by Alexandra Mrozowska
– Senior Columnist —
When it comes to acts such as the German Kissin’ Dynamite or the Melbourne-based quartet Mystery, it’s widely known that these musicians and subsequent bands started their careers at very early ages. On one hand, it’s a bit unfair to focus on the band members’ metrics instead of their musical output. On the other – there is something entirely unique about the musicians who, not only started out their musical journey at the tender age of 14 or 16, but also achieved major successes while in their teens, practically growing up among one concert venue to another. Many of their teenaged peers, as well as their music heroes years earlier, were involved in garage-based local outfits or school bands, rather than playing on main stages all over the world. And the majority of future rock stars, at best, learned their chops playing in the local club circuit, not sharing the stage with Iron Maiden, Europe, Mötley Crüe or Steel Panther. However, that’s exactly what happened to the Aussie band Mystery, which already is hailed “the youngest rock band to ever tour the world.” And – apart from earning a reputation of a great live act – the young musicians are no newbies to the recording studio, either. The band’s new album From The Dusk ‘Till Dawn was released via Metalopolis Records.
Forget the tinkling keyboard-driven sounds and sugary melodies – you won’t find them here. The rocket starts off with the eponymous track “Dusk ‘Till Dawn,” which – from the first screechy guitar lick – is a nifty combination of raw AC/DC-infused Hard Rock and the thick, sleazy sound trademarked by the likes of Mötley Crüe or L.A. Guns. It’s loud and unpretentious, with punchy work of rhythm section and groovy, simple riffs – the very roots of ‘80s Rock transformed into the 21st century with youthful nonchalance. “Let It Out” is another solid portion of Sleaze Rock (and an obligatory ration of teenage rebellion – think Twisted Sister’s “We’re Not Gonna Take It” transferred 30 years forward in modified package). It has the vivid, almost Punk-ish energy to it, with the band’s lead singer Rocky Ravic delivering his powerful, self-empowering message against the background of blazing guitars.
“Time To Let You Go” combines the rough melody of early Ratt with the modern sound of the Dave Lepard-era Cräshdiet into a pulsating, vivid mixture that is simultaneously raw and catchy – but still spicier than sugar. “Wild And Free” builds up from its opening grinding riff into a straightforward, melodic party anthem, embroidered with some nice vocal harmonies. Its follow-up “Fight For You” is a bit less intense. With “Promised Landm” the band goes full throttle again with guitar-laden and rowdy riffs. During “Die Another Day,” things get even heavier; it’s built around a thick, grinding riff. Track seven has an unpolished, coarse vibe to it, drawing as much from the early Guns N’Roses and Faster Pussycat as from modern Rock sound aesthetics.
“The One And Only” is another fiery Rock anthem, musically much in vein of its predecessors, with some nifty instrumental embellishments intertwined with catchy choruses, itself preceding the ballad-esque ninth track. “Looking Back;” however, leaves a listener with quite of a mixed impression. Even though the Mystery’s take at power ballad formula precisely seems to follow the recipe – from the delicate verses and soaring bridges full of Leppard-esque vocal harmonies to the blistering, melodic solo – the result hardly is outstanding. More convincing, perhaps, is the next track in which Mystery finally indulges itself, unleashing its inner melancholic rocker-on-the-road personas in an overtly sugary, but very decent manner. “Falling From Grace;” however, has the band returning to its rough, nonchalant style with some vivid Skid Row-esque vibe to it.
The two final tracks on From Dusk To Dawn are Mystery’s renditions of songs by Judas Priest (“I’m A Rocker”) and the Aussie Hard Rock act, The Choirboys (“Run To Paradise”). Somehow, the band’s take on Tipton/Halford/Downing-penned anthem loses some of the raw power that is so characteristic to the 1988 original; however, while Ravic chants “I’m a rocker/And no one can take that away,” there’s no reason to disbelieve the Hard Rock’s golden child. As for “Run For Paradise,” it’s just the other way around as Mystery gets quite feisty in its process of dusting off the forgotten 1988 chart favorite; tints of its Sleaze- and Hard Rock-infused style are clear in comparison with the clean-cut, radio-friendly original.
Mystery’s From Dusk To Dawn is not only a worthy successor to the band’s praised 2013 debut, but it also is a promising forerunner to its further career – and, most of all, a good Hard Rock album. It captures the band’s youthful energy, combining it with skillful instrumental work – surprisingly skillful, perhaps, the band members’ ages. And even though there is neither an intention, nor an attempt to deny the group’s ‘80s Rock influences and the echoes of AC/DC, Mötley Crüe, Skid Row or Pretty Boy Floyd are to be heard throughout the entire record, there’s hardly a song on From Dusk To Dawn that you could call dated. A fine collection of party anthems, rebellious songs and heartbreak reminiscences, all spiced up with a dose of nifty guitar shredding against catchy, well-crafted choruses – the sophomore effort of the Aussie Rock industry’s child prodigies certainly is worth your attention. Recommended.
Genre: Hard Rock, Melodic Hard Rock, Sleaze Rock
Band:
Rocky Ravic – Guitar, vocals
Izzy Angel – Guitar
Ozzy Koshi – Bass
Kei Bland – Drums
Track List:
1. Dusk ‘Till Dawn
2. Let It Out
3. Time To Let You Go
4. Wild And Free
5. Fight For You
6. Promised Land
7. Die Another Day
8. The One And Only
9. Looking Back
10. Living On The Road
11. Falling From Grace
12. I’m A Rocker
13. Run To Paradise
Label: Metalapolis Records
Website: www.mysteryrocks.net – www.facebook.com/mysteryrocks
Hardrock Haven rating: 8/10
