CD review CONVENT GUILT "Guns for hire"

(7/10) New stuff from Down Under. Convent Guilt are pretty new. The four piece from Sydney, New South Wales, was founded in 2011, released a demo in 2012 and have now their debut in the starting block.

I haven't heard from the band before. Those are always the exciting moments because you don't have an idea about what will come out of the speakers.

Honestly I was a bit disappointed when I heard the first song on "Guns for hire". The riff of "Angels in black leather" sounds almost like "Summer of 69" from Bryan Adams. But of course we aren't talking about Canadian mainstream rock. The song becomes a more oldschool NWoBHM track after a few chords. What I didn't really like with the opener are the vocal lines. For the rest the tune is pretty OK. 

BUT, things become better from the second song onwards. "Don't close your eyes" reminds to D.A.D.'s "Sleeping my day away" with a typical Krokus riff. Actually a cool combination. The vocals are better than on the opener, eventhough I have to say that those are still the weak point on the album. They are not my cup of tea.

However, the more song I heard the more I liked the music.The charm of this album is the wild mix of different influences combined with a basic but OK production. This is a big relief in those days with some almost steril productions. 

There is a bit of Ramones in raunchy "Perverse altar" and bit of New Model Army in the beginning of "They took her away", before the tunes picks up some Maiden motives when it comes to the guitar sound. Towards the end it gets fast. "Stockade" is a real bouncer. A fast and kicking beat pushes the song that rounds of a wild metal journey. 

Convent Guilt are for sure no revolution of metal and they also don't get an award for innovation. But the album is honest and it feels that there are four musicians who are doing what they want most. In my point of view this is 'having fun together' and have a good time. If you're looking for the same the album is worth to check.

(7/10)

Tracklist:

1. Angels in black leather
2. Don't close your eyes
3. Perverse altar
4. The took her away
5. Guns for hire
6. Desert brat
7. Convict at arms
8. Stockade

Label:

Genre: Heavy Metal