Label : GMR Music Group
Review by Tony Cannella
Ever since they burst onto the metal scene in 2005 with their excellent debut “In Distortion We Trust”, the Swedish all female metal band Crucified Barbara has become one of the best and most successful bands of the femme metal genre. There is a definite feeling of knowing what you are going to get with Crucified Barbara – let’s face it, they’re not trying to re-invent the wheel or heavy metal for that matter and that is always re-assuring to their fan base. They just continue to churn out high energy, raw and powerful metal with plenty of attitude. Why should their 3rd – and latest – album “The Midnight Chase” be any different? It is a new Crucified Barbara album but features the same intensity and enthusiasm as their previous two. The frenzied drum intro lead us into the opening tune “The Crucifier” and this is classic Crucified Barbara. It has almost a Motorhead feel to it and I picture this song opening their live shows on their upcoming tour. The whole album has a live feel to it and no shortage of energy and enthusiasm. Next is the powerhouse riffing that opens up the confrontational “Shut Your Mouth”. Lead vocalist Mia Coldheart is at her raspy voiced best. “Into the Fire” is next and another straight-ahead exorcise in heavy rock. “Rules and Bones” became one of my favorites and I found myself singing the chorus ‘rules and bones were made to be broken’ long afterwards – this is just an excellent song. “If I Hide” has great potential as a single if the band chose to release it as one. While still being heavy this is a really cool mid-tempo track. “Count Me In” is an acoustic ballad that has a cool melancholic and mournful vibe to it and is packed with emotion and heart. This is one of the few times that you will hear the tender side of Crucified Barbara. Other highlights include: “Everything We Need”, “The Midnight Chase” and “Rock Me Like the Devil”. “The Midnight Chase” is one of those albums that is not very hard to like. Sure, Crucified Barbara continues to follow the same musical path as their previous two, but what is wrong with that? “The Midnight Chase” should satisfy longtime fans as well as (hopefully) see the band gain more. I can’t really say if “The Midnight Chase” is better or worse than its predecessors, it is just a band that sounds like they are having fun and continues to maintain a high level of consistency. That is not a bad place to be.
Rating – 85/100
Tracklist
- The Crucifier
- Shut Your Mouth
- Into the Fire
- Rules and Bones
- Everything We Need
- If I Hide
- Rock Me Like the Devil
- Kid From the Upperclass
- The Midnight Chase
- Count Me In
- Rise and Shine
Line Up
- Mia Coldheart – Vocals, Guitar
- Klara Force – Guitar
- Ida Evileye – Bass
- Nicki Wicked – Drums
Links
MySpace * Facebook * Twitter * Site