Full Scream Ahead…
Las estrellas llameantes son estas vixens mágicas de música de metal… y tío
Sirenhex Album Review
by
Boris Lee
When one can keep looking back to a specific event in life, be it something personal, professional or creative, and that event continues to inspire a greater anticipation of things to come, then it is my belief that event is a game changer. The event I refer to is one I have mentioned previously regarding the Metal Vixens… and Dude, of Sirenhex. December 15, 2017. The performance Sirenhex put on that night stole the show, and put the belief in me that Metal Music is as strong at heart now, as it ever was.
About a year ago, Sirenhex released their debut album, which they refer to as a “Demo”. As I said then and again now, the album is far better than the labelling of demo. The album was so good, I wrote a review about it after the first listening (something I rarely do). Since my releasing the article, Hechiceras de la Seducción Mágica de Metal… (click the link to read the article), they band has played more live shows in Los Angeles and made their way to Arizona and Chicago, among other places. With each show, Sirenhex advanced their fan base, reaching out to audiences with music that is old school in execution, with a fresh pulse from their youth and talent.
Since I no longer live in Los Angeles, I have put technology to use to keep up with the ladies and dude of Sirenhex. Watching live video streams and fan shot videos on social media, I observed that the band improved. The most notable improvements being Luna Soto’s vocals and showmanship, and rhythm guitarist Christine “Barbie” Fernandez loosening up during the stage performance.
With keeping track of Sirenhex over the past year, seeing their improvements, and knowing how good their debut album was, Sirenhex set the bar high for any follow up material they would release.
From The Cove, Sirenhex’s sophomore release hit the music market April 2019, with a hard act to follow in the form of their self-titled debut. Could Sirenhex do it again? Could they capture the energy they have at live performances… and, the improvements shown at these shows on record?
It is not as common as one may think for a band to release a classic debut album and follow it up with something just as good.
From the Cove delivers, and places Sirenhex in elite company with bands like Black Sabbath, Dio, Metallica, Slayer, and Iron Maiden, who had sophomore albums just as good, if not better, than their debut releases. I dare to compare, for us old school elders of metal music, we can recall when Ozzy Osbourne released the classics Blizzard of Ozz, and Diary of a Madman, in 1981. It is a toss up on which of those classic metal albums is the better. It comes down to perspective. Sirenhex can take claim to the same argument for the most part as, From the Cove is just as well written, recorded, and musically executed as their debut release. I would say the album is BETTER, however, since there are only two songs on the album, I have to call it a tie between the two albums on which is the best. Luna, Barbie, Jerm, Bee and Mars have mastered the magic of musicianship with, From the Cove.
The opening track, Blazing Star, opens fast, blazing right into a creative cauldron of drum beats, high octane guitar riffs, and Luna’s best vocal performance to date. What stands out in the song is the “Hexsters” flowing as one force with the music. If the energetic unison of water flowing through rapids created metal music, it would feel like the music that is Blazing Star.
The band already had good tempo change abilities and have become seamless at this point. Jerm’s solo is EXCELLENT. Short, sweet, and unlike on the Sirenhex debut release where he reminded me of a good version of Kirk Hammett, Jerm makes his guitar sing during his solo on Blazing Star. The music breaths! Something I keep saying music needs to do. The band joining in with Luna on the closing verse of the song is well executed, and frankly… I was surprised at how good the “Hexsters” backing vocal abilities are. Impressive. Luna’s vocal speed, power, diversity and range are highlighted on Blazing Star.
El Laberinto picks up where Blazing Star left off, shooting the listener into the metal music stratosphere. The riffs laid down by Barbie and Jerm, engaged with Mars and Bee’s rhythm section work is tonally delicious. Luna’s vocals are the icing on the cake. The overall feeling to the song is like a classic ‘80’s Judas Priest tune.
Sirehex has what it takes to move on to bigger things in metal music. They have the old school sound and fresh feel that prevents their music from being lost in the shuffle. They stand out, and if the recording world was the same today as it was in the commercial success heyday of metal music, Sirenhex would be signed and playing Madison Square Garden.
The album, as great as it is, has a drawback, and that is that there are only two songs on the record. The band should have waited, saved up more money, and recorded two more songs, releasing the new material later in the year, or, added two live tracks to the album to complete the package.
From the Cove gets 4.5 out of five raised horns. Sirenhex is ready to take over the metal music world. Whatcha gonna do, when Hexamania runs wild on you!
From the Cove delivers, and places Sirenhex in elite com
