(c) 2017 Rob Mules Records
Paul Vercouteren--Vocals
Kjetil F. Wevling--Lead Guitars
Asle Tangen--Rhythm Guitars
Chris Haugerud--Bass
Knut Wettre--Drums
In 2015, Razorbats topped the Glitter2Gutter Top 20 for the year with their debut album, Camp Rock. Last year, they again cracked the Top 20 with their follow-up EP, This High. Things seemed to be aiming straight up for this band of Norwegian rockers who combine a love for classic 70s guitar rock with a power-pop-meets-punk attitude that really struck a chord with listeners throughout Europe, and which was starting to gain a foothold in America, especially on college radio and independent rock stations across the country.
But as is so often the case, even the best laid plans can go awry rather quickly, and such was the case for the Razorbats. Half of the band from the first two efforts exited in 2017 after most of what was to be the band's full-length follow-up to This High was already recorded. Left with half a band and half an album, lead guitarist Wevling and drummer Wettre faced an uncertain future for their band.
Enter new vocalist, Paul Vercouteren, who had been fronting a band called Hollywood Vampires, and bassist Chris Haugerud, who had been in his own band, Kill City Bandits. Both men were eager to jump on the Razorbats train, and after recruiting rhythm guitarist, Asle Tangen, Razorbats launched themselves forward as a five-piece band.
G2G was given an exclusive chance to hear the second single from the new album, in "Sister Siberia". Deeply rooted in classic rock, "Sister Siberia" is a mid-tempo rocker with a big bass line and a simple-yet-catchy melody line and a highly singable chorus that had me hooked from the first listen. I like the fact that this track doesn't feel the need to fill every nook and cranny with notes, instead letting the song breathe and find a natural groove in which to operate. The use of some acoustic guitars in the background is a nice touch, as well. An ode to a rather cold woman, "Sister Siberia" fits perfectly with where the band was headed on the This High EP, and once again, the vocals of Vercouteren mesh perfectly with the style and approach of his new band, this time using a more melodic, plaintive approach than on the snarlier "Social Rejects", which was the first single released.
For an EXCLUSIVE chance to hear this single ahead of the album's release, just follow this LINK!
As mentioned, "Social Rejects" was the first single from the upcoming Razorbats album, tentatively called II, which is set for release in early 2018. In "Social Rejects", the band shows once again why they were so highly regarded so quickly. This new track features a catchy, sing-along chorus that is instantly memorable, along with a nifty guitar hook that perfectly melds the classic rock style the band utilized so well on Camp Rock with the pop-punk approach they have used in the past to craft some of their best songs, such as "Kids Of The 70s" and "Transformer". Lyrically, the song is one of alienation and those feelings of not belonging that so many of today's youth associate themselves with. According to their press release, the band says of the song, "...the band invites us into a world of alienation, insecurity, and unrequited love. But maybe there's hope after all?"
Rating: As usual, I don't "rate" singles, but if "Social Rejects" and "Sister Siberia" are any indication of where the band is headed on this new record, Razorbats II is going to be a strong contender for the G2G Top 20 yet again...but in 2018!
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