Progressive metal with a healthy shot of electronics. Bronze Honey, an Israeli sextet based in Tel Aviv, have just released their ambitious debut album Free. Founded by Uri Dov (keyboards) & Polly Gutman (vocals) they took their time to find their own sound. while most band in this genre go for rather tiresome Gothic imagery this band doesn't shun taking a stand with angry songs like Casus Belli and Wheels of Capitalism.
With two dexterous guitarists and a loud drummer it is a good thing that singer Polly Gutman has a powerful voice - no shrieking vocal pyrotechnics, but with a sharp musical ear to follow the band (and vice versa). Bronze Honey are a band that defies pigeon-holing. Sure, metal is the most obvious tag, but there is also power pop (Convicted) and a bit rap found its way into Bee. The latter track captures the band's outlook on music: taking risks while singing the praise of free choice. Every loud band has a ballad this album has two of 'em. As Free as the Wind is a nice try, but fails to leave as lasting impression. Melancholy with it call-and-response vocals on top of echo heavy guitars show that can do slow too. The electro dance pop of So What sounds a bit muffled - too bad they used a filter for the vocals which sounds a bit dated.
This band is obviously talented and their mix of rock and electronics should appeal to the denim-clad crowd and the party animals. And when either of those actually bother to listen to the lyrics they might learn actually something too. A prime example of musical education and entertainment rolled into one.
Bronze Honey:
Polly Gutman: vocals
Uri Dov: keyboards, backing vocals
Uri Menachem: drums
Dimitri Alperovich: guitars
Itai Leshed: guitars
Hagai Levin: bass
Free is a self-released album. Buy it from their website. Four tracks (Lies, Convicted, Promise and Bee) can be downloaded for free from their Facebook.
Tracks:- Lies
- Convicted
- Promise
- Bee
- As Free as the Wind
- Casus Belli
- Fiend
- Butterfly
- So What
- Revanche
- Melancholy
- Wheels of Capitalism
- Casus Belli (acoustic version)
- 11/23 Papaito TLV, Tel Aviv
I highly recommend this album to anyone! It is a fresh new take and you are without question right about the risks they take and yet still succeed with glorious colors!
ReplyDeleteSuperb album! I especially like both versions of Casus Belli - listen to them one after the other for a full effect!
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