Belfast rockers Million Dollar Reload burst onto the scene back in 2008 with their debut Anthems of a Degeneration which saw them quickly appear on everyones radar. Four years later and we finally have their follow up, A Sinner’s Saint.

Million Dollar Reload are a straight up, hard rock and roll band, nothing more, nothing less. Influenced by such acts as ACDC and Aerosmith, with a little hint of Buckcherry, they have the ability to sound new and exciting with just the right amount of classic rock goodness. 

A Sinner’s Saint, from start to finish is a brilliant record in all honesty. It kicks off with a track call Fight The System. Aggressive, in your face and fast and furious, the perfect way to get things going. Bullets in the Sky, the lead single, will already sound familiar to many as it has been doing the rounds for a while, and after one listen you will be singing along, trust me. Blow Me Away does just that, a high energy anthemic rock kind of feel about it. Broken is a beautiful track, full on rock ballad, whereas Smoke N Mirrors also stands out, and is pretty similar to Cinderella’s Shake Me. 

The album is laden full of catchy riffs and mind bending Slash-esque solo’s, and alongside Phil Conalane’s razor blade vocals, which at times sound very similar to Josh Todd from the aforementioned Buckcherry, the band have grown into something even greater than they were before. 

M$R are a band you do not want to let bypass you, they are far too good and far too talented. Probably a contender for one of my albums of the year, A Sinner’s Saint show great promise and hopefully propels the band to the dizzying heights they deserve!

Caris Smith

New video from Million Dollar Reload!

Yes, Bullets In The Sky is the new single from the Irish rockers, one of our favourite bands here at LTMDTT, definitely one to watch out for in 2012!

Song of the day!

Million Dollar Reload - Livin’ In The City

Last week the Powerage Records Power Supply Tour hit the Corporation in Sheffield, and a couple of us went along to check out the four bands touring the country with the label right now. 

The Treatment

First up were Cambridge rockers The Treatment. I have to say, i haven’t been able to put their album down since it was released a couple of weeks ago so i was really looking forward to checking them out live, they did not disappoint. Drawing influence from the likes of Aerosmith, ACDC and The Cult, their music is full on classic rock, and singer Matt Jones voice is incredible. 

This is the bands first tour, and they really seemed to enjoy being up there. However, as they were the first band on it was still early and the crowd was limited, making it a little harder for them to get people going. They tried their best, encouraging claps and cheers were made and they blasted through their short set with track after track of pure energy. 

Its just a shame they weren’t on later on the bill, as i think they really could have got the crowd going and they really deserved to be seen by a lot more people. Really hope to see them again soon, hopefully on there own tour where they can be properly appreciated for how great they are. 

Lethargy

Next up were Welsh band Lethargy. They kind of stand out from the rest of the bands, looking a little more grungy, but really these guys know how to rock. Kind of like Alice in Chains with a classic rock twist, they are pretty good. Full of little anecdotes and funny comments, the people of Sheffield take to them well, but they grow tiresome quite quickly. 

Not much energy, or enthusiasm from them, they just seem to go on a bit. Singer Marc Jones has quite a good voice, but his ‘dreadlock flicking’ and incessant back bending is a little too much. They have a very bass heavy sound and no real rawness which disappointed me as i had a good feeling about them to begin with. I am hoping it was just due to lack of people in attendance, they may be used to bigger crowds but tonight they just weren’t feeling it. 

Million Dollar Reload

By far the best band on this evening, and in my opinion they should have been on last. They really knew how to get the crowd going and had people clapping and cheering along, evening singing their songs back at them, showing they already have a bit of a following. Singer Phil Conalane doesn’t really look like how he sings. His voice is strong, powerful and made to sing classic rock. 

Guitarists B.A.M and Andy Mack are pretty damn good too. Packing in the guitar tricks and solos, they look like they are having a great time. Again it is just a shame they only get to play for 30 mins as they finish way too quickly, and leave the crowd wanting more. Formed in Ireland 5 years ago, it seems the band are really only just starting to gain some recognition, and long may it continue as it is very well deserved.

New Device

Considering how worked up the previous band got the crowd, New Device didn’t really do much to keep that going. Don’t get me wrong, they were ok, but just ok, not amazing. As far as energy and sound is concerned, they hit the nail on the head. But, they just didn’t grab me, or really grab the crowd to be honest. Bit too poppy for my liking too. 

Towards the end of their set, people seem to be ‘getting’ them more and become a little more enthusiatic but its all too late as the end of the night approaches. People just seem to become convinced of their music when it is time for the band to leave the stage, which is a shame because as i said, they were good, but not great. Missing that rock and roll edge. A little too perfect.  

Caris Smith

Murderdolls

Unsurprisingly Muderdolls have been in my top plays for the last month due to attending their gig. The chemistry of Joey Jordison and Wednesday 13 and their passion for music comes through in their music and on stage it is clear they were both born to be involved with music. Wednesday’s onstage presence and performance is really quite entrancing.

Songs I’d recommend: For new listeners would be ‘Nowhere’ from their most recent album ‘Women and Children Last’ and from their first album ‘Dead In Hollywood.’ They are my current favourites!

The Virginmarys

A trio from Macclesfield, I first heard The Virginmarys supporting Slash at his Manchester gig last July and since discovering that some of their tracks are on Spotify, I have been hooked! They’re a mix of classic rock with a definite blues feel to them. I would recommend them to anyone. They have a tour coming up with tickets for a steal at £6, check out their website for dates.

Songs I’d recommend: ’Portrait of Red’ and new single ‘Bang Bang Bang.’

Million Dollar Reload

Recently signed to the Powerage record label, Million Dollar Reload have recently just taken part in the labels free tour. Formed 5 years ago in Ireland they may just start getting the attention they deserve. Definite classic rock edge with a powerful, almost metal touch from vocalist Phil.

Songs I’d recommend: ’Livin’ In The City’ and ‘Tattoo’s and Dirty Girls.’

Led Zeppelin

Time for an oldie in the form of Led Zeppelin. Whilst being familiar with their music,(afterall, who isn’t!) this month I have really invested more time into exploring their music. Truly one of the greats and a major influence to almost everyone ever, their greatness can never be denied.

Songs I’d recommend: ’Black Dog’, ‘Communication Breakdown’ and ‘Kashmir.’ They’re the most re-occuring ones on my listened to list!

Slash & Myles Kennedy

Whilst not technically a band, Slash & Myles appear at the top of my most played list at the moment (It also appears I am the top listener on LastFM!). I recently acquired new bootlegs of their performances in Australia and managed to finally hear a clip of them performing ‘Beautiful Dangerous.’ The genius that is Slash proved with last years solo album that he is still a great song writer and has a keen eye for talent. His touring band (made up of Todd Kerns, Brent Fitz and Bobby Schneck) have being wowing audiences for the best part of a year now and through this, has seen Myles gain credibility as one of the best rock singers out their right now. If they play a show near you, it’d be a crime if you didn’t attend!

Songs I’d recommend: Well obviously ‘Back From Cali’ and ‘Starlight’ which are Myles tracks on the solo album but pretty much anything they have been performing live is excellent so take your pick!

Laura Woodhead