HELLACOPTERS – HIGH VISIBILITY – 2000 (SWE) vintage hard rock/garage/stoner rock

When Entombed drummer/songwriter Nicke Andersson left after Wolverine Blues to pursue his rock side project, the Hellacopters, on a full-time basis, a deep void was left in the band (even if Uprising was a pleasant surprise). Go back and investigate -- Andersson wrote a massive proportion of the lyrics and music on the first three Entombed releases, but his talent was kept secret behind the invisible wall of the drum kit. High Visibility silences all debates on Andersson's prolific talent, as it ushers in the rebirth of Michigan-styled rock à la the MC5, the Stooges, and Sonic's Rendezvous Band. After the sloppy sludge rock masterpiece Supershitty to the Max!, the 'Copters flirted with straightforward, raw '70s rock appeal, succeeding on one album, Payin' the Dues, and failing on the other, Grande Rock. Something dramatic happened on Payin' the Dues, though, when they covered the seminal Detroit classic "City Slang" from Sonic's Rendezvous Band and even had one of the band's members, Scott Morgan, perform on a few cuts of the bonus live disc. This paved the way for the Detroit-worshiping, supremely superior sound of High Visibility. Andersson and the gang have found their chops in a sense, as the drummer suddenly became one of rock (and metal's) top vocalists today, with his raw bluesy style well intact, along with some added Rob Younger (Radio Birdman, New Christs) leanings for delicious icing. Speaking of Andersson and growth, the guitar playing has entered the realm of a Hendrix/Wayne Kramer hybrid with a certain Ace Frehley/Deniz Tek (Radio Birdman) attitude of playing. "Toys and Flavors," the album's first single and catchiest song, features a solo that will go down as one of the most legendary solos of the early millennium, as the ghost of Hendrix possesses him, recalling moments from "All Along the Watchtower." "Hopeless Case of a Kid in Denial" and "No One's Gonna Do It for You" are two of the other standout tracks. The first features some brutally catchy acoustic undertones that give the song some killer propulsion, while the fuzzed-out guitars duel with the exquisitely subtle grand piano playin' of Boba Fett, as Andersson's strange melodic rasps recall John Bush's finer moments. The second is a mellow jam tune with a talking, wistful solo from Andersson and companion guitarist Robert Dahlqvist. "No Song Unheard" is a relaxed, heartfelt rock ballad with emotive lyrics and vocals; it doesn't fall prey to the typical conventions of the ballad since it retains its edge and ability to cut loose, as is evidenced by Andersson's brilliant guitar sermon. Connections with Detroit are again solidified with the Scott Morgan co-penned "Hurtin' Time" and the MC5-drenched "I Wanna Touch" -- a lost descendant of their seminal classic "American Ruse." Screw Spiritual Beggars, Firebird, and all the other '70s rock revivalist bands springing up; the Hellacopters aren't reviving anything -- they're possessed with the spirit of it, and damn does it sound sweet.

Nicke "Royale" Anderson (guitar, bass, drums)
Kenny Håkansson (bass)
Robert "Strängen" Dahlqvist (guitar)
Robert Eriksson (drums, cymbals, percussion)
Anders "Boba" Lindström (piano, organ, keyboards, guitar)
1 Hopeless Case of a Kid in Denial 3:03
2 Baby Borderline 2:49
3 Sometimes I Don't Know 2:26
4 Toys and Flavors 3:32
5 You're Too Good (To Me Baby) 2:27
6 Throw Away Heroes 3:18
7 No Song Unheard 4:00
8 Truckloads of Nothin' 2:48
9 A Heart Without Home 3:50
10 No One's Gonna Do it For You 3:09
11 I Wanna Touch 2:31
12 Hurtin' Time 2:28
13 Envious 4:01
One more winner for the Swedish hard-rockers. The Hellacopters are still in great form with High visibility and it makes one wonder when they will stop their streak of first-rate records. With this album they move their sound a touch further adding even more fresh elements to it. The music of course is always garage rock with influences mainly by MC5 and 70's hard rock acts, but this time the group is a touch more commercial sounding. Yet, the most impressive fact is not the Hellacopter's ability to produce worthy material but their continuous attempt to improve their sound. Folk, blues and classic rock 'n' roll hints can be found in this recording where even a (kind of) ballad can be found. Although at times a bit slower paced than usual, High visibility remains fast and furious and finds the band in a mature stage of their career. The addition of guitarist Robert Dalqvist, supports the guitar power, while Boba in this album handles only the keyboards and piano which have a more prominent role in comparison to Grande Rock. Nicke Anderson's solos just get better and better and the rhythm section impresses wildly. Matz Robert Eriksson is probably amongst the greatest drummers and proves so on High Visibility, while Kenny Hakansson is as always a guarantee on the bass. As far as the songwriting is concerned, the band proves resourceful another one time. The album kicks off with "Hopeless case of a kid in denial" a dynamite garage rocker tune which features impressive piano playing by Boba in the background and sounds like an outtake from Grande Rock. Likewise, the second track "Baby Bordeline" is a catchy tune which follows the same recipe as the previous one and contributes to the grand opening. "Toys and flavors" is the hit single and a remarkable one if that. Boba and Nicke Anderson provide us with surpassing music and are truly worthy of everyone's admiration. "You're too good (to me baby)" has a more punkish sound closer perhaps to Bad Religion, while "Throw away heroes" and the ballad "No song unheard" go down a folk road with a striking outcome. And just when you think that the band has run out of great tunes it hits you with two more masterpieces. The slow paced bluesy "No one's gonna do it for you" has a beautiful tune that haunts the listener and contains skillful double solos by the two guitarists. And after the tranquil sunshine comes ...thunder and lightning. "I wanna touch" twists and shouts and motherfuckin' rock 'n' rolls and ....Is that Alvin Lee on guitar? Sure as hell sounds like it. WHAT A ROCKER!!! A definite rock 'n' roll song. But what am I saying. The whole album is dynamite. With almost no flaws, this is another exceptional recording from a band whose contribution to the revival of pure rock 'n' roll sound is huge and who has been so much wronged by the present situation in the music industry. The Hellacopters without doubt deserve to be amongst the top bands of our era and High visibility ought to be considered as one of their best and classic works. My wish to them: Just keep up the good work.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!
Rip from CD 256@ (full artwork included)
Download link
http://link-protector.com/273168/