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Artist: Moth Circus |
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Hailing from Stavanger, Norway, Moth Circus mix heavy riff spewn rock with a classic edge and a touch of the sublime with their new album 'Sideshow Sweetheart'. The album itself is pure rock n' roll and from the opener 'Dreamland', it's all systems go from the Norsemen. The heady bass and drums are foundation for the bands overall sound, which is provided by Glenn Asbjornsen on drums and Tommy Richter on bass duties, while the guitars are provided by Alien Ken and Johnny Olsen, with Olsen also the vocal force behind the band. The album continues to impress big style with one of the track of the album 'MIA', this track has a Cult feel to it with a modern gritty edge, big licks throughout and an even heavier back beat. This is hard driven rock n' roll at its finest. If I was to pick out one track that defines Moth Circus for me, then 'MIA' would be the one. The albums relentless full on rock keeps on going with the funky metal feel of 'A Dog And His Junkie', again Alien Ken firing on all six on the guitar. This is classic rock revamped and reshaped Norwegian style. The title track 'Sideshow Sweetheart' is another groove filled spectacular, with a great big bass line throughout this one, almost Stoner in its conception but it's the guitars that keep it in the traditional rock vein. After the narrative intro of 'Crimson Glory', the big tunes just keep powering on through, this time with Olsen getting into Jim Morrison mode for the first part of the song before unleashing a more metal vocal, then it's time for a real switch as things get a little mellower with 'Hello Welcome Sorry', a semi-acoustic piece that splits the album right down the middle. It's all systems go again with another of my personal favourites the excellent 'Murder'. A real riff filled monster that once again features that Cult feel to things, but with a heavier rhythm section and a huge chorus. Great stuff. One of the bands older songs 'Carousel' gets a revamp for 2010, this again is a great thumping rock / metal hybrid, a massive drum presence on this one, which Olsen really shows his power as his vocals tower about it all. This album is in full swing by now and the conquering Norsemen have me well and truly hooked but the all killer no filler style of the album keeps producing the goods, with 'Godgiven Right' and majestic guitar fuelled 'Little Lo', before things slow down a little with the darker vibes of 'Chloe Carlson'. '$5.75 Wasted' is a short narrative that leads into 'Porter', a real high class rock n' roll number fiery licks, thunderous backing by drums and bass and a real aggressive vocals from Olsen, a real rock anthem here. The album closes on another highlight, the excellent 'Death Living', another high octane rocker very reminiscent of Monster Magnet, which wraps up an outstanding album. I can't wait for this years SOS Festival to catch these guys live as it should be one hell of a set. |
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| Tracklisting:
1. Dreamland |
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