There’s a no-nonsense, sleeves-rolled-up confidence running through Right Side Of Midnight. Wrexham’s Rogue Angels aren’t chasing trends or polishing every rough edge into oblivion. Instead, the five-piece have delivered a self-built five-track EP that feels lived-in, direct and quietly ambitious - a record that reminds you why solid riffs, memorable melodies and a bit of theatrical character still matter in modern rock.
Evolving from earlier local outfit Gung Ho, Rogue Angels have used this release to sharpen their own identity. Sessions split between the rehearsal room and a home studio in Coedpoeth give the EP a DIY authenticity that works in its favour. The production doesn’t sand everything smooth; it leaves the songs with a pleasing sense of immediacy, as if the band are still standing right in front of you.
The writing draws freely from the big, melodic rock of the 1980s, yet Right Side Of Midnight is most compelling when it steps beyond pure nostalgia. “Liza” tackles homelessness with clear-eyed honesty rather than cheap drama, acknowledging the uncomfortable distance many prefer to maintain. “You Talk Too Much” flips the energy, centring a defiant female character who refuses to stay silent in the background. Meanwhile “Seven Year Itch” leans into the band’s gift for accessible, radio-friendly hooks, already earning local airplay and proves they can still write something that sticks after a single listen.
Threaded through the project is the recurring figure of Kane, a dual-natured character who seems to embody the EP’s central tension: glamour and grit, light and shadow, confidence and doubt existing side by side. It’s a smart unifying device that gives the collection a sense of narrative without forcing a concept-album straitjacket.
Frontman Mikey Dream leads with characterful delivery, backed by dual guitars from Ian Edwards and Joe Evans that balance bite and melody, while the rhythm section of Dominic Gallagher and Darren Collins keeps everything grounded and driving. The band are clearly tilting toward a heavier direction, yet this EP captures the sweet spot where their melodic foundations and harder instincts still sit comfortably together.
Right Side Of Midnight is robust, hook-driven and full of purpose. It feels like a band learning exactly how much weight their songs can carry and deciding they’re ready to carry more. For fans of grounded, riff-led rock with something to say, this is a strong and satisfying statement from a North Wales outfit determined to be heard.
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