Modern Sleaze Metal from a bunch of guys who look like Motley Crue meets Black Veil Brides. Now if you were cynical that would sound like a cliché you’d seen a thousand times and you’d probably dismiss it out of hand, but every now and then you find a dark gem. Toxic Rose is one of those gems.
Founded in Stockholm in 2010 releases so far have been scant – an EP in 2012 (which we loved), and a single in 2014, but now the full length is here and it confirms that early promise.
‘World of Confusion’ that opens things up is a great song, fist pumping, gritty, cutting and with a nice dark melody and aggression like a darker Crashdiet or Blackrain. It’s good and well worth listening on. ‘The Silent End of Me’ that kicks in straight after is even more Melodic than the opener but not quite as attention-grabbing.
It’s the third track ‘Killing the Romance’ that clears matter – these guys do have the songs and no only that they’re not just three minute wonders – they can do atmospherics, they can build moods, and boy they can play. The key-led ‘Sinner’ rocks too with hints of late eighties Alice Cooper, as does the slow building atmospheric rocker ‘We Own the Night’ which is another of our favourites.
‘Reckless Society’ that opens the second half of the album is all keys and guitars and grabs you by the throat, roaring in your face the anthem of a disenfranchised society. We like! And we can only imagine the chaos this would cause live with fists pumping and hair flying.
‘Clarity’ that follows adds some catchy melodies and ends up being almost as good, before ‘Because of You’ adds some tenderness with a gentle ballad that is surprisingly simple and stripped back before the guitars kick in. That light moment heralds in ‘We all Fall Down’ another contender for one of the best here! The album closes with title track ‘Total Tranquillity’ which is the real odd one out here – very modern, atmospheric and dark: it might work but it’s not our favourite here sadly and if anything ends the album on a slight downer.
If you love a modern take on Sunset Strip legends like W.A.S.P. ; Crue and their Hair Metal brethren then you’ll love this. Best of all the songs here really are a cut above the pack: Toxic Rose really could go a long way.
