STILL LIVING – Humanity (2015-2016)
This one just arrived to our desk and what a nice surprise it is: “Humanity“, the new album by Brazilian Melodic Hard Rockers STILL LIVING.
Founded twelve years ago, the guys in Still Living are obviously in love with classic ’80s FM Rock / AOR sounds, and they have learned that musical lesson pretty well!
Still Living released their debut in 2012 by themselves, self-produced and recorded in their hometown, with the initial batch of physical CD’s exhausted soon. They even were asked by a Japanese record store to send several copies, all sold out as well. Now Still Living is planning a reissue, but let’s talk about their fresh album “Humanity”.
As said, Still Living’s music is based in Eighties Melodic Rock, with a strong AOR foundation and occasionally adding a Hard Rock touch.
‘Flying High’ opens the album in a solid form, somehow reminding me White Widdow’s formula of sweet guitar riffs and contagious keyboards, melodic verses and a catchy chorus. Renato Costa owns a tenor rocking voice proper for this kind of rock – a bit accented but it provides an exotic charm, while the rest of the guys are solid musicians.
Starting with classic synths in a Styx / Journey vein, second cut “Signs” is much more AOR, then “Murder Of Crows” shows Still Living’s American Melodic Rock influx, a midtempo track yet meaty, powerful.
Semi-ballad ‘You Remain Alive’ adds some Toto waves, while I found the main guitar riff and keyboards atmospheres of ‘Humanufactured’ quite similar to Kevin Chalfant’s Two Fires.
Still Living harden its sound with “Stolen Prayer” and “Rock And Roll Thunder” (some Watchmen / Whitesnake on it), but their motto is Melodic Rock, as heard in the excellent “Shelter” (akin Danger Danger) and the pumping ‘Way Back Home’, the latter mixed with a strong AOR feel.
The pure ballad arrives with the ethereal ‘Eyes’, very well arranged and performed, then we have as bonus two tracks recorded & released as singles in between albums; the moody AOR of ‘Hollow Man’ (nice solo), and the acoustically filled and extremely melodic ‘Surrender’.
I love when bands like Still Living just spring up out of nowhere, take me by surprise and deliver a great slice of indie AOR.
Of course we are talking about a self-produced record, and while there’s some mix / mastering flaws here and there, the band feels tight and their songs are really good. With a proper budget & producer, we’re in front of a truly promising band with international projection.
Specialized labels take notice!
You’ve seen it first here, at 0dayrox
01 – Flying High
02 – Signs
03 – Murder Of Crows
04 – You Remain Alive
05 – Humanufactured
06 – Stolen Prayer
07 – Shelter
08 – Eyes
09 – Way Back Home
10 – Rock And Roll Thunder
11 – Hollow Man [Bonus Track]
12 – Surrender [Bonus Track]
Renato Costa – Vocals
Eduardo Holanda – Guitars
Thiago Nascimento – Keyboards
Leandro Andrade – Bass
Cleber Melo – Drums
BUY IT !
www.imperative-music.com/store/still-living-humanity-order-now/
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