We Three Kings are back with their new album Stone Cold Kiss

We Three Kings are back with their new album Stone Cold Kiss, their follow up to “By Royal Appointment” and we hope you’re hungry, ‘cause it’s full of bangers!

When I got asked to write this review, I thought “how am I even going to do this justice?” I love We Three Kings, who are a powerhouse two-piece from the Manchester area and the current reigning Best Hard Rock and Metal Act from the 2026 Radio Wigwam Awards. Fronted by Rich Wagstaff’s charismatic vocals and heavy riffs, and backed by Pete Hodgkinson’s drums to create a sound that is somewhere between The Black Keys and QOTSA. For a couple of nice guys, it’s hard to believe they produce such hair-raising stompers that would even make the most seasoned leather jacket wearer blush.

I also had the pleasure of meeting Rich properly at one of our Grassroots Connect events in Manchester last year and he was excited about what the future held – now I know why! We open with title track Stone Cold Kiss, which lays down the intention of this record – you will dance and bang your head by royal decree. No ifs or buts, it is a must. I obliged accordingly. From there, Nothing Without Me not only kicks the door open, it knocks it right off the hinges – a big, chest-thumping statement piece with a riff that struts and a chorus that’s basically designed for a roomful of voices. It’s got that We Three Kings knack for sounding filthy and polished at the same time: tight as you like, but with enough bite to leave a mark

Joyrider is the one that really grabs you by the collar. The groove is nasty in the best way – all strut and swagger – with Rich’s vocal riding the riff like he’s daring you to keep up. It’s got that sweet spot this band do so well: heavy enough to make you pull a face, catchy enough to have the chorus stuck in your head on the walk home. If Stone Cold Kiss is the royal decree, Joyrider is the joyfully unlawful bit where you ignore it and floor it anyway.

Then Your Love Is My Disease keeps the pace up, equal parts grit and gloss – a hooky, hard-rock earworm that hits fast, hits loud, and leaves you reaching for the replay. And just when you think you’ve got the measure of the ride…we arrive at the band’s favourite track.

At the album release party in Manchester, Rich said, “you’re not supposed to have a favourite child, but this one is ours.” Judas Take Me Home delivers the crown jewel at the halfway point of the album. Once you stop screaming “if the shoe fits” at the top of your lungs, you want to play the track on repeat. My advice? Continue on as there’s much more where that came from!

I had the honour of premiering Shotgun on the What’s Rocking Show on Radio Wigwam – what a beauty! This track embodies what We Three Kings are about and how they can rupture your ear drums if you don’t turn your volume down. No, I won’t do it – it’s worth it. Easy to see why this one is becoming a fan favourite (evident at the album release party with the revisiting of “I’m going shotgun, bang bang, bang, bang”).

The album gets spicy with Touch Me – it feels like its taunting me in various ways, musically of course! It has a classic Mancunian rocker feel about it, almost a little Brit-poppy without going there, which for me is the right amount. We move to the riffalicious Dirty Devil, which is up there as one of my favourite tracks on the album. “How you gonna live with the devil on your shoulder?” cries Rich and I have to say, I have no idea. This track is very vintage Royal Blood-style. We arrive at the album finale, Son of a Gun. It opens with a bluesy sounding bass and moves into the more accustomed groove of a We Three Kings track. It’s playful yet catchy, a brilliant destination to arrive to on the Stone Cold Kiss express. Overall, I can testify that this album live hits just as hard as it does in your headphones.Whilst I am not filing charges for the bruising, I would encourage the rockers amongst us to grab a copy of this masterpiece!! Five stars, yes it might seem extreme, but it’s not just how it sounds, it’s how it makes you feel. To understand what I mean, get listening to We Three Kings – Stone Cold Kiss now. Out everywhere. For the fans of QOTSA, The Black Keys, Royal Blood, Wolfmother, and Rival Sons.Anyway….where’s the repeat button on this thing