Just under four years ago a North East band called Twister, released their debut album Cursed And Corrected which I reviewed for Planetmosh webzine and I can still remember my first thoughts of it being that they channel the audacity of early Van Halen, the pop suss of Cheap Trick and the early energy of Def Leppard.
Fast forward to 2024 and a name change of Juliet’s Not Dead sees them release a new studio album, the aptly titled This World Is Ours.
Thankfully they are still firing on all cylinders, point proven by album opener ‘Sinner Or Saint’, definitely a sinner as devilish riffing headbangs along and huge choruses demand to be bellowed out, as an eerie midway breakdown hits hard and heavy.
Other highlights include ‘Thrill Seekers’, living up to its title by pounding along on seismic grooves to make for an early album highlight, pinned down by a histrionic lead vocal.
‘Battle Scarred’ has a trippy intro of heartbeat like drum fills, an almost whispered lead vocal, adding an extra edge, striding up to stratospheric height reaching choruses.
‘Passing Ships’ is totally overwhelming. It’s a song of sheer beauty, putting the power in this power ballad, drenched in tearjerking nuances to melt the coldest heart.
‘Last One Standing’ is an epic tune from a band brimming with confidence as this turbocharger lights the blue touch paper to explode in the band fuelled choruses with a gang like delivery.
‘King And Queen’ has time changes that bob and weave on monolithic choruses that should really be snapped up for rock radio stations to jump on it!
This potent album closes on ‘Capsize’, a fragile ballad of 24 carat gold. The lyrics are full of so much emotion, they could implode but this song of two halves lights up midway for a sumptuous finish.
The album is due for release on Friday,7th February, 2025, via TMR Music.
Words by Dennis Jarman
