CD Review: 69 Chambers - Torque

Written by Colin McNamara Monday, 14 May 2012 15:52

Artist: 69 Chambers
Title: Torque
Genre: Modern Metal
Release Date: 27th April 2012
Label: Massacre Records

Album Review

69 CHAMBERS is one of those rare gems that nobody hears about, but when they do they’re surprised why the group is not more mainstream or promoted. Since their debut in 2009, the Swiss group has carved a solid niche out for their sound by charging into the Modern Metal world with a strong female vocal presence and a great mix of Hard Rock riffs mixed with Gothic and Electronic elements for a balanced, driving sound that rivals groups like LACUNA COIL, NAMESA, and even WE ARE THE FALLEN. With the second release of ‘Torque’, the band has consolidated down with a few line-up changes, but the result is a much tighter and well knit sound. The group has gotten harder, louder, and still remain enjoyably melodic without falling into the typical conventions of female fronted Modern Metal groups, such as making the fourth track of every album a ballad, overdoing keyboards and symphonic arrangements, or going balls to the wall with a sex, drugs, and Rock’n’Roll attitude. In fact, ‘Torque’ sounds quite balanced with plenty of mid paced songs, only one real slow one, and a creative way of using the electronic ways to vary up songs, layer vocals, and create an atmosphere that makes each track quite unique.

The album opens with ‘Cause And Effect’, a strong opener and also unique because it features the guest vocal snarls from ELUVEITIE’s Chrigel Glanzmann, adding a greater presence that is only heard here compared to the other tracks where just Nina is singing for the most part. It is a driving track, but for those who have never heard this band before it may mislead a bit because it can throw people off on what to expect. The rest of the tracks are mostly slow, driving sultry Groove Metal pieces like ‘Naughty, Naughty, Naughty’ that really get under listener skin, Hard Rock anthem power houses such as ‘The Peep Hole’, charged Gothic Electronica like ‘Ring A Bell’, and the slow piano driven emotional ‘Elegy’. Altogether these make up a great collection that displays some of 69 CHAMBERS’ best work. The guitars that are performed by Tommy Vetterli - formerly of KREATOR - definitely help bring a more “Metal” edge to the music without distorting the original sound from the debut album too much, and the drums by Diego Rapacchietti has no problem keeping up with the rest of the music, whether it is for the slow pulsing of ‘Your Fool’ to faster tracks like ‘Anhedonia’. For those who like female fronted Metal that has a biting Metal or Rock edge and doesn’t use the typical ‘male and female vocal interplay’ or tries to be too over the top with Heavy Metal flair, then 69 CHAMBERS is certainly worth checking out.


Tracklist

01. Cause and Effect - 4:31
02. Bring on the Flood - 3:29
03. Naughty, Naughty, Naughty - 6:21
04. Anhedonia - 4:26
05. Burn Some Gasoline - 4:01
06. The Peep Hole - 4:19
07. Ring a Bell - 4:19
08. Closure - 4:53
09. And Then There Was Silence - 5:37
10. Temple Down - 3:37
11. Your Fool - 4:25
12. The Doom of Her Power - 4:00
13. Grace (Jeff Buckley's cover) - 5:30
14. Elegy - 4:49


Line-up

Nina Vetterli-Treml- Bass, Vocals
Diego Rapacchietti- Drums
Tommy Vetterli- Guitars             


Website

http://www.69chambers.com/


Cover Picture




Rating

Music: 9
Sound: 8
Total: 9.5 / 10


http://www.69chambers.com/