Strykenine – ‘Strykenine I’

(Pride and Joy)

Hailing from Sweden Strykenine’s debut album has really impressed me and I strongly advise all melodic rockers to check out this great new band! They craft Melodic Rock with a harder edge, they have a sound which breathes traditional Eighties Melodic Rock; indeed, the bones of every song are inspired by old school Melodic Rock. Strykenine are not a throwback band though, they have added enough modern touches to flesh out those bones to make the songs fresh and contemporary.

Vocalist Jacob Petajamaa has a raspy aspect to his vocal delivery which really harks back to the early Nineties hard rock scene and gives much of the album a nostalgic lilt because of it. The album as a whole is very vibrant, energetic and surprisingly heavy without ever been overly aggressive despite its pounding drive.

The smooth melodies are combined with thunderous rhythms and crunching guitar riffs, which will appeal to fans of heavier rock. Do keep your ears peeled for plenty of fluffy keyboards, soaring vocal melodies and ear worm melodic guitar licks which will keep traditional Melodic Rock fans pulses racing as well. At its core it’s very traditional sounding but it is presented with a heavier tone with the songs exuding power and intensity.

Song writing wise they are obviously and unsurprisingly influenced by traditional Scandi Rock – Europe are probably the most obvious to point out and the album as a whole has an undeniable Swedish flair to it.

There’s no duffer on here but highlights for me include ‘Fool For Love’ a chest beating pounding rocker with a crunchy riff that is indelible. For me a sure fire catchy as hell hit! The pure Eighties flavour of ‘Hold On To You’ has a really nice nostalgic tone to it which really appealed to me, although it is delivered with a slightly heavier stance than you would have expected in that era, a killer track! There’s a few unforgettable choruses but I think ‘Better Believe It’ and ‘All About Us’ are ones that’ll get people smiling!

Strykenine have delivered a solid debut album full of promise which really makes you believe there is even bigger and better to come from these guys in the future! There are plenty of memorable hooks and enjoyable choruses which make this a thoroughly enjoyable slice of Melodic Hard Rock. It might not be destined to make the earth shake but it’ll definitely get melodic rockers arse’s shaking!

8/10

Essential Track - 'Fool For Love'

Review by Woody