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Trixter – Human Era

Label: Frontiers
Format: CD download
Released: 2015
Reviewed By: Rich Catino
Rating: 7.5/ 10


If Trixter got lost in the shuffle in the late 80s/early 90s (debut was released in 1990) wave of melodic hard rock and you missed em, the band has reunited and released two albums of new music since touring again in 2008. Like several of the bands from the tail end of the 80s golden age of hard rock and heavy metal, Trixter also couldn’t get past releasing only three albums before breaking up in the mid 90s. Stylistically, Trixter were more old Roth Van Halen, minus the sleeze and glam of Motley Crue and Twisted Sister, and grouped with (the like) Extreme, Mr. Big, Slaughter, Danger Danger, and Firehouse.

 

Lead off track, and first single/video ‘Rockin To The Edge Of The Night’ is Trixter doing what they do best, delivering a catchy 80s riff with a straight ahead hard rock beat, big melodic vocals with a memorable hook. If you remember their hit singles ‘Give it To me Good’ and ‘One And A Million’, “Rockin Edge of Night’ will be a great compliment. Aptly titled ‘Crash That Party’ follows and maintains a rockin party vibe between the edgier riff, rhythm, and when the guitars drop out for some lone bass and drum action. ‘Not Like The Rest’ has a distinctly more contemporary riff pattern and verse/chorus pop structure. Kinda Blink 182ish? Not my thing. That opening riff to ‘For You’ brings back that Van Halen vibe, thankfully. ‘Every Second Counts’ is back to a modern rock ballad arrangement, this one is all set for a WB show for teenagers. Again, not for me. Have to wait until ‘Midnight In Your Eyes’ before things get a little more back on track, ‘All Night Long’ still though has those American rhythmic riffs and chorus. I was hoping for a few in the hard rock/metal vein of ‘Line Of Fire, ‘Bad Girl’, ‘Damn Good’ or ‘Rockin Horse’ (from the underrated/overlooked “Hear” album), but ‘Soul Of A Lovin Man’ does see Steve getting back to those more metal edged riffs.

Not a bad album, just not metal edged enough for my taste. Switch a few off the last album “New Audio Machine” for a few of these and its better.

 
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