by Alexandra Mrozowska
– Senior Columnist —
There’s hardly a subgenre of Rock that’s so easy to digest as Melodic Hard Rock/AOR – neat and catchy, relatively plain, with charming melodies and a certain degree of radio-friendliness that doesn’t require a trained ear to appreciate. Although it’s particularly susceptible to dismissal as cheesy and repetitive, somehow it always crawls back into favor of listeners as – apparently – we’re never tired of heart pummeling power ballads and hooky, upbeat Rock anthems. The Greek act Reload seems to know it well, having the best of both on their debut album Hotter Than A Bullet that’s been released via ROAR! Rock Of Angels Records.
Preceded with an elaborate instrumental intro, “Give Into The Night” is an apt introduction to Reload as it encapsulates all elements vital to the band’s Melodic Hard Rock sound. And there’s hardly a tint of variety to the rest of the songs on their debut – each firmly embedded in similar music aesthetics, embroidered with slick twin guitar work and thumping rhythm section against clean mid-range vocals. But this kind of stylistic homogeneity is more of an asset than a reproach anyway, as the Greek quintet follow the “all killer, no filler” principle with surprising diligence throughout the entire album.
The sound of “Superhero” is lush and melodic, its choruses infectious to the utmost. Guitar-laden “Comeback” has the early Bon Jovi-esque vibe to it, especially lyric-wise – even unintentional perhaps – followed by polished AOR mid-tempo “Longin’ For Your Love.” A riff that drives “Candle In The Night” is relatively sharp and groovy, somewhat contrasted with thick, melodic vocal harmonies of “Alone.” Next is “Higher” that has a slightly heavier, more feisty vibe to it – especially the twin guitar assault that culminate in the blistering solo part.
“Prince Of Steel” is the sole ballad on Hotter Than A Bullet – a smart move, one might have said, considering the band’s potential towards the finest breed of uptempo melodic rockers. But as it turns out first dozen of seconds into the song, Reload are a force to be reckoned with also in the ballad-esque sphere. Deprived of its electrically amplified power, the band sounds even more genuine in its new found delicacy as the slightly folk-ish acoustic guitar blends with mellow, melancholy-laden vocals, both only to soar gradually in the best power ballad tradition. This heartrending, intense piece builds up to the weeping solo only to fade out in the lead singer Kostas Tokas’s piercing, agonizing screams. Next-to-last on the album, “Survive” is the thundering drum line and pumping bass underneath the layers of gritty guitar sound, preceding a solid dose of guitar-laden feistiness juxtaposed with the powerful choruses in “Fight.”
If we talk about Melodic Hard Rock sound that’s ‘80s-tinted but enhanced by contemporary production, Reload’s Hotter Than A Bullet is an album to tick all the right boxes for fans of the genre. For those particularly fond of comparisons, let there be said the closest association is probably the Greek/American sensation Outloud – the certain degree of similarity between the two having its source either in shared music inspirations or Bob Katsionis’ influence as a producer. However, fans of post-‘80s Melodic Rock acts such as H.E.A.T, Crystal Blue or Brother Firetribe should keep the Greeks on their radar too. Highly recommended.
Genre: Melodic Hard Rock, AOR
Band:
Kostas Tokas (lead vocals)
Teo Ross (guitars)
Tasos Lazaridis (guitars)
Marianiki Toka (drums, backing vocals)
Elias Papadopoulos (bass)
Track List:
1.Give Into The Night
2. Superhero
3. Comeback
4. Longin’ For Your Love
5. Candle In The Night
6. Alone
7. Higher
8. Prince Of Steel
9. Survive
10. Fight
Label: ROAR! Rock Of Angels Records
Website: https://www.facebook.com/ReloadGr
Hardrock Haven rating: 8/10
