With a band name like Tokyo Dragons, I expected one thing, and got something completely different. The name brings the obvious connections to Japan, or at least something inspired by the Japanese. What we are given has gained more inspiration from 1980's era hard rock. Plus, they're from England, home to some of the best rock and metal bands of all time. Not that they are in the league with some the British legends, but you never can tell what the future holds.
Give Me the Fear delivers a solid dose of straight up rock and roll. It is the kind of CD you put in and turn it up to 11. If you are looking for any type of seriousness, you would do best to look elsewhere. However if you want a slab of rock to the gut, delivered at high volume, this may be for you.
The album opens with "What the Hell," a rocker that sets the tone for the rest of the album. It starts with a twin lead harmony leading into a rhythm which you are helpless to resist. It quickly settles into a groove where you simply must bang your head. A couple songs down the line is the anthemic "Do You Wanna?", which asks the question: Do you wanna get high? I foresee many sing alongs with this.
Other highlighs include "Come on Baby," "Teenage Screamers," and "Ready or Not." None of them may be instant classics, but they all have something in common: they rock! Strong grooves, in your face lyrics, and an overall sense of fun that is impossible to resist.
It is refreshing to see new, young acts staying true to the roots of rock and metal. It is a pleasure to listen to music that subscribes to that old school mentality. Music that doesn't buy into the current trend of metal-core and emo-metal bands. A band that has set a goal of delivering quality rocka nd roll is surely hard to come by. Not to mention, a band that strays away from the usual dark subject matter. Everything here is light hearted and upbeat, addictively so.
Tokyo Dragons are a four piece that turns up the rock. They are led by vocalist/ guitarist Steve Lomax. He may not have the greatest voice ever, but it fits in so well with the pure sound that they have crafted. Taking up residence as the lead guitar player is Mal Bruk, who helps further the thick rock groove being lais down. Not be left out is the ready, willing, and able rhythm section of Mathias Stady on bass and drummer Phil Martini . Each of which is a big part in the end result.
Bottomline. This is a band to keep an eye on. For rock fans, they are a bretah of fresh air. Everyone else, watch your backs, the Dragons are coming! This isn't the best rock album ever produced, nor is it really likely to a big seller, but there is something more than the numbers. THe thing to cultivate is the sound that they have, let it grow and devlop, rest assured, the fans will find them. Word of mouth will spread, and we will be rewarded with future music by this latest entry into the rock world.
Recommended.
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