ALBUM REVIEW: Hey Satan! - "Hey Satan!"

By: Mike Pagos

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 28/01/2017

Label: Cold Smoke Records

 

Overall this is a very impressive debut by very talented musicians.  Superb songwriting and extremely catchy rock and roll filled with dueling fuzzed out guitars, loud drums and a dynamic singer.

“Hey Satan!” DD//LP track listing:

1). Fallon City Messiah

2). Legal Aspect of Love

3). Sunshine Blues

4). In Cold Blood

5). 1991

6). Song for A Lost Mariner

7). Red Light Women

8). Bastardizer

9). Black Flags Down

10). This Meat Stinks, Honey

The Review:

A very impressive debut album from Swiss trio, Hey Satan!  From start to finish the band hurls addictively catchy riff after riff in 36 minutes of pure, no nonsense rock and roll.

Hey Satan! Is a rock trio formed by three long-time friends and hailing from Lausanne, Switzerland.  Their self-titled debut was released on January 28 by Cold Smoke Records. The trio consists of two guitarists and a drummer, no bass.  While I am a big believer in what a bass can add to a band’s sound, having no bassist in the line-up seems to be becoming more common these days, and several bands have proven that it can work.  Hey Satan! Is definitely one of those bands.  Even if you actually notice the lack of bass, you won’t miss it.  The production of album is top-notch and the band is heavy and tight throughout

Despite being a debut album, the song writing quality and tight performance of the band would lead one to believe these guys are seasoned veterans.  Throughout the ten tracks of “Hey Satan!” The band delivers up-beat, groovy, stoner rock that I’m certain makes for a good time at their live shows.  Whilst they don’t exactly break any new ground with this album, it will undoubtedly incite comparisons to QOTSA and Clutch among others.  But in listening to the album, the band’s intention seems to be just playing kick ass heavy rock music, and they nailed it.

The lead track “Fallen City Messiah” opens with just drums, the twin guitars then come in with a build up riff before the band pauses and we hear Francois (vocalist) shout “Brothers and Sisters” and the band unleashes into a hard rock anthem filled with tasty riffs, guitar solos, hard hitting drums and powerful vocals. Francois uses his vocals effectively throughout each part of a song, varying between raspy singing to shouts, whispers, and even the occasional “woo.” It’s a great opening track that sets you up for what to come.  The album is consistent and cohesive throughout.  It was hard for me to pick a favorite track.  The only criticism is that at times the album sounds a bit monotonous, yet at the same time never boring.  They keep up their pace and keep you listening.

Overall this is a very impressive debut by very talented musicians.  Superb songwriting and extremely catchy rock and roll filled with dueling fuzzed out guitars, loud drums and a dynamic singer.  Many of the hooks are so good I could see Hey Satan! breaking into the hard rock mainstream, well maybe with a name change (I love the name).  I highly recommend this album and am excited to hear more from Hey Satan!

“Hey Satan!” is available here

Band info: Facebook || Bandcamp