Another big step up the ladder.
A while ago I had the pleasure of reviewing an album by a bunch of precocious German teenagers, who had recorded an album of Scorpions, Maiden, and Accept influenced melodic metal. What I loved about the band's music was that even with all those influences running through their songs, the band still had a very strong identity of their own. Now almost eighteen months later Kissin' Dynamite return with a new album, and more importantly a new found maturity and strength that pervades in their song writing.
Yes, the influences of old can still be heard here and there, but the band now has an attitude and confidence that only years of playing and touring together can achieve. And this is translated into the songs on ‘Money, Sex & Power’ with a power and passion that you don’t usually associate with a group of teens or twenty something’s, which makes this release all the more remarkable when listening to it.
First track ‘Money, Sex & Power’ is all about corruption and tainted politicians and I think of Mr Berlesconi in particular (just listen out for the young lady and her sexy Bunga, Bunga lines in the song!). This song is also where the band show their new found attitude to the full, heavier than before with guitars attacking from all sides Kissin Dynamite, really go for it on this track. That can also be said for all the album’s other songs as well; ‘Operation Supernova’ is all about youthful bravado and that chip on the shoulder rock ‘n’ roll cockiness that only some acts possess, whilst ‘Sex Is War’ is all about power and passion, with some fantastic lead guitar from Jim Muller.
‘Dinosaurs Are Still Alive’ is a tongue in cheek track about the many bands that Kissin Dynamite have loved over the years,
Guns/Accept/Aerosmith all get mentions and even though it’s a little cheesy the song really works. ‘She’s A Killer’ is another attitude filled hard rocker, with a strong vocal from Hannes Braun, that is joined with the some superb twin guitar attacks from Muller and Ande Braun; the hook of the song is also just massive. And lastly I’d like to tell you about the best song on the album and the most different from the band. It is called ‘Six Feet Under’ and it’s a laid back bluesy acoustic number that really suits Kissin’ Dynamite to a tee; the vocals are gin soaked and the band show just what versatile musicians they are on this track, and it is a clever and original way to finish a melodic metal album.
Kissin’ Dynamite have an average age of just twenty (makes you feel old doesn’t it?) and if they can stick together as a band, I think we will see them going from strength to strength. ‘Money, Sex & Power’ is another big step up the ladder and this is just simply wonderful.
Ian Johnson
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