by Matt Karpe
– Senior Columnist —
Through his turbulent yet successful years with British Metalcore hotshots Asking Alexandria, Danny Worsnop never kept it secret of his love for 80s’ classic rock.
On AA’s last studio album From Death To Destiny, there was more of a Hard Rock approach that intertwined with the brutal Melodic Metalcore, and so it didn’t come as a surprise when Worsnop announced he was forming a side-project called We Are Harlot- a Rock n’ Roll band that was his chance to create the kind of music that influenced him. What did come as a surprise was, when at the start of the year, Danny decided to leave Asking Alexandria to make Harlot a full-time gig.
A couple of months later and the debut album is here and it’s fair to say it was a good move to focus on his new band, because We Are Harlot is nothing short of sensational.
With ex-Sebastian Bach guitarist Jeff George, Silvertide bassist Brian Weaver and Bruno Agra (Revolution Renaissance) on drums, this Anglo-American quartet have produced a modern re-creation of 80s’ Rock n’ Roll full of stadium sized tunes that are fun, highly addictive and hugely anthemic.
The influences of Aerosmith, Def Leppard and Sunset Strip glam rock shines through on an album that at only thirty-eight minutes in length, doesn’t waste a single second in bringing rock back to the forefront.
“Dancing On Nails” and “Dirty Little Thing” are full of tasty guitar hooks and raucous drum work and from the off, Worsnop’s raw and rasping voice is clearly suited for his new chosen direction.
Occasionally his trademark visceral howling returns in sporadic moments like on the already popular “Denial” and “One More Night”. The pop rock of “The One” is enjoyable and “Someday” is a delicate ballad that shows Worsnop laid bare. With impassioned vocals and sensitive lyrics, this is stripped down and as good as any ballad that came out in the 80s’.
The guitar work in general is full of sexy swagger, at times bringing Velvet Revolver to mind (“Never Turn Back”). Agra’s drumming is skilfully diverse, whether it be hard and thrashing or slower paced and deliberate and Brian Weaver’s bass work forms an effective backdrop throughout.
We Are Harlot is a near perfect Rock n’ Roll album and even the generic “Sex, Drugs & Rock n’ Roll” themes cannot detract from the devilish psalms that, along with a polished production, sound absolutely huge.
Danny Worsnop excels as a proper Rock vocalist and if there were any doubts out there that he made a sideways move when quitting Asking Alexandria, they have been blown right out of the water.
After this, there could be a resurgence in 80’s influenced Rock, because We Are Harlot have brought it back to relevance in the form of an astonishing debut record that will end up being one of the best of 2015.
Genre: Rock, Hard Rock
Band:
Danny Worsnop- Vocals
Jeff George- Guitar
Brian Weaver- Bass
Bruno Agra- Drums
Track Listing:
1. Dancing On Nails
2. Dirty Little Thing
3. Someday
4. Denial
5. Easier To Leave
6. One More Night
7. Never Turn Back
8. The One
9. Love For The Night
10. Flying Too Close To the Sun
11. I Tried
Record Label: Roadrunner Records, Atlantic Records
Website: www.weareharlot.com
Hardrock Haven Rating: 9.5/10
