New single āAināt No Smokeā drops ā and itās already kicking up dust š¤
Alright Buttā¦ gather round the fire, crack open something cold, and brace yourself ā because These Wicked Rivers are back, and theyāre bringing heat, heart, and heavy blues swagger with them. š„šŗ
The Derby riff merchants have officially announced their brand-new album Fire and Folklore, landing October 2026, and if the title alone doesnāt get your boots stomping, the first single absolutely will.
šØ āAINāT NO SMOKEā ā BUT THEREāS DEFINITELY FIRE
The first taste of the new era comes in the form of āAināt No Smokeā, and ohhh boyā¦ this one doesnāt hang about.
Weāre talking:
- šø Gritty, blues-drenched riffs
- š Big emotional swells
- ā” A chorus that hits like a pint glass slammed on a bar
Itās classic These Wicked Rivers ā raw, soulful, and dripping with that southern-tinged British grit that makes them feel like theyāve been playing your favourite pub foreverā¦ even if youāve only just found them.
Lyrically, the track digs into trust, betrayal, and emotional fallout, building tension before exploding into full-on riff-fuelled catharsis.
Translation?
š Itās built for loud speakers and louder crowds.
šæš„ WHAT IS FIRE AND FOLKLORE ALL ABOUT?
This isnāt just an album title ā itās a whole vibe.
Fire and Folklore sounds like:
- Late-night campfire stories with amps turned up to 11
- Dusty roads, broken hearts, and redemption arcs
- The kind of rock ānā roll that feels lived in, not polished
These Wicked Rivers have always walked that line between classic rock swagger and modern blues soul, and this record looks set to push that even further.
And hereās a tasty little bonus š
š The album features a guest appearance from rising country star Kezia Gill ā which could add a whole new flavour to the mix.
š¶ FIRE AND FOLKLORE ā TRACKLIST
- š„ Fire and Folklore
- šØ Aināt No Smoke
- š Devil in the Moonlight
- š£ļø Long Road Home
- š¤ Broken Bones & Barroom Truths
- šæ Sing Another Song (feat. Kezia Gill)
- ā” Lightning Donāt Strike Twice
- š Ashes in the Wind
- šŗ Whiskey & Regret
- š When the Morning Comes
(Tracklist subject to change ā but if this holds, weāre in for a proper ride.)
š£ļø HIT THE ROAD, JACK ā UK TOUR INCOMING
As if a new album wasnāt enough, the band are also gearing up for a full UK tour later this year.
And yesā¦ Wales is on the map šš
š Key Dates:
- Cardiff ā The Globe (10th December)
- Llandudno ā Motorsport Lounge (11th December)
Expect:
- Sweat dripping off the ceiling š¦
- Voices gone by the second chorus š¤
- That electric āweāre all in this togetherā gig feeling
You know the one.
š FOLLOW THESE WICKED RIVERS
Wanna keep up with all the riffs, releases, and road chaos? Get stuck in here:
- š Website: https://www.thesewickedrivers.co.uk/
- š Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thesewickedrivers
- šø Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesewickedrivers
- š¦ X / Twitter: https://twitter.com/twriversband
- ā¶ļø YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thesewickedrivers
š¤ RIFF REPORT VERDICT
These Wicked Rivers arenāt chasing trends.
Theyāre building something real.
With Fire and Folklore, theyāre doubling down on everything that makes them dangerous:
- Big riffs
- Bigger emotion
- Proper, honest rock ānā roll
And āAināt No Smokeā?
Thatās your warning shot.
ā” FINAL WORD
If you like your rock:
- A bit dusty
- A bit soulful
- And a lot LOUD
Then get Fire and Folklore locked into your calendar right now.
Because come Octoberā¦
š There wonāt be any smoke.
Just absolute š„š„š„
Are you buzzing for the new album?
Drop us a comment, tag your gig crew, and weāll see you down the front ā where it always gets messy š¤
Michael is the founder, editor, and chief riff wrangler behind The Riff Report, an independent Welsh rock and metal publication built by fans, for fans. With a lifelong passion for loud guitars, unforgettable live shows, and the incredible community that surrounds rock and metal, he created The Riff Report to celebrate everything that makes the scene specialāfrom legendary headline acts and grassroots venues to rising bands that deserve to be heard.
A familiar face at festivals across the UK, Michael spends much of the year covering events including Download Festival, Bloodstock Open Air, Steelhouse Festival, Firevolt, Plumpton Revival, and many more. Whether heās battling the Welsh weather on a mountainside, surviving a weekend in a muddy campsite, or squeezed against the front barrier with thousands of fellow fans, heās always searching for the next great story to share.
As editor of The Riff Report, Michael writes festival guides, breaking news, album reviews, gig reviews, interviews, opinion pieces, nostalgia features, and behind-the-scenes stories from across the rock and metal world. His writing combines honest opinions, humour, and a genuine love for live music, bringing readers closer to the bands, festivals, venues, and people that keep the scene alive.
Michael is particularly passionate about supporting independent artists, local venues, charities, and the wider UK rock and metal community. He believes every band deserves a chance to be discovered and every festival has a story worth telling. Through The Riff Report, he aims to shine a spotlight on both the biggest names in rock and the future stars waiting to break through.
When heās not writing or interviewing artists, youāll probably find him exploring festival campsites, photographing live shows, chatting with fellow fans over a pint, or planning the next road trip in search of more riffs, bigger crowds, and unforgettable moments.
Above all, Michael believes rock and metal are about more than musicātheyāre about community, friendship, and creating memories that last a lifetime. Thatās exactly what The Riff Report exists to celebrate.
Proudly Welsh. Proudly Loud. Always chasing the next great riff. š¤
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