HARDCORE CIRCUS - review added 22nd November 2010
Album Review: Wake Up Call (2010)
For fans of: Hard Rock... and fine debuts
Hardcore Circus - Jorgen "Jojje" Bolmstad (Surround) on vocals and guitars, Joakim Bloohm (Randy Piper's Animal) on drums, Nalley Pahlsson (Treat, Therion, Last Autumn's Dream, Vindictiv) on bass, C.J. Grimmark (Full Force, Narnia, Rob Rock) on lead guitar, and Mats Levén (Yngwie J Malmsteen, Therion, Treat, Swedish Erotica) adding backing vocals - started out as a project in 2009. "Wake Up Call" is, unsurprisingly, the band's debut release...and very good it is too.
The album was recorded, mixed and produced by J.Bloohm and J.Bolmstad at both Yokel Studio and Topz Recording Studio. The mastering was performed by Classe Persson.
The sound is boisterous and often very hard rocking. The guys used Motley Crue as a yardstick when they were developing their style, and this is definitely on a par in terms of heaviness if not quite in the same league when it comes to sheer velocity or indecent attitude.
Good:
The performances are energetic and fun across the board. Jorgen "Jojje" Bolmstad's voice is a characterful entity, taking a few parts Jon Bon Jovi, a nod to Tommy Heart of Fair Warning, then putting some other inflections in for good measure. He gives the album a bright spunky vibe, a feeling backed up by the excellent guitar playing, solid rhythm section and cool backing voices.
The production is clear and punchy... although it's mostly good because you don't notice any problems anywhere, not because there is anything exceptional with the sound.
Not So Good:
I doubt the album is going to produce any all-time classic tracks. The vibe behind the release is hardly original either. Still, they are small moans.
The Songs:
As mentioned above, this is a fun album. The performances turn a bunch of arguably average songs into something bordering on...although not 'quite' reaching...magnificence. Best moments include the groovy 'Queen Of Dirt', the rather rude but deeply catchy-chorused 'Life', the pumping title track, the almost-epic 'Pain', the Skid Row-esque 'Tattooed Junkie', and the massive final track - which has a hint of Michael Bormann about it - 'Miracle'.
In Summation:
This is a really enjoyable release. I'm not sure of its long term appeal, but in the short term Hardcore Circus have created an LP that's easy to refer to as a blast...and that's more than you can say about most releases.
Entertainment/Enjoyment:
Musicianship:
Vocals:
Song Writing:
Production:
Overall:
Check out... All of it.
Track List:
01. She Goes Down
02. Queen Of Dirt
03. Under My Skin
04. Who I Am
05. Life
06. Hardcore Circus
07. Wake Up Call
08. Pain
09. Tattooed Junkie
10. Miracle
Label: Silverside Records
Artist's website(s): Hardcore Circus | MySpace | Facebook
