REVIEW: BONAFIDE - Fill Your Head with Rock (Old, New, Tried & True)

 

BONAFIDE - Fill Your Head with Rock (Old, New, Tried & True)

Black Lodge Records

Recently, Swedish rockers BONAFIDE released their EP Fill Your Head with Rock (Old, New, Tried & True), which left a notable impression on me. The band’s sound is heavily inspired by classic acts like AC/DC and, to a significant extent, WHITESNAKE. Their music echoes the familiar riffs and songwriting styles of these legendary bands, often capturing the essence of their iconic sound—so much so that certain moments come across as nostalgic and familiar, almost like rediscovering old classics. It’s important to clarify that BONAFIDE isn’t here to reinvent the wheel; instead, they excel at playing music they love, and they do so with passion and authenticity.

The title Fill Your Head with Rock (Old, New, Tried & True) accurately describes the content of this six-track EP. It offers a mix of both new and reworked material that remains faithful to the band’s roots. The EP features radio edits of two of their major hits from the Something’s Drippin’ album—Fill Your Head With Rock and No Doubt About It—as well as a previously unreleased track, Kick Me Out, which stands out as a strong addition.

In addition to these band compositions, the EP includes covers of classic songs: HUMBLE PIE’s I Don’t Need No Doctor, THE WHO’s I Can’t Explain, and ROSE TATTOO’s Nice Boys Don’t Play Rock ’N’ Roll. These selections further emphasize the band’s influences and their reverence for rock history. The release is rounded out with two music videos for the tracks Hard Livin’ Man and No Doubt About It, providing visual complements to the music.

Overall, Fill Your Head with Rock is a commendable release, especially for dedicated fans of BONAFIDE. However, I do have some reservations. In today’s context—marked by a challenging music industry—it might have been more practical for the band to include these tracks as bonus content within their Something’s Drippin’ album rather than releasing a standalone EP. This approach could have offered added value without fragmenting their discography. Moreover, with only one entirely new song, the EP feels somewhat limited in scope.

For these reasons, I’ve chosen not to assign a formal grade. It’s undoubtedly a solid release, but it seems primarily aimed at existing fans rather than attracting new listeners. Nevertheless, fans of classic rock and the band’s influences will likely find this EP to be a worthwhile addition to their collection.

Christine Parastatidou