The Hellacopters were originally created in 1994 as a side project by singer/ guitarist Nicke Andersson who played drums for Entombed and guitarist Dregen of Backyard Babies, The Hellacopters went on to become a full time project and have since gone on to become one of the most influential bands to come out of Sweden. When you consider the amount of great rock bands that have come out of that country that’s quite an achievement. Dregen left the band in 1998 to fully focus on Backyard Babies and The Hellacopters continued on for another decade, Releasing several great albums before disbanding in 2007. All of this backstory is relevant to understand why Eyes Of Oblivion is a big deal, It features the return of Dregen to the band and it’s their first album of all new material since 2006’s Rock and Roll is Dead.
15 years is a long time for a band to be apart and in my opinion that can either make or break a new album, But I’m happy to say that fans of the band and quality rock n roll in general will be very happy because Eyes Of Oblivion is spectacular! There’s so much going on musically on this album that it’s a lot to unpack in describing it but it’s absolutely enthralling. The punk-fuelled garage rock that they’re known for is in tact but it’s been fused with blues, slight jazz elements, and southern rock.
“Reap A Hurricane” starts the album with some great garage rock riffs, soaring leads and weaves in some cool piano parts. “Can it wait” keeps the momentum going with another great rocker. “So sorry I could die” is a phenomenal bluesy soulful ballad, this is just impressive song writing. One thing that I need to point out about this album is the major change in the way Nicke sings on this album, if you didn’t know it was him you’d think they had a different singer, gone is the clean voice he was known for on the older albums, On this album he’s just on another level. Nicke’s vocals on this album are more raspy and soulful, and on this song he sounds just jaw dropping.
The title track is very much a Swedish hard rock song and maybe my favorite song on the album, it has an electrifying punk infused hard rock rhythm that will no doubt be incredible live because this song just gets you moving. “A plow and a doctor” is very southern rock inspired but with their trademark garage rock spin on that sound. “Positively not knowing” is another great energetic rocker. “Tin foil soldier” sounds somewhere musically between The Beatles and John Fogerty, a slow tempo track with a great gang vocal chorus that you’ll be singing along with.
And the quality continues: “Beguiled” is another great rocker. “The pressure’s on” reminds me quite a bit of something Tom Petty would’ve recorded. “Try me tonight” sounds to me like Paul McCartney, Chuck Berry, and Lynyrd Skynyrd all rolled into one. The years apart have not dulled this band in the least, if anything they’re better than ever. The melting pot of musical influences on this album is a real feast for the listener, The song writing and playing is top notch, and Nicke’s vocals are really incredible. I hope these guys keep going because after an album this good I’m dying to hear what they do next.
8/10