Violet – ‘Silhouettes’

(Metalapolis Records)

There’s something irresistibly nostalgic about a band that understands the power of atmosphere. With Silhouettes, Violet lean unapologetically into the neon glow of classic Eighties rock and come out the other side sounding like they’ve been mainlining cassette-era anthems for decades. This eight-track release is a curious but compelling blend: four fresh studio cuts, three live recordings, and a raw demo tucked away at the end like a scribbled love letter from the rehearsal room. On paper it might look like a stopgap release between bigger projects. In practice, it plays like a love letter to the band’s influences and a confident snapshot of where Violet are right now.

From the outset, Silhouettes makes its intentions clear. This is the sound of late-night drives with the dashboard glowing, leather jackets slung over shoulders, and choruses that are built to echo around packed club venues. Violet don’t merely flirt with the aesthetics of 80s rock; they dive headfirst into them. The guitars shimmer with that unmistakable mix of crunch and gloss, the rhythm section keeps everything pulsing forward with a steady swagger, and Jamie Beckham’s vocals soar with the kind of dramatic flair that defined the era.

What stands out most across the new material is Violet’s knack for balance. There’s enough polish here to satisfy fans of arena-ready melodic rock, but the band never sounds overly processed or sterile. Instead, the production walks a satisfying line between modern clarity and vintage warmth. You can practically hear the phantom hiss of an old tape deck lurking in the background, and that’s part of the charm.

The song writing, meanwhile, leans into the emotional directness that made Eighties rock so enduring. Violet clearly understand that this style thrives on big feelings delivered with conviction. The choruses hit with the kind of wide-open confidence that begs for fists in the air, while the verses simmer with tension before bursting into those inevitable hooks. It’s music built on momentum and melody, and the band execute it with impressive assurance.

‘Set Me Free’ bursts out of the speakers with glossy guitars and a driving rhythm that instantly channels that classic Eighties melodic rock spirit. The chorus is big, bold and tailor-made for singing back at the stage, while the verses simmer with just enough restraint to keep things dynamic. It’s a confident start that establishes Violet’s knack for hooks and atmosphere right away.

‘Dangerous You’ has a darker edge running through it, with a slightly moodier groove and a chorus that feels both seductive and explosive. The guitars shimmer while the vocals bring a sense of drama that suits the song perfectly. It’s the kind of track that feels built for late-night drives and dimly lit venues.

‘Somewhere. Somehow’ carries that emotional pull that Eighties rock did so well, with heartfelt vocals and sweeping instrumentation that gradually builds toward a soaring payoff. There’s a sense of yearning throughout, making it one of the album’s more atmospheric highlights.

The last of the new studio cuts is ‘Calling For You’ and it delivers another strong melodic punch. The song thrives on its anthemic chorus and steady momentum, blending polished production with a genuine sense of urgency. It feels like a natural bridge between the controlled studio environment and the rawer energy that follows on the live recordings.

Of course, what makes Silhouettes particularly interesting is the structure of the release itself. Instead of presenting a straightforward EP or album, Violet have assembled something that feels more like a behind-the-scenes glimpse at their world. The studio tracks provide the polished centrepiece, but the live recordings bring an entirely different energy to the table.

Those live performances inject a welcome dose of grit. The guitars bite a little harder, the drums feel looser and more immediate, and the vocals carry that edge of adrenaline that only appears when a band is feeding off the energy of a crowd. It’s a reminder that Violet aren’t just a studio creation chasing retro aesthetics, they’re a working rock band that thrives on stage.

There’s a rawness in these recordings that contrasts nicely with the sheen of the studio material. You can almost feel the heat of stage lights and the press of bodies near the front row. The band sound hungry, pushing the songs forward with a kind of reckless enthusiasm that suits the genre perfectly. In a way, these moments serve as proof of concept: the songs don’t just work in the controlled environment of a recording studio; they explode into life when performed live.

The first of the live cuts immediately injects a dose of stage-born energy into the record. ‘Arms Around’ sounds bigger, louder, and looser in this setting, with the band clearly feeding off the crowd’s presence. The guitars bite harder and the performance has a palpable sense of excitement that reminds you how well Violet’s music translates to a live audience.

‘Sex In Harmony’ keeps the momentum going with a swagger that suits the live environment perfectly. The groove feels heavier and the band push the performance with a confident edge. There’s an infectious sense of fun here, and the live atmosphere adds grit and personality that contrasts nicely with the polished studio material earlier in the album.

‘Blame It On The Night’ is arguably the most energetic of the live recordings, this performance captures Violet in full flight. The pacing feels urgent and the band sound completely locked in, delivering a punchy, high-energy rendition that highlights their stage presence. It’s the kind of moment that makes you wish you were in the crowd.

Then there’s the demo of ‘Fall In Love’ that closes the release, which might be the most revealing moment of all. Demos are often messy, imperfect things, but that’s exactly why they’re fascinating. Here, Violet strip away much of the gloss and present something that feels intimate and unguarded. You can hear the bones of the song writing laid bare, and it’s a testament to the band’s craft that the core idea still shines through without the full production treatment.

Placed at the end of the record, the demo almost feels symbolic, a quiet reminder that every big chorus and polished recording starts out as a fragile spark of inspiration. It gives the whole release a sense of narrative, like we’ve been taken from the bright lights of the stage back to the moment where the music first began.

Stylistically, Violet sit comfortably within the lineage of melodic rock bands who believe that guitars should be loud, choruses should be bigger than life, and emotion should never be dialled down. The band clearly wear their influences proudly, but Silhouettes never feels like a hollow exercise in nostalgia. Instead, it sounds like a group of musicians who genuinely love this style of music and want to keep its spirit alive.

Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the record is its sense of cohesion despite the mixed format. Studio tracks, live recordings, and a demo could easily feel disjointed in less capable hands. Yet Silhouettes flows surprisingly well, almost like flipping through different snapshots of the same band at different moments in time. Each piece adds something unique to the overall picture.

In the end, Silhouettes feels less like a conventional release and more like a carefully assembled time capsule. It captures Violet in multiple settings, polished, electrified, and stripped back and each perspective reinforces the same core truth: this is a band deeply committed to the spirit of classic Eighties rock.

For listeners who still crave soaring melodies, glossy guitars, and the kind of unapologetic drama that once ruled the airwaves, Silhouettes delivers exactly what it promises. It’s nostalgic without being tired, energetic without being chaotic, and above all, it’s a reminder that the glow of Eighties rock hasn’t faded, it’s just waiting for the right band to switch the lights back on.

7/10

Essential Track – ‘Dangerous You’

Review by Woody