The long awaited return to the studio for Merry Hell is over. Rising Of The Bold is their new album.
Release Date: 9th May 2025
Label: Merry Hell Music
Format: CD / Digital
TRAVELLING DOWN NEW AVENUES
Merry Hell are travelling down new avenues in Folk Rock circles, creating some new sounds beyond their usual folk roots. They don’t do dirge or dull; their new creations retain their vibrancy, joyfulness and melody.
Many who follow Merry Hell and their live performances over recent years will be familiar with some of the tried and road tested tracks. Punters will be over the moon that they are now on record for posterity.
Virginia Kettle kicks off – in a pleasant way – doing what she enjoys doing onstage and encourages others to do…dance! In the jigging Pick Yourself Up And Dance, dancing is used metaphorically to throw off the shackles of modern life’s constraints and bravely takes on the world and not give in.
COLLABORATION & UNITY
The theme of many of the songs ring true to their philosophy of collaboration and unity. It is good to see Virginia’s Don’t Say I Say Us, a regular live favourite, on record.
Bob Kettle, ever the champion of social causes, leads with The Vagabond Army. Recalling the injustice of the rich endeavouring to make themselves richer at the expense of the poor (ring any bells?)
Also, his Join Hands, inspires us to support people we don’t know to make the world a better place. The swirling violin and shuffling percussion offer a trad folk feel.
The diversity of Merry Hell’s musical compositions is shown in tracks like the swinging Only Love, the title track, and the cheery, catchy vocals of Rising Of The Bold. Changing Times, a strongly delivered song showing Virginia’s range of vocal styles, would fit into many musical genre. Merry Hell creep back into the 60’s with Mamas and Papas style pop with Changing Just The Same.
PEACE CAN BE LOUDER THAN WAR
Merry Hell are not known for achieving chart success (which is surprising considering the broad section of age ranges they appeal to). However, acclaim has been found with the support of The Thousand Voice Choir. Merry Hell managed to reach the American Folk Club Airplay Charts with the anthemic Peace Can Be Louder Than War.
One of the strengths of Merry Hell is that they are musically tight. They do not need to rely on the individual talents of one member. They are a true unit. However Simon Swarbrick is given the opportunity to show his virtuoso violin chops on the jaunty Lizard On A Log. Throughout the whole album, this solid unit is driven by the ever reliable engine of Colin Foster on bass, Andy Jones on drums and Lee Goulding on keyboards.
PROMOTING HOPE
Promoting hope for the future is promised at the end through. Not Everything Is Wrong has Andrew Kettle’s yearning vocals and the cheerful summer festival feel of Singing In The Morning completes the album. It will leave you with a broad smile and put you in the mood for dancing!
Like many rock bands of the 70’s, disappearing to secluded country accommodation to thrash out new music, Merry Hell locked themselves away in a Shropshire country house to share ideas. The end result is this uplifting album. However, I will wager none of the rock legends took inspiration from a lizard!
Merry Hell return to Cropredy this year as part of the Brasenose Fringe Festival (tickets here). Expect there to be little space in the smaller venue due to their stunning main stage performance two years ago, and their continued rise through the folk ranks.
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