JETTBLACK – Raining Rock (2012)

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[spoiler]After "Intro", which it isn't a merely amount of sounds as usual in its kind, but a meaty short instrumental full of energy, with title track "Raining Rock" Jettblack starts to doesn't give you a chance to catch your breath for a while. This is one hell of a good track - well written and with a gang-like pumping catchy chorus. Delivering great vocals, tasty guitar work and pounding drums, this is probably one of the best songs Jettblack have written so far.
Immediately, "Less Torque, More Thrust" hits you in the jaw with a delicious jab of Americanized hard rock in the best Skid Row tradition, dirty and complete with cowbell.
An then we have the first surprise on the album... "Prison Of Love" is a unique and extremely catchy melodic hard rock tune brought back directly from the eighties. This is an awesome track full of the 'magic' atmosphere only achieved 22 years ago. Yes, this one seems composed and recorded in 1990. Fantastic sound!
Follower "System" is the same vein but less melodic and more aggressive, featuring an incendiary guitar solo and great metallic verses."Black Gold" brings the first slow moment in the disc, and what a great one it is. This wonderful 7 minute mid-tempo has a terrific rockin' consistent vibe, alternating acoustic and electric guitars with class.
With "Something About This Girl" the boys are in full swagger mode again in a song with a luscious riff, before delivering a fun and foot tapping melodious track with "Sunshine" – title says it all.
"Temptation" follows, a fist-in-the-air stadium rocker screaming for live performance. Somehow this track reminds me Germans Victory.
And now... Jettblack goes AOR / Melodic Rock. What? Yes, there's no keyboards here, but the skeleton of this song is pure rockin' AOR in the '80s SHY mould. The melody is terrific, the chorus and backing vocals soar, and the climax kills you! My favorite track of the album, and a contender for the best of the year.

For my surprise, follower "In-Between Lovers" isn't at full hard rock fire as expected after such melodic track. It's a rocker yes, but a bit bluesy with some Badlands and Spread Eagle hints, wrapped with some Skid Row riffage as well.
"Side Of The Road" rocks dirty and in a good way, before the album comes to end with, again, a surprise: the ballad "The Sweet And The Brave" in the Mr. Big style! With more raspy vocals yes, but definitely a new territory for this band, and works wonderfully.
As bonus we have a cool version of "Raining Rock" featuring Udo Dirkschneider (Accept) on guest vocals, and the fun and catchy Americanized hard rocker "Weapon", another great stomper with a late '80s stamp on it.

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