STILLKNOCKED - Ten Levels Higher
Metal, Rock, Unplugged
HISINGSBACKA, Sweden
Overall Impression: With its fantastically chunky riffs, soaring vocal performances, and fitting "In your face" attitude, "Ten Levels Higher" has the necessary bite to it to ensure it hits its listeners hard. Stillknocked have delivered a gloriously meaty riffed slice of classic-sounding metal with mid-paced thrash leanings that boasts a particularly catchy chorus and that quintessential bombastic punch that the metal genre is renowned for.
Strongest Point(s): The decision to have female backing vocals is certainly a solid one and not only does it provide an interesting contrast to the main lead vocals, complimenting them effectively, but really helps heighten the effectiveness of the chorus greatly, giving it a striking sense of impact as well as catchiness. There is a great amount of variation in the tracks many riffs and melodic lines, I particularly think the darker-edged and more gritty direction the music takes in terms of harmony makes for a rather intense listening experience that works extremely well, helping to draw listeners into its more foreboding qualities.
Target Audience Appeal: This is definitely a tune for the classic metal lovers out there and I'm sure they'll appreciate what "Ten Levels Higher" has to offer.
Artist target suggestions: Manowar, W.A.S.P, Dokken, Rage, Halford, Primal Fear, Iron Saviour, U.D.O. Saxon, Black Label Society, Annihilator, Metal Church, Anvil, Jag Panzer, Enforcer, Vicious Rumours, Chastain, Motorhead
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About the Reviewer:
Andre Avanessian is a freelance session musician, composer, and sound engineer based in the U.K. Having studied music production and composition at a degree level, he has taken his passion for all things audio-related to a level that has allowed him to become both a competent musician and performer. Being a self-confessed "Guitar Nerd" Andre has been continually studying the guitar, as well as teaching it, helping students both learn the instrument, develop their songwriting, and how to become proficient in home recording.