MOLLY HATCHET: Kingdom Of Xii (HARD ROCK): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

In two albums, Molly Hatchet has managed to impose a new vocalist (Phil McCormack), a line-up without any original members, and a new musical identity that can now be called Southern hard rock. Not bad, especially since "Silent Reign Of Heroes" (1998), the latest studio misdeed to date, has proved to be one of the best recordings of Florida legend, all periods combined. The line-up is this time modified, but very slightly, by the replacement of Mac Crawford by Sean Shannon on drums. However, it should be noted that the band had returned to a formation with three guitarists with the recruitment of Mike Owings in June 1999, but that the experience quickly turned short with the departure of the latter in March 2000 for health reasons. Another important point to note: Bobby Ingram is now the sole owner of the Molly Hatchet brand after acquiring the last rights held by Pat Armstrong, the group's original manager.

Once these details have been brought to your attention, it is now high time to look at the content of this record. Launched by some southern sounds,'Heart Of The U.S.A.' throws its big hard-rock riff that crushes everything in its path, reinforced by a good catchy chorus. 'Cornbreed Mafia' shows the band's boogie face with the traditional slide. As for 'One Last Ride', it deserves its place alongside the best epic titles that Molly Hatchet regularly spoils us with. Majestic and melancholic and endowed with a new guitaristic cavalcade of which the southern band has the secret, this track represents without any dispute the summit of this opus.

Reinforced by a new wild boogie with bastringue piano ('Why Won't You Take Me Home'), a beautiful bewitching ballad ('Turn My Back To Yesterday'), and a nervous rock-folk enriched with a twirling violin ('Gypsy Trail'), the first part of this "Kingdom Of XII" confirms the high level of its predecessor, even if it akes no risk. Unfortunately, the rest of the story struggles to maintain this intensity, handicapped by the dispensable cover of the Rolling Stones ''Tumbling Dice', or by the meaningless acoustic re-reading of 'Edge Of Sundown'. Only the energy and harmonica of 'White Lightning' or the steamroller of 'Kickstart To Freedom' succeed in extracting themselves from an ensemble that is too confined to the clichés of the group's different facets.

Nevertheless, Molly Hatchet is able to maintain an excellent level of demand, even if he sometimes gives the impression of purring by reusing a method that has proven its worth without taking the slightest risk. However, "Kingdom Of XII" has enough good titles to satisfy fans. Now it remains for Bobby Ingram's formation to find the necessary ingredients to renew himself a little. - Official website

MOLLY HATCHET

KINGDOM OF XII

SPV STEAMHAMMER

HARD ROCK