HAREM SCAREM: Chasing Euphoria (MELODIC HARD ROCK): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

Since their debut album in 1991, this is the second time that Harem Scarem fans have had to wait so long between two productions by their little protégés. Five years have passed since the excellent “Change The World”. The sixteenth opus in their thirty-year career, “Chasing Euphoria” hits record stores today.

Canadian melodic hard rock bands are few and far between: only Honeymoon Suite, who emerged from their lair last year after almost two decades of silence, could challenge Harem Scarem for the title of standard-bearer of the genre in the land of the maple leaf. The charismatic frontman and his inseparable guitarist Pete Lesperance - who here also inherits the bass - have once again concocted a work that will thrill those for whom headbanging is not a religion.

Indeed, the band's melodic rock is more about stuffing the listener with easy-listening themes bubbling with measured, finely controlled energy. And in this respect, the Toronto natives are masters. Racy and exhilarating, the ten tracks on this album overflow with upbeat rhythms. Guided by chiselled guitar interventions, they bring good humor and vitality. With the exception of ‘World On Fire’, the de rigueur ballad, a little less successful than usual, this new album is made up of nothing but hits! Finally, the only downside is that this excellent album lasts a mere forty minutes.

Harem Scarem doesn't disappoint us again this time. Like a metronome, the Canadians churn out quality work while remaining firmly wedded to what they know how to do. Nothing changes under the sun for these faithful travelling companions: they play what they like, and what we like them to play.
- Official website

HAREM SCAREM

CHASING EUPHORIA

FRONTIERS RECORDS

MELODIC HARD ROCK