Canadian quartet Monster Truck returns with their new album True Rockers.
It’s been two years since the release of their previous album Sittin’ Heavy and it’s fair to say that Monster Truck has been far from resting on their laurels during that time. The band have been relentlessly trotting the globe racking up 150 shows including Arena tours with the likes of Nickelback, Billy Talent and Deep Purple plus shows with Black Stone Cherry, Volbeat, Jane’s Addiction, Rob Zombie, and Alter Bridge.
During their time on the road, the group were honing their new material which they later went on to record at Echo Mountain Studios in Asheville, North Carolina in July 2017.
With True Rockers, Monster Truck comes hurtling out of the blocks with the anthemic title track itself. The song features a guest appearance from none other than Twisted Sister’s Dee Snider and is executed at breakneck speed, with a prominent hard-hitting rhythm and frantic guitar/keys riffs. The track develops into somewhat of a rock and roll sermon, which in turn sets the tone for the rest of the album.
Much in the same vein as the opening number, Monster Truck continue their sonic assault with the gargantuan “Thundertruck”. On first listen, the track has a real raw energy that will perfectly translate when performed live. The fact that the record was crafted and cultivated whilst on the road has certainly fed into and influenced the overall feel of True Rockers. You can just imagine the band’s fans chanting during the mid-song breakdown of the aforementioned number. At just 2 mins and 38 seconds, the emphatic “Being Cool Is Over” also hits a similar spot.
On the other hand “Evolution” switches things up a bit with a more contemporary sounding hard rock number with mainstream appeal. The song certainly has the potential to become a radio hit. Having partnered with award-winning producers Gavin Brown and Maia Davies on several tracks on the record including the previously mentioned song, the same can be said for the melodic synth-infused number “Young City Hearts” and the incredibly infectious “Hurricane”.
Tracks such as “The Howlin’” and “Devil Don’t Care” showcases the blues-rock side of the group, with their swampy yet heavy groove and searing harp licks.
Alternatively, “Undone” is one of the slower songs on the record, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Featuring a passionate delivery from Jon Harvey and grungey undertones, the song has a sound in places that is reminiscent to Soundgarden.
One thing True Rockers is not short of is anthems, and that can most certainly be said about both “In My Own World” and “Denim Danger”.
With Monster Truck’s latest offering, you can truly hear the evolution of their sound. However, no matter which direction each track on the record takes the listener, at the heart of every song there is still that distinctive Monster Truck formula that their fans have come to know and love.
Just like their mantra and the hook to their title track, it goes without saying that Monster Truck are most certainly True Rockers.
Monster Truck’s new album True Rockers will be released via Mascot Label Group on 14th September. A UK tour alongside labelmates Black Stone Cherry and country rockers The Cadillac Three will follow later in the year.
Monster Truck
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