SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: DIRTY HONEY – MAYHEM & REVELRY LIVE

DIRTY HONEY
MAYHEM & REVELRY LIVE
INDEPENDENT

Following a massive year of touring off their latest album, 2023’s Can’t Find The Breaks, Dirty Honey have returned with the celebratory Mayhem & Revelry Live. The album is not only the band’s first live record, but also stands as a strong demonstration of the live power behind one of the most exciting up-and-coming rock bands. In conjunction to the album, the band has also released a four-part documentary series.

Opening with “Won’t Take Me Alive”, Dirty Honey hit the listener with a wall of sound and all the fanfare of a true live experience. By kicking the doors down with “Won’t Take Me Alive”, the band introduces themselves as an impressively tight outfit that can only stem from hitting the road tenaciously. Continuing into “California Dreamin’” and then “Heart Breaker”, Mayhem & Revelry starts off with a massive opening barrage of early ‘70s inspired rock. Additional, the clarity of the sound quality is outstanding, something that not only allows for everyone on stage to stand out in the mix, but also separates Mayhem & Revelry from so many other live albums.

Across all sixteen tracks, Dirt Honey sound fantastic. The rhythm section of drummer Jaydon Bean and bassist Justin Smolian finds power is the way they drive the band, both subtly playing with rhythm through effective licks and fills. John Notto takes on the role as a guitar hero for our time through exciting lead lines and shredding solos, all performed with a classic crunching tone that can only come from a Les Paul and Marshall stack. Finally, Marc LaBelle vocals shine with a raspy alto tone reminiscent of a young Steven Tyler and an incredibly charismatic delivery that stands out through just the recording. Such a voice and presence makes him the quintessential rock and roll singer of our age. Without a lull in their set, “Dirty Mind”, “Tied Up”, “Another Last Time”, “Roam”, “The Wire”, and “Don’t Put Out The Fire” all stand as must hear songs.

Mayhem & Revelry is an incredible snapshot of the band’s 2023/2024 tour throughout North America and Europe. If the record proves anything, it’s that Dirty Honey stand as bonafide rockstars of a bygone era. Their sound, rather than feel rehashed, shines for their use of modern production, particularly in the songwriting, denoting that you can, in fact, revive classic rock refreshingly. In such, Dirty Honey are among the most thrilling up and coming rockers and their latest offering, Mayhem & Revelry, leaves no room for doubt.

Artist Links