Märvel : Warhawks of War
by Trevor Portz
Staff Writer
Few can debate that since about the mid nineties, Scandinavians have been churning out American-style rock and roll better than most Americans. Sewergrooves, Gluecifer, The Hives, The Hellacopters—the list goes on and on. Attempting to carve their niche in the Scand-American rock market, Sweden’s Märvel have just released their third long-player, the hilariously named Warhawks of War. A decent piece of old school rock, whether or not it proves the continued dominance of outsourced American rock is debatable.
Certainly taking inspiration from all of the aforementioned bands, Märvel play good, old-fashioned, ‘70s styled hard rock. Great solos, catchy choruses, and funny lyrical concepts more or less define Warhawks…. The only major drawback is that while the band is talented and has delivered a solid album, their work is almost too derivative of those they’ve followed. In fact, their sound is so close to High Fidelity-era onwards Hellacopters that many of the tracks feel like outtakes and leftovers from Nick Royale’s writing sessions. Sure, that could be looked at as a compliment considering Royale’s penchant for quality song writing, but without their own unique twist, the band is ultimately doomed to be forgotten.
Funnily enough, two one-time ‘Copters even make appearances: Dregen (better known as guitarist of Backyard Babies) and Strings, also of Dundertaget/Thunder Express. Perhaps their presence could be blamed for the clone sound, but considering neither was driving force in the later career of the band from which Marvel borrowed their sound, it seems unlikely. For the record, even the back cover art is almost a direct clone of the back of By the Grace of God. Really?
Instead of sounding like a replacement for the retired ‘Copters (Imperial State Electric and Dundertaget have filled that role), Warhawks of War feels like a slightly less appealing cousin. It would seem that all of the parts are present, but they just don’t work together in quite the same way. Anyone can mix the ingredients together to make a donut, but that doesn’t mean it’ll taste like a Krispy Kreme.
It would unfair to call Warhawks a bad album, and in fact, it is reasonably good. Perhaps to a listener unfamiliar with the Scandinavian invasion it would seem quite exciting. For those who have been following the scene though, it may feel a bit too derivative and lacking individuality. In order to sustain any success they are having, it would well worth the members of Märvel’s time to try to diversify and carve their own niche in an already saturated market.
Genre: Rock and Roll
Band:
Ulrik Bodstedt (b)
Tony Samuelsson (d)
John Steen (g,v)
Track Listing:
1. Hello!
2. Bank of Lights
3. T.N.H.
4. Whispering Eye
5. A Hobby That Got Out Of Hand
6. The Effort
7. Beaten Path
8. Blood Harmony
9. Killer Porn Dungeon
10. Good Times
11. Tiger By The Tail
12. Preaching To The Choir
Label: Sound Pollution/Killer Cobra
Website: www.marveltheband.com
Hardrock Haven rating: 6.1/10