As pet hate’s go a few seconds of music passed off as a track is right up there, so the 48 seconds of ‘atmospheric keys’ that make up ‘Delusion’ are aptly titled. Look if these snatches of music are so essential they should be part of the song, as it is ‘Delusion’ adds nothing to the rather spirited melodic rocker that follows in ‘Stay Away’ the first of SIX tracks here.
Strykenine are yet another melodic rock band from Stockholm who claim to “combine epic melodies with adrenaline, big guitars and intense live performances” and on the basis of this EP they just might have enough in the tank to rise head and shoulders above the competition if you can take the keys that at times overshadow the songs, along with the syrupy backing vocals – a bit like when you listen to vintage Bon Jovi.
Citing the likes of “Skid Row, Kiss, Ratt, Europe, Steelheart and Guns ‘n’ Roses” as influences I must admit I get only a hint of those bands in this very Melodic Rock, but that’s not to say it isn’t very good and indeed ‘Nowhere to Run’ sounds great – a big guitar-laced rocker that is sure to sound great live.
‘Already There’ that follows sadly takes the pace off and just plods a little, sure it’s a nice enough song but rather ‘standard’. The final three cuts are much better and the ones that will have you wondering what might come next?
“Dangerous’ could have graced either of those first two Bon Jovi albums; whilst ‘From the Bottom of My Heart’ is a world class ballad that you just want more and more of and one of the best I’ve heard in years: get ready to weep! And that just leaves closing track ‘Down ‘N’ Dirty’ a song that comes out firing with a confident swagger and whilst like most songs here it might not yet be the final article, is damned fine stuff.
Mare please.
