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BLACKRAIN

(FRANCE)

UNTAMED

(2022)
LABEL:

SPV STEAMHAMMER

GENRE:

HARD ROCK

TAGS:
80's, Happy, High-pitched vocals, Old School
"Plunging their roots in the 80's while giving their music a modern touch, BlackRain proves with "Untamed" that he has everything to take off on an international level."
LOLOCELTIC (08.12.2022)  
4/5
(0) opinions (3) comment(s)
No matter what the elements put in their way, the members of BlackRain seem unshakeable. Their albums are released at a steady pace and their quality can never be questioned. The producers change but the trademark remains the same without falling into repetition. As much to say that the title of their new opus, "Untamed", fits them perfectly. After Jack Douglas and Chris Laney, it's Johannes Braun's (Kissin' Dynamite) turn to take the lead. It must be said that the two bands are close and that the German singer completely loves the music of the French, to the point of having himself submitted his candidacy to produce the latest compositions of the quartet.

It is true that the musical identities of the two formations are relatively close with this mixture of melodic hard, glam / hair metal 80's and Scandinavian sounds. It is thus without surprise that the result is largely with the height of the hopes that this union could let be born. And even if BlackRain never really took themselves seriously, Hannes Braun also brought them an extra dose of self-deprecation which is evident on the videos of the singles 'Summer Jesus' and 'Neon Drift' released before the album's release. The latter track sees the singer and his fellow Kissin' Dynamite guitarist, Jim Müller, join in the party of this energetic tornado with a few well-felt electro touches. It is moreover amusing to note the various small experiments disseminated on "Untamed". Whether it is the keyboards ritornello on 'Kiss The Sky' or the Bon Jovi-like talk-box of 'Dawn Of Hell', they bring an additional diversity to an opus that perfectly manages to balance variety and coherence.

Because the strong identity of BlackRain is a reality that is not limited to the so particular voice of Swan, which seems to evolve more and more towards that of Geddy Lee (Rush). The formula of the quartet always consists in mixing the elements mentioned above in this review, while varying the proportions and regularly adding new ingredients. This gives tracks oscillating between sleaze ('Demon'), viril and sharp hard rock ('Raise Your Glass') or big riffs carrying out everything in their path ('Untamed'), but always endowed with federating choruses, catchy melodies and an unstoppable energy. It would be useless to go back over the influences of the band as they have been digested for a long time, but it is clear that BlackRain is one of those rare bands that have perfectly succeeded in plunging their roots in the 80's while giving their music a modern touch. 

After the excellent "Dying Breed", "Untamed" is a new flawless album which proves that BlackRain has everything to take off on an international level and to set fire to the airwaves and the planetary stages. Rush on this opus and on its predecessors, you won't regret it !
- Official website

TRACK LISTING:
01. Untamed - 4:46
02. Kiss The Sky - 4:06
03. Dawn Of Hell - 3:51
04. All The Darkness - 4:12
05. Demon - 4:23
06. Summer Jesus - 4:36
07. Set The World On Fire - 4:27
08. Neon Drift (feat. Jim Müller & Johannes Braun) - 4:52
09. Blade Of Love - 4:49
10. Raise Your Glass - 4:46
11. Shut Down - 4:43
12. The End - 4:15

LINEUP:
Frank F: Batterie
MatH: Basse
Max 2: Guitares
Swan: Chant / Guitares
Jim Müller: Guitares / Invité
Johannes Braun: Chant / Invité
   
(0) MIND(S) FROM OUR READERS    
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(3) COMMENT(S)    
 
 
ZEVENGEUR
26/07/2023
 
8
1
Sans aucun doute l'une des 3 meilleures productions françaises de tous les temps dans le registre Rock/Hard-Rock !
SPENSER
08/12/2022
 
69
1
Peut-être leur meilleur. Franchement très agréablement surpris par ce disque qui tient la route de bout en bout (et puis les clips, c'est une masterclass d'auto dérision)
LYNOTT
08/12/2022
  0
Ils sont vraiment bons ces petits Français. Tout en dérision et en talent pur, ils mériteraient une plus large audience. Pour les fans de Motley, de Ratt, de Kissin' Dynamite et de Crazy Lixx.
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READERS
4/5 (2 view(s))
STAFF:
4/5 (5 view(s))
MY RATING
 
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