23 ACEZ – Redemption Waves
- by Matt Coe
- Posted on 31-12-2014
"Redemption Waves" is the debut album from Belgian quartet 23 Acez, and it’s very much in line with a lot of the modern melodic rock that you would expect coming out of the radio airwaves in North America these days. Guitarist Zors Willaert has an engaging, ear-pleasing vocal delivery that has the right grit and texture, while musically the band focus on key guitar hooks and drive the groove from that initial impetus. "Descending" for instance shifts between a sinister, slower stair step guitar lick and then hits upon this twin harmony element that should get audiences alive and kicking, while "Loophole" contains a little slide guitar and this semi-tribal drum groove that accelerates the heart rate.
Occasional keyboard swirls aid "Alone", Zors again having a voice that will fit well for fans of Shinedown or Sebastian Bach. 23 Acez overall has a lot of qualities that resonate with acts such as Alter Bridge, Candlebox, and others in that natural rock radio register. Will "Redemption Waves" change the world? Not really… but sometimes you just need to kick back, let loose, and grab some rock n’ roll to fill your soul.