After 14 years in the dirt, classic rock band The Hellacopters have returned from the dead to do exactly what Swedes do best: make damn good rock ‘n’ roll. Like many, many bands, The Hellacopters had no intention of getting back together post-breakup in 2008, but their new 2022 record, Eyes Of Oblivion (Nuclear Blast), goes to show that bands really do suck at staying broken up. We’re certainly not complaining, because this is one hell of a comeback record.
Inspiration ranges from American blues, seventies glam, and the Ramones, to channeling classic Hellacopters themselves, this album explores a range of taste. In an interview with Apple Music, frontman Nicke Andersson acknowledged his many inspirations while adding the comment “It’s through the Swedish filter, so it will come out different.” Though it seems Andersson is simply being humble, as many songs on this record capture their influences so perfectly, yet so freshly.
It’s hard to believe ‘Tin Foil Soldier’ wasn’t recorded in 1973, and ‘Try Me Tonight’ could easily pass as a long lost KISS track (a band of which was cited as inspiration for the song). But, don’t be fooled into thinking this album is just a well made remix of the oldies. The Hellacopters have their own flavor and they know it well.
They couldn’t have picked a better song to introduce that flavor than track one, ‘Reap A Hurricane’. It starts the record with a great burst of energy and quickly establishes the band’s mastery over progression. Curating a track order properly is an art form in and of itself, and damn can the Hellacopters do it well. They definitely didn’t slack on picking the title track either, as ‘Eyes Of Oblivion’ is a knockout. It’s the exact kind of song you’d pick to introduce someone to the band or genre.
Of course, no record is without its flaws. It seems The Hellacopters know their own sound a little too well, as some points in the album can get repetitive and certain songs muddy together. However, this does make the more experimental tracks, like ‘So Sorry I Could Die’ and ‘Beguiled’, stand out that much more. ‘The Pressure’s On’ is a personal favorite, hitting that sweet spot between familiar and frisky. Like the rest of the album, the lyrics aren’t overly specific nor overly broad. The narrative exists at a perfect ratio of relatable, yet genuine.
Overall, this is the kind of record you could only write with twenty years’ experience. The band, though seasoned, entered the studio refreshed and reinvigorated, ready to breathe new life into a once dead band, and they’ve done just that. They have a beautiful new chapter ahead of them, and a beautiful album accompanying them.
Buy the album here: https://hellacopters.bfan.link/eyes-of-oblivion.yde
9 / 10
LJ de WITT