Review: God’s Gift – God’s Gift
Self Release (October 31st, 2025)
Reviewer – Grant Foster
Rule Number 1 when it comes to reviewing an album.
Try not to leave it until the last minute. I had everything in hand and then without wishing to bore the tits off you dear reader, life conspired against me in more ways than one and here I am, the day before God’s Gift debut drops, without a single word on my sketch pad.
The good thing though, is I have become familiar with the album on the flights I’ve taken of late. Ear massage at 40,000 feet.
So what about God’s Gift? (GG)
Hailing from Regensburg in Germany, these guys are no spring chickens. They all have experience in laying rock and roll down.
Guitarists Daniel Taeger and Mark T Wright, drummer Mike Hartinger, snger Fares Gabriel Hadid and bassist Reeve Downes. Fares was the final piece of the jigsaw for GG.
Five guys across three continents, one new album.
And they wanna know what I think of it. Me, with the ever impending arrival of deadline hanging over me like a sword of Damocles.
Oh fuck this. I’m gonna pour myself a stiff bourbon and get back to you………
It would be so easy to label God’s Gift as yet another AC/DC style band. Especially with Rhino Bucket being Reeve’s previous outfit.
The band deserve more than lazy journalism though.
Firstly this rough and ready rock and roll gambit has enough about it to not fall into that trap.
Sure the first number ‘Ain’t Going Back‘ has heavy hints of Rhino, but think of it as a welcoming handshake and a beer to welcome you in.
Secondly, singer Fares is nowhere near being a Bon or Brian soundalike. He has more grit and soul to his voice. More Ron Young about him methinks.
‘Trail Of Tears‘ kicks in with an almost Hendrix style riff before it settles into a down and dirty stomp.
Your right foot is stomping right about now.
‘Call Me Bad‘ has those gaps in the guitar that allows Fares to weave a cool melody line and chorus into it.
‘Bastard!’
Yup, Fares has his feet well and truly under the table here. One of the best songs on offer, ‘Silver Or Lead‘ does indeed go straight to your head.
Ok, ok, ok, ‘Put It Where You Want It‘ does come over AC/DC at the beginning, but in a way that isn’t a direct copy. It builds to the chorus and we’re all off singing and swinging.
‘The Deed Is Done‘ has refreshing dynamics and an almost melodic chorus. Guitarists Daniel and Mark blend well here. A live favourite for sure.
Now my head’s a bopping.
I refresh my glass.
Reeve drives ‘Dogs On The Run‘.
In fact, Reeve’s bass on this album sounds so much fuller and warmer than ever before. Fares lays back on the chorus letting us, to let rip in our living rooms.
Although ‘Shake Your Faith‘ is a little rock by numbers, the chorus saves it. Shake some sugar on me indeed.
There’s gotta be a ballad, right?
Well, ‘The Dark Side Of My Heart‘ ain’t it. These boys don’t do pretty, ok?
Doubling up drums and ‘Race Til Sundown‘ is all over you like a nasty groin rash. Fares moves through the gears in the chorus which lifts this ditty no end.
That leaves ‘Dirty Boogie‘ to see us over the finish line.
Nice musical guitar, drum and bass interplay and if you wanna get into heaven you gotta pay a little hell. The lyrics come at you thick and fast, the pedal gets pushed to the metal and it’s a good way to end.
So to sum it up, this debut album from God’s Gift is for Friday or Saturday night.
Come to think of it, it’s for anytime.
Especially in the car on the Autobahn where there really are no stop signs or speed limits.
The guys have put together a no frills rock album, that evokes the classic rockers but has God’s Gifts own stamp on it and through it.
They connect as musicians. You can just hear it here.
Tour dates are already lined up.
And so should be the beer, the bourbon and your full attention.
I’m off for a lie down.
Tracklist:
- Ain’t Going Back
- Trail Of Tears
- Call Me Bad
- Silver Or Lead
- Put It Where You Want It
- The Deed Is Done
- Dogs On The Run
- Shake Your Faith
- The Dark Side Of My Heart
- Race Till Sundown
- Dirty Boogie
Line-up:
Fares Gabriel Hadid Vocals
Daniel Taeger Guitar
Michael Hartinger Drums
Reeve Downes Bass
Mark T. Wright Guitar
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