JULIET’S NOT DEAD – This World Is Ours (2025) *HQ*
Previously known as Twister, the Durham based rockers have formally announced a name change to JULIET’S NOT DEAD, and head out on a UK tour this Autumn under their new moniker, which will see them include their first new music since 2022, from their upcoming new album titled “This World Is Ours“.
Believing their sound had evolved in a way that required a name change, the lads from the UK feel they have the chops to break to a wider audience. JULIET’S NOT DEAD sound is modern melodic hard rock, however with old-school song constructs.
Obtaining a punchy but polished sound produced by Grammy nominated Romesh Dodangoda, the five piece rocks here with an edgy attack, always melodic, and with a bunch of catchy, layered songs, all with radio potential – not only modern rock radio, but classic rock stations as well.
The album opens with the ripping ‘Sinner or Saint?’ where parts of the verse showcase the bass taking a more standout role with the guitar relegated to a backing rhythm, with the chorus exploding with melodic goodness. The melody takes a left turn after the second chorus with a bridge that slows down considerably but increases in the heaviness before blasting back immediately with a closing chorus. Shake ups like that keep things surprising and fresh.
That mix of modern sensibilities and old school melodicism carries over into the next two tracks, ‘Thrillseekers’ and ‘Open Fire’. ‘Thrillseekers’ has a sound that could best be described as Ozzy Osbourne if he fronted My Chemical Romance. The verses lend themselves to Ozzy, with the chorus being the My Chemical Romance influence. Heavy and powerful stuff.
‘Open Fire’ is a standout track, having one of the best riffs and catchiest choruses. It has a chord progression that is pleasing and builds to a layered vocal chorus with pop sensibilities that will get you to sing along immediately. Very representative of what to expect from this band.
A few other favorite rockers include ‘Last One Standing’, with a terrific guitar melody in the chorus that alternates between power chords and a higher end, isolated string ostinato. ‘King and Queen’ incorporates metal edge into its main melody, making it one of the heavier songs on the album. It makes its way towards a power pop chorus that serves as a nice counterpoint to the heavier parts. The band has numerous genre influences, and it shows.
The album has what could be considered three ballads, although they fall somewhere between semi and power ballads. ‘Battle Scarred’, ‘Passing Ships’ and ‘Capsize’ are all unique from each other and all work well, but I have to give a special mention to ‘Capsize’. I can usually anticipate the direction a ballad can take. The first half plays out as a rather quiet, sad, and morose narrative from singer Stevie Stoker. With a change up from the drums, it abruptly builds after the two-minute mark, conveying the rising rage. The sped-up tempo takes the song to a whole new level of bombast that saves the album from ending on a dour note. Totally unexpected and greatly appreciated.
JULIET’S NOT DEAD pulls from different sub-genres to create their own sound. We heard aspects of bands from the 80s, 90s, and today. Having briefly checked out their previous band, I would say the change in name is warranted as their style and songwriting has evolved into something that is sure to please many.
”This World Is Ours” has a crossover appeal that makes them standout. A band with a promising future.
Highly Recommended
01 – Sinner or Saint?
02 – Thrillseekers
03 – Open Fire
04 – Battle Scarred
05 – Notorious
06 – Passing Ships
07 – Double Life
08 – Last One Standing
09 – King & Queen
10 – Capsize
Stevie Stoker (vocals, guitar)
Dan King (guitar, vocals)
Niall Whittaker (bass, vocals)
Jack Corbett (drums, vocals)
Pre order:
tmrrockrecords.com/collections/juliets-not-dead
