Maxxwell - Tabula Rasa mp3 [2014]

Swiss hard rockers MAXXWELL have been harvesting a solid reputation in Europe with two strong albums and an EP, and for their new album "Tabula Rasa" to be released on October 3, their recording label started an aggressive promo drive for the band , and secured the a place as the support of Michael Schenker Temple Of Rock on their upcoming tour later this year.
The first perceptible thing on "Tabula Rasa" is their growing maturity. Originally compared with Gotthard (and not only for their Swiss origin), Shakra, Wig Wam and the like, Maxxwell's sound and style is Euro guitar driven hard rock with a modern sound.
But for this new record which is 3 years in the making , Maxxwell's sound has evolved on a personal level, In Gilberto Melendez the band has a new vocalist, and this guy can really 'sing'. powerfully versatile vocals that bring life to the tracks and that's all good because the band vary in their musicical styles regularly, now Gilberto is one of the great strengths, of the quintet, and it shows with the song variety on "Tabula Rasa".
MAXXWELL have taken full risk – replacing the leadsinger can either trigger or paralyse a band. It’s very obvious that with Gilberto Meléndez the former is true. „Tabula Rasa“ shoots from the hips very easily, wins you over with massive guitarpower and with a voice that cannot be beat when it comes to catchiness and the wealth of variety. Diverse, heavy, dynamic, curious and straight. MAXXWELL are definitely lookin’ for international comparison and can easily compete.





Here on "Tabula Rasa" we find honest hard rockers with an anthemic, stadium feel vibe as on tracks like "PartyKings", the kickin' "Cause I'm Lovin' It", the fun "Man Of Steel" - with some cliche style lyrics but they're catchy as hell - the hot "On Your Face" and the bonus track "Turn Me On".
Maxxwell also explore more updated sounds and modern rock waves as on the bass driven "Trails Of Hate" where some heavy guitar appears but during the verses are pretty clean, and where the vocalist changes the octaves for good effect.
"Fallin' Down" is another different cut, with an almost poppy melody although filled with razor riffs, while the melodic midtempo "Nothing Changes My Mind" (really strong chorus) is one of the highlights with an intense guitar solo.
"Backstabber" is perhaps the more experimental track as features a rapper called Polemikk, resulting into something comparable to Faith No More, which offers another avenue explored and although it's been done before it remains interesting.





Of course there's a couple of ballads, one being the single "Gone Forever", in my opinion is the weakest song on the record, but nevertheless on a par with Alter Bridge ballads however this doesn't detract from the tracks obvious focus for modern rock radio though the accompanying video is fantastic. "Never Let You Go" is much, much better with a positive rocking vein
All in all, a very good rock album, which is on a par (I would say) with the likes of Alter Bridge and definitely one for the collection. This is a keeper for traditional Hard Rockers and modern orientated listeners alike.
Production is detailed, everything sounding polished and clear and the mix is superb, get some headphones on Play it loud .


Maxxwell Discography:
Dogz on Dope (CD - 2009)
All in (CD -2011)
Slapshot (EP - 2012)


Line-Up:
Gilberto "Gilbi" Meléndez - Vocals
Hef Häfliger - Lead Guitar
Cyril Montavon - Rhythm Guitar, Backing Vocals
Kusi Durrer - Bass


Info:
Artist: Maxxwell
Album: Tabula Rasa
Genre: Hard Rock / Melodic Rock
Country Of Origin: Switzerland (Luzern)
Year: 2014
Audio codec: MP3
Riptype: Tracks
Bitrate: 320 kbps
Playing Time: 00:58:55
Size: 136 MB
Included - Front Cover


Tracklist
01. Partykings 03:43
02. Fuck It! 04:38
03. Nothing Changes My Mind 04:55
04. Trails Of Hate 05:27
05. Cause I’m Loving It 04:25
06. Gone Forever 04:11
07. Fallin Down 04:18
08. Man Of Steel 03:49
09. Never Let You Go 04:32
10. On Your Face 04:21
11. Backstabber 03:50
12. Rund Or Hide 06:32
13. Turn Me On (Bonus Track) 04:07