DeadBlondeStars – Metamorphosis
DeadBlondeStars – Metamorphosis
Self-Released
Release Date: 03/02/2023
Running Time: Too Long
Review by Rory Bentley
4/10
Ever since I wrote a naughty review last year where I was overly mean about some admittedly not very good Power Metal, I’ve tried to avoid selecting albums that I know I’m not going to like. As popular as my negative reviews are, I don’t really get a great deal of satisfaction being mean about people’s work. There are a few exceptions of course, mainly the Pirate Metal band I won’t name that were as funny as a burning orphanage even before they were outed as racist scum, but overall I like to spend my dwindling spare time reviewing things I like and I think you’ll like.
This particular album, the sophomore release from Grunge revivalists DeadBlondeStars was foisted upon me as part of Simon Black’s new wildcard initiative, where all of us hacks get assigned an independent band to review so we don’t just cherry pick all the stuff we like. Basically, what I’m saying is I didn’t pick this, and I don’t like it!
There are some very competent performances on this release, the riffs are chunky and fat, frontman Gary Walker does an impressive job of mimicking Chris Cornell and the drums swing and slam with authority. Like anybody with functioning ears I love Soundgarden, so the down-tuned crunch of ‘This Tree’ with its strong “Badmotorfinger” vibes is a welcome dose of the familiar as is the more Alice In Chains stomp of “Alaska”.
The issue I have is that not only does the album commit the sin of mimicking its influences to the point of pastiche, but it doesn’t contain anything approaching a memorable song. By the time ‘A Friend Like You’ wraps up its lumbering tedium to close out the record with one minute of ideas stretched out over six, it feels like the last 12 tracks have never happened. And I kind of wish they hadn’t.
Say what you will about the yarling radio cheese of other Post-Grunge acts like the infamous Creed, but they had big choruses and immaculately constructed songs, however cynical their intent. The songs on this record wouldn’t make the soundtrack to a C-tier WWE pay per view in terms of hooks and it should go without saying that they never even hint at the thrilling experimentation and raw emotion of the Seattle bands they crudely wish to ape.
Grunge was always a scene rather than a genre in my opinion, which is why I feel no band has successfully taken the Seattle sound and ran with it in the same way many other genres have continued to produce new exciting bands that put things forward. At its best this is a well-performed, impressively sung homage to a bygone era. At its worst it’s a sleeping pill wrapped in flannel. Maybe next time they’ll metamorphosize into something interesting.
I normally post a link to my favourite song from the band I’m reviewing here but I’m drawing a blank so here’s the seminal 1989 Hardcore classic “Start Today” by Gorilla Biscuits. You should listen to this instead.
TRACKLISTING:
01. 11 Teeth
02. This Tree
03. Worlds Apart
04. Alaska
05. Shill
06. Shine Any Light
07. Bow To The Bend
08. OverOcean
09. Hernan
10. I Called Whilst You Were Out
11. Tiny Giant
12. A Friend Like You
LINE-UP:
Gary Walker – Lead Vocals / Guitar
Tom Gratton – Guitar
Oliver Thompson – Guitar / Vocals
Matt Simons – Bass / Vocals
Jamie Machon – Drums
LINKS:
Disclaimer: This review is solely the property of Rory Bentley and Ever Metal. It is strictly forbidden to copy any part of this review, unless you have the strict permission of both parties. Failure to adhere to this will be treated as plagiarism and will be reported to the relevant authorities.
