Hysterica Metal War
by Alissa Ordabai
Staff Writer
A theatre metal artefact as unashamedly retro as it is predictable, the debut album from a Swedish quintet of metal Boudicas is a curious throwback to that brief moment in mid-80s when swords, dragons and demons suddenly became a legitimate lyrical matter for an earnest band to engage in. Despite the wacky buffoonery of the booklet shots and comedy lyrics that go “The earth is crushed by her feet / The wind increase (sic) by her heat / A venus digging your grave / You’ll be forever her slave” the album does deliver a thing or two on the musical front: there are hooks that grab you and don’t let go, some convincing power metal sprawlers for melodies, and tightly wrought guitar solos underpinned by strident old-school thrash riffing.
Singer Anni De Vil’s voice is self-assuredly gaudy, and what she lacks in versatility she makes up for with enthusiasm, excessive theatricality and sheer stamina for repetition of grating vocal stunts. The guitar leads, by contrast, show a wider range and more imagination despite somewhat lacking in confidence and that special pro-grade automatism that separates adepts from aspirants. Instead we hear self-conscious awareness of one’s instrument glaring through earnest chops, but nothing that practice and experience can’t cure.
If it’s musical excellence and their own distinctive voice that Hysterica are after, then their mediaeval-style funfair shtick is clearly missing the target, but if their aim is a stylistic statement, no matter how anachronistic, they are nearly hitting the jackpot with this debut. Lines like “If you are seeking after gold, take your guitar and play it loud” will, however, convince anyone undecided that it’s the latter.
Label: Crong Records Sweden
Track Listing:
1. We are the Undertakers
2. Halloween
3. Bless the Beast
4. Girls Made of Heavy Metal
5. Louder
6. Metalwar
7. Wreck of Society
8. The Bitch is Back
9. Devil in Me
10. Heavy Metal Man
11. Pain in the Ass
Hardrock Haven listing: 6/10