Rising hard rock force Upper Lip returns with their explosive second studio album, Devil’s Ride – an eight-track powerhouse that marks a bold and darker evolution from their debut record, Deep Within.
Following the success of their first release, Upper Lip ventures deeper into the shadows with Devil’s Ride, an album that explores betrayal from those meant to stand by us, the weight of internal struggles, and the eternal duality between good and evil. While the themes cut deep, the record ultimately carries a powerful message of hope – a call for unity and resilience in the face of pain, hardship, and forces that seek to divide and destroy.
Drawing inspiration from the raw blues fire of Rory Gallagher, the intricate acoustic textures of Bert Jansch, and the riff-driven mastery of Jimmy Page, Upper Lip fuse classic rock authenticity with unapologetic power. The swagger and grit of Guns N’ Roses and the explosive, anthemic energy of The Who echo throughout the record, shaping an album that honors rock’s golden era while forging its own commanding identity.
Notably, the track “The Castle” ventures boldly into heavier territory, with verses embracing classic heavy metal textures and dark tonal weight reminiscent of Black Sabbath, adding a brooding, ominous edge to the album’s sonic landscape.
Devil’s Ride was recorded at the iconic Temple Studios in Mistra under the guidance of producer David Vella, who also produced the band’s debut album. The record captures Upper Lip’s raw energy while elevating their sound into darker, more intense territory.
All the music and lyrics on the album were written by Joseph Azzopardi, showcasing his uncompromising creative vision and songwriting depth.
Speaking about the new release, songwriter Joseph Azzopardi reflected on the journey behind the album: “I love this record so much. It took a lot of work to get it where it is, but I think it really shows how much we’ve matured as a band. My favourite track on the album is Won’t You Listen because it’s a very personal song for me. What I really love about Devil’s Ride is how varied it is it merges different styles and influences, and that’s something I’ve always loved in a record.”
On vocals, Christopher Portelli, often hailed as the band’s very own Bon Scott, delivers a commanding and electrifying performance that channels pure rock ‘n’ roll spirit. Reflecting on the album, Portelli highlights one track in particular: “One of the songs I love the most on the album is Goddess of the Sun. I’m a massive old-school rock fan, and that song really captures that classic vibe that I grew up loving. Recording this album was also a big step for me personally as a singer I feel like I improved a lot throughout the process and pushed myself further vocally.”
Reflecting on the album, bassist Marcel Paul Grima shared his personal highlights: “My favorite riff on the album is from 'The Duel,' it really gives me that old western movie standoff vibe. The song I connect with most is 'Won’t You Listen,' because it’s about how stubbornness can create barriers between people, but also about not giving up. It was actually the most challenging song for me to get right, as it needed a very specific feel, but I ended up loving the vibe and melody it became. Looking back at our first album, Deep Within, I feel we’ve grown a lot as a band, both in songwriting and musicianship, and now we really know what we want.”
The rhythm section brings thunder and groove, with Marcel Paul Grima on bass and seasoned Finnish drummer Sami Karpinnen behind the kit. Karpinnen, known for his work with Therion and his collaborations and touring with Opeth, injects the album with dynamic power and precision.
The album’s striking artwork was created by local artist Peter Magro. The cover depicts an intense and symbolic scene: the devil behind the wheel, with two figures riding in the back — a powerful representation of the choices we make and the paths we choose. The imagery perfectly encapsulates the album’s title and underlying message: life itself can feel like a ride steered by temptation, but the direction remains ours to confront.
Devil’s Ride is available now for purchase via Upper Lip’s official website at www.upperlipmusic.com and is also streaming on all major digital music platforms here: https://album.link/s/1lMLCvv7Pj8kJE236j4oNG
With this second release, Upper Lip proves they are not just riding the wave of rock ‘n’ roll, they are steering it straight through fire.
