Project Description
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THE DEAD DAISIES
‘Holy Ground’
(Album Review)
5th February 2021
Reviewer: Amelia Torresan
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Are you the kind of person who, when reminiscing on your younger years, say the phrases “Ah those were the days,” or “back in my day…”? If you answered yes to one, both, or even neither, this band is right up your alley! The Dead Daisies, formed in Sydney in 2013, are made up of David Lowy, Doug Aldrich (Bad Moon Rising, Whitesnake, Burning Rain, Revolution Saints), Deen Castronovo (Journey, Hardline, Ozzy Osbourne, Revolution Saints),and Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, Black Country Communion). Together, their musical talent and genius create ‘The Dead Daisies’ sound.
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The album begins with the title song ‘Holy Ground (Shake the Memory).’ Guitar feedback and a strong but short drum solo introduce the guitars and Glenn Hughes’ powerful vocals. From the get-go, the song projects a classic heavy rock sound, no doubt attributed to the members’ previous musical projects. The harmonic backing vocals provided by Doug Aldrich and Deen Castronovo provide an inviting call and response with Glenn Hughes in the chorus. The guitars have heavy distortion which is typical of the heavy rock genre, and Doug Aldrich’s guitar solos will have you playing air guitar right alongside him. ‘Holy Ground’ is the perfect opening song for the album as it gets the listener pumped up and excited for the rest of the album.
‘Like No Other (Bassline)’ lives up to its alternate name ‘Bassline’ with its deep, thrumming bassline that you could feel vibrate through your body when you’re at a concert. The chorus, although simple, is catchy and easy to sing along to. Glenn Hughes’ vocals are full of passion in this song, and the backing vocals are almost choral. The song has an incredible amount of depth that makes every second interesting.
“Now take me by the hand and come alive”
If you like your music a little more spooky sounding, then ‘Come Alive’ is the track for you. The song bears resemblance to the music of Ozzy Osbourne and, to me, gives me the idea that it would be sung by a movie villain resurrecting the dead. The guitar solos are intense, the vocals are powerful yet haunting and the vocal control in the melody is incredible, especially in the higher notes. The beats of the drums make it super easy to headbang too, and if I ever got to see The Dead Daisies in concert, this would be the song I’d be the most excited for.
Beginning with a marching band snare rhythm, ‘Bustle and Flow’’ guitar riff in the intro immediately catches your attention before the vocals come into the song. The drums and heavy cymbals give it a solid beat, while the same intro riff features throughout the song in the verses. This song just projects power in all forms, the instruments, the vocals, the lyrics, it’s one badass song! The lyrics speak of getting ready for battle and preparing to fight for their life. The music video released in 2020 for ‘Bustle and Flow’ also depicts this theme.
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Progressing through the lyric’s narrative is ‘My Fate.’ Despite sounding dark and intense, the song lightens up a few bars before the verse starts. Glenn Hughes’ vocals have more of a country-sounding twang in the verses until the chorus begins and it’s back to the heavy rock vocals with the hard country rock instrumental. The emotion in the vocals is so intense, particularly toward the end of the song, which allows to picture the raw emotion experienced while singing.
Up next in the album are ‘Chosen and Justified’ and ‘Saving Grace.’ ‘Chosen and Justified’s’ sound is very Americana due to the classic distortion effect on the guitars, particularly the lead guitar. I’d recommend this song to people who are fans of AC/DC’s music. The instrumental and vocals are intense in every sense of the word and it’s perfect to headbang along to. ‘Saving Grace’ is more like ‘Like No Other (Bassline)’ with Glenn Hughes’ vocals reaching new heights with the same incredible level or power. It’s no wonder that he is referred to as “The Voice of Rock.” The layers of instrumentation in this song keep the listeners interest peaked with instruments being stripped back and added back in creating a great musical dynamic within the song. It’s probably one of the more intense love songs I’ve listened to in my life!
“In the static gotta make your pledge
So dramatic and you’re out on the ledge”
The Dead Daisies then introduce a more sombre, emotional song into the mix: ‘Unspoken.’ The lyrics speak of loss and holding onto the past, with the stripped back instrumentation in the verse. The song picks up in the chorus with all the instruments going all out for an emotional and musical crescendo and then breaks down again for the verse. This variation in dynamics occurs throughout the song, paralleling the fluctuation of emotions.
Following ‘Unspoken’ comes ‘30 Days in the Hole’ and ‘Righteous Days’. ‘30 Days in the Hole’ refers to spending time in jail after being caught with drugs. The tone of this song is similar to ‘Chosen and Justified’ with the classic Americana sound on the rhythm and lead guitar from their distortion. The melody and the chorus are easy to sing along to (or chant along to) making it a great concert song. ‘Righteous Days’ begins with a very ‘Sweet Child ‘O Mine’ guitar intro that breaks into Deen Castronovo’s drumming and deep strums on rhythm and bass guitars. The lyrics and vocals give the impression that the protagonist is reaching for salvation, or just a better place.
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‘Far Away’ and ‘Inside and Above’ are the last two songs that wrap up the album. ‘Far Away’ is the token (semi) acoustic song on the album. It’s slower and stripped back with a walking beat on the drums. Glenn Hughes’ vocals and the emotion he sings are more prominent in this song. ‘Inside and Above’ (Japanese Version only) finishes off the album on an upbeat and fiery note just like ‘Holy Ground’ began the album. Glenn Hughes’ vocal runs rival Doug Aldrich’s guitar solos which makes for an awesome battle of talent.
The Dead Daisies bring the best of hard rock from the 70’s and 80’s right into 2021, from the face-melting guitar solos and powerful vocals all the way to the long hair and tight pants. They encapsulate the best of the hard rock genre in every song that makes up the ‘Holy Ground’ album.
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Check out THE DEAD DAISIES below
Website – Facebook – Instagram – Twitter
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Interview with DOUG ALDRICH – HERE
(29th January, 2021)
Press Release (22nd January) HERE
THE DEAD DAISIES
‘HOLY GROUND – THE ALBUM’
sees the light of day
January 22nd 2021
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