RATTLESNAKES – Deeper Shades Of Torment (2025) *HQ*
Would you like a punch in the guts? Or better, a kick ass listening experience? Just push play on “Deeper Shades Of Torment“, the debut EP from British young rockers RATTLESNAKES. Formed by accomplished musicians in their twenties, RattleSnakes is an energetic band fronted by a fierce lady, and they rock.
“Deeper Shades Of Torment” is an impressive hard rock / metal EP as it is, but the fact that it’s a debut too just pushes it up into even more impressive territory. All songs are excellent and just as good as each other. Every single one could be a massive single on metal radio in their own right.
Many bands have toiled along the fuzzy line that is the boundary between hard rock and heavy metal, and this is where RattleSnakes make camp. Take as example ‘Burn for You’; a song that leaves the listener in no doubt as to what to expect from this band. A propulsive rhythm section forms the bedrock for a song built on compellingly tight riffs. A Thin Lizzy-esque guitar harmony precedes a suitably melodic solo. On top of it all, the vocal is huge, carrying just the right amount of grit even when hitting high notes. Sometimes you just want to hear a band that understands what makes their chosen style work, and RattleSnakes have this nailed.
‘Firestarter’ begins with a riff that wouldn’t be out of place on Iron Maiden’s “Powerslave” album, but the pace on this song is insistent. It says something that while the vocal on this track is impressively strong, it’s matched by the quality of the musicianship on display. A well balanced mix serves to emphasise RattleSnakes’ strengths as a collective.
‘Love Me Harder’ introduces a nice touch of gang vocal in the chorus and lead singer Rowena is really pushing things here, the track representing a tour de force vocally. After the short but interesting interlude ‘Honesty’, another ’80s-reminiscent riff starts ‘Selfish Soul’ off in good fashion. Still more Maiden-worthy are the “woah oh ohs” sprinkled through the song, surely crying out for crowd participation when played live.
With their feet firmly placed in such a well established and beloved rock genres, RattleSnakes tick all requisite boxes while still keeping their style fresh and interesting. No wheels are being reinvented here, and reactions are bound to be defined by individual tastes for traditional hard rock and heavy metal.
For aficionados of the style, though, this is an enjoyable offering from these young musicians who clearly love what they’re doing. No doubt when performed live, these songs will see horns, fists and pint glasses raised in deserved appreciation.
Highly Recommended
01 – Love Me Harder
02 – Firestarter
03 – Honesty
04 – Selfish Soul
05 – Burn For You
Rowena Neale – Vocals
Elliott Dryden – Bass
Nathan Gratton – Drums
Jacob Shingler – Guitar
Josh Brown – Guitar
BUY
www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DYZ7T7QJ
