Band:	Bang
Album:	Another Me
Style:	Hard rock
Release date:	July 2023

01. Another Me
02. Broken Toys
03. Man Of God
04. Clouds
05. Two Angels
06. Drone Pilot
07. Tin Man
08. This Night

It seems, ladies and gentlemen, that U.S. hard rock is back with a Bang.

Back in 1971, we saw the formation of a U.S. hard rock trio that simply went by the name Bang, but this was no ordinary hard rock group. In fact, they were, along with Black Sabbath, one of the earliest examples of heavy metal and even an important contributor for what was to become doom metal. It's hard to believe that Bang were once one of the heaviest acts around during that time. The low-toned guitar sound is one thing that really stuck out, resembling even the mighty Black Sabbath across the pond. Now, you could say, Bang was Black Sabbath's U.S. equivalent. But this fine trio also had a bluesy touch and a flamboyant style which could well have placed them into the same category as pre-progressive era Rush, Blue Cheer, Budgie, and even early Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple. So, with all that being said, how has this band simply slipped under the radar for so many of us?

To give you a short insight into this band's history, they released three albums in the '70s, including their self-titled debut in 1972, followed by Mother / Bow To The King (also released that same year), which was then followed by Music a year later, before the band disbanded. It wasn't until another twenty-six years later that the band would return, this time with RTZ - Return To Zero in 1999. Two albums then followed over a period of time, in which we saw The Maze released in 2004, followed by Death Of A Country in 2011. Now, we see the trio return once again, twelve years later. Only, this time, it's the original line-up, in which we now see the drummer Tony Diorio join (vocalist/bassist) Frank Ferrara, and (vocalist/guitarist) Frank Gilcken for the first time since the band's debut. So, you could say the original trio intended to come back with a real Bang, but is Another Me a worthy re-introduction for this ageing trio?

Well, the first thing we see is a wacky retro album cover art. This extravagant and colourful artwork indicates a blast from the past, for sure, but does that say the same for the music? Well, yes, you can bet your life it does. The first thing I notice is just how much joy has gone into making this album, something that clearly shows in their overall performance. I mean, can you imagine being reunited into your previous band after a fifty-two-year absence, and carrying on exactly from where you left off? Tony Diorio certainly does.

With no surprise, the band turns their attention towards their magical psychedelic hard rock roots that the band has surely been missing all these years. Frank Ferrara re-introduces his top-notch groovy bass lines, as Frank Gilcken plays his way through some cool bluesy solos and catchy traditional hard rock riffing, while Tony Diorio brings his rolling rhythmic beats. The vocal department, even after all these years, is an area still not lacking that oomph either. And let's not forget the most important feature of all: the deep, heavy guitar tone.

Not only is Another Me a reincarnation of the trio's hard rock origins, they also bring new elements to the party, which they have more than likely picked up over the evolving years of hard rock. Some of the psychedelic elements are amongst the strongest the band have shown to date. And, even at times, the grooves and deep guitar tone has a hint of stoner rock with, dare I say, influences of Queens Of The Stone Age. So, overall, what we have here is a fine collision of classic 1970s hard rock with a touch of the newer generation material. It's turned out pretty good for these old-aged, wise rockers, I must say.