Wishing Well – Playing With Fire

Wishing Well
Playing With Fire
Label: Inverse Records
Out: 13^th March 2026
Playing time: 45:26

The classic Hard Rock quintet Wishing Well hails from the Finnish capital Helsinki. Founded in 2016, they have released four albums so far (Chasing Rainbows – 2016, Rat Race – 2018, Do Or Die – 2020 and Sin And Shame – 2023). Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to find much more information about them. I saw a number of live photos on the band’s Facebook page, so the musicians have obviously played and continue to play a large number of concerts. Their fifth album, ‘Playing With Fire’, will be released in March.

A few ‘general pauses’ between banging riffs introduce ‘Valley Of Darkness’. What follows is riff-driven Hard Rock. Pepe Tamminen’s vocals sound like those of the genre’s greats from the eighties. Guitarist Anssi Korkiakosk shines with an extensive guitar solo. The melodic Rock anthem ‘Rise And Shine’ starts off a little quieter and later moves into mid-tempo ranges. The chorus invites you to sing along. At the beginning of ‘Train Of Thoughts’, drums and a powerful bass line can be heard. Then the pace picks up. Vocals and guitar are later accompanied by a subtly used Hammond organ. ‘Let Me See The Lights’ is another Rock anthem interwoven with keyboard layers and melodies. Once again, there is a catchy chorus. In the stomping ‘March In The Dark’, synths and electric piano come more to the fore. Of course, there’s also a guitar solo. It was announced in the line-up, and in ‘War Cry’ it wafts through – the Hammond. Calm drumming and bass playing as well as keys define the ballad ‘Light Of Love’. Just as the title ‘Peace And Love And Rock’n Roll’ suggests, it continues with classic Rock’n’Roll. The guitar riffs simply make you want to bang your head. But the Hammond is also present again. A drum roll introduces ‘When The Money Starts Rollin’ In’ before guitars and drums drive the singer to a fast tempo.

There is a lot of energy in ‘Playing With Fire’. It is an album that is enjoyable to listen to. The nostalgia level is high. It takes you back to the days of eighties hard rock.

Wishing Well – Valley of Darkness: https://youtu.be/oyinTOmikiM?si=aNXc5HYzf0xKi-lr

Lineup:

Juha Kivikanto – Drums
Anssi Korkiakoski – Guitars
Matti Kotkavuori – Bass
Pepe Tamminen – Vocals
Arto Teppo – Hammond

Track list:

• Valley Of Darkness
• Rise And Shine
• Train Of Thoughts
• Let Me See The Light
• March In The Dark
• War Cry
• Light Of Love
• Peace And Love And Rock’n’Roll
• When The Money Starts Rollin’ In