Usually when Switzerland is mentioned in Hard Rock music, the names that comes up is Gotthard and Krokus, Celtic Frost if you’re into heavier stuff. And to be honest, I have never been that familiar with all that many Swiss Hard Rock acts other than those – almost. I remember China, though but they never really made it big at all. Some years ago I came across a band called Felskinn, a band I really dug and now it’s time for yet another Swiss band to emerge, a band that got some rave reviews for their debut E.P with a record company – Golden Robot/Crusader – behind them, an E.P they now follow with their first full-length record on a major label.
The band was formed back in 2012 and has released two independent full-length albums – Greatest Hits (2013) and Wild! Wild! Wild! (2015) – with a slightly different line-up (I could be wrong about that) than today. The band consists of vocalist Eric St. Michaels, formerly of China, lead guitarist Roman Lauer, rhythm guitarist Jerry Napitupulu, bassist Manu Judge and drummer Ben Grimm. With the release of their E.P, the band has been out touring with bands such as Uriah Heep, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Rose Tattoo. Unfortunately for the band, their new full-length was released in the middle of the pandemic so touring is, as for now, out of the question.
The album opens with a real punch in the gut called “Under Destruction”, a fast-track Hard Rock belter that oozes of perspiration and throws punches all around. The song might hit you at full speed but it’s not only about roughness and power, it also holds some crunchy, early 90’s American Hard Rock riffage and a striking melodies. An ass-kicker, yes but it’s also melodic. Good one. Released as a single a year ago, “She Don’t Like My R’nR” is a slightly smoother affair. It do have its fair share of 70’s laden grooves, a bluesy feel and chunky riffing with a big live-feel but the keyboards are more prominent, it’s filled with hooks and a catchy-as-damn refrain. There’s also a horn-section added which brings on a Classic Rock touch. A brilliant rocker with a big hit-feel.
Picking up the speed, “Desperate” comes on strong with a late 80’s/early 90’s American Arena Hard Rock vibe. It’s a bouncy rocker, quite in-your-face with distinct melody-hooks and a fat, beefy chorus. It’s a track that will have you shaking your fist in the air and chanting along even if it’s the first time you hear the song. Very good. Second single “Wall Of Confusion”, featuring singer Guernica Mancini (Thundermother), is a straight-ahead rocker, quite heavy and sleazy on a steady beat with some chunky rhythms that builds a meaty groove. It’s a distinct and edgy Melodic Rock number on a Hard Rock foundation with a monster hook in the brilliant chorus which hits bulls-eye right away. Awesome.
With “On The Run” the band throws themselves head first right into late 80’s Melodic Rock albeit with an upbeat, beefy rhythm-section and some raunchier guitars. It holds a smoother and more polished outlook with mesmerizing vocal-melodies and a slicker main-melody but at the same time, the song do rock. The chorus screams “make me a single cuz I’m a hit” – so damn catchy. Great. “Rush” comes at us with a steady beat and pumping bass making the the rhythm fat and juicy with a neat chug which makes me think of Judas Priest’s “You’ve Got Another Thing Comin'”. It holds a darker touch in a mid-pace but speeds up towards the end, giving it a Metal-twitch. Effective and catchy, the chorus grabs a holds after first spin. This is good stuff.
Latest single “Hot Cop Lady” is a fast-tracked sleaze-rocker – raunchy, gritty and dirty with a firey rhythm, a song to crack open a cold one to. Or ten. It’s very direct and straight-forward with no room to catch your breath. I’m not sure why they released this as a single because it’s not catchy as such but it’s damn fine crotch-rocker indeed. “We’re The Survivors” goes all in on late 80’s Arena Rock. With verses that holds a calmer and down-beat character the song takes an upbeat route albeit still with a laid-back atmosphere over it. With a big, AOR-laden chorus, the track is the most polished on here but it also sports some major hit-potential. Good one.
In a way faster pace, “We Are One” is a rowdy, gritty and straight-forward hard-rocker, quite a simple kick-ass belter with some heavy riffing and an in-your-face attitude. It’s a sleazy, live-friendly piece with a Classic Rock touch over it too. The refrain is distinct and even catchy that’s really hard not to surrender to. Good one. Closing track “Be The Hunter” is both rough-edged and melodic that starts out with some AC/DC-like guitar riffage and a steady groove but continues in a faster tempo, very bang-on-target, punchy and intense – very energetic. The chorus changes structure some when it takes on a big early 90’s Arena Rock vibe with some crowd-pleasing “whoa whoa” for chanting purposes. Killer stuff.
First off, there’s nothing new or revolutionary here what so ever so if you’re the pretentious kind that craves that all new bands must invent a new genre, then skip this and keep on searching. But if you, like me, want damn good songs full of hooks and infectious melodies made by great musicians that makes music out of passion, heart, soul and the sheer love of creating music, well you might wanna give these guys a shot because this album is really, really good. While the soundscape might be both smooth and polished, it also rocks with both grit, edge and vigour. This record makes me smile – and it would surprise at lot if they’re not a stellar live-act as well. Thumbs up!
8/10
Tracklist:
1. Under Destruction
2. She Don’t Like My R’n’R
3. Desperate
4. Wall Of Confusion
5. On The Run
6. Rush
7. Hot Cop Lady
8. We’re The Survivors
9. We Are One
10. Be The Hunter
CD & Festival reviews 