The Psychics - The Psychics *****
3:47pm Friday 9th October 2009
STEP back to summer 2002. After watching World Cup football in town, walking towards the Lansdowne, the warm evening breeze carries the unmistakable stomp of Zep's Kashmir, the BBC's World Cup theme tune.
But this is leaner, more aggressive. The sound leads us to the Gander (much missed today).
Two songs later and it's clear this band are bigger than the pub circuit. Great musicianship, and really, really tight. They breathe a new energy into versions of Burn, Immigrant Song and Perfect Strangers. Their sound has more vitality, more attack.
Mark and Steve Owers, who featured on Lionsheart's acclaimed debut album 10 years or so earlier, had resurfaced backed by a punchy rhythm section in Ian Corlett and John Manners.
If you're lucky you'll have caught them playing around Dorset or Hampshire. Each time I've seen them they've left me, and a growing number of friends, slack-jawed. And their own material, gradually added to the set, stands shoulder to shoulder with the Purple, Zeppelin and Van Halen classics they rip into.
Back to today. If you haven't caught a gig, your luck has just changed. For within the New Forest something has stirred and it's stomping your way. Their debut CD, The Psychics, has been released. And it's a monster.
If you like your rock on the hard-edged classic side your collection isn't complete without this disc.
Already selling well in Japan, this is no little-local-band-debut offering. It's highly accomplished, but not over-polished. The product of four guys playing with a swagger and a confidence born of knowing what they're doing.
The opening track Portent - "an omen, a sign of something to come" - is a future classic, and lives up to its billing, starting the show as it does, indeed, go on. There isn't a duff track here, up to and including the final instrumental, Dream Man, that showcases the versatility of guitarist Mark, on whom I'll say no more than this - you be the judge.
They make no attempt to hide influences - Whitesnake-style chopping guitar riffs, Zep-like rhythms, Bonhamesque skin beating, and at times Steve's vocals remind you of a bluesy Coverdale or Plant - but it's always delivered with The Psychics' own full-fat flavour and energy.
The album, as the band, is no one-trick pony. More a thoroughbred that takes you through different pitches, paces, moods, light and shade.
Start to finish it's an advanced lesson in rock-it science. Grab a seat and join the class. Outstanding.
Visit thepsyhicsband.com for info and the Portent video
Lords of Metal
www.lordsofmetal.nl
The Psychics - The Psychics
Krescendo records
file under Hardrock / AOR
Arco: Ever heard of the Owers brothers, Steve and Mark? The one played bass guitar, the other one guitar in Lionsheart. Does there ring a bell? Nice, because they are back. And how! When Lionsheart came out with their debut in 1993 it was immediately embraced by critics and fans. Led by singer Steve Grimmet (formerly Grimm Reaper, Onslaught) that record blasted out of tour speakers with songs like 'Can't Believe', 'Living In A Fantasy', 'All I Need' and the beautiful 'Portrait'. The band did well in Europe and especially in Japan they were an instant hit. But Steve and Mark (identical twins and writers of the songs on that debut) were not happy at all with mister Grimmet and the management. They decided, after two European shows as opener for Lillian Axe, that enough was enough and left the band. Steve Grimmet went on with Lionsheart, and had reasonable success. Currently he is active with 'The Steve Grimmet Band' and 'Grimmstine' (cooperation with Steve Stine). And the Owers brothers?
After fifteen years they come out of the blue and again surprise with a debut album. And what a debut it is! The band is called 'The Psychics' and they play a bluesy kind of hard rock like Whitesnake in its best days, with influences of Led Zeppelin, but transformed to today. Steve Owers is not playing bass guitar anymore but is singing now and he does well! A nice clean bluesy voice which sounds warm and soulful (like in 'Change') but also has enough power, a bit like Coverdale meets Plant, superbly and a perfect fit in this genre. His brother Mark Owers shows he hasn't forgotten how to play the guitar, and why they waited for fifteen years to show their talent (again) is a riddle to me. The rhythm section is formed by Ian Corlett and drummer John Manners, who is somehow renown for his drumming with Raw Deal.
