Inglorious – II (2017) Album Review
Have you ever wondered what Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin, Whitesnake, and Bad Company would sound like today if they were 30 years younger and releasing their second album in 2017? Well, listen to the new album by Inglorious – II, and you’ll get your answer. Classic hard rock riffs, blazing solos, high-frequency vocals reminiscent of the aforementioned bands—all wrapped up in a fresh and unique energy with a distinct British style.
Who Are Inglorious?
The band only emerged in 2014, which might explain why they are less known to domestic audiences, despite being considered the most promising British hard rock band in recent times. A significant role in their breakthrough was played by the radio station Planet Rock, which promoted the group in its early days. The band’s founder, lead singer Nathan James, is known for his previous work with Trans-Siberian Orchestra and for performing as a vocalist in a band led by former Scorpions guitarist Uli Jon Roth. He also had a brief stint on a reality TV show, but what really caught people’s attention was Inglorious’ live session performances on YouTube, where they covered classics like Fool For Your Loving, Burn, and others. It quickly became evident that Nathan was an exceptionally talented singer.
The band has gone through several lineup changes since then. Guitarist Drew Lowe remains, alongside Swedish guitarist Andreas Eriksson, former Crazy Lixx axeman who joined before the recording of their debut album in 2016. The rhythm section consists of drummer Paul Beaver and bassist Colin Perkinson, both of whom have been in the band since its inception.
The Album
In May of this year, Inglorious released their second album, following the same naming pattern as their debut—using Roman numerals. The album kicks off with I Don’t Need Your Loving, featuring Eriksson’s melodic intro, which transitions into a chunky hard rock riff reminiscent of any of the legendary bands mentioned earlier. Nathan James dominates with his flawless, soaring vocals, especially in the choruses.
Next comes Taking The Blame, another track driven by a classic hard rock riff. These two opening tracks immediately deliver that raw, honest hard rock energy that is rarely heard today.
The third song, Tell Me Why, unmistakably channels Bad Company. With a solid groove, clear rock riffs, and another stellar vocal performance from Nathan, this track stands out.
Fourth on the list is Read All About It, a song with a strong Led Zeppelin-esque vibe. Released as a single, it’s easily one of the best tracks on the album. Eriksson’s solo is a highlight, along with yet another excellent, authentic hard rock riff from this guitar duo.
The next track, Change Is Coming, initially hints at a slight shift in tone. At first, it feels like a ballad, but it quickly reveals itself as another top-tier hard rock anthem. The real change, however, comes with Making Me Pay.
Honestly, when was the last time you heard a riff like this? Hats off to Eriksson and Lowe—whoever came up with this nailed it. This guitar riff encapsulates the very best of what ’70s rock left us as a legacy. The song itself leans toward a bluesy rock style, standing out from the rest. Beyond the riff, Nathan James’ vocals deserve special mention—this guy truly has that something. He could seamlessly replace any singer from the legendary bands mentioned earlier, and no one would even notice the difference. In my opinion, this is the best track on the album. Not just on the album, but the best hard rock riff in recent times. I dare to put it alongside Mistreated. Time will tell if I’m right.
Hell Or High Water follows, a track that—through its title, sound, and lyrics—perfectly embodies a Deep Purple-Whitesnake-Rainbow melting pot.
Track eight, No Good For You, is built around yet another classic riff, while the choruses carry a slight Europe influence.
The album continues with a few more songs. I Got A Feeling and Black Magic are standard hard rock tracks that fit well into the overall album, though they wouldn’t be sorely missed if they weren’t there.
A slight change in atmosphere comes with Faraway, the album’s first true ballad. Here, Nathan’s vocals shine in full force. I have to admit, this is not one of those bland ballads—it has a dark and powerful vibe that gives it a unique character. A great song, leading into the final track, High Class Woman.
Extremely melodic and structurally upbeat, this song brings back the energy of the album’s opening tracks. It could have easily been placed earlier in the tracklist, but it still serves as a fitting conclusion to this fantastic hard rock journey.
Final Thoughts
After listening to this album, the listener is left with that raw and gritty taste of classic hard rock (or at least, I hope so). The abundance of great riffs, solos, high-pitched screams, and a tight rhythm section exudes the raw power that this genre once embodied. Classic, heavy, yet diverse—these words best describe this album.
However, not everyone will appreciate it, precisely because of its adherence to a pure hard rock formula. It’s also obvious which bands have influenced these guys, which may or may not be a drawback.
Classic hard rock may be considered outdated today, but that’s a topic for debate. Regardless, Inglorious approach their music with a fresh energy and a new twist—something that the legendary rock bands of 40 years ago might not even recognize anymore.
And on that note—when was the last time we heard something truly great from Deep Purple? Yes, they released a new album this year (Infinite), but personally, I’d choose Inglorious over that any day. These young guys take the best elements of Purple & Co. and execute them masterfully, which is why they’re regarded as one of the most promising young hard rock bands in Britain today.
For all lovers of real, raw hard rock—this album is highly recommended!
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