MelodicRock.com Reviews


VICIOUS MARY
VICIOUS MARY
Frontiers/Now & Then FRCD 117
Produced by: Pat Scalabrino & VM
Released: OUT NOW / Website
Relatives: Bruce Dickinson (vocals), Harem Scarem, Queensryche
GENRE: Hard Rock
OVERALL: 81%

  1. Love Or Hate
  2. When He Cries
  3. Outside
  4. Million Words
  5. Crying For You
  6. The Call
  7. E.L.I.S.A.
  8. Keysage
  9. I'll Be There For You
  10. You Run Me Wild
  11. Indian Giver

Vicious Mary is another fresh name on the melodic rock scene. But behind the name are a couple of experienced guys tying something a little different.
Terence Holler and Sean Henderson are from Italian prog/metal band Eldritch. It seems they were longing to put together a side-project to feature a more straight ahead melodic hard rock sound.
They seem to have succeeded in their aims, as Vicious Mary is an album of 11 straight forward guitar driven, European style hard rock songs.
The very catchy anthem rocker Love Or Hate opens things in style, with a crunchy Van Halen style guitar riff and classic solo mid-song.
The band have a unique style, with comparisons in their bio to Harem Scarem, Whitesnake and Bon Jovi.
While I don't necessarily agree with those, it's hard to nail any other direct comparison.
The band certainly have that European feel to their music and I can hear the odd Scarem comparison, but that's mainly due to the melodic guitar driven approach.
The guitar shredding of BB Nick has an air of early Van Halen and Nuno Bettencourt about it.
Classic Queensryche pops up on a few songs, with Sean indicating that was the sound they worked towards on those songs. A slight progressive element is clearly a part of song arrangements on this album.
What I can hear is some Bruce Dickinson in vocalist Holler (great name!). His rough around the edges delivery and in your face attitude match that of the Iron Maiden frontman.
Best tracks include the gruff, but melodic Million Words, the anthemic opening Love Or Hate and the big moody ballad Crying For You.
Keysage is a beautiful instrumental piano piece, allowing Sean Henderson room to flex his creative juices.
I'll Be There For You is one of a few tracks that has the unique blend of piano and guitar. Not keyboard and guitar, but piano and guitar melodies. It's a great sound and one which I would like to hear more of.
BOTTOM LINE: A very solid debut and a welcomed new member of the melodic rock world. Not every track is a killer, but the strength of the album is enough to guarantee some pleased rock fans out there and certainly enough to warrant another album when the time is right.
For those that like European hard rock with a hint of US Stadium rock and a slightly unique/progressive delivery.
PRODUCTION: 86% SONGS: 80% VIBE: 78%ATTITUDE: 79%
ESSENTIAL FOR: Fans of European hard rock with a progressive twist.



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