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ATOMIC ROOSTER “Circle the Sun”
ATOMIC ROOSTER “Circle the Sun”
By Dark Starr
A new ATOMIC ROOSTER album in 2025 – I don’t think I had that on the “likely to happen” list, but here we are. And, not only that, but I’d say there is a good chance the album will make my “best of 2025” list. Yes, it’s that strong. If you like retro leaning hard rock with plenty of proto-prog and psychedelia in the mix, you will like this.
Now, from the classic 70s era of the band, only one musician remains, Steve ‘Boltz’ Bolton (guitars and vocals), but there is so much vintage sound here, that doesn’t really matter. If you’ve ever liked ATOMIC ROOSTER, you really should check this out. If you have never actually gotten into them, but like things like VANILLA FUDGE, I’d also advise getting this. It’s a great album.
“Fly or Die” is a smoking hot, riff driven jam that has so much style and charm built into it. It feels very retro, like something from the psychedelic, proto-prog era. The shifts and changes land more pure prog, though. The track is definitely what I would expect from ATOMIC ROOSTER. It also lands near VANILLA FUDGE territory in some ways. It’s hard rocking and so cool. The instrumental movement later takes it into more pure prog zones with some killer jamming.
As good as the opener was, “Circle the Sun” definitely elevates things. It’s a powerhouse with plenty of killer heavy prog sound built into it. I can make out hints of things ranging from VANILLA FUDGE to NEKTAR. Of course, it’s also trademark ATOMIC ROOSTER. Coming in slower, I’m reminded a little of WISHBONE ASH as “Never 2 Lose” starts. It drops to a stripped back, balladic approach. It rises up from there with more powerhouse prog style and charm. This turns dark and twisted later. It’s pretty freaky.
Screaming hot, I’m reminded just a little of WHITE WITCH at times on “Walk With Me.” The cut is fierce and yet still proggy. It has a real riff rocking groove to it, though. Not a big change, “Rebel Devil” is another effective hard rocker with retro prog stylings built into it. In some ways I’m reminded of early ALICE COOPER on” No More.” The track is freaky, psychedelic and still proto-prog. It’s classic ATOMIC ROOSTER and really rocks. It has some smoking hot riffing built into it, too.
Dark, trippy and heavy, “Pillow” is such a cool piece of music. It really has a twisted kind of vibe to it. I’d almost call it spooky. The killer tune that bears the title “Last Night” features both some smoking hot organ work and some killer guitar playing. It’s another retro sounding stomper that lands in the proto-prog zone. It is a great groove and one of the most accessible things here.
“First Impression” is next, and the hard rocker is almost metallic in some ways. It’s a dark and twisted number. Fast paced and driving, “Blow That Mind” merges psychedelic, blues rock and proto-prog. It’s a real powerhouse tune that feels pretty soulful. It caps off one of the most surprising albums of 2025.
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