Rough Edge: Rose Tattoo CD Reviews

ROSE TATTOO

"Blood Brothers: Special Tour Edition" (SPV; 2008)

Reviewed by Metal Mark

Long running Aussie rock band Rose Tattoo actually released "Blood Brothers" last year but this is the tour edition which includes the CD plus a live DVD presenting the band's performance at the Wacken Festival back in 2006.

Let's have at the CD first: I always admired these guys for their ability to create just rough dirty and real gritty rock without a lot of flash. They have always been compared to AC/DC and they do sound like earlier AC/DC although, obviously, Rose Tattoo have stayed closer to their roots -- which is a good thing in this case. Once again they show their worth on this album with tracks like the rough and tumble "Black Eyed Bruiser," the no-nonsense rocker "Man About Town" and "Slipping Away," which revolves around my favorite riff on the album.

Rose Tattoo has gone through times where they didn't even exist and they have had band members pass away, so it hasn't been an easy road for these guys yet they have persevered and have managed to soldier forth and stay genuine to the type of music they been playing over thirty years ago. They thrive on putting out the kind of solid rock music that is so easy to get into. In a scene where so many bands try to sound and look like the real deal, it's readily apparent that Rose Tattoo are the real thing and it seems to come rather easy for them as well.

The live DVD included here has the band sounding strong on a major stage and the DVD helps make this a very worthwhile set.

For more information, check out http://www.rosetattoo.com.au.

Rating Guide:

A classic. This record will kick your ass.

Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.

So-so. You've heard better.

Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.

Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.

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