CD Review - Genre DARK ROCK -
HELLBOULEVARD ALBUM "REQUIEM"
It took 4 years, but just in time for the tenth anniversary,
HellBoulvard is back in 2024 with their 4th studio album. The
band found support on their new album from producer Chris
Harms, who has already had his hand as a producer for many
bands. The first question that you might associate with the new
silver disc is the title of the album Requiem! But what does
Requiem mean and is its meaning reflected in the album itself?
The term actually describes a mass, therefore a solemn song
(e.g. a lament) for the repose of the dead or something similar
to such a solemn song, a musical composition in honor of the
dead. For me, however, the meaning of the album lies in a kind
of modern liturgy of the song lyrics and the use of social
content.
Ok ok, you are welcome to look it up yourself if you want to
delve deeper into it. So let's look at Requiem as a kind of
show that is dedicated to unsustainable fashion and, as
Requiem, wants to send a warning signal and see itself as a
reminder of the basic needs, prejudices, fears and longings of
modern humanity.
With "Requiem" HellBoulevard knows how to celebrate the dark
dark rock that the band is used to like in no other album, but
also takes a path that many may not have expected. The use of
an orchestra together with choir, strings and piano can be
found in some songs in the album, but this in no way misses the
dark rock. On the contrary, because the band knows how to bring
the songs together in their own way and maintain a high level
of sound with hard drums, matching guitars and acoustic bass.
Pieces like "The Monster," Messed Up" or "Branded" make every
dark rock heart beat faster and pop skillful metaphorical rock
sounds around the listener's ears.
The unmistakable voice of Matteo -vDiva- Fabbiani, the band's
frontman, skillfully refines every song, but could be more in
the foreground and not just the drums and rock guitars. As I
said, in Requiem the band uses orchestral acoustics, which are
presented to the listener in the various songs (10 in number)
included on the album. But not in an intrusive way, but always
in skillful passages, the orchestra and choir are used, for
example in the song "Guillotine" or "Weirdos", in order to
acoustically address the piece and the title and to highlight
them excellently.
Last but not least, the tender, dark souls among you will
delight in the song "Don't Fix A Broken Heart", which is
probably due not least to Matteo's voice. The piece begins with
piano and builds up to a full orchestra as the track
progresses, but always remains stylish. What really excites me
is the incredibly gentle, yet tender and rough voice of singer
Matteo, who sings this song in a very emotional way.
HellBoulavard also has a tender side that can be heard.
Conclusion: .....
With Requiem, HellBoulevard delivers a solid album that is fun to try, but there is still room for improvement. The bravely implemented mixture of rock, orchestra and classical elements brings the boys a lot forward and writes another milestone in the band's history. However, I would like a slightly better mix of voice and music as well as more courageous lyrics for the next album. Anyone who buys the album now will not be disappointed, even if the songs vary in quality. Hellboulevard once again delivers what the dark rocker soul wants!
Redaktion & Artikel M.Wernicke
BlackS Photography
Tracklist Requiem
1. Not Another Lovesong
(REQUIEM)
2. She Just Wanna
Dance
3. The Monster
4. Guillotine
5.
Rollercoaster
6. I Got What I Want But I
Lost What I Had
7. Messed Up
8. Weirdos
9. Branded
10. Don't Fix A Broken
Heart
Redaktion & Artikel M.Wernicke
BlackS Photography
Article editorial team M.Wernicke - Photographer M.Wernicke BlackS Photography - All photos in this article © BlackS Photography M.Wernicke