Russell HughesNormandie – Inguz (Rise Records)
Genre: Radio Rock
They might be called Normandie, but they’re from Sweden – and their debut album Inguz blends the best of their past, present and future.
After starting life as a more hardcore outfit, with elements of screamo, Normandie have evolved into a far more radio friendly sound. Their album cover is an old Viking rune which represents change, and it’s a signal of how committed the band are to their new sound.
But that doesn’t mean they’ve lost the edge of their previous days, and the best songs from this album have those moments: Loop Hole has a thumping, fast paced chorus section that wouldn’t feel out of place in a Funeral for a Friend song.
Having said that, the foursome’s transformation in a more mainstream direction seems to have come full circle, and appears here to stay. That’s no bad thing, of course, Inguz is an incredibly catchy album full of big chorus lines and guitar hooks – a bit like Thirty Seconds To Mars crossed with a toned down All Time Low.
For fans of their old work, it might be a bit of a let down – but there is still enough raw power and emotional honesty within the LP to keep anyone who likes rock music interested.
RUSHONROCK RATED: 8/10 Reinvented Themselves, Not The Wheel