I for sure love AUDREY HORNE’s last effort, the 2010 released self-titled album but there I missed a bit the kick, the special “let’s rock” effect its predecessor Le Fol so amazingly celebrated. Now on Youngblood Norwegian powerhouse AUDREY HORNE makes up for that, truly from the first up to the last second, with straight-in-your-face Hard Rock. Of course with their already so special sound and play.
For those who are used to AUDREY HORNE, opening track Redemption Blues offers somewhat of a familiar, but already fast and furious entry. It is Straight Into Your Grave and most of all There Goes A Lady which brings out the best of AUDREY HORNE. Both are crunching old school Hard Rock tracks with a compelling drive, groove and high spirit attitude. There’s no second to stand still or to stop moving. Truly marvelous! Going on with the title-track, Cards With The Devil, The Open Sea and the stunningly epic closer The King Is Dead AUDREY HORNE’s special kind of melancholy blends in unobtrusive, linking back to Audrey Horne at times.
On Youngblood AUDREY HORNE ignite a firework of ideas, hooks and riffwork, dazzling guitar harmonies, spacy progressive sounds (Show And Tell und Cards With The Devil) and a rich amount of influences. Toschi’s singing and song refrains achieve a maximum of catchiness, while the band bows in respect to the heroes of 50s rock’n’roll up to the legends of the 70s such as Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Jethro Tull and Black Sabbath. An earthy and warm retro sound gets combined with an unbelievable delight in playing, enthusiasm and a racy pace. Youngblood downright sparkles with energy, overwhelming vitality and even still grows with every new listen.
If you ask me Youngblood is the album of the month and already a candidate for the top 5 in 2013. It seems the lads Torkjell Rød, Arve Isdal, Thomas Tofthagen, Espen Lien and Kjetil Greve have found their musical purpose.
There is just one thing I can't stand: the cover artwork. I’d say it is the ugliest one in years I have seen.
The first limited edition of Youngblood comes with 3 bonus tracks and a poster booklet. And I’m stoked to see the guys live on stage again ;)