When I, back in 2017, got the promo-link for Hell In The Club’s third record See You On The Dark Side, I wondered if this lot might be some kind of metal-joke. I mean, who on Earth calls their band Hell In The Club? The album gave assumptions that they might be some kind of Lordi meets Murderdolls kind of band. Well, it turned out it was a side-projects by some members of Secret Sphere and Elvenking – and the record had those members leaving “power” in Power Metal behind and instead going into a hybrid of Heavy Metal, Hard Rock, AOR, Sleaze, Glam, Pop and even Punk at times. Looking back at my review for that record, I gave it a good 8/10 but truth be told, I haven’t really picked it up much during the three years since it was released. Just like the last album, this one is produced by Simone Mularoni (DGM, Sweet Oblivion feat. Geoff Tate, Lovekillers feat. Tony Harnell). Even though I hadn’t really thought of the band much, I did look forward to make aquaintance with the Italian four-piece once again.
Opening with the leading single “We’ll Never Leave The Castle”, the band sets the level high right away. On a Melodic Rock groove, the song touches both on Metal and on Sunset Strip Arena Rock from the late 80’s, bringing in hooks for every melody and an effective and bang-on-target, memorable chorus that’s almost annoyingly pop-catchy. I immediately give my thumbs up with a big smile on my face. Great tune indeed. The high-quality song writing continues with latest single “Worst Case Scenario”, a heavier take on Melodic Rock with only a pinch of Metal lurking in the background. It’s riff-happy on a pounding rhythm and a massive, sing-along friendly, über-catchy refrain which holds big pop-hooks and gang-vocals. Love it.
With some edgy riffing and a crunchy guitar sound, “Here Today, Gone Tomorrow” lets loose, carried by a solid and bouncy rhythm. The template here seems to be 80’s Hard Rock but it’s also sleazy and dirty with a clean and high lead vocal and another effective and direct chorus. Yes, I really like this one as well. The upbeat “Joker” is more of a plain 80’s hard-rocker, straight-forward and pretty kicking with some punchy drumming and a rowdy groove. There’s also a Classic Rock vibe to the song, much because of the added organ. The song holds an in-your-face chorus but even though I think it’s a good song, it’s not as strong as the previous three.
On a chunkier, funkier groove, “Last Of An Undying Kind” comes across as HITC’s take on Mötley Crüe’s “Dr Feelgood” while bringing out their inner Crashdïet fantasies. It’s quite a heavy and sweaty rocker that goes for the more edgy Hard Rock while bringing along some underlying Melodic Rock influences melody-wise. The big chorus is intense and goes right for the throat with its unescapable hooks. Very good. Second single “Nostalgia” is a fast-tracked, rhythmically straight-forward blaster on a stompy beat. Opening with some 80’s laden electronic drums and synths, the song takes both AOR, Melodic Rock and even a slight nod towards Power Metal in the refrain into the mix – and it works surprisingly well. It’s not the album’s best track but still a really good one.
“Lullaby For An Angel” totally embraces late 80’s/early 90’s power balladry. It’s very smooth and slick, full of acoustic guitars and silky keyboards with enough pop-hooks to make Diane Warren cry out of pure jealousy. Here, the guys bring out all their Warrants, Bon Jovis, Def Leppards and Slaughters in a massive soundscape of balladry with hooks enough to sell. It’s overly cheesy to the point of not being cheesy at all – and they do it damn well. “Mr Grouch”, on the other hand, is a rowdy and rough rocker that mixes Metal with late 80’s sleaze-rock. There’s a mastodon Skid Row influence all over it, almost punky at time, both dirty and gritty. It’s also quite messy and somewhat unstructured and seems to going on pure energy which in turn makes the melodies and hooks come in at second place. It’s not bad but it doesn’t stay with me.
The Mötley Crüe influence returns with a bang on “No Room In Hell”. The tune holds a groovy as hell bass-line, some bluesier touches, a slight Dokken twitch and more sleaze where Guns N’ Roses and Faster Pussycat joins up for a dance. It’s rhythmically solid and the chorus is both effective and catchy but for some reason, it doesn’t grab me as much as many of the other songs. It’s ok, though. The mid-paced Melodic Rock stomper “Tokyo Lights” is a hit to be. Massively catchy, the tune brings on some soaring AOR in the chorus, throwing out hooks to left and right. But it also brings on a pretty crafty riff and a solid rhythm and an uplifting atmosphere throughout the tune. Great stuff.
As the closing track we get “Lucifer’s Magic” (a nod to W.A.S.P.s “Sleeping In The Fire” lyrically?), a guitar gritty hard-rocking ass-kicker with a big live-feel. Its verses are based on bass and drums which creates a chunky rhythm and a striking groove but when the band comes in, the song grows a major edge, very in-your-face on a straight ahead rhythm. It’s darker, somewhat dramatic and holds another bang-on-target chorus. It’s intense, punchy albeit melodic and crowd-friendly as hell. A perfect closer for an album like this.
After going through this album a couple of times I realized why I haven’t picked up their last album for a long time even though I dug it. HITC are fun and their songs are really good while listening but it doesn’t really last. They’re like Burger King – finger-licking good and it makes you feel good but it’s nothing you long for in the long run, it just don’t leave a scar. HITC are entraining, they’re good musicians but both music, production and content are a bit on the shallow side. Kind of like when you listen to Lordi or Wednesday 13. It’s the same thing with this record, only it’s not as strong as its predecessor. I do enjoy the album and it made me want to visit See You On The Dark Side again. Plus, to have some damn good songs that makes you smile is a lot better than a lot of bands can contribute with so I’m not slagging this off at all – and for the pre-party it’s the shit!
6/10
More Hell In The Club reviews:
Tracklist:
1. We’ll Never Leave The Castle
2. Worst Case Scenario
3. Here Today, Gone Tomorrow
4. Joker
5. Last Of An Undying Kind
6. Nostalgia
7. Lullaby For An Angel
8. Mr. Grouch
9. No Room In Hell
10. Tokyo Lights
11. Lucifer’s Magic
CD & Festival reviews 