SLEEK – Still Hurts (2025) *HQ Exclusive*
SLEEK is a new melodic hard rock band from Athens, Greece, formed in 2021 by five enthusiasts of the genre eager to create their own melodic songs. Released by Danish label Good Time Music, “Still Hurts” is their 9-track debut album.
Nice melodies, cool artwork and lots of authentic Eighties vibes are all over the place since the opening title track “Still Hurts”, a pretty anthemic melodic rocker with a certain Scandinavian feeling. Next ”Tell Me” veers into the AOR territory with a familiar riff and a catchy chorus.
”Gold”, with a rumbling bass line from the offset, is a midtempo offering with atmospheres and a different vocal approach, more British influenced in style. ”Empty” begins in a balladesque style with some acoustic guitar in the mix, but soon the pace increases and the song rocks, including a very good swirling guitar solo.
”Heavenly Skies” is a pretty pumping AORish tune with fine verses, a cool chorus and another solid solo. More classic rock in essence results ”Friends”, alternating between acoustic and electric guitar plus some gentle, subtle piano touches which lead to a powerful instrumental ending, with the strongest vocal performance on the album.
”Snowstorm” is an acoustically driven song quite unplugged in which you picture some friends jamming together at home or around a campfire with a couple of beers, stripped back track. Next, ”Another Lie” has that late 70s rock feel with a bluesy vibe going on too.
Closer ”A Life In Chains” is a total u-turn from the previous tracks, a simple poppy melodic rocker with crunchy guitars, aiming to modern radio.
“Still Hurts” is a cool debut from SLEEK, a welcomed new band to the melodic hard rock scene. They need to improve things in all areas for sure, such as more focused songwriting, better production, the vocalist’s accent, etc.
Anyway, and despite this debut album at places sounds like a demo, SLEEK definitely is a band you gotta have an eye (or rather ear) on.
01 – Still Hurts
02 – Tell Me
03 – Gold
04 – Empty
05 – Heavenly Skies
06 – Friends
07 – Snowstorm
08 – Another Lie
09 – A Life in Chains
Joseph Anagnostou – Lead Vocals
Nikos Efetzis – Guitars, Backing Vocals
Giorgos Kontogiannis – Guitars, Backing Vocals
Alkis Rigopoulos – Bass, Backing Vocals
Vaggelis Diplarakos – Drums
Grigoris Sandalidis – Piano, Keyboards
BUY
www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0F3XYH111
