Is Sweden the centre of the Melodic Rock World?
Released by Frontiers Records on 21 April 21 2017 and reviewed by Stephen Brophy
It’s hard to get away from the fact that there are so many great melodic rock bands coming out of Sweden in recent years, but there are a few bands that I have always thought were a bit underrated and one of these is Crazy Lixx. Tthey have always made good quality albums, and live they never fail to deliver, and this new album is another step forward. In fact Ruff Justice may well be their finest work to date.
Danny Rexon and collaborator Joél Cirera have always driven this band upwards. There have been some lineup changes along the way but that’s never affected what they try to achieve as a band or in the base sound. They are still sleazy, still hard rocking, and Danny’s vocals are always up there. With a solid lineup assembled now including Jens Sjöholm (Bass), Jens Lundgren (Guitar) and Chrisse Olsson (Guitar), they have a very formidable band.
From the first listen ‘XII’ pulled on me in straight away. One of those tracks that you feel like you’ve known for years, it’s bloody good. It’s got a bit of an 80s vibe running through it, but certainly doesn’t sound dated. With a solid riff running right down the middle of it, it’s just one of those tracks that you want to hear a full room singing at the top of their voice. Other highlights here include the opener ‘Wild Child’, the powerful ‘Snakes In Paradise’ and another rocker ‘Live Before I Die’.
There are no weak tracks on this one at all and everything sounds great in the mix: screaming guitars, rock solid riffs, powerful drums as always from Joél. it’s a top piece of work, the guys seem to be working very well together and enjoying it. There’s a nice balance here too, not overloaded with out-and-out rockers or slower ballads. ‘Walk The Wire’ is one of the slower tracks but it’s another well written song and fits right in. One tracks flows nicely into the next and the overall experience is better for it.
With a very good and very full sound that fits in very well with the fist pumping style of a lot of the songs, I’m really looking forward to hearing these new songs live as they should fit well in to their set. Crazy Lixx aren’t living in the past but with Ruff Justice they have managed to create something that sounds like a new album straight out of the 80s. Don’t pass this one by it’s definitely worth checking out.
9 out of 10
Track list:
- Wild Child
- XIII
- Walk The Wire
- Shot With A Needle Of Love
- Killer
- Hunter Of The Heart
- Snakes In Paradise
- If It’s Love
- Kiss Of Judas
- Live Before I Die
Felicitaciones muchachos.
Si lo que querían era reinventar al buen Hard Rock y sorprender a veteranos como yo , que he vivido a full la época de oro , aya por los años 90’s , lo han logrado.
Alta calidad y muy buena onda.
Enorme abrazo a todos , desde acá, un rincón de Argentina , Esta re esperando que algún día se presenten dando un show para poder arrimarse a verlos en vivo y sentir el furor del Ruaacckkk en mis venas. \m/
Comments are closed.