Circle Of Rhinos - Circle Of Rhinos (Single Review)

Release Date: July 10th 2025. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD

Circle Of Rhinos - Tracklisting

Circle Of Rhinos

Members

Francesco Zarini - lead and rhythmic guitar

Alessandro Santori - rhythmic guitar

Roberto Gatti - Bass

Jeanpaul Federico - Drums

Review

Psych/Stoner Rockers Circle Of Rhinos new self-titled single is from their upcoming new album where they blend Doom, Stoner, Blues and Psychedelic grooves which merge Classic Hard Rock sounds with today’s modern heavy approach. The song is quite riff-centric and follows a different path to band member Alessandro Santori’s other band being L’IRA DEL BACCANO. The music is not as progressive or cosmic based as L’IRA DEL BACCANO with Circle Of Rhinos focusing upon bands such as Thin Lizzy, Karma To Burn, Nebula, Earthless and Black Sabbath.

The Blues Rock approach is quite appealing throughout with the band adding levels of Ambient Rock, Desert Rock and Post-Stoner melodies which lean heavily into Prog Rock delivery. Circle Of Rhinos keep the mood warm hearted and deeply engaging even when the thunderous HEAVY ROCK atmosphere is dominated by sludgier passages which sets the laying down a trail of highly explosive instrumental solos right upto the very end.

The song has a distinctive Garage Rock energy which allows the sound not to be over-polished within the superbly realized production values used for the track. Things are looking good for Circle Of Rhinos upcoming new album and I’m quite excited to hear that record when it’s actually released. 

Words by Steve Howe

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Circle Of Rhinos - Crossroads Breed (EP Review)

 

Release Date: April 25th 2021. Record Label: Self Released. Format: DD.

Crossroads Breed - Tracklisting

Your Demon’s Fine Cigar
Behold, The Hunt Night
Motorgator
Dog And The Wax Bitches

Members

Francesco Zarini - lead and rhythmic guitar
Alessandro Santori - rhythmic guitar
Roberto Gatti - Bass
Pierluigi De Angelis - Drums

Review

Crossroads Breed is the debut EP from Italian Psychedelic/Blues/Stoner/Hard Rockers Circle Of Rhinos and features one of the members of famed Italian Spaced Out Riffsters - L’ira Del Baccano - within their ranks. Though this band is fueled or influenced by the powers of ZZ Top, Black Sabbath, Thin Lizzy and some other cool 70s Classic Hard Rock Icons.

Their debut release is quite an interesting and varied ride with the main styles of music being Classic Hard Rock, Boogie Rock and Psych Stoner Rock through the realms of Instrumental Rock. The EP is quite fast-paced and has some killer Twin Guitar work ala THIN LIZZY style spliced throughout the album. Circle Of Rhinos seem quite comfortable mostly when they play their heavier and spaced out grooves compared to the more modern “Boogie Rock” elements.

The opening song “Your Demon’s Fine Cigar” is an almost upbeat Boogie/Classic Rock number and harnesses the power of Black Sabbath and Thin Lizzy to great effect. I can tell when Alessandro’s trademark guitars appear as that has a certain “L’Ira Del Baccano” flavour to them but the other band members get a chance to shine on this song. There is a nice understanding between all band members which gives this release a very cool easy going atmosphere to it all whilst retaining it’s Heavy Rock sound.

Second song - Behold The Hunt Night - is a more “Doom Rock” affair with the band bringing a slightly laid-back Jazzy groove which branches off into other areas of Hard Rock/Metal the band use to great effect. The song moves effortlessly to Post-Stoner sounds before returning to a more progressive attitude.

Circle Of Rhinos keep up their excellent Psychedelic grooves on the other two songs on the EP with Motorgator and Dog And The Wax Bitches keeping up the sense of rebellious Hard Rock fun the band created for this release.

The EP is superbly produced and is a well balanced affair from beginning to end, There is something magical and trippy on each of the 4 songs contained on the record which left myself wanting to hear more, The 22 minutes allows the band to show potential fans this is a great Instrumental Stoner Rock Band to fully get behind and hopefully await for more cool music in the future.

Words by Steve Howe

Links:

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