1. Bad Reputation
2. Rocket Scientist
3. Overdrive
4. I
5. Scream
6. Watch Out
7. R.A.T.
8. Crash And Burn
9. Riot
10. Memories

Norwegian hard rockers Molotow have managed to stay under the radar for a long time, but their upcoming Sleazenation (and other) gigs brought them to my attention.

After just 2 albums, Rocktales being the most recent one, and a third one in the making, Molotow have already established themselves as larger-than-life melodic hard rockers.

The addition of keys to their already huge sound, makes it all the more unique. Time to take their latest for a closer look...

Starting off with "Bad Reputation", which has been circulating on the web for a while, Molotow put their stamp on a very particular brand of highly energetic, melodic hard rock with choruses that may lift them above the club circuit.

After a messy intro on "Rocket Scientist", a simple but catchy riff takes it all down to the track that will most likely please the glam and sleaze lovers more than anything else on the album. The lyrics and music make it one to shout along loud. No idea what link the title has to the lyrics, but who cares right?

To me, "Overdrive" is the song that defines Molotow on this record. This is where you get the best overview of their sound, the catchiness of their lead melodies and the vocal capacity of singer Sgt Alexx.

Walking the tight rope between hard rock and heavy metal at all times, "I" is no exception to that matter. From the start on, it can go two ways. As on the previous songs, Molotow kick back into a killer rock riff accompanied by gritty yet powerful vocals, just to take it down again. They don't lack songwriting skills and know how to build up tension in a song, adding again to their possibility to make it in the big league as an awesome festival band.

Head bangers "Scream" and "Watch Out" keep thriving on the same formula that made the album interesting to begin with, leaving little for me to add to what I already said. Killer tracks still!

Rarely, it happens that a cd remains eargrabbing all the way through, but the greatest songs on Rocktales are in the last half. Or at least, that's what I think about "R.A.T.", "Crash And Burn", "Riot" and "Memories".

The first one is the one that speaks to me most of all, most of that due to the immense chorus. Simple, not too many lyrics jammed into it, and straight back down to the rest of the song/story. Great instrumental break and progression after that too...

"Crash And Burn" shows how the keys are used as a backing instrument more than an additional solo tool, which is how I like it. The added value in the pre-chorus makes this a standout song as well. I love how they created a more chaotic atmosphere also, compared to the more rigid, straightforward songs.

"Riot" is an example of one of those cleaner songs. This is perfect production in action, the chorus just bursts in your face once it kicks off.

Obviously, we need a piano-driven emotional closer, which is "Memories". Adding more than a minute to the already impressive average song length, this Def Leppard-like song takes your attention if you let it. If not, this is just another ballad, but if you allow the bass line to drag you in, you're in for a treat. It's upbeat and motivational, contrary to most of the bittersweet love songs you get, which is a nice surprise.

With all this said, I believe Molotow will kill on stage, and hopefully they will get people coming down, because I don't think anyone will leave not getting their money's worth...