CoreLeoni – ‘Generection’

(Reigning Phoenix Music)

There are some bands where the moment you hear the opening guitar tone, the vocal delivery and that unmistakable combination of hard rock muscle and melodic sophistication, you know exactly where you are. With CoreLeoni’s Generection, there is absolutely no mystery. This is Swiss melodic hard rock through and through, and more specifically, this is a glorious reminder of just how good the Gotthard sound can be when it is delivered with this much weight, energy and conviction.

Of course, the Gotthard connection is impossible to ignore. With Leo Leoni at the heart of the project, that connection was always going to be there, but Generection goes beyond simply sharing DNA with Gotthard. In many respects, this album sounds more Gotthard than Gotthard themselves. It takes that classic formula of big, chunky guitar riffs, enormous melodies, driving rhythms and instantly accessible choruses and turns the dial up until the speakers start complaining. And I absolutely love it.

At its core, Generection is built around some seriously chunky guitar work. Leo Leoni delivers exactly the kind of riffs that melodic hard rock fans crave: thick, crunchy, powerful and designed to make you reach for the volume control. There is a real physicality to the guitars throughout the record. These aren't polite little rock riffs sitting politely in the background; they have weight, swagger and attitude.

The production gives the guitars plenty of room to breathe while retaining the polished sheen that melodic hard rock demands. The result is an album that can sound muscular without sacrificing clarity, and commercial without ever becoming lightweight. That balance is something Gotthard mastered during their career, and Generection understands the assignment perfectly.

Vocally, Gent Bushpepa is an absolute revelation for anyone who misses the classic Gotthard sound. There is an obvious Steve Lee influence in his delivery, but rather than simply attempting to imitate one of rock's great voices, Bushpepa brings enough of his own character to the performances to make them convincing in their own right. His voice has the power, warmth and emotional edge necessary to sell both the heavier material and the more melodic moments.

That vocal approach is crucial because Generection isn't simply about pounding riffs. The melodies are every bit as important as the guitars. This is where CoreLeoni really nails that Gotthard formula. The riffs provide the muscle, the rhythm section supplies the drive, but it is those huge melodic hooks that make the songs stick.

There is an old-school sensibility running through the album, but this never feels like a tired exercise in nostalgia. Instead, it feels like a celebration of a style of rock that remains incredibly effective when performed by musicians who understand exactly what makes it work.

The album moves comfortably between muscular hard rock swagger and more emotionally charged melodic territory, maintaining a remarkably consistent identity throughout. There is plenty of attitude, plenty of groove and plenty of melody, but never any sense that the band are trying too hard to reinvent the wheel.

Why would they? Sometimes the best thing a band can do is take a great formula and execute it exceptionally well. That is precisely what happens here.

There is also a wonderfully anthemic quality to Generection. These are songs built for loud playback, raised fists and audiences singing along at the top of their lungs. The choruses have the kind of accessibility that makes them immediately memorable, while the guitar work ensures there is enough grit and aggression underneath the polish to keep the hard rock credentials firmly intact.

It is that combination that makes the album so enjoyable. There is nothing overly complicated about what CoreLeoni are doing, but there doesn't need to be. Great riffs, great melodies, a powerful vocalist and a rhythm section that keeps everything moving forward remain the fundamental building blocks of great melodic hard rock. And Generection has those foundations firmly in place.

For fans of Gotthard, this album should feel like stepping into a very familiar musical world. The difference is that CoreLeoni seem to have stripped the sound down to its most essential ingredients and then amplified them. The guitars are bigger, the riffs chunkier, the melodies stronger and the vocal performances perfectly suited to the material.

It is difficult to escape the feeling that this is exactly what Gotthard fans have been waiting for.

There is a fine line between paying tribute to a musical heritage and simply recreating the past, but CoreLeoni manage to stay on the right side of that line. Generection feels authentic because the musicians involved clearly understand this music from the inside out. Leo Leoni's guitar work gives the album its unmistakable identity, while Gent Bushpepa provides a vocal presence that makes the whole thing come alive.

Ultimately, Generection is a big, loud, melodic hard rock album that knows exactly what it wants to be. It isn't trying to push boundaries or redefine the genre. Instead, it embraces the classic Gotthard blueprint and delivers it with enthusiasm, power and a modern punch.

