
History is written by the victors.
-- WildHeart --
24/05/2019
Stijn Daneels

Album genres:
■ | Hard Rock |
■ | Stadium rock |
■ | Sleaze rock |
Album artists:
■ | Farty | Vocals |
■ | Foxx | Guitars |
■ | Juice | Guitars |
■ | Stevie Dee | Bass |
■ | Thunderberck | Drums |
Review written by Stijn "Metal Shredder" Daneels.
[METAL SHREDDER REPORTING]
Wildheart
is a band I’ve been in touch with for several years now, ever since I first saw
them live in early 2015 in the Spiraal in Geraardsbergen, the same venue where
their own festival Wildfest takes place. A year later the inaugural edition of
said Wildfest event took place as well as Wildheart releasing their debut
album, which I liked a lot (read my review here: http://belgianmetalshredder.be/reviews/44). Now, Wildfest has become a
beloved hard, glam and sleaze rock festival with a international audience and
Wildheart have released their well-anticipated second album. But enough talk,
shred at you!
[SHREDDING
BASICS]
No Love is
the second album from the Belgian hard rock band Wildheart. It’s another
independent release and succeeds their self-titled debut album from 2016. And as was the case back then, Wildheart’s new material was
sent to me by my Dutch friends at Hard Life Promotion.
At its
core, Wildheart plays energetic hard rock inspired by the likes of Whitesnake,
Aerosmith, Mötley Crüe and Van Halen and if you’ve listened to their debut
release then this new material will instantly sound and feel familiar. This is
also thanks in part to Wildheart’s unchanged lineup. Lineup changes happen more
often than not and I’m very pleased to see how the Wildheart crew has remained
consistent over the years.
And as a
result, Wildheart’s traits that made their debut album so sweet are still here.
Both guitarists Foxx and Juice jam out virtuosic guitar solos, drummer
Thunderberck and bassist Steve Dee provide tight rhythms and vocalist Farty brings
the catchy lyrics in his typically high, recognizable voice. The new songs also
maintain their typical length, going smoothly over 5 minutes without feeling
dragged out. The band did include some more variety in themes (more on that
later) and overall style and atmosphere. Some songs like “Tonight We Rock” are
fast-paced party rock tunes while other tracks such as “Rumours” are slower and
more sentimental in nature and finally there’s groovy sleaze rock in the form
of “Good To Be Bad” and a traditional love ballad called “Valerie.”
Aside from
the increased song variety I was also happy to hear that Wildheart had cranked
up the production values compared to their debut. In No Love, Thunderberck’s
drums pound stronger, Juice’s and Foxx’s riffs sound more epic, Farty’s vocals
are clearer and more commanding and Steve Dee’s bass lines feel crisper. This all
makes Wildheart sound even more like a larger-than-life stadium rock band and I
believe that’s the road they should keep on following. This high-octane and
optimistic rock for all ages and races is truly Wildheart’s strength and I
already can’t wait for a follow-up!
[SHREDDING VISION]
The front
cover shows a spandex wearing topless girl looking into a broken, heart-shaped
mirror. Too bad the mirror doesn’t show her reflection, and so only the pictures
of the five Wildhearts can look at her gorgeous front. Sexuality aside, I like
the hand-drawn style of the artwork, it reminds me of the Belgian erotic comic
book series “Red Ears.”
The themes
on No Love are more varied than the first album, while the usual hard rock topics
like femmes fatales, partying and riding off into the sunset are all present,
the band also plays songs about history being (re)written by the people in
power and the reputation destroying power of gossip. Fortunately, the band
never goes into dark, depressive mode, they acknowledge that the world isn’t
always sunshine and rainbows, but they also confidently tell that things can
certainly improve if appropriate action is taken! A true fighting spirit!
[SHARPEST SHREDS & BLUNTEST BLADES]
The honor
goes to track 6, “One Way Ticket To Paradise.” It’s such a joyful tune about getting
on the motorcycle and going out into the wide open world and enjoying all the
good things in life. The riffs are so groovy that I could already hear the
engines humming. Another favorite of mine is track 4, “Dutch Courage.” While
the song is about alcohol (yeah, like so many others) Farty narrates about the
stress and nervousness he feels before going on stage and that he needs to
drink a few shots to calm down his nerves. I believe many stage performers and
public speakers can relate to such sense of anxiety. At least I certainly can!
Worst
tracks? Can’t think of any, the material on No Love is of consistent high
quality from beginning to end! Although I wish for two things when the third
Wildheart album comes around: a 4 or 5 minute instrumental (wherein Foxx and
Juice can steal the show even more than they usually do) and a record label! So
Wildheart, get out there and get yourselves a deal, you deserve it! And in case
you guys need some motivation to start that quest, here’s a tasty...
[SHREDDER SCORECARD]
9 topless
mirror girls out of 10! If you enjoyed Wildheart’s eponymous first album then
give “No Love” some love (no need to pardon me for the poor wordplay). The
Wildheart boys have taken all the strengths they showcased in their already impressive
debut and added higher production values and tighter songwriting to create an
epic successor! Too bad I can’t be present at Wildfest this year (the finals of
WOA Metal Battle Belgium take place that same day) but if you’re heading to
Wildfest, then be sure to get hold of this new hard rock gem! Here’s the lyric
video for No Love’s title track.