One day there was a band in the eighties/nineties called BADLANDS that did not last too long and the guitar player of this band was none other than Jake E Lee from OZZY’s fame. After the band's demise the bassist Graig Chaisson was part of other projects throughout the years including RED DRAGON CARTEL. Now in  2023/2024 Craig is back with a new gang of rockers and they call themselves ATOMIC KINGS releasing their debut album also named Atomic Kings. The band sound is a very rooted Hard Rock with a lot of Blues and Country in the mix as you can feel in the 2 starters “All I Want” and “Holding On”. Cool riffs and a softer approach. Still heavy but not uncharacteristically heavy.

The bass is well mixed  with creative riffs not following the guitar all the time like in the good “Holding On”. The band has a sound that reminds me of any of the GLEN HUGHES bands and this is a compliment. The singer Ken Ronk has a similar tone but with less power. Maybe his voice in the mix could be a tiny higher. Good use of sporadic keyboards and some killer harmonica solos.The band uses all the ingredients wisely with creative riffs and sudden tempo changes like in “Take My Hand” with a catchy guitar riff and a cool chorus with good backing vocal work. The band also brings some DEEP PURPLE and WHITESNAKE feeling on this another cool tune. For me the best of the album so far with a lot of different moods taking you by the hand.

The album gets a shot of energy with “Live” bringing a riff that sounds familiar but you don’t mind at this stage since the band already impressed. The tune also has the famous only vocal and drums parts to get the audience engaged, and a cool ending with some crazy bass lines. All songs are connected but still are different from each other as in “I Got Mine” that remits you more to the eighties era. The tune has some killer arrangements and the great drumming from Jimi Taft with the bass always sounding great underneath. Also, a lot can be said about  great guitar player Ryan Mackay. Killer riffs and arrangements, and also killer solos.

We reach the inevitable ballad with acoustic guitars and piano with the funny name of “Jimi’s Page” and suddenly it ends. Less than a minute and no singing. Basically a filler I believe. We go back to solid riffs and melody with “Bloodline” with a great performance by singer Ken Ronk. Still have GLEN HUGHES on my mind every time I hear him. The album also brings a bonus track called “Illusion” that I hope is included in the album because it is another good one with a wicked melody and approach. Nice work gentleman. If you are looking to get that long winding road, this album is a good companion with creative tunes bringing something new to the genre.