Personally, I never really got the intro business. Find them rather a pointless waste of time. This one is no different. But after that…OMG! This album, Licence 2 Rock, literally explodes with an eruption of infectious riffy melodic rock on lead track “Don’t Touch the Light”. Instantly toes were tapping and head began to nod. By the time we reached the chorus, I was up off my ass, fist thrust high. And this was on the bus at around 6am heading to work! Fucking awesome track!
According to the included PR info sheet, Licence hail from Ludwigsburg Germany. The brainchild of local guitar hero Steam Thiess, Licence features his daughter Jacky as the vocalist. Forming in 2014, bassist Pappe and drummer Sammy Sin round out the quartet. After playing shows and festivals with the likes of Praying Mantis, Saxon, The Poodles and more we now are presented with the debut album. Mixed and mastered by Achim Köhler, known for his work with Primal Fear, Brainstorm and many others, Licence 2 Rock drops on October 27th.
LICENCE – Licence 2 Rock
Right away this got its hooks into me, only digging them deeper and deeper as it played on! Every track shines…this is the kind of rock that makes you stand up and shout. Yes, even on the bus at 6am! The first track, “Don’t Touch the Light”, comes complete with an advance release video. Check that out below and if you like it go but this now!
Obviously 80s influenced but not sounding cliched at all, each composition feels fresh like a breath of cool air. The guitar solos are right where they need to be and all tastefully fit the songs. Not overly long nor over the top. The production mix is clear, the drum beats thick and bass lines prominent. Vocally, Jacky spits venom on every track. Easily plausible that she’s been up all night before recording, drinking whiskey and devouring packs of smokes by the truckload. Must be a misprint in the credits, Jacky Coke or Jack and coke?
Some total standouts for me are “Don’t Touch the Light” with it’s infectious and melodic, yet heavy riffs. The whiskey-soaked vocals are really forefront on “Watching” and also “Believer”. “Metal Train” could easily be a long lost Accept penned composition. The low-end grind of “Tell Me” and the gang vocal in “Turn on the Radio”. It all adds up to melodic metal at its finest.
The PR also claims “You can’t buy the licence to rock, you need to own it. Licence does!!!” And yes they do own it!
Cheers,
The Meister
Meister on Facebook / Meister on Twitter / Meister’s Email
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7dLPi_2BVo[/embedyt]
1 thought on “LICENCE – Licence 2 Rock (Album Review)”
Awesome album. I agree with your comments about the intro, and find track 2 my favorinte.
Comments are closed.