Fred Guillemet is a well known name in the European hard rock / metal scene. Composer and musician, he is known for having played bass / guitar in the groups Face To Face, Taxi, Warning, Trust, Boxer, Shakin’ Street, etc. He also worked as touring member for Johnny Hallyday, Patrick Rondat, etc.
Guillemet also has his own band, FRED GUILLEMET BAND, releasing a new album titled “Hard ‘N’ Roll Stories“. Some of the famous musicians he has worked with throughout his career appear as guests.
From the first notes of opener ‘Upgraded Generation’ with its frantic rhythm section, sharp guitars, and Marc Piquet’s voice, the band makes justice to the album’s title: this is timeless hand ‘n heavy, with an ’80s feeling yet updated production sound. The sound is clean, polished, and the songs rich in melodies.
You can’t go wrong if take a look at the songs titles too; ‘All About The Music’, ‘Don’t Stop Rock ‘N’ Roll’, ‘Moonlight’, ‘Ready To Strike’… rock n’ roll fables driven by catchy, effective riffs.
‘Break Up’ sails more in pure hard rock. Riffs that we started to like in the late 70’s early 80’s. This catchy piece makes us tap our feet. Marc is impressive in his ease of singing and the “ohohohoh” in the choruses bring a real plus. ‘Not Dreamer’ continues the travel to dusty US hard rock roads of the 80’s, with a vigorous guitar work and a big bass line by Fred.
A heavier but slower rhythm lead us to ‘Here we Are’. This time it’s female vocalist Valérie Pesenti (singer for Scorpions tribute “Black Out”) who is behind the microphone. A nice variation and cool lyrics about the rock n’ roll lifestyle.
Later Valérie takes the microphone again for ‘All About The Music’. In this title, we feel a little of Pat Benatar influences, especially in the chorus. There is also some Lita Ford in this song. Once again the band pays tribute to these beautiful years.
With ‘Moonlight’ we are treated to not one but two guests: Patrick Rondat and Daemon Ricks. This is a bluesy rocker, with of course, a great guitar work. ‘Ready Strike’ takes us back to the whiskey-soaked 80’s rock. It’s really pulsating, the group’s chemistry is clearly audible – the riffs are energetic, the drums punchy, and Fred’s bass is flawless. Marc, with his high-pitched voice, is just perfect for this tune.
Closer ”Don’t Stop rock’n roll”really rocks, with many Fred friends coming in: on vocals it’s Mick Russe, lead guitar it’s Stéphane Vaillant (Bonnie Tyler), on rhythm guitar it’s Fred Guillemet and Pat Llaberia. On bass it’s Philippe Sassard (Shannon) and on drums Gilbert Levet. this is a midtempo killer rocker plenty of groove and cool lyrics.
”Hard ‘n’ roll Stories” has all the ingredients to please fans of classic hard rock and metal with melody inspired by the 80’s. You can feel FRED GUILLEMET BAND and the guest friends had a lot of fun revisiting these beautiful years, and we have a nice slice of rock n’ roll
Highly Recommended
01 - Upgraded Generation.mp3
02 - Break Up.mp3
03 - Not Dreamer.mp3
04 - Here We Are.mp3
05 - Leave To Mars.mp3
06 - All About The Music.mp3
07 - Moonlight.mp3
08 - Born To Kill.mp3
09 - Ready To Strike.mp3
10 - Without You.mp3
11 - Crazy Nation.mp3
12 - Don't Stop Rock 'N' Roll.mp3
Fred Guillemet Band – Hard ‘N’ Roll Stories 2024
 |
