In the past there has been a Post-Punk revival (with bands like Interpol or the Black Keys), a Garage-Rock revival (with bands like The Strokes or The White Stripes), but the time has now come for a Sleaze Metal revival. Curious exactly what this means… it means it is time that the mainstream world recognize once more how grand ‘80s Metal bands like W.A.S.P., Cinderella, Mötley Crüe, and Quiet Riot really are. Produced some really great heavy guitar Rock-N-Roll, fortunately the European region hold no prejudices toward this era of Rock and select bands out there inspired by the ‘80s have sprung up here and there. Of course back in the early 2000s there was Crashdïet, followed by Crazy Lixx and Vains of Jenna all out of Sweden, but more recently, we have others such as Germany’s CobraKill, as well as Smoking Snakes.
Out of Gothenburg, Sweden, Smoking Snakes are a band which emerged back in 2022, released a list of singles independently, on their way to ink a record deal Frontiers Music srl relatively quickly. Led by Brett Martin on vocals/rhythm guitar, Andy Delarge on bass/backing vocals, Stan Ricci on drums/backing vocals, and Leo Razor lead guitar/backing vocals, the band possess a high energy that immediately grabs your attention. This is done so through large guitar riffs, loud, powerful lead vocals from Martin, and impossible to ignore gang-vocals from the entire band. Now, some may say – hasn’t this been done before? An fair question, reserve your cynical side, because while Smoking Snakes might be reliving Heavy Metal’s past glories, the key is that they are doing it right.
Ready to prove themselves to you, on February 9, 2024 they will release their debut full-length album Danger Zone. An album consisting of eleven tracks, it is led by the singles “Angels Calling” and “Sole Survivors.” Respectively both released over the last couple of months, they each set the stage for an album that is proudly bold and in charge.
As stated, full of massive guitar riffs, a key standout here is Martin’s voice which is very much in your face. Shouting his lungs out, a good comparison to what Martin does here is more in the vein of W.A.S.P. ‘s Blackie Lawless, rather than say a Don Dokken or say a Vince Neil. Giving Smoking Snakes an extra punch in the gut, each track here rocks hard; and this includes “Run For Your Life,” “Restless and Wild,” as well as the absolute killer “There Is No Tomorrow.”
In the end, if you are a fan of any of the bands discussed here, you will absolutely love what Smoking Snakes are all about. They are genuine, shooting from the heart, and putting out some gritty Metal that wears its influences like a freshly inked tattoo. An absolute fun listen, turn it up, because Cryptic Rock gives Danger Zone 4.5 out of 5 stars.
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