The Karma Effect – Cruel Intentions
The Karma Effect – Cruel Intentions
Earache Records
Release date: 05/15/26
Review by: Jon Deaux
8.5/10
This is an album so consistently great that you’ll be momentarily livid at anyone who didn’t give you a heads up on this band – and you’ll remember that most of them have enough troubles of their own, a few of them fatal.
Apparently, it has been two years since Promised Land was released. That means that during this time period, a child has been born, started walking, learnt to call dad, and is still having better timing skills than most rock bands releasing follow-ups. But The Karma Effect is far from being a “most of rock bands”, and Cruel Intentions is far from being just another follow-up record – it’s a statement. Particularly, the kind of statement that usually results in everyone around becoming silent and starting to slowly nod.
So far this album has been played by me no less than five times. According to my therapist, ‘That is a coping mechanism.’ As for me, that is a medical necessity. We had an agreement, but now she does not return my calls after the third session, which I perceive as a very positive sign.
‘Ride or Die’ opens this record, and you should understand something. That track possesses such a swagger that it made me feel a bit embarrassed with my own existence. The guitar solo has that great, laidback slash-like sound. Not laziness, but more of the guy who can lift any Cadillac on the bench, but sees no need to do that right now. Gottelier has perfectly delivered his part, and that is what I am typing with a resigned expression of someone looking for a reason to criticize and not finding it. Genuinely annoying. Writing a great opening track is hard; admitting that another band has done it is even harder.
‘Dangerous Love’ keeps up the style and goes full 80s Aerosmith – funky, filthy, incredibly catchy. Yes, I said filthy, and Steven Tyler’s actions of late proved that filthiness is alive and kicking.
Next comes ‘Lady Bohemian’. The record goes a bit country, and this is similar to a guy appearing at his own intervention party in a tuxedo and sitting cross-legged in the middle of the floor. Sounds absurd, but works. And I consider it as something extremely offensive. Just think about it. You really should.
‘Raised on Rock’n’Roll’ literally sounds exactly as it is stated – that energy of the Bon Scott era AC/DC, with tongue so deep down into the cheek area that special oral surgery would be required. There is a joke made about tight jeans staying in the past, and I am tempted to expand that joke, but the image alone is enough to give me nightmares. Some images can never be erased.
Then comes ‘Bad Manners’. No association whatsoever with that ska band, but you may Buster Bloodvessel (I’ll see myself out). Instead, it has more in common with Jagged Edge (the rock band, not the gawd awful rap act). So if you haven’t listened to them before, go listen and then come back and sit in shame. Go on, fuck off. Good. Now you can finally admit that there are things that you are always missing without knowing.
‘Closest Thing to Crazy’ is a ballad. A very good one. Just to warn you, I am writing this review out of personal hatred towards ballads. That is caused by the fact that I have a specific history with this genre that involves a Bon Jovi record, cognac, and that terrible phone call that will haunt me forever. Nevertheless, it seems that this particular track makes me question that policy. I am not saying that I cried. But my eyes made a unilateral decision, and I’m still not talking to them.
‘Waiting on a Miracle’ (aka the harmonica track) is soaring, anthemic, and filled with those guitar solos and vocal acrobatics that make me want to rise up alone in a room and give a hand gesture to nobody in particular. And I did. I rose up in a room alone and pumped my fist. My neighbor saw me through the window. She has not waved since. Some miracles come at a price.
Here is what usually happens when harmonicas appear at the beginning of the tracks. They either make a great song (like during the Pump era of Aerosmith), or sound like a dying man in a corridor. In this particular case, it’s the former. It is merciless. It doesn’t give any break and kicks with that enthusiasm and determination that it makes me suspect that it especially chose me. And I didn’t recover from that kick yet. Doctors say that I eventually will recover. But my uncle’s doctors also promised something.
‘The Long Gone’ puts all of the pieces from the entire album together – drums lay the canvas, guitars paint the base layers of the canvas with an incredible arrogance and Gottelier brings the whole thing to the next level, making it look like a painting of a real artist, not a local one. Result – a monster of a track. That’s all that needs to be written about it.
‘Cruel Intentions’, as I already mentioned, is a blues-based monster with that kind of open and proud influence that you will be trying to analyse and distinguish throughout the entire track. Till you eventually surrender. And that’s what I do every morning when I see my reflection in the bathroom mirror.
Track eleven ‘One More for the Road’, is where The Karma Effect throws all the rule books to the wolves and goes into some unknown territory. That’s why – the track is in some completely new direction; it feels like it’s by a completely different band. Yes, but apparently they can do that too. And that news is quite devastating for everyone who wants to survive in this business.
Last but not least comes ‘Chasing Sunsets’. An exclusive USB track that’s a great southern rock track, full of acoustic slide sounds and husky vocals. Stunning track – you should play it alone during dusk and become a better person. Until it ends, and you go back to being yourself. Which is also kind of a tragedy. But if that song were a person, it would be the only one present at the funeral, loving the deceased dearly and delivering something worth listening.
The Karma Effect is fast becoming one of the greatest live acts in the UK, and Cruel Intentions proves the concept for the rest of the world to see. Must-have record of the 2026. The October/November tour should not be missed. I wish to tell you to attend that gig and to assure you that it will change your life. But I am not an optimist. Go to that concert. You are going to die sooner or later. Might as well die hearing that music first.
Get it. Play it. You were just gonna waste the time anyway.
Track list
01. Ride or Die
02. Dangerous Love
03. Lady Bohemian
04. Raised on Rock ‘n’ Roll
05. Bad Manners
06. Closest Thing To Crazy
07. Waiting on a Miracle
08. Better Luck Next Time
09. Long Gone
10. Cruel Intentions
11. One More for the Road
12. Chasing Sunsets (USB only)
Links:
https://thekarmaeffect.bandcamp.com/album/cruel-intentions
https://www.facebook.com/thekarmaeffectuk/
Disclaimer: This review is solely the property of Jon Deaux and Ever Metal. It is strictly forbidden to copy any part of this review, unless you have the strict permission of both parties. Failure to adhere to this will be treated as plagiarism and will be reported to the relevant authorities.
