This year I’m pretty much overwhelmed by the sheer quality of releases coming out of the UK Hard Rock scene and it’s time to add another name to that ever growing list – Bigfoot, who after a couple of great EP’s have produced a real contender for many ‘Best of’ lists in 2017.
Wherever you turn here there’s quality from the great groove of opener ‘Karma’ all the way through to the epic ballad ‘Yours’ and at every point in-between there’s plenty to catch the ear of the discerning hard rock fan, there are even a few twists along the way to keep it even more interesting.
From the off you know you’re onto a winner with the sure(big)footed groove of the fiery opening track which more than holds it’s own with some of this years best. It’s immediately bettered though by ‘The Fear’ which has some searing melodies and an amazing hook, before my pick for top honours ‘Tell Me a Lie’ storms in with and even bigger melody and even more memorable hook. You wonder where this is all going to end it’s already so much fun.
If you like a slower number then the big ballad ‘Forever Alone’ really seals the deal and sees frontman Antony Ellis confirming what I’d had nagging away at the back of my mind since I pushed play – this guy sounds very much like The Rockpit’s great mate Danny Vaughn of Tyketto especially in his phrasing. As compliments go I can’t award a bigger accolade, and ‘Forever Alone’ is one of those songs that you feel will endure – my ballad of the year without a doubt and a song with a cool bluesy vibe.
Getting back to the rock ‘Eat Your Words’ kicks off with a dirty guitar and plenty of drive, making it the perfect ‘fists in the air’ rocker whilst ‘Prisoner of War’ grabs a big ballsy bluesy riff by the scruff of its neck and builds into a real foot stomper. ‘Freak Show’ takes you on a wild ride driven by a huge groove and incessant vocal and somehow manages to put them both in its shadow. Sounds like a sure-fire live favourite to us with it’s wonderful late pause and rebirth.
Adding a shot of variety ‘I Dare You’ pushes the envelope a little with a dash of reggae that could so easily sound out of place but which works so well you’ll wonder what else these guys can make seem so effortless. We’re brought home by the rockers ‘The Devil In Me’ which smoulders and ‘Uninvited’ which builds up a nice head of steam before its killer refrain kicks in.
The album closes with the epic-sounding ‘Yours’ which clocks in at just under eight minutes and which Antony himself told us took the band a little out of their comfort zone (interview up soon). It’s a sign that there could well be some mighty things to come from these guys. This one has everything and it flows and ebbs and builds and grows before your very ears. There’s not a song here that could end this debut with as much sheer emotional weight as this. It’s breath-taking.
If you love your up-tempo melodic Hard Rock, with a shot of blues, a couple of wonderful ballads and the sound of two great guitarists working beautifully together (they nail that twin guitar sound especially on ‘Yours’) then thsis an album to remember and savour for a long time to come.
