Artist: Raunchy
Title: A Discord Electric
Type: Album
Label: Lifeforce

I first came across Raunchy in 2004 through the video of “Watch Out”, which was on a compilation. It’s an excellent and imaginative video and a lively track. I recall that my children used to like watching it. There’s no doubt that Raunchy have a commercial sound and are presumably quite happy about it, having in 2002 released a version of Wham’s “Last Christmas”. Catchy “Pop” Metal is never too far away on “A Discord Electric”, their fifth album release. Hailing from Denmark, they’re clearly switched into the Scandinavian Melodic Metal groove. Clear comparisons can be made with fellow countrymen Mercenary but without the Progressive side, and in their more aggressive moments Hatesphere, and also with Soilwork and Sonic Syndicate from across the border.

A plus point is that Raunchy are not overtly trying to be anyone or impress anyone. They play Metal but aren’t contrived at all. The clean harmonies are striking, and the lead vocalist’s tones are rough but they don’t resort to growls to prove the point that they are “Metal”. They don’t need to make themselves heard. The music flows, helped by the fact that each song is well structured and produced. They unashamedly pursue the goal of melody and catchiness within a metal framework. This is evident from the first track “Dim the Lights and Run”. It is the immaculate Pop Metal hit record. The seeds are sown in the first bars when we faintly hear the tones of the chorus. It’s now implanted in our head. In fact the track is so catchy and the chorus is so addictive that it has remained in my head for days. But it’s great. And so it goes on. Solid Metal hammering, crunchy vocals, fluid movement and exquisitely, catchy harmonies. Each track has its own twist but it’s essentially the same formula. “Blueprint for Lost Sounds” deviates from the norm a little by starting off with the harmonica in the style of Supertramp’s “School” before heading into heavier Hatesphere territory, and back into the more familiar Melodic Metal. Electro Metal and more enhanced production feature in the mix on “Shake Your Grave” but it’s all unmistakeably commercial, but it all works thanks to the quality of the songs, the timing and control. It’s easy to miss the fact that the instrumental work is excellent. The drum beat is pumping and the guitar work revolves around melodic and hooky riffs rather than solos but there’s plenty of variety and interest. “Big Truth” was a little cheesy for my liking but it’s a mere blip. “The Great Depression” which follows makes up for it with its energy and power. “The Yeah Thing” is pure Hatesphere with its fast and relentless driving rhythm and heaviness, but tinged with the Soilwork-style clean harmonies to which we have become accustomed. “Ire Vampire” is the same but darker, more technical and without the clean harmonies. The seven minute “Gunslingers and Tombstones” brings the album to a close. Over the course of the album, the tracks become harder-edged and this is no exception. There’s a slight symphonic element to this one, the harmonies are there as usual, the control of pace is immaculate and there’s even an epic aspect to it before it dies out in a way that suggests the band knows how to have a good laugh. It’s one of many exciting tracks on a pulsating album.

Some may not find anything new or thought-provoking in “Discord Electric”. All I can say is: Get Up, Headbang and Enjoy! I don’t care whether it’s commercial or not. I love it.

http://www.myspace.com/raunchy
http://www.lifeforcerecords.com