Digitalli Photography

I just had to copy over my Poodles review from myspace

I would be a lot more well rounded for a magazine review - but this was my Red Leather Day haha

 

 

I have words.  But they fail me.  Such a rare and precious occurrence, as I'm sure many will tell you.  Hang on - it's all coming back to me now.

 

    Here's a band that ticks all the boxes in my humble and still reeling opinion. 

 

 Superb line-up of industry experience & musical talent … check!

 

 Lyrics that reach into that primal part of you that responds to metal and makes you feel like you're surveying the world from the top of a mountain ("like an eagle in the sky" "metal will stand tall") … check!

 

 Hooks that ramble through your brain at the oddest (and usually most inappropriate) moments … check!

 

 A frontman with more personality than most venues can contain … check!

 

 Jumps, kicks and thrusts on stage … check!

 

 Pumping out vocals that make every woman feel like he's singing just for her … or wishing that he were … check! (or is that just me?)

 

 Heavy backline, ripping guitars, meaty bass, battling drums … check, check, check, check!

 

 Red Leather suit … check! (oh sorry is that just me again??  Now come on guys, if you don't like Jakob in it you sure as hell wish your missus would wear it!)

 

Ok so how often do you go to see a headliner you know you love and find the opener of the three bands hits you right where it hurts the most pleasurably?  Well, that's exactly what The Poodles did for me, and from the reactions I observed and conversations I had over the two Hammerfall gigs (yes I'll review them too) at Bradford Rio and Dudley JBs, they did it for many others too.

 

           Firstly, in the UK, don't let the Eurovision associations put you off in any way.  Without the theatrics of Lordi, or the mildly distracting comic look of Wig Wam, The Poodles is a SHOW, man!

The line up is as impressive as you like with Jakob Samuel (vocals), Pontus Norgren (guitar), Pontus Egberg (bass) and Christian Lundqvist (drums).  Ringing some great clanging bells for you yet?  Go Google!

 

 Opener "Echoes From The Past" couldn't be more appropriate as you're ripped back to the heyday of hard rock being up there in the mainstream and yet it's all fresh, all new and totally kick ass.

It's frontman Jakob who makes the Poodles one of the most enjoyable live sets to rock, dance, move, yell and sing along to.  His energetic classic rock posing and strutting makes you smile from the outset and draws you right in there (and no – it's not just the red leather!)  I'm sure you could liken his voice to other artists, but I find that shameful.  He's obviously not emulating anyone as he doesn't need to.  If he reminds you of anyone it's probably himself from his days with Talisman, Jekyll & Hyde, The Ring - take your pick!  He's got range, he's got power, he's got, to quote himself from the homepage bio, "Vocal cords of steel" No spurious claim.

So, on to "Metal Will Stand Tall" and all the anthemic licks, riffs and lyrics, which is surely a prediction for the future as much as "Number One", which they've already proved with the success of the album release scoring Gold in their homeland with the rest of the world surely to follow.

"Shadows" slows the mood down a touch (sort of) before a glimpse of what's to come with "Seventh Seas" and some heckling at JBs from Christian Lundqvist.

           Finishing on the classic feeling "Night Of Passion", what more could you ask of a 30 minute opening set?

 

This is purely and simply damn sexy rock music and live … that's a "no foreplay required" evening!  If you want to see a band kicking it up in proper rocking style, then catch these guys if you can. 

 

And if you can't, get out there and buy the album "Metal Will Stand Tall" (now available in the UK).  You certainly won't regret it (though you don't get the red leather that way … did I mention the red leather?).  What you do get is an awesome rock album that's an absolute must for any true rock fan's collection.  12 classic tracks including a killer cover of Ultravox's "Dancing With Tears In My Eyes" that had me scurrying for Google despite me owning the original! And the sublime appeal of "Rockstar" leaving the girls wishing they were that Rockstar, and the guys wishing they could date her. 

Oh go buy the album.  I don't need to hold your hand through this.  I wait in suitably simmering anticipation for the next album.

 

Oh and there's currently one slightly used soul for sale to get me to a headline show.  Anyone get the idea I like these guys???

Check out the band's homepage www.poodles.se or MySpace www.myspace.com/thepoodles

Also look out for some of my photos from the two gigs on www.digitalli.co.uk

See my restraint with no red leather pics in sight?  Well check out my profile pic or gallery pages ... they are there!