A new House of Lords album is like a visit from an old friend. Someone you haven’t gotten together with in a long time, but once you do, ya pick up right where you left off. Although they started in the late 80s with their self-titled record, I’ve been steadily reviewing the band’s albums ever since 2014’s Precious Metal and don’t intend to stop. James Christian (vocals, bass), Jimi Bell (guitars), Mark Mangold (keyboards) and Johan Koleberg (drums) are all together for the second record in a row, and these guys are locked and loaded for Full Tilt Overdrive.
As usual we’ve got a collection of songs here that will rock your socks off. The title track features some of Bell’s best playing in years with a solo that burns white hot. It should come as an absolute shock to no one that this was my immediate favorite. The swampy bayou-esque feel of “Taking the Fall” offers up another winner for this guy, while “Cry of the Wicked” will take you to the corner of big riffs lane and catchy hooks avenue. Well done, gentlemen! “Bad Karma” is the leadoff single and does its job of getting you pumped immediately. The same can be said for album opener “Crowded Room” which reminded me of something off of 2015’s Indestructible (my favorite House of Lords album) and closer “Castles High” delivers a nine-minute masterclass in how to do an epic song right.
At the end of the day House of Lords has delivered a record that will have your heads bopping and toes tapping. Pick up a copy of Full Tilt Overdrive now and rock your rolls right off!
Standout Tracks: “Full Tilt Overdrive”, “Taking The Fall”, “Cry of the Wicked”, “Crowded Room”.