Smoking Snakes – ‘All Lights On’

(Frontiers Music)

Smoking Snakes – All Lights On is the kind of record that knows exactly what it wants to be, and more importantly, doesn't waste a second pretending otherwise. This is unapologetic, full-throttle sleaze-infused melodic rock that wears its influences proudly on a well-worn leather jacket, while delivering enough energy, confidence and hook-laden songwriting to remind you why this style refuses to stay buried. If you've spent years flying the flag for Sunset Strip swagger, Scandinavian melodic muscle and arena-ready choruses, then All Lights On feels like an old friend turning up with a fresh bottle and another collection of stories worth hearing.

From the opening moments, Smoking Snakes establish an atmosphere that immediately transports you back to a time when rock radio ruled after dark, guitar heroes still had room to breathe, and every chorus demanded a raised fist. It's a nostalgic setup, certainly, but nostalgia alone has never been enough to carry an album. Plenty of bands can recreate the look and the sound; far fewer can capture the excitement. Smoking Snakes manage exactly that.

The beauty of All Lights On lies in its balance. It has all the grit and attitude you'd expect from a sleaze rock outfit, yet there's a polished melodic heart beating underneath the denim and leather. Rob Raw and Brett Martin’s guitars hit hard without becoming overwhelming, delivering chunky riffs alongside tasteful lead work that never feels like an exercise in showing off. Every solo serves the song, adding colour and excitement instead of simply filling space.

The rhythm section of Andy Delarge (bass) and Mackey Gee (drums) deserve plenty of credit too. There's a relentless drive throughout the record that keeps everything moving at exactly the right pace. The grooves are tight, energetic and punchy, giving the guitars a rock-solid foundation while allowing the vocals to soar above the mix. It's the kind of performance that sounds effortless but clearly comes from musicians who understand how this style should feel. Nothing drags, nothing feels overplayed, and every beat pushes the album forward with infectious momentum.

Vocally, Brett Martin hit’s the sweet spot between raw attitude and melodic accessibility. There's enough grit to sell the rebellious image, but also enough control to deliver the massive choruses that define great melodic hard rock. The vocals never disappear beneath the instrumentation either, remaining front and centre where they belong. It's a confident performance that understands this genre has always been about making listeners want to sing along just as much as bang their heads.

One of the album's greatest strengths is its consistency. Rather than relying on one or two obvious standout moments, All Lights On maintains an impressively high standard throughout its running time. Every song contributes something worthwhile to the overall experience, creating an album that rewards listening from start to finish instead of encouraging you to skip around searching for highlights. That's becoming increasingly rare in the streaming era, where many releases feel more like collections of singles than complete albums.

The songwriting is another major success. Smoking Snakes clearly understand that memorable hooks remain the lifeblood of melodic rock. Choruses arrive exactly when they should, riffs stick in your head long after the album finishes, and there's enough variation between the heavier moments and the more melodic passages to keep things interesting without ever losing sight of the band's identity.

What's particularly refreshing is how natural everything feels. There's no sense that Smoking Snakes are chasing trends or trying to modernise their sound by forcing unnecessary contemporary elements into the mix. Instead, they've focused on writing great rock songs and delivering them with conviction. Ironically, that honesty makes the album feel fresher than many records desperately trying to sound current.

Production plays a huge part in that success. All Lights On sounds big without becoming overly polished. Modern recording techniques provide clarity and power, but thankfully the album avoids the sterile perfection that has robbed some contemporary hard rock releases of their personality. The guitars retain their bite, the drums carry real impact, and the overall mix allows every instrument room to breathe while still delivering the wall of sound fans expect.

There's also a genuine sense of fun running throughout the record. That's something many modern rock bands seem afraid to embrace, often replacing excitement with unnecessary seriousness. Smoking Snakes understand that sleaze rock has always been about escapism as much as musicianship. This is music designed for loud stereos, summer festivals, late-night drives and packed clubs where everyone knows every chorus by the second listen. It celebrates excess without becoming cartoonish, and delivers attitude without crossing into parody.

