The Karma Effect – Cruel Intentions – Album Review – blackartspr

Review By Darren McIntyre

The Karma Effect are a South London rock n roll 5 – piece who are becoming the UK’s Masthead of new young bands bringing irresistable melody, raw soul & huge rock n roll choruses screaming into 2026. The boys brought us their kick – ass self titled album The Karma Effect in 2022 and followed that with Promised Land in 2024, the boys have been hard at work on their 3rd album Cruel Intentions slated for release 15th May, from that record the boys have dropped killer singles Waiting On A Miracle & Dangerous Love and Ride Or Die, I am pleased to say that I will now bring you their blistering new record, please sit back, grab a cold one and ready yourself to be rocked to your very core.

Ride Or Die – The track ripples into life with a shredding, gritty guitar lick that has a punchy rhythm section to let this bruiser come to life as Henry lets rip with his colossal blues soaked vocals. The foot stomping, fist pumping anthem really grabs our attention as the kick ass riffs really let the track flow and give us a real taste of what’s to come from this incredible new album, the cool, dark, delicious bassline drops in and hits us with a real sludgy, meaty funk groove that weaves it’s way through is awesome tune. The guitar work is just on the money as the boys dig deep and hit us with all they have with this arena ready groover that just grabs our attention from the off, the change intempo mid section really adds depth and swagger to this real gravelly toned piece that just takes us on the journey with the boys as they deliver another punch in the face beast that will have us reaching for the repeat button for sure.

Dangerous Love – A crunching, melodic guitar riff gets this bad boy off and running as the cool keys ripple through the intro as this toe tapping rock n roller punches us traight in the face with it’s infectious energy. The rhythm section is commanding the direction of the track as the punchy snare / bass beats let the track unfold as the boys set out their stall and hit us from all sides with this monster, the twin guitar licks are really elevating the sound as the soaring vocals erupt and really set the track on fire as the boys deliver a slick, crisp, melodic number that is ticking all the boxes for sure. The musicality is just bubbling under the surface as the song grabs us, gives us a shake and lets us know that the boys are back and bringing the groove to this rousing beast of a track that just keeps giving and giving.

Lady Bohemian – The rhythm section kicks things off with a deep, punchy bass beat that lets the snare drum punches take the track off down the road as this melodic groover tells it’s own story. The soaring, gritty vocals are letting the track come to life as the boys come together and let us feel the unity pulsing through the main vein of this well written piece that just lets us tap or feet to the cool groove, the funking, dark, delicious bass is dropping in and wrapping itself around this slick track that just lets the boys give their all in this modern day rock ballad that just keeps building and building as the boys shift through the gears and allow us to peel back layer after layer of quality music that tells us that their is more in the tank from these lads.

Raised On Rock n Roll – The doors are kicked clean off as this blistering bluesy rocker erupts into life and lets the boys cut loose and really hit the throttle in this rousing monster that is off the chart good. The thundering rhythm section is hitting us with a solid snare punch that brings bass kicks and lightening cymbal crashes that rain down on us as Henry offloads with his rasping, gritty vocals as the rasping guitar licks punch us straight in the face as this bruiser reveals itself to us. The foot stomping melodic feel is just weaving it’s way through this fist pumping track and gets the blood pumping as the boys bring us delicious track after delicious track as we feel the energy roaring through this killer album.

Bad Manners – This is a real sludgy, rasping piece that brings heavy snare kicks as the bass beats wander freely through the intro as Henry lets his rasping vocals take the lead in this killer track. The backing vocals are weaving their way through the track and giving it a real energy that allows the track to breath as the delicious, mellow basslines drops in and brings depth, swagger and plenty of attitude to get the track moving. The slick, crisp guitar work is just flowing effortlessly through the track as the mid section changes pace a little as we get a foot stomping, funk laden beat that really shines through the whole piece as the boys shift through the gears and bring us killer track after killer track that has us licking our lips for what else is to come.

Closest Thing To Crazy – We get a sweet, melodic rocker ballad that lets Henry lean in and let his soaring, gravelly vocals lead the charge of this melodic toe tapping track. The rhythm section is coming through with a snare kick that really lets the tone weave it’s way through this classy umber as the soaring backing vocals let the track tell it’s own story, the album is packed with a little of everything and I think that is what makes this 3rd album a little special. The soaring melodies, clean lyrics and quality musicianship really allow the boys to put their stamp on this sweet little track as the killer vocals take the track to new heights with it’s soaring notes and killer tones.

