Back in 2005 this four-piece Swedish rock band released their first album “IN DISTORTION WE TRUST”, and now, 4 years later it’s time for the follow up. The first think worth noticing, is that the 4 years have been good to the band, they have developed their music without losing the attitude. The album starts off with a song called “Killer on his knees”, it’s heavier than the debut, and singer Mia Coldheart shows of a more confident attitude. The song “Jennyfer” shows that this band also can do slower and calmer music, and Mats Levén’s (Swedish Erotica, Therion etc.) interference as a guest singer made it even better. The song “Blackened Bones” brings the thoughts back the debut, more specific “Rock’N’Roll Bachelor”, but it’s harder heavier, and finally there’s a song that gives Coldheart’s voice justice. And “Danger Danger”, one of the strongest tracks on the CD, starts of pretty slowly, but still strong, and it has it faster parts, it’s darker, and this is a song which worked perfectly with Coldheart’s voice, just like “Blackened Bones”. They might have developed, but for the ones who loved “In distortion we trust”, it could be a slight disappointment, this CD might give Coldheart’s voice more justice than ever, but the songs have more depth, and by that lost most of the rock n roll clichés, but not all, and the song “Sex Action”, which also is the album’s first single, might be satisfying enough.

Rating: 9/10

By Johanna Salo

This is raw, this is dirty. This EP starts with the song “Save me”, it has a lot of attitude, and the touch of blues in it, makes it even cooler. It feels like a combination between the old classic rock and something new. The negative part in this song is that the vocals take too much space, so they drown much of the sound of the instruments. But the good thing is that this is only the case on the first song. On this EP, we also find the song “Double Shift”, a ballad that doesn’t loses its attitude, which I think is common. But they really shouldn’t have used a tambourine in “Honky Tonk”, it only brings the thoughts away from the rock their playing, to terrible alternative pop music.
The EP ends with “Rebels Highway”, and Octane Gypsy went out with a bang.

Rating: 7/10

By Johanna Salo

The album Down to the Bone, by Electric Mary, starts with the song “Let me out”, it’s catchy, it’s rock and it catches your attention. The guitars sounds like something Rage against the Machine could have created, while the rest of the music have way to big influences of Audioslave, even Electric Mary’s singer Rusty sounds a little bit too much like Chris Cornell. The only problem is that during the first songs of the album, there is no depth in the music, it’s good music, but it doesn’t leave a mark. So I was afraid the entire album would be like this, but No! it wasn’t. “Sorry” is the first song on this album that has something, the solos are awesome, the music is fast and aggressive and it’s mind-blowing. Also, if “Do me” ‘s chorus would have been as good as the rest of the song, the song would have been a killer.
Other good songs on the album were: One foot in the grave, Busted.

This is good, and if they could less the sound of Rage against the Machine and Audioslave, this could be great.

Rating: 6.5/10

By Johanna Salo

When I started to listen to this demo I didn't like it at all, the sound wasn't great and that really distracted me from the music. This was especially noticeable in second track "Little Ruin Doll".
But by third track "Tired of London" my picture of this band had started to change. This was a really cool track and the sound quality was by far better. But the best was yet to come. "Lolly" really blew me away. Even though the sound (in my mind) again wasn't the best, it still was a great song.
The wisest thing according to me would be to place "Lolly" as track 1 or 2 instead of track 4, and put the track "Little Ruin Doll" as track 4, so people would listen to the entire demo, because I think this track is a little pot of gold hidden at the end.

Rating 4/10

by Johanna Salo

This album started with the title track "Stir Up The Fire", it's a song filled with attitude and a great start of a great album. For some reason this band made me start thinking of Turbonegro, Type O Negative and Nine Inch Nails.

The transition between track 5 "Pain and pleasure" and track 6 "Endless journey" was really phenomenal, you couldn't really say where track 5 ended and track 6 began and I must say that I liked it. But the best track on this album according to me is located at the end, the song "Get it together", it really showed another side to the band. It feels like they put away some of their attitude and put a little more feeling into it, and it works, that's the amazing thing about it. This album is fantastic even if it feels a little bit monotonous once in a while.

Rating 8/10

by Johanna Salo

I can't help it, I love the calmness in this band, I love the relaxing feeling it sends out. The changing tempos, the lyrics, the melodies, the combination of everything are just perfect.
This EP starts with song "Nowhere", a pretty, calm song, perfect for those moments in the bath tub combined with a glass of cheap wine, at least that's the feeling I get.
But the entire EP makes me miss summer, because the music is perfect for a hot summer's night, to lay on a blanket with some close friends, talking and listening to this EP by "The Thin Men". This may not be anything for the party, but it's for sure worth listening to.
The most fantastic song is "Dream of You", listen to it, and you will be spellbound.

Rating: 9/10

by Johanna Salo

Ever seen the movie "Moulin Rouge" with Nicole Kidman and Evan McGregor? I have, and I liked it. But this is something, sadly enough, that I don't. This sounds like a bad rip-off of the music from Moulin Rouge, but a little bit harder, and also a lot more pathetic. Sure, the growl sounds okay, but it doesn't fit.
The only thing really good on this EP is the intro on fourth song "Cinderella Murder Classic". Too bad the singer opens his mouth after 42 seconds and ruins everything. If it was instrumental it could have been a great song. Well, what can I say? This ain't good.

Rating: 2/10

by Johanna Salo

I considered 'Para Siempre' to be way too much latino and to little rock n' roll, but I sure liked the idea. The whole Spanish/English thing sure as hell was different, but it confused me because I couldn't really understand the meanings of the songs. I could only understand the English parts and that kind of distracted me way too much to be able to appreciate the music in the way it deserves. BUT! The album has its highlights, trust me on that one.

Rating 6/10

By Johanna Salo