Tag Archives: motorcycle

The Death Wheelers – Album Review

Posted on by
Reply

The Death Wheelers – Ecstasy of Möld 

RidingEasy Records 

Release date: 07/03/2025 

Running time: 30 mins approx 

Review by: Alun Jones 

8.75/10 

Mold is a small, quaint market town in the north east region of Wales.  Typical of settlements in this Celtic country, it has roots going back may hundreds of years.  Nowadays, there are numerous good pubs and restaurants and a really good record shop (among many other businesses).  Though why The Death Wheelers decided to write an album dedicated to the town, I have no idea.  Mold is, however, only the English name – in Welsh it is Yr Wyddgrug, which sounds much more metal. 

“Ecstasy of Möld” is a new album by The Death Wheelers, their fourth for RidingEasy Records.  They originate from Quebec, and if you’re not familiar with the band, they create hard rockin’ instrumentals that sound like a soundtrack for a long lost, scuzzy grindhouse flick about zombie bikers. 

Following  the short first track ‘Loud Pipes Take Lives’, which sets out the style template succinctly, we have ‘Homicycle Maniacs’.  It’s a full on, throttle revving gas guzzler not a million miles away from Motorhead or even Entombed.  Other tracks such as ‘Hella Hammered’ and ‘Blood, Bikes and Barbiturates’ are variations on the same inspirations, interjected with samples from obscure motorcycle exploitation movies. 

It’s all very cool, and the instrumental nature of the songs adds a whole different layer of gonzoid escapism.  Some different avenues are explored at points, such as the title track’s outro which shimmers with a surf guitar sound.  ‘The Heretic Rites of Count Choppula’ slows to rumbling doom metal, and the last song ‘Get Laid… To Rest’ ends on a more sombre, mellow note. 

With Ecstasy of Möld, The Death Wheelers have delivered an album that roars along the highway and easily retains the listener’s attention, vocals be damned.  ‘Cos let’s be honest, the singer is always the least important member of any band.  This album has a sleezy charm and plenty of fuel in the tank, I suggest you take it for a spin. 

Check out The Death Wheelers on Facebook, Instagram, Spotify and Bandcamp.

This review is presented by Platinum Al in association with Ever Metal.

Evel Knievel: Evel Genius

Posted on by
3

Evel Knievel Touring Exhibition

Although I don’t remember that much from the 1970’s, I remember the important stuff.  Like the Six Million Dollar Man.  And Starsky and Hutch.  And Kojak, the Dukes of Hazzard, Raleigh Choppers, and Spangles.  Oh, and some obscure film called Star Wars.  I don’t remember Bowie, T.Rex, Zeppelin, Sabbath or the Pistols.  Or skateboards – that would all come later.

One thing I do remember from those days was Evel Knievel.  Mostly because my friend Justin had ALL of the Evel toys.  He had the wind up stunt cycle, a rocket bike, even the very cool and fully equipped Scramble Van.  The van had loads of tools inside to fix up Evel’s Harley Davidson stunt bike.  I loved those toys (though I couldn’t be envious, I had plenty of Action Man and Star Wars stuff of my own).

Evel Knievel was an icon of my childhood, right through into the 80’s.  I don’t even know if I saw any footage of him performing any of his stunts.  I didn’t need to.  The name Evel Knievel became another word for daring, for bravery, for facing fear.  And despite the numerous crashes that the real Evel suffered, his name became a synonym for mastery of the most dangerous stunts – or obstacle – that anyone could face.

Evel Knievel was the ultimate in motorcycle stunt riders.  More than that, he became a real life superhero – able to take on the most lethal challenge and survive.

A couple of years ago, whilst attending one of the Memorabilia events at Birmingham NEC, I was able to view some actual artifacts from Evel Knievel’s career.  The Evel Knievel Exhibition was in town, so I was able to view the items first hand.  Here are a few photos of the event.

IMG_0757

 

 

IMG_0759

 

Selfie with Evel shirt

The Evel Knievel website is here.