Slaughter And The Dogs: White Heat
(Cadiz Music)
LP | CD | DL
Out 4 September 2026
★★★★½ 4.5
Slaughter And The Dogs return with White Heat, their first proper album since Vicious and the first to feature founding guitarist Mick Rossi on lead vocals. It’s a powerful new chapter that retains the band’s unmistakable punk and glam DNA.
The first proper Slaughter And The Dogs album since Vicious is also the first ever to feature founding member and guitarist Mick Rossi handling the vocals.
For those familiar with Rossi’s band Gun Street, it will come as no surprise that he has grown comfortably into his role as a singer. This album shows just how assured he now sounds in that position.
The personnel on the record is top-drawer. Original Slaughter bassist Howard Bates is joined by Bite Back-era drummer Phil Rowland, while Jerry Evans contributes piano and Mott The Hoople legend Morgan Fisher also appears.
There is also a guest appearance from The Cult’s Billy Duffy, while the album was mixed by Grammy-nominated producer Craig Parker Adams.
The record kicks off with Get A Life, a blistering opener with the guitars pushed right to the front. The lyrics say it all.
There is also a superb version of the Velvet Underground classic White Light/White Heat, which feels like a fitting tribute to two of Rossi’s great musical heroes, Lou Reed and guitar legend Mick Ronson.
In fact, there is a strong glam influence running through much of the record.
Another standout is Love Inside. Again, the guitar hits you straight between the eyes, while the vocals are clean, clear and powerful.
My favourite track, though, is Be Yourself.
“I’m coming from a tower block you don’t understand.”
That lyric mirrored my own early life.
“You can’t hold what you can’t catch.”
It’s a brilliant song.
As you listen to the album, there is a strong sense that a lot of the material comes from somewhere personal, but these are also songs that other people can relate to. I have always felt that is the mark of a great band.
Some people may have had reservations about a three-piece Slaughter And The Dogs, but trust me, this album should prove any doubters wrong.
It could only be a Slaughter And The Dogs record.
Rossi’s trademark guitar sound is right up front, those wonderful rolling Howard Bates bass lines are present and correct, and the whole thing is underpinned by the solid drumming of Phil Rowland.
After the tribulations of the last few years, the band sound like they have shaken themselves down and moved firmly into the future.
Hopefully there will be a full UK tour in support of the record, because these songs sound made for the stage.
It has been a long wait for a proper Slaughter And The Dogs album.
That wait has been well worth it.
A Plea From Louder Than War
Louder Than War is run by a small but dedicated independent team, and we rely on the small amount of money we generate to keep the site running smoothly. Any money we do get is not lining the pockets of oligarchs or mad-cap billionaires dictating what our journalists are allowed to think and write, or hungry shareholders. We know times are tough, and we want to continue bringing you news on the most interesting releases, the latest gigs and anything else that tickles our fancy. We are not driven by profit, just pure enthusiasm for a scene that each and every one of us is passionate about.
To us, music and culture are eveything, without them, our very souls shrivel and die. We do not charge artists for the exposure we give them and to many, what we do is absolutely vital. Subscribing to one of our paid tiers takes just a minute, and each sign-up makes a huge impact, helping to keep the flame of independent music burning! Please click the button below to help.
John Robb – Editor in Chief
