Formosa - 'Danger Zone'

(Metalville)

Formosa are a band that pride themselves on been musically minimalistic, concentrating on creating music with the bare essentials of guitar, bass, drums and vocals, no bells and whistles just the core of rock n roll instruments. Their music doesn’t sound stripped down though their songs are still full bodied and raucous!

There’s a strong eighties hard rock vibe radiating off of ‘Danger Zone’, Formosa’s third album and I’m pretty sure their previous album ‘Sorry For Been Sexy’ was named in honour of me as I have to repeat this apology daily. You hear those eighties influences in the swagger of the guitar riffs and heavy use of melodic vocal lines. I know the band aimed for a retro sound but I think they come across more like a modern band recreating the sound from a loving perspective so it feels fresh but are still screaming their influences from the rooftops. The initial track ‘Dynamite’ reminded me of Volbeat but they have a stronger eighties sound on the album as an entirety for them to be a true comparison. Their song writing seems to capture all the elements I love about eighties hard rock bands like Poison and Motley Crue. You know rebellious rock n roll, full of energy and hooks that reel you in, line and sinker!

‘Danger Zone’ is worth checking out if you enjoy eighties style hard rock, especially as each song seems to showcase influences of various different eighties acts. The album still flows nicely and isn’t a mish mash of styles as each song has the overall Formosa stamp upon it, it’s just funny how you can pick out different bands on each song as possible influences.

They are not the greatest lyricist’s – “It’s cold outside and the weather is shit” been a personal favourite chuckle inducer, but they sure make up for it musically crafting memorable melodies, energetic guitar riffs and exciting songs!

There’s unsurprisingly given the style of music they are inspired by a party rock element to Formosa. They are tongue in cheek, carefree and come across as it all been about fun times and that attitude overflows in their music. They can put a smile on even the most miserable of faces. ‘Danger Zone’ is definitely an album I’d put on to cheer myself up or rock out with a beer into the early hours with!

8/10

Essential Track - 'Masquerade'

Review by Woody