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September 2023

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Revel 9: The Razorblade Diaries (EP)

(Modern) Melodic Hard Rock

3.5/5.0

Independent/Unsigned
Website Facebook Twitter MySpace
by Craig Hartranft,  07.31.2011

Fundamental melodic hard rock can still be found in America, despite all the trending to hardcore, emo, and screamo. Witness New York's Revel 9 and their debut EP The Razorblade Diaries. Melding post grunge rock and some punk speed with old school melodic hard rock, they offer an interesting, yet sometimes derivative, platter of modern rock tunes.

Immediately, San Jose and Another Mistake charm your waiting ears. The former reminds of classic hard rock: great melody, amazing catchy hooks, and a damn fine guitar solo. (As a quick heads up, the guitar solos steal the show on every song.) Another Mistake is fast, adding a punk vibe, with a rock groove, and another ripping guitar solo. Things slow down, just a bit, on All I've Become. Being quite melodic, a little heavier, and not so bright, it echoes some post grunge tendencies and advises of things to come.

The later three songs are likely typical of modern melodic hard rock, not quite as inventive and attractive as the first three. But they are quite good. Only One picks up the pace from the preceding song, but adds a fuzzy distortion, and listen for the guitar solo. (I told you so earlier.) The modern rock trend continues on Lay My Head and Without: heavier, still melodic, yet subversively redundant. DJ Perlman's fiery guitar work and the catchy melody saves all these songs.

Revel 9 is equally current, consistent, and entertaining on their debut EP The Razorblade Diaries. This is both solid and derivative modern melodic hard rock. They are on to something good. Hopefully, Revel 9 evolves and break out big time. Recommended.

Revel 9 is equally current, consistent, and entertaining on their debut EP The Razorblade Diaries. This is both solid and derivative modern melodic hard rock. They are on to something good.

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Formed in 1999 by singer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Erik Martensson, Sweden's Eclipse is well into their third decade of making music. In the recent past, their recordings and reputation have ... [ Read More ]