Damn Freaks - Damn Freaks (EN)

Band: Damn Freaks (I)
Genre: Hard Rock
Label: Mighty Music
Albumtitle: Damn Freaks
Duration: 35:02
Releasedate: 11.08.17

Damn Freaks - Damn Freaks (EN)

A snappy guitar sound is clanged as well as a riff, which makes you want more due to the appealing sounding guitar, added is a driving beat and a powerful voice. The band "Damn Freaks" from the dreamlike Italian city of Florence delivers their debut under the same name. However, they are no newcomers in the music buisness, they are all experienced and well-attuned musicians. The first few seconds sound promising and make me hope for a strong disc.

The band has chosen an interesting and delicate circle of influences with White Lion, Bon Jovi, Mötley Crüe and David Lee Roth. Damn Freaks prove already within the fitting opening "Break The Chains" that they can meet this standard, though. The production is professional and leaves nothing to be desired. Especially the guitar sound could appeal to me. Rugged but yet well balanced with the necessary portion of strength. The rest of the instruments shine through regarding the sound and thus they do not run the risk of being left behind. The voice of Iacopo Meille is smooth and pleasant. He only rarely seems a bit pressed when he reaches for some heights like in "Burning Up".

With high expectations I listen to the second track and my whole euphoria is stopped at once. "Broken Wings" is the first ballad of the disc and sadly it steals the thunder of the opening. The song is fine and gets a bit faster towards the end, when the rhythm section is allowed to interfere with the acoustic guitars and the voices, but it seems completely out of place here.

I feel the euphoria again with "Take A Ride". But afterwards the next half-ballad "Secret Path" follows and I slowly recognize a pattern. This ballad can't get me as well, although I like it more than "Broken Wings". "Sea Of Love" and "The Way I Feel" are also rather quiet. Yet "Dream Highway" comes out of the blue and it might be the best song of the album. Fun, Joy and great melodies - the song is truly a hit. With "Poisen Apple" the acceleration comes into the game again. This snappy guitar can be heard again within the darkness. Nothing else can be heard, only this guitar as it unfolds itself. The song spreads fun and is old school hard rock. The rather average "Burning Up" finishes the album afterwards.

Conclusion:
Unfortunately, the album can not compete with the euphoric beginning. Even if the band is very nice, the album is only average. The moments in which the album stands out are unfortunately too rare. Especially the relationship between balladesque and rocking moments is not balanced, which is why the right mood does not arise, especially with the short duration of 35 minutes. But there is good potential and I'm sure with the second disc they can focus more. Anyway, for fans of White Lion I can recommend this album. The rest will probably not be too happy.

Rating 6.5/10

Recommendation: Dream Highway, Poison Apple, Break The Chains

Tracklist

01. Break The Chains
02. Broken Wings
03. Take A Ride
04. Secret Path
05. Sea Of Love
06. The Way I Feel
07. Dream Highway
08. Poison Apple
09. Burning Up

Lineup

Iacopo Meille - Vocals
Marco Torri - Guitars
Claudio Rogai - Bass
Matteo Panichi - Drums

Information