Solid, consistent Rock for those that like it a bit heavier and with a Southern edge.
'Ain't No Rest' gives you what it says on the tin, romping through a solid set of ten thick-sounding Hard Rock songs edged with a gruff Metal tone. The title track encapsulates what is good about this album; chunky riffs, tight playing and simple but catchy rhythms. The phrase "Southern Metal" is thrown around in relation to the band and it seems to sum up the heavy yet laid-back rhythmic swagger of the music.
'One Time' is even punchier and Joe Hawx delivers vocals that are clean yet twist with attitude. There's a Sleaze or Glam Metal tinge to it all but delivered in a far heavier package. 'Another Round' really brings out the Metal side and it's here where the two guitars really hit it off together, the lead of James Forrister really spiralling off the fat, bludgeoning rhythm of Ryan Stageman.
The middle of the album is the strongest. 'Get In Or Get Out' has a standout Southern seventies feel, almost ZZ Top, while 'Slide Baby' oozes nightclub seediness and excitement, pairing Glam Metal themes with a grinding Metal sound. 'Rattleshake' pulses with tension before stripping it all away, a nice contrast from a band that relies on a heavy, ongoing sound so often.
The tracks at the beginning and end of the album sometimes feel very similar and a little dragging. Often the performance is all so tight that you wish someone would just leave the musical script, even for a minute – go higher, go faster, make a key change – a few songs tease you, almost going there, but it never happens.
'Set Me On Fire' finishes as we started with a rolling, chunky riff. It's not a killer ending but it captures what the band does well – solid, consistent Rock for those that like it a bit heavier and with a Southern edge.
Sophie Brownlee