Label: Rapid Fire Entertainment
Review by Tony Cannella
The Kentucky based melodic hard rock band Hydrogyn first burst onto the scene in 2004 “Best Served With Volume” and followed that up two years later with “Bombshell”. Now, eight years into their career the band has just released their fifth and perhaps best album, “Private Sessions”. I have to admit, that I have always liked Hydrogyn. They have a definite 80s vibe to them – which is always cool – but beyond that they just have good, memorable, classy songs. No opera, death grunts, soaring power metal vocal gymnastics, Hydrogyn is an anomaly in today’s metal scene.
“Private Sessions” opens with a bang, thanks to the huge classic metal opening riff that begins the glorious frenzy of “Something to Say”. This song is infused with some high energy musicianship and the always excellent vocals of Julie Westlake. The next song “Forbidden Kind” throws in some changing tempos and atmosphere. “Scream” has an anthemic quality to it. “I Don’t Know How” has an 80s pop metal feel to it, while “Heated Nights” is just a good time hard rock n’ roll song. Other highlights include: “Creeper”, “Don’tcha Walk Away” and the emotional “Roseline’s Song”. As I mentioned earlier, “Private Sessions” is perhaps the best album that Hydrogyn has delivered thus far, taking nothing away from their earlier material, but this album just sticks with you long after you’ve heard it for the first time. In a way, this album comes at a perfect time when there are not too many bands of note playing this style of music. It’s kind of refreshing actually.
Rating – 92/100
Tracklist
- Something to Say
- Forbidden Kind
- Scream
- I Don’t Know How
- Heated Nights
- Creeper
- Don’tcha Walk Away
- Roseline’s Song
- Feeling
- Alone
- It Doesn’t Matter
- Un Monde Perdu (European Bonus Track)
Line Up
- Julie Westlake – Vocals
- Jeff Westlake – Guitar
- Chris Sammons – Bass
- Joe Migs – Drums