BADHOVEN – Obsession (2013)
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Melodic Hard Rock band BADHOVEN born in the nineties in Graz, Austria, releasing a couple of albums locally under a different name. By 2000, they changed to the present moniker debuting with ‘Behind the Masquerade’ the following year.
This CD become a much sought after piece amongst fans of the genre, as was published by a small German label. Indeed, it is one of those ‘hard to find’ little gems.
Badhoven managed to release a good second disc and a DVD during the past decade, and now are returning to the scene with another solid recording: “Obsession”.
Badhoven plays quality Melodic Hard Rock inspired by the eighties / early nineties sound with heaps of melody and professional musicianship. Composition wise, they are truly impressive and varied, showing a high level of consistency and injecting many different aspects to their songs.
In the harder tracks Badhoven’s style recall their German neighbours, while in the more melodic songs we can hear some hints from British acts.
All the material included in “Obsession” has its own appeal and is really catchy. Perhaps the only weak moment here is “Fight For Our Rights”, a linear rocker with poor lyrics.
But songs like the bouncy melodic hard rocker title track “Obsession”, “I Will Be There”, the crunchy “Legends Of Rock”, the bluesy “Time Doesn’t Matter” or the British-inspired “All Or Nothing” are strong, vital, showing Badhoven as capable of writing and perform some genuine punchy rockers with style.
They have a true Melodic Rock heart as well, as heard on the keyboard injected “Rock You Hard”, the pulsating midtempo “More Than A Lifetime” (a highlight) and on the beautiful “When I Found You”, filled with lovable keyboards and nice harmony vocals. All of these sport great choruses, sometimes very close to Canadian AOR.
The semi ballad “My Brother’s Red Guitar” is another high point in this recording with some nineties Gotthard & Scorpions feel, and the proper balladesque of “She Is So Beautiful” adorned with acoustics, although a bit cheesy, is delicious.
Badhoven is one of those ‘hidden wonders’, in this case, behind the Austrian Alps.
“Obsession” is another really fine release by these unknown quality Melodic Hard Rockers plenty of catchy melodies and solid riffs.
Kurt Greilberger owns a very clear and melodious vocal register and also blends the six strings with class, while his bandmates work is second to none. Production is truly classic-sounding, crisp and earthy, skillfully mixed as well.
Probably most of you never heard about Badhoven… let me tell you these guys are really impressive in their game: traditional Melodic Hard Rock with class.
Highly Recommended.
01 – Obsession
02 – Fight For Our Rights
03 – Rock You Hard
04 – I Will Be There
05 – More Than A Lifetime
06 – Legends Of Rock
07 – My Brother’s Red Guitar
08 – She Is So Beautiful
09 – When I Found You
10 – Time Doesn’t Matter
11 – All Or Nothing
Kurt C Greilberger – lead vocals, guitars
Gerhard Paar – keyboards, vocals
Erwin Lichtenegger – bass, vocals
Gerd Sojka – drums, vocals
BUY IT !
www.ats-records.de/contents/en-us/p342.html
