H.A.R.D. - review added 19th March 2009
Album Review: Traveler (2008)
For fans of: hard rock... and band members with names you probably can't pronounce
H.A.R.D. is a thunderously rocking band from Hungary. The group, Zoltan 'BZ' Batky-Valentin (lead and backing vocals), Zsolt Csillik (guitars), Gabor Mirkovics (bass), Tibor Donaszy (drums) and Gabor Gyongyosi (keyboards), is made up of members of Hungarian originals and covers bands. Also featured on this particular release are Ferenc Beres (keyboards), Zoltan Vary (drums) and Zsolt Janovszki (backing vocals).
The sound is brimmed with melody, but frequently kicks like a mule. There's a lot of spectacular guitar work throughout the album, but it doesn't necessarily dominate the sound. Traveler is well balanced, and everyone gets to show off their respective skills.
Zoltan's vocals do occasionally teeter on the edge of out-of-tune-ness, but it doesn't generally notice too much. He actually sounds pretty similar to former Annihilator front man Aaron Randall, although nowhere near as bad. Zoltan puts a lot of passion into his singing, and the H.A.R.D. harmonizing is strong, which all helps.
'Rock Is My Name' is a pounding track with booming drums and a great sing along chorus. There's a fantastic hammond-style organ in the background that gives the song a retro veneer. 'Stay' has an even finer chorus - possibly the best on the album. The song itself isn't necessarily the greatest but... oh, that chorus!
'Voices' is an interesting homage to the great singers of of 70's and 80's hard rock. In sound it's pretty similar to 'Give Me All Your Love' from Whitesnake's 1987 album, but as 'Mr Coverdale' gets a mention, you can hardly moan. 'Dreamworld' is a lovely song. Caught halfway between a ballad and a mid-tempo rocker, it's just the right speed and heaviness to prevent soppiness-induced vomit. It'll still get your feet and fingers tapping though.
Traveler is a good album with plenty going for it. It isn't the greatest release ever, but as a way to introduce this Hungarian band to the world, it ain't half bad. Apparently they are already working on a follow-up. It'll be interesting to see what they produce!
Check out... The chorus on 'Stay'.
Track List:
1. Forever Hard
2. Rock Is My Name
3. Stay
4. Troublemaker
5. Traveler
6. Voices
7. Two Hearts
8. Dreamworld
9. Live For Tomorrow
10. Call Of The Wild
11. Light The Flame
12. Time To Change
Label: Hammer Records
Artist's websites: MySpace
