Released by: Rocnation
Release Date: 14 March 2025
Genre: Hard Rock
Links: https://dorothyonfire.com/
Line Up:
Dorothy Martin: Lead vocals
Sam Bam Koltun: Guitar
Eliot Lorango: Bass, backing vocals
Jake Hayden: Drums, percussion
Tracklist:
“I Come Alive”
“The Devil I Know”
“MUD”
“Tombstone Town” (Feat. Slash)
“Bones”
“Unholy Water”
“Haunted House”
“Putting Out the Fire”
“Superhuman”
“The Way”
Dorothy Martin’s path has never been straight. From dive bars to LA limelight, she’s collected stories and scars along the way – the stuff real rock is made of. When she formed Dorothy back in 2014, nobody saw her coming. That voice – raw, bourbon-soaked, and unapologetic – grabbed rock by the throat and hasn’t let go since.
You’ve heard her howl on “Raise Hell,” felt the burn of “After Midnight,” and witnessed her evolution from the gritty “ROCKISDEAD” days through the Linda Perry-produced “28 Days in the Valley” and into the spiritual awakening of “Gifts From the Holy Ghost.” Each chapter revealing another layer of an artist who refuses to be anything but authentic.
Now comes “The Way” – not just a new album, but a statement. After sharing stages with Greta Van Fleet and Halestorm, burning down festivals, and single-handedly keeping rock’s heart beating in an age of algorithms, Dorothy Martin isn’t just continuing her journey – she’s blazing a trail and inviting us along for the ride. This is “The Way”.
The haunting vocal intro in the opener “I Come Alive” truly emphasizes her impressive vocal range. An outstanding track to kick things into high gear, featuring a memorable chorus and captivating groove. This would make an excellent opener for her live performances as well. “The Devil I Know” delivers a modern edge reminiscent of Alter Bridge at times, with crisp production quality and Dorothy’s powerful vocals soaring throughout.
The first crossover of southern/outlaw influences appears in “Mud” and it works remarkably well. The track maintains its hard-edged, heavy bottom groove without compromising the band’s signature sound. Dorothy’s vocals adapt perfectly to this style, resulting in a standout track.
“Tombstone Town” features the legendary Slash, delivering a rhythmic thumper that maintains the album’s heavier edge. As expected, Slash contributes a slick guitar solo that elevates the track even further. “Bones” resonates particularly well, emerging as one of the album’s strongest offerings. Its compelling riff between choruses creates an anthemic rocker that immediately connects with the listener.
The album concludes with the title track “The Way,” showcasing Dorothy at her most vulnerable. The introspective lyrics paired with an acoustic ballad arrangement featuring piano brings the album to a close with themes of hope and resilience. Considering her personal struggles, this track carries significant emotional weight.
On “The Way,” the heaviness of the guitars and double bass drumming reflect the influences flowing through her veins. As Dorothy has mentioned in interviews: “I knew I wanted screaming. Double bass. Really heavy guitars. We just played up all of those elements more, but also added a little bit of Southern rock. There’s some Southern-fried Outlaw Country seasoning on some of these songs. And it’s because I grew up teaching myself to sing with country music and blues. I love bands like Creedence Clearwater Revival.”
While some compare her to Janis Joplin, that comparison misses the mark. There’s only one Dorothy Martin, and on “The Way,” she’s never sounded more authentically herself.
I admittedly overlooked Dorothy’s previous albums, which was entirely my oversight. Of course, her powerful vocals and talented band have been generating industry buzz for years, especially following her 2016 debut “ROCKISDEAD.”
Her new record “The Way” represents her hardest, edgiest, and most definitively unique work to date. Any fan of hard rock would be remiss not to experience this album. Whether seeing her perform live or purchasing the record, you won’t be disappointed. Dorothy deserves to be mentioned alongside acts like Halestorm. In this AI-dominated world where authenticity can be difficult to discern, this album delivers genuine rock and roll in every sense. We need more artists like Dorothy to keep the spirit of the genre alive and thriving.
Written by: DJ
Ratings: 8/10
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