The Hellacopters
Payin' The Dues

THE REVIEW

The Hellacopters.
Well, I believe most of you don't know them, in fact, I found just one review on Debaser... So I decided to write my own description of the surely angriest album by these Swedish long-haired guys. You see, maybe it's not the right album to truly understand who these 5 rockers are because it doesn't fully respect their style. Those who know the last 5 albums (from 1999 to 2005) will be a bit puzzled listening to this Payin The Dues, because the punk roots of the group are very evident here, and the decidedly fast pace of the songs is not found in other albums by the same band!

But don't get me wrong, it's not a punk album, too many solos, too much rock style, too much good music, starting from the first track, "You Are Nothin'", where you immediately sense that the vocalist has no intention of lulling listeners to sleep, and the other members share his opinion! This first song is the right introduction to the album, it's pure rock'n'roll, it's fun, it's enthusiasm and speed, with fast riffs and a stunning solo! The tambourine keeps the rhythm for the most part of the song, without being obtrusive or a hindrance to the guitar, bass, or drums.
Then we move on to the second, very fast, adrenaline-pumping song: "Like No Other Man" which, let's face it, excites me quite a lot: these guys have style! "you know i'm damned like no other man", this is the main phrase of the song, preceding the stunning solo a minute and a half from the end of the song... which will end with a truly furious, I would say overwhelming, scream. Next is "Looking At Me", a slower song compared to the first two, with a certain echo in the vocals that gives the track a somewhat psychedelic touch.
The fourth song follows, with a rather short duration (1'23"), fast, straightforward, where it's clear that a short track is not to be thrown away, but rather, to be listened to and enjoyed in its (it seems strange, but it's true) raw completeness. The other tracks alternate between fast songs and slightly slower ones, but where rock still dominates with the guitar that does not merely spit out chords as unfortunately happens in many bands around, but that drenches songs with solos, interludes, and pure rock'n'roll! We then reach the last track, the slowest and maybe less interesting of the album, where the focus is more on the music than the vocals, truly full and compact...

In conclusion, I have to say that it is an album with a raw flavor, with a compelling rhythm, with guitars masterfully directed and never still, with powerful but not invasive vocals, the space is for the music, for the rhythm, for the passion of these 5 rockers!