The Eighties are gone but they never left. Sweden’s heavy rock quintet Electric Hydra is leaving an indelible mark on the retro hard rock scene in a big way. Swedish Doom/heavy rock label Majestic Mountain Records released the band’s eponymous first full-length album last week and it keeps getting better with every listen.
Following last year’s promising self-released singles “The Last of Us”, “The Burden”, along with a contribution to the much celebrated Doomed & Stoned album series with a song titled “World Domination”, Electric Hydra proves they are no flash in the pan. This 35-minute scorcher of an album is relentless in pace from top to bottom without a single dud. From the first two catchy tracks, “It comes Alive” and “Won’t Go to War (with Myself)”, you know you’re in for a hell of a good time. The chugging guitars, pulsating bassline, and thunderous drumming led by the charismatic Sanne Karlsson on vocals, this female-fronted band delivers on its promise to rock our heads out. Karlsson’s vocals are reminiscent of Blondie’s Debbie Harry at times and to me at least, contribute to the throwback experience this album brings. My favorite cut has to be “Blackened Eyes” for which the band shot a very cool videoclip. You can check it out on their YouTube channel.
At the halfway mark, what could very well be the best song on the album, a doomier number titled “Iron Lung”, we’re treated to dual vocals in which guitarist Jonathan Möller chimes in to bring a nice change of style to the festivities. There’s the timely “End of Days” which is also a stand-out track, followed by “Rebel” with Möller returning on vocal duties; this song’s sole purpose in life is to set your speakers on fire! We close things out with “Rise from Below”, the slowest-paced song of the album but one of the very best that does a good job of filling the sonic space and leaves us on our appetite to hear what this exciting band’s next musical journey will be.
Electric Hydra’s self-titled album fires on all cylinders, folks, and it’s here to wake up your neighbors. I can’t really put my finger on what it is, but it has that ‘80s American hard rock/hair metal sound with a fresh edge to it. If you long for those bygone days when Mötley Crüe, Aerosmith, Van Halen, and arena rock ruled the land, then look no further: Electric Hydra’s got your fix.
Electric Hydra’s Bandcamp page: https://electrichydra.bandcamp.com/
Majestic Mountain Records’ Bandcamp page: https://majesticmountainrecords.bandcamp.com/
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