NASTY TENDENCY – Hello Suckers!

Normally to go through 10 member changes in 4 years doesn’t bode well for career longevity. Doing a little research on Italy’s Nasty Tendency, I felt it was necessary to hear their debut album “Wild And Nasty” from 2009 before my analysis of the follow up “Hello Suckers!”. The main difference one will think of is the change in vocals – as the debut had the wild, shrieking high pitched craziness of Nikki Nails and the new one has the more conventional rough and tumble delivery of Mark Bonavita. The other difference is “Hello Suckers!” possesses more of a studio solid production, whereas “Wild And Nasty” is very raw and showcases probably more of what Nasty Tendency would be like in a bar/ small club setting.

The quintet play a traditional brand of heavy metal with distinct American hard rock flavoring. It wouldn’t be far off to pinpoint their affinity for Accept in the dual Luke Nasty Kidd and Johnny Curly guitar interplay – trading off rhythms, harmonies and solos like a well oiled machine on stellar material like “Rocket Woman” and “Metal Strikes Again”. At other times the Motley Crue and Ratt influences come out in the Mick Mars/“Shout At The Devil”-era riff approach to “Play It Loud” where Mark keeps his melodies close to the vest and the background gang chorus vocals keep the title careening in your brain for days on end. Get your tissues ready ladies and gentlemen when Nasty Tendency slow the mood down for a ballad like “Switchblade Serenade” that falls in line with Skid Row lyrically instead of being a conventional love tale.

Considering the plethora of Scandinavian groups getting signed and making inroads across the globe, Nasty Tendency offers a unique take with their speedier rhythm section and obvious songwriting talent dedicated to the best of the 80’s scene. Another album in this vein and these Italians could see themselves ascend from opening act to headlining status.

www.myspace.com/nastytendency
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