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AARDVARK
Tough Love

Dying Victims Productions (2024)
Rating: 8/10

That album cover screams early 80s circa Raven, Shogun etc. and the sound of Tough Love wouldn’t seem out of place back then either. The Melbourne, Australia-based quartet formed in 2021 and have certainly done well with this debut full-length outing. The line-up consists of vocalist / guitarist Ed Vaark, guitarist Sorcha Wilcox, bassist Danny Smith and drummer Dylan Lieberman.

As albums go this release is obviously influenced by New Wave Of British Heavy Metal, although there are some surprising hints of 70s glam too if you listen closely. ‘Fire’ brings to mind Kiss but most of what is offered is quite simple and often stark traditional metal with flashes of Iron Maiden streaked with echoes of Thin Lizzy, especially on ‘Killer’.

Aardvark is no stranger to subtlety either as showcased on ‘Fight Back’, which also boasts a 70s hard rock vibe. Ed Vaark’s vocals are extremely versatile; one moment he delivers a volatile rasp (‘Tough Love’), the next he’s not a world away from Paul Stanley of Kiss (‘Don’t Call Me A Liar’), but Ed really finds his sweet spot on the more aggressive numbers (‘Destructor’).

There are plenty of fine solos, smooth drum rolls and memorable anthems where some of the melodies are quite comfortable operating within the framework of muscular rhythms and even borderline speed metal (‘Ankh’). This is music for those with a penchant for handlebar moustaches and black leather waistcoats.

Neil Arnold

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