EMERGENCY arrived a bit too late to the European Melodic Hard Rock scene as their rockin’ “Boys Will Be Boys” CD saw the light in 1993, but well worth the wait considering the quality on offer here. Things were delayed because the band leaded by guitarist Pierre Bordén didn’t found the proper singer until they met talented Spanish-born Jose Antonio Manzano (Banzai, Niagara, Zero), a terrific shouter in the vein of David Coverdale.
Though the band come from Basilea, Switzerland, the album was developed, recorded and produced in Germany, so it’s not surprise that “Boys Will Be Boys” has a strong Teutonic MHR sound with sharp guitar flurries, a punchy rhythm section, profuse keyboard injections and catchy choruses also akin some Scandinavian acts like Treat.
We have top class Melodic Hard Rock cuts here as “Give It Up”, “Tell Me”, “Walk In My Shadow” and “Talkin’ Bout Love”, the Scandi-AOR influenced “Don’t Look Back” (a personal favorite), “Movin´”, “Tell Me” and the synth driven “Love Shot”, a semi-midtempo anthem in title track “Boys Will Be Boys”, and of course a fantastic piano-ballad in the form of “Nights Are So Long”. Production is excellent, shiny, crystal clear. Long time out of print, “Boys Will Be Boys” was resurrected some years ago in a limited 1000 copies reissue.
1.Boys Will Be Boys
2.Movin'
3.Don't Look Back
4.Nights Are So Long
5.Give It Up
6.Blackeyed Jeanny
7.Tell Me
8.Talkin' Bout Love
9.Never Stop Lovin You
10.Love Shot
11.Walk In My Shadow
Andy C. Vale – Bass
José Antonio Manzano – Vocals
Pierre Borden – Guitars
Ronny O’Riot – Drums
Tommy Patrick – Keyboards
Emergency – Boys Will Be Boys (1993)