Review by Hawk Chavez
Forming in the early 90’s, the Finnish band, The 69 Eyes has raised Cain throughout Helsinki with their dark symbolic edginess lyrics and heart-pounding riffs; and now second time around they are ready to rule over the US once again with their second US release, Angels.
It’s like grab the tiger by the tail and throw it in your face with “Los Angeles”. The band focuses on the drama of the ins and outs struggles the city has to offer to most who try to thrive there. The insight continues with “Perfect Skin”, an un-genuine truth about California’s obsession with weight and the lack of, (if you are a size 12, you need liposuction), among being flawless in everyone’s eyes. However, what else is perfect about “Perfect Skin” is the impelling riffs and drums; it has that 80’s rock combined with 90’s gothic rawness.
All hail to raucous grittiness of Billy Idol, it’s like channeling the rock legend in “Wings & Hearts”. Once again, the band combines high-energy guitars and powerful pounding drums with clear metal rock vocals.
As most metal rock bands, The 69 Eyes try their hands at composing a softer side to gothic metal with “Star Of Fate” succeeding exceptionally well I may add. All of the mystical edginess remained, however more compassion is added. Jyrki expresses his deepest side, capturing an Old-Western John Wayne image simply good bone chilling work.