Label: Frontiers Records
Review by Alysha Hayden
Veronica ‘The V’ Freeman from heavy metal band Benedictum has stepped out on her own for “Now or Never”. Though she certainly has the support of some fantastic artists to create this melodic heavy rock album.
“Now or Never” opens with “Again” delving straight into a melodic romantic track with a heavy rock n’roll sound. Veronica launches into the genre with experience and prowess with this song and makes you think she’s always been here. Halfway through “Now or Never” Veronica hits us with “Love Should Be to Blame”. The guitar melody on this track is highly addictive, combined with her vocals this song has a very traditional rock feel. “Kiss My Lips” has a Friday night out on the town rock sound – this’d be the kind of track you’d crank up in your truck or be drawn out onto the dance floor of your local bar with. The additional of Leather Leone on vocals brings a ballad element just prior to the chorus which flows through the track quite nicely without compromising the heavy sound. “King For a Day” is straight up heavy rock. Big drums, guitars and tempered vocals. An excellent choice to close off this fantastic debut into the genre as a solo artist. Veronica has certainly cemented herself in the heavy rock arena with ease and I hope she continues to bring her talents to this genre with another album soon.
Review – 70/100
Tracklist
- Again
- Now or Never
- Roller Coaster
- L.O.V.E
- Line in the Sand
- Love Should Be to Blame
- Kiss My Lips
- Spellbound
- Starshine
- Below Zero
- Ready to Run
- King For a Day
Line Up
- Veronica Freeman – Lead Vocals
- Leather Leone – Guest vocals on “Kiss My Lips”
- Meliesa McDonell – Additional vocals on “Star Shone” & acoustic guitars
- Pete Wells, Michael Sweet, Peter Tentindo, Jimmy Durkin, Mick Tucker, Jordan Ziff & Michael Harris – Guitars
- Jeff Pilson, Mel Brown, Garry Bordonaro, Aric Avina, John O’Boyle & Mike Lepond – Bass
- Derek Kerswill – Drums