ALBUM REVIEW: Sonic Divide – The Other Side

Melodic Revolution Records - 31st March 2020

 

Adelaide’s Sonic Divide have a Melodic Modern Rock sound that at first listen isn’t a million miles away from Nickelback… there I’ve said it…  That of course though is only part of the equation and if you throw in a little Shinedown in there as well as a few more pronounced AOR influences and a little 80’s Hard Rock you get an idea of the impressive sonic territory they cover. It’s a sound big enough to make them huge, especially stateside.

On opening track ‘Vicinity’ they put their best foot forward, it’s a well-crafted song, catchy, melodic and full of great performances with great production to boot. And this is an album where that quality continues.

Releasing their debut back in 2013 its been 7 long years between drinks but in the 12 new tracks here there’s an excess of savvy melody and punch. Indeed I might even go as far as saying here’s nothing here you won’t find essential from the singles ‘Come Back Again’, ‘Alive’ and ‘When It Bleeds’ to the ear-catching closer ‘Stay’ which has more of an 80’s flavour and might even be my current favourite.

In-between that you get a wonderful balance of the crunch and the silky smooth and those guitar tones and whatever you call the keyboard equivalents are making me smile and nod my head knowingly with every listen.

There’s variety too with the gritty ‘Hero’ a little heavier, whilst ‘Come Back Again’ adds some sumptuous AOR and  ‘When It Bleeds’ adds the lightest moment here with a gentle ballad that really connects.

We’re making some great Rock music down-under at the moment and this album is one of the best.

 

Track Listing: 1. Vicinity 03:58 | 2. Hero 03:29 | 3. Come Back Again 04:20 | 4. When it Bleeds 04:55 | 5. Roll The Dice 05:46 | 6. Alive 03:11 | 7. Final Stage 04:50 | 8. Shot In The Dark 04:02 | 9. I’ll Run 04:19 | 10. When No One’s Watching 03:54 | 11. I Still Believe 04:32 | 12. Stay 04:50

The Band: Wayne Holden – Lead Vocals | Glenn Johnson – Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals | Andy Young – Keyboards, Backing Vocals | Ian Slade – Bass, Backing Vocals | Evan Johnson – Drums, Backing Vocals | Steve Pirie – Guitars, Backing Vocals

Sonic Divide
Website: www.sonicdivide.net
Facebook: www.facebook.com/sonicdivide/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/sonicdivide/

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