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What’s the 4-1-1?
Formed in 2003, the female fronted Hydrogyn release their debut album.
Genre
Hard rock / metal
The Good
“Vesper’s Song” begins with front woman Julie’s melodic
voice over a distant guitar progression. As the track continues, chunky riffs
and pulsing drums help pump the track up. Julie unleashes her inner rage on “Blind,” while
the rest of the band sets the pace with pure metal rhythms. Soft and emotional
vocal tones mix with powerful and unleashed ones on “Breaking Me Down.” Dual
vocal harmonies dominate the chorus of “Love Spoke.” It’s
really difficult to accept anyone covering an AC/DC song except AC/DC, but the
ever-energetic Julie does just fine hanging with the big boys. Listen for some
great guitar work courtesy of Jeff Westlake and Jeff Boggs. Some of Hydrogyn’s
heaviest riffs come from “The Sand.” They even through in a hypnotic
guitar wail. “Book of Names” is loaded with heavy riff after heavy
riffs and some enduring vocals. It’s just Julie and acoustic guitars on
the moving ballad “Come Back to Me.”
The Bad
Nothing notable
The Verdict
What is it about female fronted metal bands that make them so appealing?
Julie’s picture on the front cover of this album may have something
to do with it. All joking aside, maybe it has something to do with how
the sweet and comforting female vocals mix well with the heavy guitar
and thunderous drums, in sort-of a good versus evil scenario? Or maybe
it’s how women are believed to be full of sugar and spice and everything
nice, but when she’s part of the metal scene, she’s being
very naughty? What guy does like that?! No matter how you slice it, Julie’s
powerful and melodic vocals mixed with Hydrogyn’s classic metal
assault are a win-win situation.
Did You Know?
Legendary hard rock/metal producer Michael Wagener (Metallica, Ozzy, Motley
Crue, Alice Cooper) produced Bombshell.
Rating:  out
of 5
--George Dionne
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HYDROGYN
