Pennsylvania band Dirty Looks formed in 1985 and went on to release 5 albums on major labels between 1988 and 1996. It was the changing musical landscape of the time that forced the band to split up in 1996 following the release of 'Slave To The Machine' and it wasn’t until 2007 that the band re-surfaced.

The overall sound of the band mixes the metallic edge of Megadeth, with a touch of the harder side of L.A Guns and Faster Pussycat, plus it would be hard not to draw comparisons to AC/DC, early Aerosmith and even UK band The Almighty. Singer/guitarist Henrik Ostergard has been the creative driving force that has brought the band back to life.

Since reforming, the band has released 3 new albums and are now about to re-release 'Slave To The Machine'. Originally released in Germany on Sony Records in 1996, the album has been re-mastered, reissued and bonus-tracked, and a fine job they have done of it too. Highlights amongst the 15-tracks on offer include opening track 'Slave In The Machine', 'Quite So High', 'Droperidol' and 'Jawbreaker'.

When it comes to the bonus tracks, there are 2 previously unreleased songs recorded in 2008- 'Everything’s Gonna Be Alright' and a cover of AC/DC’s 'Let There Be Rock'. I am pleased to say that the band sound as good live as they do on record, without losing any of the power or edge from the songs.

Dirty Looks will appeal to fans of the afore-mentioned bands, plus fans of Buckcherry, Skid Row and Guns N Roses.

****

Review by Nikk Gunns