Punkfunkrootsrock

iTunes Review

London-based rockers Manraze, led by Def Leppard guitarist Phi Collen, play a fantastic mix of classic ‘80s hard rock sonically updated for the new century. The group is solid and tight, featuring Simon Laffey, the bassist from Collen’s ‘80s glam band Girl, and Paul Cook, the powerful drummer from the Sex Pistols. Their long awaited second album is chockfull of tunes that put the listener in the backseat of a Chevy Camaro with the T-tops off. “All I Wanna Do” sounds like a lost FM radio hit. “Over My Dead Body,” “I C U In Everything” and “Lies, Lies, All Lies” sound massive, as they unashamedly crank it up like they’re playing the Sunset Strip, circa 1987. “Closer to Me” switches things up with a reggae groove. “Get Action” could be a Def Leppard outtake. The cover of Jimi Hendrix’s “Fire” is a convincing knockout with Collen’s guitar doing some major heavy lifting. The key here is that Manraze is a killer power trio. They lock in step and simply sound great. Fans of Def Lep, Guns N’ Roses and other hard-rock bands of that era will feel like they’ve discovered a lost classic.