The twin brothers show on their eponymous debut they can still write good songs. You can hear that in opener 'Portent'. Heavy riffs, tight rhythm, screaming solo and a good, strong voice. 'Ghosts' takes things up a notch further and can be considered as a highlight on this CD. 'We Rock' has a funky sound and follower 'Here Comes The Rain' has Led Zeppelin influences, good riffs and nice arrangements, but I also hear some Badlands. When '21st Century Whipping Boy' is launched into the living room it reminds of 'Slip of the Tongue' and I am very curious for the live version! With the song 'Call My Name' (with a Malmsteen topping) the Owers brothers slightly look back on their time with Lionsheart. More Whitesnake on bluesy 'Change' and 'In The City' is a straightaway '70 's funked up rock song in which Mark Owers again shows his guitar playing. He is an awesome guitar player, we could have enjoyed his playing for the last 15 years! Listen to closer 'Dream Man' (hello Satriani) and you know what I mean.
Original or innovative? No, but please let these guys do what they do best! One minor thing, the production could have been better. The drum sound is a little weak now and then but that is on the budget I guess. Do you like bands such as Whitesnake, Led Zeppelin, Badlands, Lynch Mob, House of Lords, Thunder or Blue Murder? Then you can simply ad this CD to your collection.
Rating: 92/100
Rock Report
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Tracklist
1. Portent
2. Ghosts
3. We Rock
4. Here Comes The Rain
5. 21st Century Whipping Boy
6. Call My Name
7. Time We Tried Again
8. Change
9. In The City
10. Dream Man (instr.)
Line-up
Steve Owers (v, g)
Mark Owers (g)
Ian Corlett (b)
John Manners (d)
Review added
August 6, 2009
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One of the gravestones along the path of melodic rock/AOR is the one that reads: "Lionsheart, great & promising, didn't amount to nothing, a pity, R.I.P." or something of that order. Their 1993 debut received some great critical acclaim by both fans & critics but...well, nothing happened,really. Exit Lionsheart. Look for the album, it's definitely worth it.
Lionsheart had identical twin brothers Mark & Steve Owers on guitar and they are the core of this new band The Psychics. Mark still plays the lean & mean guitar while brother Steve has changed to singing. And what a discovery he is! The man sounds like Coverdale but double the soul & and minus the wailing. And Mark, well, he's simply a new guitar-hero in waiting. The riffs are flashing & bouncing all over the place like the last 20 years never happened and boy, can he shred when necessary.
The songs and by extension the album is one of the strongest melodic rock albums I have had the pleasure of hearing in a long time. It blows practically everybody out of the water and we're speaking about a debut. Why these guys waited for 15 years to (again) present their combined talent to the world is beyond me. Anyway, it's here now although we had to wait a year longer than Japan, where this was released in 2008. I only hope that the format you can buy now isn't the same as the one I got because that is one of those blue cd-r-discs with a sticker on top. If you're going to send a copy to a reviewer, please make it a proper one!
Anyway, influences range from vintage House Of Lords over Whitesnake to early Thunder, combined with some Lynch Mob for good measure. Just listen to the glorious chorus of 'Time We Tried Again' or the fabulous flexing of the muscles on the guitar in instrumental closer 'Dream Man'.
Two words: amazing & awesome. In whatever order. No, make it 3 and add 'Buy' to that! ( KVK)
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WOLF 359
Gloobey thanks for all the help with this cd matey, review in new issue of Fireworks.
Oh by the way this is a great album.
Jez
Very cool 'Old School' bombastic Brit hard rock in the vein of Whitesnake, Led Zep and Thunder. Some really tasty guitars on this and a very consistent disc with it's 10 quality tracks. This is a band that are definitley gonna be worth keeping an eye on for sure.
Nick C
Nice...I love it when an album lives up to everything you've heard about it and expected. After hearing/seeing Portent on Youtube it had to be bought. Would the rest of the album live up to that song?? .....yeah.....dead easy.
Massive guitars excellent songs, vocals..everything.
An album that'll find you sneaking over to the volume control every minute or so to turn it louder.
Shake the roof tiles off!!
