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Bite The Bullet: Rocky Road
Bite The Bullet - Rocky Road Album Art

Bite The Bullet: Rocky Road

AOR Melodic Rock
4.0/5.0

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Escape Music
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 14.04.2023 | Released: 21.04.2023

Since UK band Bite The Bullet (BTB) was revived after a 30 plus year hiatus, the band has been on a roll recording new music. Their debut album from 1986 was re-released in 2019. Black And White followed the next year, then End Of Line in 2022. Wherein I speculated was the title suggesting a second death? Apparently not. BTB returns with a new and fourth long player, Rocky Road, which includes new members Ant King on bass and Steve Hill on keyboards to play live.

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Bite The Bullet

Once more BTB offers their 21st century version of classic Eighties AOR melodic rock. As I reported elsewhere, their songs are a fine mix of rich riffs, notable rock rhythm and groove, catchy refrains, synth embellishment, and spry guitar solos. All these things are wrapped up in exceptional song melody and harmony with melodic and harmonious vocal arrangements.


However, I thought Rocky Road, in some parts, had a softer, almost somber, musical feeling. Perhaps less hard rock, and more AOR subtlety. I heard this with Call Of The Wild, Atlantic Highway, Ironstone, and the ballad Waiting For You. Yet, the rock rises elsewhere as with the brooding and heavier Dead Man Walking. But also My Frankenstein which has an spunky groove and speed.

And BTB's inherent ability to have variety in the song composition remains. With Sleeping Dogs BTB throws a curve with its acoustic guitar and voice to start, only to kick things into a solid riff rocker. Rock Road is another punchy rocker moved by fresh riffs and solid groove. I also thought if a pedal steel guitar was added to the arrangement, the song could possibly be modern country rock tune. All in all, as with their previous works, Bite The Bullet's Rocky Road is another well-crafted and entertaining foray into their classic AOR melodic rock. Recommended.

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The Take Away

As with their previous works, Bite The Bullet's Rocky Road is another well-crafted and entertaining foray into their classic AOR melodic rock. Recommended.

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