"Get ready to rev up your engines because today you get to receive some high-octane rock." Terrible puns aside (and I do greatly regret making the joke) today I do get to present to you the UK's HAMMERJACK, an up and coming rock band who profess to sound like and be inspired by the likes of AC/DC, AEROSMITH, GUNS N' ROSES, THE ANSWER, and more bands much like these ones, and I do have to say that they hit the nail right on the head. This shows very well in what is their newest release, the self-titled EP "Hammerjack." Without further ado let's dive in.

Opening with "I Can't Change", their focal point on the EP, the song does very well to establish the EP as worth listening to. With a great opening drum track, some very well done riffs in the verses that are easy to get stuck in your head, and some great vocals from Sharpy, my only complaint about the song would be the riff used in the chorus (which is also the rhythm riff in the solo). While this can be pegged as personal taste, the transition between chords and overall flow of the riffs of the chorus seems out of place from the rest of the song. Regardless, otherwise a great opening track that VERY much has the sound of the bands they are inspired by, and their drawing on these bands is also in the right proportions where it sounds inspired but original instead of as if they are copied. Coming next is "Going Down Again", which starts with a somewhat deceptive opening. Starting with a mid-range slower riff and something sounding like a short solo, it then reaches a much higher range. Featuring more melodic and softer verses and much more rock intensive choruses, with the same going for the vocals in both cases, this song flows very well. The progression of the solo in this song is also very good, showing a nice and more apparent technical side with a more rapid drum beat to match interspersed in the solo, this song could contend for a personal favorite on the EP.

Following this is "Take It All", the shortest song but also one of the densest songs arguably. Beginning with a "Welcome to the Jungle" esque opening, and generally sounding more inspired by GUNS N' ROSES, the vocals are sparser however this is made up for with what is arguably the best guitar work on the album. Though what seems like half the song is a solo, I more than welcome this because of the fact that it is so well done. Featuring great progression, amazing riffs, and more this song is just generally all amazing in my mind. While I said "Going Down Again" contends as a favorite, it is far blown out of the water by this song. Finally though, the EP closes with "More Than Nothing". Featuring a much more southern intensive sound in everything from the guitar and bass to the vocals, it definitely stands out from the other songs because of this. While an overall good enough song, I think the main thing it shows is the vocal range that Sharpy has. While his lows sound fairly normal, it does well to contrast his highs which creates the show of range. Not a bad song, but admittedly definitely not one of my favorites.

While I am not a huge rock fan and do not listen to it often, HAMMERJACK found it surprisingly easy to get me to like this EP. Though short, it shows a high degree of potential, and while I likely won't avidly follow the band I am sure that if they release an album it will be just as good and if not better. I would highly recommend this to any rock fans, and anyone who enjoys it should keep a close lookout for any further work from this band.