I’ve had a soft spot from Finnish music ever since I was a very young teen and discovered the legendary Hanoi Rocks. For a country with a population of less than 6 million they certainly punch well above their weight as far as Rock and Roll music goes and my latest ‘must hear’ band are a trio called ‘The Backstabbers’.
Hailing from Rovaniemi (the Capitol of Lapland in the far North) The Backstabbers relocated to Helsinki and took off and there have been some wonderful EP’s and singles – including the wonderful ‘Borderline’ my first taste of the band in 2019. Now comes the moment I’ve been eagerly awaiting – the debit album wonderfully titled ‘For All the Bastards.’
If you like your Rock and Roll, hard, heavy and without artificial additives then you will love these guys. Right from the off with ‘Knockout’ they tick all of teh boxes – killer riff, great solo, rock solid bass and drums driving it forward. Add to that a sneering punk attitude and soaring melodies in the chorus. It’s direct, it’s infectious and it’s real Rock and Roll.
If you liked that firecracker of an opener then ‘Over and Over’ is another killer track – built upon a basic riff, the verses roll into a building gang-vocal adorned chorus before the solo kicks in. It’s a wonderful change of pace and a song that is given space to breathe, there’s still the fire and the grit and the huge hook and it’s one that grows in stature with each play. The bouncier rock of ‘My Soul is Not For Sale’ is up next and it’s another that proves that these guys don’t just do ‘pedal to the metal’ rock and roll. It could well be the catchiest chorus on the album and it’s definitely one to get the crowd moving. The first side of the vinyl (the album is also available digitally and to stream) is rounded out by the stream train rock and roll of ‘Riding Through the Night’ – a relentless song that is all pent up aggression and fury. It’s heady stuff and one that can’t fail to move you.
Side Two begins with ‘Let’s Do It’ which has to be one of my favourites here – it’s a song that just soars riding a great riff and elevated by gang vocals and a great rolling groove – you’ll love it! It’s followed by the super addictive ‘Black Smoke’ which might just be my current favourite – completely direct, absolutely compelling and one to fist pump the air to!
The title track ‘For All the Bastards’ follows and slows things down, It’s a great change of pace, moodier and more expansive and makes this three piece sound like a far bigger band. It’s huge and the song that makes you realise that there’s far more to these guys that driving riffs and biting rockers! We close out with the wonderful ‘Thundertrain’ an absolute cranking Motorhead-like riff driven rocker that sounds unstoppable. It’s a huge song and one that will leave you with a smile a mile wide. Thought no one was making great rock and roll again? You thought wrong!
The Backstabbers are the embodiment of why Rock and Roll will never die. This is glorious stuff! Absolutely up there with the best of the year and it’s only March! If you love hard and heavy Rock and Roll made to bang that head to this is your riff-driven rock and roll ticket to ride.
9/10
