BULLETPROOF – Bite Down Hard [Eonian Records] (2023) *Exclusive*

After listening BULLETPROOF‘s song ‘Drinking Too Much’, specialized melodic hard rock record label Eonian Records signed the band for the release of their debut album titled “Bite Down Hard“. BULLETPROOF’s music fits into the classic bluesy hard rock or metal slot, but the band simply calls it “rock and roll.”
With “Bite Down Hard” Bulletproof have not reinvented the wheel in any way. If anything, they borrow a hell of a lot from various acts from the genre; riff-driven tunes inspired by AC/DC, Airbourne or Krokus, the album title is the same from one of American rockers Britny Fox, and the lead singer sounds like Cinderella’s Tom Keifer (hear the track ‘Seven years of Hell’ for a proof).
But this collection of rockin’ tracks provide an entertaining shot of fun for sure.

I almost equate Bulletproof‘s brand of music to comfort food. There is a certain relief that occurs when I listen to Bulletproof‘s songs. I know what I’m going to get. I know that I’m going to enjoy most if not all of the songs. I know that Bulletproof will not be experimenting in any way but simply delivering one straightforward rocker after another.

Right from the opening track “Midnight Ride”, you cannot help but be sucked in by the simple but effective music delivery which is punctuated by frontman Nemanja Stojanovic‘s raspy voice. His vocals are kind of mish mash of what you might hear from Airbourne‘s Joel O’Keeffe and Cinderella‘s Tom Keifer. Whatever the case, “Midnight Ride” is a cool number with some tasty, simple guitar soloing throughout.
“Drinking Too Much” starts off with a great guitar riff and delivers more foot-tapping. These are the type of simple rocking songs that I love to hear. “Blow My Fuse” has a very AC/DC feel to it with the slow guitar riff to start the song. It’s an easy song to headbang to. Once again, there’s nothing complicated here and that’s alright!

“Seven Years of Hell” brings the pace back up with Stojanovic really reminding of Keifer when he lets out some “Hmmm” throughout the track. I really like the guitar solo on this one.
“Desire” sounds more raw, straight from the amp, dirtier, it may feels production isn’t as good as on the other tracks, but according to the band they did it on purpose: lively, no overdubs. The guitar solo really rocks and the verses are very good.
“Come And Love Me” has a slide guitar sound to it and really reminds me of Cinderella. It would not be out of place on Cinderella‘s album Long Cold Winter if more ‘polished’.

I guess that there is a fine line between brilliant and awful when you’re putting out simple rock n’ roll songs with such raspy vocals. At times, Bulletproof reach the brilliant mark but they also reach some lows when Stojanovic stretches his vocal chords too far. Anyway, the reality is that I can put this album on from start to finish, and easily enjoy every track while putting up with some slightly off key vocals at times.
Bulletproof don’t offer anything groundbreaking, new or earth shattering on Bite Down Hard but at the same time, they do offer some comfort food to my ears. That’s the focus of this band: offer a rock n’ roll good-time.
Highly Recommended

01 – Midnight ride
02 – Drinking too much
03 – Blow my fuse
04 – Seven years of hell
05 – Desire
06 – You make me rock
07 – Come and love me
08 – Another shot of love

Nemanja Stojanovic – lead vocals, guitars
Danko Stojanovic – bass, vocals
Nemanja Tomicevic – drums

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www.eonianrecords.com/new-products/bulletproof-bite-down-hard