Progressive Rock & Progressive Metal - E-Zine: Chillihounds

domingo, setembro 02, 2012

Chillihounds - Shake Your Skull 'Classic Rock'

No fashion, just rock'n'roll", That was the slogan not only ..used on the bands first t-shirts, but the name of the demo that landed Chillihounds its first recording contract. That was six years ago. However, the same battle cry still ring as true as ever.

SHAKE YOUR SKULL was recorded in the bands hometown of Gothenburg. Co-produced by famed Swedish pop star and studio engineer Kristian Anttila, the group never sounded heavier, darker and more to the point. While recording, Sator guitarist (and renowned Hellacopters producer) Chips Kiesbye graciously lent out a killer solo on the track 1979.

Gabriel Aadland, lead singer and rhythm guitarist of the group, shares his view on the new direction: - Even though we're very pleased with our previous albums, we knew we wanted something different this time. Less blue boogie and more black blues, if you will. We think the title SHAKE YOUR SKULL sums it up pretty good. We're still shaking our audience but this time we do it so hard they might break their bones.

A new sound calls for a new label. Transubstans Records was Chillihounds first choice. Transubstans has been around a long time and knows how to work music flavoured by the 70'S. They are highly regarded within the scene and were the only label we contacted when we were out shopping for a new deal. Ironically, they had had their eyes set on Chilli hounds for quite some time.

The first incarnation of Chillihounds dates back to 2003. Aadland and drummer Stefan johansson (ex-Aggressive) is the only two remaining members from the first era. Bass player Carl Linnaeus (ex-Rickshaw, Lucyfire, Abandon) joined forces in 2005 as the music began to take a more classic rock route. Turning their back on the action rock genre that every other rock act of the day seemed to embrace, Chillihounds instead studied their dusty old vinyl collection and dug further into the influences ofAC/DC,Deep Purple, Kiss, ZZTop, Alice Cooper, Status Quo, Ted Nugent and Grand Funk Railroad.

Italiari punk rock labe Nicotine Records signed Chillihounds and released their highly acclaimed debut THE ALBUM. It sold out in a coupleof months and is now a collector's item. The follow 'up WELCOME TO THE SHOW sat tight with the same musical pattern and was a semi conceptual album about life on the road.

After having some difficulties in finding a solid lead guitarist, Stefan Rasmusson (ex-Hurricanez) finally fitted the bill just before the second album was released. The group's reputation as a rock band for the new generation was then affirmed when UK magazine Classic Rock featured the song MOBILE LIFESTYLE on the free disc given away with SO000 copies of their July issue in 2010.

In the new decade, classic rock is more popular than ever and bands like Rival Sons and Ghost is regarded as the new thing. Chillihounds has been around the block without ever losing their integrity, After sharpening their teeth they have with their third album SHAKE YOU R SKU LL created a masterpiece that is as timeless as the genre they are part of. This is the fundament, the essence, the very core of future classic rock. Let a new journey take form. But make no mistake: It's still no fashion, just rock'n'roll.

Band Line-Up:
Gabriel Aadland - Lead vocals/rhythm guitar
Stefan Rasmusson - Lead guitar
Carl Linnaeus - Bass guitar
Stefan Johansson - Drums/backing vocals

Tracklisting:
01 No Vacation
02 Taking Off
03 Back In The Game
04 Evil Mind Blues
05 Cain
06 Mark of Cain
07 Heartbeater
08 Love Pays No Rent
09 1979
10 Control