Review: Somethin' Brewin'

Up next is Somethin’ Brewin’ and their debut album Brewed to Perfection, and straight off the bat this is a band that wears its love of big, bold, 80s-inspired rock right on its sleeve – but with enough bite and personality to make it feel alive, dangerous and very much their own.

The opening track, Somethin’ Brewin’ crashes in with electricity, swagger and attitude – a proper statement of intent. There’s a darker edge to this brand of 80s rock, twisted with a modern snarl that immediately grabs you. The song swaggers forward into an epic, sing-along chorus that feels made for packed rooms and raised fists. Just when you think you’ve got the measure of it, the middle eight drops away and expands into something far more cinematic, showing just how confident and distinctive this band’s delivery really is. It’s unashamed, loud and the perfect way to kick the doors open.

Rebel With a Cause follows and slows the pace, but only just. This one has more swagger than Jagger, a slow-burning, head-nodding monster that builds layer upon layer. The chorus lands beautifully, thick with groove and intent and the guitar solo is worth the price of admission alone – full of feel, never indulgent and always serving the song. Then, in classic Somethin’ Brewin’ fashion, they throw in a final curveball as the track winds down, slamming back in with a crushing riff so heavy even Hetfield might raise an eyebrow.

Angry Child pounds in on an irresistible bass-and-drum combo that had the whole Band Assist office nodding along within seconds. The dirty riff and wah-led guitar explode into life and before you even hit the two-minute mark it already feels like a future live favourite. The staccato vocal delivery is a real standout here, deliberately jagged and perfectly offset against the driving music. The song rises, falls and hits hard – heavy in every sense of the word.

Vikings From the North arrives at full throttle, sounding like Backyard Babies and AC/DC locked in a bar fight. It barrels forward before dropping into a reduced verse, then detonates again into a half-speed chorus that hits like a hammer. The songwriting here is deceptively clever, the transitions effortless. And just when you think you’ve heard it all, gothic, Nordic-style chanting erupts over a crunching guitar explosion. Expect the unexpected, indeed.

Remember Me pulls things back and shows a deeper, more emotional side of the band. This is beautifully sentimental, with every note soaked in feeling. The vocal performance here is outstanding, raw and sincere, carrying the song before the band crash back in with sweeping distortion that lifts everything skyward. It fades away as gently as it began and it’s genuinely moving.

Empty Fortune ups the ante again with another enormous, swagger-heavy riff. The verse grinds patiently, letting the vocal melody lead before impressive layers pull you into a slightly chaotic but hugely effective chorus. This one rewards repeat listens – aggressive, confident and packed with detail.

Devil’s Dance locks into one of the nastiest, grooviest riffs we’ve heard in years, sitting comfortably alongside classics like Double Talkin’ Jive. The vocal and guitar lines weave around each other effortlessly, adding real depth, before the outro strips everything back to acapella harmonies that are jaw-droppingly good. A genuine album highlight.

Turn It Up to Volume 11 does exactly what it says on the tin, tearing out of the speakers at pace. The vocal carries a Zeppelin-sized sense of drama before launching into what might just be the best chorus on the album. If radio had any backbone, this would be on constant rotation. The band blasting together in the solo section sums up exactly what rock music should sound like in 2026.

Trouble in Mind opens with a riff Dimebag Darrell would have been proud of. The soaring vocal adds an epic, almost Faith No More-esque quality, while the groove keeps it grounded and current. The interplay between guitar and vocal is razor sharp, addictive and powerful.

The album closes with The Demon Inside You and it’s the perfect finale. Flashes of Queen, Guns N’ Roses and Iron Maiden swirl through this track, but it never feels derivative. The verse is understated and almost medieval in tone before the chorus explodes into something that demands to be roared back at a festival stage. The emotion-driven guitar work is pure class – the kind that would earn Slash’s quiet nod of approval.

Brewed to Perfection is exactly that: a fearless, confident debut packed with massive riffs, killer hooks and genuine personality. Somethin’ Brewin’ don’t just fly the flag for arena rock – they plant it, light it up and crank it to eleven. Bottom line: this brew hits hard, goes down dangerously easily and leaves you reaching straight back for another round.