Gabrielle Da Val released her first full album in 2011 with her band The Val called “Back”,previous to that Gabrielle got involved with the Madrid rock scene winning several contests including “Villa De Madrid”,then gradually music became a big part of her life.”Back” was distributed & supported by Classic Rock Magazine and Fireworks Magazine which lead to “Heading for the Surface “ in 2015 and “King Ocelot “ in 2020 to great reviews.. After reviewing “Back” for Fireworks Magazine, Bruce Mee along with Khali Turk wanted to record a full album with Gabrielle,Bruce Shaped an album including singers such as Steve Overland (FM),Robin McCauley(Michael Schenker Band) & Mick Devine (Seven).The end result was “Kiss In A Dragon Night” .After the debut solo album, Gabrielle began working 18 months ago her second album, ‘Cry Wolf’, but due to a delay in production, Gabrielle and Bruce Mee took advantage of the waiting time and wrote a bunch of songs together. Tommy Denander took on the role of producer/musician, leading the creation of a completely new album, titled after one of these recent songs, ‘I Am The Hammer’. Bruce and Gabrielle are the authors of almost all the tracks on the album, except for ‘Show me Heaven’, which was written by Tommy Denander, and ‘Princess of Darkness’ which was written by Mee and Roland Forsman, from the Swedish band Remedy.

The solid melody of the opening track “The Sky Is Falling” is powerful,which is matched evenly with the superb guitar work from Tommy Denander with a powerful vocal from Gabrielle Da Val. Which really sets the tone for the rest of the album “Let Sleeping Dogs Lie” is a monster of a track in every sense with such a punchy chorus,great lyrics and musical delivery.”Good Morning Vietnam” with the trademark film shout out is has prominent guitar runs & key touches,upbeat with high melodic energy,”For Whom The Bell Tolls” has that early 80's melodic feel from the likes of Magnum & Rainbow which Bruce Mee is a huge fan of.”Show Me Heaven” is the melodic rock power ballad with some vibrant keyboard touches, which are also prominent in the smooth,catchy “The Ghost Of My Lai” and “Land Of The Blind” which has a big powerful chorus with soaring vocals but more restrained with brilliant vocal control in the verses.”Autumn Sun” has instant likeability the melody & vocals flow effortlessly which feels very atmospheric.”Prince Of Darkness” written by Bruce & Roland Forsman from Remedy has their trademark sound & darker epic feel.”I Am The Hammer” has the lyrics of hurt,a woman scorned,has attitude with another huge chorus.”The Nights Are Killing Me” & “Toxic” again are melodic rock gold tracks which tick all the boxes great lyrics, great rhythm,guitars & vocals.”Shadow” the final track ends the album in powerful triumphant glory,an epic ending.

“I Am The Hammer” is a glorious Melodic Rock Album. Fourteen tracks with superb lyrics & songwriting from Bruce & Gabrielle (who also did most of the superb melodies),big choruses with Tommy Denander's superb guitar work & production & the vocals from Gabrielle Da Val are superb proving she is a force to be reckoned with on the Melodic Rock Scene. Not only one of the albums of the year ,but most definitely will be hard to beat as the best Female Melodic Rock Album of 2025.An incredible album which I cant wait to get my hands on a physical copy! Due to be released 27^th June through Pride & Joy Music.