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Review:
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'Hot! Hot! Hot!' is the fifth album from this Belgium
band and the second one with a female voice (Virginia Fantoni).
This new album was entirely recorded in the Manic Studio,
which allowed the band's musicians to define their sound
and pursue their ideas. The compositions combine the power
of the guitars, the width of symphonic orchestrations, a
crystalline voice and a tight rhythm section. What I like
about this band is they seem to have a subtle style of their
own, and I think that is illustrated well in the mid paced
and nicely orchestrated opener 'Hopeful'. A good start I
think, while 'Masquerade' ups the tempo, being a bouncy
little number. 'Song of the Devil (Hot Hot Hot)' is a catchy
song (one of my faves) featuring some devilish male vocals
as well! 'Kaliera' initially features the awesome vocals
of Virginia coupled with some great orchestration too, before
the remainder of the band join in giving almost a Nightwish
feel to this track. 'Black is Beautiful' is a beautiful
piano led ballad whilst next up 'Crumbs', is a mid paced
rocker. 'String Puppets' is a little unusual but equally
as amazing. Now then, a Manic Movement album would not be
complete without a cover version, so 'Vienna', originally
a hit by British Band Ultravox gets the Manic Movement treatment.
A difficult one to pull off but the band manage to do it!
The bouncing 'Sordid Fairytale', the ballad 'Waltz of Spirits'
and the heavier 'Bleeding Scars' finish off this fine array
of tunes. The whole affair was produced and mixed in house
by founder of the band and also their drummer Olivier Wittenberg,
and it comes highly recommended from the Ravenheart team.
Good stuff, 8.75/10 (Dave)
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