Switchblade Serenade
Orange, Connecticut, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2011 | SELF
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I really like discovering new bands, coming from virtually nowhere, that surprise me with a really good album. Switchblade Serenade hail from New Haven, Connecticut, and are living, breathing proof that Scandinavia is not the only place in the world breeding young sleaze rock talent.
The best thing about Switchblade Serenade is that even though the trio of players are very young, technically they are absolutely terrific. The rhythm section sounds tight like few others and the guitar solos are insane and crunchy at the same time. The band's debut album Alive At Night delivers a very strong power rock sound -- balancing on the verge of heavy metal but not crossing the fine line between the two genres. It is just very powerful sounding hard rock.
From the beginning, with songs like the title track, "Who Are You", and "Mouthful Of Dirt", Switchblade Serenade moves along without ever losing their pace. There are no ballads here, just 'knock 'em dead' rock 'n' roll. The only downside of that is that after listening to Alive At Night back to back, time and time again, the songs start to blend in with each other. But again, this only proves that the CD demands more than one listen because the songs are really powerful and addictive -- just check out the driving "Axe To Grind" for proof. If you listen to this fresh young band while driving, expect to get a speeding ticket sooner or later.
All jokes aside, Alive At Night is a bad ass record, from a young and hungry band, and I am sure there are great things ahead for Switchblade Serenade. These guys might not have even born when grunge was taking over the mainstream in the early '90s, and in the process they are living proof that rock 'n' roll never dies -- it just gets fresh blood and new disciples like Switchblade Serenade.
switchbladeserenade.com - www.facebook.com/SwitchbladeSerenadeOfficial
Reviewed by Fat Peter for Sleaze Roxx, April 2014 - Sleaze Roxx
We have been anxiously awaiting the release of Rockers Switchblade Serenade new album, “Alive at Night”. HOT DAMN! It was definitely an album worth waiting for. It is a complete full on ROCK n ROLL album that will soon become one of your favorites. “Alive at Night” was produced, mixed, and mastered by Nick Bellmore (Drummer of Toxic Holocaust and Kingdom Of Sorrow) at Dexter’s Lab Recording Studio You can pick it up NOW on Itunes here.
The first song is the title track, “Alive at Night” and starts right off with their energetic rock, bad ass chorus and amazing guitar work. It is a great anthemic rock song.
You also have their single we previously shared with you, “Who Are You?” Bassist Ed Mandevil told us more about the song, “The song is about asking the listener who they really are. There are so many fakes and phoneys out there and we’re a bit tire of it!” The song has a bad ass bass intro, vocals are edgy yet mysterious, love the backing vocals, great guitar solo and rockin drums!
Mouthful of Dirt has a slamming bassline that sets the perfect tone for the rockin song along with a catchy chorus. You can’t help but rock out and we clearly all need more rock n roll in our lives!
Another favorite of mine is On The Run and has one of the coolest band chants reminiscent of 80’s style stadium chants. It has a sweet guitar solo and thunderous drums that deliver a kick. It FUCKIN ROCKS!!
Perfect Sin starts off with a Metallica style and feeds you a bit of thrash in there. It also features some devilish guitar tapping. I love that Switchblade Serenade can truly take a bit of all their musical influences and bring them to life perfectly in their own music.
Drive Me Insane is another one that I can’t get out of my head. This song has an incredibly fierce guitar solo by Austin, along with precision drumming and edgy vocals that bring this song to the forefront.
If you are like me and have been waiting for some old school rock n roll being brought to life by the new younger generation, then Axe to Grind is the answer to our prayers. I love the bad ass bassline by Ed during the smoking guitar solo. These three guys form together a big stadium rock sound that you have to hear!
Full Throttle takes it a bit heavier with some faster double bass drums as well as guitars on the intro. Luke on the drums is a madman on this song, excellent work!!! Once again, Austin treats you to an awesome solo.
Switchblade Serenade brings back the great Motley Crue/Ratt style intros in The Ritual that I miss. It almost has a darker edge to the song which gets highlighted by the deeper vocals. There is not a song on this album that I don’t love.
From start to finish, it is an album to have. It has catchy choruses, kick ass guitar solos, pounding drums, harmonic basslines, strong vocals, melodic chants, and everything you want in a rock n roll album. So get ready and pick up your copy on Itunes here.
Switchblade Serenade is Austin Jaser on Guitar and Lead Vocals, Luke Barone on Drums and Vocals and Ed Mandevil on Bass and Vocals. These three young guys bring a great big sound that you have to take notice of. They are from New Haven, CT and you can definitely feel their musical influences such as Skid Row, Guns n Roses and Motley Crue come to life in their tunes. - Music Junkie Press
Discography
Still working on that hot first release.
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
Switchblade Serenade started in 2011. Previously, drummer Luke Barone and guitarist and singer Austin Jaser had left their former bands in search of a more serious venture. Once Luke had heard that Austin was looking for a drummer to start a band with, he contacted him and quickly set up a jam session. Once they got together, the two clicked right away, having mutual influences of notorious rock bands Motley Crue and Guns n’ Roses. For 5 months, the duo played local shows and began turning heads. They only lacked a bassist until they found Ed Mandevil. He aced his audition, and the trio was complete. Immediately after, they began writing and recording an EP. The band has since dominated the American East Coast on various mini tours, showcasing their instrumental talent, songs, and attitude. Switchblade Serenade recently recorded their debut full length album entitled “Alive At Night”, which features 9 heavy, but melodic and catchy anthems. Switchblade Serenade has a sound, style, and attitude that you surely will not forget.
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