This is raw, in your face Rock, but with more than enough variation to make it an interesting and worthy experience.
Ukrainian Rock bands aren’t usually particularly high on my agenda, but Spiritz have come up with a Metal/Rock crossover album full of passion and aggression but still maintaining a degree of subtlety, with piano and string arrangements to stop the album becoming nothing but a full on onslaught.
Opener ‘Last Exam’ starts things off with a huge bouncing riff, driven by bass, drums and guitar in unison; it’s an irrepressible start, setting the tone for an album full of beat and rhythm. ‘Freedom Zone’ is next and one of the heavier tracks on offer, some nice guitar interplay and Bobby Black’s raw vocals reaching almost shouting point at times with Nu-Metal force. A feature of several tracks, Black has a fine, engaging voice and tone, but chorus and backing vocals seem to consist mostly of the band trying to shout as loud as possible. Effective at times no doubt, but there are also moments when holding back a little can be just as effective.
‘Insane’ slows the pace a little with its piano intro and restrained but stylish guitar solo. There are calmer moments with ‘The Crow’ and ‘Stop The Rain’ being slower atmospheric songs. The tight rhythm section of Sammy Serkin’s bass and Keren Keen on drums really drives the album throughout. From in your face Metal power through to the Funk feel of ‘Not For You’ and ‘Here We Go’ which brings to mind a Metal focused Red Hot Chili Peppers feel with that strong rhythm underpinning everything the band does.
Overall this is raw, in your face Rock, but with more than enough variation to make it an interesting and worthy experience. Spiritz sound like they want to rebel against the world and ‘Perfect Sides’ is one big release of energy; a classy Funky, aggressive one - yet cohesive enough to deserve taking note of. The album is available to stream free through their website, a brave move perhaps in financial terms for an unsigned band, but I can’t think of one single reason why you shouldn’t give it a listen and go for it now.
Ian Parry
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