BROKEN HAND CHARITY – Democrusade
- Posted on 14-07-2012
You always worry that after a band impresses you with their debut effort, the follow up is going to be like a struggle climbing up the mountain to sustain interest. For Danish alternative hard rock act Broken Hand Charity, I didn’t let my worrisome fears take over- especially when the initial propulsive/ aggressive riff charge took place on the “When You Fear” opener. Vocalist Kasper Ljung uses more of an eerie talk speak voice during the verses while the chorus exemplifies his multi-dimensional melodic singing. The follow up “Offended” gives bassist Soren Kirchhoff a chance to shine during this addictive rocking number- guitarists Joachim Sestoft and Daniel Jakobsen employ a variety of dual harmonies and point/ counterpoint rhythms that cross the lines of Alter Bridge, Clutch, and Iron Maiden.
All 5 tracks on “Democrusade” offer up hooks that stay in your cranium for endless periods- be it the matching melody to riff that transitions into clean, echoing guitar passages for “Spread Flesh” against the chaotic percussion maneuvers from Heino Jensen or the all-out distorted jangly guitar against Kasper’s out of this world vocal harmonies on “Power Off”. Overall the band step up the songwriting and production values on all fronts- this could essentially be a release that goes toe to toe with most of the major label hard rock releases that hit the streets.
“Democrusade” in a just world will see Broken Hand Charity gain bigger live audiences, better sales and a few decent record deals coming their way.