
Dutch Of Spades
-- Souls Of Deaf --
05/11/2018
Stijn Daneels

Album genres:
■ | heavy metal |
■ | Punk rock |
■ | Hard Rock |
Album artists:
■ | Francis Van Der Hoff | Vocals |
■ | Luc Van Rens | Guitar |
■ | Sander Stappers | Bass |
■ | Carl Vereijken | Drums |
[METAL SHREDDER REPORTING]
Souls Of
Deaf’s first album was sent to me by Seppe Van Ael, vocalist of punk rock band
CLCKWS as well as promoter for RockXXL, Nosebleed Records, Svnday Promotions
and finally his own For The Record podcast. Enough introductory chitchat, let
the shredding begin!
[SHREDDING BASICS]
Fortune
Favors The Bold is the debut release of Dutch rock band Souls Of Deaf, formed
in 2015. The album is released through Dutch record label Rock Company. Fortune
Favors The Bold starts off strong with a badass, bass-heavy opening joined by
sharp guitar riffs and bombastic drums lines until it enters into “Fall From
Grace” and the band is quick to unleash their inner speed freaks with this
poignant rock n’ roll track. Essentially, Souls Of Deaf’s sound is most
inspired by Motörhead, the same sharp riffs and punk rock song structures. Especially
tracks like “Fall From Grace,” “Rushed To The Bone” and “Out For Lunch” serve
as major examples. Other songs are inspired by Guns N’ Roses (Fortune Favors
The Bold’s title track) and Black Sabbath (“My Will Be Done”). The Dutch accent
of vocalist Francis gives this entire album a unique touch. There is a sense of
rush and urgency in his voice and it perfectly fits perfectly with the band’s
sound, especially with the fast songs. That being said, there isn’t much else I
need to say to describe Souls Of Deaf’s sound. You know Motörhead and the sound
they’ve brought to the sonic table and Souls Of Deaf pays a beautiful homage to
the Three Amigos as well as other iconic bands from the 1980s!
[SHREDDING VISION]
On top of
an altar and surrounded by praying monks, stands a huge eagle spreading its
wings, ready to fly right out of Fortune Favors The Bold’s majestically blue
cover art. I love the cover not just for its aesthetics, but also because of
its originality. It’s the sort of artwork I usually associate with symphonic
metal rather than boots-to-the-ground rock n’ roll.
[SHARPEST SHREDS AND BLUNTEST BLADES]
I’ve got
several favorites! The badass punk rhymes of “Fall From Grace,” the anthem like
“Forwards You Move” (although I wish that track were a bit shorter) and finally
the Motörhead tribute song “Out For Lunch.” Filled with references to classic
Motörhead songs and phrases as well as a main melody similar to the title track
of that band’s 2000 release “We Are Motörhead!” Get the Jack and Coke out now,
guys!
However, I
did not like the slower tracks that much, songs like Fortune Favors The Bold’s
title tune. That song in particular felt slow and dragged on, showing a band
that’s clearly not playing to their strengths. Personally, Souls Of Deaf fares
much better when they’re playing fast and hard. Good thing is that the majority
of this Fortune Favors The Bold album follows that principle. And that’s why
these Dutchmen are now getting…
[SHREDDER’S SCORECARD]
7 aces out
of 10! Rather than reinventing the wheel, Souls Of Deaf takes said wheel and
give it a good hard spin! An old-school album that aims to bring
some of that classic Motörhead vibe to you but with a typically Dutch flavor!
No Dutch courage is needed to enjoy this release, just don’t forget the joker!
Here’s a preview of the album presented to you by Rock Company featuring fragments
from five different tracks on Fortune Favors The Bold!