It’s been a while since The Hellacopters put out a new album and in some quarters the anticipation has reached fever pitch. Sure they’re not the band that got down to business all those years ago with the sonic headfuck of ‘Super Shitty To The Max’ Christ that was ’96 they’re a lot older and as for wiser? Fuck knows I do know a lot of water has gone under the bridge since then and not all of it has been good. ISE had their moments but the sound had evolved for sure like a lot of bands where the lineup has changed and careers moved left and right nobody would want them to stand still so trying to avoid the hype train and the fanboys can be an impossible task in the 21st century but here we are. April 2022 and it has arrived.

I find giving the records of Nicke Andersson time to breathe is best for me and dipping in or having them in a mix tends to grab me and the same has to be said about modern Hellacopters. I like that there are ten tracks and each one is almost perfect single in length and it didn’t become something of a ‘Chinese Democracy’ and whilst I wasn’t expecting ‘Action Now’ to rip out of my speakers I was pleasantly surprised with the howls of feedback ringing out of my speakers as the band kick out the jams with a strong opener. Big dirty riffs thumping low end and the Stooges piano tonking away in the background.

Andersson has a very distinctive vocal style and layers of vocals ring out on ‘Can It Wait’ and so many guitars scream out of the speakers in all directions courtesy of Dregen and Anders Lindstrom as well as Andersson Platow. It conjures up an image in my mind of a pirate galleon with Nicke in the crow’s nest moving through choppy waters with his pirate crew blasting out below him as they own the seas. It’s confident and punchy so far.

I was worried that this record was going to be Sweden’s answer to 38 Special but so far I’m delighted with what I’m hearing. The final dramatic refrain of the bluesy Ballad that is ‘So Sorry I Could Die’ which has an excellent performance from the frontman.

The title track is what I would say is comfortable Hellacopters territory and a track that brings up the bands arena Rock side. It’s a little like ‘Sonic Temple’ era Cult – One I’m hoping is a grower. I do however love the old school sleeve and with 180gm vinyl being the choice of the day the card sleeve must be at least 180gms as well which is nice.

Now ‘Plow And A Doctor’ is something I connected with right away. Reminds me of the modern Alice Cooper garage rock rather than the Stooges Garage that can be so alluring. the Piano is great and the overall production from Chips Kiesbye is spot on and just enough Kiss-like polish but a decent dose of rough assed distorted guitars n grit which really suits these songs none more so than this one.

‘Tin Foil Soldier’ veers into a bit of glam stomping territory and some Sweet (Pun intended) Slade like stomping. The breakdown is showaddy waddy on steroids and no filter cigarettes – I like it. ‘Beguiled’ is another 70s inspired rocker with hints of Lizzy in the lick and that’s always a winner.

As we race into the home straight I’m happy with what I’ve heard thus far and not having had a great deal of time to familiarise myself with these songs I’m impressed, and the acoustic rocker that is ‘The PRessures On’ is certainly not a ballad but more a late balmy night rolling through deserted streets in a big fat Cadillac with the top down and the stereo on loving life, it’s been that sort of journey. Leaving just ‘Try Me Tonight’ to take this bad boy home. With a cool lick the song stutters and jerks to life and hits that chorus in the sweet spot and we all join in on the chorus. Great song to close this off. I’m heading back to the beginning and going in again I think this might just be a grower. Get on it now and fill yer ears with ‘Eyes Of Oblivion’ it’s a bit tasty!

Buy Here

Author: Dom Daley