Everly, Jackson, Gibb, Allman, Gallagher, Cavalera; I could go on but you should have joined the dots by now. Adding to that list of Bros in bands we now have the Von Hertzen’s who we are informed are the ‘wild siblings of rock’ andFinland’s number 1 rock band. Yes well it is not quite on our radar but it would be rude not to check them out when you are sent a greatest hits album with 14 tracks running 80 minutes along with accompanying DVD of video tracks a blog and a concert to boot. It was a good initiation into what this trio do and I have to admit although not my normal listening choice I ended up enjoying and noting several influences along the way.
On the whole tracks are very accomplished and catchy. I was struck by moments of progressive pomposity with keyboard flurries that were reminiscent of Emerson Lake And Palmer. At other times it was the vocal harmonies that got to me and reminded a great deal of The Beach Boys (and if Ulver can do it why not)? Another thing that could not be ignored was that oft recorded cover song on the end, you should have heard the original and numerous versions of the classic King Crimson number 21st Century Schizoid Man and although this Von H treatment is not as ‘metal’ as Voivod or Entombed or as gonzoid as Shining, as far as a rock version is concerned it certainly holds it’s own.
Focussing on some of the songs rather than the lot I am going to pop the DVD on and mention some that are on both this and on the CD itself. ‘Always Been Right’ has a folky strum about it and REM etched vocals before the hard hitting chorus gets its talons in and has you wanting to sing along as it’s infectious, care free and uplifting. You are better off listening on CD though as the video has added sound effects due to the fact that Finns being Finns are chopping wood on it! There are heavier guitar lines on Miracle and a psychedelic, progressive tinge and retro organs that takes back in time and bridges between early Genesis and Led Zep. They do like a bit of an ethnic sound to things but then again it could be interpreted as going to the Kalevala and it is not impossible that a song like Angels Eyes would appeal to an Amorphis fan. In fact I could easily see Amorphis covering this and making the most of the really strong chorus. There’s a bit of doom and gloom in the melody of In The End that would not be out of place if it were more synthesized and done by Depeche Mode, a dark celebration of a song at first but the VHB cannot keep it up for long and burst into a more uplifting and joyous bombast. ‘Let Thy Will Be Done’ has a rocky start with some very cheeky riffs before going into an airy and light choral part and repeating from where it started off. It should certainly keep your head nodding and feet keeping time as it progresses.
I can see why this lot are massive and even the length of material here has not left me bored or wanting to hit the skip button in the slightest and for someone who likes things a lot more extreme this has done admirably keeping my attention. I won’t be rushing out and buying the four albums that these songs were taken from but I will put the disc aside for some lighter moments placed alongside the likes of TRHCP and some other guilty pleasures in my collection. Fair play bros, an unexpected delight.
(7/10 Pete Woods)
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