Big Ball - Hotter than Hell

Ok, so do me a favor and name, while you count on your fingers (and toes, if necessary), the bands that heavy metal needs more of because they are so unique and special. Did AC/DC’s name get mentioned? No? I didn’t think so. Well, here we have yet another band that some people “in the know” think being an AC/DC clone is not merely just a good thing but something spectacular enough to warrant a label signing and a record release. Dare I ask, in 2010, we really need to go there?

For a band that played death metal for seven years before switching to this high octane rock/metal hybrid, you would think that there would be some sort of rub off potential but no, that part of the band’s past doesn’t show its face anywhere on Hotter than Hell. When I initially gave this a spin, I thought these guys were native Aussies who made their way up the food chain in whiskey soaked dives in the Outback. You’d probably be just as surprised as me to learn that they are from Germany and not Australia.

The first half of Hotter than Hell, especially when focused on completely ripping off AC/DC meticulously in every way, is where this record succeeds most. But how much pride can you take in simply copying another band’s style/sound without injecting some personality of your own - to take it to the next level? There is probably an untapped market for this type of cheap imitation but I can only hope that’s very very small and will not mutate into some trendy monster (Rock Sugar, anyone?).

Lyrically this record is just as banal as any that Angus’ troupe pumps out so don’t look for any deep revelations here (she is “Hotter than Hell”). Almost every song title is the chorus and is repeated ad nauseum. Vocally, Thomas Gurrath has his “Brian Johnson” nailed down so tight that he would probably be an excellent candidate-in-waiting should the famed rasper ever consider retiring. The only other influence that creeps in from time to time is a milder Accept edge but given the fact they are German too, it stands to reason. All the songs are built on simple structures and a fair amount have grooves that swing like a “Wrecking Ball”. Just a glance at the song titles will tell you pretty much all you need to know about this record. Way back when AC/DC broke out into chants of “Oi, Oi” on their 1975 classic T.N.T., it spawned a slew of imitators in fawning admiration. Big Ball employs this now tired clichéd chant in a similar shouting fashion on their song “Porna Lisa” and to be nice, that is probably the best thing about this saucy, expletive laced ode to a certain female inspiration. So many of the songs lag or go nowhere that there’s really no point addressing them individually except for “Double Demon” which is the best song the band has come up with on this go around. To put it mildly, the rest are clunkers.

Big Ball is competent and might attain credibility in its own right if the focus were to be redirected toward creating less derivative music. I am guessing though, that they are happier riding on the coattails of their idols. If Hotter than Hell gains them a sizable fan base then there will be no reason to ever stray from their current course and that will indeed be a shame. As for me, unadulterated worship of iconic bands has its place - in clubs and pubs, not on records.

Release Date: June 15th, 2010
Label: AFM Records

TRACK LISTING

1.  Double Demon
2.  Porna Lisa
3.  Big Ball Crew
4.  Killdozer
5.  Free Fire Zone
6.  Hell Whores & High Heels
7.  Hotter Than Hell
8.  Shooter
9.  Plugged In
10.  Wrecking Ball
11.  Groove Monster Machine
12.  Rock N Roll Stomper
13.  Riding With The Devil

Total playing time:  47:45

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Reviewer: M.J.

June 8, 2010