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Hardcore Superstar: Abrakadabra

Melodic Metal Rock

4.5/5.0

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Golden Robot Records
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 30.03.2022 | Released: 25.03.2022

My last review for March of 2022 comes from Sweden's Hardcore Superstar (affectionately sometimes known by fans as HCSS) and their twelfth studio album, Abrakadabra. While I know that HCSS has been pressing on since 1997 as part of the New Wave of Swedish metal, I did not realize I had not reviewed an album since 2009's Beg For It. Wow, that was thirteen years ago. Where does time go? Thankfully, despite a few bumps along the way, HCSS has had a stable membership.

Hardcore Superstar

They also continue to crank out some of the finest modern version of classic melodic metal rock in the memorable Sunset Strip tradition. Rock rhythm and groove combine with metal edge and a bit of punk nastiness (in Joakim "Jocke" Berg's vocals) to create hard-hitting tunes that can rumble any venue from bar to strip club to arena. Yet, being quite the genre tacticians they mix these elements with vocal harmony, song melody, and simple AOR catchiness in the refrains, and formidable guitar solos. You'll find this from the start with the heavy punch of the title cut, but also Throw A Brick (nice bass line), Give Me A Smile, or Fighter. What's more evident, however, is their ongoing integration of keyboards into tunes, such as When You Die or Dreams In Red on this album. That latter song somehow gave me a blues feeling, perhaps in the bass and rhythm. Most things considered, Hardcore Superstar's Abrakadabra is exactly what you would expect from these veteran rockers: smash mouth, heavy yet melodic, classic hard rock. Easily recommended, especially for their die hard fans.

Hardcore Superstar's Abrakadabra is exactly what you would expect from these veteran rockers: smash mouth, heavy yet melodic, classic hard rock. Easily recommended, especially for their die hard fans.

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We haven't had a new studio album from Brazil's Angra since prior to the COVID pandemic, 2018's Omni. But the quintet has been busy. In 2021, they released Omni Live in Japan where they have a huge fan base ... [ Read More ]

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