightly more demonic than usual Rock N’ Roll. If someone asked me to label this type of music, I would suggest something like “Beer N’ Roll” for sure, and yet again I have to mention the outstanding level of professionalism for what’s supposed to be just a demo. Putting the pedal to the metal like no one else, they were able to get even thrashier in the excellent This Hook Got Caught Up You, where the sick low-tuned bass lines by Andriy combined to the exciting drums by Volodymyr will inspire you for a nasty pub fight. I dare you to stand still during this killer tune, and if you do, I’m sorry but I’ll have to ask you to stop reading this review and go listen to some shitty songs from the always awful Top 40.

gasoline gunsHowever, Gasoline Guns are not just pure Rock N’ Roll, but they can also bring forth some dirty and crude Hard Rock such as Blaze Up, which straightforward musicality is exactly what’s needed to electrify whoever is listening to it. Dmytro leads the party with his inebriate vocals, while the rest of the band adds their rockin’ gasoline to the music to blaze up the house. And next time I want to see more cowbell, please! Well, if you didn’t get this joke, simply grab your bottle of Jack Daniel’s, chug it and hit the floor for some crazy headbanging in Whiskey Funeral Spell, where the riffs by Volodymyr couldn’t sound grimier (in the best way possible, of course), strengthening the quality of the music considerably. As they scream during the song, they’re “drunk as hell”, and we all have to agree that this ethylic element adds a lot of power to their musicality, right?

Anyway, closing this amazing demo we have Panzer Rock ‘N’ Roll, one of the coolest Rock N’ Roll tunes I’ve heard recently. It’s extremely simple, but so effective you’ll start moshing even if you’re all alone thanks to the thrilling riffs by Volodymyr and another great performance by Dmytro, turning it into a heavy rock anthem of the modern era. Put differently, if you truly have Rock N’ Roll flowing inside your veins, I’m sure you’ll listen to this newborn classic nonstop for days in a row.

And not only you can get in touch with this awesome band from Ukraine through their Facebook page, VKontakte, YouTube channel and BandCamp page, but especially if you’re an underground record label you should be aware Gasoline Guns are currently searching for somebody like YOU to release their very first full-length album, which is already recorded and just waiting for your external help to reach complete combustion. If I were you, I would definitely give this promising Ukrainian road crew a chance, and let them show the entire world what real badass Rock N’ Roll is all about.

Best moments of the album: Panzer Rock ‘N’ Roll.

Worst moments of the album: None, of course.

Released in 2015 Independent

Track listing
1. Jokers 666 2:36
2. This Hook Got Caught Up You 2:18
3. Blaze Up 3:33
4. Whiskey Funeral Spell 3:43
5. Panzer Rock ‘N’ Roll 3:37

Band members
Dmytro – vocals
Volodymyr – guitar
Andriy – bass
Volodymyr – drums