Here’s another new-band signing from Frontiers – and yet another band from Finland, a country that literally spews out new bands in different genres within Rock nowadays. Smackbound was formed in 2015 by singer and actress Netta Laurenne, a singer that have guested with bands such as Amorphis, Lordi and Elvenking. First up to join Laurenne in her new project was Wintersun guitarist Teemu Mäntysaari followed by drummer Rolf Pilve (Stratovarius, The Dark Element) and the two Tracedown members Vili Itäpelto on keyboards and bassist Tuomas Yli-Jaskari. The idea behind Smackbound was to base the band on Heavy Metal and mix it up with various styles, so expect Blues, Pop and Rock to branch out from the Metal tree they’ve climbed. To me, this sounds like an interesting mix – and it also shows that Frontiers continues to sign bands outside of their past AOR/Melodic Rock box.
Opening the album with the latest single “Wall Of Silence”, the band takes off kicking and screaming on a slightly noisy, punky and rowdy note. It’s a raging rocker with an explosion of attitude-laden Hard Rock in a fast tempo. The chorus takes a slower pace and even though the melody-line is sort of catchy, I can’t get it to stick. A wall of silence, this is not and I actually question this as a single as well. Not bad I’m not hooked. Leading single of the album “Drive It Like You Stole It” is a heavy and pounding rocker with a kicking groove, both rough and cocky with a clear punch. The tune brings on a slight Classic Rock vibe but mostly, this is a big Hard Rock cruncher with nods towards Halestorm in the direct, effective and catchy refrain. Very good.
“Close To Sober” soften things down a notch with a big, sensitive ballad vibe in the verses – at times they even come across as calming. The chorus is bigger and heavier and holds a slight symphonic touch, orchestrated with a stunning string arrangement and the vocal-melodies once more reminds me of Halestorm. The tune holds a huge soundscape with a futuristic outlook and a floating groove. This is great stuff. “Run”, another single, is a heavy affair, riff-happy and is carried by a punchy and hard rhythm. The chorus is ballsy and tough but it also has a pop-vein running through it. Still, the song is only ok and really doesn’t leave a lasting impression on me. We’re treated with another ballad in the single “The Game”. It’s somewhat darkening with symphonic undertones that has me thinking of Within Temptation. The tune is slow in pace, smooth, soft and with a dreamy keyboard sound and a main-melody that’s intoxicating. The refrain takes the song up even another level – this is a winner, without a doubt.
Another single, “For Those Who Burn” isn’t really what I would call an obvious single, just like the opening track. This one is heavy, dark and punching hard and it comes in a mid pace. The verses and the solo-part is a bit more melodic and even hooky but when the chorus comes, the tune gets slammin’ and aggressive, full of piss n’ vinegar with some raspy shouting by Netta – very much Metal in your face. It’s an ok tune but with the minimal chorus, the verses are the song’s best part. “Hey Motherfuckers” is a heavy rocker with stompy groove in mid pace on a meaty rhythm that also holds a good mix of keyboards and crispy guitars. The in-your-face chorus is massively catchy and will take down a storm live because it’s sing-along urging. Style-wise it reminds me of a more early 90’s Arena Rock Halestorm. Great stuff.
Want some total Metal? Well, here’s “Troublemaker”. It’s fast, hard and surely kicking up some dust. Fact is, this is almost thrashy at times. It’s an aggressive belter but it also holds a good dose of keyboards waved in. There’s a punky vibe to it as well which makes Netta’s fierce vocals fit the song very well, Still, I must say, this one fell on the wayside for me and I didn’t really connect with it at all. “Date With The Devil” starts out slow, laid-back and even quiet but it gets heavier and more upbeat with an accompanying punchy beat. It’s a straightforward tune with some pop-laden melodies on top. It’s ok but again, it never really stuck a chord with me. The album closes with the epic and grandiose ballad “Wind And Water”. Starting out somber and sullen with a saddening feel. While somewhat smooth, it’s also heavy with symphonic undertones within the strings and a cinematic vibe to it. There’s also intriguing and addictive melodies all over with a refrain that etches itself to the brain right away. It’s the album’s sore thumb but at the same time, maybe the album’s finest moment.
To sum the record up, it sure has its ups and downs which makes it a bit uneven. It’s also somewhat straggly with different styles coming and going to the point of confusion which in turn makes it hard to find a common thread for it style-wise, like the band hasn’t made up their mind just what their identity is just yet. That being said, this band has shitloads of potential – which the songs that are great shows. Also, they’re all very competent musicians and Netta Laurenne is both a magnificent singer and as the videos shows, a brilliant front-woman. And if the album doesn’t stick by first listen, give it a few more spins because it really grows on you. For me, the album lands somewhere between a five and a six but since the strong parts overshadows the weaker, it’ll land on the latter. This record is a good start and it’ll be interesting to follow the band’s future developments.
6/10
Tracklist:
1. Wall Of Silence
2. Drive It Like You Stole It
3. Close To Sober
4. Run
5. The Game
6. Those Who Burn
7. Hey Motherfuckers
8. Troublemaker
9. Date With The Devil
10. Wind And Water
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