Contemporary Alternative Rock and Country.
Contemporary Alternative Rock and Country. Two rather different genres I enjoy very much, yet never thought I would hear together on one album, but that's what Tempesta offer.
This Swiss quartet were founded in 1994 by singer and guitarist Reto Thalmann, though debut album 'Platinum' wouldn't surface until 2002, yet albums have appeared on a regular basis since, with the latest efforts hitting the Swiss Billboard charts, which led to tours with the likes of ZZ Top, Krokus and Good Charlotte.
The rather pointless 'Intro' kicks things off and leads into 'Crazy', a contemporary riff-driven rocker that is reminiscent of Theory Of A Deadman, with vocalist Thalmann coming across like a more melodic James Hetfield. 'All I Ever Wanted' follows a similar path, and introduces a more Nickelback sounding style. 'The Going Rate' and 'Living Room' are slower, darker numbers that lean towards an angst-riddled post-grunge style that brings to mind early Shinedown. First single 'Children Of Innocents' is a mid-tempo ballad with a soaring chorus that again has shades of Hinder and Theory... again, while 'I'll Be Your Only One' and 'Without You' are true ballads that mix the two genres extraordinarily well. Then comes the tender ballad 'Wait', which is as Country as it gets with its delicate pedal steel guitars. The album closes with two live numbers from earlier in Tempesta's history that cover both genres, demonstrating that the band are equally comfortable with either sound.
It may be a slightly unusual mix of styles, and not for everybody, but Tempesta make it work, and though the album relies heavily on ballad-orientated material, I reckon it's well worth investigating.
Ant Heeks
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