SMOKING SNAKES – All Lights On

vote
5.5

• Bands:
  SMOKING SNAKES
• Duration: 00:35:09
• Available from: 10/07/2026
• Label:

• Frontiers

The Scandinavian Ratt, called Smoking Snakes, return to make themselves heard after a debut, “Danger Zone”, which in 2024 had convinced fans of the genre. Everything unchanged or almost, in this comeback entitled “All Lights On”, at least as far as the sound is concerned.
Inspiration, however, seems to be wavering, and if the debut didn't already stand out in terms of personality, this time we expected a step forward from the Swedish quartet which instead we don't see at all.

A short intro announces – at least in intention – the sleaze/glam style impact of Ours: “Don't Touch” starts with the sirens turned on over the contained rhythms but with a dirty and gritty sound, immediately making some things clear – including unfortunately the fact that Brett Martin's voice is certainly not ideal, focusing everything on dedication but clearly lacking in expressiveness, even for a genre that doesn't require who knows what vocal skills.
And the songs? They too lack vitality and are content with dull riffs and predictable vocal lines.
Between some more carefree and festive passages – such as “Trick Or Treat”, certainly among the most successful parentheses – more gritty moments, such as the powerful “Last Man Standing”, and some compositions that present catchy melodies from chart-topping songs of the Eighties without having the brilliance or the attitude (see “Turn On The Lights”) the album unfortunately slips away without bite.
The lowest point arrives with “Look In Your Eyes” and “Screaming For More”, two cheap songs with half-hearted choruses and a structure that repeats without jolts.

You can understand wanting to play 'wild' trying to hit with direct and simple pieces (not to say simple), but we are no longer at the dawn of the genre, when it was enough to throw in a handful of energetic pieces to surprise the listener. Nowadays without a bit of personality, a few winning streaks and a prepared lineup, you really struggle: this “All Lights On” by the Smoking Snakes shows all these weak points. Postponed until next time.