Artist:  SlingBlade
   Title: The Unpredicted Deeds Of Molly Black
   Label: High Roller Records
 

Scandinavia seems to be generating some fantastic up and coming bands at the moment, including  the fantastic SlingBlade from Sweden, with their very catchy album 'The Unpredictable Deeds Of Molly Black'.  The album takes you back to the early days of Saxon, AC/DC, Rock Goddess, Girlschool, the female vocals by Kristina Karlsson have an addictive resonance that will get stuck in your head almost immediately, but having said that, you can sometimes feel maybe a bit more passion and aggression is what is required .

However this is a very competent debut concept album, unfolding the story of Molly Black, the true story of the daughter of a priest who after being abused and bullied in school, goes totally mad and starts murdering her tormenters (based on events that happened in Sweden in the Eighties).  Her father found her diary and her writings terrified him to suicide.  The girl died a tragic death shortly after the murders and the final entry in her diary was ... “I walk with The Demon”.  This album will grab you and make you want to listen to more from SlingBlade about Molly’s Fate.

Standouts tracks are really all of them!!  Personally I really liked the opener 'The Nature Of Evil', this is classic metal and gears you up nicely for the story that’s about to unfold.  Then 'Tie Her To The Cross' is really well worked, as we discover some of the evil that has befallen Molly.  'The Demon' tells of Molly’s possession by said Demon, I really love the guitar riffs on this track as you get transported into Molly’s twisted and abused mind.  'The Reverends Daughter' takes you through the murders, Molly’s revenge for all that was done to her. 

'Slasher On The Loose' with its news report intro, dark brooding music and clever lyrics is totally absorbing and brilliantly done, telling the story so well.  The epic 'The Dream Will End' is astounding, the lyric ... “Not one of you will come back for your Graduation Day “ ... tells of Molly’s hate and obsession to rid the world of her bullies. The backing singers send a shiver up your spine as you head into 'Molly’s Death' and 'Give Back What You Borrow'.  

Here I will leave my review as you should listen to the finale yourself.  This is an amazing debut album and for anyone who isn’t very keen on concept albums, do not let this deter you.  I would encourage you to give SlingBlade a listen, this is clever inventive classic metal and very enjoyable.

A follow up is planned, the demon that’s feasting on Molly Black's doomed soul is not dead!

Review by: Seb Di Gatto

 Tracklisting:

1. The Nature Of Evil
2. Back To Class
3. Tie Her To The Cross
4. The Demon
5. Reverend's Daughter
6. Slasher On The Loose
7. Off The Hook
8. The Dream Will End
9. Molly's Death
10. Give Me Back what You Borrow

                  

 

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