Waiting On A Miracle – Cowbell rings out from the off and lets face it who doesn’t love cowbell as this sizzling, gritty rocker track kicks in the doors and lets us feel the energy pulsing through the arrangement. The rhythm section is again bringing us a deep, meaty groove that works so well with the whole composition as the boys are really gelling together as they settle into their stride and bring us soaring vocals that really grab our attention. The dark, meaty bassline is hitting us with a cool, clean groove that just lets the track weave it’s way through this storming album and really tell us that the guys mean business with this sizzling,crisp, classy slab of music that will be a real revelation when it is played live let me tell you.

Better Luck Next Time – A crunching guitar riff erupts and gets this track off the ground as the sizzling twin assault really grabs our attention as the pounding rhythm section kicks in the doors and really lets us have it both barrels. The gravelly, rasping vocals really let the track break free as we feel the energy oozing from every member as they give us 100% and so much more, the fast, furious riffs are really allowing the track to bring the story to life as we feel the music build with ease as the sweet keys ripple through the track as it lays itself bare for all to hear. The dark, meaty bassline drops in and brings a real funky, mellow tone to the track as we let the tone wrap itself around us as we stamp our feet and throw our fists in the air in celebration of this incredible piece of music that just keeps giving.

Long Gone – A gritty, rasping guitar riff flows freely through the intro as Henry leans in and lets his soaring vocals lead the charge with this fast paced rock n roller that just takes us along for the ride. The rhythm section is again pivotal to the depth of the track as the solid snare punches allow the track to weave it’s way through the album and sit perfectly as it really offloads with ease, the boys sound like they enjoyed themselves making this blistering slab of rock n roll as it has certainly put a smile on my face for sure, the quality of the work is second to none as the boys dig deep and reallt hit us with all they have as the soulful blues tones wander effortlessly through the album as it grabs our attention with ease as each track follows with ease as the album just bubbles with real sludgy, melodic riffs that are wrapped in a thundering rhythm section that is rounded off with incredible vocals.

Cruel Intentions – We kick off with a real sludgy, dark, gritty bruiser that really grabs our attention as this foot stomping, funky groover builds with ease as the soaring, gritty vocals lead the way. The twin guitar riffs are weaving their way through the track and really set it on fire as the smouldering bassline drops in with a real kick ass tone that just allows the track to breath, the punchy rhythm section is commanding the direction of the track as we get a real meaty snare groove that just elevates the track as keys lean in and add swagger and attitude to this crisp laden groover that punches us traight in the face with it’s texture, tone and killer lyrics that just let us feel the blood, sweat and tears that have gone into this monster record.

One More For The Road – A sweet, crisp guitar lick opens the track as the pounding rhythm section comes at us with a real solid snare beat that really lets the track come to life. The melodic vocals are weaving their way through the arrangement as this track ending song caps off a blistering record that was well worth the wait let me tell you, the funky, mellow bassline hits us with a nice meaty tone that allows the track to flow freely as the boys come at us one more time with a sheer banger track that is bubbling with anthemic tracks that will have us singing along when they hit the road later this year. The sizzling guitar solo is just rippling under the surface as the boys hit us with all they have with this pure rock n roll driven number that instantly puts a smile on your face with it’s infectious lyrics, rasping guitar work and thundering rhythm section that finishes off with sweet, mellow keys that add so much to the intensity of the album..

Chasing Sunsets(Bonus Track) – Acoustic strumming chords greet us as Henry leans in with his towering vocals that really give this track some purpose as the funky, mellow bassline comes through and adds swagger to this classy number. The lyrics are just flowing effortlessly through the track as we let the boys bring us a real nice, thought provoking number that grabs our attention as we feel the emotion oozing through the arrangement as the boys bring us a little something extra to be going on with. The track has a real nice feel to it as the boys really deliver sweet chords that are wrapped in blistering vocals that just take the track off to somewhere else as we wander alone in our thoughts as the groove wraps itself around us and lets us feel incredible.

The Karma Effect –

Henry Gottelier – Vocals / Guitar

Robbie Blake – Guitar

Nathan Keevil – Bass

Tom Pitt – Keys

Alan Taylor – Drums

Track Listing –

Ride Or Die

Dangerous Love

Lady Bohemian

Raised On Rock n Roll

Bad Manners