ROCK REPORT
Violent Divine are a Swedish 4-piece whose members grew up listening to acts such as Ratt, Poison, Mötley Crüe, Van Halen and Aerosmith. With that in mind you' d expect them to sound like a mixture of elements taken from the musical exploits of their heroes but that's only partially true. While they've made sure to incorporate great hooks, memorable choruses and big riffs into their guitar-driven, arena-sized swagger, the overall sound is firmly planted in the here and now.
So what does that exactly mean, I hear you ask? Well, try to imagine Nikki Sixx teaming up with Zakk Wylde to write some songs and have someone who sounds like a cross between Scott Weiland (Velvet Revolver), Chad Kroeger (Nikkelback) and Eddie Vedder (Pearl Jam) singing them. Doesn't sound like music to your ears? I would probably share your feeling if I had yet to get my first taste of Violent Divine but take it from me: these guys rock!
Let me make it a little clearer for you: if you share the opinion that the new tracks Mötley Crüe included on their most recent anthology and Velvet Revolver's "Contraband" disc didn't quite live up to your (and my) high expectations and you want to find out what a pack of young, hungry wolfs that dabble in the same balls-out-rock can do, then this is one album you simply can't ignore.
There's not a single weak track to be found here and the musicianship is extremely tight, add to that a powerful production and you have an album that has "highly recommended" written all over it. Still, if I had to pick some personal favourites I'd go for the big pounding and aptly titled opening cut "Let's Go", the fast -paced "Levitate", the hauntingly beautiful "Slow" on which singer Michael Ahlstrom lays down some superb, emotionally charged vocals and the kind of song-if given a proper chance-that could be all over MTV , and "Malfunction" which is without a doubt the most '80's inspired track of this 12 track collection .
Violent Divine sure have some heavy competition but they proudly (not to mention well-armed) stand up to the challenge with a first effort that delivers the whole package. (PS)
Rock Report
The review
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