”Penny For Your Sins” is the new album from Kent, UK based quartet BLACK ROZE, a collection of songs clad in a variety of styles ranging from Glam, Sleazy Hard Rock and Metal. There’s also a classic 1980s-style ballad, and an acoustic bonus.
This female-fronted outfit comprise of the distinctive voice of the entrancing Viixen, Baz Roze on Guitar, Steve Rankin on bass, with Vic Finch on the drums.
The opening title track kicks in with Baz‘s relentless riffing. It is propelled by the kind of electric guitar and pummelling bass that you love to hear upon entering a Rock Bar and sure takes you back to the early ’80s. The song thrives on unbridled power, driving Hard Rock feel and Viixen‘s straight-in-your-face vocals. A short half-time part lets you catch your breath before a short but brilliant lead guitar part. And ‘short and brilliant’ are keywords here – each song is very much to the point, perfectly balanced, tells a story and draws you deeper into the world of BLACK ROZE.
Sometimes gloomy and sinister, sometimes with a good times Rock ‘n‘ Roll feel – check out “Hit Me Up“, reminiscent of Motley Crue and certainly with no shortage of cowbell.
The midpaced “Devil‘s Door“ is the nexus and, at the same time, the artistic starting point of the album. It was the first song written in February of 2020 after singer Viixen had a life-threatening illness and needed to be resuscitated in hospital. On the boundary of life and death Viixen experienced a series of visual and auditory hallucinations, which inspired this haunting song.
“Wake Up!“ adds a good dash of rebel feel to the album and features some stellar bass playing by Steve Rankin, who forms a formidable rhythm section with drummer Vic Finch.
“Burn It Down“ is a highlight: a moving composition bursting with melody, drama and dynamics. “Footprints In The Sand” sets a more reflective tone, approaching power ballad territory. The album’s mellowest moment, looking backwards at those who have passed and forward with fears for our children’s future. “We lose the ones we love; I don’t feel like walking tall.” Anthems like these always seem to draw the very best out of a soloist, and Baz crowns this by unleashing his inner Slash.
A pulsating bass introduces the flying ”Kix”, which returns us to the ”Hit Me Up” zone. A chopping riff underpins what will be another live favourite with its simple chorus of “I get my Kix from Rock and Roll”. Another exuberant party tune.
”Not Your Whore (Anymore)” sees us venture back to mid-’80s goth territory before another of their infectious hook-laden choruses gives the track an overall more contemporary feel. This track, which like no other song on this album showcast‘s singer Viixen‘s vocal versatility. She masters any timbre in any register with ease and her charisma shines through each and every track on the album. Excellent guitar work by Baz: powerful, expressive but always in line with the songs and never an end in itself – a rare quality in rock music.
To summarise, singer Vixxen has such an immediately identifiable voice. Coupled with Baz’s fluid soloing and driving riffs, they combine to produce a distinctive and highly contagious sound which has been crisply captured by Dan Lucas’ sharp but crystal clear production sound, each instrument cuts through the mix and everything is well balanced.
A hugely enjoyable album throughout and one that makes you want to experience its contents brought to life on stage.
Highly Recommended
01 – Penny for Your Sins
02 – Give Yourself to Me
03 – Hit Me Up
04 – Devil’s Door
05 – Wake Up
06 – Burn It Down
07 – Footprints in the Sands
08 – Kix
09 – Not Your Whore (Anymore)
10 – Poison Voices
11 – Curse of the Black Roze Pt 2 (Bonus Track)
Viixen – Vocals
Baz Roze – Guitar
Steve Rankin – bass
Vic Finch – drums