Her Name Was Fire - Road Antics (2017)

What were the odds? The first band from Portugal on Stoner Mountain and already a strong contender for my album of the year. I just can't stop listening to it over and over again. Her Name Was Fire is a desert rock duo based in Lisbon consisting of João Campos, guitar & vocals, and Tiago Lopes, drums. This is the recently formed band's first full-length and follows their EP, EP 1, which was released last year.

Her Name Was Fire is a small band with a big sound. They draw inspiration from such legends as Queens of the Stone Age, Black Keys, Kyuss and Alice In Chains to create electrifying compositions based around the blues and stoner rock. They take everything that's good in those genres to make the best out of it, creating addictive and groovy songs with a high-repeat listening potential. Passion and haunting melodies pour from the speakers as they are adept at producing catchy hooks. They also know when to hold back and when to unleash a torrent of sound. The songs take all of the duo's strong points to a pinnacle, as the guitar lines race up and down a memorable drum beat, all set to gritty vocals that will stick with you for quite some time after listening.

There is absolutely nothing disappointing about this record or this band. From the opening chords of Little Pain to the last tune that is So Long Starman, Her Name Was Fire's debut album Road Antics is easily one of the most surprising releases of the last months. My ears are pleased with this refreshing debut. I can't stress again how great this album is. In my opinion one of the best records out this year, and probably awesome live too. Do yourselves a favour and get your hands on it and I dare you not to put in on repeat all day.

TRACKLIST

01. Little Pain
02. Take My Soul
03. Gone in a Haze
04. Wrong
05. Bring the Ransom
06. Nightcrawler
07. Way To Control
08. Summer Strummer
09. To the Sunset
10. So Long Starman