Adam and the Hellcats – 9 Lives (Catalyst) (13th Floor Album Review)
Bristol (UK) based heavy rockers Adam and the Hellcats released their third album 9 Lives on Friday. The band, who claim to love music on the heavier and crazier side of life, will be setting off on their fourth UK tour.
First, a disclaimer: I admit that I took on this review only because I started a band called The Hellcats when at university. And by starting a band, I mean talking about it frequently with a friend. We had one practice, and decided on a name. Nothing eventuated.
Research will be done in future, as this is NOT an act I would not normally listen to. Hopefully, I have left any biases at the door in this review.
Adam and the Hellcats are, at heart, a metal band. You can really tell when they’re at home when they slip into a ‘chugga chugga’ riff. All the motifs of a metal band are there. I heard double kick pedal, the Boss Metal-Zone distortion pedal and some fairly gutsy vocal shrieks from singer Cirwen Costa. Frontman Adam Feasely is joined by his father Tony on drums. I know that’s not a staple of metal, but it is quite sweet.
I’ve seen bands like this live, they often play in venues where everyone knows each other. There’s usually an older crowd, and all patrons are very kind to each other. Lots of hands are raised in the air in the typical rock salute. And there’s always three guitar players in each band! Two songs in, I felt like I was in one of those underground venues where original music is embraced with enthusiasm. Regardless of the quality or style, everyone goes in with an open mind.
Maturity in their songwriting is the theme that Adam and the Hellcats have boasted in their press release. I’m not entirely convinced considering the opener Light Up is about ripping up a party. Perhaps it’s about the way they have varied the music.
And, to their credit, they have. Fuck You Brain (yep, that’s the name of the song!) begins with the vibe of a Latin rock song. But their attempts to master the guitars are a little clumsy. Lead single, Go Easy tries to capture a pop introduction (with some disastrous rapping), but the performance feels like a roughly done demo.
It’s only when they slink back into the metal sound (which, fortunately for them, is often), do they present an adequate result. And, I’m not a metal fan. So, I felt like it was wasted on me.
As I mentioned, one of the vocalists, Cirwen Costa, can really howl. Other vocal duties are taken by Adam (of the Hellcats), who is more raspy and less impressive to listen to. Although, I didn’t actually mind his sombre ballad Screaming at Shadows.
I felt like there was a lot of heart put into this album. I hope they can find their broader audience. They’re clearly doing their thing, whatever that is.
Daniel Edmonds
9 Lives is out now on Catalyst Records
