Review: Andy And The Rockets – Casino
AATR Music AB/Dalapop (10th October 2025)
Reviewer – Chris O’Connor
Swedish quartet Andy And The Rockets return with ‘Casino‘, a record that captures everything fans love about high-energy Scandinavian melodic rock – big hooks, gleaming production, and choruses built to be shouted from the rafters. Formed in 2012, the band’s lineup of Andreas Forslund (lead vocals, guitars), Robin Lagerqvist (lead guitars, backing vocals), Filip Westgärds (bass), and Max Marcusson (drums) have clearly honed their craft.
With Erik Mårtensson of Eclipse at the production helm, the result is as polished as it is powerful. Add musical contributions from Katatonia’s Andreas Nyström, Niklas Myrbäck, and Anton Ekström, and ‘Casino‘ becomes not just another melodic rock album, but a statement of intent. The band recorded twenty tracks for the sessions, eventually distilling the best twelve into a tight, hook-packed record that never loses momentum. From the opening bars, it’s clear ‘Casino‘ is all about energy and emotion – the kind of album that sounds tailor-made for a festival stage under the summer sun.
Opener ‘I’m Alive’ sets the tone perfectly. It’s a high-voltage slice of Scandi melodic rock, brimming with positivity and that trademark Swedish knack for melody. It’s pure feelgood energy – a shot of adrenaline wrapped in a shimmering guitar line. ‘Your Touch Is Too Much’ follows, and though its verses carry a surprising whiff of AC/DC-style grit, the chorus bursts into classic melodic rock territory. It’s the sound of a band unafraid to mix swagger with shine, and it works brilliantly.
The first of the album’s three pre-release singles, ‘I’ll Die If You’re Done’, leans into power ballad territory – emotive, anthemic, and beautifully arranged. Forslund’s vocals soar over a lush backdrop, and it’s one of those songs destined to become a crowd favourite. ‘The Other Side’ injects pace and fire, driven by a surging riff and capped with a screaming solo that is pure and undiluted guitar heroics. It’s punchy, melodic, and impossible to resist.
The singles ‘Cyanide’ and ‘Wild Ones’ showcase the band’s knack for writing choruses that simply explode out of the speakers. ‘Cyanide’ stomps along mid-tempo with a killer hook, while ‘Wild Ones’ is the definition of a joyous rock anthem – feelgood, infectious, and absolutely built for the live stage.
Interestingly, ‘Creatures Of The Dark’ defies its title – instead of a brooding track, it’s another full-throttle melodic rock anthem, proving the band’s commitment to good vibes over gloom. ‘Dirty Love’ taps into an ‘80s sleaze-rock-meets-AOR’ feel – almost a “bubblegum rocker,” but one that oozes charm.
Later, ‘Seven Years Of Bleeding’ delivers one of the biggest choruses on the record, soaring above a slightly understated verse. It’s a reminder that Andy And The Rockets know exactly how to build emotional payoff into their songwriting. ‘Ride Or Die’ brings in a touch of Western flavour with its opening riff, before galloping into another huge, arena-ready chorus.
The mood shifts beautifully with ‘In From The Cold’, the second power ballad – a semi-acoustic gem highlighted by a tasteful guitar solo that glows with warmth and restraint. The closing track, ‘Heartbreak City’ provides a powerful finale – one last burst of melody, energy, and emotion that ties the album together perfectly.
While Andy And The Rockets aren’t reinventing the melodic rock wheel, ‘Casino‘ proves that when the formula is this strong, it doesn’t need reinventing. The album radiates sincerity and sheer joy in performance – qualities too often missing from modern rock. For fans of Eclipse, H.E.A.T., or Crazy Lixx, this is an album that demands repeat listens. ‘Casino‘ is melodic rock done right — confident, catchy, and utterly uplifting. Bravo!
Tracklist:
- I’m Alive
- Your Touch Is Too Much
- I’ll Die if You’re Done
- The Other Side
- Cyanide
- Wild Ones
- Creatures Of The Dark
- Dirty Love
- Seven Years Of Bleeding
- Ride Or Die
- In From The Cold
- Heartbreak City
Line-up:
Andreas Forslund – Lead vocals and guitar
Filip Westgärds – Bass guitar and backing vocals
Robin Lagerqvist – Lead guitar and backing vocals
Max Marcusson – Drums
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