English
Last Updated on 09:26 by Nikos Nakos
Genre: Heavy Metal
Country: Australia
Label: Dying Victims Productions
Year: 2024
I’m not getting tired listening to new albums coming from some certain labels, their quality work and aesthetic allows me to do so. Dying Victims Productions is one of them which a tremendous proportion of their releases (if not all) are extra ordinary. Australia’s Aardvaark, debut full length Tough Love, (which is already available on CD and vinyl LP formats) is the new addition in my discotheque coming from DVP catalogue. Whoever bumped into their 7” single in early 2023 was fascinated and highly anticipated for a full length record. Even though they were established only in 2021 Aardvark (not to be confused with the cult ‘70s prog band,, that I doubt that most of us have heard a single note before) seem to play together forever. Their rhythm section is thunderous and rock solid while the twin-guitar strike is a deafening assault, yet melodic. There’s a balance between mid-tempo rockers, emotional ballads and speedy anthemic songs as their music reflects a tough masculine crescendo of old school N.W.O.B.H.M. and traditional Heavy Metal, while lyrics talk about escapism and mythical journeys as easily as they speak about self/personal issues or ancient Egypt. Don’t check your watches or iPhones it’s not 1982 ‘cause if it was you should know it as Aardvark would be not huge but big enough to follow them and defined bigger than will ever be nowadays…Check the touchy “Tough Love” , or the excellent and with the Thin Lizzy vibes “Fire”, the brilliant “Don’t Call Me A Liar” which would be a cult gem if it was out as a single between 1980-1982, the Accept-like “Destructor” and it’s speedy brother “Too Old To Cry”and finally the in the veins of early Maiden “Killer” are the highlights of this interesting and charming in its simplicity album. Fans of Tank, Jaguar, Tokyo Blade and Vardis will love them. Extra kudos for the awesome artwork cover that oozes 80’s vibes.
