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Review of:

Kraterface's
"Rock n Roll Or Die"
(released June 21, 2009)

Reviewed by Tawny Khat on July 1, 2009

Tracks:

1. Rock & Roll Or Die
2. It's A Hard Way Up
3. Rock & Roll Machine
4. Blow It Up
5. Rock It To Me All Night Long
6. Sell Me To The Devil
7. Burn It Up
8. Sleep On It
9. Bad Luck

Hot damn! I love, love, love this band and this album!!! THIS is rock 'n roll. It is hands down one of the best new albums I've heard this year. Sure, it's going to draw comparisons to AC/DC (Bon Scott era), but compared to AC/DC's last album, and I might piss some people off here, this album by Kraterface outdoes AC/DC by a long shot. There I said it!

The band's founder and lead vocalist, Pharoah, at times sounds like he's channeling Bon Scott, but sometimes he also sounds a bit like Jesse James Dupree (Jackyl; Dixie, Inc.). He formed Kraterface in 2007 after being fired from his job as a bouncer at the famous Sunset Strip strip club, The Seventh Veil. That firing may have turned out to be one of the best things that ever happened to him, because with an album like this Kraterface should take the rock 'n roll world by storm.

Kraterface's other members are Gilbert Gilbert, sizzling on lead guitar, Cleo Parker III on bass and Matt Sikorski on drums. It's clear that every member of this band gives their all on this record. The band is tight throughout. I also have to give props for the great production on the record.

Usually when reviewing albums I name some songs as highlights, and that's because there are usually only a few good songs with the rest just being filler. But, every song on this album kicks ass! There is not one single song that is just so-so, they all ROCK. That said, a few did stand out slightly more than the others.

"Rock & Roll Machine" would make the best first single from this record. It's radio friendly with a very catchy chorus. I also really like "Rock It To Me All Night Long". It's a fast-paced tune with a kind of Chuck Berry thing going on. I love it! "Sleep On It" has an AC/DC feel with some killer riffs and "Bad Luck" is bluesy with a bit of a Jackyl tone to it. However, although I've singled out these songs, that doesn't take anything away from the rest of the tunes on the album. I love all the tracks!

I'm gonna say run, don't walk, to get this album. It is a must have for any rocker's CD or MP3 collection. I love coming across gems like this, it really makes my day! MP3 recordings are available from Amazon (see the link to the right). Also, see the band's MySpace page or go to transphonicrecords.com for info on the CD.