ROOK ROAD – Rook Road [2025 reissue] HQ *Exclusive*

We were impressed by ROOK ROAD‘s second album featured in exclusive at 0dayrox a few days ago. Now the guys are reissuing the self-titled debut LP “Rook Road“, a rock n’ roll blast as well.
Since their beginnings, this German five-piece band that used the term ‘Diversity Rock’ to describe their sound. Combining Hard, Classic, and Progressive Rock, plus a pinch of Melodic Rock they create a blend of tones and textures that is reminiscent of almost every era of Rock n’ Roll that has hit the airwaves in the last 50 years.
The opener, ‘Talk Too Much’, sets their stall out with Purple-tinged heaviness – it’s melodic, riffy, Hammond-y and, with the neat guitar solo, ticks all the right rock boxes. ‘Sick To The Bone’ could be a Doogie era Rainbow song; while ‘Sometimes’ is a fantastic ballad being piano led with power to back up the emotive lyrics.
As you see, diverse, and all good!

‘Paradox Master’ has a glorious drum and bass backing the straightforward melody but, as the tension builds, the Glenn Hughes hints show their influences, but that doesn’t hide their ability to write and play original, quality rock.
‘Kinda Glow’ is a Heep-ish masterpiece as guitars rejoice in weighty riffing behind the melodic and powerful vocals. ‘Celebration / Feels Like’ has swathes of Hammond decorating the backing as the laid-back verses blend with the weighty main riff and the wah guitar solo is really well constructed and, although the hammer-ons and bends are there, there’s absolutely no unnecessary twiddling.

The closing six-minute epic, ‘Egyptian Girl’ starts gently with soulful blues and builds layers of sound that complement each other and the song gives Patrik Jost (what a voice!) plenty of room to shine as his extensive vocal range is explored to the full.

This may be a debut for Rook Road, but the experience and abilities of the whole band shine through on every track. On first listen, some may think it a little derivative but it is not.
Subsequent listens prove this is original heavy rock rooted in the ’70s but very much for today.
Highly Recommended

01 – Talk Too Much
02 – Sick To The Bone
03 – Sometimes
04 – Romeo
05 – Paradox
06 – Kinda Glow
07 – Deny
08 – Sam Rogers
09 – Celebration (Feels Like)
10 – Tower
11 – Egyptian Girl

Patrik Jost – Vocals
Sebastian Mitzel (Hantz) – Bass
Thomas Luther – Drums
Uwe Angel – Guitar
Hannes Luy – Keyboards / Hammond Organ

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