Review | Deraps – Viva Rock ‘N’ Roll

Metalville Records

Almost three years ago I reviewed the first album of the Canadian power trio Deraps, hailing from Quebec, although drummer Josh Gallagher is an Australian and lives in Perth. Deraps was formed around singer/guitarist Jacob Deraps and had in William Lachance their bass player. Their self-produced record showed us a band that lives and breathes Van Halen in the line-up of Eddie and Alex Van Halen, Michael Anthony, and David Lee Roth. Jacob and Josh met through their love for this iconic band. The first album, simple called ‘Deraps’ was a sort of a tribute to the vintage Van Halen sound and style. Although the originality was lacking a bit, the playing and especially the guitar acrobatics of Jacob were very impressive. I liked that album very much, it only lacked a bit of a finishing touch on the production side, due to (most likely) having a small recording budget.

PROGRESS

On their second album Deraps has made a significant progress. Recorded only by Josh and Jacob (who also provided the bass lines) it is not that their love for Van Halen has just vanished. Far from. ‘Viva Rock N’ Roll’ continues in the same old high energy classic rock style. The main progress has been booked on the production side. Now signed to Metalville and armed with a larger recording budget Josh and Jacob rock their socks off. The album kicks harder, has more punch, tongue-in-cheek lyrics and especially the first half of the record contains high energy hard rock and roll with blistering guitar work and a certain attitude that does make you think of Van Halen in the period 1978-1984. The typical elements and the open song constructions plus the layered choruses bring back fond memories.

TRIBUTE IN THEIR OWN WAY

Why should these boys not pay tribute in their own way? With the passing of Eddie Van Halen, it is evident that the Van Halen-era has come to an end. So, there is room for a relative, new, and young group to fill in the gap. Not that I am saying the Deraps will ever grow to the heights that Van Halen reached but it is good that the spirit of the Van Halen brothers is not only continued by Wolfgang Van Halen with his Mammoth project, but also by two talented lads from Canada and Australia.

DERAPS – THE CONCLUSION

The first part of ‘Viva Rock N’ Roll’ is very vintage classic rock with the album-title track as most impressive song. Also, the short instrumental ,,Equinox’’ plus ,,Solitaire’’ (listen to the riff and the choirs) are top-notch. As the album progresses Deraps varies the sound a bit with tracks such as ,,Setting Sun’’ (nice acoustic intro) and ,,Blindside’’. Like I stated earlier, the sound has improved a whole lot, and the vocals have won a lot of ground (with ,,Blindside’’ as most prominent example). ‘Viva Rock N’ Roll’ is an album that has brought a smile to my face.

I presume that Josh and Jacob by now have found a bass player to be able to bring their music to the stage again. Deraps is a band that does not hide their big inspiration but they also try to widen their musical horizons where they can. I am very curious how these lads will musically develop themselves in the coming years. Fans who are longing for that old fashioned classic rock that Van Halen use to bring, should check this band out. They will get their fill and then some more. Cool album!

Release date: 23 May 2025