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Stone Angels: Give In To Temptation
Stone Angels Give In To Temptation CD Album Review

Stone Angels: Give In To Temptation

Melodic Heavy Rock/Metal
4.0/5.0

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Unsigned / Self-released
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 31.07.2015

Sometimes I have to laugh at the copy that PR agents or label management write about their bands. Some are minimalist giving you just the facts like the band name, their musical genre and then, of course, saying they're going to be the next big thing. Others get elaborate, lengthy, and somewhat verbose in their introduction. Such is the case, with UK's Stone Angels and their new album Give In To Temptation.

Stone Angels Band Photo

Stone Angels

Two phrases from from the one-sheet caught my eye. "... this is a band that, contrary to appearance and norms, embodies respect and professionalism." I don't know, but that sure sounds like a back-handed slap in the face. Another: "The last three years have seen the band tour relentlessly throughout the UK and play at just about every flea pit and toilet venue in the land." Now that's pretty damn funny, especially the part about playing every "flea pit and toilet venue." You've got my interest.

And I'm wondering if those shoddy venues are still standing. Stone Angels plays some truly riff monstrous melodic heavy rock. Moreover they do it with some vivacious harmony as in twin guitar harmony, and then wrap it all up in some massive groove. As to their overall sound, the band has definitely dipped into the post-grunge motif, reminding of Black Stone Cherry for example. But their roots go deeper.

They've also passed through late Eighties hard rock. Not so much the glam, but the gritty sleaze side reminding somewhat of GnR in the guitar styling. Yet you can go back probably another decade or more for some simple and fundamental hard and heavy rock, maybe some mixture of Zeppelin and Bad Company, then toss in some Sabbath. Then again, there may be another twist. Listening to songs like Devil's Child, Fine Day, or Can You, you might even be able to drop Stone Angel's into America's Deep South. Drop in some steel guitar, touch of Dobro, and you might get some Tennessee whiskey soaked heavier Southern rock. But that's just my ears.

Mostly, Stone Angels just want to rock. Yeah, rock out with brain melting, ball busting riffs, but rocking out all the same. Shadows Of The Black Sun, Devil's Grip, or Falling Down do it. As do Last Goodbyes and Thousand Years, just don't let the mellow start fool you. But the real centerpiece, even masterpiece if you will, is Fantasy. It's blistering number, just dripping with groove and flailing guitars. Bottom line: with Give In To Temptation, Stone Angels are on to something very good with their riff raging melodic heavy rock, and that could but hard rock back on the map in England. Prepare to be pummeled punters.

Stone Angels - Can You?


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In Short

With Give In To Temptation, Stone Angels are on to something very good with their riff raging melodic heavy rock, and that could but hard rock back on the map in England. Prepare to be pummeled punters.

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