Review: The Deep Strikes – The Deep Strikes
Independent (January 1st, 2026)
Reviewer – Grant Foster
Critics, the world is full of them! Criticism though can be harsh, especially when it comes to music. Songs are so personal. They are like the writers children. So anything negative can hurt deeply.
Constructive criticism however is another thing entirely.
I accepted The Deep Strikes debut album after reviewing Black Dog Moon recently. Both are in the blues rock genre. Unfortunately that’s where the comparison ends.
It’s so difficult when you have to be negative. I don’t want to be. I don’t like being so. This is the band’s debut album. Their EPK says they were formed in 2024 and have a sound that ‘’refuses to be boxed in“. There’s also the words ‘organic’, ‘infectious grooves’ and ‘raw energy’ mentioned.
Firstly, you need to have a musical identity, something for the listener to grab hold of. The tracks on offer here differ wildly with echoes of blues, rock, pro and folk and differing styles with no common thread apparent in their delivery.
The production doesn’t help, basic in its extreme and unfortunately it highlights the limitations of the songs. Product is all important and it feels as if some of these tracks are of almost demo quality. That having something out there is better than nothing. And yes, I realise that budgets at this level, don’t afford stadium quality hi fi sonics.
Advice? Christ, now who’s getting cocky?
I wish The Deep Strikes well, I just wish they’d given themselves more time and had an outside set of experienced ears to guide them.
Sometimes, you can’t see the woods for the trees.
Line-up:
Declan Devlin – Vocals
Conaill Doherty – Guitars
Ciaran McNally – Bass
Charlie Farrell – Drums