Maximum Metal Rating Legend
5 Excellent - Masterpiece. A classic.
4.5-4 Great - Almost perfect records but there's probably a lacking.
3.5 Good - Most of the record is good, but there may be some filler.
3 Average - Some good songs, some bad ones at about a half/half ratio.
2.5-2 Fair - Worth a listen, but best obtained by collectors.
1.5-1 Bad - Major problems with music, lyrics, production, etc.
0 Terrible - Waste of your life and time.

Note: Reviews are graded from 0-5, anything higher or not showing is from our old style. Scores, however, do not reveal the important features. The written review that accompanies the ratings is the best source of information regarding the music on our site. Reviewing is opinionated, not a qualitative science, so scores are personal to the reviewer and could reflect anything from being technically brilliant to gloriously cheesy fun.

Demos and independent releases get some slack since the bands are often spent broke supporting themselves and trying to improve. Major releases usually have big financial backing, so they may be judged by a heavier hand. All scores can be eventually adjusted up or down by comparison of subsequent releases by the same band. We attempt to keep biases out of reviews and be advocates of the consumer without the undo influence of any band, label, management, promoter, etc.

The best way to determine how much you may like certain music is to listen to it yourself.
Band
Audrey Horne
Title
No Hay Banda
Type
LP/EP
Company
Candlelight
YOR
2005
Style
Hard Rock
3/29/2007 - Review by: Etiam
Intelligent and fairly aggressive, rooted in American-style hard rock
Although we tend to perceive our musical idols as immaculate paragons of Metalness, we cannot help but be simply human in the end. Particularly in the States, there’s a sense of escapism to the fantasy of isolated, brooding Norsemen spending all their years cutting down Christians and poseurs, writing fantastically heavy music about it, and shunning modern society. Yet, the truth is that even Vikings have feelings, families, relationships, and hangovers, and Audrey Horne is here to help us remember that, like it or not.

This is more than a reminder, though; Audrey Horne actually embrace their pop-culture influences, having named their band after a character from the ‘Twin Peaks’ TV series and their album after a line from David Lynch’s ‘Mulholland Drive’.

But why is a rock record being reviewed on a metal site? It’s all about connections, ultimately, and Audrey Horne’s line-up features some serious heavies in the Norwegian metal scene—Tom (ex-Gorgoroth, Jotunspor, Sahg) Arve (Enslaved, I), Toschie, Thomas and Herbrand (last two of Sahg and Enslaved, respectively). Their collective experience in those more technically demanding (and in some cases, progressive) environments helps ‘No Hay Banda’ resonate with stronger intensity than most rock ‘n’ roll, but only the line-up makes Audrey Horne anything close to genuine heavy metal.

‘No Hay Banda’ is intelligent and fairly aggressive, rooted in American-style hard rock. The additional tag of ‘gothic’ that some have added is partially accurate, reflecting the traditionally dour Norwegian atmosphere heard throughout. However, just as influential is a straightforward, indulgent riffing attitude that groups like Sevendust, Saliva, or Velvet Revolver espouse.

Far from being that lowbrow, though, Audrey Horne include a number of classy distinctions. The best and most readily apparent is how smooth and sensible they are, even when obviously imitating American bravado (‘Blackhearted Visions’, for example). It’s really a remarkable synergy for a new project: Herbrand’s talented keyboards support Toschie’s catchy vocal harmonies, while Thomas and Arve lay down honest, garage band riffs to keep things honest. Although the current bonus tracks make ‘No Hay Banda’ significantly too long, it is still an enjoyable, honest listen that falls on the fair side of guilty pleasures.

On a loosely related, larger subject, Audrey Horne are a fine example of the key differences between the American and European music scenes. While there are always anomalies, it’s usually not too difficult to guess which side of the pond a band is from after hearing a song or two. Why is this? ‘No Hay Banda’ is not out to stake its claim atop the rock hierarchy or dethrone any American pop royalty, but perhaps that is what makes it successful. Warning: Gross Generalization Follows. Often enough (in the metal scene, at least), American bands make mediocre, even normal music as a means to show off their outsized egos, while conversely, Europeans tend to make more outstanding, unusual music in spite of their humble personalities. There are exceptions, of course—namely Britain, belying that modesty bit, and guitarist Arve here is something of a wildchild—but it is a point to consider.

Back on topic, although Audrey Horne is not as interesting or powerful as any of the members’ other projects, ‘No Hay Banda’ is still a commendable exercise that no doubt serves to keep widening their musical horizons. A respectable cleansing of their artistic palates, in other words, that so far is working rather well. So long as she doesn’t steal the guys away from their mainstay groups, this Audrey Horne girl is welcome to stick around for as long as she likes.
  • 1 :REVIEW COUNT
    2.5 :AVE RATING

ALL REVIEWS FOR: AUDREY HORNE
TITLE
DOR
COMPANY
REVIEWER DATE MADE RATING
Blackout
2017
Prosthetic
Greg Watson12/7/2017
4
No Hay Banda
2005
Candlelight
Etiam3/29/2007
2.5
Youngblood
2014
Napalm
Frank Hill12/30/2013
4.5
Youngblood
2014
Napalm
Greg Watson5/13/2014
5

ALL INTERVIEWS FOR: AUDREY HORNE
INTERVIEW INTERVIEWER DATE TAGLINE


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