By Monk
Despite what their name might suggest, Indie Place are actually a heavy metal band – more precisely, one in the classic NWoBHM-meets-West Coast classic rock trope – which is why they caught our attention here at ÜRHQ. The brainchild of Italian guitarist/producer/songwriter Gianfranco Previ, they seek to appeal to a wider, international audience by virtue of the fact that they have an American singer, Aiden (no surname, no pack drill with this boy), which means that you don’t have to battle with what can sometimes be impenetrable vocal accents…
To be honest, there’s not much you can say about this debut five track EP, which is something of a pity given that it has been the same number of years in its gestation and ultimate birth. It’s a good, solid slice of classic rock, characterized by neatly crafted songs, precise songwriting and musical ability, topped off with a not unpleasant vocal performance from a singer who undoubtedly has a decent voice, but one which you feel is not being overly stretched here.
Things start well with ‘Walk In My Shadow’, which is a suitably powerful and impactful introduction – but things go downhill quicker than a tobogganist on a fresh field of snow. Their cover of Saxon’s ‘Out Of Control’ is mediocre and unimaginative, and sounds more like Heavy Pettin or Mama’s Boys than Biff and co., while lead single ‘Master Of Ghosts’ is anodyne and too light in its touch, the ‘80s style synths overwhelming what could have been a much more impactful and forceful riff: yes, it has a nice melody, but there’s just no sense of any energy or life about the finished product. ‘Where The Lights Go Down’ is a needless, meandering instrumental distraction, while closer ‘In Your Dark Place’ could have done with being taken there, as again the touch is just too light.
Having said all of that, this was a not unpleasant listen, and it will be interesting so see if Previ and the mysterious Aiden can take things down a slightly more cohesive, and perhaps heavier, route with future offerings…
- ‘Persistent Visions’ is out now. You can get your copy HERE.
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