Prepare for a slab of good old Aussie Rock and Roll. Mick Adkins, Steve Adkins and Sam Adkins are making some righteous noise as Rogue Sharks release ‘In For the Kill’ a weighty collection of varied rockers for lovers of good old fashioned Rock and Roll.
We open with the engine already running for the Metallic guitars and breakneck speed of opener ‘Animal is the Man’. It’s a great adrenalin rush to start if not completely representative of the more melodic fare to follow. Indeed the Ozzy tinged vocal of ‘Time Alone’ a catchy mid-tempo rocker is more than enough to keep you listening; as is ‘Wipe That Smile’ a lighter Aussie Pub Rocker that will keep you moving.
And they keep on coming! ‘All I Know’ is the next highlight. More melodic and driven by bass and with great thrust it’s one to keep the crowd moving before the change of pace kick in with ‘Falling Head First’ a ballad with Bluesy flicks of guitar that has some Tom Petty in the mix and nice understated organ adding another layer. But we’re back to what Mick and co do best with ‘On My Own’ the sort of song you could see The Angels putting out, which together with ‘Heartburn’ that follows add some distinct Aussie flavour. And that is surely what they do best as ‘Damage Control’ adds some wonderful guitar to that sound. For me these are three of the very best here.
There is variety though starting with a 45 second solo dubbed ‘River Fiddich Fling’ which ushers in ‘In For the Kill’ the title track that ramps up the riffs, and sets up a solid boogie line that has more than a little AC/DC in its finish. It’s a great song as is ‘Gone Away’ that follows a nice solid rocker with swelling keys and an almost Stone Temple Pilots vibe to it. ‘Time Bomb’ leads the charge to the finish line with a real sense of urgency and sits nicely next to ‘Gone Away’ with a similar vibe.
That just leaves the closer ‘Weekend Alcoholic’ a light-hearted barroom rocker that replaces the Irishness of the Pogues with a real Aussie singalong vibe. It’s fun, comedy and completely and wonderfully out of place!
This sounds like it was a fun album to make and that comes across in the grooves. It’s not a record by a band trying to force it, more the sound of a band doing what they love and playing the music that is woven in their DNA. If you love no fills Aussie Rock this is well worth a listen.
7.5 / 10