This is going to be a short one. Don’t blame me as this is another one of those EP formats with a handful of songs only. In this case we have 4, and the band is from Sweden named HORSE OF TROJA. If you have been in school, or watched the Brad Pitt movie, you know what it means. The name of the EP is Harder & Heavier and their sound is based on the greats of the 80s and 90s, like WHITESNAKE and DEEP PURPLE according to their own words. We start with a very familiar riff you could hear from a California Hard Rock band. The guitar riff in “Leaving” reminded me of Warren De Martini from RATT. All the ingredients are there and mixed well. Nice melody, tempo changes and a crazy solo. Things get even better with the second track “Harder & Heavier” with a solid rock guitar riff and a country swing. The singer Håkan Rudberg, to my ears, has kind of a Bon Scott tone on this track but not as gritty. Fits perfectly with the Hard Rock and Blues. Another great riff with some cowbells included, “Instant Drug” captures you in the first seconds and yes sir!

Give me more. I like what I'm listening to. Good Hard Rock full of swing, blues and country. The guys drank from the correct fountains. Guitar player Johan Isacsson has creative riffs and solos. Solos with feelings and not just speed. HORSE OF TROJA also has a solid foundation in bass player Johnnie Forselius and drummer Pertti Tikkanen. “No Mercy”, the last song, is the weakest of the EP in my opinion. A little less creative than the remaining. The second and third songs are the best and I believe the band should follow that trail with a little more swing and soul and a touch of country. These 2 middle tracks makes the EP worth listening to. The other 2 are good, but bad in comparison. If they ever release a full album, I would follow that road. Good work.