Twinkle and the Sluts - Sluttier than Thou EP

I was very excited to open an email from an upcoming female fronted punk rock band named Twinkle and The Sluts linking me to some samples of their songs. Hearing the songs from their debut EP Sluttier Than Thou, their edgy strong guitar riffs immediately draws the listener in and lead vocalist Twinkle has a very distinct unique voice that I have not heard in this particular genre of rock before. The music has some elements of older punk rock groups in terms of edgy and plain dirty rock that I definitely think will be very well received by audiences in the UK and worldwide; I think Twinkle and the Sluts will definitely bring classic edgy punk rock back for many future generations. I hope to hear more from them in the future and I hope they visit Southampton sometime.

Tuomaslotte rating:  TTTTT
For fans of Blondie and Juilette and the Licks

Find Twinkle and the Sluts on Facebook and Twitter

Sonata Arctica - I Have A Right single

Finnish metallers Sonata Arctica have released a brand new single; their previous album The Days Of Gray had been on tour for about two years so it was quite refreshing to hear some brand new material. Listening to the song today, for me the song is definitely a grower as after listening to it a few times whilst watching the fantastic music video I definitely now think it is potentially a great song. Although not the best song I have heard from Sonata Arctica yet it is not the worst, which is why it has now left me with curiosity and wondering what their upcoming album Stones Grow In Her Name will consist of. It is due for release on 18th May 2012 and is available to pre-order now.

Tuomaslotte rates it:  TTTT

Find Sonata Arctica on Facebook, Twitter and their official website

Delain - Get The Devil Out Of Me single

It has been quite a while since I have heard from Dutch symphonic metallers Delain; this is the first new single called Get The Devil Out Of Me that I am hearing for the first time this evening. The haunting introduction played beautifully on the piano is a great way to get the listener intrigued, very used to what I have heard from Delain. Afterwards it did remind me of the song Faster by Within Temptation, tempo wise. Lead singer Charlotte Wessels distinct beautiful voice is heard throughout so overall a fantastic new song to introduce to fans what is on their upcoming album We Are The Others that is available to pre-order now.

Tuomaslotte rating:  TTTT

Find Delain on Facebook, Twitter and their official website

Daniel Leigh - My Little Eye EP

London born singer/songwriter Daniel Leigh has become quite a star in the music scene on the southern coast of England; as well as writing and performing his own songs in diverse genres of music, he also fronts hard rock band New Device and teaches at Newbury Rock School. Having heard of his solo material at various acoustic sets around Southampton I was excited when I heard he was to release a solo EP, that is available to pre-order now. Opening track We'll Be Lovers Tonight was a great choice to open this magical EP with; I am very familiar with that song since it was the first solo song I had heard by Dan. However it sounded different to how I have heard it in the past, previously the recording had a more electronic beat to it but here it sounds a lot softer that I think works incredibly well. The single on the album The End Of Hope (Is A Long Way To Go) surprised me the most on this EP; I have only heard Dan's voice and the acoustic guitar so hearing the string arrangements in the first verse took me by surprise entirely and it really adds a beautiful element to the track. Overall a wonderful debut EP;  it contains fantastic songs where Daniel Leigh's distinct voice and lyrical skills are heard throughout. 

Tuomaslotte rating:  TTTTT

Stand out tracks:  We'll Be Lovers Tonight, Free Flow and The End Of Hope (Is A Long Way To Go)

You can pre-order your copy of the EP today by clicking here

Happy Easter

Happy Easter to everyone that is celebrating this very day; either because of the Christian belief that Jesus Christ was reincarnated, those who gave up something they love for 40 days (like I did) that they now get to eat/drink/do or whether you are looking forward to getting lots of chocolate from family and friends. I gave my sister a chocolate bunny this morning as a reward for sticking to 40 days of giving up chocolate; later on we will be joined by my grand parents for Sunday roast that I am looking forward to very muchly.

Happy Happy Easter to you all

Tuomaslotte

Russ Diapper - Kingsnake

Local musician Russ Diapper, who is quite well known in Southampton for his drumming skills in the band Gecko, has released a second solo album quite recently. Like his previous album it's the perfect album to stick on the radio in your car for a long drive on the open road or to put on the stereo when you've had a long hard day at work, his music has a very relaxed vibe about it and that's was what I liked about the album. Russ Diapper's unforgettable blues voice and the slick guitar riffs and solos made it sound like classic vintage rock such as Thin Lizzy and Hendrix. For example the song Rock and Blues was very 50s I thought; I do love artists that can bring vintage music back to the 21st century and pull it off so well like it is done on this album. If your thinking of having a relaxed time this Easter or perhaps summer holiday then this is the album for you.

Stand out tracks:  Trust Me, Rock and Blues and Son Of A Gun

Tuomaslotte rating:  TTTT