BULLETS AND OCTANE

I loved 2018’s ‘Waking Up Dead’ and two years later Bullets and Octane are back with another weighty slab of punk-fueled kick ass dirty hard rock and roll with ‘Riot Riot Rock ‘n’ Roll’.
It’s hard to believe its been 22 years since the band formed and 16 since I heard their debut ‘The Revelry’ and these days they are sounding just as hungry as they did back then.

There’s a jarring, punky heartbeat to the ‘shout it out loud’ title track that opens and a relentlessness that just doesn’t let up. It’s a great song and when the chorus locks in you’re sold but it’s almost instantly overshadowed by the collaboration with ex-Buckcherry guitarist Keith Nelson ‘Ain’t Gonna Be Your Dog’, worthy first single and certainly commercial enough to open a few ears that may currently be missing out on Bullets and Octane.

‘The Devil’ picks up the pace again with some great guitar and a dirty vocal from Louis – man this is a great start to an album, and it doesn’t let up: ‘Give Me A Reason’ taps that more commercial vein again. The half way mark is played out with ‘As The Bombs Fall’ which has a great beat and drive and is relatively restrained. It’s a lovely balance.

The second half starts out nice and cool: ‘Addicted To Outrage’ opens with a slow chug and plenty of dirty swing and a smooth refrain that is inescapable. We get louder and faster with ‘Heaven Can Wait’ and the result is stunning one of the best on an album with so much quality competition.

That leaves us with the dark gypsy punk rock and roll and swing of ‘Chaos’ one of my favourites here; and the gathering storm and lilting guitars of ‘Rooftop Tears’ before the album closes with the pumped up ‘Lost Crazy Psycho’ which bookends the album with another dirty fierce rocker.

It’s great to hear the band in such great form and with another album that really hits the spot, this one in my opinion is even better than 2018’s wonderful ‘Waking Up Dead’ and mixes it up just like the glory days. Brilliant.

9/10 - www.therockpit.net/

METAL ANARCHY: Tell me a little about your band:

LOUIS: Bullets And Octane is an anthemic face melting rock ‘n’ roll band based out of Los Angeles, California known for a crazy good time crowd, involved, chaotic, live shows and fun and zany music videos.

METAL ANARCHY: Who are your main influences?

LOUIS: Sonically and lyrically the band is highly influenced by intense life experiences, and a highly intoxicating, contagious heartbeat of the Reckless list that is rock ‘n’ roll. Always up to celebrate the traditional headbangers ball always up for a good Time traditional rock ‘n’ roll.

METAL ANARCHY: What is your latest release and why should readers of this site check it out?

LOUIS: Bullets And Octane has previously released single after single in 2023 along with a brand new single to kick off 2024 called “SpaceLord Symphony” definitely go to the Bullets YouTube channel to check out the music video for this high intense single.

And for all of your hard rock fans out there if you are a fan of intense, and for Mike Mulandor vocals with killer guitar riffs. Definitely check out the latest Bullets And Octane music.

METAL ANARCHY: What can people expect when they go to your live shows?

LOUIS: For all of you die hard rock fans out there if you are a fan of jumping around pumping your fist, and being engulfed in a hands-on rock ‘n’ roll performance, be ready for band member and crowd interaction as we smile and laugh and dance living in the moment of complete freedom letting go of all stresses of the world and just enjoying a good old fashion night of loud rock ‘n’ roll music.

METAL ANARCHY: Where do you see your band heading in 5 years

LOUIS: The band is currently in and out of the studio gearing up to release a full length brand new album by the end of 2024 releasing singles in music video sprinkled throughout the year getting everybody fired up for the love of rock ‘n’ roll and all things chaos. Please check out Bullets, an octane official Instagram and TikTok for upcoming Bullets news upcoming shows and releases. Thank you so much. - Metal Anarchy