STATEMENT – Force Of Life (2019)
Formed in 2011, five-piece rockers STATEMENT from Copenhagen are ready to release its third opus, “Force of Life”, tomorrow. The album was produced by Soren Andersen — a guy I have come to really respect, having worked with Glenn Hughes, Tygers of Pan Tang, and currently Mike Tramp – as well as a solid guitar player in his own right (Electric Guitars, Marco Mendoza, etc).
Sure enough, the album sounds huge, big, modern but with a timeless feeling.
Statement style is ’80s inspired hard rock, yet with a modern, heavy patina. Call me nuts if you want, but think Metallica’s Black Album riffs (absolutely commercial if you ask me) and Vega poppy choruses. And some Pretty Maids,
Oh yeah, and it works.
Opening track “The Hero Inside” has scathing guitars and is well written to keep the momentum throughout. “Darkness In Your Eyes” maintains the aggressive tone, and although this isn’t becoming a genuine hard rock album, it’s heavy enough to overcome some of the more melodic rock elements.
That said, “Higher Ground” would have been a hit on ’80s rock radio, with a straightforward melody and catchy poppy chorus.
From the first listen to “The Hurt”, my immediate thought was Black Sabbath, with a simple but effective guitar opening and a galloping tempo. Sure, that develops into something more radiable, but I like the blend.
Title track “Force of Life” is the most aggressive so far. Its up-tempo borderline sleaze intro morphs into a pretty good verse / chorus. Yet, at about the 2:40 mark, the whole song goes next-level by a heavy metal solo.
Statement has covered the pop classic “California Dreamin” (Mamas & Papas), and the result is a pretty good hard n’ heavy representation while staying true to the original. It actually gets quite ugly toward the end. I like it.
“Rock Your Heart Out” and “Feeling Scared” are modern sounding tracks using grinding vocals and double bass for maximum effect. The mix is heavy and well done.
After those percussive, pounding pairings, closing the album is “In This Moment”, the requisite ballad-ish song with a melodic rock heart and nice, cool melodies.
I was not completely convinced by Statement’s previous album, but now thing have changed for good.
“Force Of Life” is more focused on what the band does best: modern heavy riffs and poppy choruses. The combined elements of aggressive intros and softer choruses work for this band, and add to that great musicianship and a punchy / pristine production.
Highly Recommended
01. The Hero Inside
02. Darkness In Your Eyes
03. Higher Ground
04. I Wonder Why
05. The Hurt
06. Force Of Life
07. California Dreaming
08. Rock Your Heart Out
09. Feeling Scared
10. In This Moment
Jannick Brochdorff – Vocals
Daniel Nielsen – Drums
Martin Poulsen – Bass
Lars LeFevre – Guitars
Niels Alex – Guitars
Pre Order:
www.nuclearblast.de/en/products/tontraeger/cd/cd/statement-force-of-life.html
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