Artist: The Quill
Label: SPV / Steamhammer Records
Release Date: 10/7/03
Rating: 5 Skulls
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Title: Hooray! It's a Deathtrip Artist: The Quill Label: SPV / Steamhammer Records Release Date: 10/7/03
Rating: 5 Skulls |
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Reviewed by Requiem (1/30/04):
If you are ever wondering what Requiem's general tastes are, check out the top 10 of the year lists for an accurate starting place. This year's list in particular included Sweden's greatest hard rock band, The Quill, with no questions asked. While they kicked equal amounts of ass on their last effort, Voodoo Caravan, Hooray! It's a Deathtrip continues right on down the road of well-written and diversified rock songs. Their execution is wholeheartedly natural, sounding instinctual rather than learned. The organic nature to their sound is genuinely retro, much like the Darkness have accomplished on their debut. But instead of sounding like a mean hybrid of AC/DC and Queen, The Quill venture down the more blues rock terrain, taking their cues from Led Zeppelin and Badlands. The results are phenomenal, and appear to bury the competition with little effort.They certainly have the aggressiveness of today's modern rock bands, with a more crisp distortion, lots of crash cymbals and an up to date groove. Not only do they have a killer band to deliver the goods, but their vocalist is pretty much unparalleled. He sounds like a cross between Chris Cornell and Bruce Dickenson, both in range and vocal tone. When put up in front of a great rock band, it's key that he is the secret weapon. The album has no duds, but there are some tracks worth mentioning. "Too Close to the Sun" is a hard rocker all the way up to the chorus, where the psychedelic vibes shine through with an infectious chorus melody. "Handful of Flies" has a blues rock twang to the guitars, with a tight groove provided by the bass and drums. Singer Magnus only makes things better with his ability to find the perfect melodies for the song. "Hammerhead" screams the blues rock balladry of Badlands, and brings memories of their crushing debut years back. I could go on and on, but to put it simply, this is the bible of modern hard rock as I see it right now.
The States are currently leading the pack of the metalcore and stoner rock scenes alike. But leave it to some Swedish band to come and steal the crown. You might as well take all those stoner rock albums and throw them in the trash, because after comparing them to Hooray! It's a Death Trip, you'll be nauseous. Stoner these guys are not, but killer songwriters they are. Only the finest of U.S. rock acts (Queens of the Stone Age, Fu Manchu) can even stand up to the gargantuan rock songs displayed here. The Quill should feel the right to be high up on their pedestal, laughing at all the rest. Is there anything those damned Swedes can't do?
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