The end of the 80s brought a series of older sonorities from the 60s and 70s back, and with new life on them. A consequence of acts as SOUNGARDEN reaching commercial success is the number of bands that revolves into older Hard Rock influences, but with new life on them. One of the bands that are arising from the underground today and showing excellent works on Hard Rock is the Melbourne based quartet GRAYSTONE CANYON, and they’re here with the band’s second album, “Iron & Oak”. The mixing was done by the producer Glen Robinson (the same one whose work is known by his works with QUEENSRŸCHE, VOIVOD and others), to guarantee that their music would have an organic appeal, but with a high-level sonority.

It’s what the listener will have: a loud, defined and heavy sonority, but with everything in their due places. The quartet plays a form of Hard Rock that is plenty of influences of the 70s (reinforced by the use of different musical instruments as pianos, chords, Hammond organ, and 12-strings acoustic guitar), remind something from the works of acts as LYNYRD SKYNYRD (due some groove touches) and SOUNGARDEN, but with the heavy appeal of Heavy Metal acts from NWOBHM (as heard on some guitars on “Price on Your Head”). But their melodies are tempered with a catchy and amazing energy, and the experience of hearing to “Iron & Oak” is really delightful.

One can taste songs as “Vultures” (amazing melodies and high adrenaline on each moment, with Hammond organ being used to reinforce the Hard Rock feeling, but what excellent vocals), “Price on Your Head” (some introspective elements can be heard, with fine vocals and backing vocals, but what great work from bass guitar and drums), “We all Become Yesterday” (wow, what lovely energy, with such acrid taste on the melodies, and what superb guitars riffs and arrangements), “Breathe Again” (this one is plenty of contrasts between melodic and introspect moments with heavier guitar-driven parts), “Sky is Falling” (this one is nearer traditional Heavy Metal, with charming melodies being supported by a weight instrumental sheath), “Raging Waters” (what lovely melancholic appeal), and if you’re are really wise, you’ll taste to “Reborn”, “Over and Over” and “No Saint” as well, without jumping songs.

The level of maturity shown on “Iron & Oak” is so amazing that it’s not a sin to say that GRAYSTONE CANYON can be a driving force in Hard Rock as soon as one could foresee.