Review by Ritchie Birnie for MPM
Can it really be two years since the fantastic Promised Land was released and burst into the top 20 of the UK charts? Well, it is and now here we are with latest album Cruel Intentions and the band could be looking at a top 10 release this time as this is what a Classic Rock album is all about.
The album opens with the latest single “Ride or Die” and this has a swagger all of its own, reminiscent of Little Angels who could also write one hell of a tune so this is high praise. The boys shoot for the stars right off the bat. The vocals of Gottelier are on point and that lazy Slash esche guitar work is sublime.
Those dirty guitar grooves continue right into “Dangerous Love”. This has a 80s Aerosmith feel. It is catchy, funky and just fantastic. we slow down and go a little country on “Lady Bohemian”. Like the rest of the album this is just a feel good anthem, where the brain checks out and pure enjoyment takes over.
With a title like “Raised on Rock’n’Roll” you would instantly think AC\DC or Airbourne and this track fits perfectly in that wheelhouse. We are talking that Bon Scott tongue in cheek era and I am just hoping the boys don’t bring back those bollock crushing jeans…they need to stay in the past.
“Bad Manners” is gladly nothing to do with the band of the same name but more about out and out enjoyment. This one swings like a Skin (the band) tune. The horns are in the background which will have the Little Angels vibe knocking around your head but the more and more I listen to this band the more they dig into my Skin memory bank. A band that got nowhere near the recognition they deserved so if you love this album like I do go listen to Skin straight after this.
The tempo slips back on “Closest Thing to Crazy” and this is from the ballad 101 playbook. Nothing rings my bell more than a really good ballad and this is a very, very good ballad.
We jump into Classic Rock mode on “Waiting on a Miracle” and this could very well be your new favourite song with its soaring anthemic riffs and vocalistic gymnastics. A real high on the album.
When you pull out a Harmonica in the first five seconds I am already hooked and this is possible the missing track on Aerosmith’s Pump. A hell of an album and this would proudly sit alongside the other tracks on that Platinum selling monster. This never lets up and it absolutely kicks ass.
The constant on all these tracks is the musicianship throughout. The rhythm section lays down the canvas, the guitars gives us a healthy and beautiful base layer which is perfection throughout and Gottelier takes this from your local gallery to the Louvre. “Long Gone” meshes every element of this and in the end you have a monster of a track.
“Cruel Intentions” is a smoldering Blues based beast that will take you back to the 80s. It has so many influences you will be doing the Dicaprio finger pointing meme. Stop trying to go down that rabbit hole and just enjoy this little funky assed beauty.
Track 11 is “One More For the Road” and on most physical copies this is the last track. It has taken till now for the band to rip up the playbook and go left field and you would not be insane to think is this the same band. A brilliant change of direction.
As is the world of consumerism this at the end of the day is about making money as well as amazing songs so if you buy the USB version of the album you get the bonus track “Chasing Sunsets”. If your thang is Southern Rock make sure you buy this version as this is a brilliant track. Acoustic guitar, slide and husky vocals makes for a Southern stunner. Having listened to Rock,Metal and Blues since the 80s I come from a time where most bonus tracks were throw away or covers but this song alone covers the asking price for the USB on its own.
The Karma Effect are fast becoming one of my favourite live bands from the UK and this album cements the fact that this is a seriously good act that are going from strength to strength. Cruel Intentions is a must have album of 2026 and the October/ November tour is not to be missed.
The Karma Effect’s new album ‘Cruel Intentions’ is out 15th May 2026 – it is available to pre-order now on signed editions, limited alt artwork editions, limited coloured vinyl & more via the Earache store here.
Follow The Karma Effect; OFFICIAL WEBSITE YOUTUBE FACEBOOK X INSTAGRAM SPOTIFYTIKTOKAPPLE MUSICBANDSINTOWN
