I posted a recommendation for “Rock Savage” the debut album from Lawless back in July 2013. The band are back with an equally commendable second album entitled “R.I.S.E.” that is released through Escape Music on 21st November. In fact, if anything this album is even more worthy of checking out that their debut. Lawless are most definitely purveyors of that classic rock sound that has its roots in the late 70s and 80s. When band members list their influences as Dio, Y&T, Black Sabbath, Scorpions and Saxon that maybe gives you a feel for what you might expect from “R.I.S.E.”
The Lawless line-up for “R.I.S.E.” remains unchanged with Paul Hume on vocals and rhythm guitar, Howie G on guitar, Neil Ogden on drums and Josh Williams on bass. Both Hume and Ogden are also currently members of English band Demon whilst Howie G was in Persian Risk and Williams was a member of the band Headrush. The band’s website recently announced that Jamie Crees has joined the band on rhythm guitarist. A number of upcoming gigs are also advertised on the website including a support slot for FM on 27th November and the Planet Rockstock Festival in December.
Overall, the tracks on “R.I.S.E.” might have a slightly heavier edge to them than those on “Rock Savage” with “Song For a Friend” being the almost essential melodic rock ballad in the mix (“SOS” fulfilled the same role on the debut album). Personal favourites include the opening track “1914 (Ghosts of No Mans Land)” and “Twisted and Burned”. The former opens up the Friday NI Rocks Show on Rock Radio NI on 21st November.
For more information and all the social media links check out the bands website - http://www.lawlessofficial.com/
The July 2013 album recommendation for “Rock Savage” can be found here -
About “NI Rocks Recommends”
The simple idea behind “NI Rocks Recommends” is to acknowledge and promote some of the great music being submitted to Rock Radio NI. To be honest I’m not really a big fan of “Reviews” expressing positives or negatives which essentially just represent one person’s opinion. With “NI Rocks Recommends”, I'll not be giving marks or ratings or dissecting every aspect of the album; just telling you that something about the artist and the album and that I like it!
My musical tastes covers most things from heavy melodic rock (anything too melodic bores me!) to the lower echelons of the metal genre (where it’s not ALL growling and screaming!). The albums that I’ll be recommending are merely those that I would buy myself and which you’ll be hearing played on my shows on Rock Radio NI.
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