Maximum Metal Rating Legend

‘Cracked Open and Bruised’ is the official debut album from these Stockholm mop heads. Producer Fredrik Lundberg (Divine Sin, Diamond Dogs) turned the dials at Monophobic Studios. It’s a progressive stride compared to the band’s 2001 demo. The guitars are still sweat-soaked boogie, somewhere like an Electric Boys/Salty Dog swagger. I enjoyed the charging rocker “Superstar” four years ago, and this version is an upgrade. Strings are a little thicker and the cool 70’s vocal melody is preserved. The group has a single, “Let’s Roll”, that’s also a promo video (remember those?). Punk is a good portion of the sound, evident on fast-burners like “Low, Broke and Pissed”. I like the moody broken-heart spirit of power-ballad “Do You Think About Me?”.