The Hellacopters - Eyes of Oblivion

 

The Helllacopters were absolutely one of my favorite bands from the late 90's through the 00's and I never stopped listening to them regularly, so, of course, I was happy to hear of their reformation and new album. Nicke, naturally, is still leading the band with his stingin' guitar and swaggerin' vocals, and original rock star guitarist Dregen has returned to the fold along with hot-shot drummer Robert and keyboardist/guitarist Anders. Dreadlocked Kenny is no longer rockin' with the crew and has been replaced by Dolf DeBorst, although Nicke is credited as playing the bass on this album.

Appropriately opening with layers of feedback, they blast into their single from the album, "Reap a Hurricane" and, yes, the Hellacopters are back! No, it's not Super Shitty to the Max, but this could easily fit on, say, Strikes Like Lightning. Everyone is in top form, with Nicke'n'Dregen flashin' riffs back's'forth, while the rhythm section keeps it tight'n'rockin'. "Can It Wait" is short, sweet, and a little off-time, just to throw your rockin' off a little bit! They get a little bluesy in a Screamin' Jay Hawkins kinda way for "So Sorry I Could Die", then have some sweet dual leads opening the smokin' yet melodic title cut. There's a little sorta/kinda Hendrix-ian steals for the minor-keyed stomper "A Plow and A Doctor" followed by a gallopin' "Positively Not Knowing" that continues to keep the melodies and the dual leads flowin'. They create a kinda glammy/Stones-y groove for "Tin Foil Soldier", then a high speed surf beat in "Beguiled", a bit of arpeggio'd pickin' highlighting "The Pressure's On" and closing out with the high energy, classic Hellacopters sound (it almost sounds like a medley of some of their older tunes!) of "Try Me Tonight".

If you've been waiting for a sequel to Head Off, then you won't be sorry - this is hot stuff and makes me hope for a full American tour (as opposed to a few festival gigs) as soon as medically possible!