SPEED STROKE – Scene Of The Crime (2020)
Italian sleazy rockers SPEED STROKE consisting of lead vocalist Jack, guitarists D.B. and Michael, bassist Fungo and drummer Andrew will be releasing their new studio album ”Scene of The Crime” via Street Symphonies Records and Burning Minds Music Group on November 6, 2020.
SPEED STROKE are five guys who share a common passion for the golden times of rock and roll, when the music was played by true rockstars. So we have here a cool 80s glam hard rock / hair metal cocktail driven by sharp riffs and catchy choruses.
The guys take us back to 1987 since opener “Heartbeat”, which is slowly increasing revolutions and building around a riff from the DOKKEN / RATT school, highlighting the great work of the guitars.
Next, title track “Scene Of The Crime” already connects directly with those modern hymns of Crazy Lixx or HEAT, although the main influence seems to be EXTREME, since that incendiary riff so loaded with groove seems to have come from the hands of Nuno Bettencourt. Great backing vocals complete this fun rocker.
“After Dark” recalls the darkness of the most melancholic HRDCORE SUPERSTAR, while “Soul Punx” is a three-minute whiplash that channels all the youthful rage through Jack’s voice, some kind of an homage to the late Dave Leppard (CRASHDIET).
The ballad is called “No Love” and with its nice piano arrangements evokes those epic power ballads of the Guns’ “Illusion” era, supplying a perfect contrast to so much badass rock n’ roll.
However the sweet disappears with “Red Eyes”, the heaviest song here in the vein of classic European metal from the ’80s.
“Out Of Money” deserves a special mention, with that dizzying start akin Van Halen tapping and that devilish drum beat that makes you shake your head.
“Who Fkd Who” is a delight that sounds like the bastard son of SKID ROW and DANGER DANGER, and “One Last Day” takes a ride into some bluesy hard rock boots similar to BADLANDS.
Then we end with “Hero No.1”, fast and effective.
Short songs, punchy, catchy, wrapped by a very good production sound in the ’80s style makes ”Scene of The Crime” one of the most enjoyable glammy hard rock albums in recent time.
If all goes well, in 2021 Speed Stroke will be touring supporting Reckless Love, and I can’t think of a better band to warm up the Finns’ night.
Even more, Speed Stroke are ready to be headliners.
HIGHLY Recommended
01. Heartbeat
02. Scene of The Crime
03. After Dark
04. Soul Punx
05. No Love
06. Red Eyes
07. Out of Money
08. Who Fkd Who
09. One Last Day
10. Hero No.1
vocals – Jack
guitars – D.B., Michael
bass – Fungo
drums -Andrew
PRE ORDER:
speedstroke.bandcamp.com/album/scene-of-the-crime
