The Black Hands: Nobody Knows Nothing
We featured The Black Hands a while back, so when they got in touch about their new CD, Nobody Knows Nothing, I was looking forward to hearing it. Luckily, one was dispatched with most haste and reached me within days, so I cranked it on and checked out what was on offer from the guys!
Opening with 45 we’re immediately thrown into a Southern Rock style mix of guitar lines, roving bass rhythms, pounding drum lines and vocals which will leave anyone jealous. Adopting a sound which merges the blues edge with a Southern Rock approach, the mix on offer here is one which is funky, dirty, and the sort of thing which makes you want to crank open some beers and let the music do the work for you. Catchy and reminiscent of the more established Southern Rock bands, this is one which is going to have you singing along from the word go, get you dancing, and pulling you into the mix on offer. I remember when we checked this track out for the first time and it still holds the same impact now for me, it’s one of those tracks which you’re going to hear, you’re going to crank up to full volume and you’re going to love every second of it!
Moving on to God Loves A Trier the theme of Southern Rock continues, this time opening with a dirty guitar lick akin to 70’s classic rock, but with a new and refreshed outlook on things. Technical at times, the guitar line here is the sort of thing which is going to get the guitarists out there drooling, offering up that funky and groovy style riff which you can’t help but shift along to. Slow and the sort of thing which will make you dance rather than mosh, the classic rock roots of the band are clearly on show throughout, presenting us with a track which you know is going to sound even better live than it does on the CD. Listen carefully to the mix on offer and it’s incredible to see just how much they’ve crammed in here, soaring guitar lines, gravelly yet high reaching vocals, roving basslines, an organ in places, and drums which get your backside shaking from the moment it begins. Definitely my personal favourite track off of the EP, this is one which I have to see live for sure!
Closing with Mexico the band leave us as expected, offering up one final morsel to digest and leaving no doubt that what we’re hearing is something pretty damned special. Slower and even funkier than before, this track’s got the sort of sound that’s impossible to sit still to, the sort of sound which will get you closing your eyes, shaking your head and loving every second. Catchy and powerful once again, the final moments of this EP bring it full circle for me, showing off the skills of a band that understand their craft, and leaving no doubt that Southern Rock and Blues are back, and The Black Hands are leading the way – a class end to a class EP!
I’ve loved the stuff that The Black Hands have got on offer since I first checked them out, so it’s awesome to see that they’ve not changed their style or moved in a new direction. From start to finish this is an EP which will engage you, make you listen, and leave you wanting more…..so get on it lads, make some more!
To find out more about The Black Hands, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls
Opening with 45 we’re immediately thrown into a Southern Rock style mix of guitar lines, roving bass rhythms, pounding drum lines and vocals which will leave anyone jealous. Adopting a sound which merges the blues edge with a Southern Rock approach, the mix on offer here is one which is funky, dirty, and the sort of thing which makes you want to crank open some beers and let the music do the work for you. Catchy and reminiscent of the more established Southern Rock bands, this is one which is going to have you singing along from the word go, get you dancing, and pulling you into the mix on offer. I remember when we checked this track out for the first time and it still holds the same impact now for me, it’s one of those tracks which you’re going to hear, you’re going to crank up to full volume and you’re going to love every second of it!
Moving on to God Loves A Trier the theme of Southern Rock continues, this time opening with a dirty guitar lick akin to 70’s classic rock, but with a new and refreshed outlook on things. Technical at times, the guitar line here is the sort of thing which is going to get the guitarists out there drooling, offering up that funky and groovy style riff which you can’t help but shift along to. Slow and the sort of thing which will make you dance rather than mosh, the classic rock roots of the band are clearly on show throughout, presenting us with a track which you know is going to sound even better live than it does on the CD. Listen carefully to the mix on offer and it’s incredible to see just how much they’ve crammed in here, soaring guitar lines, gravelly yet high reaching vocals, roving basslines, an organ in places, and drums which get your backside shaking from the moment it begins. Definitely my personal favourite track off of the EP, this is one which I have to see live for sure!
Closing with Mexico the band leave us as expected, offering up one final morsel to digest and leaving no doubt that what we’re hearing is something pretty damned special. Slower and even funkier than before, this track’s got the sort of sound that’s impossible to sit still to, the sort of sound which will get you closing your eyes, shaking your head and loving every second. Catchy and powerful once again, the final moments of this EP bring it full circle for me, showing off the skills of a band that understand their craft, and leaving no doubt that Southern Rock and Blues are back, and The Black Hands are leading the way – a class end to a class EP!
I’ve loved the stuff that The Black Hands have got on offer since I first checked them out, so it’s awesome to see that they’ve not changed their style or moved in a new direction. From start to finish this is an EP which will engage you, make you listen, and leave you wanting more…..so get on it lads, make some more!
To find out more about The Black Hands, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls