Sweaty rock with punk attitude from Sweden, that's what DEAD EXPRESS promises (spoiler alert: with success). "Brain damage" is the third album from the Swedish combo, after "Bloodsucking queen" (2017) and "The noble art of self-destruction" (2018), and two initial EPs. The sound, as in bio is described, can be found somewhere in between Detroit rock, The Hellacopters and Gluecifer, but I would like to add other influences, like for example THE RAMONES, MOTORHEAD, plus some crossover bands from the nineties.

Ten songs for only 25 minutes of running time (some more would not have hurt, but sometimes less is more), no weak points, that are showing quite a mature band, able to put all the influences and mix them wisely to create quite a personal sound. I would mention a couple of episodes that excel: the opener "Oh yeah! Oh no!" is a direct uptempo song, with an interesting mix of punk rock, seventies groove and some vocal elements that remind of early MOTLEY CRUE; the title-track "Brain Damage" has some elements that reminds of the metal music of the nineties, mixed interestingly with some glam vocal melodies , especially during the chorus. I like the refrain of the punky "Bastard Son" as well as the drumming; "Time to Live" has more a street rock attitude, and the final "Attitude" concludes the album with energy and style.

But the mentioned songs are just to pick up some examples. The whole album is enjoyable; I like the energy that is exuding, the riffing and the drumming. Thanks maybe to the short duration of the album, I have listened to it many times and I still love to play it again. As said, "Brain Damage" may not be an original release, but it is direct, funny and energetic: all elements that makes me like this album and this band. Good job, keep going!