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"A reference in Gothic rock/metal, "The 69 Eyes" are celebrating their 30th anniversary with brio in this "West End""
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4/5
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If "West End" is finally only the 12th studio album of The 69 Eyes, it nevertheless marks the 30 years of existence of the Helsinki vampires. This is the kind of anniversary that you have to mark when you are a reference in Gothic rock/metal. Three years after a "Universal Monsters" that had hit hard, the quintet had to maintain the high standards that made the 2016 production a success. It is therefore not surprising to find Johnny Lee Michaels again at the controls, the man who imposed the sound of the band.
Launching the hostilities with its massive bass, catchy chorus and hard/heavy riff, the single "Two Horns Up" announces the color with a distinguished guest. Dani Filth (Cradle Of Filth) shares the vocals with Jyrki 69 and the contrast between the British's torn voice and the deep voice of the Finnish reinforces the effectiveness of this track. In the register of distinguished guests, we will also note the presence of Wednesday 13 (Murderdolls, Bourbon Crow, Gunfire 76...) and Calico Cooper (daughter of Alice Cooper) on an unstoppable 'The Last House On The Left' and paying tribute to the film of the same name by Wes Craven. Hard heavy and aggressive rock, this track devastates everything in its path with its chainsaw riff and its hyper effective chorus. Without a doubt one of the highlights of this opus which are not lacking.
Scathing pieces like the very good 'Burn Witch Burn' denouncing the media and their way of always giving scapegoats to crowds thirsty for fresh blood, alternate with more softer pieces. These can take the form of ballads (the bewitching and melancholic "Death & Desire") or throbbing and hypnotic mid-tempo ("Change"). But we must not forget the new-wave component of the gothic set of The 69 Eyes with, for example, a '27 & Done' handling the second degree to talk about the club of 27, sadly famous because composed of many artists who died at the age of 27 (Brian Jones, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison, Kurt Cobain or Amy Winehouse to name only the most famous). And if Billy Idol's discreet shadow hangs over this track or over 'Outsiders', it is that of Type O Negative and Pete Steele who haunts the corridors of a 'Black Orchid' as dark as the flower from which it takes its title. As for the AC/DC of the "For Those About To Rock" period, it points to the riff of "Hell Has No Mercy" which closes the whole in a haunting way.
A successful bet for the Finns who are celebrating their 30th anniversary with brio. The guests participating in the festivities bring an undeniable added value instead of masking non-existent weaknesses. And if some tracks may seem to be slightly lower than the vast majority of the album, they remain even more than presentable. - Official website
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TRACK LISTING:
01. Two Horns Up - 3:57 02. 27 & Done - 4:17 03. Black Orchid - 4:15 04. Change - 5:38 05. Burn Witch Burn - 3:17 06. Cheyenna - 4:09 07. The Last House On The Left - 3:47 08. Death & Desire - 4:40 09. Outsiders - 3:36 10. Be Here Now - 4:20 11. Hell Has No Mercy - 6:43
LINEUP:
Archzie: Basse Bazie: Guitares Jussi 69: Batterie Jyrki 69: Chant Timo-Timo: Guitares Calico Cooper: Chant / Invité Dani Filth: Chant / Invité Wednesday 13: Chant / Invité
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4/5 (1 view(s))
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