SLIK HELVETIKA: a weird name, and -when it comes to the music- a more bizarre style whatsoever. Running through the American band's Internet profile to come up with an initial categorization (not needed at all, but just to have a brief introduction to mind in order to put into boxes some useful data needed to anyone reading this review) things did not become much clearer; huh, that's the time when music does the talking anyway...
Mikhall Myers, proud member of 80s obscure Metal heroes DESTROYER, handles most of the duties in SLIK HELVETIKA. Singer and songwriter, he's accompanied by a duo of old mates; Kjell Benner is an old comrade of Mikhall in the DESTROYER days while also being a familiar name to QUIET RIOT and SKULL fans, plus Mark Bennet also participated in the DESTROYER lineup. With two releases already available in the band's discography -Slik Helvetika (2004) and the Krypt Kicker V EP (2006)- this is the third attempt from this odd trio.
The music is divided into two main fields: the 'twisted' side of LA Hair Metal, with a base in the way bands like MOTLEY CRUE or POISON or SIC VIKKI liked to Rock but added with a good doze of perversion in the vocals and riffs sections, and the lack of 'warrior power' style in Rock/Metal music made in America (Zakk Wylde or even UGLY KID JOE). Add some of the spite of newly formed Sleaze Rock/Metal outfits and dress all these in a low-tuned production with a slice of malice or a part of STEEL PANTHER glamor. The band is marketed as a Heavy Metal act but I would not really take the risk to promote SLIK HELVETIKA as a delicious dish for metallic hunger.
Tons of riffs, pounding drums, a mix of lipstick and spikes coming to mind...Hafnium even has a bizarre name for an album. In strict Metal commands, this CD is hard for the average metalhead to understand and I do not know if the hard rocker, looking for something simple in the songwriting, will be happy either. SLIK HELVETIKA is the case of the band you'll probably fall in love with but equal are the chances you're gonna cry for the money you spent on. Surfing in the band's website/MySpace page is a 'must', anyway.