Violent Divine - Relese the Hounds

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\r\n    \r\nOriginating from Sweden, they bear a particular, heavy load: the burden\r\nof being part of the likely most durable/productive stage world over.\r\nTherefore, Violent Divine cannot be approached mildly.\r\n

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\r\n    \r\nTheir self-definition is apt: VD’s compositions are primarily based on\r\nthe following, three -pole shape: (hard) rock, goth & punk. The last two\r\nmusical elements essentially extend the first. The album’s hard rock character\r\nis highly detectable among all, without exceptions, compositions. The gothic\r\nelement appears in its common form of “dark melancholy”, aided, in any case, by\r\nthe lyrical concept (e.g. “sweet blood”). The album’s  “punk” extension is rather more intense\r\nmusically than the goth one (though regarding the band’s image, the opposite\r\napplies); “until death” ‘s intro, corroborates this syllogism with its\r\ncharacteristic bass lines, and the purely punk vocals, in places.\r\n

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\r\n     Regarding\r\nthe band’s technical dimension, VD are impecunious, building their music around\r\nmelody. Specifically, “Q” has opted for a heavy – considering the genre’s tone  - guitar tone. Mediocre riffing and soloing,\r\nwhich brings to mind Velvet Revolver riffs at times ( “eternity” ’s intro, “get\r\nit all out”). Mike’s vocals exude a ‘80s rock attitude, justifying these very\r\npunk alternatives.\r\n

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\r\n     Klaus,\r\nVD’s bassist seems rather uninspired, regularly following the guitar melodies; the bass lines are actually disclosed only when gaining full autonomy,\r\nand that’s to happen once all the rest of the instruments pause or at “drum n\r\nbass” sections (e.g. “eternity”). In general terms, the album’s production is clean.\r\nHowever, there are parts when one gets the feeling of the vocals not being\r\n“one” with the instruments ( at least, this is an impression I accessed while\r\nlistening to “welcome to the divine” ‘s vocal lines).\r\n

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\r\n     Their\r\nlyrics praise the notorious “drugs, sex & rock n’ roll” model. The band\r\nitself, commenting on the lyrics, states as follows: “The manic lyrics take you\r\non a rollercoaster ride between euphoria and insanity” (myspace profile).\r\nAlthough it sounds like a fascinating description indeed, this is far from\r\nreality. The lyrics are ingenious in any way ( “burn” ‘s refrain has more or\r\nless been sung thousands of times). Furthermore, the word “Divine” is used\r\nrepeatedly throughout the album; their “leit\r\nmotif” perhaps , giving though the impression it derives from an inner egoism\r\n(due to their name) rather than actual lyrical economy. Finally, 14 songs are\r\nway too many considering the limited of inspiration. Additionally, the\r\nidentical, plus repetitive structure of the songs, (introduction, verse, chorus, verse, chorus,\r\nbridge and/or solo, and “enhanced” chorus) render the whole effort tiring and\r\npredictable.\r\n

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\r\n     In\r\nshort, VD present pleasant music alone. Any second readings only reveal\r\nwhatever the first may have.\r\n

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