AUDREY HORNE - Pure Heavy

October 24, 2014, 9 years ago

Napalm Records

Mark Gromen

Rating: 7.5

review audrey horne hard rock

AUDREY HORNE - Pure Heavy

Hard to believe that veterans of the Norwegian black metal scene can turn out such melodic, 70s inspired hard rock. This isn't the first time I've gushed over Audrey Horne (named for the Twin Peaks character) either. While countrymen Chrome Division sport a more notorious line-up (and more of a bad ass/biker vibe), this quintet inhabit similar riff/rock territory, albeit a bit more refined (dare I say progressive?) bent this time around. Clean vocalizations and almost pop sensibilities abound. Ice Dale's guitar rips through “Out Of The City” an otherwise bubblegum rocker circa '74. A grittier tone is adopted for the Aerosmith inspired “Volcano Girl”. Cue hints of West Coast influences: Van Halen and Y&T.; Speaking of VH, “Tales Of From The Crypt” even references “Gonna paint it up, in bright colors, like David Lee back in '83...like Mr. Sixx in '86” (cue popping beer can pull-tab). The short acoustic intermezzo “Diamond” leads into a rollicking “Into The Wild” owing much of its guitar trickery to Eddie Van Halen. A little cowbell, come the chorus, never hurt either. “High And Dry” (not the Def Leppard track, has a punky urgency about it. “Waiting For The Night” and the concluding “Boy Wonder” are another pair of lively tunes. Not sure why they saved the stronger/similarly minded “rockers” for the tail end of the eleven inclusions. The former, in particular, reminds me of American traditional metallers Widow. Enjoyable diversion!



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