Bands playing older Rock genres (call them Hard Rock, Classic Rock or any other label you want) is a common feature today. Some are really mediocre, trying to emulate what was done in the past without any personal contribution; in others, there is personality, even with a non-compromised work (what means that's nothing 'forced' to be in such way, something spontaneous). And no one can deny that the quartet THE DEAD DAISIES is one of the greatest names actually, always delivering excellent works. But what the fans can expect of "Radiance", their sixth studio album?

As is widely known, the band's musical work is just a form of Rock 'n' Roll based on the formulas used on the 60's and 70's, with excellent melodies, remarkable choruses, an abrasive weighty approach, but always in an actual form, staying away of relying on the members' pasts (these guys have played in acts as DEEP PURPLE, WHITESNAKE, FOREIGNER, HOUSE OF LORDS, DIO, BLACK SABBATH, BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION and others, so one can think about their individual talent). No, the quartet is always challenging itself, but always in a form that delivers an amazing energy, a set of songs filled with life and plenty of hooks. Yes, they hit the target once more, keeping the band's personal insight on the genre, but always walking to the future!

For the second time the band worked with Ben Grosse at the helm of the production (he is worldly known for his works with DREAM THEATER, MARILYN MANSON, DEPECHE MODE, ALTER BRIDGE, THIRTY SECONDS TO MARS, and many others). And he signs a work that is a transposition of the organic form of recording, mixing and mastering an album of the past for the actual models, giving the band the essential organic feeling of the past, but with the features that allows their music to sound alive, full of energy and thunderous!

THE DEAD DAISIES is really an amazing act to hear to, always creating songs that are remarkable, and the band's name would be in the same level of LED ZEPPELIN or DEEP PURPLE in the 70's due its talent. The album opens with a bluesy Hard Rock called "Face Your Fear", filled with amazing melodies, guitars arrangements and a thunderous weight, the same happening on "Hypnotize Yourself" (besides this one shows a deeper set of melodies). "Shine On" is an abrasive Hard Rock roller coaster, filled with a frantic and hooking energy (and what great vocals, but as 'The Voice of Rock' is singing, it's not a surprise). Evoking a bombastic weight with a bluesy touch, "Radiance" is amazing, with a charming chorus.

On "Born to Fly", even keeping the heavier abrasive approach of the band, many instrumental arrangements creates a perfect sheath for the vocals. And "Kiss the Sun" brings a mix between influences of Hard Rock (70%) with Country Rock and Blues Rock elements (30%), with perfect changes between the tunes of the vocals. If one is looking for mammothnic guitar riffs, they're clearly on "Courageous", with excellent six-string arrangements that allows bass guitar and drums to exhibit a very good technical work. And revising some 'sabbathic' and 'acdcian' influences, "Cascade" can oppress the ears of the younger fans that aren't used to such organic expression (and it's another good exhibition of bass guitar and drums).

With a more accessible dynamics, "Not Human" is a form of Hard Rock in the form used on the 80's, with charming guitar parts. And "Roll On" is a deeper and melancholic song with crescendos near the chorus, where one can check the versatility of the guitars (the contrasts between clean and distorted parts are wonderful) and charming keyboards touches. One can say that "Radiance" is a fine example of how playing such form of Rock with an actual feeling. But no one can deny: THE DEAD DAISIES is a band with energy to last as the older bands are becoming tired...

Another album for the list of the best ones of the year...