Badmotorfinger-Heroes

Logic(il)logic Records / Andromeda Dischi
2016

 "Heroes" is a brand new EP from Italy hard rock/heavy metal band Badmotorfinger. It follows the 2013 album "It's Not the End" (which you can read about here) and finds Luigi "Sange" Sangermano (Sange:Main:Machine, Old Flame, ex-Tarchon Fist) taking over lead vocals for the departed  Il Reverendo (Stefano Altobelli). Named after the classic Soundgarden album, Badmotorfinger also includes guitarists Federico "HeavyRico" Mengoli (ex-ex-Tarchon Fist) and Alessandro "Alex" Mengoli as well as bassist Massimiliano "Tommy" Tommesani and drummer Fabio "Barra" Bussolari. On the group's new EP there are three new tracks ("Hidden Heroes", "Needle In My Vein", and "Badmotorfinger") as well as three tracks that originally appeared on the group's debut album, "It’s Not The End" ("No Second Chance", "Afterlife", and "Rebel"). The three old tracks have been "carefully reworked, re-recorded and rearranged". As far as the old tracks go, "No Second Chance" is a new and improved version that is razor sharp(!) while "Afterlife" and "Rebel" are acoustic takes on what were original electrified numbers. "Afterlife", which features a duet between Sange and Viviana "LaViv" Cappelli, is arguably the better of the two acoustic tracks, but "Rebel" (with it's country rock vibe!) is a solid enough number that closes this EP up on a quite pleasant note. Those are the "old" tracks though so what do we make of the "new" ones? Starting off with the HEAVY-hitter "Hidden Heroes", Badmotorfinger's latest material shows off the group's natural growth as metal band ("Needle In My Vein") while still retaining that familiar (and much loved!) hard rock and roll sound ("Badmotorfinger")! Both tracks are over the four minute mark, but whereas "Needle In My Vein" is raw heavy metal with some (old-school) thrash touches, "Badmotorfinger" is pure hard rock love and joy! Much like their early material, "Badmotorfinger" pays homage to the one and only Motörhead! As a longtime fan of Lemmy and company I can't help but LOVE that fact, but then again there is plenty of love to go around when it comes to this Italian band's latest recording!! With the exception of the two acoustic songs, each number on "Heroes" offers a slightly different take on true heavy metal. You've got classic metal ("Hidden Heroes"), heavy metal thrash ("Needle In My Vein"), hard & heavy ("Badmotorfinger"), and even some punk-infused metal ("No Second Chance"). Each and every number here works (including the two unplugged tracks!) and that ultimately leads to a new recording that should make people stand up and notice this five-piece band. For an act that originally started out in 2006 as a cover band, Badmotorfinger has come a long way from it's humble beginnings. One would think that this band would be bigger than it is right now, but things happen for a reason I guess. Hopefully the EP "Heroes" sets some good things in motion for Badmotorfinger as they really do deserve a bigger and better fan-base as well as way more press than they are getting now!

Badmotorfinger-It's Not The End

Logic(il)Logic Records
2013

Italy's Badmotorfinger, who of course took their name from Soundgarden's third studio album, first started out in 2006. Early on the band played covers, but soon enough they would be found penning their own material. As with most bands there was a few bumps along the way with members coming in and members going out before eventually landing a solid line-up that included ex-Tarchon Fist guitarist Federico "HeavyRico" Mengoli. After fine-tuning their originally material the band found their way into the studio to record "It's Not The End". Indeed it isn't for this Italian band as it most certainly looks as if this album is just the starting point for Badmotorfinger to build off of. Or is that launch off of? The thing is, as far as debut recordings go, this one is a real cracker jack!  Lead vocalist Il Reverendo (Stefano Altobelli) does a pretty solid Lemmy impression on the mic which is rather fitting since A) It's obvious that Motörhead is one of Badmotorfinger's influences (whether they cop to it or not) and B) The group even covers the Motörhead track "Rock 'n' Roll" on their debut-album! Besides Motörhead, which is always a good starting point for bands to start rocking out to anyway, (influence-wise) there's some Kiss to their sound as well as early  Mötley Crüe (the more punk and less glam one) and "Slave to the Grind" era Skid Row. Squeeze all of those components into the mold of a modern hard rock/modern heavy metal band, coat it with fistfuls of rage and then scorch it with the burning flame of rock and roll and you will end up with Badmotorfinger! With 12 full-length tracks, as well as a 53 second introduction, "It's Not the End" is just one of those albums where you can't help but to get caught up in it's homegrown sense of familiarity. And since vocalist Il Reverendo has just the right amount of roughness going for him anyway this album feels natural and honest making it hit home all the more. This Italian 5-piece, which is rounded out by guitarist Alessandro Mengoli (Alex), bassist Massimiliano Tommesani (Tommy) and drummer Fabio Bussolari (Barra), really is on to something here given the fact that "It's Not The End" features track after track of catchy hard and heavy rock and roll that instantly sticks in your head! Usually at this point in the game (career-wise) bands are not hitting it out of the ballpark with their own material so it's surprising how well tracks like "Ride The Storm", "Loser", "No Second Chances" and "Afterlife" come across. They almost feel like familiar hard rock classics as there so well-written and executed. To make this kind of hard-livin' rock work you've got to believe in what you're doing and it's obvious that Badmotorfinger does just that. The energy behind this group is most definitely noticeable and when you hear Il Reverendo tackle a cut like "Nightmares" (like his life depends on it no less!) you'll get pulled deep in whether you like it or not! Although chances are good you won't mind getting wrapped-up with the hard rock this group pumps out. Heck, the way these guys roll you'd almost swear that here was a veteran band knee-deep in their careers and not some new upstart. Obviously I liked this album A LOT and I definitely see it hitting home with those who like their hard rock kind of dirty and mean.