It’s a rare thing that we review a single here at The Rockpit but when a band mails you a 7″ vinyl copy of their latest release I always listen.
The Backstabbers are a Finnish band originally from Rovaniemi in the heart of Lapland but who have since relocated to Helsinki. They cite Motörhead, AC/DC, The Hellacopters, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest and Zeke (a new one for me that last one, and one to check out) who “got together when three guys from different punk, glam rock and thrash metal bands wanted to form a true rock n roll band.”
Since forming in 2013 they have released three previous EP’s – ‘In Stereo’ (2014); ‘High Speed Rock n’ Roll’ (2015) and ‘Ambassadors Of Action’ (2017) before this release. The three piece comprising of Joni Järlström (Drums), Roope Tapio (Bass) and Jesperi Mommo (Guitar & Vocals) certainly do make some righteous noise.
A-side (I never thought I’d use there words in 2019) ‘Borderline’ is a song that wastes no time kicking up a frenetic Motorhead like groove before soaring into a simply infectious chorus. There’s a pause that almost kills you before the guitar wails again and the verse kicks in again then another perfect pause, this time injected with distant vocals, before the drums roll again and the energy explodes again. There is no resistance – you immediately want more.
Flip over the disc and ‘(Got No) Control’ starts with an acoustic strum before a fiery AC/DC like boogie kicks in and a sleazy vocal spits out the words before a gang chorus fills your mouth and all available senses. There’s a fiery guitar and a real feel that Rock and Roll really should be played like this – with power and passion and a sense that anything can happen.
You can certainly feel the Metal influences in the guitars but I get more of a bite of Hellacopters and Motorhead in the compositions and the delivery. This is very good indeed. This band live must rip up the joint.More please.