ALBUM REVIEW: Silent Agreement - From the Amusement Park

SILENT AGREEMENT (Germany)
"From the Amusement Park"
(Independent)
Release date: February 16th 2020
Genre: Hard rock, stoner rock, grunge rock

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SILENT AGREEMENT are a foursome of musicians that since their live debut in 2018 have made quite an impact on their local hard rock scene in Germany. Their performances have given the band a reputation of being a very energetic live act, and after having achieved this highly valued merit the band entered the studio to record the EP that we're having a closer look at today.

Very little information was given to me about the band themselves, apart from links and production info, but we'll focus on the main feature itself; the music.

SILENT AGREEMENT's first addition to their discography is an EP that sounds like the band has found a lot of inspiration from their genre's 70's era. Albeit their expression is a dirty and unpolished one, "From the Amusement Park" has received a modern and powerful production treatment.

The three tracks on the band's first studio effort are loaded with riffs that often prove that less is more. For instance, the riff that is the basis of the opening track "Solid" is far from the most innovative of riffs, but serves in all its simplicity as a powerful momentum that gives the track a heavy, almost stoner-like drive. Simple, but effective.

"Dream World" and "Judas" are more upbeat than the opening track, and the introductory riff on the former is a treat you don't want to miss. The chorus is one that stays in the back of your head long after you played it, and the instrumental middle section is a curious little anti climax in a song like this. "Judas" has a bit of a funky approach that comes as a bit of a surprise, but nevertheless an interesting feature on a track that concludes the nearly twelve minutes of music on SILENT AGREEMENT's debut EP.

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Tracklist:
1. Solid*
2. Dream World*
3. Judas

*Added to the Subterranean Noise - 2020 playlist on Spotify.

Line up:
Roman Erken - vocals
Michael Enders - guitar
Lukas Krenzer - bass
Ben Mathe - drums

ALBUM REVIEW: Battering Ram - Battering Ram

BATTERING RAM (Sweden)
"Battering Ram"
(Independent)
Release date: January 24th 2020
Genre: Hard rock, modern heavy rock

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BATTERING RAM is a Swedish four piece constellation that wholeheartedly fulfill the promise that their band name makes. That being said, I am sure it's already apparent what we're having to do with here, but let's have a closer look anyway, shall we?

Formed in late 2017, the band consists of Johan, Jonas, Jocke and Tony, who have made it their collective mission to create rock music that makes you feel good. As the name clearly indicates their art is of the hard hitting kind, and the nine tracks that make up their self titled debut are all melodic and powerful hard rock anthems with a punch that makes a fist to the face feel like a goddamn cottonball.

BATTERING RAM at times sound like a hybrid of Mustasch, Anvil, Anthrax and Volbeat with a dash of Mötley Crue and Poison. In other words, it has all the ingredients that make you want to move. It's difficult to pick favorites, but "Taking My Time", the groovy "Stronger Forever" and "Chase the Fire" are just a few selections from this 41 minute bulldozer of a hard rock album.

"Battering Ram" is far from being a complex record, and very often that's exactly what the doctor ordered. The production on the album is fairly loud, but then again, that's the only way to play it!

Now, do yourself a favor and check out BATTERING RAM while I go and crack a beer.

★★★★★★★★★★

Tracklist:
1. Taking the Time*
2. The Sign
3. Stronger Forever
4. I Will Come Alone
5. Chase the Fire*
6. Scared For My Life
7. Coming My Way
8. Wanted Man
9. Cut In Two

*Added to the Subterranean Noise - 2020 playlist on Spotify.

LINE UP:
Johan Hallström - vocals
Jonas Edmark - guitar
Jocke Ståhl - bass
Tony Trust - drums

ALBUM REVIEW: Ditchwater - Never Say Never

DITCHWATER (USA)
"Never Say Never"
(Independent)
Release date: October 25th 2019
Genre: Modern heavy rock, modern heavy metal, melodic heavy metal
Links:
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From Chicago, Illinois comes a five piece band that has been active since it formed back in 1993. DITCHWATER has released six albums between 1996 and 2018, all of them having received a re-mastering treatment and re-released at various points in time during 2018 and 2019.

Lead guitarist Mark Anderson is the only member of the band who has appeared on all releases, and despite numerous line up changes he has made sure that DITCHWATER has kept consistent in their making of heavy, powerful, catchy and above all honest music.

In late October this year the band released their seventh studio effort. "Never Say Never" (a title suggested by vocalist Mike Meadows that seemed fitting as a motto for a band that has had its share of ups and downs) is a natural continuation on DITCHWATER's list of merits, both in terms of songwriting and production.

In essence a band with a somewhat aggressive approach, but always with its heart on the outside. The aggressive aspect is greatly enhanced by the thick and massive production, but the thing that DITCHWATER does to differ from a lot of other similar bands is that their aggression is positive and honest.



"Enemy of the People" is the opening track that immediately grabs the listener by the collar. Bouldering riffs, catchy hooks and a chorus that proves there is a fine, melodic side to the band as well. "My Last Breath" and "Against" My Better Emotional Reasons" are more downtempo than the opener, but provides the same energy.

That being said, DITCHWATER keeps the energy consistent throughout the whole album, with the exception of the heartfelt and open "All About You", which is the first track to feature clean guitars. "Hands Held Out" presents even an acoustic side of the band that I feel works very well, and concludes DITCHWATER's presentation of new, original material in a tasteful, yet rather unexpected manner.

"Never Say Never" ends the same way that it started 35 minutes earlier, with a furious blast. DITCHWATER's version of Motörhead's "Iron Fist" doesn't stray far from the original, but the best way a band can honor classics like this is to give it their own touch without losing the respect that the original deserves.

As mentioned earlier, "Never Say Never" is the latest release from a band that has kept going through 26 years of existence, and it showcases a great deal of emotions built up from the highs and lows throughtout their career. Power and aggression remain as relevant keywords to describe DITCHWATER's music in 2019, but good melodies, skillful songwriting and the band's positive energy makes "Never Say Never" a genuine and enjoyable experience.

★★★★★★★★★☆

Tracklist:
1. Enemy of the People
2. My Last Breath
3. Against My Better Emotional Reasons
4. The End
5. This Pain
6. The Way You Are
7. All About You
8. How Many Times
9. Hands Held Out
10. Iron Fist

LINE UP:
Mike Meadows - vocals
Mark Anderson - lead guitar
Kevin James - rhythm guitar
Mason Brown - bass
Mike Tignino - drums