STUCKFISH – Calling (2018)

“Calling” is the debut album by STUCKFISH released today Feb. 2. The first thing capturing my attention was the band’s name, horrible for a Rock act. Then I get it; STUCK-FISH is the collaboration of two musician friends; singer-songwriter Philip STUCKey and guitarist Adrian FISHer.
Anyway, what always matters is the music and these two cats deliver some really interesting material throughout “Calling”.

STUCKFISH founders are experienced musicians from the British independent scene, singer-songwriter Philip Stuckey was part of Judas Rising, Black Sedan, VOTV, Overkill, while and guitarist / composer / producer Adrian Fisher played in Heavy Load, Strangeways’ Tony Liddle own band, Thrust, and also VOTV & Overkill, where they met.
Stuckey & Fisher talked many times about working together into a new project together, and this materialized last year with STUCKFISH.

Both musicians brought their own songs / ideas, and worked together to create something musically diverse still faithful to their classic rock roots.
They define the songs in “Calling” as ‘melodic rock songs with a progressive twist. Calling is a combination of storytelling lyrics and fascinating, multi-layered musical journeys of the unexpected, with soaring guitars and dramatic vocal harmonies‘.
I agree, mostly.

The core of the music is melodic / hard rock, however there’s a quite original sound design over it that makes this duo’s music quite distinctive.
I think what they call ‘progressive twist’ is the elaboration on some arrangements, bringing to mind QUEENSRYCHE circa Empire. This is clear in the title track, the solid ‘Wall of Silence’, midtempo ‘The Man That I’ve Become’, and the atmospheric closer ‘Something to Believe In’.

On the more melodic rock numbers, such as ‘Overwhelmed’, I hear some TEN / GARY HUGHES epicness and really cool riffs, ‘Brave Man’ recalls their former Strangeways’ TONY LIDDLE BAND, while ‘Into the Fire’ is perhaps the more straight-forward melodic rocker here with nice background synths similar to some NEWMAN works.

STUCKFISH debut “Calling” is a really interesting, varied album from the British indie melodic rock / classic rock scene.
You’ll find good ideas, solid vocals and complete instrumentation here, well produced & mixed with a very melodious output. Let’s hope both musicians continue working together.
Two Thumbs Up!

01 – Calling
02 – Overwhelmed
03 – Brave Man
04 – Wall of Silence
05 – Into the Fire
06 – The Man That I’ve Become
07 – Breathe
08 – Leaving
09 – Better to Run
10 – Something to Believe In

Phil Stuckey – vocals
Ade Fisher – guitars, keyboards

BUY IT !
itunes.apple.com/us/album/calling/1340465678
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