{"id":47563,"date":"2014-12-24T08:30:26","date_gmt":"2014-12-24T13:30:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/?p=47563"},"modified":"2014-12-24T08:30:26","modified_gmt":"2014-12-24T13:30:26","slug":"wicked-side-cd-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/2014\/wicked-side-cd-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Wicked Side | Wicked Side<\/em>"},"content":{"rendered":"

by Alexandra Mrozowska<\/span>
\n– Senior Columnist —<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"WickedSide-WickedSide\"They\u2019re young, loud and proud, their 2011 EP Welcome To The Wicked Side<\/em> gained some rave reviews from all around the world, and now they strike with what is their self-titled debut album. A four-piece heavy metal band from Poland, Wicked Side claim to have been inspired by the likes of Iron Maiden, Iced Earth, Metallica or the Russian \u0410\u0440\u0438\u044f. While there is no doubt about their music being largely influenced by the whole legion of their heavy and thrash metal ancestors, the Bialystok-based band are no copycats and on their way to define their own \u201cwicked\u201d sound, Wicked Side being a clear proof of this fact.<\/p>\n

\u201cWelcome to the wicked side, it\u2019s nice to see you here\u2026\u201d<\/em> That\u2019s how the opening track on the album \u201cSomething Wicked\u201d starts, with some fast metal riffs in the background. The first few seconds into the track, it\u2019s getting absolutely clear what Wicked Side is all about \u2013 the traditional flavor of guitar-laden, rough metal sound, no sugar and no radio-friendliness allowed. \u201cHeavy Metal\u201d draws quite much from the raw NWOBHM-esque tradition, whereas its follow-up \u201cTaste The Blood\u201d, embroidered with a nifty riff juxtaposed with pulsating, manic work of the rhythm section, blurs the boundaries between the classic heavy and speed metal sound. With its frequent changes of pace and a sinister, atmospheric vibe to it, \u201cAlone In The Dark\u201d balances between the heaviness of lead guitar work and slightly Accept-esque, choir-laden choruses. <\/p>\n

The monumental but melodic piece \u201cGothic Dreams\u201d somewhat abandons the raw, rough sound aesthetics in favor of some classic power metal flavors, followed by fast pace and guitar wizardry of \u201cLeader Of The Blind\u201d. In spite of its relatively mellow beginning, \u201cThe Mirror\u201d doesn\u2019t have much in common with the typical ballad-ish convention, developing into a meaty metal piece with its thrash-infused, muscular licks and Wicked Side\u2019s lead singer Przemyslaw Przytulo doing what is perhaps his best James Hetfield impersonation. The next handful of tracks \u2013 \u201cTo The Horizon,\u201d \u201cDo Or Die\u201d and the titled one \u2013 are no slowdown too, fine compromises between the fast pace and the prowess of the instrumental section. And as you have probably guessed, with the very last song on the album it\u2019s time to say hello to your inner \u201870s disco freak \u2013 \u201cHot Stuff\u201d is a feisty metal rendition of Donna Summer\u2019s 1979 hit single and, surprisingly, also a very convincing one.<\/p>\n

There is no doubt about the certain descriptive potential the cover artwork of Wicked Side as the clenched fist perfectly captures what the band\u2019s music is all about \u2013 a dose of straightforward, punchy metal riffs, aggressive vocals and rough, raw melodies that draw what\u2019s best from the genre\u2019s aesthetics. Wicked Side may be a young band, but it seems these studious disciples of Iron Maiden, Judas Priest and the rest of the metal Pantheon have done their homework pretty well. With their old school approach to music combined with youthful energy, they make an act every denim-and-leather-clad headbanger should keep on their radar. Promising and thus much recommended. <\/p>\n

Genre: Heavy Metal<\/p>\n

Band:
\nPrzemyslaw Przytulo- bass\/vocals
\nBernard Komarnicki \u2013 guitars
\nMichal Mursztyn \u2013 guitars
\nBartosz Mlynarski \u2013 drums <\/p>\n

Track List:
\n1. Something Wicked
\n2. Heavy Metal
\n3. Taste the Blood
\n4. Alone in the Dark
\n5. Gothic Dreams
\n6. Leader of the Blind
\n7. The Mirror
\n8. To the Horizon
\n9. Do or Die
\n10. Wicked Side
\n11. Hot Stuff (Donna Summer cover) <\/p>\n

Label: Independent<\/p>\n

Website: http:\/\/www.wickedside.org\/<\/a> – https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/wickedside\/<\/a><\/p>\n

Hardrock Haven rating: 7\/10<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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