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Velcra: Between force and fate

09/04/06 || Statik Majik

I’ve been planning to review this album ever since it was released (which was a year ago), but somehow I always managed to postpone that pleasant task. Well, better late than never I suppose. So let’s get started with it, shall we?

I don’t know how to categorize Velcra’s music except by saying that it’s metal ( Note by the Lord: And again yer drunk with the best of them ). The combination of Jessi’s voice and O.D’s guitarwork is the keyfactor to their music. Add some electronics, samples and kick-ass drumming and you got the whole menu ready to be served. Their previous album was damn good to say the least, but since I’ve witnessed Velcra live at least eight times or so I must admit that the disc itself was way too polished/radio friendly compared to how they really sound. They are so much better live than on the album. And heavier. Trust me.

Anyway, as soon as I heard that they had started to record new material I crossed my fingers and hoped that they wouldn’t release another Consequences of disobendience. And my wish was granted. “Between force and fate” sounds exactly as I hoped it would. There’s much more “roughness” to the mix that I’m actually surprised their label accepted to release it without softening it down a bit. It sure as hell feels like that’s what they did with Velcra’s first piece. Seriously, there is a huge difference between these two albums, and since “Consequences of disobedience” is a good piece of plastic, you can just guess how much this one rocks.

First and foremost, Jessi’s voice is so much more… well, everything compared to their previous release. I’m a sucker for “angry” and powerful female vocals, and that’s what Jessi’s voice is all about. Finally. This is how she sounds live, and has sounded during all these godforsaken years. You can imagine the impact her voice has when she’s supported by heavy-ass guitar-riffs… Headbanging-material fo’real (did I just fucken type “fo’real”? Ignore it. Please). Sure, from time to time there are slower, more gentle parts in the songs, but it just makes this much more interesting. That’s what I loved about the earlier album as well, soft verses which are crushed into oblivion with powerful choruses.

So, I already wrote 4 paragraphs without saying one bad word about this crap? Do you honestly think I’ll start now? Well, I will try: “The bong song”. That’s something that could’ve easily been left out while recorded. It’s a fucking textbook example of a filler. They obviously had a reason including it here, but musicwise it’s like a fucken intermission between perfect metal-songs. Sure, there are some cool guitar-riffs supported by keyboards and all, but it’s way too slow a track for my taste. I’m sure it fits into their live-situations more than perfectly, but on the album…?

Even if you’ve never listened to any of the Velcra-albums, or even considered buying ‘em, let me tell you one thing: If you happen to have 10-20 bucks extra when this band plays near you, make sure not to miss ‘em. They are worth every damn penny spent on the ticket.

8,5 /10

Information
Released: 2005
Label: Virgin/EMI
Website: www.velcra.com
Band
Jessi: vocals
O.D.: guitars
Wille: bass
Herranen: drums
DJ Freak: keyboards, samples

Tracklist
01. War is peace
02. Water is getting high
03. Our will against their will
04. For my loneliness I pay
05. Memory loss
06. I can’t tell the sun from the moon
07. The bong song
08. Corruption
09. Hotel Alcatraz
10. Wonderland sunrise

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