That isn't to say the band simply recycle old formulas. While their influences are obvious, Smoking Snakes inject enough personality into the material to avoid sounding like a tribute act. They capture the spirit of classic sleaze and melodic hard rock rather than simply copying individual bands. That's an important distinction, and one that elevates All Lights On above many revival albums currently competing for attention.

Smoking Snakes waste absolutely no time getting down to business. The opener ‘Don’t Touch’ bursts out of the speakers with a snarling riff, pounding rhythm section and a chorus that's tailor-made for shouting back at the stage. It's confident, catchy and instantly sets the tone for everything that follows.

‘Trick Or Treat’, the swagger gets turned up another notch here. There's a dirty sleaze-rock attitude running through this one, balanced by a melody that keeps everything accessible. The guitars bite hard, while the hooks ensure it sticks in your head long after it's finished.

‘All I Need’, this is where the band's melodic instincts really shine. Big harmonies, polished vocals and a chorus built for arena singalongs make this one of the album's most instantly memorable moments. It's heartfelt without becoming overly sentimental.

‘Look In Your Eyes’, leaning further into the melodic rock side of the band's sound, this track showcases their ability to blend emotion with power. The guitar work is tasteful throughout, allowing the vocal performance to take centre stage while never losing its rock edge.

‘Last Man Standing’, a punchier, more aggressive outing that injects fresh energy into the middle of the album. The driving rhythm and confident performance give it a determined feel, proving Smoking Snakes are just as comfortable delivering grit as they are melody.

‘Screaming For More’, as the title suggests, this one is packed with attitude. The chorus explodes with infectious energy, backed by muscular guitars and a rhythm section that refuses to let up. It's pure fist-pumping hard rock from start to finish.

‘Broken Heart’, every melodic rock album needs a moment with a little more emotional weight, and Smoking Snakes deliver it beautifully here. The balance between vulnerability and power is handled well, creating a song that feels genuine rather than overly polished.

‘Nasty & Wild’, the title says it all. This is sleaze rock at its most unapologetic, full of swagger, attitude and infectious energy. The band sound like they're having an absolute blast, and that enthusiasm is impossible not to get caught up in.

‘Turn On The Lights’, an uplifting, hook-filled anthem that perfectly captures the band's knack for writing memorable choruses. Bright melodies sit comfortably alongside crunchy guitars, making this another standout that begs to be played loud.

‘Pleasure & Pain’, the album closes on a strong note with a track that brings together everything Smoking Snakes do well. Big riffs, soaring melodies and confident performances combine for a satisfying finale that leaves you wanting to hit play all over again.

Fans of Crashdïet, Crazy Lixx, Hardcore Superstar, H.E.A.T. and the more melodic side of the Sunset Strip scene will immediately feel at home here, but the album also possesses enough universal rock appeal to attract listeners who simply enjoy well-crafted hard rock packed with memorable melodies and infectious energy.

Ultimately, All Lights On succeeds because it understands the fundamentals of great melodic sleaze rock. Big riffs. Bigger choruses. Charismatic vocals. Confident performances. Strong production. Most importantly, it remembers that rock music should be exciting. Every minute feels alive with purpose, and by the time the closing notes fade away you're already reaching for the replay button.

Smoking Snakes haven't reinvented the genre and thankfully they never set out to. What they've done is produce an album that embraces everything fans love about melodic sleaze rock while delivering it with genuine passion, polished musicianship and enough hooks to keep the songs lodged firmly in your head for days afterwards.

For anyone still convinced that big choruses, swaggering guitars and fist-pumping hard rock belong in today's musical landscape, All Lights On is further proof that reports of the genre's demise have been greatly exaggerated. Turn it up, leave your inhibitions at the door, and enjoy one of the year's most entertaining melodic rock releases.

8/10

Essential Track – ‘Look In Your Eyes’

Review by Woody