Smash Into Pieces: Come ride the Phoenix with these talented guys!
Artist: Smash Into Pieces
Album: Rise and Shine
Release Date: January 27, 2017
Record Co.: Gain Records
Vocals: Chris Adam Hedman Sörbye
Guitar: Per Bergquist
Guitar: Benjamin “Banjo” Jennebo
Bass: Viktor Vidlund
Drums: The Apocalypse DJ
Hey Mayhem! Lady Siren Song bringing you a review for another fabulous group. They are well known in their home country of Sweden. But they have done some light touring in the US in support of other bands. They have been an active band since 2008, and I’m surprised that they have not done heavier touring in the States because they have an absolutely amazing sound! I would consider them an interesting blend of rock/metal/pop. Yes I said pop...get over it. That makes their appeal even broader…when they can draw fans from different genres. I have listened to all three of their albums. But since “Rise and Shine” is the most recent, my focus will primarily be on this album. This review will take a different format. Normally I will breakdown my thoughts on each of the Ground Shakers. But with this album…with the group in general, it would have made this a VERY lengthy review. I will explain why after I list the Ground Shakers.
Mayhem’s Ground Shakers
Merry Go Round
Yolo
Turn it Down
Higher
Let Me Be Your Superhero
Now to explain why I didn’t breakdown the songs. I couldn’t break down the songs. This would have been a five page review if I had! When I looked at “Rise and Shine,” it forced me to go back to their previous albums, which I would have tied into the review. Perhaps it’s my Libra traits talking when I say this, but this album was so well balanced!
In their previous albums, I found songs where drums were stand out, or bass was stand out, vocals, and guitars, etc. But there was an equal balance of all instruments on this album. I can’t tell you how many bands I’ve listened to where, one instrument or sometimes two (vocals included), over-powered the other instruments in each song. Everyone in this band is equally heard. I can’t say enough about how amazing Chris Adam’s vocals are. He can go from beautiful melodic singing, to gritty singing similar to David Draiman, right down to screams. His range (yeah he can hit some pretty high notes people) is incredible! Per and Banjo complement each other perfectly on guitars. I’ve heard some seriously fast guitar solos on their albums that would blow your mind. Viktor and The Apocalypse DJ keep the rhythm on bass and drums beautifully, even bass slides and drum beats flowing in sync with each other.
I will say something about the Ground Shakers here instead of my usual format: "Merry Go Round," "Yolo," and "Turn It Down" are very fun songs with dance beats. Listen to them and you will more than likely be singing right along. They really are fantastic songs. Fun but still with a good rock edge on them. "Higher" is a mid-tempo song with a blend of rock with synth sounds. "Let Me Be Your Super Hero," is very unique. Starts off with snapping fingers and high fret guitar work. But as the song progresses it switches from melodic verses to heavy chorus. Occasionally the verses adds more heavy drum work but still remains melodic. They did a fantastic job with this album. Love it from first song to last.
I had not heard of this group until a friend shared a video for their song “Let Me Be Your Superhero.” Then I started checking them out. In addition to “Rise and Shine,” they have two other full length albums out Unbreakable (2013) and The Apocalypse DJ (2015) and you should absolutely check them out. I REALLY would like to see them touring more heavily in the US soon. As always, let us know what you think. And I'm going to do what my friend did, and recommend you guys check them out! ;-) Lady Siren Song.
Smash Into Pieces Links:
Website: http://www.smashintopieces.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SmashIntoPieces/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/smashintopieces?lang=en
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2vhrwzjf9H3icunkVFi9tq
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/smash-into-pieces/id319529992
Mayhem’s Links:
Website - http://mmnrockandmetal.wixsite.com/mayhemofficial
Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/MayhemMusicNetwork/
Twitter- https://twitter.com/mmnrockandmetal
tumblr- http://mayhemmusicnetwork.tumblr.com/