KIKIMORA – Dirty Nails (2021)
Founded by Brazen Abbot’s virtuoso guitarist Nikolo Kotzev in 2011, KIKIMORA is releasing tomorrow their international debut ”Dirty Nails”.
The name of the band comes from an ancient evil spirit in the Slavic mythology. Nikolo’s idea was to write new songs in his native Bulgarian language, focusing on live performances on local ground. Soon the band took a leading position on the Bulgarian rock scene, releasing an album enjoying quite a large media attention and made many appearances on TV and radio shows backed up guest singers like Joe Lynn Turner, Doogie White and Jörn Lande.
In late 2019 Nikolo began building a recording studio, and shortly after a decision to make to record in English language was set. The end result is explosive; “‘Dirty Nails” combines classic Deep Purple, Rainbow, Dio, etc, with a modern sheen and powerful production.
“Bogeyman” opens the album with a very Rainbow-esque riff a la “Death Alley Driver” while the organ maintains a firm melody and bass/drums sets the rhythm to a fast beat. Nikola Zdravkov’s work is superb, something that is at an outstanding level throughout the album. These may be unknown musicians, but heck, all are great.
“The Chosen One” comes up with a beautiful keyboard intro while once the guitars come in with some kind of an Eastern melody. Kotzev’s guitar work / solo are amazing.
“Free” is a song that begins in an acoustic plan, very melodic, with beautiful vocal harmonies, with a central part that even reminds me of Whitesnake, both in rhythm and the/ feeling of Alexander Antov’s piano and hammond organ. With “The Hustler” the Rainbow circa 1982 sound returns with a very classic riff, guitar / keys duels, and a straight, catchy chorus.
The influence of Black Sabbath / Dio era is present in “The Endless Song” where Zdravkov’s voice shines with its own light. Another catchy rocker appears with “King Of Rock And Roll”, a song created purely to connect with the public and that is like an anthem. A winner.
Arabic influences return on “Cry, Baby, Cry!” for an intense midtempo song, “Lost Soul” is aterrific ballad, sung with a delicacy and feeling. It increases the tempo to the climax wiyh an electrifying guitar solo and a final part worthy of the best Queen.
The album ends with “Liar”, which maintains the high level of the album with a sublime B3 organ work and some wonderful vocal lines which fused with the riffs and Kotzev’s solo, perfectly round out the rocker and the whole album.
This is a work done by people who love melody and good classic hard rock, something they have managed to capture perfectly into eleven songs.
Classicy stuff updated to times, very well written, executed & produced.
Highly Recommended
01. Bogeyman
02. The Chosen One
03. Free
04. The Hustler
05. Love And Pray
06. The Endless Song
07. King Rock ‘n’ Roll
08. Cry, Baby, Cry
09. Lost Soul
10. Prisoner
11. Liar
Nikolo Kotzev (Brazen Abbot) – Guitars
Nikola Zdravkov – Vocals
Nikolay Todorov – Drums and vocals
Nikolay Tsvetkov – Bass
Alexander Antov – Hammond, keyboards and vocals
Pre Order:
www.amazon.co.uk/Dirty-Nails-Kikimora/dp/B08YQR6VM7
