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Downspirit: Bulletproof?
Downspirit: Bulletproof?
Modern Heavy Rock
4.5/5.0
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Metalville Records
by Craig Hartranft, 08.09.2012
When first introduced in 2010, Cédric 'Cede' Dupont's Downspirit was pitched as a blend of heavy metal and blues. While Point of Origin was quite good, it never really accomplished that goal, at least to these ears. It seemed more a modern heavy metal album.
Downspirit: late from the thrift shop.
With this year's Bulletproof?, Dupont gets much closer to that goal. It's also a more effective and accessible album. Downspirit blends strong melodies and hooks with modern d-tuned heavy rock, a touch of that blues thing, for versatile and entertaining results.
That blues element sometimes comes at the start of a song as on Life After Her and the steel guitar of Are You Proud?, one of the best songs here. Other times it laces its way through the entire song as found Hellyeah, I'm a Survivor, The Look, but also the aforementioned Are You Proud?.
Yet, mostly Bulletproof? is a rocking good time, made better by those huge hooks and excellent vocal arrangments. Regarding the latter, the youngsters will like the dash of slightly 'hardcore' vocals within the The Wish and Human Gift, in addition to the modern d-tuned style. But between the excellent musicianship and fine songwriting, Downspirit is ahead of their peers. They've got the stuff to surpass the Nickelbacks of the world with ease. Easily recommended.
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In Short
With Bulletproof, Downspirit hits their groove with quite catchy modern, d-tuned, heavy rock, loaded with great melodies, big hooks, and a touch of the blues.
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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 ]