Review: Star Circus – From The Wreckage

Renaissance Records (June 13^th, 2025)

Reviewer: Grant Foster

This London based band formed in 2019 and already have a debut album under their belt, ‘Separate Sides’.

Frontman Dave Winkler says that this new album is definitely a ‘’heavier, darker and more aggressive beast both lyrically and musically.‘’

Their influences? Queen, Lizzy, Cheap Trick, Leppard and Alice.

So, that’s the press blurb out of the way.

I remember when I was in an original band way back in the early 90’s, a lot of our contemporaries were in the habit of either trying to sound American or look American.

Or at the very least, transatlantic.

Star Circus, come across as sounding like a UK band, but within all the good parameters of that description.

Sure there are hints of good old Uncle Sam in parts, but it’s not a whitewash.

What the band deal in is songs. And good ones at that.

‘Over and Over‘ sets the tone, up tempo, bright and breezy. Almost early Lillian Axe in parts. 

Now, hold on, aren’t Lillian Axe an American band I hear you cry? Yes, but, they are so heavily influenced by UK. bands on most of their releases!

‘Chained To You‘ has a delicious verse and just as good a chorus.

‘The Wreckage‘ is more groove heavy and less melody, but once again the verse shines through and lifts the song.

It’s worth pointing out the hints of Cats In Space, although Star Circus have more dirt under their fingernails.

‘One Hit Wonder‘ take its cues from The Kinks, The Struts and The Darkness. Poprock-tactic! 

A change of mood in ‘Turn The Tide‘. A hint of slide before another chorus of some magnitude.

‘Destiny’s Door‘ comes on like Lizzy having a bar brawl with Molly Hatchet. 

‘Masquerade‘ is a little slower and doesn’t quite stand up to my ears against the weight of the other songs on offer here.

‘Floodlights‘ is a real Marmite track. Moody, slightly progressive, I can almost see early Queensryche performing this.

‘Last Dance‘ restores the up tempo traction. Stabs of organ – ooh err missus – and harmony vocals a go go. One of the more direct choruses on offer.

The lead single ‘Two Odds Make An Even‘ is the final track.

You can see why it’s been chosen. It has a Struts/ Queen vibe and a positive lyric. It’s Star Circus at their most commercial.

There’s no doubt that Star Circus have the ammunition. The song writing is of a very high standard, especially in the first half of the album.

Slightly quirky, part hard rock, part power pop, but all infectious melodies, vocals and harmonies.

Perfect ingredients.

Tracklist:

1. Over & Over
2. Chained To You
3. The Wreckage
4. One Hit Wonder
5. Turn The Tide
6. Destiny’s Door
7. Masquerade
8. Floodlights
9. Last Dance
10. Two Odds Make An Even

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