UNCHAIN – Unchain

This self-titled debut album from the Swiss Hard rock band Unchain struts with melodic feel-good songs and energetic performances. Even though several of the compositions have been given some strokes of the Blues, the recording still represents joyful, guitar-driven and up-beat AOR music.

In their home country of Switzerland, people would recognize the band members as Mines, but with a name change and a brand new debut album, they are now pushing for a new start.

Unfortunately the band’s music is not inventive at all, but on the other hand, Unchain is serious about caretaking the most traditional parts of Melodic and hard-riffing Rock and Roll. The album’s lack of originality will prevent it from putting the world on fire, but on a Saturday night, Unchain probably won’t fail to create some serious heat live.

Among the nine tracks (plus a totally uninteresting hidden bonus track) the fair length of the album offers several great moments. “Get It Live,” “Sabrina,” “Dark City,” and the very catchy “Secret Garden” should convince everyone who ever has enjoyed the music of the AOR masters Stage Dolls, or plain rock and roll in the landscape of Great White, that this should be a recording worth checking out. “Save Me” and “Steal My Baby” shows Unchain’s heavier side. You’ve heard Metal bands with more laid back intros than what’s offered on the latter.

There are some down sides to the album. “Gotta Leave Your Mama” gets very anonymous (well sung by a sparking Tom Fischer, though …), and the slow Blues tune “Yesterday” is, simply put, dull. Despite this, the poor cover artwork, and the weak judgement of choosing a live-in-some-room recording of a meaningless 12 bar Blues song as a hidden bonus track, this should be considered a real fine start for Unchain’s recording career.

If you are going to buy only one Swiss rock album this year, Unchain would be a good choice!