Noilleh
About time, the world has been waiting with it's breath held to see if the Owers Twins would produce another album and this one is absolutely worth the wait. It's nothing like the melodic Lionsheart album this is a back to basics guitar licks with more shred than Robertsons marmalade combined with some of the classiest singing I've heard in a long while, Steve is on the road to becoming one of the classic rock voices.
There is someing for everyone on this cd, straigh ahead anthemic rock such as 'We Rock' to the very classy rock opus 'Portent' to the atmospheric 'Here comes the Rain'.
The world has waited a long time for this album but it was absolutely worth the wait, Lady Luck has not played fair with these two brothers in the past, she's a fickle witch, but this is all set to change.
I agree with KVK Amazing, awesome BUY!
YNGWIEVIKING
The OWERS bros are F****g back with a huge release in my top 10 for sure !
Guitar player Mark is truly amazing with old fashion licks and also high tech new chops, SHREDDING with beautiful melodies and a lot of class !
His brother STEVE is also a fantastic singer !
Like WHITESNAKE/earlyTHUNDER/LED ZEP
CLASSIC BRITISH HARD ROCK at it's BEST |
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The Psychics - The PsychicsThe Psychics - The Psychics
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| Reviewed by Grigoris on 2009/10/18 |
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Official website
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- Steve Owers - Vocals
- Mark Owers - Guitar
- Ian Corlett - Bass
- John Manners - Drums
Portent
Ghosts
We Rock
Here Comes The Rain
21st Century Whipping Boy
Call My Name
Time We Tried Again
Change
In The City
Dream Man
Portent (video)
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This is - I think - the first time we're getting a CD for review from this label and it is not a reissue from some back-catalogue 80s Hard Rock/AOR gem. Under license from the guys in THE PSYCHICS (supplies for the Japanese market will be courtesy of Marquee/Avalon) this is the first album for the British quintet and if some of the names listed up does not ring any bells then it's probable you've not spend much time with - or do not recall anymore - 90s Steve Grimmett-fronted heroes LIONSHEART.
Yeap, Steve and Mark Owers were part of the spectacular "Lionsheart" debut album (Music For Nations - 1993); I think they parted ways prior to the recordings for the "Pride In Act" (1994) follow-up (they do not appear in the clip for "Can't Believe", too) but cannot remember if they even shared any credits apart from the debut LP. Anyway, every conscious British Hard Rock fan should have at least the 1993 masterpiece in his/her collection plus the usual question running in such fans' talks at times was "really, whatever happened to the Owers twins?". I had such a discussion with a colleague the other day and it's a perfect world when questions of this kind are rapidly answered to the presence of a new band and fresh music itself.
Enough with the past, then. THE PHYSICS is the equivalent for classic British Hard Rock. I was rather curious to check out what dozes of new sounds the band would inherit in this CD and the answer is quite simple: none. If the likes of pre-Hollywood WHITESNAKE, THUNDER and BLUE MURDER cross your needs then "The Psychics" is an album you should be aware of as of now. And if someone tells you this set of songs is amazing do not take it for granted but believe it is - the least to be said - very good. The sound is traditional British Hard Rock with a bluesy edge, a glad reference to LED ZEPPELIN or (even) TRAPEZE and some expressive guitar work by Mark is featured, really missed all these years.
"Portent" (the video for the song is embedded below) can act as a brief representation for what THE PSYCHICS's all about. I think this copy has an improved mix/sound but - anyway - the aura surrounding the quartet's music is near-to-thrilling anyway. Steve does not play the bass here; still, surprisingly enough, he holds the singing duties and his Plant-meets-Coverdale-meets-Hughes voice is a vintage, mature and troublefree disclosure. The level of playing is invincible and the overall result is anything but groundbreaking, still holds the flag of British Rock high as if the Kingdom never surrendered to the trends' guillotine.
There's an epic surrounding in half the tracklist while the rest are straight rockers; in any way "The Psychics" is not a collection of innovative sounds but smells the quality of original music. If "Lionsheart" was harder than e.g. WHITESNAKE's illustrious career then "The Psychics" goes back to the relative influences of/from such bands. Every fan of Hard Rock music is invited to check this album out.
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