Twin guitar, killer riffs and memorable choruses make this outfit a worthy match for the likes of Sweden's Crashdiet, Hardcore Superstar and, a personal favourite, Finland's Reckless Love.
Maybe lurking under the radar of many, these chaps have waited until now to release their self-titled album, 'Crazy Lixx', undoubtedly producing their best work since 2010's New Religion.
That album was fierce. Hard-hitting, hard-rocking tracks such as Blame It On Love, 21 Til I Die were balanced with classically delicate ballads such as What Of Our Love. Hard to beat, you would think.
Until now, that is.
The opening track of this album, 'Hell Raising Women', is the introduction any hard rock compilation craves. It is a statement of intent. That intent? To blow your fucking face off.
Yes, we have a soft spot for glam metal and, yeah, we're partial to my fair share of sleaze rock. But, still, this album sucks you right into the party that these fellas are quite clearly having. But that's the point of a self-titled album, as lead singer Danny Rexon puts it:
"You know, bearing the very name of the band, a self-titled album does have a lot to live up to, but we all felt that this album has what it takes to represent the band as a whole, both in terms of the songs, the sound and the performance.”
Yeah, it does just that. Danny sums up the approach as "no guts, no glory." The product? An album that effectively demonstrates experience taken from touring and producing one great track after another throughout the years.
With riffage akin to 80s greats like Ratt and Motley Crüe and with backing vocals unmistakably reminiscent of Def Leppard, it is clear where inspiration was drawn from.
But Crazy Lixx don't labour on that same old style. It is not just those familiar old riffs. Instead, they remind us exactly why we love rock 'n' roll. The track 'Heroes Are Forever', initially from their first album 'Loud Minority' (now out of print), highlights the fact that rock and roll has moved on, whilst remaining influenced by the all-time greats.
Rolling back the years, they encourage us to forget about the SnapBack-wearing, selfie-loving females of today and, instead, remember the ladies of the 80s.
The infectious 'Call to Action' is Crazy Lixx' rallying cry to the hard-rock audience of today. A song that will get you up off your feet and make you want to punch Justin Bieber in the throat and scream right into the face of popular culture. "We bury the ones we love and burn the rest."
However, 'Sound of the Loud Minority' is the anthemic track that best sums up what this album is all about, highlighting the message these Swedish rockers seek to spread. Rock and Roll, today, may be the sound of the loud 'minority' and Crazy Lixx, like many others out there, are making a promise: we won't be getting quiet any time soon.
9/10
Review by Phil Bailie
[Glam and Sleaze Correspondent]
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