Before I begin this review, I just want to say that I am no stranger to the band featured in this review for I saw them open up for the German guitar wizard AXEL RUDI PELL and his solo band when they played the London Garage on February 9th this year. The band in question is REBELLIOUS SPIRIT who are back with their sophomore album “Obsession” which is out next month on SPV & Steamhammer Records and it shall be the focus of this review.
Hailing from three different parts of Germany (Bisingen, Albstadt, Starzach), this 4 piece Hard Rock quintet all formed when they are in their teens making them one of the youngest new Hard Rock bands I have discovered in recent years. The band released their debut CD “Gamble Shot” in 2013 and in 2014, they were asked to be the support act for the first leg of AXEL RUDI PELL’s “Into the Storm Tour 2014” before being asked to come back and do the second leg of the tour which will kick off on September 19th 2014.
I went to the third show on leg 1 of the “Into the Storm Tour 2014” when the AXEL RUDI PELL band came to London at The Garage and I of course was there for the main band but I was impressed by REBELLIOUS SPIRIT as there was no mistaking their youthful energy that’s for sure. So, does this album remind me of that show or not?
Well upon first listens, this album definitely sounds like a Hard Rock album and thankfully it stays faithful to the genre throughout the whole album. Opening up with the title track “Obsession”, I have to say the music does sound more powerful and more punchier then the debut CD which was good but the band seem to have adopted a slightly more heavier tone for this album and heavier always equals better in my opinion.
So, does heavy equal better with the remainder of the album? I’m glad to report that yes it does as the band may be young but they have potential and needless to say they will go far in the years to come as most Rock and Metal bands started young and improved over the years so I’m hoping it will be the same for this band too.
Back to their new album now and the sound is very much what you would want to hear on a Hard Rock record filled with heavy guitars and heavy drumming. The vocal performance is good although at times it can be a bit hit and miss with some of the words not being clear at times but fortunately the singer is able to put on a good performance without sounding horrible and out of tune as the delivery of the vocals is very impressive.
What I like about this album is that there is a good mixture of various styles of Rock tracks including heavy Hard Rock tracks such as the single “Lost” and “Look What I’ve Become”, slower paced tracks such as “Walls Of Lies”, upbeat tracks such as “Summer Moved On” and “Between the Highs and Lows” and traditional Rock and Roll tracks such as “Silent Scream”.
The album spreads out across 12 tracks and a total playtime of around 51 minutes and this does indeed remind me of the band’s energetic show when I saw them open up for AXEL RUDI PELL in London this year. The band may be young but they know how to be energetic and have some fun when making music and I feel that in years to come, they will be able to produce even more great energetic music.
From the start of this album to the end, there is not one track you will want to hate or skip as each one is very enjoyable and this band do indeed have potential to go even further and make more enjoyable music in the years to come.
1. Obsession
2. Lost
3. Silent Scream
4. Walls Of Lies
5. Summer Moved On
6. Confidence Men
7. Look What I’ve Become
8. Between the Highs and Lows
9. Together
10. Forever And Ever
11. In My Dreams
12. Breakout
Rebellious Spirit – Obsession 2014
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