BRIDGE TO MARS – Bridge To Mars (2016)
Featuring former band mates of Glenn Hughes Euro touring band & solo work, the self-titled album from BRIDGE TO MARS has been long awaited, and finally will be released tomorrow, February 26, 2016.
This Swedish trio consisting of vocalist / guitarist JJ Marsh (also Spellbound), bassist Robert Hansen (also Beardfish) and drummer Thomas Broman also known for being part of melodic hard rockers Great King Rat, Electric Boys, etc, just oozes of quality looking at these guys’ resumes.
It was early on clear that this was going to be an earthy, classic rocking combo, which is just up my alley. Opener ‘Days That Never Came’ mixes some cool riffing with melodic swirling parts in the landscape between the glory classic rock days, just landing on the right side of the fence for me.
‘Mirror Magic Spirits’ opens with some hysteric guitar tones. Vintage Fender Strat sounds without too much distortion, but heavy enough to rock, and intense drumming with a busy bass filling the voids and JJ’s cool vocals. This is good stuff!
‘SuperFi Yourself’ starts out with a super gritty evil sounding fuzz guitar and continues into a cool heavy, yet melodic retro rocker. Love it. ‘In A White Light’ is pretty mellow but gets in the swing in the verse and lands somewhere in a bluesy Pat Travers territory.
Then ‘Soulshine’ brings back the massive and dirty guitars and gets the Hendrix mojo going in the beginning, but with a heavier stonking verse. Love the crushing, meaty guitar and rhythm work in this one, with JJ’s cool vocals hovering over it all.
‘Amaze My Mind’ turn things smooth, swirling melodic, before ‘Jupiter’s Dream’ rocks hard again with ultra cool ever changing rhythm parts. It soon became one of my favourite on the album. Outstanding track.
‘Rivers Of Dissolution’ is also strong, where JJ is most likely using a vintage organ-like pedal for his guitar. It turns the guitar into some kind of a distorted Hammond organ, making the song really classy.
The album finishes with the bluesy ballad ‘All This Time’, a track worked with the atmosphere of the past yet feeling fresh, updated to modern times.
With influences like Thin Lizzy, Glenn Hughes, Gary Moore, Black Country Community, early Rush & Van Halen and more, Bridge From Mars has managed to create an own unique sound. They blend true Classic Rock with traditonal bluesy Hard, resulting in a powerful yet always melodic mix plenty of emotion.
If you like these timeless genre, you will love this album.
Strongly Recommended.
01. Days That Never Came
02. Magic Mirror Spirits
03. SuperFi Yourself
04. In A White Light
05. Soulshine
06. Amaze My Mind
07. Jupiter’s Dreams
08. River Of Disillusion
09. All This Time
JJ Marsh (guitar, vocals)
Robert Hansen (bass)
Thomas Broman (drums)
BUY IT !
www.amazon.co.uk/Bridge-Mars/dp/B018JA23VQ
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