South Of Salem: The Sinner Takes It All

The Sinner Takes It All? If they say never judge a book by its cover, then please don’t judge this album by its name, because Bournemouth, England rockers South Of Salem are not serving up a helping of ABBA-love. That said, they do offer choruses that implant themselves in your head and refuse to leave but with tracks like “The Hate In Me�, this lot are no dancing queens. Instead vocalist Joey lands somewhere between Dave Mustaine, Blackie Lawless, Dee Snider and Alice Cooper, where a rasping bite comes with a surprisingly melodic slap. He’s a real strength and when backed by the twin guitar assault of Fish (no, not that Fish) and Kodi, there’s a punky edge added that reels in a Wildhearts like authenticity and wraps it up in a set of riffs that wouldn’t have been out of place in the 80s.

It’s this clever mixing of ideas and approaches that marks The Sinner… out as something a little special, the carefree ability to combine big choruses to serious themes and hook laden melodies making “Pretty Little Nightmare� a Goth tinged hard hitting rocker. “Cold Day In Hell� may well veer a little too close to WASP for comfort, the desire to sing “Wild Child� over what is a more considered, if still forceful cut a little difficult to resist. However, it’s still a cracking track and when paired with the romping “Another Nail In My Coffin�, one that reveals a truly diverse rock/metal/punk/Goth sound that so early in this band’s development feels rounded and thoroughly believable.

The rhythm section pops and pounds in all the right placed, Dee (bass) and Pip (drums) a constant grounding force that heightens the experience and allows a set of songs that possess a cleverly light touch to sound heavier and harsher than they really are. That may sound like a detracting factor but in actual fact it’s a real plus point and one hammered home on the straight up punch of “Let Us Prey�, which adds a spooky atmosphere to a riff Zakk Wylde would have keenly snaffled up and squealed over. It’s one of ten rock solid romps served up by South Of Salem, a band who really have turned up big time on their first offering. In fact so much so that this album surely must be a strong contender for debut of the year. Did anyone say bring on album number two? Yes please!

Track Listing
1. Let Us Prey
2. The Hate In Me
3. No Plague Like Home
4. Pretty Little Nightmare
5. Made To Be Mine
6. Cold Day In Hell
7. Demons Are Forever (ft. Alex Avdis of Red Method)
8. Another Nail In My Coffin
9. Severely Yours
10. Dead Hearts Don’t Break

Added: November 2nd 2020
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: South Of Salem on facebook
Hits: 891
Language: english

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