Manchester-based rockers GORILLA RIOT have tweaked their sound in recent years, swapping straight-ahead hard rock for “dirty blues”, as they’ve called it. The Mancunians bring a rugged sense of musicality that doesn’t skimp on texture, and their new album ”Salvation” jumps two-footed into their southern-fried pursuits. Blush swaggers along nicely like a light AC/DC / Lynyrd Skynyrd hybrid.
Produced, Mixed and Mastered by Martin King and Jim Spencer and recorded at Eve Studios, the production quality is outstanding. The gritty yet polished sound complements the band’s aesthetic perfectly, adding a layer of depth to their already multi-faceted music. The production doesn’t overshadow the band’s energy but rather enhances it, making every guitar riff, drumbeat, and vocal line feel impactful.
Lyrically, ‘Salvation’ explores themes of redemption, inner turmoil, and personal battles, channelling emotional intensity through both hard-hitting riffs and soulful melodies. The band’s ability to craft songs that resonate on multiple levels – whether through the lyrics, the guitar solos, or the intricate arrangements – reveals new growth and maturity.
Opening track Molotov Sister starts with a soft acoustic intro, blending straight into lightly crunched electric guitar and soothing vocals perfect for a cruise down a long country road on a hot day. The use of female backing and harmonies in Molotov Sister gives the perfect image and vibe of a big American road band, helping to fill out the sound and giving the listener a deep blend of tone to enjoy.
Continuing with top down on the open road feel is title track Salvation, utilising warm Hammond organs. The chorus is extremely catchy and perfect for a swing on a lazy sunny afternoon. The call-and-response styling of vocals present can be found throughout the record, adding to its grandiosity and musical dynamics.
The band use bright open and seventh chords in the rhythm, with crunchy lead throughout, including in songs like Wrong Side of Town, with slower ballads like Wait On showing influence from the likes of Chris Cornell in vocal timbre.
The lead guitar work is reserved, but carefully placed. Every note is perfectly placed, with none too many thrown in to suit the ego of the player. In many places, such as in Over You, it can be heard mirroring or accenting lead vocals or playing off in a call-and-response manner.
The whole album teems with 70s influence, but the updated production allows it to stand up to modern recordings second-to-none, blending together the best of both eras.
Arjun’s whiskey-soaked raggedy vocals on songs like Over You and Blush truly bring the album home. In terms of flow, its diversity of sound, musical dynamics and, most importantly, the emotional journey across the needle, ”Salvation” truly has everything you could want from a record of this style.
Highly Recommended
Molotov Sister (4:29)
Salvation (3:11)
Wrong Side Of Town (3:31)
Wait On (4:02)
Slaver’s Song (4:07)
Over You (4:05)
Blush (4:14)
By Your Side (5:42)
One More Day (5:32)
Gorilla Riot – Salvation 2024
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