Having been one of last year’s most explosive movers n’ shakers in bluesy classic rock, THE KARMA EFFECT are releasing their re-mastered eponymous debut album to offer rock fans the chance to delve into the rising of the band before they struck lightning with their UK Top 20 sophomore album ‘Promised Land‘ (released via Earache Records in 2024).
Although comprising of live favorites such as “Testify” and “Doubt She’s Coming Back”, as heard throughout 2024 on their Promised Land headline tour and at beloved festivals like Maid Of Stone, many may be yet to explore the band’s debut offering due to the restrictions laid on a band who were bold enough to self-release an album during the pandemic.
Now available via Earache Records, the reissue of ‘The Karma Effect remastered 2025‘ is a celebration of what the band have achieved so far and a commemoration of where they started. The remastered reissue also sees the band present a hidden gem of a track in ‘Shine On‘, not included in the original release.
Chock-full with funked-up riffs, hair-raising vocal acrobatics and the sort of itchy-feet rhythm you’d imagine to be conjured at a party co-hosted by Stevie Wonder and The Rolling Stones, it’s easy to hear why ‘The Karma Effect‘ is an album that the band don’t want fans to miss out on.
“At the time, we knew that we were on to something incredibly special as The Karma Effect – there was a real hunger and need for new rock’n’roll music. Four years later, we’re proud keepers of a #19 UK album, a single that topped Planet Rock Radio’s airplay chart, and a track that’s immortalised in Classic Rock Magazine’s Ultimate 2024 Playlist,” the band comment.
“It means the world to us that we get another chance to give rock fans the opportunity to hold this album as part of their record collection. It’s a really important part of our story, just as Free’s ‘Tons Of Sobs’ or Rush’s self-titled debut albums are to their journey, even though those albums are often overshadowed by what came after.”
Formed at the start of the Covid pandemic by a bunch of long-time school hood friends and musical acquaintances, The Karma Effect are a 21st Century take on a classic arena rock, roll n’ soul sound; big on keys, guitar riffs and huge vocal melody, all combining into a grandiose sonic soundscape that draws upon the best of yesteryear.
Opener ‘Steal Your Heart’ epitomises this philosophy: a no-nonsense throwback, encapsulating the energy of good time Aerosmith-like arena, true rock n’ roll, brought bang up to date. Led by singer Henry Gottelier, the band have captured the same good-time feel that has made Thunder the British institution they are, mixing it with the bluesy tinges of The Black Crowes to great effect.
The band bring the funk with the stuttering swagger of ‘Doubt She’s Coming Back’, the female backing vocals and deep groove provided by drummer Ask Powell and the bass of Liam Quinn adding up to a quietly assured monster.
‘Mercy’ follows in quality fashion in all its Bad Company glory, before ‘Stand’ begins with a Faces type twinkling intro and then transforms into a gospel infused powerhouse of a song complete with fine Scott Emmins keyboards and a glorious vocal from singer Henry Gottelier.
Heating up again, a barnstorming ‘Wrong Again’ tears the roof off and hard rocking ‘The River’ and effortlessly cool funky ‘Testify’ slam the point home. It’s just down to the slow burning and slinky ‘Save Me’ to seal the deal, it’s cascading keys and heartfelt vocals finishing the record with another emotional high.
Whilst the band wear their influences proudly, they are far from simply travelling down a well-trodden path and their songs have the distinction of drawing on those influences, retaining the atmosphere whilst still making them their own. It’s a fine line but they don’t cross or exceed it at all and that is in itself something to be admired.
The Karma Effect are a tight unit throughout; with Robbie Blake’s guitar adding subtle nuances without the need to be showy or provide us with unnecessary lengthy solos, and Gottelier is in impressive vocal form on every song.
A great debut album that many missed, now sounding even better and with an extra track
Highly Recommended
1 Steal Your Heart
2 Doubt She's Coming Back
3 Mercy
4 Stand
5 Wrong Again
6 The River
7 Testify
8 Save Me
9 Shine On (Bonus Track)
The Karma Effect – The Karma Effect 2025 Reissue +1 , MP3+FLAC
 |
