Roulette - 'Go'

Rock Metal Machine
11 hours ago
2 min read

This album is a breath of fresh air in what is a diluted genre. I’ll be looking out for more from them, and I hope you will as well!

Text "ROULETTE GO!" in metallic font over a blue cosmic background with a starburst effect, creating a dynamic and energetic mood.

It’s a strange thing to write that a band formed forty years ago have just released, in essence, their third album, but in Roulette’s case, it’s true! Why the wait, you may ask? Well, cursed with a streak of bad luck, including labels pulling out of album releases, and then the pandemic starting just as they finally managed to get their ‘Now’ album out and were about to begin touring, it has been a bit of a hard slog for Thomas Lundgren (vocals), Hansi Fellbrink (bass), Magnus Nelin (guitar), and Mats Nelin (drums). However, I’m glad to say that it’s all systems go for the Swedish quartet as their new album is good – in fact it’s excellent!

From the beginning strains of melodic opener ‘Answer To My Prayers’, you know you are onto a winner – memorable riffs, infectious melodies and strong vocals – and these last until the final note of closing number ‘Better Walk Away’, and that is a rare thing to be able to write nowadays!

Continuing the tempo (in fact, it never drops as there are no ballads on the album), ‘Fire In Your Eyes’ is another slice of well-crafted Melodic Rock, which gives Lundgren the platform to show an impressive range.

One noticeable aspect is the nod to the eighties sound, especially on ‘We Remember You’, and ‘She Can’t Hide’; check the keyboard arrangement at the beginning – pure bliss! To balance this, there are also multiple heavier cuts; ‘Strangers’, ‘Brand New Start’ and ‘Take Me Out’, which features killer bass from Fellbrink, and in my opinion, this sound suits the band a lot more.

Speaking of sound and identity, if you didn’t know they hailed from Sweden, you might be mistaken for thinking they were either British or American, as their delivery has a lovely mix of Def Leppard, Europe, Journey, and early Van Halen influences swirling around. There are no off-the-wall, ear-splitting solos; what you do get is a tight-knit sound that allows individuals to shine but always stays within the framework of the song, meaning that the music moves forward smoothly and sounds superb.

For a band that has been around for four decades, I hope that Roulette receives the recognition and accolades their music deserves. This album is a breath of fresh air in what is a diluted genre. I’ll be looking out for more from them, and I hope you will as well!

Reviewer: Pete Arnett

Label: Black Lodge

Genre: Melodic Rock

Issue Reviewed In: 112

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