In fact, calling this album “very Gotthard sounding” almost undersells it. This is more Gotthard than Gotthard.

If big riffs, powerful vocals, huge melodies and polished Swiss melodic hard rock are your thing, Generection is going to hit the spot. Turn it up, let those guitars fill the room and enjoy the ride. This is melodic hard rock done the old-fashioned way, loud, chunky, catchy and bloody good fun.

‘Last Goodbye’ gets the album off to a suitably muscular start, with Leo Leoni laying down chunky, crunchy guitar work that immediately establishes the CoreLeoni sound. There is plenty of classic Gotthard DNA here, from the weight of the riffs to the strong melodic hooks. Gent Bushpepa sounds completely at home, delivering a powerful vocal performance that brings plenty of character and emotion.

‘Generation Rock’, a straight-up celebration of rock ’n’ roll, this is exactly the kind of track that CoreLeoni do so well. Big guitars, driving rhythms and a chorus that feels tailor-made for a live audience. There is swagger running through the whole thing, while the production gives everything a satisfyingly huge sound.

‘Howling At The Moon’, another slice of melodic hard rock with plenty of bite. The guitar work is particularly impressive, with Leoni delivering the kind of riffs that make you instinctively reach for the volume control. Bushpepa again proves himself a perfect fit for this material, balancing power with melody.

‘Sex On The Beach’, there is a playful, swaggering quality here that prevents the album from becoming too serious. The groove is infectious; the guitars have plenty of crunch and the vocal performance brings the attitude. It is classic hard rock fun with that unmistakable Swiss melodic sensibility.

‘Believe’, for me, this is where the emotional side of the album really comes to the forefront. The melody has genuine weight and there is a vulnerability beneath the hard-rock exterior. I could totally hear legendary vocalist Steve Lee making this a monster ballad and stone-cold classic. Bushpepa does a fine job, but the song inevitably makes you wonder what Lee could have achieved with it.

‘Vision’, the melodic instincts remain strong here, with another combination of powerful guitars and accessible hooks. There is a sense of momentum throughout, while the chorus provides the kind of immediate payoff that fans of classic Gotthard will appreciate. A polished and enjoyable piece of melodic hard rock.

‘Rock ‘N’ Roll Rebel’, the title says pretty much everything you need to know. This is a swaggering, guitar-driven rocker with attitude to spare. Leoni gets another opportunity to unleash some seriously chunky riffs, while Bushpepa delivers the vocals with plenty of confidence and aggression.

‘Don’t Tell Me’, a slightly more restrained affair, but still packed with melody and muscular guitar work. The arrangement allows the vocals to take centre stage without sacrificing the heaviness. It demonstrates the versatility within the CoreLeoni formula without straying too far from the album's core identity.

‘I’m Afraid I’m In Love’, another strong melodic number that showcases the more emotional side of the band. The contrast between the heavier guitars and the heartfelt vocal delivery works particularly well. Bushpepa gives the song plenty of warmth and conviction, making this one of the more memorable moments.

‘Yearning’, there is a reflective quality to this one, with the melody carrying plenty of emotional depth. Once again, the guitars provide enough weight to ensure it never becomes overly sentimental. A nicely balanced performance that demonstrates why melody is every bit as important to CoreLeoni as muscle.

‘Lady Marmalade’, I have to be honest: I could have done without this one. It's certainly performed with energy and the band put their own rock spin on the familiar material, but for me it feels unnecessary on an album that has enough original personality of its own. It doesn't ruin the record, but I'd happily have traded it for another original CoreLeoni rocker.

Generection is a glorious slab of melodic hard rock that wears its Gotthard influences proudly and, frankly, I’m absolutely fine with that. With Leo Leoni delivering those big, chunky riffs and Gent Bushpepa bringing a vocal style that frequently recalls the legendary Steve Lee, this is an album that should be an absolute delight for Gotthard fans. The combination of muscular guitars, huge melodies and plenty of rock ’n’ roll swagger makes for a highly enjoyable listen. Overall, this is more Gotthard than Gotthard, loud, melodic and hugely entertaining.

8/10

Essential Track – ‘Believe’

Review by Woody