This post was originally published on this site
On ‘Close Your Eyes’, Swedish heavy metal titans LIV SIN deliver a collection of defiant rock anthems championing the ungovernable who choose to live their life unapologetically against the grain. In a well-polished effort, we’re treated to a furiously epic album with absolutely no punches pulled.
Highlight of the album is no doubt Liv Jagrell. Her visceral vocals grab the bull by the horns and act as the final say in the chaos they unleash. On the more rampant and rebellious songs, her guttural vocals sharpen the blade to really cut into the vigour of the album. When the band switch a gear to juggernaut epics, the vocals grind against the otherwise melodic tone of the track to add an intensity to the record while preserving the cutthroat attitude the band have collectively aimed for.
The album itself is filled to the brim with herculean drops, impressive solos, solid guitar riffs and intense drumming. Run, a stand out off the record, is a head-banging tour de force that showcases the power that the band have locked up in their vault. Expertly produced by Tue Madsen (BABY METAL, MESHUGGAH), who harnesses the mammoth sound, resulting in a crisp-sounding and perfectly executed record. To put it bluntly, the album is a smoking turret, firing rock anthem after rock anthem at you.
With all the above considered, on the one hand the album sits proudly leaning up against classics like IRON MAIDEN and JUDAS PREIST. It notably deviates from the classic rock cliches with breakdowns and rampant double bass, but with lyrics revolving around themes of ‘run for your life, ‘say your prayers’, and ‘devil in disguise’ it makes us feel like the band are regurgitating all the themes and lyrics that have been used for decades and it’s fair to say they hardly reinvent the wheel with this effort
Then on the flip-side, although it generously borrows from the heavy metal/classic rock criteria, we highly doubt that LIV SIN really care that much and at times it feels they have intentionally chosen to celebrate what makes heavy metal so timeless. Refer to rebellious anthem It’s Not Your Life where Liv Jagrell, sums it up pretty well: “It’s not your life, you’d better shut your mouth.”
Duly noted. The main takeaway from the album is LIV SIN sit comfortably on any metal festival line up in the world and will deliver stomping tracks to head bang to. Close Your Eyes is a fun and unruly record that will please a lot of fans across the metal spectrum and does what it says on the tin. Even if it feels a little safe.
Rating: 7/10
Close Your Eyes is set for release on August 8th via Seek & Strike.
Like LIV SIN on Facebook.
The post ALBUM REVIEW: Close Your Eyes – Liv Sin appeared first on Distorted Sound Magazine.
