Metal Underground.com

The days of bluesy, in-your-face rock have risen again in Amplified Heat’s album “How Do You Like The Sound Of That,” released in 2007.

With a sound that reminds you of the old days, when blues morphed into rock and roll and added a touch of psychedelia, Amplified Heat provides an album worthy of 1960's rock fame.

Jim Ortiz's vocals are reminiscent of punk and even country singers, accompanied by his raw, riff-based guitar. Jim's brothers, drummer Chris Ortiz and bassist Gian Ortiz, round out the Texas trio with thrashing, loud drums and strong bass lines to emphasize the bluesy rock atmosphere.

The band's third album starts out strong, with rough songs containing killer riffs that pump you up for the rest of the album. "Tough Guy," the opening song, is one of the best on the album, highlighting psychedelic solos that bring about thoughts of Jimi Hendrix. "Rambler" quickly follows with a similar, hard-hitting, yet upbeat tempo.

"She Drank That Wine" was built on blues, and sounds like a heavenly mixture of Muddy Waters, AC/DC, and The Rolling Stones.

The band instantly switches gears with "What Went Wrong," which seems straight off an old Johnny Cash album, with deep, booming vocals. "S.A.P.O." clocks in well under a minute, and is nothing but a random drum solo to transition into the punk sounds of "Moonshine," and the Led Zeppelin-inspired "Amplified Boogie."

Don’t expect lengthy, intricate creations; Amplified Heat keeps songs short and to the point, but always keeps you on your toes when switching among riff-heavy rock, blues, punk, and psychedelic guitar solos.

Listening to this album will thrust you back into the good old days of rock and roll, when attitude, screaming guitars, and soulful, blues grooves reigned supreme, and you might mistake them for a reincarnated 1960's band. Amplified Heat is a welcome gift to classic rock lovers stuck in the present.