Killer
Monsters of Rock

A band called Killer, who has been around since 1980 and are now releasing their seventh album that they call Monsters of Rock. 35 years is a long time of being around, though they seem to have been a little bit on and off, even though they did have some stature back in the eighties apparently. According to the press sheet they did often play in front of crowds numbering over 10 000 people, that is a fair deal of concert visitors. But then the grunge came and ruined everything, once again according to the press sheet, but they rematerialized in the early 2000s and released two albums, the latest back in 2005 and now after ten years we are seeing a new album that they think would be fitting to call Monsters of Rock. Then again, the press sheet claims that it is hardrock/heavy metal that is as good as it can possibly be made – no small claim there.

Musically it is no different from many other bands I have heard and the fresh thinking is noticeably absent. But the production is modern and feels up to date, good sound, strong riffs and distinct choruses is what we are offered on this album that is somewhat on the long side with fifteen tracks and almost 70 minutes of music. It isn’t the biggest variation over these fifteen tracks and the album could surely have used a bit more depth. Decent singer, and you can clearly hear that these guys have done this before, many times. Heavy metal or hardrock in line with the format that is what it is and I doubt that anyone will see it differently.

Fans of traditional heavy metal/hardrock will undubtedly find this album very agreeable, there is a bit of an however though, if you have heard a lot of heavy metal you may find it too recognisable – that means not recognisable as you recognise the style of the band but recognisable because the songs feels very familiar, like you’ve heard it before. A touch of déjà vu is offered here on this album, so if you like reruns that you have seen many times over this might be for you. As a reviewer and critic it is more difficult to see the point of this album, it doesn’t really offer that good novel feel that I think a good new album should offer. It is a decent album, the songs are okay but it is too long and you grow tired quickly and loose focus on the album, as there is nothing that really grabs me as a listener. It feels like it is for nostalgic people who doesn’t like to see things change, here they have a band that has been around for 35 years and music that has been around for even longer, so if you think that time should have stopped somewhere around Iron Maiden’s first album with Bruce Dickinson on vocals you have a nice album here.

The opening title track is very nice, it is memorable and all. What follows is making me loose interest by the minute and towards the last track I am totally oblivious to if the album even plays or not, I think that sometimes when I notice that it has ended I have listened to silence for several minutes. I think fans of the traditionally styled heavy metal or hardrock should look at this album – the rest of you can go back to sleep oblivious about this album and it would be no discernable loss.

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