Artist:  Oliver Weers
   Title: Evils Back
   Label: Metal Heaven
 

When it comes to TV talent shows like the X Factor, Idol and the like I can almost feel the heckles come up on the back of my neck, but I think this is mainly due to watching the British version of the show, (yes I watch it for my sins as a sort of self punishment and my wife likes it so it's either watch it or do something else).  Where here in the UK it's mainly pushing the pop music side of the industry, the European versions of the show seem to be more diverse and this was shown to be so when a certain Oliver Weers took the Danish version of the X-Factor by storm, particularly when in the final he stole the show with his version of the Queen classic ‘The Show Must Go On’.

But shows like these can either make or break a career, in most cases the latter being the way it goes.  “Fifteen Minutes Of Fame” as Mr Warhol once put it, but Weers has taken it all in his stride and stayed true to his Rock roots.  He released his debut album ‘Get Ready’ in 2008 to fantastic reviews in both Europe and Japan

Now Weers is back and he’s back with a bang with his new album 'Evils Back' and this time with a solid band to call his own.  Joining Weers for this next chapter in his career are Morten Hell Born on drums, Laki Ragazas and Anders Bo on guitars and Anders Borre on bass.  A mix of young guns and older wise heads you might say.

So on to the album itself, well what a corker this is, a real tour-de-force that get's underway in emphatic style after the obligatory intro with the title track ‘Evils Back’.  A real trailblazing start to the album as Weers comes out fighting from the off, with a mighty vocal presence along with great backing from the rest of the band.  There is a touch of Ozzy about his vocal style, kind of how Chris Jericho sounds with Fozzy, a real Rock voice that was made for this style of music.

The no holds barred Rock continues with the hard edged ‘All My Life’, a modern styled rocker that keeps you hooked and wanting more of the same, and more of the same is what you get in bucket loads as things continue along the same path with the stunning ‘Without You’, before the excellent ‘Hero’.  A track that has all the bump and grind of a modern Velvet Revolver and one that sees Weers joined by Rebecca Armstrong of Stella Black Rose on the vocals.  This is modern rock with bite and one of the tracks of the album for me.

The modern rock vibe is carried one with the next track ‘Need It Bad’, featuring another ballsy vocal from Weers and real fiery twin guitar attack courtesy of Ragazas and Bo.  Then it's time to bring it down and show Weers has the full package vocally with the gentile ballad ‘Beautiful Rain’.

It's pedal to the METAL once more with the fantastic ‘Much Too Much’, where Weers comes out fighting with such a power rich vocal, it's plainly clear to all that this man has a long career ahead of him.

The ballsy Hard Rock just keeps on coming as each new track unveils something special.  A more darker edge is brought to the forefront with ‘Fighting The Mountains’, while ‘Devils Chain’ is full on sleazy rock n' roll and ‘Demolition Man’ is good honest no holds barred Hard Rock with monster riffs and a powerhouse vocal driving it all the way.

This tremendous album is rounded off with the stunning ‘Rainbow Star’, a modern rock ballad that highlights perfectly what a stunning vocal star Weers is going to be in the world of rock and shows the rest of the world that rock has a place on the shows like the X-factor and stars can be born that aren’t focused on the world of pop music and that almighty dollar.

Tracklisting:   

1. Intro
2. Evils Back
3. All My Life
4. Without You
5. Hero (feat Rebecca Armstrong)
6. Need It Bad
7. Beautiful Rain
8. Much Too Much
9. Fighting The Mountains
10. Devils Chain
11.Demolition Man
12. Rainbow Star

                  

 

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