Ace Mafia
London, England, United Kingdom | SELF
Music
Press
01.No More Excuses
02.London Underground
03.Feel The Fire
04.Best Thing
05.Rolling
06.Difference
07.Someday
08.Open Your Eyes
09.So Cruel
10.Vicious Circle
11.Fallen From Heaven
K.Ghibli (Vocals/Guitar)
Richie Faulkner (Guitar)
Bruno Agra (Drums)
Geos Letona (Bass)
Formed in 2008 and based in good old Camden, the band hold a special place for me as their 'Feel The Fire' ep was the very first cd i reviewed on this blog on 30th August 2008.
So now i have been handed an advanced copy of the debut album 'Vicious Circle', time to hit play.........
'No More Excuses' is a great rocker with a BLS vibe, then its straight into 'London Underground' always my favourite song and after a year it still kicks with punchy riffs an awesome solo, great vocals and powerhouse drumming.Its a weird song lyrically about a man finally away from the rush hour nightmare of the Underground wishes he was back there while he is at the office ?!
'Feel The Fire' is a power ballad that also carries emotion and gives a nice break in the album.Wow is all i can say about 'Best Thing' its a fantastic song, a nice commercial sound that is boosted by some brilliant orchestration and guitar work.
The human condition is the subject of 'Rolling' dealing with the story of a man who loses his confidence, blames the world but sets to win it back by believing in himself and fighting his own self doubt.
'Difference' is pretty much a full on metal assault with a melodic breakdown thrown in and there is a really neat acoustic guitar solo in the mix as well.
Okay so it has a great solo in it but i cant really get into the ballad 'Someday' its one of those get your lighter out moments,but doesnt quite hit the mark for me.
The previous track is soon eradicated from my brain (Cell) with the moody 'Open Your Eyes' and then 'So Cruel' with its superb bass playing crashing through the speakers just gets that head a banging again.
The title track 'Vicious Circle' is a wonderful mix of guitar solos, crazy drumming and really strong vocals.
Finally 'Fallen From Heaven' comes up all too soon and as you might expect from the title its one of those big rock ballads, but this one is outstanding, a really nice acoustic intro is soon mixing with some furious double peddling and then once again the superb guitar playing from Richie, i tell you this one has it all and at six minutes it gives you plenty of time to get into and enjoy.
Rating 10/10
For fans of : Black Label Society, Guns N Roses, Velvet Revolver, Alice In Chains
Link:
http://mrstu616.blogspot.com/2009/12/ace-mafia-vicious-circle-cd-review.html - Mr.Stu616
You know when metal/rock comes from Brittain with cranked up stack amps and Les Pauls, what could possibly go wrong.
Ace Mafia plays cranck rock and powerful metal mixed melodically with orchestration and wicked lyrics and you got one hella of a great band!
I love the sweet sound of the biting Les Paul solos and the harmony that is so lacking today in music!
You should check them out now. This hillbilly is gonna pick up a jug and sit back and crank it!
Moe Hillbilly
Link:
http://www.thmag.us/acemafia.html - Twisted Hillbilly Magazine
Ace Mafia entered into an international song and lyric competition in July with judges including Grammy Award Winners, Major Record Labels,individuals from Rollins Stones Magazine, individuals who have worked with Nickelback, Sting, INXS, and many more. Ace Mafia July's round Winner.
Awarded to "Ace Mafia"
Ace Mafia has been selected as a "Winner" in the July 2008 round of the Song of the Year song and lyric competition. Song of the Year receives entries from all over the world and only one song from each category achieves "Winner" status.
Link:
http://www.songoftheyear.com/webawards/a/AceMafia.htm - The song Of The Year
Discography
Vicious Circle
Photos
Bio
Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born. Vicious Circle, Ace Mafia's debut, is the living proof of what you can achieve when a band is together for the right reasons.
Geos, Richie Faulkner and Bruno Agra all first met in 2007 at a well known Camden Town cover band show, called Metalworks, where Richie and Bruno used to share the stage. Kay, a Canadian singer, moved to London 7 years ago to pursue his musical dream, trying to fit in with different acts, but nothing substantial enough to bring out everything he's got to give.
Four different worlds seeking the same path, and by luck, fate or just randomness, these guys got together in a tiny room in North London, and started recording some songs, even before thinking about putting a band together, due to everyone's commitments at that point. Unpretentious, no rules, just go with the flow.
A four-track EP was born called Feel The Fire and with it, the band started to be quickly known in the London rock scene. It's edgy riffs, catchy melodies and moving lyrics started gathering attention from all sorts of crowds. The band kept focused on writing more and more music and eleven tracks of visceral rock had come to life.
As the first shows were booked, Ace Mafia felt like it needed another guitar player to perfectly reproduce what they'd achieved in the album. Ben Lundy, a young, enthusiastic guitarist saw Ace Mafia's ad in one of London's newspapers and promptly answered the call, closing the circle.
Ace Mafia's self release Vicious Circle album launch party in London's famous underground venue, The Gaff, was a tremendous success, with more attendance than the permitted capacity. The band now is booking a 20 gig tour around the UK for Spring 2010.
Â…and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born. Ace Mafia - Vicious Circle.
April 2011 Richie Faulkner Joins the legendary JUDAS PRIEST!!! with out quiting Ace Mafia, just a break.
May 2011 Bruno Agra left the band and Jerry Sadowski Joins immediately Ace Mafia's line up officially.
At the moment preparing for Hard-Rock Hell Road Trip to Ibiza, and recording the second Album.
Links
