WISHING WELL – Playing With Fire (2026) *HQ*
320_1 /// 320_2 /// HQ 1 /// HQ 2
Finnish traditional hard rock / metal band WISHING WELL has been featured regularly at 0dayrox as their brand of classic stuff inspired by the ’70s / ’80s and runs of Hammond B3 & Moog in the best Deep Purple, Uriah Heep, Rainbow pedigree is among our favorite styles.
The band is releasing their new opus “Playing With Fire“, and those that enjoy the classic roots of the genre a lot when this music ruled the scene, will find plenty to familiarize themselves with as far as the hooks, melodies, and general musical interplay especially between the Hammond organ and guitar activities.
“Playing With Fire” includes all key elements of Wishing Well; variable songs from trad metal to classic hard rock with strong choruses, lyrics that mix dark and light, majestic Hammond organ, plenty of melodic guitar solos and this time more piano and synthesizers too. Songs like “Valley Of Darkness” and “Train Of Thoughts” represent the metal side of the band, whereas “Let Me See The Light” and “Rise And Shine” show the melodic, softer aspects of Wishing Well. There’s something for everyone.
Beyond the serious attention to strong chord combinations chock full of indelible earworms, there’s advanced bass play from Matti Kotkavuori that presents an extra level of virtuosity in key sequences to elevate tracks like the aforementioned “Train of Thoughts” or the Celtic boogie-laden “March In the Dark”.
Arto Teppo as the master of Hammond organ channels his best Jon Lord meets Don Airey influences on a more driving midtempo song like “War Cry” while being steadfast in retro textures for his note choices next to guitarist Anssi Korkiakoski on “Peace and Love and Rock ‘n Roll” where the latter uses his pedal effects and fingers to create this weeping feel.
You can sense the genuine affinity these musicians have not only for each other as players, but also the respect to the genre at hand – the songs remain king as the collective benefits long-term.
”Playing With Fire” keeps Wishing Well in that category of bands that appeal to those above the age of forty – especially people who grew up through the 70s and 80s scene – and of course the new generation of young fans who know what fine rock n’ roll is all about.
Highly Recommended
01 – Valley of Darkness
02 – Rise and Shine
03 – Train of Thoughts
04 – Let Me See the Lights
05 – March in the Dark
06 – War Cry
07 – Light of Love
08 – Peace and Love and Rock’n Roll
09 – When the Money Starts Rollin’ In
Pepe Tamminen – vocals
Anssi Korkiakoski – guitars
Arto Teppo – Hammond organ
Juha Kivikanto – drums
Matti Kotkavuori – bass
BUY
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