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DESYRE
Glamtron

GLAMnation (2013)
Rating: 7.5/10

There seems to be not only a trend in revival thrash and stoner / doom metal at the moment, but the glam metal scene is also offering up a few re-lacquered bands too. One such act is Finnish glamsters Desyre who, despite their rather annoying video for the song ‘Party Song’, are actually an admirable band who should take themselves more seriously if they are to get anywhere.

With Steel Panther leading the line when it comes to parody metal we don’t need another joke band, but it seems that in today’s market the only way forward is to ape the 80s; think of De La Cruz and Reckless for instance.

But Desyre seem to have a talent as showcased on this 11-track platter. Admittedly, it’s not an album made to break any ground, but instead of relying on mimicry the quintet have sharpened their nails and dug in deep, with Glamtron being an energetic listen.

The band consist of vocalist / guitarist Mazi Danger Bee, fellow axeman Coco Tommy, bassist Mike Seeker, drummer Jayce Prime and synth-master Lady Soundwave. The result is a lively and reasonably weighty glam rock stomp that rarely sounds dated despite taking its chops and licks from the 80s; particularly with the snazzy anthem ‘Too Hot For Radio’ which with enough airplay could easily be an accidental hit.

I was impressed by the likes of New York City’s Wildstreet with their sneering glam metal strut, and while Desyre are less threatening they certainly know how to infect the soul. The aforementioned ‘Party Song’ has a cool riff laced with synth and Mazi Danger Bee’s snarl. This is no bubblegum glam flash in the pan and boy have these guys moved on since 2009’s debut Warning Of The Night album; the music is much tighter, the drums harder and the songs have more of an epic feel.

With Mazi Danger Bee’s vocals stronger than ever the band come alive on ‘Dangerous Desyre’ and the twinkling talent of ‘Mystery Eyes’. Sure, bands of this ilk were in their droves in the 80s but it’s just as difficult today to make oneself known in a crowd of pretenders, and there’s enough evidence on this platter to suggest that Desyre are indeed a force to be reckoned with.

My favourite tacks on this record are ‘Beyond The Horizon’, with its chugging riff, the pacey ‘War Of Stars’ and the Mötley Crüe-laced ‘Protector’, with its down and dirty riff. Many bands have proven that to get noticed in this game of glitz one has to be more than just heavily laden with lipstick, but in the case of Desyre, if we peel back the layers of gold and then grime, there’s a real talent that’s worth your attention.

Neil Arnold

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