Album Reviews : Blessed By A Broken Heart – Feel the Power

Glamcore is not a term that inspires confidence. It brings images of sex-deprived emo wannabes who somehow got a hold of glitter and some Mötley Crüe albums. However Blessed by a Broken Heart resoundingly smash this assumption with Feel the Power. After their first album, All Is Fair In Love And War, which was a straight out deathcore album, and their second cheesy, slightly glammed up 2008 effort, Pedal To The Metal, Feel The Power brings together elements of both together, to finally reach something that doesn’t sound like the screams of dying children over glammed up riffs, and instead something actually enjoyable.

Deathwish is a worthy opener, which sets up the mood for the entire thing. Fast, loud and glamorous. Next is the anthem of the album. Shut Up And Rock, which you’ll probably be humming along to pretty soon. Blessed then return to the slightly core style that a lot of bands like these days, for a few songs before reaching, I’ve Got You. It’s the power ballad. Blessed have never done a power ballad before, and they make one mistake. It almost feels as if they’ve written an actual song, like they’re legitimately in love. It feels just like they’re legitimately not going to go backstage to fuck some groupies. It’s just wrong. I’ve always thought power ballads were designed to get you laid, nothing more. Rockin’ All Night is the next, and final really noteworthy track of the album, and it’s cheesy enough to have you singing along embarrassedly,

However, there are a few things about Feel The Power that don’t work. The lyrics are so tame, half of them feel like reused emo lyrics and the other half don’t inspire any great sense of power or emotion. They’re safe. One of the best things about glam metal is that you don’t have to be safe, you don’t have to be serious. The majority album lacks the sleaze and fun that the best glam metal albums have. It doesn’t have the true rock ‘n’ roll feel of bands like Crashdïet or Mötley Crüe. It’s too deep. But then again, it’s different, and anarchy in the world of rock ‘n’ roll? Well it could always work. So if you have a good appreciation of glam metal or you’re searching for something different you might as well give Feel The Power a listen.

Band: Blessed By A Broken Heart
Album: Feel the Power
Year: 2012
Genre: Glam/metalcore
Location: USA, Canada, Mexico
Label: Tooth & Nail Records (USA), Canada (EMI), Rude Records (Europe), El Shaddai (AU/NZ), GrindHouse Recordings (Japan)
http://www.facebook.com/blessedbyabrokenheart

Tracklisting:
1. Deathwish
2. Shut Up and Rock
3. Love Nightmare
4. Forever
5. Thunderdome
6. Holdin’ Back for Nothin’
7. I’ve Got You
8. Rockin’ All Night
9. Scream It Like You Mean It
10. Skate or Die
11. Innocent Blood
12. Sleepless Nights